Some of this chapter could be considered Molly-bashing, but that's not what this story's about - it's a perspective thing.
As soon as the words sank in and the Fidelius Charm did its job, Jen was flooded with a thousand memories, ones she'd much rather have forgotten entirely.
She took an involuntary step backwards, bumping into Remus as she did, and his hand contracted around hers.
I'm sorry. His voice said in her mind. I'm so sorry. Like I said, I don't like it either.
Sirius is in there? She asked in horror. Stuck back in that place? He must be …
He's not too bad. Remus hastened to assure her. Not yet anyway.
"Jen?" Harry asked worriedly. "What is it?"
"Nothing." Jen said, smiling tremulously in his general direction. "Well, nothing I'm willing to get into right now, at any rate."
Harry looked back at the parchment. "What's the …?"
For the second time that night, Jen clapped a hand over his mouth, guessing its location from his voice. "Not here, Harry." She repeated, as Mad-Eye set fire to the parchment and let it burn to ash. "Think about what you just read."
As they did so, Number Twelve appeared from between Numbers Eleven and Thirteen, pushing them apart.
Jen forced back a shudder as they climbed the steps; the last time she had left this house was at twelve-years-old, half-unconscious, half-hysterical, in the arms of a Healer.
A Healer, she realised, who was the mother of her godson's best friend.
It really is a small world.
Remus tapped his wand on the door a few times; the locks clicked from deep within it, and it swung open. "Get in, quick – but don't go far, and don't touch anything."
Jen didn't need telling twice and she ushered Harry into the hallway, taking his hand comfortingly (although whether it was her comfort or his, she wasn't sure).
Mad-Eye rapped Harry on the head again and he reappeared, as though his camouflage had melted from his body.
"Now stand still while I get us some light in here." He whispered.
Why are we whispering? Jen asked Remus privately.
Portraits. Remus answered bluntly. Don't want them to wake up.
Jen shuddered again at the thought, and Harry squeezed her hand, causing her to give him another smile. The gas-lamps flickered to life, and she grimaced as the hallway came into view, more threadbare, but every bit as gloomy and dark as she remembered.
I never wanted to come back here.
A door at the end of the hallway – the door that led to the basement kitchen, if Jen remembered correctly – opened, and a red-haired woman emerged.
Jen recognised her as Molly Weasley, but she was much thinner than the last time she'd seen her. Although that would have been … Probably Fabian and Gideon's funeral … Lily saw her after that, because she used to baby-sit the twins, but I didn't …
"Oh, Harry, dear, it's good to see you!" Molly whispered, pulling Harry into a hug, before holding him at arm's length and examining him. "You're looking very thin, dear, you'll need feeding up, but you'll have to wait a while for dinner, I'm afraid." She turned to the others. "He's just arrived, the meeting's just started."
The wizards and witches behind them began to make their way down the hall, Remus ruffling Harry's hair and giving Jen a smile as he passed.
Harry made to follow them, but Jen seized his arm. "Oh no you don't, young man." She said, managing to sound stern, even through a whisper. "Those meetings are not for your ears." She extended a hand to Molly, who looked confused. "Jennifer Black, Sirius's sister, Harry's godmother. I've been under a Memory Charm, and it's only just lifted. Don't tell Sirius yet – we'll never get anything done; I'll tell him after the meeting."
"Of course." Molly said with a weak smile. "Are you alright taking Harry upstairs? Second floor, third door on the right."
Jen nodded, taking a second to remember which room that was. I wonder if Sirius did that on purpose, or if it was Dumbledore's idea – that's the room with Phineas Nigellus in. Direct link to the Headmaster's office.
"Got it." She said aloud. "I'll see you in the meeting."
Steering Harry towards the stairs, Jen eyed a pair of moth-eaten curtains with distaste. She couldn't remember a door or window there before, but maybe her mother had renovated before she died. She put it out of her mind, and skirted the umbrella stand at the bottom of the stairs.
I'd forgotten how much I hated that thing. Remus, how long do we have?
About five minutes. Remus answered. Everyone knows you're a witch, but they don't know who you are. And Dumbledore's been told whatever prophecy you put in their heads, and he seems to have figured it out.
Oh? Jen let some of her curiosity seep through the link and got a mental chuckle in return.
