Chapter Thirty-Nine:
( a familiar face )

▂✫⌒*･ﾟ

SPENCER'S BIRTHDAY IS COMING UP which means that she will no longer have the Trace (this magic is even further than the Ministry itself so she knows that for a fact) and will be allowed to do magic whenever and however she wants. It has been two weeks of being inside Grimmauld Place where it is nothing but dust and a screaming old lady that cannot shut her mouth. In order to keep herself busy, she spends her time reading any books the Black family have or any of hers. Sometimes she stares at the watch Dumbledore gave her. She has notice something peculiar about it. When Scrimgeour first gave it to her, the numbers had been two-hundred seventy five. They are no longer the same and it is now two-hundred sixty one. She knows the difference and why it occur, but she does not know what it is counting down for. Sometimes, it has magic on its own and she can see the numbers either go up or go down as if deciding it is not sure what it is counting for. Then it resumes back to the numbers that it previously had been.

It is odd to her that if she never had received detention with Umbridge... she would not have gotten so close to Harry as she has. It started off that way either way. The two of them stuck together the first few weeks because of that damn scar on their hand that will never fade. Perhaps she would have still joined Dumbledore's Army, but it would have been different. Just her and Ricky listening to Harry's lecture and most likely hanging out with their own housemates instead of others. She would not be close to any of the Weasleys and thus, Spencer Montague could have still be living under a misery household. Possibly a Death Eater, possibly dead... everything completely different. All because she chose different actions.

Despite all the worry and pain she has received... Spencer knows choosing to befriend Harry Potter has been the best option. Or else she would have been stuck.

Spencer leans toward the window (after having cleaned it) and stares down at the two cloaked men who always appear in the squad outside number twelve. Always remaining there into the night, gazing in the direction of the house that they could not see. She has talked about those two with her friends and they made it obvious that they cannot reveal themselves to them. However, as of now, it seems that they do not know they are there or else Snape would have sent them to attack.

"D'you reckon he's been in here and had his tongue tied by Moody's curse?" asks Ron while sitting down on the other side.

Hermione nods at her future boyfriend's words (Spencer could practically sense the romance between them and she was sure Ricky and Harry did as well). "Yes," Hermione agrees, "otherwise he'd have been able to tell that lot how to get in, wouldn't he? But they're probably watching to see whether we turn up. They know that Harry owns the house, after all."

No one disagrees with her. Spencer does not like this. She hates waiting for the unknown to occur. She hates not knowing the answer to a problem or situation and how even a mind like hers and Hermione's are not able to grasp what is occurring. Spencer created a family for herself. Right now four of them are here, but she still misses the rest of the Weasleys, her own brother, Remus, Tonks, Fleur, Theodore, and Blaise. Though, she makes sure not to dwell much on the thought figuring that Hermione must truly miss her own parents that are in Australia, Ricky's parents are hiding in their safe place at France, Ron's family being undetermined if they are still safe and if the ghoul the twins worked on really works. She has no business being the depressed one there.

When she spots Ricky and Ron playing chess, Spencer stands up from her place and heads to where Harry is (which is by the kitchens). The green-eyed boy glances at her and barely gives her half a smile. It is clear to her that he hates being distant from everyone else too. The way he eyes them and practically is self-depreciating because he thinks it is his fault that they are there. As much as Spencer hates how her mind is louder than the thoughts, she does not blame him. He was forced to deal with Voldemort ever since his mother and father was killed by him. Harry Potter deserves a break and Spencer knows this better than most.

"Do you think Sirius knows what his brother did?" Harry questions quietly, scooting close to her as if her presence alone will bring him comfort. Spencer lets him place his head on her shoulder, her hands softly caressing his arm.

Now this question, she knows the answer to. "No. Regulus forbade Kreacher from telling his family and by the looks of it... despite everything that may have occurred between the Black brothers, Regulus still considered Sirius his brother," Spencer answers honestly. She thinks back to the photograph she found beside Regulus's bed. Her mind can only imagine that he would lay at night and perhaps even cry since the photograph had tears stains over it.

"So he died not knowing his brother tried to stop..." Harry sighs disappointedly. "I feel bad for Regulus. I don't know how he acted or that stuff, but it seems to me that he wanted to help at the end. That counts for something, right?"

Spencer nods her head. "I think it does. I'm sure deep down Sirius must have known something. If he focused more on the brother he truly did know than in the one their parents seem to want."

