Chapter 6 – Morning at the Burrow

The car pulled into the yard of the rambling house known as the Burrow. The sun had set behind the trees, casting long shadows through the yard. The Weasleys were surprised to see a Muggle car drive into the yard. Although the house was not covered by anti-Muggle charms, most Muggles seemed to just miss the fact the Burrow existed.

The Weasleys watched with some nervousness as the passenger car door opened. A figure jumped out and ran towards the house. As it approached they realized it was Harry. Molly Weasley moved to open the door but Mr. Weasley stopped her.

"I know Molly, but not until we are sure it is Harry."

Harry reached the door and waved to the Weasleys peering out the windows. "Sorry to scare you but my plans got a little messed up today."

"Harry is that you?"

"Yes, Mr. Weasley. Can you open the door? We have an emergency out here."

"Harry, how did I help you the first time we met?" called Mrs. Weasley.

"You helped me pass onto Platform 9 ¾ at the beginning of my first year." Harry answered.

The door swung open and Mrs. Weasley enveloped Harry in a great hug. "Oh, my poor boy! Are you okay? What is the emergency?"

"Mrs. Weasley, the problem is not me. It's…"

"Bloody hell!" Ron yelled. "Is that who I think it is?"

Harry turned from Mrs. Weasley's hug to see Mike approaching the house carrying Draco's unconscious body. Mr. Weasley walked over to where Mike had stopped and asked, "What happened to him?"

Mike looked at Mr. Weasley and answered, "This kid jumped out in front of my car out of no where. Almost like magic."

"Harry, you caught Draco?" Harry looked to where Hermione had joined Mr. And Mrs. Weasley and Ron standing around Mike.

"Not exactly. He really did just pop out. I think he Apparated and ended up in front of the car. We did not hit him so I think he just fainted."

"The boy looks like he has been starved for weeks. He probably did faint. Bring him into the house. Yes, Arthur. I know we should contact the Ministry. But I want some answers first. Contact the Order and ask if Tonks and Remus could get here tonight."

Mr. Weasley nodded and said, "Yes, you are right. We will never get a chance to talk to him once the Ministry takes him." Mr. Weasley then turned to a silent Mike, who had been holding Draco. "Well, this is an unexpected honor, Mr. Dursley! When Harry sent his note, I had no idea that you would be bringing him."

Mike grunted at the polite greeting, "You mean you never expected anyone with the last name Dursley to knowingly come within fifty miles of this place." Mike then smiled at Mr. Weasley, "Please don't judge me by my fool of a cousin. After all, you can't pick your family. And, please call me Mike."

Thank you Mike. I am Arthur. This is my wife Molly and …"

Mrs. Weasley interrupted, "We can do this in the Burrow. Mike, please follow me and bring Draco into the house."

"Lead the way Molly. Hey kid, grab my bag when you get your things."

Mr. Weasley followed Mike and Mrs. Weasley into the house. Harry leaned against Mike's car and looked at his two best friends. He noticed they were standing closer together now. Their hands were almost touching. Did this mean that Ron had finally admitted to Hermione how he felt?

"You have no idea how glad I am to see you two! Coming here after being with the Dursleys is like waking up from a particularly bad dream."

Hermione stepped up giving Harry a hug, "Harry, it is good to see you too! You look really good. How was your summer? What is Mr. Dursley's cousin doing here with you? How did you catch Draco?" She backed up to hold his shoulders at arms length. "Are you okay?"

"He will probably be better if you give him room to breath." Hermione flushed a bit at Ron's comment and backed up while flashing Ron a dirty glance.

Harry let out a mock sigh, "I am not here for even ten minutes and you two are already starting! You sound like an old married couple." Ron punched him lightly on the shoulder.

"It is good to have you back, mate. Let's get your things inside and then you can answer Ms. Nosey's questions." Harry snorted in amusement as Hermione shot back, "Sure, and you are dying to find out also!"

They grabbed the bags and the tube. Harry closed the car and they walked into the Burrow.

Walking into the Burrow was almost like a religious experience for Harry. Growing up with the Dursley's had never given Harry a sense of family. True families seemed to be a thing only seen through snatched glimpses of the television. Walking into the Burrow was always a truly magical experience. It was not the wizard kind of magic that Hogwarts taught. But a special magic only available to loving, close-knit families.