Yes, he's twinkling at us, but … Honestly, Jen, he seems worried.
Worried, is he? Jen asked grimly. That's not good.
"Jen, where are we?" Harry asked softly, drawing her from the internal conversation.
"My old family home." Jen answered reluctantly, not looking at him. "The Blacks weren't the Lightest … Actually, they were as Dark as sin. Sirius and I … Well, I'll explain later. Here we are."
Harry pushed open the door she indicated. There was a beat of silence, then a shriek, and a brunette flung herself on him, hugging him tightly.
"HARRY! Ron, he's here! Harry's here!"
The rest of her words tumbled out in a jumbled rush of greetings and apologies, but even with her experience translating her brother's and James's rambles back at Hogwarts, Jen was lost.
"Let him breathe, Hermione." The room's other occupant said with a grin, shutting the door behind them. He was looking at Jen curiously, however. "Who are you?"
"Jennifer Black." She told him. "Just call me Jen. You must be Ron, right? Molly's youngest?"
"Second youngest." He corrected, shaking her hand. "Ginny's younger than me."
"Oh of course." Jen nodded. "Sorry, I've been under a Memory Charm for fourteen years, and I'm trying to put both sets of memories together – Jessica knew that Ginny was your younger sister, but Jen disappeared before she was born, you see?"
"I think so." Ron answered slowly. "Hermione!"
Hermione released Harry and turned to face them, and Jen sucked in a breath. "Sweet Merlin, Hermione, you look like your mother."
Hermione smiled at her. "So I've heard. You're Jess? And you're Jen?"
"Memory Charm." Jen repeated. "And I believe you have something of mine."
"Does she?" Harry asked bewildered.
Hermione put a foot up on Ron's trunk and rolled one leg of her jeans up high enough to extract a wand from an ankle holster. "Here."
Jen took it, closing her eyes as it warmed in her hand, as though it was rejoicing at being reunited with her finally. "Thank you for taking care of it."
"It was my pleasure." Hermione said with a smile. "It saved our lives, you know."
"Good." Jen said firmly, moving towards the door. "Now, I have a meeting to get to. Harry, play nice; I … Hermione, did you say you sent letters with Muggle post?"
Hermione nodded. "Dumbledore said we couldn't send too much information with owls, in case they got intercepted, so I sent a couple via Muggle mail, but Harry kept pressing, so I figured he wasn't getting them."
"I wasn't." Harry said with a frown. "Maybe Aunt Petunia was keeping them."
Jen shook her head. "Don't think so. You know our postman, Harry; he used to stop by for a cup of tea every morning – he'd have mentioned it if you had a letter." She shrugged. "I'll work it out – don't be too hard on them; they tried."
She closed the door behind her, and set off downstairs, again eyeing the large curtains warily as she passed.
She entered the kitchen mid-sentence, and waited for Dumbledore to finish before closing the door. "Sorry about that, Professor."
"Quite alright – er – Jessica." Dumbledore said, with a smile and a wink.
Jen returned the smile, slipping into the empty seat beside Remus, opposite Sirius, slipping her wand into her pocket as she did.
Glancing up, she was amused to see that Sirius had recognised the wand and was glancing between her and the ceiling, as though wondering what had possessed Hermione to hand his sister's wand over to a stranger.
He's got no idea. She thought sadly.
Can you blame him? We all thought you were dead.
Even inside their heads, his words were hollow, and she pressed his hand once under the table, before turning her attention to the others there. Dora was the only new face, although there were a couple missing that she realised, with a shock, could well have died after she disappeared.
Either that, or they don't believe Voldemort's back.
I never thought I'd say this, but I hope it's the latter.
"Jessica?" Dumbledore asked, catching her attention.
"Professor?" She responded, glancing up.
As soon as he caught her eye, she was forced to throw up her Occlumency shields, and there were a few minutes in which neither of them spoke, fighting a silent battle.
Remus caught her hand again and squeezed, silently asking if she needed help.
Not breaking concentration, she squeezed back, and shifted her grip to tap his wrist, assuring him that she could handle it.
Dumbledore broke the connection first, and she raised a politely enquiring eyebrow, as though nothing had happened. "Was there something you wanted, Professor?"
