Chapter 1
A Change Of Plans
July 24th, 1996
In the smallest bedroom at Number Four, Privet Drive in Little Whinging, Surrey, Harry Potter relaxed on his shabby little bed with the latest edition of the Daily Prophet newspaper propped up against his knees as he read through the articles.
Earlier that morning, as he fixed breakfast for the Dursleys – the only chore they ever wanted him to do anymore because they liked his cooking, though they never said so – he had heard on the Muggle news that a well-populated bridge in London had been the sight of a freak and brief tropical storm that seemed to target the bridge before it disappeared. The bridge collapsed and several Muggles were either killed or injured in the disaster.
He knew it had to be the work of Dark Wizards, possibly Voldemort, so he wasn't surprised when he had seen the real story in the newspaper. Three Giants and a half-dozen Death Eaters had attacked the bridge. The recently appointed new Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour – who had replaced Cornelius Fudge after the idiot had resigned at the beginning of the month – commented that he would do everything in his power to make sure these Death Eaters were punished. In fact, it seemed they already had one Death Eater in custody: Stan Shunpike.
Harry raised an eyebrow as he looked at the name. He knew who Stan Shunpike was. He was the conductor on the Knight Bus. There was no way he could be a Death Eater. Harry wondered if Scrimgeour was using Stan as a scapegoat. Just like Fudge and Crouch had done all those years ago with Sirius...
Harry shook himself, in order to stop himself from thinking about Sirius. But it was nigh-on impossible these days. In the isolation of his bedroom, there was very little to do but think. And he did think. He thought about a lot of things. Harry thought a lot about his dearly departed godfather. He thought about the battle at the Ministry of Magic, about how he could have done things differently. If he had used that mirror Sirius had given him... he might have realized Sirius was never in danger. Sirius never would have died. He never would have put his friends in danger.
His friends. He hadn't heard from Hermione or Ron since he had been at the Dursleys. Professor Dumbledore had advised him not to use Hedwig, since she was too familiar. So he could only rely on sending letters as replies to those he received. But he hadn't received any. Why? Was this last year all over again? Had Dumbledore told Ron or Hermione not to contact him? He desperately wanted to hear from his friends though. How was Ron feeling – was he healing from those brains had attacked him? Was Hermione healing well from that terrible spell she had been hit with? After all, she had nearly died...
Harry's breath hitched. He couldn't think about that. Hermione was alive. She was okay. He didn't know what he would have done if it had been different. If she had... he wasn't exactly great around the opposite sex. He was shy and unsure of himself around every girl. Every girl but her... why was that, he wondered. Was it because she was one of his longest friends? One of his most trusted friends? Why was he most comfortable around her. It wasn't as if he fancied her... right?
Harry thought about that. Did he fancy her? She was a cute girl. She was his best friend. He didn't think he was all that jealous when she dated Viktor Krum. If he fancied her, he would have been jealous. Ron certainly seemed to fancy her. Ron was quite jealous of Krum. He wondered if he would actually know if it he fancied her. Sure, he fancied Cho Chang, but that turned out to be a disaster. But he had never grown up knowing love, had he? The Dursleys never loved him. He assumed his parents loved him, because people like Remus and Sirius told him they did. But he didn't remember that. So he didn't really know what love was. He wondered if he should ask Hermione.
But how was he supposed to ask a girl if he fancied her or not? The thought made him laugh.
He sighed and put his mind elsewhere. In exactly one week, it would be his sixteenth birthday. In one week, Dumbledore was supposed to come by the house, pick him up and bring him to the Burrow to stay there for a month. At least, he hoped that was still the plan. He hadn't heard from Dumbledore nor any of the Order. When he didn't lock himself in his room, he went jogging around the neighborhood. Whenever he jogged, he had done his best to see if he could spot one of the Order members who were keeping an eye on him, like he knew they would be.