Harry walked into the kitchen and stopped. He looked around as enchanted as the first time he had ever stood in that kitchen. Harry remembered coming down the summer after his first year of Hogwarts for breakfast. It was after Fred, George and Ron had stolen Mr. Weasley's flying car and rescued him from the Dursleys.

The family's clock hung on the wall. Each Weasley had a hand on the clock. They all pointed at "Mortal Danger". They had pointed there since Voldemort's return. Harry felt his temper rise as he thought of the danger facing this house and the Weasleys. Why did Voldemort feel that he had to destroy and control everything?

Harry took a deep breath to calm his nerves. The smells of the Burrow helped to calm him. Except one particular flowery scent sent his heart racing faster, but in a entirely different way. Harry looked around the room and quietly asked, "Where is Ginny?"

Hermione looked back at where Harry had stopped. An odd look of mixed affection and exasperation filled her face. "She went shopping today with Fleur and was staying with Fred and George tonight. We can talk upstairs later Harry."

Harry and Ron ran Harry and Mike's things upstairs to Ron's room. Then they ran back down to see what was going on with Draco. They found the Weasleys, Hermione and Mike in the living room. Draco was unconscious on the coach. The Weasleys and Mike were talking quietly in the corner. Hermione was sitting in a chair opposite Draco with a disgusted look on her face.

Ron elbowed Harry and snickered, "I bet if the bugger woke up now he would pass out again in shock!" Harry grinned at his friend. It felt good to be back with Ron.

Mrs. Weasley looked up at the trio. "You might as well go off to bed. We will watch young Mr. Malfoy. I don't think he is going anywhere but we will make sure of that. Mike, you are welcome to spend the night.

Mike said, "Thank you, Molly. I accept. I would like to stay around to figure out where this boy came from. I've heard the name from Harry. I can't guess why he would be in this area."

Arthur agreed, "This should have been one of the last places he would be. Ron, take Mr. Dursley up to Fred and George's room. Good night boys. Goodnight Hermione."

After saying their goodnights the trio led Mike up the stairs to the twin's bedroom. Ron cautiously opened the door. (One never knows with those two.) Mike made himself comfortable while Harry grabbed Mike's bag from Ron's room.

"Go ahead kid. I'll be fine here. I can tell your friends are dying to talk to you." Turning to Ron and Hermione, he said, "Please call me Mike. I can tell every time you call me Mr. Dursley you picture that fat oaf Vernon."

Hermione pinked at little and said, "We are sorry, but that family treated Harry so awfully for so many years it is kind of hard not to."

"I understand. I heard how they talked about him before you returned from school and saw how they treated him after he returned. I did not know they were that bad before I came over from the States."

The trio left Mike and walked down the hall to Ron's room. Ron plopped onto his bed while Hermione sat down in a chair next to his bed. Harry grabbed his bag and pulled out his trunk. A brief wave of his wand and a muttered word returned the trunk to it's normal size.

As Harry started digging through his trunk Ron asked, "He still seems a little strange to me. Why does he call you kid all the time?"

Harry still had his head buried in the trunk murmured, "I think he has a Han Solo – complex. But at least I know that Voldemort is NOT my father."

Hermione started laughing while Ron got a really shocked look on his face, "You thought…, I mean what?"

Hermione started laughing harder at Ron's confusion. "Relax Ron. He is talking about a Muggle movie."

"Oh. I don't get it."

Hermione patted his hand. "Never mind, Ron. Harry, tell us what has been happening this summer. Your letters were very brief, but you look like you've gained weight."

"Yeh, mate. You look more like a Beater then a Seeker now."

Harry started telling the pair about training with Mike and his final blowup with the Dursleys. Although it did not take long to tell, the pair were amazed at how busy Harry had been for the last two months.

"I think it really helped me. If I had just sat there and sulked I would probably be going insane with the built-up tension. Between the work-outs and the studying I have been able to focus on what I need to do without going spare."

"Well Harry, I am very glad. You seem much more relaxed and rational then you did on the train. I was very worried you would do something stupid without Ron and I there to hold you back." Hermione smiled a little, "Well without me anyway."