"I was wondering if you had noticed anything else unusual other than the Dementors around Privet Drive." He asked blandly.
Jen thought for a moment. "Unless you mean Harry's cousin turning his layers of fat into muscle and engaging in exercise willingly, no, I hadn't." A few people chuckled, and she allowed herself a smile, before turning serious. "I didn't even see the Dementors – or sense them for that matter. They weren't just straying from Azkaban; they were there specifically for Harry."
Again, she felt a pushing at her Occlumency shields, and this time, she let part of the memory through, just enough for him to see Harry and Dudley's return through Jess's eyes.
Dumbledore nodded and turned to Hestia for whatever report she was due to give, and Jen relaxed.
How did I never see it? Remus asked her. Has he always been this manipulative?
I don't know. Jen answered honestly. I just know that James and Lily asked Hermione to keep them a secret for a reason.
The rest of the meeting passed quickly, with a lot of reports about what sounded like nothing in particular.
Remus? Mind filling me in?
Not much TO fill in. The kids are complaining that no one will tell them anything, but we don't really know anything ourselves. We're trying to convince people that Voldemort's back, but the Ministry's been doing a good job of slandering Dumbledore's name, and Harry's …
WHAT?!
Remus just managed to hide a grimace. Not so loud please. Didn't Harry tell you about the articles last year?
Well, yes. Jen admitted, sending a soft wave of apology through the link as she did. But they were hardly slander – gossip, yes, but …
He didn't tell you about the last one then. Harry Potter: Disturbed and Dangerous, and it only got worse.
When I find her, Jen said darkly, I am going to squash Rita like a bug.
Remus's face remained impassive, but the emotion that passed through the link translated into a smirk. Well, she's gone quiet all of a sudden, and I won't say that I think Hermione had something to do with it, but every time we mention it, she looks very smug. The problem is, she gave them a platform – they stick Harry in like a standing joke, and make it sound like he's either delusional or making it up for attention.
Jen closed her eyes, taking a few calming breaths, in the hopes of preventing herself from standing up and apparating straight to the Daily Prophet headquarters.
They're closed now. Remus reminded her, sounding amused. Go tomorrow.
Oh, I will. Jen said darkly. Go on. So we can't convince anyone Voldemort's back. What else?
Hagrid's on a mission to contact the giants, obviously. Bill's trying to get the goblins onside, but at the moment, it sounds like they'll stay neutral …
Well, they won't actively support Voldemort, because they've had losses too. Jen said. On the other hand, a lot of the Death Eaters are high-paying clients.
Exactly. Remus agreed. I wouldn't be surprised if he wants me to approach the werewolves again …
Jen clamped down on the shiver of fear that wanted to pass through the link. Even though she knew that Remus could take care of himself, the few times he had entered the underground to gain allies were some of the worst of her life. What about the rest of us?
Guard duty.
Harry?
Haven't the foggiest. Remus admitted. There have been people looking out for Harry. In case you were wondering, it was Mundungus Fletcher on duty the night the Dementors attacked.
Really? Jen asked, glancing at Dung out of the corner of her eye. He seemed to have fallen asleep. I'll have to have a word with him about that.
Sirius already did.
Then I'll have another one. Why don't you know what we're guarding?
Well, I know we're guarding the Department of Mysteries. Remus conceded. But I don't know why.
Their internal discussion was interrupted when chairs scraped back, and everyone began to get up – clearly, Dumbledore had dismissed the meeting.
As everyone made their way up the stairs into the hall, talking in hushed whispers again and stepping over the dungbombs that had mysteriously appeared outside the kitchen door, Jen pushed through the crowd until she reached Sirius. "Could I have a word with you?" She asked. "In private?"
What's with the dungbombs?
I think I overheard Tonks telling Ginny how to check for the Imperturbable Charm. I'll explain later.
Sirius regarded her for a moment. "Alright." He took her arm and guided her into the small chamber next to the drawing room, where their parents used to receive guests. "How can I help?"
"Well, I'm sure you know about the Memory Charm by now." Jen said carefully. "I'm having a bit of trouble getting the glamour off – whoever cast it was more powerful than me. I was wondering if you'd be willing to lend a hand."
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Why me?"
