The Darkness Within: A Harry Potter Sequel

Chapter Four

Audio version available here:

"He must have been at it for months," said Harry, looking around the table. After Teddy's escape, the Order had retired to Ron and Hermione's house. "He's a Metamorphagus, like his mum. He's been turning into us, collecting tiny bits of information where he could, never arousing suspicion. That's why the veritaserum didn't reveal anything; we didn't know we were talking to him. He's been planning this for a long time."

"He was desperate," said Hermione. "But involving Death Eaters..."

"Where are they now?" asked Ron.

"We've already caught them," Hermione replied. "Goyle, Travers, Macnair. Apparently, fifteen years in Azkaban wasn't enough to straighten them out. Murdering two Aurors and conspiring to steal a Deathly Hallow from the Ministry. Maybe bars and a cell aren't enough for them anymore."

"We'll deal with them," said Harry. "They're not our concern." He paused. "I've brought every available Auror into the case. They're out looking for Teddy now." Ginny opened her mouth to speak, and Harry held up a hand. "They're instructed to capture, with minimum necessary force."

"That's all well and good, mate," said Ron. "But he attacked you. He's not in his right mind. He won't come quietly. And with the Elder Wand..."

Harry shook his head. "I know. We can't match him. Oswald, one of the Aurors who was killed, was the master of the Elder Wand. Teddy must have disarmed him, so now its ownership has passed to Teddy. He has access to all the power it offers." He sighed. "We need to reason with him. If I can just get him to listen, I can get through to him."

Ron drummed his fingers on the tabletop. "Guys, have we thought that maybe—"

"Don't say it," Harry cut in.

"Why not?" Ron asked. "Maybe he's right! Maybe the Wand has the power. Maybe it's something Dumbledore never tried, and together we can figure it out. We could bring them all back...Remus, Tonks. Fred." The room fell silent. Molly's mouth fell open, and she looked at Arthur. Her husband clasped her hand and shook his head.

"Trust me, Ron," said Harry. "If Dumbledore could have found a way, he would have. The closest we'll ever get to resurrection, we already have. The Stone is as bad as the Wand. End of discussion." He stared at Ron for several seconds. Eventually, Ron nodded.

"So, what now?" Fleur said. "We wait?"

"We wait," Harry replied, "And we think. If Teddy is being led by his emotions...God, why didn't I think of it sooner? The graves!"

The idea spread to the others' minds.

"But he's had the Wand for over a week," said Molly. "He's probably already been there."

Harry stood up. "We have to check. I'll go now. Wait for me here and try to think of a plan. I'll be back soon." He turned to leave, but Ginny grabbed his arm.

"But what if he's there?" she asked.

Ron stood. "I'll go with you."

Ginny stared at Harry, then released him. The two friends left the room; talking immediately broke out behind them. Harry and Ron walked through the gate at the end of the garden, closing it behind them. With a stiff nod, they disapparated.

* * *

All who had died in the Battle of Hogwarts had been buried inside its grounds, their graves surrounding Dumbledore's. Voldemort had destroyed the original marble tablet which marked his grave; it had been replaced, and was now covered with tributes etched into the stone by multiple wands.