Silence lingers between them, but none of them mind. Not until Harry clears his throat and apologizes, "I'm sorry."  Spencer quickly snaps her head toward him in disbelief. She furrows her eyebrows and looks at him as if he is mental. His eyes are gazing down onto the floor as if he is scared to confront her.

"Sorry? For what? Harry, I chose to follow you. We all did," she motions to the other three that are doing their own stuff. Harry follows her hand and then finally lets himself stare at her. Spencer can see much more than just his face. She can see the clear worry, frustration, anger all in one. A boy with too much pressure and a destiny he cannot ignore for he thinks it all lies within him. "I am sorry that you are the one having to suffer."

Harry stays quiet until he finally gives her a chuckle. "This reminds of Hogwarts," he comments airily.

Spencer grins. "Our unresolved therapy sessions, Mister Potter."

Before they can continue any further, both of them hear a tap on the front door. Harry stands up immediately and places Spencer right behind him, hiswand already out and ready to hex whoever is trying to get in. Spencer takes her own out and truly hopes she does not need to use it when it can endanger her own friends further. Every nerve in her body stiffens as the two wait for the door to open. And then, it does. A cloak figured edges into the hall and closes the door behind it. Spencer waits for the Moody trap to set off. The intruder steps forward and then Moody's voice is heard clearly.

"It was not I who killed you, Albus," says a quiet voice. A familiar one by the looks of it. Spencer narrows her eyes suspiciously. Although, she does recognize the voice, it does not make her any less vulnerable and Harry does not lower his wand as well. The jinx breaks with the man's answer and that is when Harry is pointing his wand right in the middle of the dust-figure.

"Don't move!"

At the sound of his yell, the curtains hiding Mrs. Black flies open and she begins to scream, "Mudbloods and filth dishonoring my house—"

"Show me your hands or I'll hex you," Spencer warns, keeping her hand on Harry's arm and slightly moving forward to be beside him. Ricky, Ron and Hermione come crashing down the stairs behind Harry and her, wands pointing at the unknown man now standing with his arms raised in the hall below.

"Hold your fire, it's me, Remus!" The voice she truly does recognize as Remus Lupin calls out. However, she does now lower her wand. If anything, he could be under the Imperio Curse or perhaps Polyjuice Potion. All completely random ideas, but those she keeps in her mind in case anything happens. However, Hermione lets out a sigh of relief and instead points her wand at Mrs. Black keeping her defenses down. Ron slightly lowers it as well but Ricky does not as he notices Spencer still having hers up (and he is rather careful about his own life as well).

Fortunately, Harry also has his own held up. "Show yourself!" he yells back stronger. Remus Lupin moves forward into the lamplight, hands still held high in a gesture of surrender. Spencer eyes him suspiciously and only when he starts speaking is when she starts to lower her guard. A Death Eater would immediately start attacking regardless if they are undercover or not. It is just something about their stupidity that allows them to act quick rather than think.

"I am Remus John Lupin, werewolf, sometimes known as Moony, one of the four creators of the Marauder's Map, married to Nymphadora, usually known as Tonks, and I taught you how to produce a Patronus, Harry, which takes the form of a stag," Remus begins to list off the proof that it is actually him. Spencer finally releases a sigh of relief and puts away her wand.

"Oh, all right," Harry agrees, lowering his wand, "but I had to check, didn't I?"

"Speaking as your ex-Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, I quite agree that you had to check. Ron, Hermione, you shouldn't be quite so quick to lower your defenses," Remus points out, giving them a kind smile. Spencer returns the gesture while the other three run down the stairs toward him.

Remus appears exhausted, but nonetheless, pleased to see all five of them. He glances around assuredly. "No sign of Severus, then?" he questions.

"No," Harry answers. "What's going on? Is everyone okay?"

"Yes," Remus nods, "but we're all being watched. There are a couple of Death Eaters in the square outside—"

The assuring fact that everyone is okay relaxes Spencer. She feels a weight on her shoulder slightly rise at the words and continues to listen on their conversation. "I had to Apparate very precisely onto the top step outside the front door to be sure that they would not see me. They can't know you're in here or I'm sure they'd have more people out there; they're staking out everywhere that's got any connection with you, Harry. Let's go downstairs, there's a lot to tell you, and I want to know what happened after you left the Burrow," Remus continues.

