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Harry Potter and the Unbreakable Circle Chapter 3: The Order and Disorder

Once Harry got used to the sense of motion from the quick maneuvering and the near misses that characterized Aberforth's driving, he rather enjoyed the ride. He watched the countryside roll along. Other than Dumbledore's occasional commentary on other drivers, they had ridden in silence. Finally Aberforth spoke, "Time to put a little effort into thinking about the enemy. What do you think about our adversaries?"

"I think the Death Eaters are arrogant, evil and ruthless."

"That's a good start, but let's keep it simple. Most of them are stupid bullies. They can be pretty dangerous as a group, but get them alone and they're not so tough."

"Just how do you propose to do that?"

"I'm just talking loose strategy here, kid; we'll get to specifics later. Now, the only thing more dangerous than a stupid bully is a smart one. Fortunately, we've only got a few of those. Voldemort wouldn't keep too many of them around. Can't have your lackeys thinking for themselves. Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape top that list. Lucius thinks so much of himself, he may be overconfident. May be a chance to catch him there. Severus, he's the tough one. He's smart and careful and powerful."

"You sound like you admire him!"

" Not admire, but I have a healthy respect."

"Respect? How can you say that about the man who murdered your brother?"

"Don't misunderstand me, kid. I hate him, probably almost as much as you do, but I don't ever want to underestimate him. That could be our downfall."

Harry tried to clear his head of anger and think about Snape as a chess opponent. He would indeed be the most challenging of Voldemort's servants.

"Let's review our side. I think the majority of the population supports us. The Order is filled with talented wizards, but most of them aren't as ruthless as the enemy, and there is also a gap in leadership now. Next is the Ministry, mostly useless bureaucrats, but the aurors will be a good backup. Scrimgeour is not my favorite person but he is determined and tough. We've got Hogwarts. Youthful enthusiasm and energy. With your friends and the staff, I'd bet the majority of students would be with us."

"I thought we were all 'wet behind the ears novices.' How much can you expect?" Harry was still quite irritated.

"Right now, Hogwarts is a plus. Now for the big one. That would be you, kid." Harry took his eyes off the countryside and stared at Aberforth, who glanced back at him and half smiled. "Don't look so surprised. Whether or not you are 'The Chosen One' really doesn't matter. A lot of people seem to think you are, and that helps them. What does matter is that Voldemort is gunning for you."

"Is that supposed to cheer me up? It's not exactly breaking news."

"No, but it is good news. That egomaniac will be so focused on killing you that he won't be able to put all his energy into taking over. Gives us a fighting chance."

"So I'm the bait?"

"You're not getting this straight. The longer you stay alive, the better it is for all of us. So don't go doing anything stupid." This made Harry partly angry and partly reassured. He looked over again and for the first time saw a resemblance between the Dumbledore brothers. He took a deep breath and exhaled audibly. In a quieter, more relaxed tone Aberforth continued. "There are a few things I can teach you to help keep you alive. You still got your invisibility cloak?"

"Yes, it's with my things at the Weasley's."

"If lessons go well you can give it to one of your friends. Weasley or Granger might like it. Or better yet, the young Weasley girl." His half smile appeared again.

"How do you know all this?"

"Like I said, I keep my eyes and ears open." After an uncomfortable silence he continued. "You know who I'm looking forward to meeting? That youngster Tonks. Master of disguise I hear. She's new to the Order since…well, since I was involved."

"Tonks is alright. Always seems to be around when you need help. Maybe she could help in locating the rest of the horcruxes."

"Sounds good. With three out of the way we've got three more to go."

"What did you say?"

"I said with three out of the way we've got three to go. You took care of the diary. Albus destroyed the ring, and you both went to destroy one the night Albus was killed."

Harry leaned back and closed his eyes. "So you don't know as much as you think you do. We failed that night. We were looking for Slytherin's necklace, but someone had beaten us to it. They left a fake with a note in its place. Just what were you keeping your eyes and ears open to?"

"You got me. When Albus died his belongings were given to me, including his pensieve. I went through the memories he left for me. Guess he didn't have time to leave that one before he…"

"Was murdered," finished Harry. "So, you're not as all knowing as you pretend to be. That doesn't surprise me." There was another awkward silence. Harry broke it. "Well, aren't you going to ask me?"

"Ask you what?"

"About the fake necklace and the note!"

"You got 'em with you?"

"They're with my things at the Weasley's."

"Guess we'll have a look after we get there. Hey, do you like muggle music?"

Harry had never liked the music his cousin Dudley had listened to. "Don't really know."

"Some of it's pretty good." He slipped in a disc. Harry heard what sounded like an old song. It was about someone having a hard day's night; he understood the feeling. He put his head back and closed his eyes. When he opened them again he smiled. Ahead Harry saw the Burrow, looking terrific in the last rays of sunlight. Behind it was something that looked like a circus tent.

