by Olafr (olafr@iinet.net.au)
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and associated milieu, characters, and situations are owned by J.K. Rowling and her licensees. This is a work of fan fiction, produced solely for enjoyment. No infringement of rights is intended.
Rating: PG-13
Last updated: 2 April 2004. Revision 3 - pre-beta version incorporating changes consequential to beta reads of earlier chapters
Author's Notes: I've noticed how slowly the summer is going. I always wondered how it was that JKR seemed to take forever to get around to starting the school year in GoF, but now I guess I know. Still no sign of Draco and his machinations, but they're coming, they're coming. *evil laugh*
5. Planning
Hermione awoke for the sixth time to see the light of true dawn peeking in through the undraped dormer windows. The first tinges of golden sunlight painted the cathedral roof far above, and she lay there for a moment and admired the play of light and wood. She could almost see the lit patch move, and she almost fell asleep again, her heavy eyes closing as she was mesmerised by its inch-wise movement down the ceiling towards the wall.
Last night had been hard. Harry had cried out several times in his sleep, waking her from her nervous, light doze. He had called for Sirius, then later in an anguished, pain-filled voice that almost broke her heart to hear he had called for her and for Tonks, begged them not to leave him. Each time a hand on his cheek or brow had calmed him. One time, the worst time, his scar had been hot and it had taken hugs and calming voices from both her and Tonks to soothe him.
Propping herself up on one elbow, Hermione studied Harry's sleeping face. Yesterday, awake, he had been in turns happy, calm, curious, and joyful; he looked healthy, fit, and well-rested. Now, however, she saw that the corners of his mouth were turned down slightly in his sleep. As she watched his brows scrunched together in a frown, his eyelids showing the movement of his eyes beneath the lids. REM-sleep, Hermione told herself, the state of dreaming. I wonder what he's dreaming about?
Whatever it was, it did not appear to be pleasant. For a time Harry lay utterly still, as if drugged, then his head began to move and his expression moved towards disgust and terror. Hermione knew that the body did not generally move whilst in REM-sleep but even as she watched his eyes stilled and, with a low groan of agony, Harry began to move about. Tan limbs encircled Harry as Tonks woke and moved to comfort him. 'Shh, Harry, it's okay,' she said quietly, but if anything his thrashing only became more energetic.
Horrified, Hermione watched as Harry's scar became red and inflamed. She felt utterly helpless as Harry writhed, keening in agony as he thrashed about against Tonks' now-firm grasp. An intuition came to her and she laid the back of her hand against Harry's forehead. The scar was unnaturally hot and she hurriedly conjured a cool, damp cloth. She folded it until it formed a pad and gently pressed it to the scar which was by now showing signs of starting to weep blood.
Eventually, Harry calmed slightly. He was sweating. Hermione took away the magically-cool cloth and saw that his scar had left an imprint of blood on it but it appeared much less inflamed than before. On impulse Hermione leaned forward a little and with a hopeful, mental, Kiss it better, kissed the scar.
A sudden gasp, quickly cut off, and the stiffening of his body told her that Harry had at last awoken. She pulled back and looked at him in concern. He was looking at her with tired eyes, a pleased expression on his face. 'Hermione?' he asked uncertainly.
'Was it Voldemort?' she asked him.
He nodded and tried to sit up but Tonks' encircling arms held him down. He turned his head and smiled at Tonks, saying, 'Nym, I've got to write it down while I remember it clearly.'
Tonks shook her head. 'Nuh uh, Harry,' she said. 'You're trembling, you're staying in bed until I get a restorative potion into you.'
'Tonks...' he began, frowning.
'No, Harry,' she said clearly. 'Hermione'll get you a paper and quill, I'll get the potion, you can write it all down and then you can go to the bathroom.' She waited until he nodded before slipping from the bed and hurrying to her side of the attic. Nearly to her wardrobe, she somehow tripped over the corner of a rug and fell flat on her face. A faint, 'Bugger!' floated through the attic and both Harry and Hermione snickered.
Hermione had conjured a small writing desk complete with a magnificent eagle-feather quill by the time Tonks returned with a large phial of a familiar, sparkling-blue potion. She had got parchment and ink from Harry's desk. Harry looked up at Tonks briefly before taking the potion and quaffing it in one draft. Making a face at the taste he quickly recapped the phial and returned it to her. 'Eugh, that stuff tastes awful,' he muttered to himself. 'Thanks, Nymph,' he said to Tonks with a weak smile. His eyes told her that they would be discussing how she happened to have a stock of the particular restorative potion that just happened to relieve the after-effects of Cruciatus - and how she knew he needed it - later, before he bent and began to scratch out an account of Voldemort's sending.
Later, after an abbreviated exercise period which left Hermione weak with muscular overuse and newly-appreciative of the restorative effects of a long, hot shower, the three sat at the kitchen table eating breakfast. Hermione had offered to cook to spare Harry the effort and to prevent Tonks from taking charge in the kitchen, but Tonks had gently refused and had cooked up a pleasant meal of scrambled eggs on toast, bacon, fried tomatoes and wilted spinach garnished with pine nuts.
