The Bodyguard

Chapter 1

It should have been another miserable, hot summer for Harry Potter at Number Four Privet Drive. His aunt and uncle had come up with all sorts of hideous chores and things for him to do, since as Uncle Vernon put it, “we’ve given you enough charity boy. It’s about time you started actually earning your keep instead of making more work for my Petunia.”
In addition, Harry’s cousin Dudley had managed to lose some weight due to his discovering girls and wanting to impress one in particular; a perfectly odious girl who matched his personality perfectly. Harry thought they deserved each other, and at least it would hopefully take his cousin’s attention off of him. So, all in all, it was shaping up to be another typical summer at the Dursley’s. That is, until Remus Lupin showed up on the Dursley’s front doorstep.
“Pro—I mean, Remus? What are you doing here? I thought Tonks was checking in this week,” Harry said after exchanging delighted greetings with his former professor.
“Slight change of plans Harry. “ Remus replied solemnly. “Pack your things—you’re coming with me. Professor Dumbledore has a job for you.”
Bewildered, Harry did as he was told and quickly packed his trunk. Hedwig was gone, probably sleeping in a tree somewhere. Uncle Vernon had gone the opposite way of his usual rants, kicking Hedwig out of the house rather than locking her in her cage all summer. The situation turned out to be a relief for everyone involved, especially the snowy owl; Harry had no worries about her catching up with him somehow.
Downstairs, he could hear his aunt and uncle raising a fuss as Lupin informed them of the change of plans. Rolling his eyes, Harry lugged his stuff downstairs and followed Lupin out the door without bothering to say goodbye to his relatives. To his surprise, the older man led him to a Muggle car parked in front of the house.
“It’s broad daylight Harry,” Lupin laughed, correctly interpreting his thoughts. “And yes, I do know how to drive a car. Put your things in the trunk and get in.”
Feeling slightly sheepish, Harry did so. Lupin waited until they were well on their way before speaking.
“I’m surprised at you Harry. I thought you would’ve been pestering me with questions about what this is all about.”
“I’m just grateful that you got me away from the Dursleys,” Harry replied honestly. “But now that you mention it, whatever could Dumbledore need that one of the members of the Order couldn’t do? Does it have to do with Voldemort?”
Lupin automatically grimaced slightly, but shook his head. “Yes, but indirectly. We’ve received reports from our agents that He is planning on making a move on those closest to you as a way to make you more vulnerable, starting with Ron and Hermione. Ron and his family are safe, so you don’t have to worry—they’ll see you at Hogwarts,” he added before Harry could ask. “But we still need someone to keep an eye on Hermione.”
“But why me?” Harry frowned, guessing what Lupin was alluding to.
The older man sighed. “Well, for one, Hermione lives in a mostly Muggle neighborhood. It’s out in the country, but she’s still surrounded by non magical people, so we need someone who can blend in. Most of our Muggle-born field agents are either too old to be hanging out with a sixteen year old girl, or are already out on assignment gathering important information. So, I suggested you. This way, we kill two birds with one stone. Your relatives are currently on their way to the United States, courtesy of a free trip—paid for by the Order. With them is two of our younger members. I can’t give you their names for security purposes, but the young man has a bag full of your hair from that convenient haircut Molly gave you at the end of last year and a good supply of Polyjuice potion, and the girl, in one of her more strenuous roles, is playing the role of your dear cousin Dudley’s new girlfriend. They will stay with your family and act as a decoy.”
Harry nodded dubiously. He still wasn’t convinced, but trusted the former Professor’s judgment.
“How did Hermione take it when you told her she was going to be guarded all summer?” His eyes widened when Lupin winced again.
“That’s the other problem. We can’t tell her Harry. Someone in her household or neighborhood is leaking information to the dark side, but we haven’t pinpointed who yet. Until we do, we can’t risk the possibility that someone could reveal your true whereabouts.”
“So then how exactly is this going to work?” Harry wanted to know. The doubt was clear in his voice.
“How comfortable are you in your Animagi forms?”
“Fair. I’m more comfortable as a cat now, thanks to Professor McGonagall—“ Harry paused for a moment. “And you know the hawk form was no trouble.”
In tradition with the rest of his “not so normal” life, Harry Potter had proved that he marched to the beat of a different drum once again when he had discovered that he could transform into not one, but two animal forms during his Transfiguration test at the end of sixth year. The first form, a black hawk, had come as no surprise to anyone; Harry flew like a bird of prey in any form. Professor McGonagall had smiled and nodded and motioned for him to change back, but instead of changing back to human, there had been a flash of light and suddenly a oversized black cat with Harry’s eyes was staring back at her. Resigned to fate, the Professor had taken it fairly well in stride and coached Harry in both of his forms.
“Well, that’s good to hear because by the time the summer is over you’re going to be very comfortable in cat form,” Remus informed him. “Hermione had been working at the local animal shelter. We’re going to work it so that you are going to be adopted by her as a lost stray. Your cat form is larger than the norm, but not quite so that you’re going to stand out.”
“For once,” Harry added dryly, rubbing his forehead.
“You’ll have to insinuate yourself into the shelter as well; maybe convince them to make you a mascot or something so you have free reign. You’re smart, so I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”
Harry nodded. “How do I get in touch with you or Dumbledore in case something happens? I can’t exactly hide my wand on me.”
“We’ve got it all worked out. Right now, I’m hungry and we’re at our destination. ”Harry noticed for the first time that they had stopped at a motel. Lupin got out and picked up his bags. “Come on. Let’s get settled and I’ll tell you the rest over dinner.”