But the only other wizarding world citizen he saw the past few weeks was Arabella Figg. She smiled at him when he passed her by. As if she wanted to tell him something. But she never did. And he didn't feel like asking her about it. After all, it still hurt to know that she never told him she was a part of the wizarding world. Besides, he didn't entirely trust her. After all, she knew he was mistreated while growing up at the Dursleys. If she was contacting Dumbledore over the years... why hadn't she told him?
Then he realized... maybe she had. After all, hadn't Dumbledore told him he was well aware of the mistreatment Harry suffered? And yet, the man forced him to come back here every year. Why? Surely the man wanted to make sure he was safe and unharmed, especially since he was apparently the one destined to defeat Voldemort.
He frowned at that thought. He didn't want to think of that either. He sighed again and looked back at the newspaper. Then he heard an unwelcome voice.
"BOY!" the voice of Vernon Dursley rang from the bottom of the stairs, "Get down here now!"
Harry rolled his eyes and set down the newspaper, then placed it on his bed, and made his way out of the room and downstairs. His uncle stood there, with his arms crossed and his beady little eyes narrowed as he looked at Harry.
"What did I do?" Harry asked.
"One of your kind is waiting in the backyard," Vernon said; "Go see what he wants so he'll leave. The state of his outfit... if the neighbors saw him..."
Harry was quite puzzled as he moved toward the back of the house. Was Professor Dumbledore here already? Was he leaving the Dursleys a week early? He made his way through the dining room, and stepped into the back yard.
"Good afternoon, Harry," a familiar voice said.
Harry turned and saw Remus Lupin standing a few feet away. He then realized what his Uncle meant by 'the state of his outfit'. Remus was wearing his usual shabby style of clothing, but at least it was passable as Muggle clothing.
"Remus," Harry said, "I was expecting Professor Dumbledore, but not until next week. I thought he was supposed to take me to the Weasleys on my birthday."
"I can't explain anything yet," Remus said, "At least not here. Gather your things. You're leaving the Dursleys early this year. Actually, you may never be coming back."
"Er... I need to ask you a security question," Harry said, "The pamphlets said I should. What is my Patronus?"
"It takes the shape of Prongs," Remus said, smiling. "What was in the tank in corner of my office at Hogwarts the first time you visited?"
"A Grindylow," Harry said.
"Excellent," Remus said, "Now, go and make haste! We must leave very soon."
Harry nodded and hurried back toward his bedroom, ignoring Vernon's screaming. He quickly collected up his trunk and all the belongings, as well as Hedwig's cage, where Hedwig was watching Harry curiously. Once he had a hold of everything, he made his way back downstairs.
"What is the meaning of this, boy?" Vernon demanded.
"I'm leaving early this year, Uncle," Harry said. "Goodbye."
Harry then hurried back to the backyard. Harry set his things down, and Remus pointed his wand at Harry's belongings. He did a few complicated movements with his wand. A moment later, all of Harry's belongings then vanished.
"Don't worry," Remus said, "You'll be reunited with your belongings soon. Have you ever Apparated before?"
"Er... maybe accidentally when I was in primary school," Harry said. "But I don't remember that too well, other than now I know it was accidental magic."
Remus gave him a reassuring smile. "That's alright. Don't worry – you'll be fine. Take my hand."
Harry did as was asked, and Remus counted from five to one. Suddenly, Harry was lifted from his feet, and felt as if he was being stretched through a narrow straw. His lungs collapsed, and he could barely breathe. His eyesight went dark. When he touched solid ground again, he groaned and went to his knees. He heaved and thought he might vomit, but nothing came out.
"Easy there, Harry," Remus said, "It always happens the first time."
When he was able to breathe and see again, Harry got to his feet and looked around. He was currently standing in what appeared to be a sitting room.
"Er... where are we?" Harry asked.
"We're in mine and Nymphadora Tonks' flat," Remus said.
"You two own a flat together?" Harry asked. "Going rather fast, aren't you? I didn't know you were even seeing each other."
Remus' cheeks flushed, turning bright pink. "We – err – aren't seeing each other. But we're posing as a newlywed couple. We've only been here for a couple weeks now. Very few people know we're here."
"Where is Tonks currently?" Harry asked.