They had not spoken except for things like 'Would you pass the salt please, Hermione?' and Tonks had passed Harry's note to Dumbledore to Moody for transmission. Now, however, the meal was done and Hermione was anxious for the talking to begin.
Harry beat her to it, however. 'Thank you, Hermione,' he said. At her surprised expression, he added, 'For being there for me. I'm just sorry that the very night you come, Riddle decided he just had to make my life difficult after leaving me alone all summer so far. It can't have been pleasant for you, but I felt you there and it helped.' He smiled gently at her, and Hermione found herself smiling in return. She took his hand and gripped it tightly.
'I won't pretend I got a good night's sleep, Harry, but you're more than welcome. I'm just glad I was able to help you,' she said.
* * *
'Minerva, Severus, thank you so much for your promptness,' said Dumbledore as he led the two professors to a smallish circular table which sat with three carved chairs in the area normally reserved for the headmaster's astronomical instruments. A lavish breakfast sat on the table, ready to be eaten. The dome was open to the sky, and the gentle summer sun shone out of clear blue sky to bless the setting. Breathtaking views of the Hogwarts grounds, the lake, and the mountains beyond showed over the low stone parapet. 'Please, take a seat and help yourselves.' Suiting action to word, Dumbledore took a sausage, an egg Florentine, and some breakfast potatoes before leaning back to nibble contemplatively.
Snape and McGonagall said nothing as they, too, ate lightly. They had repositioned their chairs so that they were as far from each other as possible, Dumbledore was amused to note.
Finished with breakfast, Dumbledore stood and faced to the south. For a long moment he stood with his head back and eyes closed, gesturing with his wand and muttering incoherently. At length he stood straight again and gazed, smiling, over the other two. 'I have good news,' he pronounced. 'Harry may leave Privet Drive at any time. The blood protection has regained its full strength.'
Snape nodded neutrally while McGonagall smiled. 'He has been invited to stay with Miss Granger, has he not, Albus?' she asked.
'Yes,' said Dumbledore. The old man stooped over the table pouring tea for the three of them, then took his cup and resumed his seat. He breathed over the surface of the tea then sipped, finally leaning back, his beatific smile reflecting enjoyment of the simple pleasures in life. After a long moment he composed himself and said, 'Miss Granger is currently staying with Harry and Nymphadora at Privet Drive, and the three of them will be relocating to the Grangers' residence in Wimbledon on the Sixth of August.'
A silence stretched between the three, then Dumbledore broached a new topic. 'Severus, do you think there is value in persisting with your Occlumency training with Harry?'
Snape did not answer immediately, instead looking out over the magnificent vista, to all appearances enjoying the warming sunlight on his dark clothes in the utterly still morning air. A teacup was clasped steadily in his long, elegant fingers. Eventually he sipped his tea and turned his gaze to Dumbledore. He looked a little uncertain. 'I do not believe so, Headmaster.'
'But?' asked Dumbledore after a beat.
'Perhaps you should ask golden-boy Potter.'
Both Dumbledore and McGonagall stared at Snape in surprise. 'Excuse me?' asked McGonagall.
Snape sighed and shrugged eloquently, his tiredness now showing as he pinched the bridge of his nose. 'Development of mage senses is an internal thing, from what I have read. He may be seeing results that I do not. Also, as far as straight Occlumency is concerned, Potter still has no quiescent shield and he must continue to work at it until he develops one. I have no idea whether the Dark Lord has gained access to Potter's mind again. Judging by the lack of reports from the boy's guard I would say not, but it is always difficult to tell what the Dark Lord is feeling. Potter has the link. For all that he is an uneducated, impatient brat, Potter is far more likely to have a useful insight in this area than I.' Snape spat the last words, as if they somehow tasted bad.
'I will ask him whether anything unusual occurred, and whether he feels he would gain benefit from continued training,' said Dumbledore, cutting across McGonagall's heated response. He turned his gaze to her. 'On a related subject, I would like to discuss Harry's course load for the coming year before sending a letter to him with suggestions.'
'That is not a courtesy afforded most students, Headmaster,' said Snape sharply, his old indignation at any special treatment of the Boy-Who-Lived settling upon him like a well-worn, comfortable cloak.
'Harry's rejection of the Aurory as a potential career path both offers opportunities and causes problems,' said Dumbledore. 'For example, the subject of Potions. Severus, were you planning to offer Mr. Potter a place in NEWT Potions?'
'I am loathe to lower my standards, Headmaster,' he said stiffly. 'NEWT Potions is not a subject for the weak of mind or the careless; for those not thoroughly grounded it can be quite dangerous. I am very much of the belief that students who did not achieve an 'O' OWL belong in Everyday Potions, not NEWT Potions. Potter scored an 'E'. However... there were only four students who scored an "O" OWL this year. There were twenty-six 'E' grades in this year's OWLs, so I do not see how I could offer NEWT places to all 'E' students.' He paused, considering. 'I may consider allowing certain 'E' students admission. Mr. Malfoy only scored an 'E', for example. I was not looking forward to telling Narcissa that her child didn't make the grade, and life might have been difficult should Lucius reappear were I not to ensure he gained admittance to NEWT potions.'
McGonagall sat forward. 'Does Mr. Potter actually need to take NEWT Potions, Albus? You will recall he wrote asking for advice on courses specifically aimed at defeating You-Know-Who.'