Jen smiled sweetly. "I just have a feeling our magic might be a bit more compatible than most."
Sirius still looked puzzled, but shrugged and drew his wand. "Very well. On three then?"
Jen nodded, aiming her own wand at herself. "One … two … three …"
"Finite glamouri."
Two spells combined did what one spell could not, and Jen felt a rush of magic pass over her, settling into her bones. When she opened her eyes, Sirius was gaping at her and she glanced at the large ornate mirror that almost covered the entire wall, oddly relieved to see long black hair, almost to her waist, framing highly distinctive facial features and stormy grey eyes, identical to those of the man staring at her.
Smirking slightly, she turned back to face him. "I hope you don't mind if I keep using your sister's wand."
"Jen …" Sirius took a shaky step towards her, almost in a trance, and she mirrored his actions almost unconsciously.
This seemed to reassure him that he wasn't hallucinating, because she suddenly found herself in his arms, her face buried in his chest and her shoulders shaking with the sobs that had threatened her composure the moment the Memory Charm first lifted.
Sirius held her tightly, shaking himself, but when he loosened his grip slightly, just enough to allow her to lift her head and meet his eyes, they were dry, though very bright. "What happened?!" He asked, almost harshly.
"I went to visit Lily." Jen answered. "I remember reaching the apparition point and walking to the house, but … I'd only been walking for about five minutes when someone else was there."
"Who?" Sirius prompted.
"I don't know." Jen admitted. "Whoever it was, they hit me with two spells – one modified my memory and one removed the memory of them from my head. I know they were there, I know what they did, but I don't know who they are!"
Sirius squeezed her shoulder and kissed her forehead. "We'll figure it out, Jen. Love you."
"Love you too." Jen leaned back to better see his face. "You need a haircut."
Sirius grimaced. "Yeah, I know. Molly's only too keen to remind me."
Jen smirked. "And you agree. You just don't want to agree with her."
"I have nothing against Molly Weasley." Sirius insisted. "But we have several differences of opinion and there are a few things she has yet to get her head round. Namely that this is my house and that Harry is my godson."
Jen cleared her throat.
"Our godson." Sirius amended. "You're alright, aren't you, Jenny?"
For once, she didn't scold him for the name. "I'm fine. Are you?"
Before he could answer, a sudden crash out in the hallway made them both jump, and Sirius's head fell onto her shoulder as he groaned. "Oh, here we go."
"Tonks!" Molly's voice cried.
"I'm sorry!" Dora wailed. "It's that stupid umbrella stand; that's the second time I've tripped over …"
But the rest of her words were drowned out by a painfully familiar voice.
"FILTH! SCUM! BY-PRODUCTS OF DIRT AND VILENESS!"
Jen turned to Sirius, her eyes wide with horror. "Mother?"
"Mother." Sirius confirmed grimly.
Rolling her eyes, Jen hurried from the room, aiming her wand at the portrait, which had been hidden behind the curtains she'd noticed earlier, and trying to blast it from the wall. "Oh, shut up!"
The painting didn't budge, and at the sight of her, Mrs Black seemed to become even more incensed. "YOU! BLOOD TRAITOR! ABOMINATION! SHAME OF MY FLESH!"
"Shut up, you miserable old hag; shut up!" Sirius seized one of the curtains and attempted to force it closed.
Molly was silencing the other portraits, Remus was helping Dora to her feet, and Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys were standing at the bottom of the stairs, watching them wide-eyed.
As her mother's voice grew even louder, Jen abandoned her wand and seized the other curtain. "I SAID, SHUT UP!"
She and Sirius finally forced them closed, and she drew her wand again, placing a Silencing Charm over the curtains.
"Now why didn't I think of that?" Molly wondered aloud.
Sirius ignored her, turning to Harry with a wry smile. "Hello, Harry. I see you've met our mother."
"Your mother?" Harry repeated in surprise, stepping forwards to hug him.
"My dear old mother." Sirius confirmed. "Entire family was like that; couldn't stand any of them."
"I am right here." Jen pointed out acidly.
Sirius released Harry and turned to her. "My apologies, sister dearest. I assure you that any time I couldn't stand you, it was for another reason entirely."
The Weasleys and Hermione chuckled, and Jen let out a relieved laugh. If Sirius still had his sense of humour, things couldn't be too bad.
