"Aberforth?" Fred frowned trying to picture the old man who owned a bar going to calm down dangerous dark creatures.
"Yes. He's finding his visits are becoming very enjoyable for both sides-however they won't let anybody else come to see them. So getting that Phoenix tear won't be easy." Kingsley inputted.
"What are our options?" George asked.
"Well we can tell Aberforth to go tell them we'll be visiting and explain the case. The Phoenix would have to be right beside the potion. The properties won't work if it doesn't go directly into it." said Remus.
"Wait. So you're saying Credence will come here? To the ministry?" Kingsley frowned.
"Or we can also go there." Fred pointed out.
"The Phoenix needs to see Hermione before it decides whether or not to shed a tear. We can't simply force one out." Madam Pomfrey reminded.
"Maybe Harry should go." Kingsley said thoughtfully. "He was the closest to Albus...maybe they'll be okay with him. After all, someone will have to convince them to come to Hogwarts."
"When will we stop throwing him into danger?" Remus sighed.
"He's the best option we've got." Kingsley insisted.
"I suppose one of you will have to inform Harry and Aberforth of everything and his mission. We'll keep working on the potion here until Harry comes to take it with him." Remus conceded.
"I can do that." Kingsley nodded.
"Very well. I'll be back at Hogwarts tending to Hermione. Keep me updated if anything changes." Madam Pomfrey bid them goodbye and left.
"I should probably summon both of them to my office. Expect them here around five. That'll give me half an hour." Kingsley said upon checking his watch. He left the room and headed back to his office, casting two patronuses with messages to go to the two people he needed.
They appeared in the doorway within ten minutes, and took seats across from Kingsley's desk.
"So I assume you both know why you're here and what needs to be accomplished?" Kingsley started.
"I don't know why I need to bring the boy along." Aberforth grumbled. "I could do it myself."
"You think you can convince them on your own to leave their home for the first time in who knows how long? And come to Hogwarts of all places?"
"I suppose." He shrugged.
"Sir, I just wanted to ask, why me? You could've chosen anyone to go. Even Remus would probably be a better choice." Harry asked.
"You're a very loyal person to the Dumbledores Harry. That's how you survived your second year, and that's how you'll help Hermione survive now. Phoenixes have this unique ability, and will be able to sense Hermione's emotions. Past and present." Kingsley said.
"How does that work?" Harry asked, always curious about that.
"Magic." Aberforth replied dryly. "Can we go now?" He got up, not waiting for an answer. Kingsley nodded and led them down to the room with the potion.
"Here you go." Remus duplicated the original so they could keep working, and gave the first one to Harry. "No pressure, but this could ruin Hermione's chances of survival if you don't get it. Try to do the best you can." He whispered to Harry.
"Thanks." Harry looked worried and traveled out of the ministry with Aberforth.
"Okay look at me. Don't do anything startling and be very sensitive. They haven't changed in a very long time but that's not to say they won't ever. Follow my lead and don't try anything dumb." Aberforth said firmly. He grabbed Harry's arm and dragged him into one of the fireplaces.
They appeared in front of a decently sized house. Waves could be heard crashing onto the shore nearby, and fresh air rustled the long grass surrounding the house.
"Credence." Aberforth called.
"Aberforth?" An old man made his way outside with a middle aged woman trailing behind. They looked nothing like what Harry was expecting after reading about the two. They didn't look like they could transform into a killing force. The similarity in the three before Harry was undeniable, though not so much with Laura.
"Who's that." Laura stopped in her tracks and Credence looked through squinted eyes as the rays of the descending sun slightly blinded his vision.
"Don't worry. This is Harry Potter." Aberforth introduced.
"I've heard so much about you in the stories Albus used to tell me." Credence's posture relaxed a bit but he kept his distance. "What do you need?"
"It's a long story. Would you mind if we came in?" Aberforth asked hopefully.
"I suppose." Credence nodded to Laura and they led the way inside. "So why are you here?"
Harry then launched into the story of what had occurred. How Hermione got injured in the first place, when they realized something was wrong, and how much time she had left.
"A helare?" Credence breathed.
"You've heard of it before?" Aberforth asked curiously.
"A very long time ago, that was an object Grindelwald sought after. After hearing what it did to your friend, I'm glad he didn't find it. But why would you come to us? You should be working on a cure."
"We have, but the potion makers believe there is one last ingredient needed." Harry said.
"And that is?" Credence prompted. Harry's eyes drifted to the magnificent creature perched in the corner. It was watching the conversation so intensely, as if it could understand what they were saying. "A Phoenix tear. Of course." He realized.
"The only thing is we'd need him to come to Hogwarts to see Hermione. So it can make its decision." Aberforth said.
"And you expect me to what? Let you waltz off with my Phoenix?" Credence frowned.
"No. You would come with us." Aberforth explained.
"Yes great idea. Let me be in the same building with almost the whole upcoming wizarding generation." Credence shook his head.
"It would only be for a little bit. And you'd apparate straight to the hospital wing and straight back here when it is finished." Aberforth encouraged.
"What if I can't contain myself? Not myself I suppose, but the condition?" Credence looked worried.
"I myself had a dark soul inside me. A part of Voldemort himself. I never knew about it, and couldn't control it when he'd use my thoughts and memories against my friends which got countless people killed, so I understand being afraid and guilty of hurting others. But you'd be saving a life if you do this, and we'll set up safety measures just in case if that makes you feel better." Harry said.
"And what if my Phoenix decides against shedding a tear?" Credence questioned.
"We won't know unless we try." Aberforth pointed out.
"Give me two days to ready myself." Credence decided after a long pause.
"She only has three-" Harry began to protest.
"It's that or nothing." Credence said firmly.
"Thank you." Aberforth nodded.
"I'll be ready at noon on the second day." Credence informed.
"You don't have to." Laura whispered.
"It's okay. I'll be okay." Credence seemed to be trying to reassure himself with those words more than her.
"We'll be on our way then. Thank you very much." Aberforth stood up and made his way over to the door with Harry following behind. The Phoenix had its eyes fixed on Harry and he shrugged off a feeling like he recognized that Phoenix. All of them look the same, after all.
"Goodbye. Thank you so much." Harry thanked and continued down past the apparition charms placed around the house.
"Now we just need to tell everyone they need to wait for two days." Aberforth said.
"Piece of cake." Harry said sarcastically.
YOU ARE READING
Broken But Beautiful~Dramione
Fanfiction"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." Hermione Granger, one of the brightest witches of her age, decided to return to Hogwarts to redo her seventh year and is asked to be head girl alongs...
