Chapter 8
Under the Sign of the Leo
Harry, Ron, Ginny, Katie, Seamus, Euan, and Matt all stood nervously at the doors which opened to a stadium of thousands of students sitting in the stands that surrounded the Quidditch field.
"Remember," said Harry, "if by some chance we are losing 10 to 170, I'll try to catch the snitch and end the game anyway before we lose any more points, and if -"
"Harry," said Ron, "how pathetic do you think we really are?"
Harry scowled and the doors flung open.
"Aaaaand it's Potter, Weasley, Weasley, Bell, Finnigan, Abercrombie, and Thompson on the Gryffindor end!" came Colin Creevey's voice through the loud speakers, who had become the new announcer. "We've got a new Captain on the team and let's see just how well Potter has organized this match!"
Harry's insides lurched.
"I give yoooouuuu Chang, Ackerly, Quirke, Boot, Brocklehurst, Winslow, and Creete. Another new Captain! This season seems to be somewhat of a change for all of us! Let's see how well Chang handles a match against Harry Potter's team!"
Cho was Captain? thought Harry. But I thought she was flying terribly all year!
"Madam Hooch steps onto the field and there go the bludgers followed by the golden snitch! She's given the instructions and...."
Harry shook Cho's hand, though careful not to look her in the eye.
"The quaffle has been released!"
Harry immediately tried to follow the snitch with his eyes, but it swarmed out of sight in a matter of seconds and he turned to focus on the game, making sure that the Gryffindors were following their strategy.
"Ron Weasley passes to Bell - Winslow to Ackerly - Bell to Ginny Weasley - oh, I can't watch, it's too bloody fast - "
"Colin!" said Professor McGonagall.
"Sorry. Creete has possession of the quaffle, he's gonna score! WATCH HIM, MATT!"
Colin was peering through several small cracks in his hands, which were blocking his face in fright. "He shoots. HE MISSES! OOOH. NICE SAVE BY THOMPSON!"
Harry had to admit that the save was miraculous because Ginny was right - Ravenclaw had a very good Quidditch team, at which Harry felt the sweat accumulating on his forehead.
"Bell gains possession - Ackerly tries to steal. NICE BLUDGER BY FINNIGAN! Bell passes to Ron Weasley. WEASLEY SCORES! GRYFFINDOR LEADS 10 TO 0!"
Harry rubbed his eyes as he soared around the field on his Firebolt. Who would have ever thought that Ron would make the first goal of the season?
Suddenly, Harry saw Terry Boot, who was Seeker for the Ravenclaw team, dive at an alarming rate at something that he saw at the bottom of the field. Harry's heart sank and he raced after him. In a moment, however, he watched as Terry slowed down and began to pace himself around the field once more, having lost the snitch.
"Aw! Boot almost had the snitch! Watch yourself, there, Harry!" said Colin. "And it's Winslow to Creete - Bell to Ginny Weasley - She shoots. OH! Blocked by Brockelhurst! This is getting nasty, ladies and gentlemen!"
After several more minutes, Gryffindor was leading 60 to 40, but Harry still wasn't too happy about it. His eyes were darting around the field, hoping for the slightest glimmer of gold...
And he saw it. Down by the side of the field, the snitch was zooming excitedly and then sprang towards the Gryffindor goal posts. Harry grasped his Firebolt tightly and flew after it in an accelerating speed. Terry saw Harry's reaction and raced after him.
"My, would you look at that! They're going so fast they look like blue and red blurs! Never seen anything like it, folks!" came Colin' s commentary.
However, Harry wasn't listening. His full attention was on the rapidly moving snitch that was only feet away from his outstretched hand. Unfortunately, Terry suddenly came up next to him and had also drawn his hand; he was a much better Seeker than Harry expected.
The snitch was there...he could feel it...he could grasp it...but Terry's hand was closer...what if Harry failed to catch the snitch?...It was only a matter of seconds...
"GRYFFINDOR SCORES 70 TO 40!" Colin exclaimed so enthusiastically that both Harry and Terry were distracted by this and both jumped, losing the snitch a second time. Harry felt as if he could have made Colin his best friend for life!
They both slowed down on their brooms and Harry shrugged to him, though broadly grinning. Terry sighed and lifted up to the top of the stadium to continue looking for the snitch.
Harry was watching the play and noticed that the Ron, Ginny, and Katie were superior at the Gliding Technique, which enabled them to make it appear as if they are going to slow down to shoot when they are really accelerating and passing to another player.