Harry hopped out of the car and was half way to the house when he realized he was alone. He looked back and Aberforth was still standing by the car. "You go on ahead, kid, I'll be there in a minute." Harry didn't want to waste any time trying to figure this one out. He trotted up to the door and walked in. The living room was full of members of the Order. Mr. Weasley was the only actual inhabitant of the house he saw.

"Harry, great to see you. All your stuff has been stowed in Ron's room. He and Hermione should be back in shortly. They're helping with some of the final preparations for the wedding." After a brief silence Mr. Weasley continued. "Where are my manners, have a seat Harry. Are you hungry?"

"Where is he?" growled Moody.

"Looking for me?" came the answer from the doorway. Aberforth walked into the room wearing a brand new royal purple robe. "Hello everyone. Mad-Eye, Kingsley…Lupin… ah, Arthur, nice to see you again."

Mr. Weasley was the only one to smile back. "It's been a long time, Aberforth. Doing well I hope. Can I get you something to eat…or drink?"

"Oh, if Molly has something prepared, that would be a delight." Mr. Weasley left the room. Aberforth turned, positioning himself so he was facing everyone. As he did, he noticed Tonks standing next to Lupin. "Ah yes, this must be the Miss Tonks I've heard so much about." He quickly stepped forward and extended his hand. Harry was shocked at her cold response.

She made no effort to accept his hand. In a cool flat voice she simply said, "Charmed, I'm sure." Aberforth dropped his hand and stepped back.

Moody went on the attack. "What's your game Aberforth? What are you after?" He stood up and went face to face with him. "There has got to be something in this for you or you wouldn't be here."

Aberforth stood his ground and replied, "Quite simply, I am here to fulfill my brother's wishes. You do remember my brother?"

Shacklebolt lunged out of his seat. "How dare you…!" Moody held out his hand to stop him.

"Your brother is the only reason I didn't flatten you on Privet Drive. Don't think that will protect you forever."

Lupin added, "You didn't even have the decency to show up at his funeral."

"First of all, I have nothing to say to you!" Dumbledore aimed at Lupin, showing anger for the first time. "Second, I was there. I stayed invisible because I didn't want a nasty little scene like this one to distract from Albus' memorial."

Harry was surprised how angry they all seemed, but he was glad someone else was the center of attention.

"Very thoughtful of you," snapped Moody "Now back to my original question, what do you want?"

"I believe," Harry spoke up, "That he wants to help me. He has promised to teach me invisibility and protection spells. I will need every advantage I can get."

Kingsley wasted no time in responding. "You know how he got so good at those? While he was bartending at the Hog's Head, between pinching drinks, he was always ready to disappear or cover himself at the first sigh of trouble. Finally got tossed."

"I felt no reason to allow my self to become injured for the pittance they were paying me. I was there to pour drinks, not break up fights."

"Let's not forget the spells you were casting on defenseless goats," snapped Lupin.

"Why am I not surprised you're the one to speak up for the animals? Hey, I've got a great idea. Why don't I try out new untested spells on muggles to see how they work? That would be a lot better than using a goat."

Mr. Weasley entered the room with two plates heaped high with food, followed by Mrs. Weasley carrying two large glasses of pumpkin juice. A small table and two chairs appeared between Harry and Aberforth. "Have a seat. Sorry, but the kitchen table is covered with wedding decorations."

Mrs. Weasley put down the glasses and gave Harry a big hug. "Oh, Harry, I'm sorry I didn't see you when you first came in. It's been a little crazy here, with the wedding the day after tomorrow."

Aberforth reached over and put a hand on her shoulder. "Looks delicious, Molly, thank you very much." He sat down and motioned for Harry to do the same.

"Abby, it looks like you haven't had a decent meal in a while. I've got a few things to tend to, but I'll be back with blackcurrant pie." She gave the others a stern but motherly glance and left the room.

As the two new arrivals sat down to eat Mr. Weasley cleared his throat. "It seems we are not getting off to a smooth start. I suggest we all put any past differences behind us."

"Nicely said, Arthur." Aberforth managed with half a mouth full.

"And," continued Mr. Weasley, looking straight at Aberforth, "We must all be willing to co-operate with one another."

"Absolutely." This response while swallowing pumpkin juice.

"Yes Arthur, we will all try to work together." The overly civil tone sounded strained coming from Moody. "I, for one, would like to hear from Harry before we carry on any further discussion."

Harry hadn't touched his food. "I think," he started, "That I need more time to think. I was ready to go full steam, with all my anger at Voldemort. That would have been a mistake. I will need help from all of you if I'm to have a chance. The first thing all of you need to do is protect your families and yourselves. No one will be of any use if they are dead or in St. Mungo's." He saw Aberforth smile. "If everyone can wait until tomorrow things may seem more clear."

