Confidence-Chapter 16
Harry could finally breathe easier. He climbed the stairs toward Ron's room exhausted in a completely different way than he'd ever felt before in his young life. He was happy, sad, inspired, fearful, and relaxed. He smiled to himself as he thought of the range of emotions that filled him. He was loved, admired, and reviled. The last one gave him pleasure, because he knew that he was reviled by Severus Snape, Draco Malfoy and even by Lord Voldemort himself.
Hermione followed him as she walked toward Ginny's room. "Harry, do you think you can sleep with all that's gone on?" she asked.
He stopped and turned toward her seemingly unaware that she was behind him until she'd spoken. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I didn't know you were going upstairs too. I was in my own little world, I guess. I didn't mean to ignore you." He smiled and sighed. "Sleep? I think I'm going to pass out." He chuckled.
"I know we all said a lot of things tonight. It had to be hard to hear what everyone thought with so many of your own thoughts going through your head," she said. "I just want to make sure you're okay."
"Oh, I'm fine Hermione, really. For me, the problem is absorbing all the kind words while sorting out the sadness. That was the worst part." He took her hand and walked up the stairs to the first landing where the door was cracked open ever so slightly to allow Hermione to go in without waking Ginny
"It's a lot to deal with and I know that Harry," she said softly. "Just remember what Professor Lupin said about not dwelling on that night. You can't do that to yourself for obvious reasons. You'd just be depressed and that's not why they made that message for you. Just remember that we all know now a lot more than we did before. It touched us all."
"Thanks. You don't know how much that means to me," yawned Harry rather absentmindedly.
"I love you, Harry Potter. I can see that you're exhausted, so I won't keep jabbering. Go to bed," whispered Hermione as she kissed his cheek. "Just concentrate on all the good that your parents have inspired in you and in all of us." She walked to the door, turned, and blew Harry another kiss before shutting the door.
Harry knew that was what was special about Hermione. She loved him no matter what. He could be happy, sad, rich or poor and she was there for him. A tear grew in his eye at the sweetness of the face blowing him that kiss. He wasn't sure if it was that every nerve in his body was ready to explode or simply wishing he could go in and ask her to do that again. He knew it was a moment he'd never forget. She wanted him to be happy and letting him alone with his thoughts in such a thoughtful and loving way touched him.
Then a moment passed and he shook his head. "Wow, am I that far gone in love with her that I can act like such a git." He paused for a second as he thought and laughed inside. "Yep, that's exactly it. That tear stuff has to stop though."
The door to Ron's room was open too. He went in pulled off his shoes, socks and pants. He almost fell face first as he slipped the second leg of his pants off. He was so tired he surprised himself that he even bothered to get undressed. He was asleep before the thoughts of the evening had intruded into his thoughts of Hermione saying good night.
The morning passed with Harry still sound asleep in Ron's room. When he awoke, he had no idea of the time until he heard the faint whispers of Hermione and Ginny at the door. He pretended to still be sleeping.
"Have you ever seen Harry look so peaceful?" asked Ginny.
"No, I don't think I have. I mean it is two o'clock and I'm sure he hasn't been up since I've been awake. I came out immediately looking for him," said Hermione. "I guess I should be surprised though. When he came up the stairs last night I thought he was going to pass out talking to me." Harry heard her giggle.
"I had no idea what really happened that night until he told us the story of his dream and the screams of his Mom. I mean, when he told us that first time the dementors appeared on the train, I was too scared for it to really register," said Ginny. "He never talked about it much when we were going out."
"He still doesn't talk much about what he knows and remembers," said Hermione. "He's told Ron and I a lot of things, but it's quick and the details are sketchy too. Maybe that's all he remembers. I just hope he learns to dwell on the present and the love they expressed last night, not the horror of his dreams. That's what I told him last night."
Harry heard a tone in Ginny's voice that sounded like she was holding back tears. "Hermione, don't hate me. But I still love him, you know."
"Ginny, I can see that. I know Harry loves you too, but more like a sister, I think. I don't want to speak for him and certainly don't want to think of it as more than that," said Hermione in as friendly a tone as one could have when the ex-girlfriend expresses love for the ex-boyfriend to the current girlfriend.
"That's what I mean, Hermione. I know that it's not romantic between us. I'm sorry; I didn't mean it that way. I mean it's just hard to express love to someone you care about when you were romantic once and now you're not. It's awkward when you get right down to it," said Ginny with a sniffle.
Harry wanted to roll over and say something but thought better of it as Hermione answered. "Oh, Ginny, I'm so sorry if I sounded like a jealous….," said Hermione as her voice trailed off trying not to call herself a name. "Bitch…there I said it."
He heard the too of them exchange a hug. "Well, at least we're civilized about it," said Ginny. "Let's get out of here before the git hears us and gets a big head thinking how lucky he is to have two girls almost fighting over him." She couldn't hold back the giggles. Neither could Hermione.
