Chapter 5 The Break Up of the Golden Trio

The fallout from Hydrus releasing the spirits was funny—well, to him and George anyway. Every time Rita wrote an article calling him Dark Lord, the Quibbler would print the exact opposite. The owner of the Quibbler even pointed out that Skeeter had been a spy for Voldemort. He had to wonder why Xenophilius was defending him, after the man turned him and his friends in to the Snatchers. Maybe he was trying to get back into his and Luna's good books. Oh, the immortal teen understood why the man did what he did, but still it was one more person that stabbed him in the back.

These conflicting reporters caused the people to split even further. Rita made the public scared by calling Harry Potter a necromancer. She stated that it was only a matter of time before he took over Diagon Alley with an army of Inferi. Mr. Lovegood reacted by saying that there had been no proof the young hero did anything, and quoted some of the ghost that they were brought here by someone else. The young immortal just let the two reporters battle and went about his business, safe with his new looks.

December came and Hydrus's research was paying off. He kept up his studies and was now proficient in Arithmancy and Runes. He also bought more books to get his A-levels, and was going through those at a pretty fast rate. Self-help books were also bought, on the advice of his counselor, but they were put aside for later.

After a few months of catching up on his studies, he now had the laptop charmed to take books into its database. There were also magical/electronic devices that stored books, but couldn't get on the internet. The teen was shocked at this discovery, since he hadn't seen anything like it in the non-magical market. Frostwell must have been a great inventor.

Hydrus spent many hours downloading books to one of the book-readers and was going to start on the laptop after Christmas break. He'd leave the others for a later date. The charm was simple all you had to do was touch top of the device to the center of the book (or incase of the laptop, touch the book to the top of the screen), incant the spell, and after a few moments the information was stored. It was a relief that he wouldn't have to store all those books in his pocketspace, and with these devices he wouldn't have to look very hard to find any information he needed.

Ron and Hermione were coming to visit him during the break. He had written to Hermione often and was concerned about how she was being treated at Hogwarts, though it did make him feel better about the staff that they seemed to be stepping in more often than they ever had with him. Hermione had told him the many confrontations she had with Pure-bloods, she came out on top, but they were still cause for concern.

The day came for the visit and Hydrus was once again in his Harry Potter persona. He made sure to only keep school books out for their visit. When the Floo flared Ron stepped out and Hermione wasn't far behind. The only reason the redhead was welcome in his house was because he and Hermione were still a couple, much to his displeasure.

"Alright, Harry?" Ron asked as he took one of the empty chairs.

"Alright," he answered as he went to hug his best friend. "How are you, Hermione?"

"Better, thanks," she said returning the hug. She then made her way to the chair next to Ron's and Hydrus took the sofa.

"Have you figured out what to do about your parents?" the younger wizard asked.

"No, I'm still undecided," she answered with a sad tone.

"Oh, sorry, well, whatever you decide, I'll help as much as I can," he offered and then turned to Ron. "How is Quidditch going? Ginny doing alright?"

"She's doing okay, we'd be doing better if you came back," the redhead said with a glare. "Still don't understand why you're hiding."

"Good to hear Ginny's doing a good job," he said sincerely, ignoring the rest, trying his best not to get angry and ruin the visit.

"How are your studies coming along?" Hermione asked quickly sending a pointed look to her boyfriend. They had talked about it before they came, and it was understood that Ron wouldn't harass Harry about returning to the castle.

"Pretty good, actually. George got another calculator to work so that helps a lot." He smiled at her to show he was actually happy that his schoolwork was getting done.

"That's a relief," she sighed and then brightened. "I showed the calculator to Professor Vector, she was very excited about it. I researched it and made a few more for use in classes, I hope you don't mind." She was practically bouncing in her seat.

"Of course I don't mind, that's why I gave it to you in the first place. However, George is selling them in the shop, so you may want to stop making them and point customers his way. There's a patent on them now."

"I'm still mad at you about giving her one. She spends all her time with the Professor or working on her researcher and no time with me," Ron groused, causing the other two to frown at him. The couple had had a few arguments about all her time away from him, until she made it perfectly clear that if he didn't stop she would dump him.