Silence stretched between the three once again, made more intense by the sounds of birds that came from the background. At length, Dumbledore sighed and said, 'Severus? What do you think?'
Snape mouth twisted as though he had bitten a persimmon. 'Potter needs to be able to recognise potions, at least,' he said. 'And the component-based curriculum of NEWT Potions will certainly suit his developing senses better than the cookbook approach of Everyday Potions... assuming they develop at all,' he growled.
'Would Harry be unsafe in NEWT Potions, Severus? Are his lab skills sufficiently developed?'
'If he doesn't have the distractions of Weasley or that walking disaster Longbottom, he will be all right if he pays attention.' He sat straight, frowning. 'Very well, Headmaster, I will offer a place to Potter.'
Dumbledore smiled. 'You could, of course, emphasise the degree of special treatment you offer to the children of Death Eaters if it would help your position, Severus.'
Snape shook his head. 'No. With the exception of Draco, one of the others would survive the third week, favouritism or not. Only Miss Zabini would be safe, and she earned an "O" OWL. As always, most of my NEWT students will be Ravenclaws.' He got to his feet. 'Would you excuse me please, Headmaster?'
Dumbledore waved graciously. 'Of course, Severus. Go and get your rest, and thank you for coming so promptly. I will see you this afternoon to settle the remainder of your NEWT placements. Shall we say around four o'clock?'
'Thank you, Headmaster,' said Snape as he left in a flurry of black robes. Dumbledore took a Palmier almost as large as his face and nibbled daintily at one edge of the crisp, flaky, honey-flavoured pastry.
'Delicious,' said Dumbledore.
'So Mr. Potter's load will be Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, and...?' said McGonagall.
'I believe I shall encourage Mr. Potter to take Theory of Magic and Healing in addition to Physical Defence. I shall also encourage him to continue that excellent Defence Association of his.' Dumbledore looked over his half-moon glasses at his vice-Headmaster. 'Do you think he will have enough time for Quidditch with all that, plus special tutoring?'
'He should have no problem this year, although he may not necessarily agree with that evaluation,' said McGonagall with a wry smile. 'As for next year, we shall have to see. Speaking of Defence, have you managed to secure...?'
Dumbledore smiled broadly, his eyes twinkling and his smile somehow feline. 'Yes. Yes, I have.'
* * *
Harry and Hermione sat in the library, studying. Tonks read also, reviewing a thick tome on defensive magic. It was late morning. Harry broke the silent tableau by closing his book - Sensing the Insensible - and getting out his wand. Hermione looked up.
'Wingardium Leviosa,' said Harry softly with the appropriate wand gestures. Obediently one of the other books rose about a foot off the table, then sank down again. 'Wingardium Leviosa,' he muttered again. Again the book rose, and fell. Again Harry cast the charm, this time with his eyes closed, and in response the whole table rose.
'Harry!' shrieked Hermione in surprise. His eyes jerked open although the table remained steady in mid-air. Shocked and chagrined, Harry allowed the table to sink to the floor again.
'Sorry, missed,' he said red-faced.
'It serves you right for casting with your eyes closed!' said Hermione sharply.
'Great control, though,' chortled Tonks.
'I'm sorry, Hermione,' said Harry contritely.
Hermione smiled at Harry's somewhat woebegone expression. 'It's okay, Harry, I'm not upset, I was just surprised. Just be careful, okay?'
'Sure.'
'What were you doing, anyway?'
'Trying a test the book describes. I'm supposed to be able to "visualise the threads of magic."' Looking down at his lap, Harry added, 'No luck so far.'
'Cheer up, lover boy,' said Tonks heartily. 'I'm sure it'll come to you in its own time.' Hermione smiled, then glanced at the book Harry had put down. With a look of ah-hah! on her face, she grabbed it and quickly paged through the book. Harry and Tonks shared glances but maintained their silence as they waited for Hermione.
It only took a couple of minutes. 'I thought so,' she said didactically. Looking up at Harry, she gestured with the book and smiled encouragingly. 'It says that it is easier at first to detect strong magic. So why not do something that requires a little more power than levitating a book?'
Tonks put down her book and stood. 'Yeah, go on, lover boy,' she said. 'Get over to the exercise area and do something that requires some real power.'
Harry felt a sense of mischief rise within himself and he gave into his impulse. 'Why would I do that, Nymph? Wingardium Leviosa!'
This time it was Tonks who rose, squawking, six feet in the air. Harry manoeuvred her this way and that, ignoring her protests. For her part, Tonks, at first greatly disconcerted, began to enjoy the sensation of unpowered flight and stuck out her arms, flapping them like a bird. Hermione, at first a little shocked, quickly began giggling as Tonks twittered her way about the library under Harry's control before he eventually deposited her on his bed, the nearest soft surface.
'No luck,' he said.
'Did you have to strain? Exert yourself?' put in Hermione before Harry could get himself down again. 'It certainly didn't look like it.'
Harry shook his head and looked to her intensely. 'No. You're right, 'Mione. Do you have any ideas?' He looked around at the walls and ceiling. 'Oh well, I'm not sure it'd be such a good idea right now. I suppose the anti-detection wards have a limit to how much magic they'll hide.'