The door eased shut. When he was sure it was closed, he swung his feet around and looked out the small window toward the backyard and garden. He was amazed at how lucky he was with almost every person in his life. The whole Weasley family and Hermione wouldn't let him feel down the night before as they reminisced about their first meeting and the early years at Hogwarts as Professor Lupin told the story as he knew it and added a lot that he'd learned from Sirius before his untimely death two years before.
Harry hoped that he could run to the shower without being bothered. He wasn't ready to answer the onslaught of questions about how he felt. He still didn't know exactly how he felt about the visions of the night before. Yet, he knew he felt better now than he ever thought he'd feel again, when they had just finished.
He was lucky. Hermione saw him heading to the shower and simply smiled and blew him a kiss with a simple, "Good morning…err…afternoon, sleepy-head." He'd smiled and blew her a kiss back quickly going inside to avoid getting into a conversation with a towel around his waist.
After finishing his shower, he returned to the bedroom as quickly as he could to get ready for the rest of the day. He was almost dressed. He felt good now and actually looked forward to whatever came next. To his amazement, the buzz in the kitchen and throughout the house was the preparations for Ginny's sixteenth birthday party the next day. Equally amazing was the fact that Hermione was distracting Ginny at every turn so that she was completely oblivious to the whole thing.
"Harry, can you help me get these things ready for the wedding, old chap?" asked Mr. Weasley winking. Under cover of several sheets was a big sign wishing Ginny happy birthday greetings. Harry knew that some sort of enchantment had to be in effect for Ginny to be so thick, but he got a kick out of it anyway.
"Oh, I think it's great that Mom and Dad are getting ready for Bill and Fleur's wedding," said Ginny. "I always hate things in our family when we wait to the last minute. Besides, everyone knows Bill's my favorite brother."
"Hey, I heard that," yelled Ron from just outside in the garden. "Take it back, Ginny."
Ginny giggled. Ron and Ginny had always been as close as two people could be. Ron protected her with his life and she knew she would always have him around. "I'm sorry, Ron I just couldn't resist."
Harry wondered what they could be doing that would keep Ginny from nosing around what everyone else was doing. He walked into the living room where she and Hermione were just to satisfy his curiosity. He immediately understood. She and Hermione were making huge tablecloths for wedding feast. It was the only legitimate work being done for the wedding in the whole house. Harry wanted to laugh out loud when he realized the irony of it all.
By dusk, all preparations had been made and to everyone's amazement, it seemed that Ginny was none the wiser. Dinner was one of Mrs. Weasley's best and left everyone stuffed to the gills. "Who wants some pumpkin pie?" she asked.
All eleven hands pumped straight in the air as Remus added, "You should make one more plate, Molly. I think that Tonks should be arriving at any moment."
It was nice. Late in the afternoon, quite unexpectedly, Charlie, Bill and Fleur arrived on the pretense of approving all the work that the Weasley boys, Harry and Hermione had done for the wedding. Of course, they were sneaking in for an overnight stay to surprise Ginny in the morning. The only one missing was Percy.
Just as Harry began to put his fork into his pie, a sharp crack resounded through the room as Tonks appeared just outside the backdoor. "Sorry, I'm late, but you know, duty calls."
Tonks arrival started a whole new conversation about a case of underage magic in a northeast London suburb that involved strange noises coming from an abandoned garage. "Yeah, so, as it turns out, this young muggle girl had learned how to enchant the local animals to follow her home. At first, her mother just thought it was strange that she'd come home with a stray kitten or puppy. When the mother showed her disapproval the daughter dutifully appeared to let the stray go. But in actuality she was putting them all in that garage and conjuring cages. We were amazed at the complexity of the spells this fourteen year old witch could do with no formal training. Her father got interested when she brought home a fully-grown Welsh corgi and saw the local news about one that had gone missing just the day before. I have the feeling this case isn't over."
Harry's interest was peaked. "What do you mean, Tonks?"
"Oh, I thought of you immediately, Harry. Apparently, the girl received and invitation to come to Hogwarts just like everyone does, but her parents thought she would outgrow he little "problem" as she got older, so they declined and didn't send her. And, then, it turns out that the animals she was keeping had all been abused in some way by their owners and only the one family reported their dog missing," said Tonks.
Harry was both exhilarated and saddened by the story as Tonks gave more details. He was exhilarated at the thought of becoming an Auror and doing something that would occasionally not involve a Dark Wizard making Horcruxes and trying to destroy the world, but he was also saddened that it was that very thing that stood between him and the rest of his life. The second part that saddened him was the thought of the poor girl living in the muggle world with no idea of the world of wonder and opportunity that she was missing, even as flawed as Lord Voldemort's existence made it.
