Silver Hourglass

The Slug Club Chapter 54

Harry spent a lot of the last week of the holidays pondering about the meaning of Cassius' letter. What disturbed him most was the thought of a student working with the Death Eaters. He was worried about Cassius, and couldn't help but wonder who the student was. He did not tell anyone about the letter, believing that it should be a secret between him, Cassius, and Dumbledore. During the week, a second letter came from Cassius, this one shorter than the other.

Harry,

The two I have mentioned last time are being trained by Lestrange. They are always wearing masks, so I cannot see their faces again. I have tried to ask for their names, but Marcus Flint stopped me. No update on what the plan is, but it involves Hogwarts in some way. Most, if not all of my housemates are here. I've saw Lestrange and the werewolf talking yesterday; they still have the giants and werewolves on their side as well as dementors. Whatever they are planning, it will happen soon.

CW

After Harry read it, his heart sank. Werewolves, giants, Death Eaters... what is it that Bellatrix could be planning? He had hoped that the war could have ended with Voldemort's death, and the Aurors could handle capturing the Death Eaters. He guessed he was wrong.

The day before Harry left for Hogwarts, Sirius and Lupin visited again with Teddy. "We really do not want to sound rude Harry," Lupin began. "But thank you for staying here instead of home. Teddy had had some horrible few nights and we did not want it to bother."

"No—don't think about it, it's fine," Harry said quickly, looking down at Teddy with a smile. "It must be hard, I mean you two still cannot get out of the house," he said.

"True, but luckily Tonk's mother took a shining to him. Treats him like he's her grandson," Sirius said. "And it's nice having time with my aunt."

"How is Tonks anyway?" Harry asked. He hasn't seen the Auror since the battle at the Ministry.

"She is doing fine actually," Sirius said. "She was just at Grimmauld Place a few days ago. Oh, that reminds me... Harry, Remus and I have been thinking."

"What?"

"Well... Grimmauld Place is not a house I would want to raise Teddy," Sirius said. "So, we've decided to look for a more... lighter house."

"That's awesome!" Harry said, excited that they will be leaving Grimmauld Place. "Do you have any place in mind yet?"

"We are looking, but it is difficult when you're still wanted for a crime you've been cleared on," Sirius joked. "Tonks is helping us by looking at some available houses and telling us about them."

"That is good," Mrs. Weasley said nodding. "But houses can be very expensive Sirius, do you know how you will play?"

"Ehh I'll just blow the entire Black Vault if I have to, lord knows that money isn't doing anything good if someone else uses it," Sirius said.

Mrs. Weasley nodded and looked at Harry, "Harry, I've been meaning to explain about the security arrangements for the journey to Hogwarts tomorrow. We've got Ministry cars again, and there will be Aurors waiting at the station—"

"Is Tonks going to be there?" Harry asked.

"No, I don't think so, she's been stationed somewhere else, right boys?" Mrs. Weasley said looking at Sirius and Lupin who nodded. "You'd better get on, Harry. I want the trunks ready tonight, if possible, so we don't have the usual last-minute scramble."

The departure the following morning was smoother than usual. The Ministry cars glided up to the front ofo the Burrow to find them waiting, trunks packed; Hermione's cat Crookshanks, safely enclosed in his traveling basket; and Hedwig,; Ron's owl Pigwidgeon; and Ginny's new purple Pygmy Puff, Arnold, in cages.