After some mild grumbling from the others, Mr. Weasley said, "I think that's an excellent idea. Minerva will be here tomorrow morning and we can start fresh."

Harry suddenly realized how hungry he was. Aberforth, who had not stopped eating for a second, had almost emptied his plate. After he drained his pumpkin juice he looked over. "Arthur, could I have something a bit stronger?"

Harry picked up his plate and glass. "Aberforth, I'm going to need your help, which means you're going to need your wits about you. Starting tomorrow, no more drinking. See you all in the morning." As he left the room, he caught a half smile on Moody's face.

Aberforth was slightly stunned. "No more to drink, after tonight, until we defeat the Dark Lord? That certainly adds to my motivation. Better make it a tall one Arthur."

"What'll it be?"

"Hmmm…" Aberforth closed his eyes and sighed. "Guess I'll have another pumpkin juice."

Even what they had seen as they had driven up to the Burrow hadn't prepared Harry for the sight in front of him. The tent was bigger than a Quidditch stadium. More than half of it was filled with dining tables. The rest was filled with rows of chairs facing a platform with a ramp leading up to it. There were dozens of people milling about, laughing, eating, smoking, drinking and arguing. Along the edge, outside the tent, were dozens of bungalows, most brightly lit.

One voice stood out over the others. It was a woman's voice speaking French. Harry spotted the voice's owner. Even though she was probably in her fifties, he couldn't take his eyes of from her. She seemed to be barking orders to several people. Reason started to return. This had to be Fleur's mother.

At that moment he spotted Ron and Hermione. He put his plate down and they came running over.

"This is crazy!" Hermione spoke first. "We are supposed to be helping with the decorations, but there are so many people we can't get much done. Fleur's family seems to have taken over."

"Forget the wedding." Said Ron. "Harry, we will be ready to go when you say the word."

"I'm sorry," added Hermione, "Ron's right."

"Some plans may be changing." As he ate, Harry filled them in on the highlights. Most of his time was spent talking about Aberforth. "It's so strange. Sometimes he seems a little loony, other times everything he says makes sense. Ron, can we go to your room to talk? It's too busy down here."

They made there way through the kitchen full of people and house-elves milling about (most speaking French). Quickly climbing the stairs they went to Ron's room. Harry went to close the door but it wouldn't budge.

"I forgot to tell you." Said Hermione. "The door won't close when I'm in the room. We think Mrs. Weasley put a spell on it."

Harry smiled. He wondered how his mother would have dealt with having a teenage son. Suddenly Ginny popped into his mind. "How is Ginny doing?"

"Not so bad," answered Hermione. " The first few days we were back from Hogwarts she cried a lot. Then all of a sudden she seemed fine."

"That's good," said Harry in a very unconvincing tone. "I can't believe I haven't asked this, how is Bill doing?"

"Scars are still pretty bad, but otherwise he's doing well. Mum thought they should postpone the wedding, what with Bill being hurt and Professor Dumbldore's death. Fleur wouldn't hear of it. She said the wedding would go on as planned. Somehow disagreeing about it seems to have made them get along. You should see it, they're like chums."

"Fleur was never my favorite person," added Hermione, "She sure surprised me though. Plus, after meeting Fleur's mother, I'm not at all surprised she would rather spend time with Ron's mum."

"Enough about the wedding." Ron was showing signs of frustration. "I understand the players have changed, but when do we get started?"

Harry took a deep breath. "I think I may need both of you to do work for me at Hogwarts once school gets started."

"You can't be serious!" said Ron.

"We don't even know if they are going to open Hogwarts again!" added Hermione.

"Give me a few days to sort this out. We're having a meeting tomorrow. I'll know more after that."

"Does that mean we aren't invited to the meeting?" Harry could hear the hurt in Ron's voice.

"Yes, I mean no, of course I want you both there. It's a meeting of the Order; we'll all be there. I'm really beat. Can we talk more in the morning?" His two friends didn't push any further.

"I'll see you in the morning then." Said Hermione as she got up and left the room. Harry closed the door. Her voice could be heard from the hall, "See, I told you there was a spell on it." Harry laughed and turned to Ron who was still looking solemn.

"You're not going to leave me out of this, mate."

"Ron, I'm going to need everyone's help, especially yours. Let's get some rest."

Harry quickly fell into a deep sleep. At some point he found himself wandering through a cave, following a light. As the tunnel went deeper, the light would fade and reappear further in. The tunnel ended in a cavern. As he looked around, the tunnel had vanished. There was no way out. The whole cavern started to shake and the ceiling was coming down. Then there was a smell he recognized. Coffee and bacon. Ron shook his shoulder again. "Better get up Harry. Mum's feeding people in shifts, we don't want to miss our turn."