Harry was surprised how long the various conversations around the table lasted before the subject of last night arouse again. "So, Harry, how are you getting on now that you've learned so much more about your parents?" asked Bill.
Harry paused for a second as he saw a reassuring smile cross Hermione's face as she patted his leg unseen under the table. "I learned more about all of you than I learned about my parents I think," he said.
"I'm sorry, Harry. I don't follow," said Bill quizzically. The entire table looked at Harry in confusion.
"My parents loved me, but I knew that before the vision began. Sure, maybe I learned how much they loved each other, but I learned much more. You all have loved me like your own since you met me. Maybe not exactly as much, but enough that last night when I felt awful, none of you let me forget how much I meant to you and that you were there for me. How could I not have known how priceless you all have been in my life," said Harry. "That's what I mean, Bill. I have been lucky to have this family to call my own, even if you aren't really my family."
Hermione took Harry's arm as he spoke. The smiles through the glassy eyes of almost everyone there told the story. Harry had made them all happier than anything else he could have done for them. He could tell by the comment Mr. Weasley made.
"Harry, when you have a family as big as ours you learn to accept not having everything you want, but we have everything we need because we love one another. I'm glad you see that. It's wonderful of you to say it out loud for us to hear it," said Arthur.
There was a huge pause before anyone dared to say anything more for fear of choking out the words through the emotion. It seemed that it had been a conversation stopper until Ron finally broke the ice. "So, how about those Chuddley Cannons?"
Smiles broke on everyone's face, including Harry's. "Sorry, I didn't mean to stop all the excitement. I just needed to answer your question Bill."
"No problem, Harry," said Bill who immediately continued the conversation that Ron had just started with news of exactly how the professional Quidditch season was turning out.
Harry understood that Bill was trying to make absolutely sure that a repeat of the night before didn't happen. Harry was thankful when he thought of it that way. Bill was very insightful that way and listened carefully as they talked Quidditch.
After some time, the ladies had left the men at the table to talk about the wedding in the parlor. Harry looked over and smiled at Hermione who was listening intently much the same as Harry was listening where he was. She smiled back and motioned to meet outside. Harry quietly got up from the table and walked to the door.
Just as Harry thought they'd managed to nonchalantly excuse themselves, Mr. Weasley piped in. "Okay, you two lovebirds, be careful out there at night. The danger still hasn't passed from the Lord Voldemort's supporters in our area. The Lovegoods have had threatening posts twice in the last week."
"We're not going anywhere, Mr. Weasley. We're just…" Harry turned pink as he realized that there could only be one good reason for them leaving their conversations that wouldn't offend anyone, but it was embarrassing for the two of them. "Well, err, you know." He closed the door and threw his arm around Hermione's shoulders smiling devilishly at the giggles and suppressed laughter from the house.
"So, kiss me you fool," laughed Hermione whose pink cheeks were just returning to their normal color.
Harry kissed her tenderly as they stood embracing one another just out of sight of the front windows near the place where Harry had first kissed her. "So, we're returning to the scene of the crime and still hiding from everyone." They laughed and took a seat on the steps of the house.
"I haven't been able to talk to you all day, Harry. That was brilliant, the way you explained your feelings to the Weasleys. I was so proud of you," she said tightening her grip on Harry's hand.
"Well, I just feel different somehow today, Hermione. I'm not sure why. It seems as if there was a kind of uncertainty lifted from my shoulders last night. I can only describe it as knowing where I belong now. I've had that feeling with you for a while now, but it's different when you rely on only one person, you know," he said quietly.
"Oh, tell me about it. If I didn't have my parents and the prospect of some sort of life if anything ever happened to you, I would go absolutely crazy," said Hermione. "I would be so sad if I were alone without you."
"I don't think I could have understood what you meant until this morning. I was awfully sad with the loss of Sirius, my parents, and Professor Dumbledore. I couldn't bear the thought of losing you too and still can't. But, I'm still here even though those bad things happened. I have so many people to be thankful for and that I owe so much," said Harry.
"It's weird, isn't it?" asked Hermione rhetorically before she continued. "I expected to hear earth-shattering revelations last night too, but what I learned was nothing like that at all. I learned that you can only do, what you know how to do and do it as best you can. You can't control the future even if you know what it may bring."
"Exactly. That's what I mean. I have to just be confident that what I've learned from Dumbledore, Sirius, you, Lupin," he paused. "Well, just about everyone in my life. I just need to know that it's enough or believe it, even if it's not. I can't lie to you. I'm scared Hermione. But I'm not scared enough to run from what might happen, or what I may need to do."
"Me either, Harry. I'm with you every step of the way. And for what it's worth, I'd be worried if you weren't scared," she said with a kiss on his cheek. They sat quietly for several minutes just looking out over the moonlit field around the house.