"She's retrieving our other guests," Remus said, "Speaking of... we better move. This is the common Apparation landing."
Remus' advice was good. As soon as Harry and Remus moved toward the other side of the sitting room, a resounding crack was heard as four people appeared in the center of the room. Three of them immediately went to their hands and knees and groaned, gasped and/or whinged. Harry immediately recognized the new arrivals: his best friend Hermione Granger, her parents, and Nymphadora Tonks. Tonks was the only one standing. She looked her usual bubbly appearance and currently sported long blonde hair.
Hermione was the first to rise, and she immediately saw Harry. Harry smiled as he looked at her. She was okay and safe and alive. And she looked as good as ever, Harry had to admit. Hermione grinned and ran over to him, then grasped him in a hug.
"Harry!" she said, then continued rather rapidly, "Tonks said you'd be here, but I didn't want to believe her until I saw you. How are you? Did you get my letters?"
"Letters?" Harry asked, as he backed away from Hermione, "I didn't get any post, other than the Daily Prophet. I wondered why you and Ron weren't writing to me. You say you were? I didn't get them."
"I can explain that," Remus said, as he and Tonks helped Mr. and Mrs. Granger, who were still rather wobbly, sit down on a couch, "It appears there was a Post-Repelling Ward around your residence this summer. We believe Albus Dumbledore placed it himself, along with several other wards."
"But... why would he do that?" Hermione asked.
"A loaded question, that one, Hermione," Tonks said, "How about we sit down? Remus and I will explain everything to the best of our ability. Anyone want a drink? I'm buying! We have water and butterbeer for the kiddies, and a bit more stronger stuff for us adults."
"Butterbeer," Harry and Hermione said in unison; they looked at each other and both chuckled, then sat down together on a small loveseat.
"Water, please," Mrs. Granger said.
"Do you have any ale?" Mr. Granger asked.
Tonks summoned the drinks which all made their way to each individual in the room.
"Alright, here goes nothing," Tonks said. "Two weeks ago, the Order of the Phoenix had a meeting in Hogwarts."
Hermione's parents had questioning looks on their faces as they looked from Tonks, to Remus, then to their daughter. Hermione seemed to realize what they were thinking.
"Mum, Dad," Hermione said, "I'll explain everything that comes up in this discussion later. If I had to explain every little thing now, it would take hours to get through this discussion." She looked back at Remus and Tonks. "Continue, please."
"Why Hogwarts?" Harry asked. "Why not at Grimmauld Place?"
"The house went into lock-down after – after Sirius' death," Remus said, with a deep sigh, "The Order tried everything it could to get into the house, but it was no use. It won't open unless the new owner gives permission. As to the identity of the new owner – well, we have our suspicions. It could be one of a number of people."
"Anyway," Tonks said, "As I said, there was an Order meeting at Hogwarts a couple weeks ago. Heated words were passed around between the members. A few members, including Remus and I, wanted to know exactly what the Prophecy said – the one about you and You-Know-Who, Harry. This was after an article in the Daily Prophet surfaced, calling you the Chosen One – believed to be the one destined to rid the world of the Dark Lord."
"I am familiar with the article," Harry said, "I learned my mistake from last summer, and thoroughly read every edition of the Daily Prophet I received."
"Dumbledore refused to give up the Prophecy," Tonks said, "Remus and I believe he was afraid of what people might translate it into."
"I know the Prophecy," Harry said, "If you want to know it, I can tell you."
Hermione narrowed her eyes as she looked at Harry. "You failed to tell me that!"
"Sorry," Harry muttered.
"I think it would be best if you tell us, Harry," Remus said, "It may give us answers to questions we've been asking each other lately."
Harry revealed the Prophecy's contents, quoting it perfectly – he hadn't forgotten a single word of it since he heard it. Hermione was in tears by the end of it. Harry clutched Hermione's hand, and she looked at him with a watery smile.
"Well," Remus said; he looked paler than usual, "It basically says what we thought it would. The most important is this: it doesn't say Voldemort's name. It simply says the Dark Lord."
"Why is that important?" Harry asked.
