Harry Potter and Future's Past

Chapter 41

"So, that only leaves that snake and you Harry," Madam Bones said as they placed the destroyed Hufflepuff Cup back in the box. "Have you given any consideration to how you'll confront Voldemort?"

"Definitely not in the middle of a large battle again," Harry replied. "I think we need to figure out a way to get him alone."

"Though I agree that would be best, finding when he'll be somewhere could prove very difficult." Madam Bones said. "During the last war, we thought we had him several times and it was either a trap or he slipped through our hands. I fear what you want to do is going to be difficult unless you have something from the future that might help."

"Unfortunately most of that knowledge is becoming useless," Hermione explained. "It's entirely different now. People are alive who weren't before, like yourself and there are a lot less Death Eaters."

"For both of those things, I thank you and your Goddess," Amelia replied. "As for Voldemort, if you do think of anything, please let me know and I'll try to do the same. If we coordinate this enough, maybe you can face off with him with a lot less risk."

"Thanks," Harry replied. "Any help would definitely be appreciated. "

"For now though, I think the best thing to do is try to find the snake," Hermione added. "We can't finish Voldemort until the snake is dead. But we can't let Voldemort or any of his spies know we're looking for Nagini."

"I agree," Bones agreed. "I do have an idea on how to search for it without raising suspicions."

"How?"

"The attack on Arthur at Christmas is still unsolved." Amelia replied. "Now that the public knows about Dumbledore's pensieve, I can get Arthur's memories of the encounter and have a picture of the snake on the front page of the Prophet. Maybe even offer a reward."

"Excellent idea!" Harry said excitedly.

Hermione had a more pensive look before she added, "Wouldn't that possibly lead to making it more difficult to find Nagini? I mean if Voldemort knows everyone is looking for him, wouldn't he be less likely to allow him to roam?"

"Maybe," Madam Bones conceded, "But even so, it would prevent more attacks by the snake and prevent Voldemort from having a very effective information gathering avenue. It might require more time to find the snake, but it also might save lives in the meantime. I mean you don't have a good way to kill Voldemort yet, so the more we can limit him until you do, the better."

"That is true," Hermione agreed.

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Dumbledore was still at his desk contemplating his discussions with the Potters long after the teens had left his office. Hour after hour he thought about the condemnation they had had for him. Though he tried to mentally defend himself, every argument he developed shattered on the remembered words of the two teens. Finally with a heavy sigh and a glance at the Sorting Hat, he rose and made his way to his fireplace. He threw some Floo powder into the fire and once the flames turned green, he said "Madame Bone's Office, Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

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That evening, Harry and Hermione had just sat down to dinner with Hermione's parents when they broached the difficult subject.

"Ma'am, sir," Harry started nervously as he gave a glance at his wife. "We promised we'd tell you about...eh...things that happen in the magical world and something happened yesterday. The question is if you want to hear about it?"

"Since you are asking that question, I presume it was something bad?" Richard asked with a sigh.

"It was actually a couple of things, and yes they were bad in a sense," Harry replied.