"Ron's way of breaking the ice in there was pretty good too," said Harry. "You know, listening to Tonks, I might not mind being in Magical Law Enforcement. I'm not sure that I want to be an Auror though." He paused. "Well, maybe I still do, but I don't want to deal with that part forever. It seems like it would be nice to help find the kids whose parents are holding them back from learning about their abilities. Maybe there's something I could do there."
Hermione turned and looked at Harry in surprise. She was smiling. "That's an awesome idea, Harry. We could start helping with sending the notices to muggle families who aren't sure how to receive the news that their kid is special."
"I mean we both know what that's like to some extent," said Harry. "You know, you never said what it was like for you growing up. You couldn't have known why when you were really little."
For the first time, Hermione opened up to Harry about how she found out about her abilities and what had happened to her in school and at home. She had been one of the lucky ones who hadn't caused major embarrassment for the family or acted out because she was different. Harry listened intently.
"So, that's pretty much it Harry. Once I found out for sure when the letter came, I…well, you know…went to the library," she laughed. "And I've been almost living in one ever since I was old enough to read so I just changed what I read about."
"There were no traumatic experiences where someone was turned into a goat or anything?" asked Harry with a giggle.
"If there were, you know me well enough by now to know that I'd never tell," answered Hermione with a grin. "Let's just say that anything that might have been embarrassing to me or my parents scared me so much I never did it again if I knew that I'd made it happen in the first place." She blushed slightly. "Maybe one day I'll share, but not now."
"Okay," said Harry realizing that that part of the conversation was over. "So, are you excited about tomorrow too? I mean you seem to be, but I haven't been clued in as to why."
"Well, later tonight, they're going to give Ginny a little sleeping draught in the pumpkin juice Mrs. Weasley made. She'll fall asleep and all of her friends who were here this summer and some whose parents would let them will sneak into the house and up to the attic where Mr. Weasley has already made it like it was this summer," said Hermione. "She'll be so surprised."
Harry loved that Hermione was getting into the whole surprise thing. He knew she'd kept a pretty stiff upper lip about things with Ginny. He was always amazed at how the two girls got on together when Harry was nervous still about it. It wasn't second thoughts; it was simply the awkwardness of it all. Hermione was still telling him who would be there and what was going on when he saw a strange flash of green light in the distance.
"Hermione, did you see that?" asked Harry pointing toward the opposite side of the orchard. "It looked like a wand blast to me."
"Are you sure? Just now?" she asked in rapid succession.
There was another just like it coming from the opposite direction. Then a return blast came immediately after it. "We'd better tell Lupin and Tonks," suggested Harry.
Harry ran to the door and burst in. "There is something you need to see, Professor. And you too, Tonks. There appears to be wand blasts not to far off on the opposite side of the road. Hermione and I can't see anyone but the flashes of light are rather obvious."
"Everyone, stay here," said Tonks as she motioned to Remus to come with her.
They all stood motionless on the small front porch of The Burrow as Tonks and Lupin slowly made their way toward the area Harry had described. Harry was shocked at how soon they had blended into the surrounding area. Then he realized that they probably used the Disillusionment Charm on one another as they crossed the field. It would make them blend into the surrounding area and make them virtually impossible to detect.
"What do you think it could have been, Mom?" asked Ginny. There was no answer. "Dad?"
"Ginny, we'll just have to wait and see," said Mr. Weasley. "Charlie, check the backdoor, please son."
Harry expected Charlie to go to the backdoor and check to see if it was locked. When he saw that Charlie had taken his wand from his jeans, opened the door and assumed a defensive stance, Harry became troubled. "Mr. Weasley, this isn't some random thing is it?" he said questioningly.
A second later, he was glad that all eyes were transfixed on the area where Tonks and Lupin had gone. Mr. Weasley raised his finger to his lips to make sure Harry knew not to make anymore comment about his suspicions. Mr. Weasley tapped Mrs. Weasley on the shoulder and motioned toward the center of the house. "Well, I'm sure that Tonks and Lupin will be just fine. We should all just have a seat and wait for them to return," he said.
"Yes children, let's have some pumpkin juice," said Mrs. Weasley in an uneasy voice.
Harry realized that he was now in on the distraction, so he joined her. "Yeah, that sounds really good Mrs. Weasley. I'm thirsty." It took a few seconds, but once Harry had joined everyone backed away from the windows and headed toward the kitchen. Harry was surprised to see that Charlie was now out of sight and the door to the patio was closed.
Harry wasn't sure what purpose the distraction served ten minutes later, because after getting their juice almost everyone slowly made their way back toward the window to look out for signs of Tonks and Lupin.
Fred and George made a joke between them that maybe Tonks and Lupin were pulling a Harry and Hermione. "They could be out snogging in solitude somewhere," joked Fred. When Mrs. Weasley gave them the icy cold stare of someone who didn't find it amusing, they quieted down.