Harry turned to her and she smiled as he did what amounted to a double-take. "Je-Jen?"
She didn't blame him for stumbling over the name – he'd been calling her 'Jess' for fourteen years, after all. "We finally got rid of the glamour charm."
"Hey, why couldn't you do it on your own?" Sirius asked. "Or were you trying to give me a heart attack?"
"I was trying to not give you a heart attack." Jen corrected, rolling her eyes. "And whoever cast it was more powerful than me."
Hermione made a small noise in disbelief, and Sirius nodded in agreement. "Hermione's right – there's no way …"
"I'm sorry about my mother, Harry." Jen interrupted, talking over her brother, and flashing him a hand signal warning him to shut up because they'd talk about it later. "I should have warned you. Mind you, I didn't realise the old cow had done that."
"Jennifer!" Molly admonished.
Jen raised an eyebrow at her. Given how Walburga Black had treated them when they were children, she felt perfectly justified in calling her that, and even if she wasn't, it was hardly Molly's place to tell her off for it. Nevertheless, here and now was not the time to call her on it.
"I'm sorry, Molly." She said. "You're right. That's an insult to cows; I'll come up with something better."
To Molly's credit, she seemed to realise that she'd been out of line, and she chuckled. "Oh good Lord, there's two of you."
Sirius laughed. "That's my sister."
Jen nudged Harry towards the kitchen door, and down into the basement, where Bill and Arthur were talking in low voices, and Dung was asleep at one end of the table, doing a very good impersonation of a pile of dirty old rags.
While Harry greeted the two Weasleys, Jen sat down at the table, feeling more than hearing Remus sit beside her.
Everything alright?
Is Molly always that …?
Controlling? Remus finished, as Molly snapped at Bill for leaving building plans out on the table. She can be, yes. Her heart's in the right place; she's just lost so much, and she wants to make sure her family's safe, but she also has a habit of believing that she knows best. As far as she's concerned, she loves them, so she must know what's best for them.
That's not the way it works. Jen sighed mentally. I don't think she likes me.
That's because she adores Harry. It'll all blow up now he's here – you watch.
At that moment, Hermione slipped into the seat beside her. "Harry told me about the prophecy." She whispered, not looking at her. "There's another one."
"What?" Jen asked. She'd be amazing undercover.
She's not even sixteen yet. Slow down.
A piece of parchment was pushed into her hand beneath the table, and Hermione rose to her feet. "Do you need any help, Mrs Weasley?"
Molly shoved the last of the plans into Bill's arms, told him to Vanish them, and turned to Hermione. "Yes please, dear. Could you get the plates for me?"
Hermione moved away, and Jen looked down at the prophecy she'd been given, as Sirius introduced Harry to Mundungus.
At the sound of his name, the man in question jolted awake. "Some'n say m'name? I 'gree with Sirius …"
Funnily enough, he's been agreeing with Sirius ever since Harry was attacked.
Imagine that. Jen said dryly. What happened to that nice boy we were at Hogwarts with?
Too much undercover work. Remus answered, although he knew it was a rhetorical question. What does that say?
'The true leader of the light is hidden … her mind is locked away, but her gift is not … answers shall be revealed in the place where the fire maid almost met her doom'. She sighed. Great, so I not only have to take Dumbledore down, but I have to take his place.
Seems that way. Remus agreed. What's the last bit about though?
The Chamber of Secrets. Jen said, after she'd read it through a few more times. Ginny nearly died down there. She's a redhead.
I thought the Chamber of Secrets was a myth. Remus said.
Jen glanced at him. Didn't it hit the papers?
Didn't what hit the papers?
The basilisk that was set loose in Hogwarts and Petrified four students, a cat and a ghost.
Remus stared at her in shock, and Sirius slipped into the seat beside her. "What's with you two?"
"Nothing." Jen said. Don't mention the petrifying. Hermione was one of them.
"Dung," she said aloud, beating Molly to it, waving away the thick smelly smoke that was emanating from his pipe. "Would you kindly refrain from smoking that in here? Especially when we're about to eat."
"Sorry, Jen." Mundungus muttered, slipping the pipe away.