"Oh, hey, I got you two a present," the young immortal said, hoping to lighten the mood.

"Really? I'm sending yours by owl. You should get it sometime next week," Hermione said.

"You didn't have to get me anything," grumbled Ron, since the war money had been tighter, what with the repairs of the Burrow, and the Weasleys didn't buy gifts this year. Everything was supposed to be handmade and this redhead hadn't gotten around to making anything yet.

Hydrus remembered George saying that he had tried to give his parents money; they turned him down, so he made sure to buy them things for the house.

"Don't worry, I didn't buy them. I found them in stuff from the vaults," Harry explained as he took two wrapped gifts he had placed by the fireplace. He handed a thin square like package to Hermione and a squishy one to Ron.

Hermione opened her gift, neatly. She looked at the obvious electronic device. It was about the size of both of her hands, thin, black with a blank panel on the front. "What is this?"

"Well, I found it in Frostwell's vault; it's kind of like a book. This one is only a prototype, but it has several spell books in it already. There are also some notes and if you can figure them out, you can add more books," the younger teen explained. Since there were better book-readers in his pocketspace, he had no problem giving one up. "Here, let me show you how to turn it on," he offered and got up to do just that. The two excited teens played with it for a while, until the dark-haired wizard nudged Hermione and jerked his head to Ron, who was staring at them with venom in his eyes. His gift lay, still wrapped, by the chair next to him.

Hermione put the book-reader in her bag and looked at Ron. "Aren't you going to open it?"

"No, I think, I'll hold off on that," came the churlish response.

An uncomfortable silence filled the room. No one knew what to say that wouldn't cause an argument. Kreacher popped in and asked if anyone wanted refreshments. Hydrus asked for a tea service with cakes and biscuits before anyone could answer. Kreacher popped away to do as he was asked.

There was much fidgeting from all three teens, which made Hydrus and Hermione sad. When the tea tray appeared the immortal poured and handed out the cups. Ron grabbed the sweets.

"Oh, this is absolutely ridiculous," Hermione huffed as she set down her tea cup. "There has to be something we can talk about. We used to be so close, and I, for one, find it appalling that we can't simply talk to each other anymore."

"It's his fault," Ron accused, pointing a finger at his former roommate, bits of biscuit fly from his mouth. "If he'd just come back to Hogwarts, then we'd be the same as before. That and the fact that he shouldn't be flaunting his wealth around; giving you an obviously expensive present. I've heard the rumors about you paying off the Muggle-raised into abandoning us. Percy told me that the Ministry had everything under control until you stuck your nose into things that don't concern you. I wouldn't be surprised if the Prophet was right and you are trying to ruin everything, just to get your revenge."

"Oh, you reckon so, do you? I told you, I didn't buy your gifts. But it's nice to finally hear your thoughts on the matter. Do you think I'm the new Dark Lord as well? Never mind, it doesn't really matter what you think. You lost my trust ages ago. The only reason I let you in my house is because of Hermione, but now even that isn't enough. Get out," the younger man snarled as he got up from the sofa and pointed to the Floo.

"Fine," the traitor snapped, throwing down the half-eaten food he had taken, and leaving the package by the chair. "Come on, Hermione, we're out of here." He went to grab Hermione's arm, but she pushed his hand away, forcefully.

"I can't believe you said that!" the shocked girl shouted as she stood and put some distance between her and her soon to be ex. She made her way over to her younger friend. "After everything Harry did to end the war, you go and accuse him of being Dark. He died for us, or don't you remember that?"

"And he probably used Dark Magic to come back," Ron stated, throwing his hands in the air. "How else could he have risen from the dead? Skeeter said only a Dark Lord could have done the things he did. Or don't you remember he use the Imperius Curse on the goblins?" he yelled back, very upset that she would defend Harry. "It's all his fault my family can't go into Gringotts. Bill lost his job and had to move away because of him."

"You agreed with what we had to do at Gringotts," Hydrus snarled in defense, folding his arms across his chest. "You said it was the only way. Now you're denying it."

"It's still Dark Magic and you were the only one that was able to pull it off, making you a Dark Wizard," Ron snapped. He rounded on Hermione, his face red with rage, spittle flying. "I can't believe you're taking his side over mine. Makes me wonder if I wasn't right all along, that you two were sneaking behind my back getting up to no good."