His eyes began rushing about the field and he saw the snitch on the other side of the field. He couldn't afford to get Terry so close to catching it again...
Harry dove straight down and Terry followed. Before he knew it, Harry was about to crash into the wall of the pitch and suddenly pulled back, leaving Terry bombarding with the pillar and falling to the ground.
"Oooh! Incredible! Potter's just performed a Wronski Feint! Where did he learn how to do that?! Doesn't look too good for Boot, though! Someone get Madam Pormfrey, for heaven's sake!"
A timeout was called, but Harry was already on the other side of the field and clutching the golden snitch in his hand.
"HARRY POTTER HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH! GRYFFINDOR WINS THE FIRST MATCH OF THE SEASON!"
Ron, Ginny, Katie, Euan, Seamus, and Matt had all descended to the ground on their brooms and ran up to Harry, clapping him on the back and messing up his hair. Hermione ran towards him from the stands and kissed him on the cheek. He first looked at her rather disapprovingly, but couldn't help it and smiled when the team raised him on their shoulders and carried him up to the Gryffindor common room, where they celebrated the House's victory.
After the win, Cho had met Harry in the hallway and congratulated him, slightly blushing. Harry, however, smiled and continued to walk to Transfiguration.
Christmas Break was approaching and Gryffindor was tied with Ravenclaw for the Quidditch Cup while Slytherin was only slightly ahead of them in House points. Harry had now only remembered that he had still failed to tell his grandmother that he could not leave with her to Brazil and the reason for why he had to stay at Hogwarts.
Professor McGonagall had been egging them all year to begin studying for their Apparition Test. Harry, however, found it rather hard to concentrate on it while scanning the Daily Prophet for any news about the Maneosioan War. Not like it was very helpful; the only person that he had ever received any information on the matter was Dumbledore and, for now, he seemed to be as silent as ever. No sign of another attack was heard of, however, and Harry was rather grateful for that because he had enough to worry about when he wondered what the top grade would be for his Life Ressurection Potion Essay. There were also the pressures of the N.E.W.T.'s, which Harry found rather annoying considering the fact that Hermione had spend day in and day out in the library trying to get a good year-ahead study. She was also researching any possible solutions to the Priori Incantatem, but Harry was beginning to wonder if their theory sounded rather useless.
"I must repeat that the Apparition test is a crucial part of your curriculum at Hogwarts and it is important that you take it as soon as possible," said Professor McGonagall.
"Does that mean that it doesn't matter when we take it?" asked Neville.
"Of course it does. You just have to be at least seventeen years old to qualify for the test. If you do not turn seventeen until next year, that is fine, but the test must be taken before you graduate from Hogwarts."
They had begun human transfiguration and had been split up into partners. Harry was with Neville and decided to have a go at him first, afraid that Neville might set him on fire before turning him into a statue.
After turning Neville back to human, however, and shutting his eyes, trying hard not to imagine what damage Neville might inflict on him, Harry found that everything went blank for a couple of minutes and he was awoken again, facing Neville, who exclaimed excitedly that he had succeeded in the process.
"This new wand Gran bought me is great! Much better than my dad's old one. Core of a dragon or something, mind you."
"Dragon? Hey, Krum has one like that," said Harry, remembering the weighing of the wands.
"Victor Krum? Amazing! Wow, I've gotta tell someone! Thanks, Harry!"
When the lesson was over, Harry was about the leave the classroom when he hesitated and decided to ask Professor McGonagall something.
"Erm...Professor? I have a question. Do you, by any chance, know a woman by the name of Cilia? Cilia Potter?"
Professor McGonagall looked up at him with her eyes widened and her face grew numb with shock. "How do you know - ?"
"She's my grandma. She lives in Brazil. I've never known until the beginning of this year, though. She's the mother of my - "
"I know who she is, Potter," said McGonagall, mindlessly. "I wonder how she found out..."
"Found out what?"
"Well, about you of course. Surely she didn't just travel all the way to London to take a walk. Someone must have told her. Oh, dear. Dumbledore won't be too happy about this." She began shuffling some of the papers on her desk.
"What? Why?" asked Harry.
"Have you talked to her, Potter?" she asked.
"Well, yeah, I've - "
"And what did she say? Surely she had to bring up the idea of taking you with her, had she not?"