"Geez Mom, it was just to lighten things up a little," said George. "No need to give us the evil eye."
Finally after an hour and a half had passed, Lupin and Tonks reappeared walking slowly and having a very animated discussion. "It bears a resemblance to the case we had near the home of the Minister of Magical Beasts and Creatures four days ago, Remus. I'm telling you that you that there were reports of odd things going on there a week before the attack on that gamekeeper."
"There was never any connection made between the two Tonks. You know that," said Remus. "It turned out that there was a rogue group of protestors who wanted their voice heard about the displacement of the Yetis found in Bulgaria last month."
"Remus, we investigated the claims made by those protestors. The Ministry found out that there was never any discovery of Yetis in Bulgaria or anywhere else for the past eleven years," she said. "Are you going to believe the Daily Prophet or The Quibbler over me?"
"I'm going to the Ministry, I'll be back soon," she said as she Disapparated on the spot.
"Honestly, I don't understand the Ministry these days," said Lupin. "They seem to be seeing Death Eaters on every corner."
Harry took in the entire picture. They had been gone a long time to be coming back to the house still arguing about what they had found. Harry didn't find their little squabble very convincing. He looked at Lupin who was deep in thought about something. The expression on Mr. Weasley's face was less relieved than he'd expected. Charlie came in the backdoor breathing heavily.
"Five men, on the other side of the orchard, Dad," he said quietly so as not to alarm everyone.
"Remus?" asked Mr. Weasley.
"Yes, Arthur?" he replied rhetorically.
"You don't seem surprised, Remus. What is going on here?" pressed Mr. Weasley.
There was a long silence as Remus made a gesture as though he had heartburn. "Excuse me a moment won't you." He didn't go anywhere. He stood still as his face wrenched in apparent digestive agony. "Okay, well, I don't suppose our little ruse was very effective with Charlie seeing those Death Eaters watching the house."
There was a collective gasp that would have sucked all the air out of the house had the windows not been open. "What do you mean Death Eaters?" asked Hermione who had only heard those two words.
"Nymphadora is going back to the Ministry to interrogate the three men we found in that field as well as check on the status of two of her fellow officers who were injured in that fight, Harry and Hermione," said Remus. "We were able to get some information from them on a plot to overrun the Burrow sometime between now and Monday morning.
Harry looked at the faces of his friends. They wore worried expressions that he fully understood. "Did you find out what their objective was?" asked Harry.
"We found out that they still thought that the wedding was this weekend and not next as it has been rescheduled. But that is because of the large number of people who were making plans to arrive here tonight," said Remus. "I'm sorry to spoil the surprise, Molly. But we must get the word out to Ginny's friends and classmates that it's not safe to come here right now."
For a brief instant, a smile grew on Ginny's face. "I thought it was just going to be another birthday where I got hand-me-downs and a simple cake," she said sheepishly. "I don't want anyone getting hurt to come to a birthday party."
Mrs. Weasley hugged Ginny. "Sweetheart, we have been so bad about paying attention to our little girl with all that's gone on this year. We wanted to make this a special day for you. I'm sorry it's turning out the way it is."
"Ginny, we've all been waiting to surprise you," said Fred. "And, I mean that in the good sense of surprise." The laughter around the room was strained.
"Well, back to what you were saying Professor," said Ginny in an interested tone.
"We're not sure, but we think it has to do with the guest list for the wedding. The Minister of Magic and nearly all the other department heads were going to be in attendance. And, that's not to mention that Harry would be there," said Remus. "We think that they were going to try to destroy the Ministry in one fell swoop."
"That's insane, Remus," said Bill. "There would be so many people here that could defend the Minister…." The look on Bill's face was one of puzzlement. "I mean, for Merlin's sake, who would try something that outlandish."
"That's why Tonks went back to the Ministry. She and I both agree that this is not Lord Voldemort's plan at all," said Remus. "A full frontal assault is not really his style. If it were successful though, we would be hard pressed to defend ourselves against him for a very long time."
"I want to know who is protecting my family right now with five Death Eaters within a stones throw of my home," said Molly.
"As I said earlier, Molly, we have a number of the Ministry's finest Aurors around the house. And, I might add, Tonks was going to arrange for more," said Lupin. "I don't think that there is much danger now that they have lost the element of surprise."
Harry listened carefully to what Remus Lupin said, but he was more interested in what he didn't say. He took Hermione gently by the elbow and coaxed her away from the others. "I'm not sure that things are as safe as he's making them out to be. I mean he didn't say we were safe. Let's stick together. I'm not going to interrupt him, but I don't get a real good feeling about this."
Harry looked at his watch and saw that it was nearly ten o'clock. He thought for a moment about when he would have had to leave to get here in the middle of the night for a surprise party in the morning. He would already be on his way with no way to stop him. Now he had to say something. "Professor, I don't think that there is enough time to stop everyone from coming here. I think we should be prepared for some people to show up as planned."