The angry redhead then turned back to Hydrus. He face morphed into scorn, much like Malfoy's. "Harry Bloody Potter always has to get everything," he sneered, "the fame, the gold and now my girl. Poor little orphan had to live without his parents, boohoo. Stupid wanker can't be happy with what he's got, no he has to cry and whine that he doesn't have a family. I know you're trying to take mine, why else would George come here more often than he comes to the Burrow?" he accused. "Guess what, arsehole, you can't have them. I think, I'll just go and tell Kingsley all about what happened in Gringotts. I know he's looking for you, he'll listen to me. I'm a war hero after all." Conveniently forget his vow, it would serve the idiot right if Hydrus let him do just that, but he really didn't need Kingsley hunting him as a criminal.

"Right," the former Potter said decisively when Ron finished yelling. "Sorry, Hermione," he said quietly. He pulled out the Elder Wand and clearly said, "Obliviate," taking all the information of the break-in, this fight and where Hydrus lived from the backstabbing bastard's mind.

"Stupefy," he said, causing the idiot to fall. He again apologized to his best friend. "I took all his memories about Gringotts— even the planning we did at Shell Cottage— the last hour and also where I live. I left everything else, so he'll probably still be mad at me for not going back to school, but he'll no longer have reason to think I've gone Dark. His jealousy isn't something I can take from him without wiping everything," he explained.

If Ron hadn't been the youngest male member of the Weasleys, he would of. It was only his respect for the others in that family that stayed his hand. There was no way they could afford to take care of someone like Lockhart.

"No, I understand why you did that," Hermione said, causing the tense young man to relax. "Remember I did the same to my parents, if on a grander scale, and even though I regret it now, I'd probably do it again to protect them," she sighed. "I'll take him back to the Burrow and when the break is over, I'll be breaking up with him. I never knew he was thinking all those things about you. He only ever complained about Quidditch. It is a good thing we took the vow to never talk to anyone about what happened last year."

She shook her head sadly, running reasons for a break-up through her mind. Harry couldn't be mentioned at all. She could use Ron's lack of compassion about retrieving her parents as an excuse to dump him.

"Still, it's sad that this had to happen," he said as he discreetly stowed the wand away, hoping Hermione was too stunned to realize what it was.

"Give me a few minutes to get him back to the Burrow, and I'll come back and we can talk about why you still have the Elder Wand," she said, shooting him a knowing look. "I'm going to wake Ron, you better hide."

Hydrus sighed; he should have known he couldn't get much past her. He nodded and moved out of sight.

After a few minutes contemplation, Hermione hit the downed boy on the forehead with the heel of her shoe, making a lump. She put her shoe back on and then woke Ron up.

"What happened? Where are we?" the groggy teen asked as he rubbed the sore spot, not recognizing the clean room.

"I can't tell you where we are, it's under a Fidelius, don't you remember? You had a bad reaction to the tea, or it could have been the biscuits, since neither me nor Harry ate any. You started to sway and then fell forward and hit your head on the table," she said, pointing to the disarrayed tea service.

"What happened to Harry? Aren't we supposed to be visiting him?"

"He was rather upset that you might have been potioned, so he went to ask his… help how something like that could happen. You know there are people out to kill him," she explained rather quickly. "We should go and see your mum; she might be able to diagnose what the potion was." She then guided the redhead to the Floo and they went back to the Burrow.

After they left, Hydrus pondered on just how much he should confide to Hermione. This latest spat with Ron showed that she was going to stand by the dark-haired immortal, no matter what. But he also knew that she'd be disappointed about his plans for revenge. There was no telling how she would react to him going back in time. She was very forceful about paradoxes when they used the time turner in third year. He concluded he'd tell her about the ghosts, and see how she reacted to that. He was still thinking it over when the Floo activated and Hermione stepped out.

"Did Molly buy your story?"

"Yeah, she knows that there are people out to hurt you," Hermione answered as she retook her seat. "She's more determined to get you to come to the Burrow. It is a good thing wizards and witches don't have a lick of common sense."