They descend into the kitchen, where Hermione points her wand at the grate. A fire springs up instantly: It gives the illusion of coziness to the stark stone walls and glistens off the long wooden table. Remus pulls a few butterbeers from beneath his traveling cloak and they sit down. Spencer quickly wraps her arm around Remus before he sits down, wanting the comfort from an older adult who she recognizes as her brother's best friend and her own friend if you can call it that. Remus returns it awkwardly, giving her a reassuring glance before turning to everyone else.

"I'd have been here three days ago but I needed to shake off the Death Eater tailing me," Remus starts. "So, you came straight here after the wedding?"

"No," Harry denies, "only after we ran into a couple of Death Eaters in a café on Tottenham Court Road."

Remus slops most of his butterbeer down his front. Spencer grimaces slightly at the action and is thankful when Ricky easily points his wand and cleans it up. "What?"

They explain what had happened; when they are finished, Remus looks aghast. "But how did they find you so quickly? It's impossible to track anyone who Apparates, unless you grab hold of them as they disappear!"

"And it doesn't seem likely they were just strolling down Tottenham Court Road at the time, does it?" Harry points out. He stares at the disturbed expression on Remus's face before changing around the topic knowing the question could wait. "Tell us what happened after we left, we haven't heard a thing since Ron's dad told us the family were safe."

"Well, Kingsley saved us," Remus continues, "Thanks to his warning most of the wedding guests were able to Disapparate before they arrived."

Thank Merlin, Spencer thinks to herself. Although, Blaise already assures her that he was safe, it still pleases her heart about Daniel and the others being well as well. As she glances at Ricky, she can tell he is glad too.

"Were they Death Eaters or Ministry people?" interjects Hermione.

"A mixture; but to all intents and purposes they're the same thing now," Remus scoffs. "There were about a dozen of them, but they didn't know you were there, Harry. Arthur heard a rumor that they tried to torture your whereabouts out of Scrimgeour before they killed him; if it's true, he didn't give you away."

Spencer raises her eyebrows in surprise and her face slowly falls from the small smile she had. The Minister at the end chose to die without giving them zero information... he died protecting Harry. A sudden sense of guilt spurs in her stomach for how she acted toward him and how she felt about the man. Despite his troubles, his final act had been to try to protect Harry. From the looks of it, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ricky are surprised as well.

"The Death Eaters searched the Burrow from top to bottom," Remus goes on. "They found the ghoul, but didn't want to get too close — and then they interrogated those of us who remained for hours. They were trying to get information on you, Harry, but of course nobody apart from the Order knew that you had been there. At the same time that they were smashing up the wedding, more Death Eaters were forcing their way into every Order-connected house in the country. No deaths," he adds quickly, forestalling the question, "but they were rough. They burned down Dedalus Diggle's house, but as you know he wasn't there, and they used the Cruciatus Curse on Tonks's family. Again, trying to find out where you went after you visited them. They're all right — shaken, obviously, but otherwise okay."

Remus glances at Spencer with a warm smile. "Daniel's own house had been attacked, but the barriers he put up after we helped Harry escaped helped it survive— quite strong and powerful. Daniel arrived to his own home afterwards with Charlie. They said they noticed two Death Eaters still inside trying to break the shield but they captured them instead. Daniel took them to the AWP Headquarters. Charlie went with him since the latter was heading back to Romania to continue his work there and Daniel offered him some eligible people who could help with their own creatures..."

Spencer had gripped onto Ricky's hand tightly nervously. Thankfully, her brother is quite strong on his own. And she knows how scary he truly is during dueling.

"The Death Eaters got through all those protective charms?" Harry asks, remembering how effective these had been on the night he had crashed in Tonks's parents' garden. The thought makes Spencer pale in thought. Daniel could have died... he could have died...

"What you've got to realize, Harry, is that the Death Eaters have got the full might of the Ministry on their side now," Remus frowns clearly disgusted with everything. "They've got the power to perform brutal spells without fear of identification or arrest. They managed to penetrate every defensive spell we'd cast against them, and once inside, they were completely open about why they'd come."

"And are they bothering to give an excuse for torturing Harry's whereabouts out of people?" asks Hermione, an edge to her voice.

"Well," Remus rubs his face. He hesitates, then pulls out a folded copy of the Daily Prophet. "Here," he marks, pushing it across the table to them, "you'll know sooner or later anyway. That's their pretext for going after you."