"Because that makes it an open-ended prophecy," Remus explained. "The Dark Lord could be anyone. The qualifications simply needed to be that your parents, Harry, simply had to defy that person three times. They defied a lot of people during the last years of their lives – especially when they were married – with both their actions and their words."
"And they had to mark me as an equal," Harry said, pointing to his scar.
"You're taking that too literally, Harry," Remus said, "Marking you as their equal could simply be words in a statement, or perhaps a belief. If this person believes you could defeat them in a fight, then that would mark you as their equal, in their opinion – fulfilling that part of the Prophecy."
"So why is Professor Dumbledore afraid of the Prophecy?" Hermione asked.
Remus and Tonks glanced at each other, and seemed to have a silent discussion. Remus then sighed and looked back at Harry and Hermione.
"There were some people in the Order," he said, "who labeled Albus Dumbledore as a 'possible future Dark Lord'."
"What?!" Harry and Hermione yelped.
"Come off it, Remus," Harry said, "He's the Leader of the Light. The only one Voldemort ever feared. He defeated Grindelwald."
"You're naming titles that the people of the wizarding world have labeled him as," Remus said. "Yes, he defeated Grindelwald. But did you know that as young lads, Dumbledore and Grindelwald were actually best friends?"
Harry blinked. Dumbledore was best friends with a future Dark Lord?
"Wait a minute," Hermione said, "Are you saying that Dumbledore might also be the Dark Lord in the Prophecy?"
"That is what a few members of the Order of the Phoenix think," Tonks said, "Including me and Remus. This belief, this theory, split the Order in two. Those who supported the Dumbledore-is-a-Dark-Lord theory went into hiding after that meeting."
That includes the two of you, doesn't it?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Remus said, "But there are others. Hestia Jones and Dedalus Diggle, they contacted us just last week. They're apparently in the United States right now. Kingsley Shacklebolt is still in England, doing tasks for us. As is Mundungus Fletcher."
"Dung?" Harry asked.
"We're not exactly sure Dung actually supports the theory," Tonks said, "He just didn't want to be on the same side as Molly Weasley – he's afraid of her."
"Wait!" Hermione gasped, "Mrs. Weasley? Are you telling us –?"
"The Weasleys are on Dumbledore's side," Remus said, "Er – not all of them, however. We believe Fred and George are playing both sides, but they support me and Dora."
"Of course that could be because of Marauder idolization," Tonks said, with a grin.
Remus rolled his eyes. "Molly still believes the twins are on her side. Bill is with Fleur Delacour – they're with us - we have constant contact with the two of them. Bill is currently our spy in the Order. We're not sure about Charlie, but I think he's a potential ally. Bill seems to think so. Percy hasn't been in contact at all."
"Ron and Ginny?" Harry asked.
"Ron idolizes Dumbledore," Hermione said.
"Indeed," Remus said, "Ron and Ginny are underage, so they are legally required to stay with their parents. But Ron... I'm sorry, Harry, Hermione, I don't know who he would choose between us and Dumbledore. Ginny – well -"
"She's never stopped fancying you, Harry," Hermione said, "Even when she had a boyfriend."
"And because she fancies you," Tonks said, "She would probably support you – if she was able to get out from under the thumb of her mother."
"If I may say something," Mr. Granger said, "You've been telling us that Albus Dumbledore is an apparent Dark Lord – an evil villain, basically? I'm sorry, but I haven't heard any proof, outside of what seems to be mob mentality, and the equivalent of a family feud. We're talking about Hermione's Headmaster – the Head of a school full of kids. You said everyone sees him as this 'Leader of the Light', which seems to be a pretty respectable title. Miss Tonks, you take me, my wife and my daughter away from our house and the only explanation you give us, is that we may be in danger. The only thing I can guess is you believe we're in danger from Hermione's Headmaster. Can I get more proof to your theories?"
"Since our theories center around the Prophecy," Remus said, "We'll begin with that. Harry, once you told me that you asked Dumbledore why Voldemort was targeting you."