Molly had taken one look at the bump on Ron's forehead and declared it the reason for his short term memory loss, in addition to whatever potion had been used. Of course, she had no idea that he had forgotten more than an hour. She had sent Ron to bed right away, and gave him a flushing potion. The git was in for a long night.

He groaned. As much as he cared for Mrs. Weasley, her mothering ways were suffocating. Hermione gave him a commiserating smile. The two sat in comfortable silence, simply drinking their tea and letting the quiet calm their nerves and let them organize their thoughts.

"Harry, tell me how it is that you now have the Elder Wand? I know for a fact you put it back into Dumbledore's crypt. And why didn't you tell me sooner?" A hurt look crossed her face.

Hydrus sighed and looked at her apologetically. "Hermione, I'm sorry, but as long as you were dating Ron, I couldn't tell you. I simply didn't trust him to keep his big mouth shut."

"I know, I guess, it is just so frustrating to not realize just how hateful and shallow he still is. I mean, I thought he had matured, but I guess he just hid it better." She shook her head to clear those thoughts for now. "Back to the subject, how did you get the wand? Why do you still have it? How come you haven't gotten rid of it like we agreed?" she fired off rapidly. With the fight that had just occurred she realized there were things she hadn't been paying attention to.

"It just showed up the day after the battle of Hogwarts. I went to sleep and woke up the next morning with the Deathly Hallows on my pillow. Believe me when I say I did everything I could think of to rid myself of them. I threw the stone down a well, broke the wand and burned it. They showed back up the next day. I reckon, I became the Master of Death when I disarmed Draco at Malfoy Manor," he explained. At the time he hadn't even thought about what that meant.

"Honestly, Harry, you are so stupid sometimes. You could have told me, and I would have helped. After all we went through you should have realized I will always make time for you," she all but snapped.

"And you should know that I don't burden my friends," he retorted. "What's done is done, we should move on to something else. Before you ask, yes it was me that set the shades on the Pure-Bloods, especially the ones who got out of punishment— again. There were some that went to Azkaban to torture Umbridge and her co-conspirators. I think there are three that are haunting Rita, because it was her that let Umbridge know where they were hiding. If she hadn't squealed on them, they would have made it out of the country. That's what Mr. Lovegood says anyway."

It tickled the Master of Death that the odd man was interviewing the ghost and reporting why they were around. The spirits couldn't tell him who called them only that the person was the Master of the Deathly Hallows. Old Xeno was ecstatic that the Hallows had been united.

"Oh, Harry, how could you? According to the Tale of the Three Brothers, those spirits will be in pain," Hermione said, breaking him from his amusing thoughts.

"Not if they have unfinished business, I looked it up and did the research, I promise, they only feel the need for revenge. Besides, I didn't command them to roam the earth; I asked politely if they wanted to come," he said in half-truths, he had asked the ones that wanted to defend him.

"Are you sure, I don't mean to accuse you, but are you really sure? You do have a nasty habit of just jumping into things without a plan; I only want what's best for you, Harry."

"Yes, I'm positive," he said a bit hurt. The two sat in silence again, this time it wasn't as comfortable.

"I got a note, a few weeks ago, saying that I should leave England," Hermione said, grabbing a hold of the first thought that came to her. "If I can't get my parents back, I might just do that or I could go to Australia and be near them. With what just happened there is little left for me here, only you."

"Well if it puts your mind at ease, I don't plan on staying in Britain long. I can't tell you where I'm going yet, I'm still making plans. So you should think about it a bit more," Hydrus said evasively. "Any idea on who sent it?"

"No, it was unsigned and it looked to be printed from a computer. If it's true, then I can make some of my ideas reality and get more freedom for magical creatures," she said excitedly, now that she knew she wouldn't be abandoning her friend to this backwards society. They'd still keep in contact no matter where he went. She was just happy he wouldn't be here. Maybe she could drag him along with her if she left. She made a mental note to ask him about his plans, later. "I'll do a bit more research and ask around, maybe Neville will have a few things to say. He said he had received a similar note."