Harry smoothes out the paper. Spencer leans forward and quickly reads the headline and the section under it while the others barely get a glance. A huge photograph of Harry's own face filled the front page.

WANTED FOR QUESTIONING ABOUT THE DEATH OF ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

Ron and Hermione give roars of outrage, but Harry says nothing. Spencer widens her eyes at the stupid story before huffing in annoyance. Harry pushes the newspaper away already knowing what it was to say despite not reading it all. Spencer cannot blame him at all.

"I'm sorry, Harry," Remus apologizes. Spencer sees no reason why he should be apologizing, but her focus stays on the newspaper. The Daily Prophet has been taken over as well. What news can the trust? Then again, she never really trusted the Prophet when it comes to Harry Potter news.

"So Death Eaters have taken over the Daily Prophet too?" asks Hermione furiously. Remus nods solemnly. "But surely people realize what's going on?"

"The coup has been smooth and virtually silent," he tells her, "The official version of Scrimgeour's murder is that he resigned; he has been replaced by Pius Thicknesse, who is under the Imperius Curse."

Resigned? What some absolute bullshit, Spencer scoffs, leaning back on her seat angrily. Ron purses his lips and asks, "Why didn't Voldemort declare himself Minister of Magic?"

Remus laughs, though, it is sarcastic and humorless. "He doesn't need to, Ron. Effectively he is the Minister, but why should he sit behind a desk at the Ministry? His puppet, Thicknesse, is taking care of everyday business, leaving Voldemort free to extend his power beyond the Ministry. Naturally many people have deduced what has happened: There has been such a dramatic change in Ministry policy in the last few days, and many are whispering that Voldemort must be behind it. However, that is the point: They whisper. They daren't confide in each other, not knowing whom to trust; they are scared to speak out, in case their suspicions are true and their families are targeted. Yes, Voldemort is playing a very clever game. Declaring himself might have provoked open rebellion: Remaining masked has created confusion, uncertainty, and fear."

"And this dramatic change in Ministry policy," Harry clears his throat, "involves warning the Wizarding world against me instead of Voldemort?"

"That's certainly part of it," Remus agrees, "and it is a masterstroke. Now that Dumbledore is dead, you — the Boy Who Lived — are sure to be the symbol and rallying point for any resistance to Voldemort. But by suggesting that you had a hand in the old hero's death, Voldemort has not only set a price upon your head, but sown doubt and fear amongst many who would have defended you. Meanwhile, the Ministry has started moving against Muggle-borns."

Remus points at the Daily Prophet. "Look at page two."

Hermione turns the pages with much the same expression of distaste she had worn when handling Secrets of the Darkest Art.

"'Muggle-born Register,'" she reads aloud. "'The Ministry of Magic is undertaking a survey of so-called "Muggle-borns," the better to understand how they came to possess magical secrets. 'Recent research undertaken by the Department of Mysteries reveals that magic can only be passed from person to person when Wizards reproduce. Where no proven Wizarding ancestry exists, therefore, the so-called Muggle-born is likely to have obtained magical power by theft or force—'"

Spencer gapes at the words coming out of Hermione's mouth. She does not know how to explain how completely brain dead Voldemort and his followers are. Theft? They think muggles suddenly decided to steal magic out of pure boredom and place it on themselves? Do people really believe this nonsense? She hisses in pain when her mind suddenly aches as if it could not believe what the fuck it just heard and read.

"'—The Ministry is determined to root out such usurpers of magical power, and to this end has issued an invitation to every so-called Muggle-born to present themselves for interview by the newly appointed Muggle-born Registration Commission,'" Hermione continues reading, her face slowly whitening in shock. Ricky holds the same color as her knowing what that meant for people like him.

"People won't let this happen," Ron shakes his head in disbelief.

"It is happening, Ron," Remus frowns. "Muggle-borns are being rounded up as we speak."

"But how are they supposed to have 'stolen' magic?" Ron questions in confusion. "It's mental, if you could steal magic there wouldn't be any Squibs, would there?"

"They are just excuses for them to discriminate against others to feel superior and worry about their non-existent dicks and self-conceited image rather than—" Spencer speaks up angrily, slamming down her hand aggressively. She does not get to finish her words as Remus clears his throat and motions for her to dial down on the words once it gets to the point of her saying some that the other four do not even understand. They could have swore they heard some French as well (and Ricky can confirm).