Hermione took one elbow in her hand and tapped the index finger of the other hand against her mouth, frowning in thought. Then her face cleared and she relaxed her arms and took a half-step forward, saying, 'Why not find a disused quarry somewhere and try boring holes? I'm sure I saw a boring spell somewhere. You can put all your strength into it without worrying about doing any damage.'
'That's a great idea, 'Mione!'
'Now just a moment, Harry!' interrupted Tonks.
Harry's face fell. 'Yeah, I know, Tonks. I know.' He collapsed back into his seat, elbows on his knees. 'No excursions, no excuses.' He looked up at the open window wistfully. Tonks rolled off Harry's bed and padded over to stand before him. She put a hand on his shoulder.
'It's not so bad, Harry. I'm sure the wards'll be up to strength any day now and you'll be able to leave. D'ya think the trip to the Grangers' would've been permitted if Dumbledore wasn't quite sure everything'd be okay by then?'
Harry nodded silently but maintained his dejected demeanour. Hermione leaned forward and said, 'Don't worry, Harry. Once we get to my house, we can go swimming or walking every day if you want.'
'You'll be running, actually,' said Tonks matter-of-factly.
Harry was about to reply when the oddest feeling he'd ever felt burst upon him, so strongly it was almost painful, and he could not stop himself from jerking backwards with a gasp. His eyes flew open just in time to see Fawkes materialise in mid-air almost directly above his head. The identification ward dropped a momentary hash of letters before his mind's eye before going quiet again and then Fawkes was moving, his magnificent red and gold wings spreading to take his weight against the air so he would not fall on his intended target. That he may not be Fawkes' target never entered Harry's mind.
'Is that Fawkes?' asked Hermione, who had looked around in surprise at Harry's sudden movement, as the phoenix glided in for a landing on the left wing of Harry's wing-back chair.
'Yes it is,' said Harry with a smile. 'Hello, boy,' he said affectionately to Fawkes. 'I see the Headmaster has a message for me. May I take it?'
Fawkes trilled and Harry felt the warmth and relaxation of the phoenix's song flow through him. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Tonks perch on the arm of a Hermione's chair but he gave Fawkes his respect by never taking his eyes from the bird. It was the work of only a moment to retrieve the parchment and Fawkes trilled again, ruffling his feathers and showing no signs of departing.
'You are to await a reply?' Harry asked after a moment. Approving warmth flooded him again, and he nodded to Fawkes before turning his attention to the letter. As he cracked Dumbledore's personal seal - a bumblebee - he noticed both Hermione and Tonks staring at him. 'What's wrong?' he asked, vaguely surprised at their reaction.
Neither responded, so putting it out of his mind he opened the letter and began to read.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster
30 July, 1996
Dear Harry,
I trust you are well and not yet stir-crazy from your enforced confinement at Privet Drive. I know it could not have been easy for you, just as it was in no way easy for Sirius to be locked up at Headquarters. Another regret, but one I could see no alternative to at the time... or now.
I write with good news. The blood protection is once again at full strength and you may now leave the confines of your Aunt's house. This of course means that your visit to the Grangers' may now proceed as planned. However I urge you not to put yourself about without good reason. Please take the time to learn disguise and misdirection charms from Tonks before venturing out.
Professor Snape wishes to know whether you wish to continue Occlumency lessons with him. He will not be insulted if you choose not to, but he feels that there is still more you need to achieve despite your success at deflecting full-power probes when prepared. Specifically he notes that you have no full-time quiescent shield of your mind, something that is needed to ensure that Voldemort cannot enter your mind by catching you unawares. If you would let me know in your reply to this letter, I will pass on your reply to Professor Snape on your behalf.
In a letter to Professor McGonagall you asked for course advice. She came to me for assistance with your request, and I made some enquiries on your behalf. Perhaps you might consider the following course load:
NEWT Preparation Defence Against the Dark Arts
NEWT Preparation Charms
NEWT Preparation Transfiguration
NEWT Preparation Potions
NEWT Preparation Theory of Magic
NEWT Preparation Healing
Introductory Physical Defence
In addition to the above, I wonder if I might prevail upon you to continue the D.A., although as a sanctioned student organisation. Perhaps you might rename it the Defence Association and allow students from any house; as flattering as its old name was I fear the school board might find it a little difficult to accept. I look forward to discussing the details of any continuance with yourself and Miss Granger when the opportunity arises.
Let me once again state my regret that I will not be able to offer you a position as Prefect this year. However, if you will permit me - assuming you do indeed agree to continue the D.A. as outlined above - then I wish to make the head of the D.A. a position with special status with privileges similar to those of a prefect. I look forward to discussing this, too, with you and Miss Granger at a convenient time.
Fawkes is, as you know, a most secure messenger and he will await your reply.
Albus Dumbledore
Harry sighed and let the hand holding the letter flop down to the arm of the chair. 'Seven courses, plus the D.A.?' he said weakly. 'I should have known better than to ask.'
'Professor Dumbledore wants us to continue the D.A.?' asked Hermione happily. She was almost bouncing up and down with joy. At Harry's nod and smile she asked, 'May I see?'