"Yeah, I heard about that," he hedged. He was still unsure how much to tell his best friend, her reaction to the shades didn't give him much hope in her understanding why he wanted to go and save himself. He did have plans to leave her a letter explaining everything, plus, ensure that she had a bit of money or he could tell her his idea right before he left and give her the option to join him. "Do you want to see what I've been doing over the last few months?" he asked veering the conversation to a safer topic.

"Yes, please, I've been worried about you being holed up in this house."

"If it makes you feel better, I've been getting counseling."

"That does take a load off my mind. I'm so very proud that you got help," she sighed in relief. "Show me how well you're doing in your studies."

The two teens settled with talking about schoolwork, Hydrus showed Hermione his self-made tests and let her look them over. He explained that George came by a lot and helped him. She praised him for doing such a fine job. She made sure to thank him for his gift, again. Much too soon she had to leave; she promised that if she was going to take the note's advice she would let him know first.

A mentally exhausted young man cooked dinner that night. He was very upset about what happened with Ron, even if he wasn't overly surprised. He was glad to finally rid himself of that stress-inducing hindrance. It was a good thing he still had Hermione, though he did feel bad for keeping secrets. That girl was one of the two people he'd miss when he left. However, judging from her reaction to the little bit he did tell her he'd have to keep her in the dark, for now, besides, if she wanted to go on to greener pastures then who was he to stop her. He'd just have to wait and see if she succeeded.

George would be visiting tomorrow, so Hydrus would ask his opinion, though he was a bit nervous about how the older Weasley would react to what he had to do to Ron. Knowing his older friend, he decided that George would understand, then again, Ron was family and the Weasleys always tried to protect one another. With his thoughts going in circles, he had a fretful night's sleep.

Ron's gift, of a dragonhide cloak, was put away by a smirking Kreacher. The house elf never trusted that particular redhead. Kreacher would sneak it back into Master's things the next time he went through them.

When George showed up the next afternoon with a very thoughtful look on his face, and his young friend got more worried. He showed the redhead into the study and perched on the edge of one of the chairs. "So what's up?" he asked.

"What happened yesterday? And don't give me that bullshit about poisoned tea and head injuries. Mum might've bought it, but Hermione was acting very out of character when she came back to the Burrow. I want the truth," the single twin said with a piercing look.

"Before you get too angry, let me explain. I only did what I had to do to protect myself," Hydrus all but begged.

"Explain," came the curt demand.

So the new Black told the older Weasley exactly what happened the day before, leaving nothing out. "So, you see, I had to do it. He threatened to go to Kingsley and the last thing I need is the Ministry breathing down my neck more than they already are," the worried teen finished, still perched to run if his friend didn't understand.

Throughout the retelling, George's face contorted through many different expressions; from appalled, angry, sadness and finally settled on regret. "I think… I'd better leave for a while, until I can calm down. I know you only did what you felt you had to do, but that's my brother you're talking about," George said as he stood to leave.

"George, please try and understand, I'd never hurt you intentionally. However, I get where you're coming from," Hydrus said sadly. He only hoped he wouldn't lose his only confidant.

"I'll try and keep an open mind. I know how Ron gets, but I know how you jump blindly into things. I'll think it over and we'll see what happens, but right now I have to go," the redhead said. He gave a brisk nod and left.

George came back the next day, much to his relief. After they settled in the study, George looked Hydrus straight in the eye and said, "Okay, I understand, but I think you should stay away from Ron. His jealousy is strong and if you get around him, he might remember what the fight was about. I don't want that to happen"

"I don't either, so, I promise to not seek out your brother for any reason," the younger man swore.

"That also means you can't go to the Burrow when he is there. We owe you a lot, and I, for one want to make sure you're repaid. I just don't want any fighting at home; Mum is all stressed out over money. So for me, could you not go there?" he asked. The entire Weasley family owed Harry for saving the lives of many of their members. He just wanted peace at the Burrow and if Ron was still jealous that wouldn't happen.

"I try and stay away from there anyway." The immortal shrugged. "I love your mum to death, but she is quite smothering. I'm glad you came back, George."

"Yeah, me too. Let's go over some of those notes," George suggested.

The two inventors got together over the phone and worked on it until they came up with a conclusion. They discovered that with another Rune array they would be able to get coverage anywhere. George went out and purchased another phone and a service plan. Now they had a new way to communicate.