"I know," Remus sighs. "Nevertheless, unless you can prove that you have at least one close Wizarding relative, you are now deemed to have obtained your magical power illegally and must suffer the punishment."

Ron glances at Hermione, then states, "What if purebloods and half-bloods swear a Muggle-born's part of their family? I'll tell everyone Hermione's my cousin—"

"Bit odd of you," Spencer hears Ricky murmur quietly. She knows he easily spots their romance from a mile away. Hermione covers Ron's hand with hers and squeezes it. "Thank you, Ron, but I couldn't let you—"

As much as Spencer would like to argue that would do the same to Ricky, she knows it would not work with all her relatives against her— minus Daniel, of course.

"Ron, as we're on the run with Harry Potter, the most wanted person in the country, I don't think it matters. If I was going back to school it would be different. What's Voldemort planning for Hogwarts?" Hermione lets out a shaky laugh and then turns to ask Remus a question. Spencer feels her heart stop while she leans even more forward. Apart from some of her friends attending, Blaise will be as well. Not Theodore by the looks of what he said last time they met up.

"Attendance is now compulsory for every young witch and wizard," he replies. "That was announced yesterday. It's a change, because it was never obligatory before. Of course, nearly every witch and wizard in Britain has been educated at Hogwarts, but their parents had the right to teach them at home or send them abroad if they preferred. This way, Voldemort will have the whole Wizarding population under his eye from a young age. And it's also another way of weeding out Muggle-borns, because students must be given Blood Status — meaning that they have proven to the Ministry that they are of Wizard descent — before they are allowed to attend."

Spencer closes her eyes in worry and with sickness and with sudden rage. How completely disgusting... revolting for the young first-years that will be attending... for the ones that letters will get lost. She feels a lump of her throat and she does not know if she wants to cry or throw up. Perhaps both. What will happen to Theodore? He will be an official runaway as well if Voldemort is in charge of Hogwarts. She knows Blaise said he would allow him to stay with his mother (a powerful women that one), but what if they assume he knows something and— she hates this.

"Spencer..." Remus calls out softly. Spencer rubs her temples in worry before staring up at him. He has a look that screams how much he does not want to tell her these next few words. Spencer already knows she dreads it. "Morgana has been recruited as an assistant to the Carrows, Amycus and Alecto Carrow. Siblings—"

"—That are Death Eaters," Spencer finishes. Her face pales at the thought of her sister returning to Hogwarts perhaps to cause even more misery. A cruel thought crosses her mind. She's going to torture them... her face reveals it all to her friends. This is her moment to shine. To finally have the power that she has always wanted and be thrilled with how many students she will be able to torture. It used to be just her but now... now people will finally see her as who she really is. And not at a good time.

Harry silently presses his hand on hers and stammers, "It's... it's..." he mutters, struggling to find words that did justice to the horror of his thoughts, but Remus says quietly, "I know."

The older man seems to hesitate before continuing, "I'll understand if you can't confirm this, Harry, but the Order is under the impression that Dumbledore left you a mission."

"He did," Harry replies, "Ron, Hermione, Spencer, and Ricky are in on it and they're coming with me."

"Can you confide in me what the mission is?"

Harry looks into the prematurely lined face, framed in thick but graying hair, and perhaps even wishes that he could return a different answer. Spencer knows he would not.

"I can't, Remus, I'm sorry. If Dumbledore didn't tell you I don't think I can," Harry apologizes, his eyes softening as he looks at a man who used to be best friends with his father.

"I thought you'd say that," Remus responds, looking disappointed. "But I might still be of some use to you. You know what I am and what I can do. I could come with you to provide protection. There would be no need to tell me exactly what you were up to."

Spencer perks up at that. Technically, this could be an extremely tempting offer. She stares at Harry questioningly and notices him hesitating. However, all thoughts encouraging this idea vanishes when Hermione stares at him with a puzzled expression and asks, "But what about Tonks?"

"What about her?" Remus brings up casually. Spencer frowns at his words. For a moment, she would think that is not Remus Lupin talking, but alas, she knows the truth.

"Well," Hermione continues, frowning, "you're married! How does she feel about you going away with us?"

"Tonks will be perfectly safe," Remus answers coldly. "She'll be at her parents' house."