"I asked him more than once," Harry said. "The first was at the end of first year. He said I was too young. He said the same in second year."
"If he would have answered you honestly, as he should have, when you asked him," Remus said, "And he did tell you about the Prophecy on that day, he could have began training you – especially if he believed it was your destiny. However, he simply refused to tell you. I wonder, Harry, if he would have told you when he did, had you not gone to the Department of Mysteries and saw the prophecy. I doubt it. He simply doesn't want anyone besides him to know about the Prophecy."
"And you believe that is because he fears what it could be translated into?" Harry asked. "That the 'Dark Lord' could refer to not only Voldemort, but Dumbledore as well?"
"Frankly, it may not refer to Voldemort at all," Remus said, "Only Dumbledore."
"What?" Harry and Hermione asked.
"The prophecy refers to a Dark Lord," Remus said, "What is Voldemort's real name?"
"Tom Marvolo Riddle," Harry said, "He hated using the name because it was from his filthy Muggle father."
"Muggle father," Remus said, "Indeed. The only Muggle Lords in existence are royalty. So Voldemort is not a Lord, because his father wasn't. So.. he isn't a Dark Lord."
"So why does he believe he in the Prophecy?" Harry asked.
"Nobody in his inner circle going to tell him he's not a Lord," Tonks said, with a snort. "So they refer to him as 'My Lord'. So that is why he assumes it as so."
"And because he believes in the Prophecy," Harry said, "He'll still target me."
"Yes," Remus said.
"So Dumbledore is the true Dark Lord of the Prophecy?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Remus said. "And I can see you want more proof. In your fourth year, Harry after the events in the cemetery – the Pensieve or Veritaserum could have been used for proof to Fudge that you were telling the truth. How much could have been avoided if Dumbledore suggested those options that evening?"
"Oh, Merlin," Hermione moaned, "Of course! That would have given enough proof to Fudge."
"Let us flash back to the end of your third year, Harry," Remus said, "when I was a Professor. How much of the events of the evening of Sirius' escape from Hogwarts could have been avoided if Dumbledore used his Pensieve or Veritaserum for evidence into Sirius' innocence? The two of you could have submitted your memories of the events in the Shrieking Shack."
"Once again, Fudge could have had undeniable proof," Hermione said.
"Indeed," Remus said, "Instead, Dumbledore suggested the route that, if successful, would free Sirius from the Ministry's clutches – however he would remain a fugitive."
"Because he was a fugitive, Sirius remained like a caged bird in Grimmauld Place," Tonks said. "Sirius' wish for freedom is one reason which lead to his death. Remus and I, and several others begged Sirius to stay behind, but he refused."
"I don't understand," Harry said.
"If Sirius was made a free man," Tonks said, "He would have been made your guardian. You wouldn't have lived with the Dursleys anymore. Sirius, a man who cared for you deeply, would have had a say in decisions regarding you, Harry. Compare this to the Dursleys, who really didn't care about what happens to you."
"Also, every Muggle-raised and Muggleborn student," Remus said, "is required to have a Magical Guardian for emergencies and decision-making when their Muggle parents or guardians can't be available. The Headmaster of the school is usually the Magical Guardian for those students. Dumbledore was ensuring his control over you, Harry. Why? Because apparently you are prophecized to vanquish him. He went as far as to monitor you, Harry, so he could keep an eye on you."
"And just today," Tonks said, "I discovered he had those same monitors on you, Hermione."
"Wait," Mr. Granger said, "What are these monitors?"
"In Dumbledore's office at Hogwarts," Remus said, "There are several odd-looking objects, posing as random, unimportant artifacts. What they actually are, are transfigured monitors. These monitors have several charms on them. Tracking charms for location, as well as charms to keep an eye on your health, and several others."
"I found numerous Tracking Charms on several of your items at your house, Hermione," Tonks said. "Several items of clothes had tracking charms – mostly your unmentionables and underclothes – things that you were sure to wear. I removed all of them, of course, before we came here."
Harry felt Hermione shiver and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, comforting her.
