Changing of the Winds

Disclaimer: This story is all mine, but is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Ch. 6 Agitation

"Leave me alone, please! Just leave me alone!" Ginny Weasley sobbed as she burst into her bedroom and flung herself on the bed. She was furious, distraught, and resentful. Grimmauld Place was in turmoil. They had no details, but apparently Harry Potter had been abducted or had run away from his relatives' home. Professor Dumbledore had been coordinating search parties to get any evidence about what had occurred. He'd asked the Weasleys to return to Order headquarters, where Molly could function as contact, caregiver, and resident chef for those reporting in from their missions.

After days of investigation, nothing had surfaced about Harry ("the poor dear!" Molly had wept into her handkerchief when she'd heard the news). From what could be deduced from the reluctant reports of those unpleasant muggles, the Dursleys, Harry had seemingly disappeared into thin air. Ron had been suspicious, shouting at his parents, "You knew how much they hated him! They took away his wand at the beginning of each summer, he even had to leave Hedwig with us because he was afraid they'd hurt her! They probably killed him, and disposed of his body weeks ago!" The wary stillness that followed his outburst was telling: was it possible that the Order had already begun to ponder that very possibility?

It had all become too much for Ginny. Even days after Ron's outburst, she could see how much they had allowed the abuse to go on just because they were too squeamish to push Harry to talk about it. Exactly what had gone on in that muggle household? How could they have allowed it? How could she have allowed it? How could she, who felt such an emotional connection to the boy who had saved her life when she was just a first-year? How could she, who had grown up on stories of the Boy-Who-Lived and his triumph over the worst Dark Lord in ages? How could she allow them to ignore and mistreat Harry Potter? She had been at the breakfast table with her family when she suddenly felt overwhelmed, and tears erupting, she threw down her napkin and rushed upstairs.

"Ginny?" Molly knocked on the slightly opened door. "Oh, Honey, we'll find him, don't you worry!" She gathered her youngest to her ample bosom.

"Mom! Dad!" They heard Ron's voice, squeaking with alarm. Keeping her arm around Ginny, Molly dashed up the next flight of stairs to Ron's room. He was standing in the center of the room, eyes scanning the room madly, holding what appeared to be a letter, but it was on paper, not parchment.

Ron looked up, eyes shining. "It's a letter from Harry!"

--

Later that day, Severus Snape entered his chambers, dusty and exhausted from his search. As one of the members of the Order who had grown up among muggles, he'd been in charge of the groups that had been scrutinizing the neighborhood around Privet Drive and searching the muggle newspapers. He'd also been inconspicuously trying to check on muggle hospitals and other official institutions.

"What news, Severus?" He spun around, wand out. Lupin's head floated in the green flames of his fireplace. Relaxing slightly, he made the wolf wait while he took off his black cardigan and replaced it a lightweight summer robe. Then, finally taking pity on his floo-caller, who was gazing at him anxiously, he muttered, "None, I'm afraid."

"But, Severus," questioned Lupin, "Didn't the new tracking spells give you any more information?"

"What part of no news is difficult for you to grasp, Lupin?" Snape snarled.

"I'm sorry, Severus, I— " The concerned man's voice faltered at Snape's abrupt whirl around the room. "What's wrong Severus, shall I come through?" Lupin quickly asked, senses suddenly alerted.

Throwing up a hand to prevent further questions, Severus immediately saw what was out of place in his room. On his desk, nestled between his unfinished tea from the morning, and a stack of potions magazines waiting to be read, was a letter addressed to him, on what appeared to be high quality Muggle stationery. Casting detections that grew more and more powerful and dark at each negative response, he relaxed again, and turning to Lupin, asked harshly, "Was there anything else, Lupin?"

Taken aback, the other man took a calming breath, and then replied, "The headmaster has called an emergency meeting. You're to come to headquarters in—" he glanced away, behind him, then turned back to face Severus, "two hours."

Severus groaned, "I've just been searching for fourteen hours; are you certain my presence is absolutely necessary?"

With a small, worried smile, Lupin answered, "He didn't say what the meeting is about, but he did seem a little calmer than he'd been over the last few days. I sense that it has something to do with Harry."

Jolted, Severus almost dropped to the hearth in relief. Was the boy alright? Wondering at his bewildering reaction, he hissed, "Well, if he's found the little ingrate, you'd think he'd say something so that those of us out scouring his neighborhood could stop wasting our time!"