"Yeah, she - "
"That's exactly why it's not a very good thing, Potter. Knowing Cilia, she'd be bound to try and smuggle you out of the country in any way that she could."
"Smuggle me out - what? Why would she do that?"
"Harry, you are the last remaining relative of Cilia's and she can be rather overprotective. Especially since she hasn't been to London since the First War. This is bad, Potter. I don't know how, but you must find a way to convince her to let you stay. Otherwise, I am afraid, she won't be too thrilled about it if we have to start arguing with her. Your grandmother is a rather powerful witch, you know. A fair student, but quite powerful if she wants her way."
"How did you know her?"
"Oh, I knew her, all right," she said. "Now, off with you, Potter. I'm rather busy at the moment."
Professor Malfoy had told them that they would be studying the last Eternal Spell for the semester before the exams. The fifth Spell proved to be extremely amusing to Harry considering the fact that it made a tickling sensation while the mind scrambled itself so that the person would become forever mentally delusional.
"However," said Narcissa, "you are merely children and therefore will only cause the Spell to linger on the person for a few moments, causing no damage, so I do suggest that you try it out for yourselves. On one another. All together now. Pronounce `Riscrombia!' Without the use of your wand now. Again. Riscrombia! Good. Now, face your partners and think of nothing but confusion while shouting the Spell. Focus on your partner's thought, rambling."
Harry looked at Hermione, who showed no sign of mercy, rasing her wand, and crying, "Riscrombia!"
Harry suddenly felt as if he wanted to burst out in a fit of laughter, but couldn't find his voice. In fact, he didn't know where anything was. He didn't even know how to laugh. But what was laughter? What am I doing? Can I do anything? What is "doing?" What are these things that are passing around in my - what is it called again? Can I hear them? Am I hearing them? I am so confused! But what is confusion? Who cares! I don't know anything! I blah, blah, blah...
Harry's mind was turning upside down. He couldn't even think of words in order to think to himself.
He heard a voice, or was it a voice? What's a voice? call, "Harry?" and his vision came into focus. He saw Hermione standing over him. Apparently, he had fallen and was just getting up, as he noticed were a couple of other people.
"You okay?" she asked him.
"Yeah...That was way too weird. All right...your turn," he smiled mischievously at Hermione.
Harry focused on confusing Hermione, which wasn't that hard, considering the fact that he had just gone through it and said, "Riscrombia!" with his wand raised.
He watched as Hermione's eyes shut and began squinting. She tried to smile, but then fell on her knees and then to the ground, although Harry caught her in the process.
"Hermione?"
She opened her eyes finally, looking as dazed as ever and smiled, seeing Harry's face.
"Who's she?" asked Hermione.
He grinned and helped her up.
"Very good!" said Professor Malfoy. "Now, this time, I need you to fight it. I know it is hard...almost impossible...but it is important...go on then..."
Hermione hit Harry with the Spell a second time, but he was ready. As soon as he felt the tickling sensation, he tried to focus on something in the room and not let go of what it was. He looked at Hermione and said to himself, "That girl's name is Hermione. I love her. She loves me." He kept repeating this to himself. He felt all other information scrambling in his mind, but he was sane. Hermione kept her wand raised, and looked rather puzzled as to why nothing was happening to Harry. He kept focusing on her until his head began to ring. He clutched it with both of his hands, the tinkling sensation now turning into a sharp pain in his skull. Seconds passed and it was over. Harry was sitting on the floor with Hermione by his side.
"Harry, I think you did it! I think you really fought it!"
"Indeed, he did, Miss Granger," said Narcissa. "Well done, Potter. Tell me. How did you manage it? And on the first try, was it not?"
"Yeah," said Harry, slightly searching for words. "I focused on one thing and kept reminding myself of what it was when I sort of felt a headache and it was over."
"What did you focus on, Potter?" she asked.
"Er," said Harry, wondering if he should reveal this information to her, but then heard Dumbledore's voice. I trust her as much as I trust Severus Snape. "Hermione," he finally said.
She raised her eyebrows, but nodded.
The last D.A. meting before they went into exam preparation was also taking place that week and, for the first time, Hermione didn't make it even though Harry had specifically reminded her that they would be practicing the Impediment Charm.
After everyone had left the Room of Requirements, however, she ran into the room, pink in the face and clutching the gigantic phoenix book in her arms. She looked positively terrified.
"Hermione where've you been? You know you missed the meeting, right? Are you okay? Well...say something..." said Harry.