"Hermione's headmaster placed tracking monitors on Hermione's intimate items of clothing?" Mrs. Granger asked. "He touched her clothing?"
"He probably did it while Hermione was still at school," Tonks said, "Away from her dormitory."
"There were also several tracking charms on your items, Harry," Remus said, "And your clothing, even some you are wearing. I cleared them all before we came here. I believe even Hedwig may have had a tracking charm on her."
"My invisibility cloak," Harry said, "How many times did I wear that around school? How many times did I have it on my person? He even asked me to keep it on me at all times at one point. There were probably Tracking Charms placed on it."
"Quite likely," Remus said.
"Why did he place tracking charms on Hermione?" Harry said. "I understand why he wanted to keep an eye on me – especially if he thinks I am destined to kill him - but Hermione?"
It wasn't Remus nor Tonks who answered Harry; instead it was Hermione who spoke up.
"It is all about control," she said. "From what you said, Mrs. Weasley is already loyal to Dumbledore. As long as that remained the same, Dumbledore could keep an eye on Ron. It is no secret he is one of Harry's best friends. Then there is me. I live in a Muggle neighborhood, I know how to use a telephone and other Muggle things. Things that Dumbledore, as a wizard, may not completely understand. Magic can't be used to trace telephone calls – magic is basically the equivalent of an EMP device, it would only destroy the phone. It is as if he is paranoid. I could contact Harry many ways outside owl post, and Dumbledore couldn't track that kind of thing. You said there were post repelling wards on Harry's house. I wrote a letter a week to him this summer, and rented an owl for the summer just so I could contact him. Dumbledore probably has all those letters."
"We believe Dumbledore is afraid of you, Hermione," Remus said, "Or rather, he's afraid of what you could mean to Harry, and for his future plans for Harry. And I believe he has been for a while. Basically his plans didn't include you in them, Hermione. Now, Ron, on the other hand, he might have hand-picked Ron to be Harry's best friend."
"What?" Harry and Hermione asked.
"Tell us about the first time you met Ron and his family, Harry," Remus said.
Harry did as was asked. During much of his story, Remus and Tonks glanced at each other, and they looked quite troubled.
"Alright," Remus said, with a sigh, "Let us start with the very beginning. But we'll turn to Hermione first. Hermione, how did you figure out how to get onto Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters?"
"Professor McGonagall instructed me," Hermione said, "She basically walked us through the method – well, the best she could without us actually visiting King's Cross."
"Harry, I believe Hagrid helped you go shopping for school," Remus said, "Did he tell you how to get onto the Platform?"
"No, he just handed me my ticket," Harry said.
"Hmm... I imagine Dumbledore instructed him to take you shopping," Remus said, "Dumbledore might have even walked him through the process. Next, we go to the first thing you heard from Molly Weasley. She talks about Muggles in a loud voice in the middle of a crowded area, full of Muggles."
"Risk of violating the Statute of Secrecy," Tonks said, "As an Auror, I might have had to arrest her for that. At the very least I would have given her a strict warning."
"Then she asks her children where the platform is," Remus said. "Molly went to Hogwarts for seven years, and her children were going to Hogwarts for over a decade by then. Nearly two dozen years of Molly visiting the platform, and she had to ask where it was? Or... was she simply making sure she said those key-phrases so you would hear her if you were in the area?"
"It seems plausible," Hermione said.
"Then we'll move to Ron on the Hogwarts Express," Remus said, "Harry, you said that he specifically stated that 'everywhere else was full'." Remus snorted. "In my seven years of riding the Hogwarts Express, the train had empty seats everywhere. And in my years, we had a larger number of students attending. I'll eat my wand if the train was full. No, Ron deliberately chose to sit with you. Why? Perhaps because it was suggested to him by his mother or Professor Dumbledore. Your best friend, Harry, was hand-picked for you."