'What's the D.A.?' asked Tonks as Harry handed the letter to Hermione. Taking the letter, Hermione saw the text swim and reform into another letter, this one addressed to her.
'Conformant text charm,' she muttered as she started to read.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster
30 July, 1996
Dear Miss Granger,
Since I know you are staying with Harry and Nymphadora I thought I would take it upon myself to make a few suggestions for your coming school year.
As you will no doubt be aware, I have suggested to Harry that the D.A. continue as a sanctioned organisation at Hogwarts. For you, I request that you consider continuing as second-in-charge of that organisation, assuming Harry also agrees. I plan to make the position of Head of the D.A. a privileged position.
I suggest you consider the following courses for your 6th year:
NEWT Preparation Defence Against the Dark Arts
NEWT Preparation Charms
NEWT Preparation Transfiguration
NEWT Preparation Potions
NEWT Preparation Theory of Magic
NEWT Preparation Ancient Runes
NEWT Preparation Arithmancy
NEWT Preparation Healing
This is one more than the recommended maximum of seven NEWT subjects, but your professors and I agree that you have shown that you are capable of bearing the load.
You may wish to send your response with Fawkes. He is a most secure messenger.
Albus Dumbledore
Hermione leaped up from her chair opposite Harry and sat down at the library desk where she had left her parchment, ink and quill previously.
'Hermione?' asked Harry. Hermione dashed over again and took Harry's hand.
'Oh, Harry, this is going to be such a great year!'
'What did Dumbledore write to you? I noticed the writing change as you took it.'
'He wants us to continue the D.A.! You will, won't you Harry?'
Harry looked away, sighing. 'He's suggested six NEWT courses plus something called physical defence, that's seven courses. Plus quidditch... I really don't know, 'Mione.' Hermione frowned and took his head in her hands, forcing him to look her in the eyes.
'Harry Potter, you were doing more OWL courses than that last year. And you did well!' She smiled, adding, 'I have confidence in you, Harry. And if your list is anything like mine we drop Herbology and Creatures for more useful courses like Healing and Theory of Magic. If that's the case you share all your courses with me except Physical Defence. I can't wait!'
Tonks placed a hand on each teenager's shoulder. Harry looked up to see Tonks leaning over him. 'Is this a private party or can anybody join?' she asked with a smile. Hermione, surprised, had an apologetic look on her face but a squeeze from Tonks' other hand on her shoulder silenced her. She leaned forward and said softly, 'It's okay, Hermione.' She leaned forward the rest of the way and kissed Hermione on the cheek, then Harry. She smiled briefly at Hermione's stunned expression, and was pleased to note that Harry looked comforted rather than discomfited. 'But I'm his bodyguard, and yours, too, now, and I have to know what's going on.'
Harry and Hermione briefly explained last year's secret organisation Dumbledore's Army, its genesis in the teaching of Umbridge, and the role of six of its senior members in the expedition to the Department of Mysteries. Harry demanded the right to explain Sirius' presence and his role in his life, leaning heavily on Hermione's warm support to get himself through the explanation.
'So Dumbledore wants you two to rename the D.A. to the Defence Association, make it a formal Hogwarts student association, and have you lead it?' asked Tonks when the explanation was finished. 'But you don't know if you can sustain it given your other studies?'
Harry blushed and nodded. 'I wanted a little time to spend... having fun,' he said. Hermione nodded in agreement.
'Professor Dumbledore wrote me that he would make the position of the leader of the D.A. a privileged position,' said Hermione. 'The position of Head Boy is privileged, too, according to Hogwarts - A History.'
'Wow,' breathed Tonks. 'Your own room!' She lowered her voice seductively. 'Imagine that, lover boy. Just what could you get up to in there?'
Harry looked lost for a moment, then found his mental feet and grinned at Tonks. 'You wish, Nymph, you wish.'
The banter was interrupted by a squawk from Fawkes, who held out a leg pointedly. Hermione blushed. 'We have to reply to Professor Dumbledore,' she said. 'Harry, what do you want to do? Have you decided?'
'I still don't know about the D.A.,' he said reluctantly. 'It was only formed because of Umbridge. If we have a decent teacher this year...'
'I don't think that matters,' put in Tonks seriously. 'You should do it anyway, Harry.' He stared at her in surprise as she continued, 'You told me that Dumbledore said all the D.A. members averaged a full grade higher than the rest of last year's students, right? Training people like that acts to multiply your effectiveness, Harry. You can't fight fifty Death Eaters by yourself, but fifty well-trained assistants can, freeing you to concentrate on the main game. Through the D.A. you multiply your strength, your effectiveness, should Voldemort ever attack the school. Do you understand?'
Harry nodded hesitantly. 'I guess so, Nymph. I... I suppose you're right. The courses look interesting. I... I think I can trust Dumbledore in this, at least. I don't think he'd ask me to do something I couldn't do...?'
'I think you're right, Harry,' said Hermione. Tonks nodded, but she didn't look very happy.
'I agree, Harry, but I think you need more people on your side. Oh well, at least I'll be there as well this year so you can talk to me if you need to.'
'You are?' asked Hermione in surprise.
'Sure I will. I've been granted a leave of absence from the Aurory and I'll be there as overall head of security. And Harry's bodyguard, to tell the truth.' She grinned wryly at Harry, who returned the expression.