"Hey! I resemble that remark!"

With some final chuckles, Hermione got up and said good night and walked out of the room. The two boys settled down into bed. After the lights were out Harry asked, "So, anything interesting happening here this summer?"

"Umm, not much. I'll tell you in the morning." Ron rolled over and faced the wall.

Harry grinned in the darkness and thought of the day's events.

The sun was creeping into Ron's bedroom when Harry woke up. Quietly Harry changed into his running clothes and trainers. He made his way down the stairs with the sword in the tube. Seeing no one in the kitchen, Harry walked into the living room and saw Tonks sitting in the chair reading a book.

"Wotcher, Harry!"

"Goodmorning Tonks. When did you get here?"

"Shortly after you lot went to bed. Remus just went up a little while ago to get some sleep."

"Has our guest moved at all?" Harry asked.

"No, Poppy was visited last night and said he was seriously dehydrated and malnourished. Apparently, his Apparating used the last of his energy. He may be out the rest of the day." Tonks looked at the sleeping Malfoy. "He is my cousin of a sort. But I get so angry that he was the key to killing Dumbledore."

Harry nodded. "I know exactly what you mean. That is why I am going running to work off some of my anger."

"Have a good run for me too then."

Harry waved and moved out of the Burrow. Placing the tube against the wall, Harry stretched out. After five minutes of stretching, Harry moved off at a brisk pace.

Running in the country around the Burrow was very different then running in Little Whitting. The hills, dirt paths and trees made the run much more enjoyable. Harry had settled into comfortable pace when he felt an itch between his shoulder blades. Someone was nearby.

Harry's sense went on the alert. A couple of minutes jogging went by before he spotted a brief movement by a tree ahead. Harry continued his path towards the right of the tree. As he reached the tree, Harry reached back and pulled out his wand. Then Harry turned abruptly to the left to the other side of the tree.

Harry dove past the tree and pointed his wand. Just before casting a Stunning Spell, Harry realized the person behind the tree was Mike. He pulled his wand up and rolled as he landed on his shoulder. Completing his roll, Harry used the momentum to regain his feet.

Breathing hard, Harry leaned over and placed his hands on his knees. "I almost hexed you!"

"Well done, kid. I thought I was going to catch you that time." Mike clapped as he walked to Harry. "You are doing much better. You were even able to pull your shot when you realized it was me, instead of just firing off blindly."

Harry groaned, "And I thought Moody was bad!"

Mike grinned, "I really need to meet this Moody. I can tell we will get along great."

"Oh no, I am not getting the two of you together!" Harry laughed.

Harry and Mike started running back to the Burrow. Harry had already run a wide loop around the house several times. Harry realized that following the same path is what allowed Mike to set his ambush. The predictability of the course had been a weakness. Only Mike's training had permitted Harry to avoid the trap.

When Harry and Mike entered the yard, Mike went into the house to clean up. Harry picked up the tube and walked over to the garden fence. Opening the tube, Harry slid the katana out of the protective case.

Harry admired the black lacquered sheath with gold embossed dragons that contained the sword. The sheath itself was a work of art. Harry took the hilt into his right hand and slowly slid the sword from its sheath. The beauty and delicacy of the blade astounded him. The morning sun reflected off the blade making it appear to glow. A water pattern on the blade gave the weapon the look of something too beautiful to use. The hilt was wrapped in sharkskin that gripped his hand. The very end of the pommel was capped by a small emerald on a small gold disk.

Harry assumed the stance to begin his training kata. The katana had an almost perfect balance. The blade felt just slightly heaver then the hilt. The blade length was perfect for Harry with a incredible mix of strength and flexibility.

Harry started moving through the forms. The blade felt like an extension of his soul in his hand. The forms flowed effortlessly. Time seemed to stop as Harry worked through the cycle and then started again. Standing with a perfect weapon in his hand, Harry felt a peace he had rarely felt before in his life.

Harry sensed when first Ron and then Hermione came into the yard. When he finished his forms for the third time, Harry came to a resting position and opened his eyes. The sense of peace remained and Harry felt refreshed.