Molly sniffed and went back to what she was doing. Jen raised an eyebrow. "What did I do?"
"It's not a good idea to take over in Molly's kitchen." Sirius told her in an undertone.
"Last I checked," Jen said, "it was my kitchen." She stood up and ruffled Harry's hair as she passed. "Potatoes. Want to give me a hand, kiddo?"
Harry nodded with a grin, following her over to the cupboard she knew had a freezing charm on it.
"Harry, dear, sit down." Molly fussed. "You've had a long flight."
"I gave him the option, Molly." Jen said calmly, pulling out some cream. "He's always enjoyed helping me cook."
Harry's smile widened. "Are we making what I think we're making?"
"Yes, we are." Jen told him. "Molly, are those potatoes par-boiled?"
Molly followed her gaze to the saucepan. "Yes, but I was just going to put them out with the stew …"
"Trust me." Jen said cheerfully. "This works too."
Harry peeked into the cauldron as he passed it. "Will we have time?"
"Magic speeds everything up, Harry." Jen pointed out, whisking the cream in with some garlic. "Slice those potatoes for me please."
If there was anything Jen and Sirius had in common, it was the ability to absorb themselves in a task, looking as if they weren't paying attention to anything, but all the while observing and taking in every little detail about everything and everyone around them, and Jen used this to her advantage now.
At some point, if she was going to come up against Dumbledore, she would need allies, and Sirius and Remus, as much as she loved them, wouldn't be enough.
Mundungus, obviously, was a lost cause – even without the Dementor incident, he was too unreliable.
Dora would listen, and Jen knew that Andie would have taught her the Occlumency skills to keep it secret.
Molly and Arthur, Jen would have to reserve judgement on. She would teach the Occlumency and start dropping hints, but she was a little worried that Molly would refuse, just because Jen's approach would mean warning Harry he was in danger and teaching him to defend himself, which, she had a feeling, would clash with Molly's approach, given Sirius's earlier comment and Remus's explanation.
Bill, on the other hand, seemed weary of his mother's constant chastising, and she knew he would have to have decent Occlumency skills – it was a requirement to work as a curse-breaker, at least it had been when she was in fifth year.
And Fred and George, for all their joking around, reminded her too much of James and Sirius for her to brush them off as immature pranksters.
"Fred, George, NO, JUST CARRY THEM!"
Jen spun around, just in time to see Sirius and Mundungus dive away from the table; the twins had bewitched the cauldron of stew, a flagon of butterbeer, and a heavy wooden breadboard – complete with knife – to hurtle towards them.
Alright, so maybe they are a little immature, but they're more than that. And that did not help.
Startled by their mother's shout, the twins lost control of the spell. The stew skidded the length of the table, leaving a burn-mark behind it; the butterbeer fell with a crash, spilling everywhere; and the bread-knife fell from the board and landed, point down, exactly where Sirius's right hand had been seconds before.
Jen grimaced and turned back to the dish she was heating with her wand, Harry watching her, fascinated. The cheese had just started to bubble and brown, so she cut the heat quickly.
"FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!" Molly stormed at the twins. "THERE WAS NO NEED – I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS! JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE ALLOWED TO DO MAGIC NOW, YOU DON'T HAVE TO WHIP YOUR WANDS OUT FOR EVERY LITTLE TINY THING!"
Bloody hell, she's louder than Mother.
Just let her run herself down. Remus advised; even with her back turned, she could sense him wincing at the volume.
"We were just trying to save time!" Fred protested, hurrying forward to wrench the bread knife out of the table. "Sorry, Sirius, mate – didn't mean to …"
"'S'alright." Sirius grinned, hoisting himself to his feet. "I'm left-handed."
"Boys," Arthur said, lifting the stew back to the middle of the table. "Your mother's right. You're supposed to show a sense of responsibility now you've come of age."
Wait … aren't the twins seventeen?
Oh, of course; you weren't around for the law change, were you? They changed the legal age from eighteen to seventeen in the early eighties – can't remember what year it was.
Well, it's about time.
"None of your brothers caused this much trouble!" Molly ranted, slamming another flagon of butterbeer on to the table, and spilling nearly as much herself.