With a sigh, Remus replied as he looked at his watch as well. "I suppose Harry is right Molly and Arthur. Do you have any information about how some of the guests were going to be arriving?"
Mrs. Weasley left the room for a brief moment, returning with a hand full of invitation replies. "These are all I have, Remus. Some say that they will be coming by floo and others say that they will be escorted in side-along Apparation with their parents."
Harry looked at Lupin as he read through the invitations. "It looks as if there are at least five people that we don't know about. Does that sound right, Molly?"
"Yes. I hope that they are safe, Remus," she said.
"Professor, if that's the case then there is a good chance that we may be able to get word to those who would only need to get ready minutes before they came. We can still stop them," said Harry. "What do you think?"
"Good thinking, Harry. How many people do we know well enough that we could Apparate to their homes right now to explain?" asked Professor Lupin.
"I'd say about seven," said Arthur. "The rest would be a risk because we don't know exactly where they live. That is, of course, only if no one else knows where they live."
Harry realized once again the limitations on Apparation included that the destination needed to be known in order to concentrate on it to get there. One of the main causes of splinching (leaving parts of one's body at the origin point) was indecisiveness of the destination. "I'll get Hedwig and let her try to find some of those that we can't get to right away."
Hastily, notes were written to explain the situation to the parents of the Ginny's guests. There were no details provided except to say that there had been a change in plans and that there would be no birthday party the next day at the Weasley's. Everyone agreed that the fewer people who knew of the Death Eater's plot, the less chance there was that they would be able to gain the upper hand.
By two o'clock in the morning, Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys were barely awake sitting near the fireplace. Only four people had arrived so far: Parvati and Padma Patil, Seamus Finnegan, Dean Thomas, and Neville Longbottom. They too sat bleary-eyed waiting for the final two. The decision to keep them there was easy since the floo could be dangerous means of travel if it were being used both ways at the same time. Finally, at twenty minutes past two, owls began arriving one after another from invitees that they had received word not to come. Each had a birthday greeting for Ginny which raised everyone's spirits.
By morning, it appeared that by some miracle even those who were coming by muggle transportation had somehow been notified not to come. The owl dispatches had found some along the road and had left their note with them.
"Thank goodness no one was hurt trying to get here," said a bedraggled Molly Weasley as she finished making breakfast for everyone who had made it in addition to her own family.
"Molly, get some rest," said Remus. "I'm used to not sleeping in times like these. You need to be rested to take care of your family."
"Hush, Remus. I'll rest when I know everyone is comfortable and safe," she said with a tired smile. "But thank you for your concern." She smiled.
The last time Harry felt this way was the morning that Mr. Weasley had woke them early to return from the Quidditch World Cup after the Death Eaters had ransacked the camps outside the stadium. That whole day seemed a blur again, because everyone had been so tired from the excitement and lack of sleep.
By noon, Tonks had returned with news from the Ministry. Everyone was anxious to hear what she'd found out. Her face told them that the news was not good. "What happened, Tonks?" asked Hermione. "What's the matter?"
Remus looked at Tonks briefly and decided that they should probably talk in private. Harry couldn't help but join in the conversations going on about him. It seemed that each conversation pertained to a different theory as to the look on Tonks' face. Finally, teary-eyed, Tonks emerged with Lupin.
Lupin spoke first. "News of this sort can never be easy to deliver, but it's especially difficult when one minute you're dealing with it as a professional and then it hits you close to home in your personal life. So, give Tonks a chance to explain before you ask questions."
"Everyone, you need to know that this was not the only target of a Death Eater attack last night. There were six other families of Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws that were targeted. Fortunately, most of the attacks only resulted in property damage and terrified people. One resulted in death," said Tonks as her voice changed to a throaty emotional tone once again.
As the tears started, she said, "Forgive me, but seeing you children makes this so hard. The Creevey family was killed last night. All four of them are dead. It is such a tragedy that…" Tonks openly cried. "I'm so sorry. When I went there with the team, we handled it professionally but now, looking at all of you I realize that those boys were your age and…it makes me so sad."
Harry felt the tears welling in his eyes as Hermione cried into his shoulder. Colin Creevey had always idolized Harry. Harry felt the regret of not having found some way to be nicer to him. He knew his death was not his fault, but he also realized how much Colin had touched his life. They had just been here this summer.
After several minutes of letting the news sink in, Tonks was able to continue. "I will spare you the details, but we must be ever vigilant now. We have learned that something has changed. There is a pattern to this madness. It is not the victims that are the key. It is the terror that is being spread. Each of Hogwarts' houses has now had at least one casualty."