Spencer makes a face right away recognizing the tone and how odd the idea is for Tonks to remain hidden. Tonks is not the one to hide! From the time since she has met the young woman, she knows that Nymphadora Tonks is perhaps one of the bravest women she has met. In fact, she is the one who encouraged Spencer to continue trying to help Harry get to the Burrow safely. Her eyes connect with Ricky and he seems to be having the same thoughts, shrugging in big confusion.

"Remus," Hermione murmurs tentatively, "is everything all right... you know... between you and—"

"Everything is fine, thank you," Remus interrupts pointedly. Hermione turns pink at his cold tone. There is another pause, an awkward and embarrassed one, and then Remus says, with an air of forcing himself to admit something unpleasant, "Tonks is going to have a baby."

"Tonks is going to have a WHAT?" Spencer gasps out the question within less than a breath. Remus stares at her oddly while the rest give their congratulations. Ricky sighs at her words and apologizes for her. Spencer clears her throat and then corrects herself, "I mean— I'm so happy for the both of you!"

There is no denying that she is not. Truthfully, she has just been caught off guard but for Tonks and Remus to have a child? Well, that's just brilliant! Part of her wanted to blurt out if she can be godmother to their child, but she keeps herself quiet and instead smiles dreamily.

Remus gives an artificial smile that is more like a grimace, then tries convincing them, "So... do you accept my offer? Will five become six? I cannot believe that Dumbledore would have disapproved, he appointed me your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, after all. And I must tell you that I believe that we are facing magic many of us have never encountered or imagined."

Spencer lets the smile fall of her face. She shares a look of Hermione as if they could not believe what they are hearing (hint: they cannot). Harry has the same conflicted look and he scoffs. "Just — just to be clear," Harry starts off. "You want to leave Tonks at her parents' house and come away with us?"

His voice is done with obvious distaste to the recommendation which Spencer agrees with.

"She'll be perfectly safe there, they'll look after her," Remus argues. He speaks with a finality bordering on indifference. "Harry, I'm sure James would have wanted me to stick with you."

"Well," Harry continues slowly, "I'm not. I'm pretty sure my father would have wanted to know why you aren't sticking with your own kid, actually."

Spencer holds back a gasp as she watches their banter. Don't get her wrong, she absolutely agrees with Harry on this, but he also said it pretty blunt. Then again, perhaps angering Remus would make him realize how stupid he is being. Though, she cannot help but pity Remus for how his face drains of color as if realizing Harry's words are not wrong. The temperature in the kitchen drops about ten degrees. Ron stares around the room as though he has been bidden to memorize it, while Hermione's eyes swivel backward and forward from Harry to Remus. Ricky covers his mouth in surprise and occasionally makes eye contact with Spencer.

"You don't understand," Remus says at last.

"Explain, then," Harry utters coldly.

Remus swallows. "I — I made a grave mistake in marrying Tonks. I did it against my better judgment and I have regretted it very much ever since." Spencer shakes her head in disappointment and glances away from the werewolf.

"I see," Harry starts, "so you're just going to dump her and the kid and run off with us?"

Remus springs to his feet: His chair topples over backward, and he glares at them so fiercely that for the first time, Spencer notices the shadow of the wolf upon his human face. She does not flinch in fear or surprise and instead stares at him determinedly like how Harry is currently doing.

"Don't you understand what I've done to my wife and my unborn child? I should never have married her, I've made her an outcast!" Remus kicks aside the chair he has overturned. "You have only ever seen me amongst the Order, or under Dumbledore's protection at Hogwarts! You don't know how most of the Wizarding world sees creatures like me! When they know of my affliction, they can barely talk to me! Don't you see what I've done? Even her own family is disgusted by our marriage, what parents want their only daughter to marry a werewolf? And the child — the child—"

Remus actually seizes handfuls of his own hair; he looks quite deranged. "My kind don't usually breed! It will be like me, I am convinced of it — how can I forgive myself, when I knowingly risked passing on my own condition to an innocent child? And if, by some miracle, it is not like me, then it will be better off, a hundred times so, without a father of whom it must always be ashamed!"

Spencer feels tears gather up on her eyes for the words that a person she sees as a friend utters. "You're not a monster," she whispers clearly and assuredly, not even backing away at how outrageous he is acting. If anything, she is even more worried about him.

"Remus!" whispers Hermione, tears in her eyes. "Don't say that — how could any child be ashamed of you?"

"Oh, I don't know, Hermione," Harry scoffs. "I'd be pretty ashamed of him."