"I highly doubt that." Jen interrupted, flicking her own wand to send the dish in front of her over the table, a mat sliding neatly beneath it. "Everyone uses magic for everything as soon as they're allowed. Remember James?" She asked Sirius and Remus.
As the two men laughed, Bill raised an eyebrow. "I seem to remember James Potter's coming-of-age party when I was a second year – wasn't it in March?"
"Yeah – don't know why he was so excited, since he could do magic at Hogwarts anyway." Sirius grinned. "But he decided to Summon his glasses that morning."
"Except he couldn't see to catch them," Remus smirked, "and they poked him in the eye."
There was a round of laughter, as Molly, looking highly disapproving, reached for Harry's plate.
Jen beat her to it, ladling him some of the stew and a little more of the potato dish (since she knew it was one of his favourites). "Is that enough, sweetheart?"
"Of course it's not!" Molly protested. "Look at him; he looks half-starved."
Jen kept looking at Harry, who took the plate with a nod and a 'thanks'. "He is half-starved, Molly, which means his stomach is smaller than it should be, which means you can't just shove food down his throat until he's 'fattened up', because if you do, it will make him throw up."
Molly looked indignant. "It's what I've done every summer and there's never been a problem …"
"Actually there has." Fred interrupted. "He's just too polite to tell you."
Molly looked at Harry, who had turned red. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Harry, dear. I thought I was helping."
"I know, Mrs Weasley." Harry said, his blush fading ever so slightly. "That's why I didn't say anything – I really do appreciate it."
Molly smiled weakly and patted Harry's cheek, before taking a seat between Bill and Arthur.
"Let's eat." Bill suggested quietly,
She can't be blamed for something she wasn't aware of. Remus pointed out gently. Simmer down, Selena. He's fine.
Jen took a deep, calming breath, telling the wolf within her that her cub was safe and that Molly wasn't really a threat to him, just misguided. "I only know that because Lily was a Healer."
Molly seemed to hear the unspoken olive branch, because she smiled across the table at her.
"Didn't you say Mum was an Unspeakable, Mr Weasley?" Harry asked.
"I thought she was." Arthur admitted. "I ran into her at the Ministry once – she said she was going to the Department of Mysteries. There's no other reason she'd be going there."
"I think she did have an interview there." Jen remarked. "But she decided against it."
"Why?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Well, first of all, Lily had her heart set on being a Healer." Jen said with a smile. "Secondly, to be an Unspeakable, you have to swear utter secrecy – not even your family could know what you were working on. Lily wouldn't have lied to James like that."
Hermione nodded, and the table lapsed into quiet for a few minutes.
"This potato is delicious, Jennifer." Molly remarked after a while. "You must give me the recipe."
"Of course." Jen said with a smile, accepting the returned branch. "I picked it up in the Muggle world." She glanced along the table, counting Weasleys, frowned, and opened her mouth, but Remus's voice in her mind stopped her.
Don't!
Don't what? I was only wondering where the others were. Molly and Arthur had seven, didn't they? I count five.
Charlie's in Romania; he's a dragon-handler, although I'm sure Harry told you that.
He did. He also said that Charlie had come back for the Tournament.
He's recruiting foreign wizards, or trying to. Bit like Mandy and Arabella. Mandy's the Head of Magical Games and Sports now.
I heard. Jen hid a smile. She deserves it. I guess she's preparing for the European Quidditch Cup, right? Must be next year if the World Cup was last.
It is, in Germany.
Wait, that only explains one. What about the other boy? Percy?
Percy is, shall we say, in agreement with the Ministry. Apparently, there was a huge row and he stormed out. It's not a good idea to mention his name in front of Molly – she's gone to try to talk to him several times, but he just slams the door in her face.
Good Lord …
"Oh, I've been meaning to tell you, Sirius," Molly said, oblivious, "there's something trapped in that writing desk in the drawing room; it keeps rattling and shaking. Of course, it could just be a Boggart, but I thought we ought to ask Alastor to have a look at it before we let it out."
"Whatever you like." Sirius said flatly.
"And those curtains are infested with doxys." Molly added. "I thought we might try to tackle them tomorrow."
"I look forward to it." Sirius said, only just hiding his sarcasm.
Jen kicked him under the table and gave him a warning look. "Play nice." She muttered.
"Hypocrite." Sirius muttered back.