Hermione stood up. 'Well, we'd better draft a reply to Professor Dumbledore.' Sitting down at the desk she took a sheet of parchment and began to write. She wrote the date, then gasped and dropped her quill. 'Ooh! Oh, no!' Before Harry could wriggle out of the enfolding embrace of the chair, Hermione had stood and was staring at him, aghast. 'Harry, it's your birthday tomorrow. I can't believe I almost forgot! And I wanted to organise a party for you, too.'
Tonks leaned forward, one hand on Harry's shoulder to balance herself. 'Well, we can still do it can't we? I could have Moody floo-call people we want to invite today if there aren't too many. We'll just have to find somewhere to have it, that's all. It'd be great in here, but the location has to remain secret. How about Headquarters? That place is at least unplottable so comings and goings won't be noticed.'
Harry blanched, but nodded. Hermione noticed and came over to him again. 'Harry? Are you sure?'
He took a deep breath and nodded again. 'Yes, I'm sure, Hermione,' he said. 'I'd really like to have a birthday party, that's if anyone wants to come, of course,' he added under his breath, 'and I've got to get over Sirius some time. It'll hurt, but I think it's necessary. You would have read those books you sent me, of course. You know it's something I have to do, and tomorrow's as good a day as any.'
Hermione put her hand on his neck, gently rubbing, as she stood beside him for a long moment. 'Are you really sure?' she asked him quietly, intimately. 'If it's too much we can have our own little party here, just the three of us.'
'Yes, I'm really sure.' Harry leaned into her, his shoulder resting against her hip. 'Thanks, 'Mione.'
'I'd better write a note for Dumbledore, too,' said Tonks.
'Who did you want to invite, Harry?'
* * *
30 July, 1996
Dear Professor Dumbledore,
Thank you for your suggestions for my courses this year. Please pass my thanks to Professor McGonagall as well. The suggested course load, while daunting, appears very interesting and I would like to undertake the course of study suggested. May I please ask you to so advise Prof. McGonagall?
Regarding the D.A., I have discussed this with Hermione and am prepared to run it this year, with Hermione's assistance of course. Speaking of Hermione, may I respectfully point out that surely she deserves some acknowledgement for her role in the D.A? After all, she did the hard work of course planning while I simply delivered the lessons.
Tonks and Hermione have decided that they wish to throw a birthday party for me. We have agreed that this cannot be done here, but perhaps it might be possible to use Headquarters for the purpose? I would imagine that it would be necessary to set up portkeys to transport a small number of guests to preserve secrecy, which means we would require your participation as well as permission. Please let us know what you decide.
I am fit and well and learning lots, although I have not yet been able to sense magic and Occlumency still eludes me.
Yours sincerely,
Harry Potter
* * *
30 July, 1996
Dear Professor Dumbledore,
Thank you ever so much for suggesting a course mix for me this year. I am aware that 8 NEWT courses is beyond the normal maximum, but I feel I can handle the load. Would you please do me the favour of advising Professor McGonagall that I will be electing the subjects you outlined?
Harry is well and is looking very fit, the physical training regime that Tonks has him doing has resulted in impressive changes. Last night was the first time all summer, to my knowledge, that Voldemort visited Harry in his dreams. His scar leaked blood at the last, about sunrise this morning. I cannot help but wonder if the Occlumency sessions with Professor Snape are doing more harm than good, since I feel it is possibly a direct consequence of Prof. Snape's taunting and attacks that Harry was rendered vulnerable to attack last night. I appreciate the reason for this, but is there not another approach? Harry said last night before collapsing into exhausted sleep that he understands why Prof. Snape is doing what he is, and the way he said it says that he forgives him, but the dreams, both real and sendings from Voldemort... I feel that whatever Harry's surface thoughts and feelings, the true state of affairs is that deep inside he bitterly resents Prof. Snape's methods.
Harry seems to be adjusting to the loss of Sirius, I am happy to say. He does not appear to be internalising his grief and anger, which I am very grateful for. He wishes to visit Headquarters in an attempt to go to the next stage of dealing with Sirius' loss. I agree this would be a very good idea if it can be arranged.
Tonks and I would very much like to throw a birthday party for Harry this year. I apologise for the late notice; I can only say that I was so looking forward to seeing him again that I completely forgot his birthday until today! To the best of my knowledge Harry has never had his birthday celebrated in the usual manner. Given that this year is a significant year according to some old traditions and usages, I feel it would be appropriate to make a special effort and help Harry celebrate.
We have discussed the subject of the birthday party with Harry and he has agreed that a small party would be very nice. Tonks and I, however, have different plans. Harry has given us a list of eight invitees (the two of us, yourself, Professor McGonagall, Hagrid if he is available, Remus Lupin, Luna Lovegood, and Neville Longbottom although he regrets that he is unable to invite Ron and Ginny Weasley due to their current stay in Romania and the shortness of time), but Tonks and I feel that it would be rather nice if as much as possible of the current membership of the D.A. and the outgoing Gryffindor Quidditch team could be invited to help him celebrate.