"I remember Sirius telling me something rather interesting too," Tonks said, "During the Triwizard Tournament, Ron – your best friend – didn't believe that you hadn't entered your name into the Goblet. He had been your best friend for over three years by then. Face it, Harry, Hermione – Ron was only acting as your friend. He was probably asked to do so by Dumbledore. He might have even been spying on you. Hermione, you and Ron seemed to argue constantly – perhaps it was because he was trying to make Harry angry with you? Perhaps it was Dumbledore's ploy to remove you from Harry's influence."
"You're right," Hermione said, "Sometimes it even might have succeeded for a brief period of time. That broomstick fiasco?"
"I remember that one," Remus said, nodding, "I wondered why you two weren't speaking."
"I'm sorry, Hermione," Harry said.
"It's okay, Harry," Hermione said, "We know better now."
"I have a question against your theory," Harry said, looking back at Remus, "If Dumbledore thinks I am destined to kill him, why hasn't he killed me yet?"
"We believe that, in his mind, he still believes the Prophecy could mean Voldemort," Remus said, "He wants you to defeat Voldemort... or be defeated by him. If you don't defeat Voldemort, and die in the process, but still weaken him anyway, Dumbledore could kill him."
"Or you could defeat Voldemort," Hermione said, with tears in her eyes, "and be weak enough after the battle for Dumbledore to ambush you afterward."
Harry frowned. That was entirely plausible. "He wants to kill two birds with one stone by making me fight Voldemort."
"Yes," Remus said.
"I have another question," Mr. Granger said, "What was your plan after 'rescuing' us from our house? What do we do now?"
Remus and Tonks glanced at each other. Remus then sighed and looked back at Hermione's parents.
"Mr. Granger," Remus said, "I'm not going to lie to you. Dora and I debated all morning on what to do when it came to the two of you. Before that debate, it was only Harry and Hermione in our plans. But then we realized, Hermione would go nowhere unless the two of you were either with her or safe."
"Wait," Mr. Granger said, "Go where?"
"Anywhere but your home," Remus said. "You've heard our explanation. Hermione's in danger from Dumbledore and probably those who support him, either through their own choice or Dumbledore's control and manipulations. He believes she might interfere in his plans for Harry. When we discovered there may be Tracking charms on Hermione, which Dora confirmed today, we realized he was beginning to implement plans to do something to her: whether it be kidnapping her or worse, we don't know."
"Dumbledore is obsessed with his plans for Harry," Tonks said, "You have to understand, the man is about one-hundred and fifty years old. Witches and wizards can live to be that old. Over the past year, the Daily Prophet has been releasing articles, claiming Dumbledore is deranged or senile. I believe one or two may have even called him Dark. Those articles may have lead to paranoia. It is that paranoia that sparked all of this. He may truly be deranged or senile, but we are sure he is Dark. Those articles, Harry discovering the contents of the prophecy, and finally everyone believing Harry is the Chosen One – they finally made him snap."
"Those Order members we mentioned earlier," Remus said, "Those who are our allies are currently busy gathering other allies. Once we can unite with these allies, our plans are to leave the country. Where – well, we can't tell you that yet. Simply, because we have a number of possible destinations. There is also one other worrying issue. Because Harry and Hermione are underage, if they do magic, they can be Traced. Of course, we could simply ask them to not do any magic. But... they are magical beings. It is in their nature to do magic. Before too long, they're going to slip up – no offense to either of you, Harry, Hermione, it could happen to the best of us – and the Trace would activate, and the Ministry of Magic would find them. Followed shortly behind by Dumbledore and his allies."
"There are two ways to remove the Trace," Tonks said. "The first would be when they turn seventeen. Hermione turns seventeen in late September. But that is too long to wait. So, the other option is to Emancipate them."
Hermione gasped. "That would work! But... there are only a few ways to assure Emancipation. I can think of three. The first would be if the parents of the underage person were d-dead. Definitely not an option. Harry, unfortunately, bot not me. The other two... oh, my!"
"What?" Harry, and Mr. and Mrs. Granger said in unison.
"The other two ways to assure Emancipation," Hermione said, with a small and nervous voice, "is through underage marriage... or pregnancy..."
"Absolutely not," Mr. Granger said.
"Sir," Remus said.