Hermione looked at him as if she did not have the words to explain herself.
When she spoke, it was absolutely shaky and nervous, "H-Harry, I think I know how...I think I know how the veil was destroyed, Harry. I has to be...it - it's the only way!"
"What are you talking about, Hermione?"
"Harry, remember what Professor Malfoy said? About hate and revenge being what kills? Well...there are emotions that must bring things back to life, are there not? The phoenix song, Harry...the phoenix is a symbol of love - universal love!"
"So..."
"So love must be what awakens the dead."
"But it can't be! Dumbledore said that there is no spell that can do that!"
"That's what's so brilliant about it, Harry! It isn't just a spell! It's a feeling...and incredibly strong emotion..."
"But Nearly Headless Nick's a ghost and...and he said that people become ghosts when they fear death..."
"So...so that means that it requires love and fear."
"But that means - "
"That Voldemort didn't destroy the veil! He couldn't have! He wouldn't have the right power! I doubt that he's ever felt either love or fear!"
Harry stood there, dumbstruck.
"But...if Voldemort didn't destroy the veil then...who did?" said Hermione.
"I did," came a dreamy voice that belonged to none other than Luna Lovegood.
Harry and Hermione both whipped around and stared at her. They didn't know whether to smile or be confused.
"Er - Luna? I don't think you know what we're talking about. We're talking about destroying the veil. You know, the one that was destroyed...you witnessed it, remember?"
"I didn't witness it," said Luna, walking inside the room, the door shutting behind her, "I did it."
"But - but you couldn't have. You - you're just a girl! It would require an unknown Power to destroy the veil!" said Harry.
Luna suddenly looked down and then back up at Harry and Hermione. Harry looked into her eyes and noticed that their usual brown was turning into a golden yellow.
"Just because I'm not destined to kill Voldemort..." spoke Luna, in a grand tone, "doesn't mean that I cannot have the Power."
Harry and Hermione stepped back, each more frightened of Luna than ever.
She began to glow so resiliently now, that Harry's vision began to blur.
"Born under the sign of the Leo...you're not the only one, Harry," said Luna. Her eyes were glowing completely golden now.
"But...why?" asked Hermione. "Why did you do it, Luna? Did - did you murder your own father?"
She looked at Hermione as though she were mad.
"Kill my father? Why would I do a stupid thing like that? My father's alive. He secretly left to Sweden and is staying there until the war is over, on Dumbledore's orders."
"Dumbledore..." said Harry. "He knew about this?"
"Of course," said Luna, her voice now dying down and her glow ceasing. "I performed the ceremony on Dumbledore's orders."
Harry felt a surge of anger in his chest and he ran towards the door, flinging it open. Dumbledore had lied to him -
"Harry, where are you going?" asked Hermione.
"I'm going to find out just what Dumbledore thinks he's playing at!" said Harry and walked away towards the stone gragoyle that guarded the Headmaster's office.
"Open, will you?" said Harry, angrily.
A second time, the gargoyle sprang aside, but Dumbledore had walked out, closely followed by Narcissa Malfoy, Snape, McGonagall and Tonks, and ignored Harry, who suddenly felt an urge to strike Dumbledore again.
As they made their way halfway down the hall, leaving Harry standing glumly at the entrance, Dumbledore wheeled around and walked up to him, saying, "Harry, whatever it is, I'm sure that it can wait until later. You must be sent to the lighthouse immediately. It is too dangerous. We have received information that Voldemort's next attack is on Hogwarts itself."
"What?" Harry had completely forgotten the fact that he was absolutely angry at Dumbledore.
"I would like you to gather the appropriate people, along with Mr. Longbottom and Ms. Lovegood and meet me in my office in half-and-hour. I will have a Portkey that will transport you to headquarters. I will see you then." And with that, Dumbledore joined a serious Tonks, Narcissa, Snape, and McGonagall in conversation and left Harry trying to sink in the thought that Hogwarts would be under attack.
The Portrait hole swung open and Harry walked inside of the common room, his fists clenched. He came up to a seat near where Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville were sitting and kicked it as hard as he could.
"Harry, what's wrong?" said Hermione in a shrill and panicky voice.
"Yeah...'cause the chair didn't do anything...you just go here," said Ron, emitting a nervous laugh.
"Not - funny - Ron," said Harry, panting.
"What's wrong, then?" asked Neville.