I realise that we are asking rather a lot of you, particularly since due to the security measures surrounding Headquarters it would most likely be necessary to use portkeys to transport the guests if the party is to be held there. But will you please consider our request? As an additional advantage it would give Harry support during the initial stages of dealing with the atmosphere of Headquarters and the memories it has for him. I am not at all sure that Harry will want to stay overnight, by the way, even though it may make sense to have us stay there until we are due at my home. Since Tonks came and provided the means for him to do magic in the summer, he has been accumulating some very good memories here in the attic and has evolved a good relationship with Tonks. It helps that he has not had to deal with his relatives at all... I wonder, do they even know whether he is alive? We have had no communication with them, and the entrance stairway from the house below has remained steadfastly locked throughout the summer to date as far as I am aware.
I very much look forward to hearing your reply. Please give serious consideration to our request.
Yours sincerely,
Hermione Granger
* * *
Dumbledore,
I concur with Hermione (love her dearly but is she incapable of conciseness?). Please advise whether this is possible ASAP. Do not want Harry to build himself up to something that might not happen. By the way, if you do choose to invite the D.A. please tell them Harry says he doesn't want any birthday gifts except for their presence.
FYI, Harry & Hermione started a formal relationship late yesterday. Harry made a Pledge Ring for her, did the ceremony. It's certain he's a Maker. Don't think Hermione realises what she saw him do. Recommend a class in wizarding tradition for Hogwarts 1st or 2nd years ASAP, perhaps converse to Muggle Studies?
Tonks.
* * *
Albus Dumbledore smiled warmly as he put down the last of the three letters that Fawkes had brought him. He had already decided that he would do as Hermione asked, he had wanted for so long to do something nice for Harry that he could hardly resist. Of course, it would be useful for other purposes to see Harry and talk to him; letter writing and even floo calls were no substitute for a face-to-face meeting. The secrecy of the Grimmauld Place residence meant that he could not invite the D.A., but he thought Harry would appreciate Hermione's idea of inviting the Quidditch team, particularly as Harry's ban could possibly be lifted by tomorrow afternoon.
It would be a convenient excuse to bring back the Weasleys, too, Dumbledore realised. With Voldemort's successful penetration of Harry's Occlumency last night, it was time to marshal Harry's support network. He counted himself incredibly lucky that the blood protection had recharged itself with such alacrity, since Harry could now be permitted to have contact with others outside protection. It had been taking longer and longer for the protection to recharge each summer as Harry more and more saw Hogwarts as his home, but the supportive company this year appeared to have done the trick.
If only he had seen that ahead of time, rather than in retrospect.
With a regretful sigh, Dumbledore stepped over to the fireplace. He tossed in some floo powder and said, 'Alastor Moody!' The image of Moody's head appeared in the green flames.
'What is it, Dumbledore?'
'A birthday party for Harry will be held at Grimmauld Place late tomorrow afternoon. He, Hermione and Nymphadora will be travelling there immediately after lunch tomorrow. I anticipate up to fifteen attendees, although there might be as few as eight.
'The Weasleys will be recalled from Romania today, and I expect them to arrive at Grimmauld Place tomorrow morning. I am hoping to persuade Harry to stay at Grimmauld Place for the time between tomorrow and the sixth, when the three of them are due at the Grangers' residence.
'I need to meet with Harry this afternoon. Since it is dangerous for me to go there - unlike Harry, I am not immune to scrying spells - I will reserve a private room at the Leaky Cauldron for two o'clock. Please tell him I wish to meet with him for a discussion regarding Wormtail. Hermione and Nymphadora may wish to come along and do some shopping. Please tell Harry that now that his blood protection has been renewed, he is free to accompany the girls if he wishes once we have met. I anticipate the meeting will not require more than half an hour or so.'
Moody nodded. 'Anything else?'
'No, thank you, Alastor. I will keep you informed regarding the likelihood of Harry's stay at Grimmauld Place.'
'No need, I'll be there in person. See you later.'
* * *
Harry picked himself up from the floor of the Leaky Cauldron and brushed himself off. He stopped himself from doing a cleaning charm just in time, and he smiled gratefully at Moody who did the charm for him. He tugged on the brim of his pointed hat, pulling it low over his forehead.
With a rush and a thud, Hermione appeared in the fireplace, her hair positively frizzy. She managed to avoid falling over and Harry saw her reach for her wand before aborting the movement with a look of disgust on her face. Moody smiled scarily and once again cast the cleaning charm, earning himself a brilliant smile in thanks.
There was a small crowd in the Leaky Cauldron. Conversation buzzed and the tink and chink of glassware, crockery and cutlery filled the air as a few late diners finished their luncheon. The fireplace rushed and thudded again, and Tonks made a squeak of surprise as she hit the floor face-first. She picked herself up, cleaned herself with a charm, and quickly made sure her hair was still the desired shade of azure.
'Come on,' muttered Moody as he led the way to a nearby doorway that opened onto a short passage. Three doors opened off the passage, one of which was ajar. Two overstuffed chairs and a mantelpiece could be seen through the gap in the door and Moody let the way into the room without hesitation. Harry followed him, stretching his senses looking for any surprises. Tonks brought up the rear and closed the door behind herself.