"Was this your idea for my daughter?" Mr. Granger interrupted Remus, before he could say anything more, "Make her an underage bride?"
"While I will admit that Hermione is correct," Remus said, "Their marriage certainly wouldn't have to be permanent."
"You have a poor idea of marriage, Mr. Lupin," Mr. Granger said, "Especially if you believe that."
"My apologies," Remus said, "I didn't mean it that way. Officially, Harry and Hermione would simply pose as a married couple. Yes, they would have to go through with a wedding and they would certainly legally be married. But the Wizarding Wedding rituals, which make their marriage more permanent, would only be done if they decided to do so. Otherwise, it just needs to be a temporary marriage. But they would be doing it for their own safety, because it would make them legally Emancipated. Whether they would want to remain married, after the war is over... well, that would be up to them, of course."
Harry turned to Hermione who was looking down at her lap, obviously embarrassed.
"You don't have to make any final decisions today," Remus said, "Tomorrow, Bill Weasley, Fleur Delacour and one of the Goblins of Gringotts are coming here with a few important papers. Sirius' Final Will and Testament will be read tomorrow. At least... the part of it which is meant for those of us here today. So... Mr. Granger, you can discuss all of this with your wife and daughter in private, if you wish."
"Rest assured we will be having a discussion," Mr. Granger said, "Are we finished here?"
"I believe that is all we can discuss for now," Remus said, "When we realized we were going to have guests stay over, we set up a couple of wizarding tents in the guest room, one for Harry, and one for Hermione and yourselves, Mr. and Mrs. Granger. I assure you, they are quite comfortable."
"Come, Mum, Daddy," Hermione said, "I'll show you the wonders of wizarding camping, and we can also have a discussion."
Mr. and Mrs. Granger nodded and stood up. Harry and Hermione exchanged glances, and he hugged her close to him.
"Good luck," he whispered into her ear.
Hermione smiled and stood, then followed her parents out of the room.
"Well," Tonks said, a few moments later, "I'm not a Legilimens, but I think that little lady fancies you, Harry."
Harry felt his cheeks grow warm.
"Wow, is it really nearly seven-o-clock already?" Tonks asked rhetorically, "I think I'm going to throw a few things together for sandwiches."
She stood and walked out of the room.
"You said Sirius' Final Will and Testament, Remus?" Harry asked, "When did he make it?"
"His first Will was made a few days after James made him your godfather," Remus said, "But I know he sent an updated Will by Owl Post sometime around Christmas this past year. Even though he was a fugitive, the Goblins didn't care. He didn't give me any clues about what he was putting in it, however."
Harry nodded. "And Voldemort? Do we know what he is up to? I read that Ollivander was kidnapped, and also just today, I saw the news about the attack on the bridge."
"That is about it," Remus said, "Earlier I told you that Kingsley Shacklebolt is still in the country. The truth is that he is guarding DMLE Head Madam Amelia Bones and her niece Susan. There are rumors that Amelia is being targeted by Voldemort. When we find a new place to stay, Amelia and Susan might live with us."
Another thought came to Harry's mind. "Hermione and I aren't going back to Hogwarts in September, are we?"
"The smart answer would be no," Remus said, "And you may not be the only ones who don't go. It depends on what happens during the rest of the summer."
Harry nodded and relaxed against the couch. He thought about the discussion he had just been a part of. Out of everything, one crucial portion of the discussion was at the front of his thoughts.
Could he marry Hermione – whether it be a short and fake marriage or a real one – if it meant that he and Hermione would be Emancipated? If it meant that Hermione would be that much safer from harm?
He wondered if Tonks was right. Did Hermione fancy him? Did he fancy her? If that was true, and they did marry it would certainly make it easier.
He then realized... The answer was easy. He wanted Hermione to be safe. He never wanted to see her hurt again. Watching her nearly die in the Department of Mysteries almost killed him.
So the answer to his earlier questions was indeed easy. There was only answer to whether or not he could marry her.
Yes... yes, he could.
First chapter finished.
Next chapter: Harry and Hermione have an interesting late-night discussion.