Not surprisingly, Hermione was the first to speak. "Harry, where did you get that sword?" She and Ron walked over to where Harry stood with the sword.

"This summer Mike had me training with a Japanese sword master. His great-great-grandfather made this sword. He asked Mike to give it to me before I left today." While he was talking, Harry had walked over to the sheath. Pulling a handkerchief from his pocket, Harry wiped the blade and sheathed it.

"Harry, that was bloody amazing! I can't believe you can move like that!" Ron was in a state of shock.

"I am impressed also Harry. Usually it takes years of training to be able to master a weapon like that. My parent's neighbor teaches martial arts and I have never seen him move like you just did."

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. Master Ioshi was just a brilliant teacher. He made it just …, I don't know, I guess it just flowed when he was teaching." Harry placed the strap from his sword over his shoulder. "So what brought you two out here?"

"Tonks told us you came out here two hours ago. We finished breakfast and wanted to see what you were doing." Ron gave Harry a funny look, "Also I wanted to let you know that Ginny just got home. She came through the Floo Network while we were eating."

Harry smiled and nodded absently. His mind, however, was anything but absent. Since leaving Hogwarts, Ginny had always been on Harry's mind. Getting too close to her would make her a target for Voldemort. Yet, the mental picture of Ginny's smile, her red hair, and her eyes came to Harry every time he closed his eyes or started to relax. All summer he had thought about how he had to stay away from Ginny and not show how much she had come to mean to him. Now that she was just inside the house, Harry was not sure how to handle himself.

"Harry, you are going to have to talk to her," Hermione said in an exasperated voice. "We all know why you did what you did, but can't you see how much it is hurting both of you?"

"Mate, I appreciate what you are trying to do but you don't know what she has been like to live with this summer! She mopped around for the first week back, weeping all the time. Then she forced herself to be cheerful. That was almost worse. It is almost like living with Winky!"

Hermione backhanded Ron in the chest without ever removing her eyes from Harry. She stared at Harry for a moment and then shrugged. "Harry, I know that you love her. Just tell her."

Harry looked up at his two best friends. After several moments, he murmured, "I can't." Then he turned and walked slowly into the Burrow.

Behind him, Ron and Hermione looked wordlessly at one another. Both of them feared for Harry in the coming struggle with Voldemort. He had lost so many already that mattered so much to him. His parents, Sirius, Dumbledore It was not fair. Still, he could not isolate himself this way.

Ron reached over, took Hermione's hand, and patted it awkwardly. She looked up at Ron with her brown eyes brimming with tears.

"It is not fair, Ron. Why does this have to happen to Harry?" she sobbed.

Ron steeled himself and placed his arms around Hermione. She sagged into his shoulder and wept softly. Ron felt an emotion rolling through his chest that he could not describe. He had never felt this before.

Since fourth year, Ron had watched Hermione with a crush he could not admit. Seeing Hermione attend the Ball with Viktor Krum forced Ron to admit at least some of his feelings to himself. Ron's biggest problem was he knew that he had treated her horribly for their first couple of years at Hogwarts. He had been a big prat. His guilt kept him silent. Now Ron felt that it did not matter. All that mattered was that he was here with Hermione and she needed his support.

Ron guided Hermione over to a bench in the corner of the yard and held Hermione. For a long time neither said a word. After a bit, Ron said, "Hermione, we will get through this. I will stay with you. We …" Ron stopped when Hermione placed her finger on Ron's lips. Then no talking was required.

Neither noticed a shape slip past them and into the house.

Harry walked into the Weasley's kitchen. The dishes were washing themselves but no one else was in the room. Harry walked to the Living Room. If Draco was awake yet, Harry wanted some answers.

Walking into the room, Harry found Remus, Tonks, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sitting in the chairs. There was no sign of Draco.

Remus saw Harry walk into the room and felt a familiar wrench in his chest. Harry looked so much like James that it hurt. His eyes though were worse. His eyes like Lilly. Remus remembered seeing Lilly's eyes looking like that one time. The night she heard the prophecy, Lilly had eyes like Harry's right now. The green eyes showed an impeccable resolve to stand and fight. The fact that her not-quite seventeen year-old son stood here with the same look on his face pained Remus in his soul.