"Harry," Spencer warns, noticing the rage in his eye. She cannot blame him for how he is acting and quite honestly she would definitely encourage it if it were not for the way Remus flinches as if Harry had hit him.

"If the new regime thinks Muggle-borns are bad," Harry continues uncaringly, "what will they do to a half-werewolf whose father's in the Order? My father died trying to protect my mother and me, and you reckon he'd tell you to abandon your kid to go on an adventure with us?"

"How — how dare you?" Remus gasps. "This is not about a desire for — for danger or personal glory — how dare you suggest such a —"

"I think you're feeling a bit of a daredevil," Harry glares at him. "You fancy stepping into Sirius's shoes — I'd never have believed this.... The man who taught me to fight dementors — a coward."

Spencer stands up in worry as Remus draws his wand so fast that Harry has barely reached for his own; there is a loud bang her friend is flying backward as if punched. There is not much time to react since right at that moment, Remus flees from the room and all of them hear the front door slam.

"Remus, Remus, come back!" Hermione cries, but Remus does not respond. "Harry!" She wails. "How could you?"

Spencer finds herself swallowing everything that just happens and places her hand on her forehead exhaustingly. It does not get any better when Harry notices the look on Hermione's eyes and snaps, "Don't look at me like that!"

Ron glares at his best friend and snarls, "Don't you start on her!"

"No — no — we mustn't fight!" Hermione cries, launching herself between them. Ricky holds back Ron from going after Harry with a strict look and his hands holding his arms back.

"You shouldn't have said that stuff to Lupin," Ron growls at Harry.

Spencer places herself between the two boys and gives them a glare. "Both of you, shut up. Harry said something rude, but Remus had it coming. He knows James better than anyone and only told lies when trying to convince us to let him in. While Harry took it a bit too far, he—"

"Parents shouldn't leave their kids unless — unless they've got to," Harry cuts in almost brokenly as if he is stuck in a memory from the past. Spencer softens her eyes and stretches out her hand. Harry hesitates to grab it before deciding to and let's himself be brought into a hug. And suddenly, she can sense the remorse begin to hit his body at the realization that he made Remus angrily leave them behind. She tightens her hold and consoles his hair warmly. "It's okay... you just don't want his child to be raised without a father."

There is a tension between all of them since Ron and Hermione do not seem to agree with what Harry has done, Ricky seems indecisive but definitely understands his actions while Spencer is sure to make him realize he should feel so guilty for what he has done. Had it been the best way to reject Remus? No, but it got him to go back to where he is suppose to be at. Her attention changes completely as she hears a pop nearby her and finds herself hurrying to her feet.

She widens her eyes in surprise upon noticing Kreacher disentangle himself, bowing low to Harry as he croaks, "Kreacher has returned with the thief Mundungus Fletcher, Master."

Right beside him is Mundungus who immediately scrambles up and pulls out his wand. Hermione is quicker than all of them and quickly casts, "Expelliarmus!"

Mundungus's wand soars into the air, and Hermione catches it. Wild-eyed, Mundungus dives for the stairs: Ron rugby-tackles him and Mundungus hits the stone floor with a muffled crunch. "What?" he bellows, writhing in his attempts to free himself from Ron's grip. "Wha've I done? Setting a bleedin' 'ouse-elf on me, what are you playing at, wha've I done, lemme go, lemme go, or —"

"You're not in much of a position to make threats," Harry walks closer to Mundungus. He throws aside the newspaper, crosses the kitchen in a few strides, and drops to his knees beside Mundungus, who stops struggling and looks terrified. Ron got up, panting, and watches as Harry points his wand deliberately at Mundungus's nose. Mundungus stinks of stale sweat and tobacco smoke: His hair is matted and his robes stained.

"Kreacher apologizes for the delay in bringing the thief, Master," croaks the elf. "Fletcher knows how to avoid capture, has many hidey-holes and accomplices. Nevertheless, Kreacher cornered the thief in the end."

Spencer smiles toward the elf. "Great work, Kreacher," she assures, giving the elf a sharp nod. Harry nods in agreement with her words and the elf bows once more. The Chosen One turns away from his house-elf and focuses on the older thief.

"Right, we've got a few questions for you," Harry tells Mundungus, who shouts at once, "I panicked, okay? I never wanted to come along, no offense, mate, but I never volunteered to die for you, an' that was bleedin' You-Know-Who come flying at me, anyone woulda got outta there, I said all along I didn't wanna do it —"

"For your information, none of the rest of us Disapparated," Hermione counters knowing he is talking about the night Mad-Eye Moody was killed.