Tonks paused again. "Look, I am sworn not to tell you everything I know, but you must take the Ministry's suggestions for home security seriously. You must create code words to determine the authenticity of friends and family you have not seen for as much as several days and, in some cases, for more than a few minutes. Be careful if a conversation starts that you thought you had already had with that person…" Tonks continued to review the precautions that had been given in the flyer the year before when it had been finally revealed that Lord Voldemort was back.
It took quite an effort to begin Ginny's birthday celebration, but everyone was determined not to let the events of the previous night completely ruin her birthday. Ginny was excited about the gifts. She received many things she had never had before. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had gone out of their way to spend money on Ginny like they had never done before. Ginny had a certificate to accompany Fleur to a dressmaker to have a new dress made for the wedding as well as money to buy all new books for the upcoming Hogwarts' school year. Ginny was so happy that she'd almost forgotten the sadness that had gripped them up to this point.
"I feel so guilty for being happy on such a sad day, but I have to thank you. I have to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart," said Ginny.
The silent nods in response said all that was necessary for the occasion. While the kids tried to remain upbeat with Ginny, the adults had huddled in the corner. Harry noticed that everyone was having such a good time with Ginny that he slid over to the table with them and asked, "Am I intruding?"
"Well, no, not really Harry. We're just discussing whether we should simply have the wedding in private sometime this week and cancel the open-air wedding we had planned for next week. We can't expose all those people to the dangers involved with having outside sources decorate the house and grounds. We've done a great deal, but there is still work to be done that was going to involve people we don't know very well," said Bill.
Harry noticed the tone of disappointment in his voice and the look of sadness on Fleur's face. "It is important that everyone is safe," said Fleur. "It would not make me very happy to have my wedding be remembered for the slaughter of innocent guests." Fleur's commitment to Bill made her one of the people Harry knew to have a pure heart when it came to looking out for others.
The weeks to come resulted in a small family wedding for Fleur and Bill. The effects of the horrible tragedy that had befallen the Creevey family were felt throughout the wizard community. For the first time, open challenges were made against the Death Eaters as brutal and unsophisticated psychopaths. The Daily Prophet as well as The Quibbler reported the names of known Death Eaters leaving the challenge for the people named to deny their affiliation in the open Wizengamot now presided over by the Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour. The Minister of Magic had such an outcry against the Lord Voldemort's followers that it was forced to make a formal decree naming Death Eaters as common terrorists and legalizing the use of Avada Kedavra against them.
Quietly, The Order of the Phoenix members remained less vocal and out of the limelight. Professor Lupin had been made the head of the organization. They met on the eve of the new school year at Hogwarts at 12 Grimmauld Place. "As everyone is well aware, there has been a great outcry against Lord Voldemort and his followers."
Harry listened intently with Hermione, Ron, Fred, and George in their first official meeting. Harry was interested in what the underground workings of the Order had been able to find out with such an open war of words being expressed in the wizard press.
"In case any of you have not noticed," began Remus. "There has been no response from anyone remotely wishing to represent Lord Voldemort's supporters. Many people are calling it an act of cowardice and it has been fueling bold accusations and challenges. I believe that this is a cleverly devised plan on Lord Voldemort's part to give people a sense of false security. I know there are those of us who agree and others who disagree. But I think it is high time that we discuss it before school begins tomorrow for the children."
Bill spoke first. "I tend to agree with Remus. When have the rank and file of the wizard community ever had the backbone to assemble in confrontation on any issue, let alone one involving Voldemort."
"Are you trying to tell me that muggle-hating killers are siding with the Ministry in order to instigate an attack on them?" asked Mr. Lovegood the editor and chief of The Quibbler. "To what end would they possibly be doing that for?"
"Precisely, my point," argued a bearded wizard in a light-blue cloak standing in the back. "Why would they want to make themselves more well-known and get themselves such notoriety that the Killing Curse can be used against them?"
"That is a good point, Marlin," said Remus. Marlin was a member of the Auror squad that had been attacked that night at the Weasley house. "But, think for a moment what is happening. Before these attacks, they had the element of surprise for the most part. They kept people in their houses after dark. They kept people from living normal lives. But over the past two weeks people have forgotten the tragedy because there seems to be so many people willing to do something about it. Life has become more manageable it seems because there is nothing to fear. But are there really common witches and wizards willing to fight in the street and blast a Death Eater off his feet using the Killing Curse if their muggle neighbor were attacked?"
"Isn't that an extreme example though, Professor?" asked Fred. "I agree that there is something strange going on all of a sudden, but I'm not sure if I can agree with the huge conspiracy theory thing."
Harry was shocked that Fred had spoken up in such an adult manner at the meeting. He hadn't said anything himself and he was sure that at some point attention would be brought to him whether he liked it or not. Hermione gave Harry a sidelong glance as well indicating her surprise at Fred's involvement.