"Got - to - go to - Dumbledore's.... Hogwarts - gonna - be - attacked..."
"What?!" Ginny had stood up.
"Let's - go - now - get your - stuff," said Harry, still catching his breath.
Harry sprang up to his dormitory, eventually followed by Ron and Neville, determined to not look any of them in the eye.
He stuffed all of his belonging inside of his trunk and told Hedwig to meet him at the lighthouse. Pocketing his wand, he picked up his Firebolt and spoke to Ron as he was just about to leave, "You go and get Luna."
"What? Luna? But I don't know where Ravenclaw's common room is."
"Ask someone," Harry shrugged.
Ron looked at him, puzzled, but then swung around and left with his trunk rattling behind him.
Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville waited for the two of them to show up near Dumbledore's office. Finally, Harry saw Ron's flaming red head followed by Luna's blonde one walk up to them, carrying their things.
Shortly after their arrival, Harry watched as Dumbledore appeared at a corner and came up to the gargoyle, not looking either of them in the eye, and shouted, "Cockle Pixie," as the statue leapt aside and he beckoned them after him.
He opened the door to his office, picked up something from his desk, and rounded at the six of them.
"You are all here - good. Harry, I do trust that I owe you a more thorough explanation, and you will receive one when I meet you at the lighthouse. In the mean time, do not worry about getting news and focus on Cilia Potter. Professor McGonagall has told me that you have been in touch with her. You must tell her before she arrives. Hear me? It is of extreme importance that you do so. Meanwhile, do stay out of trouble and no matter what you may hear - no matter what may seem right or wrong, do not do it. Stay inside of the lighthouse and make sure that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley know where all of you are at a time. It is important that you stick together" - He eyed Harry and Hermione - "I do not know how long your stay will be; we are still uncertain of the attack, it might as well be a distraction. However, remember, Harry, what I said. You are not to act!"
He thrust the object that he had been holding towards them, which was a conch, and all of them put a hand on it, holding it up in the center.
Dumbledore let go and said, "On three... one - two - three - "
In a whirlwind and a sudden jolt, they landed on top of each other on the freshly paved floors of the lighthouse.
Harry looked up to see some of the Weasleys looking down at them, offering a helping hand. Harry got up and brushed his clothes on straight.
"What's going on? Have any of you heard anything? What's going to happen to Hogwarts?"
"Harry, I don't think you were listening when Dumbledore spoke to us..." said Ron.
"Forget Dumbledore!" said Harry. "He lied to me! I'm not going to listen to anything he says!"
"Harry!" said Hermione, warningly.
"Well, I'm not!" Harry huffed impatiently.
"Why don't you get upstairs," said Mrs. Weasley. "Especially you, Harry, dear."
Harry left his things at the entrance and began climbing the stairs, followed by the other five.
They reached the turtle bedroom and Harry sat down in one of the sofas.
"That bastard!"
"Harry!" Hermione said a second time.
"What? Aren't I right? Trusting Narcissa like that! Like she's part of the Order or something! It's her faut that Sirius is dead. Kreacher was working for her! And how do we know she didn't betray us or something? That's probably how headquarters were found out! I can't believe him! And Snape! What has been up to?! I bet running information to his dear old supporters!"
"Harry, you're being ridiculous! They're on our side! I'm sure - "
"What are you sure of, Hermione? Dumbledore? Are you sure of him? Are you sure that he didn't lie to me? Because he did lie, Hermione. He lied, and I'll never forgive him. Not only that, but now I'll never see Sirius again. NEVER!"
"Harry, I'm sure he had a good reason -"
"Oh, of course! He always does, doesn't he? What is it this time? Because he cares about me? Because I'm the bloody hero? OR BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHAT'S GOOD FOR ME?"
Hermione didn't answer. Neither did any of the others. They sat down of the couch, as far from Harry as possible, with their heads bowed.
Luna, however, remained standing and came up to Harry.
SMACK!
With all of her strength, she had hit Harry hard across the face.
Harry's head knobbed with pain.
"What the hell, Luna?" he asked her, holding the cheek where she had hit him with his palm.
Ron came up to Luna and was trying to restrain her, but she brushed him off. Hermione ran up to Harry and tried to see how bad his cheek was, at which she inhaled a large quantity of air through her teeth. Neville and Ginny just stood there, flabbergasted.
"Don't give me any of that, Harry!" said Luna. "It's about time someone did that and you know it! All of you!" she rounded at the rest of them.