"Well, you're a bunch of bleedin' 'eroes then, aren't you, but I never pretended I was up for killing meself —"

"We're not interested in why you ran out on Mad-Eye," Harry utters coldly, moving his wand a little closer to Mundungus's baggy, bloodshot eyes. "We already knew you were an unreliable bit of scum."

"Well then, why the 'ell am I being 'unted down by 'ouse-elves? Or is this about them goblets again? I ain't got none of 'em left, or you could 'ave 'em —"

"It's not about the goblets either, although you're getting warmer," snaps Harry. "Shut up and listen."

Harry's wand is now so close to the bridge of Mundungus's nose that Mundungus had gone cross-eyed trying to keep it in view. "When you cleaned out this house of anything valuable," Harry begins, but Mundungus interrupts him again.

"Sirius never cared about any of the junk —"

There is the sound of pattering feet, a blaze of shining copper, an echoing clang, and a shriek of agony: Kreacher has taken a run at Mundungus and hit him over the head with a saucepan. Ricky bursts out in laughter despite the environment and Spencer simply smiles in amusement. That elf truly is something else, isn't he?

"Call 'im off, call 'im off, 'e should be locked up!" screams Mundungus, cowering as Kreacher raises the heavy-bottomed pan again.

"Kreacher, no!" shouts Harry. Kreacher's thin arms trembles with the weight of the pan, still held aloft. "Perhaps just one more, Master Harry, for luck?" The elf requests, raising up the pan threateningly.

Ron lets out a laugh and mixes it with Ricky's. Spencer snorts at his words before stating, "I gotta say this new version I'm seeing of you is really hitting it off, Kreacher."

"We need him conscious, Kreacher, but if he needs persuading you can do the honors," Harry stifles his own laughter, nodding politely toward the elf.

"Thank you very much, Master," Kreacher thanks with a bow, and he retreats a short distance, his great pale eyes still fixing upon Mundungus with loathe.

"When you stripped this house of all the valuables you could find," Harry begins again, "you took a bunch of stuff from the kitchen cupboard. There was a locket there. What did you do with it?"

"Why?" asks Mundungus. "Is it valuable?"

"You've still got it!" cries Hermione in excitement.

By the looks of it, he does not. Ron scoffs at Hermione's words and shakes his head. "No, he hasn't," Ron notices shrewdly. "He's wondering whether he should have asked more money for it."

"More?" Mundungus scoffs. "That wouldn't have been effing difficult... bleedin' gave it away, di'n' I? No choice."

"What do you mean?"

"I was selling in Diagon Alley and she comes up to me and asks if I've got a license for trading in magical artifacts. Bleedin' snoop. She was gonna fine me, but she took a fancy to the locket an' told me she'd take it and let me off that time, and to fink meself lucky."

"Who was this woman?" asks Harry.

"I dunno, some Ministry hag."

Right when he said that, Spencer began narrowing her eyes. A Ministry woman who would devour herself in any type of jewelry... why was this starting to get familiar?

Mundungus considers for a moment, brow wrinkling. "Little woman. Bow on top of 'er head."

No, Spencer pales slightly. It can't be... Not her, please...

He frowns and then adds, "Looked like a toad."

Shit.

Harry drops his own wand: It hits Mundungus on the nose and shoots red sparks into his brows, which ignites. "Aguamenti!" screams Hermione, and a jet of water streams from her wand, engulfing a spluttering and choking Mundungus.

Spencer stares up at Harry for a millisecond before she glances down at her right hand that has imprinted, I must be like Morgana. Shivers run of her spine and a tingle of pain makes its way toward it knowing exactly who the Ministry woman Mundungus has been talking about. One she despises perhaps equally as Morgana... one she wishes she can smack her head down into a pavement and causes her to become a whole different type of rage.

Dolores fucking Umbridge, otherwise known to her as a stupid-headed toad-like pink vomit of falseness.

(Oh, the feeling of wanting to throw up coming right back up just with the simple reminder...)

▂✫⌒*･ﾟ

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
tomorrow we're gonna see some
familiar faces... and it's not just
that pink-ugly toad face women 😐

anyway, i DONT know why i
keep publishing this story but enjoy 😁👍