"I suppose that it is Fred, thank you for keeping me honest. What I'm trying to say is: how many witches and wizards are willing to risk their lives if one morning there were an attack made somewhere in their community? We can't be satisfied with people who want to talk tough but take no action. We know who the people are that would do harm to muggles, but we do nothing," said Remus. "We have known these things for sixteen years and did nothing. I think that Lord Voldemort has decided that the way to get people to his side is prove how feeble our efforts to resist him are. If he makes it look like we're fighting him openly, he can control more people faster when he finally decides to deliver the killing blow."
He paused for effect. "Do you know what I'm talking about?" he asked. "How shocked were we when our most beloved and powerful wizard was destroyed at the hands of Severus Snape? We were outraged, but helpless for several days…even weeks. What would happen to our community if after talking tough and displaying great resolve to defeat the Dark Lord at every turn, he were to utterly destroy one more family or two more families? Would anyone dare resist him then? He would terrify people even more than he has in over sixteen years. He is allowing us to believe we are stronger than we are…or rather, he is allowing us to believe that he is weaker than is true for his purposes."
There was a buzz throughout the room that had not been there up to that point in the evening. People were shaking there heads not wanting to believe what Professor Lupin was telling them, but almost everyone after their initial denial began nodding. "So, if this is true, then what can we do?"
"We have to walk the walk, even though others have talked the talk," said Lupin. "We have stayed out of these political debates in the Ministry for long enough. We need to get involved. We will have to either oppose those who speak out and make them give proof that the Death Eaters are afraid because of their tough stance, or we will have to bring some Death Eaters to justice."
Harry's face became hot and butterflies grew in his stomach. He knew that the time for pursuing the Horcruxes had come. There was to be no more cushy nights snogging with Hermione or playing exploding snaps with Fred and George. He was now at the forefront of the assault on Lord Voldemort. This was the call to arms. It was time that he spoke up.
But what would he say? He thought he knew, but he needed to do it in a more public fashion than this. He would talk to Remus after the meeting. He would take his best friends with him. They needed to hear what he was going to do.
By midnight the last of the Order had left the old house and Harry was alone with just the Weasleys, Remus, Tonks, and Hermione. He had to say something before anyone had the time to unwind from the energetic and emotional meeting. "Can I get everyone to sit for just a minute? Please. There is something I have to say."
"I'm not sure that I took tonight's meeting the same way as you all did. Tonight was kind of a call to arms for the Order of the Phoenix to take on the Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort head-on. Do any of you feel that way?" Harry asked.
"That's not quite how I meant it, Harry. I'm sorry if you took it that way," said Lupin.
"No, no need to apologize Professor. But if you listen closely to what you said we have to do, that's exactly what it amounts to, doesn't it?" he asked rhetorically as he continued without letting anyone interject. "I have to get about the business that Professor Dumbledore left for me before Lord Voldemort has the opportunity to frighten people so badly that they give in. That's how I see it."
"That may be true, Harry, but that's hardly a call to arms," said Arthur.
"Mr. Weasley, I scared to death of the dreams that I have to live with. They range from hearing my mother's screams to seeing you lying near death near the Department of Mysteries two years ago. I have dreams of Hermione and me with a child and Lord Voldemort attacking him the same way I was attacked with Hermione protecting him. This has to be resolved so that we all have a life…a life that allows us to love one another the way that we know we can; one that allows Ginny to have a birthday party with her friends; a life that doesn't include the death of our classmates at the age of sixteen or seventeen." Harry's eyes glistened as he thought of both Cedric and the Creevey brothers. "I'm sick of it."
Hermione took Harry's hand and looked at him tearfully. Harry knew she understood what he was saying. The once dazed and confused looks from the rest of them now seemed to nod in agreement.
"Tomorrow, Hogwarts will open for the first time in our history with Ministry Aurors as hall monitors. The wizard newspapers will be there and so will the Minister of Magic. I am going to speak to everyone and then I am going to leave Hogwarts. I am not going back to school, Professor. It is time that I face my destiny or fate, whichever it may be," said Harry.
"What will you say to them, Harry?" asked Ron.
"I'm not sure yet, Ron. But I am sure that for the first time since I came to Hogwarts, I won't have Slytherins making wise cracks nor will I have Professor Snape glowering at me. I will be able to speak the truth to the kids who will be attending school there. That's who I hope will listen anyway," said Harry. "And, I will tell them about a great man I knew once…Professor Dumbledore and great kids I knew…Colin and Dennis Creevey. They have to know that someone is doing something. Maybe I'll just tell them I'm going to find Malfoy and settle that score. I'm sure that whatever I say, it won't come to me until I say it….just like now." Harry's voice was full of emotion and confidence. He knew he had to do more than he'd ever expected. He needed to reverse the tables on Voldemort and call him out publicly. If ever anyone was egotistical enough to think he was invulnerable, surely it was Lord Voldemort.
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