None of this pain showed in his face as Remus jumped up to embrace Harry. "Harry! It is so good to see you again! How are you? You look well."

Harry smiled to see Professor Lupin. Lupin had been the best DADA teacher Hogwarts had seen in Harry's time there. "It is good to see you again, Professor. Are you still working with the werewolves?"

"No, Harry. My time there ended with the fight at Hogwarts. Greyback knows for sure where I stand. He would try to kill me for sure. I had some success but he still holds to strong a sway over most of the lycanthropes." Remus sighed, "I heard how you came to get to the Burrow early. I am sorry for the way the Dursleys treated you again. I thought after the talks from Dumbledore and Moody that they would have backed off."

"It wasn't too bad this time, professor. I had an ally."

"Yes, I heard. Your American Dursley. I guess the good branch emigrated to get away from the rest of them."

Molly Weasley asked, "Where is your friend Mike? We went to call you two down for breakfast but Tonks said you had both gone out."

"I went for a run and Mike tried to ambush me. No, no, I just meant to see if I was paying attention. He is almost as paranoid about paying attention to your surroundings as Professor Moody," Harry smiled.

"Well, somebody has to be" a voice came from behind Harry. Mike walked up to stand next to Harry in the doorway.

"I heard you come in the door a minute ago. I could here sounds outside a little clearer for a second." Harry grinned at his mentor. Harry then introduced Mike to Remus, whom was the only one Mike had not already met.

After a couple of minutes of chatting, Harry asked, "Where is Ferret-Boy? Did he wake up yet?"

"Funny you should allude to that incident. Mad Eye took him this morning to an Order safe house." Remus answered. "I am sure Draco will enjoy waking up to his company."

Harry snickered at the memory of the bouncing Malfoy weasel in his forth year. Of course, it was really Barty Crouch Jr. who transformed Draco, but it was still one of Harry's favorite memories.

"Harry, dear. Why don't you go get cleaned up and I will get you breakfast." Molly rose and started shooing Harry towards the stairs.

Harry smiled and agreed. Thanking her, Harry turned and started to run up the stairs. Turning a corner at the top, Harry came to an abrupt stop just as he was about to run over Ginny.

Harry stopped and froze. The reality of Ginny was much stronger then his memories. The sight and the smell grabbed him and held him fast. After a moment, Ginny looked up at Harry. Her eyes had dark circles under them like she had been crying for a long time.

Ginny looked away and pushed past Harry. Standing against the wall, Harry called softly after her, "I am sorry if I hurt you Ginny"

Ginny turned and pinned Harry to the wall with a glare. She softly answered, "You are sorry? Sorry? Do you know what this has been like for me? Do you? You selfish little boy. Are you trying to protect me or protect yourself?"

Ginny moved up to stand directly in front of Harry. Now she no longer whispered, she bellowed. "YOU SAY THAT NOT DATING YOU WILL KEEP ME SAFE! THAT ANYONE CLOSE TO YOU IS A TARGET. WAS I DATING YOU MY FIRST YEAR WHEN TOM RIDDLE TOOK ME INTO THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS? WAS MY FATHER DATING YOU WHEN VOLDEMORT'S SNAKE BIT HIM? WAS DUMBLEDORE DATING YOU WHEN SNAPE MURDERED HIM? OR MADAM BONES WHEN THE DEATH EATERS KILLED HER? IF YOU ARE GOING TO KEEP ME AWAY, AT LEAST BE HONEST! ADMIT IT IS TO PROTECT YOUR OWN FEELINGS AND INSECURITIES AND NOT TO PROTECT ME, YOU STUPID GIT! IF YOU ARE THE CHOSEN ONE THEN WE ARE ALL LOST! I'VE SEEN GARDEN GNOMES WITH MORE SENSE THEN YOU HAVE!" While Ginny was yelling she had walked right up to Harry so he was backed into the wall and almost one his toes. Finishing, Ginny deliberately turned her back on Harry and walked down the stairs leaving Harry to stand stunned after her.

Down stairs, Mike turned to Arthur Weasley and noted, "I know quite a few drill sergeants that young lady can give some lessons to." To which her father just smiled.

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