"You should be ashamed of yourself, Harry," she continued. "Dumbledore loves you like his son and you treat him like scum! You know what, Harry, he does know what's good for you! He has his reasons! AND YOU BETTER LISTEN TO HIM BECAUSE HE'S ONE OF THE FEW PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVE LEFT THAT CARE!"
Harry was breathing deeply and looked from Luna, whose eyes had began to glow again, to Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Neville, whose expressions told him that they were not sure if they were more scared of him or Luna.
"Fine!" said Harry and began to walk out of the room.
"Where do you think you're going?" said Luna as he reached the doors that slammed themselves shut before he could exit.
He wriggled the door knob, but it was locked.
"URGH! What do you want me to do, Luna?" said Harry, his temper rising.
"I want you to obey his word! I want you to stay with us and not worry about the war! Forget about the veil, Harry! It's not worth it! Forget about the Order...the deaths...the attacks! Focus on those who are here...those who love you for who you are...do not be a fool!"
Harry did not look her in the eye, but sat on the couch and buried his face in his hand. He felt a comforting arm pull him into a hug that belonged to Hermione. He hid his tear-stained face in her hair. She kissed him on the side of his face.
Harry finally drew away and said, "I need to contact her...Cilia...my grandmother...before it's too late..."
"That's exactly what I wanted to hear," said Luna, who handed him his mirror.
"How did you - ?" said Harry, but he shook his head, took the mirror, and called out, "Cilia Potter," into it.
Nothing happened. Harry was still starring at his own reflection.
"Cilia Potter," he said again and, this time, he found himself facing the ceiling of what appeared to be his grandmother's home.
"CILIA!" he yelled. Nothing.
"She's not there," said Harry.
"I guess you'll just have to try again later, Harry," said Luna. "Right now - "
"Harry, Harry dear...there's someone here to see you," echoed Mrs. Weasey's voice through the room, just as it had done on his first day there.
Harry looked around at the rest of them, who shrugged, and proceeded downstairs.
Dumbledore was standing at the entrance and talking to a group of people; two of which he had never seen in his life. The third, however, being unmistakably the young boy by the name of Mark Evans.
"Mark?" said Harry. "What are you - ?"
"Harry! Harry! You'll never guess what, Harry! I told my dad what you said and, well, I guess he can explain..."
"Hello, Potter," said the man that Harry presumed to be Mr. Evans.
"Er - hi," said Harry.
"I know that I have trying to deny it for years but I have to say that you are unmistakably Lily's son and I," he spoke, "am her cousin."
"What?" said Harry.
"Yes."
Harry now noticed that the man definitely possessed his mother's eyes, though he had Aunt Petunia's hair.
"You...you..." said Harry, dumbfounded.
"The name's Peter, Peter Evans. Nice to meet you, son," he said, stretching out his hand, which Harry shook, numbly.
Harry didn't know what to say. He had considered the matter after his conversation with Mark, but he did not dare find the possibility that it could be true.
"This is my wife, Jasmine Evans," said the man, gesturing to his wife, who had dark brown hair and hazel eyes and smiled broadly at Harry; he noticed that she was quite good looking for her age.
"I suppose you're wondering why they are here, Harry," said Dumbledore, "and the answer to that is because, as I have said before, Lily's blood has made an eternal protection upon you, Harry, which means that it resides within Peter and young Mark here. I thought that it was rather appropriate that they come and stay with you until matters are secure. I would have invited the Dursleys instead, but I highly doubted that they would have agreed to come as much as you would have agreed to have them here. Therefore, as soon as young Mark informed me that he had learned that he was related to the Harry Potter, I made sure that he contact his parents and ask them to meet you here. I suppose you would like to question Mr. Evans some more, if you don't mind, that is," he turned to Peter.
"Not at all," he answered.
Dumbledore nodded, his eyes twinkling.
"As for the explanation that I feel that I owe you, Harry, I suppose that it has to do with Ms. Lovegood and the veil, does it not?"
Harry looked up at him.
"I feel that my reasons are strong enough, Harry, for you to understand that it had nothing to do with your connection to Sirius. I felt it was rather necessary that the veil be destroyed concerning a serious matter that is between Luna and myself. For now, I am afraid, that is all that I can tell you. Mr. and Mrs. Evans...Mark...I shall see you soon enough..." said Dumbledore and walked off, leaving Harry alone in thought with the three Evans looking anxiously at him.
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