George took the finished notes and started building cheaper phones to sell in the shop, for when they finished the research on getting service or setting up a magical equivalent. Hydrus started working on a VCR, so he would have more entertainment here at home. They had gotten a telly to work earlier that month and he got cable service, once again confusing the installers when they were done.

The young inventor already had one of the book-readers taken apart, and he would work on that later. The two decided that they would sell these as well. These breakthroughs were going to make a big profit and at the same time thumb their noses at the sheep that bought them.

The next day Mundungus came by with some news. "'ydrus, yer gon'a 'ave ter give me mawer money fer yaaahr supplies," the petty thief said.

"Why?" the new Black snapped, the last thing he needed was bad news. His money wasn't limitless, and he hoped the thief wasn't trying to swindle him.

"Prices are up all over da 'lley," Fletcher explained. "Seems that since da Muggle-raised left, da shops cost wen' up. Gringotts 'as also increased in'erest rates, just so they can stay in business."

"Oh, sorry that I snapped. That's actually good news. Maybe I can get better deals on the continent, would you be able to go to France or somewhere? I'll make sure you're well compensated." This was wonderful news. Soon enough the rich will be poorer. It had taken many counseling sessions to keep Hydrus from hunting down the Death Eaters that escaped Azkaban, so if he wasn't going to kill them, he was going to do the next best thing and bleed their money dry. He was still unsure if he would let them live when he went back in time, but that was a worry for later.

"Yeah, I've got connecshuns over there."

Hydrus nodded and then had a thought. "Any rumors on how Hogwarts is coping? I'm sure with so many students going elsewhere; they have to be hurting for funds." This thought caused a bit of turmoil. On one hand, the castle had been his home for many years, on the other hand, every year was blackened with attempts on his life. Not to mention all the times the student body turned their backs on him.

"Word on da street is what da Board ov Governors are 'rying' ter refawm da school ter one like Durmstrang. That's got ole Minerva in a right tiff. The Wizengamot ain't doin' much be'er, since da Pure-bloods wan' ter invite fawerigners." The scruffy man laughed.

"Hmmm," he hummed after he worked his way around the accent, not wanting to express his opinion to the other man. He knew it was only the vow that kept the thief silent and someone as sneaky as Dung would know how to work around such vows. It was only because Hydrus paid the man that he hadn't already, but the teen was going to play his cards close to his chest around the petty thief. "Thanks for telling me," he said instead. "You go and talk to your connections and see if they can set you up with better prices."

"'lright, I'll check in wiv yew when I know," Mundungus said as he got up to leave. He knew a dismissal when he heard one.

"Right," the teen said distractedly, still mulling over his feelings. He waved his hand in the general direction of the door and wandered out of the room. He knew Kreacher would make sure the other man left. He went to the workroom he and George set up, there was a bit of new technology that he wanted to play with. It would keep his mind off all the things that happened in the last few days.

While he was happy to learn that prices were up in Diagon Alley, and probably Knockturn, it saddened him that Hogwarts might turn into a Pure-blood school. He would have to talk to the Prime Minister to see if one of the Muggle-born could figure out a way to detect accidental magic. That way they could set up a school for the new wizards and witches in Britain. He would write a letter later.

Shaking his head from those thoughts, he picked up the bulky cell phone and tried to see how he could use it. The Rune array to power it was easy enough, but that didn't give him coverage. Since it was a new item on the market, there wasn't much to it. He had purchased one of the plans to get him service, even though it confused the hell out of him, with long distance charges and roaming fees and other strange charges, very little of it made sense. But, if what he and George had discovered was correct, then he would soon have a phone that bypassed all of that.

He worked on the phone for the rest of the day, making notes on investments for the future. He could see the great potential in this device. He'd have to go to a brokerage firm tomorrow and do just that. He would also have to see if he could put some money in Microsoft and other upcoming computer businesses. Since it will take more time to get the time travel equations down, he would need more funds.

The next day, Hydrus set up a non-magical bank account with 5,000 pounds and asked them who they recommended for a brokerage firm. They suggested Smith and Anderson, which is where the young man went. He bought stock in Motorola, Apple and Microsoft, as well as a few smaller technological businesses.