Inside, the room was about the size of the Dursleys' lounge room. It had six large wing-back armchairs grouped in a semicircle. Dark wooden panelling lined the walls to chest height, with white plaster above that. A window looked out into the courtyard at the rear of the Leaky Cauldron, although the gateway into Diagon Alley was not visible from this point. The sky outside was clear and blue, Harry saw as he looked to the top of the window. It made him ache to be outside, enjoying the summer sun. He looked down at his pale arms for a moment then thought about what being outside would have involved in other respects - having to interact with the Dursleys, likely not being permitted to do magic, having to do chores - and decided that overall he was much better off as things had gone. The thought made him smile a little. He noticed Hermione noticing him smile, which brought a smile to her face which in turn made him smile more broadly.
There was nobody else in the room. Tonks and Moody took up guarding positions, Tonks by the door and Moody near the window.
The door suddenly opened and Dumbledore walked in, smiling genially, greeting Tonks and Moody with nods before moving over to Harry and Hermione.
'Harry, my dear boy, you are looking well,' he said happily. 'You are feeling well, I trust?'
'Yes, thank you, Professor.'
'And Miss Granger, you look happy. I'm glad to see that.'
'Thank you, Professor,' said Hermione. Harry saw Dumbledore's gaze go to Hermione's right hand.
'May I see your right hand please, Miss Granger?' he asked, his eyes twinkling madly. She raised her hand for him and he took it, examining the ring she wore on her third finger closely. If anything Dumbledore's smile increased in size as he released Hermione's hand. 'Excellently done, Harry,' he said before moving towards the chairs.
'I approve of the idea of holding a birthday party for Harry, of course. I have forwarded invitations as requested. Would tomorrow just after lunch be a suitable time to portkey over to Grimmauld Place? I specified four o'clock on the invitations, and that will give you time to deal with any issues that arise once you get there. I know that you will not find it easy, Harry, but I applaud your determination to work through your grief.'
A shared glance passed between Harry and Hermione and Hermione answered, 'Thank you, Professor, that would be perfect.'
'Now, perhaps if we were to sit down...?'
Tonks and Moody remained standing in their guard positions but Harry and Hermione sat down in adjacent chairs while Dumbledore sat opposite them. On an occasional table he put a small object which he then enlarged. Harry recognised it as a small pensieve.
'This is a copy pensieve,' said Dumbledore. 'It is used to take testimony, amongst other uses. Unlike normal pensieves, memories deposited herein are not removed from your head; instead, they are copied. Copied memories usually last no more than a month, even with the best-crafted pensieves. This one will keep memories for about three weeks.' He looked up from the pensieve and fixed Harry's gaze with his own. 'The Ministry has been forced in the last few weeks to recant on its previous position regarding the return of Voldemort. The effect this has had on public opinion and the resulting lack of confidence in the Ministry has in turn has loosened its grip upon the Wizengamot for the first time in some time, allowing us to act to clear Sirius' name. The plan to do this is to use this pensieve and others like it to provide proof of Wormtail's continued survival and pensieved memories of his confession. A positive result would in turn further loosen the Ministry's grip, perhaps allowing the Wizengamot, and Hogwarts, to function free of interference for the first time in decades.' Dumbledore's eyes blazed and Harry had a clear sense of the Headmaster's remembered frustration and anger. Automatically he sought his centre and the feeling faded, although Dumbledore still had the look of righteous anger banked within his eyes.
Harry put aside any indignation he might have felt if Dumbledore's influence had been deliberate and considered the Headmaster's statement. 'You wish me to provide relevant memories, of course, and the topic is sensitive because those memories will be viewed by the entire Wizengamot,' said Harry evenly. He felt free, empowered, the calmness of his centre allowing him to see things that would normally be obscured. It was an odd sensation, but not one he wanted to lose. 'You made sure to point out the temporary nature of the copy to maximise the likelihood that I would agree, as I may have refused were the copy of my memories to be permanent.'
Dumbledore nodded and clapped briefly, a smile complementing once again twinkling eyes. 'Well done, Harry. Yes. You are a private person, and thoughts are very private things. I did not think you would agree if you thought the copy was permanent.'
'I would agree to anything to have Sirius' name cleared!' said Harry urgently with a thump of his closed fist on the chair's arm. He forced himself calm again, and smiled. 'I agree to your proposition, Professor Dumbledore. What do I need to do?'
'This is similar to a regular pensieve, Harry; it is the properties of the pensieve itself that makes it a copy pensieve rather than a regular pensieve. Think of the memory, and touch your wand to your temple and draw out the thought. Touch the thread of the thought to the surface of the pensieve's bowl and then replace the thought in your head by touching your wand to your temple once more.'
Harry nodded confidently and sat forward so that the pensieve was within easy reach. The encounter with Wormtail in the Shrieking Shack came first to his mind, vividly, and as he thought of it he touched his wand to his temple. There was an odd slithering sensation as the memory was drawn from his head and could think of it no more... it was gone. Dangling from the tip of his wand was a silvery thread which he dangled over the pensieve. As he touched the tail of the thought to the liquid the thread suddenly doubled, and the copy fell limply into the bowl of the pensieve. Touching his wand once more to his temple Harry felt the memory return to him.
Smiling grimly to himself, Harry went on to the next memory.