"Severus, I really appreciate your efforts—"

"Enough, Lupin! I will be there. If you don't mind, and even if you do, I have only a couple of hours to myself, and I'd rather not squander them with you. Good day!" Spinning on his heel, he strode towards his desk, ignoring the faint farewell before the floo died out.

Snatching up the letter, he let his mind mull over the vaguely familiar handwriting as he began to read.

Dear Professor Snape,

Please, don't burn this yet! I wanted to write because I'd been meaning to tell you something for awhile now, but was too cowardly to do it properly. I hope you continue to read at least for a moment or two.

I am very sorry that I violated your privacy by looking into your pensieve memories. It was horribly disrespectful, and while I can tell you why I did it, I know that there is no excuse for it. I simply wanted to let you know what was in my head (yes, there was something in it, surprise!) when I did it.

I thought that there was something in it that had to do with the Dark Lord and whatever the Order was guarding. I saw upon entering the memory that I was wrong, but then I saw my father. I don't remember him from when I was a baby, and only had a few pictures, so I have to admit that I stayed to just watch him a bit longer. I was appalled at his and Sirius' treatment of you! I have suffered from bullying, too, and what they did was inexcusable. I can only offer my apologies for their offensive behavior, and tell you that I've never shared what I saw with anyone. I realize that apologies don't change the events, but they're all I have to give to you.

At any rate, if you've even read this far, I thank you for allowing me this opportunity again to beg your pardon.

Sincerely,

Harry Potter

Severus dropped into his wingback chair, astonished. That was certainly unexpected! He slipped his wand out of his sleeve, and tapping it on his cup, reheated the left-over tea. Sipping the steaming liquid, he sneered at the letter. From Lupin's response, it seemed that Dumbledore also received a letter from the brat. Hopefully, that missive detailed the little horror's whereabouts, as his was certainly not forthcoming in that area. What it did say, however, was unquestionably thought-provoking. If it was to be taken at face value, it seemed as if the wretched boy had actually spent a little time thinking about someone other than himself. Well, he would see.

Severus smiled sardonically. At any rate, the upcoming Order meeting should, without doubt, prove interesting.

--

"Hi, Honey, there's a letter here for you." Hermione looked up from the book she'd been reading. She didn't have her results yet from her OWLS, but she knew which classes she wanted to take, so she thought she'd do a little 'light reading.' She took the letter from her father, noting it was written on paper, not parchment, but the handwriting was Harry's. What was he doing, writing to her, when he was supposed to be incommunicado? She sighed, then asked, "Is his owl still here? I could send a quick reply."

"There was no owl, honey, or at least I didn't see one, it was just inside our mail slot." Her father smiled and headed out of her bedroom.

She beamed at Harry's messy scrawl, and opened the letter.

Dear Hermione,

How are you? I know that we weren't supposed to be in contact, but I found a secure way to get a letter to you, and I needed to let you know what's going on in my life right now.

First of all, now don't panic, but I'm not at Privet Drive anymore. I know, I know, I am supposed to be safe here, but I wasn't. Do you remember how the Dursleys have always not really treated me well? Well, for the past two years, the only way I could ensure that I got enough food, or that they wouldn't lock me up (at least when I wasn't doing all the house and yard work they had for me) was to threaten them with my crazed, escaped-convict godfather. Apparently, Professor Dumbledore had sent them a letter saying he had died, and that I was to have no contact with anyone all summer. They then knew that I had nothing to keep them from mistreating me again. I don't really want to get into details, but between the work, the fact that they didn't feed me well, and well, other things, I was in pretty bad shape very early into the holidays. That all changed after I was rescued by the most amazing people!

I am sure you remember the school year I had? Well, between my conflicts with the Ministry, my Quidditch ban, the visions from Voldemort, my abortive Occlumency lessons, Umbridge, and Cedric's and Sirius' deaths, this had been a horrifically stressful year. I realize now that I've been depressed pretty much all year, but it reached a new level after the Ministry debacle and a pretty unnerving talk with the Headmaster immediately after. That, combined with my mistreatment by the Dursleys, contributed to my sense of hopelessness, and I had pretty much given up.

Well, I found out that some people had been checking up on me each summer. An incredibly perceptive, kind woman and her brother knew a little about my situation at the Dursleys, but they tended to be unwilling to interfere in other people's affairs. However, when she realized how deep my depression was, she made her presence known to me, decided that I really needed to get away from there,and brought me to her home.

It's important that you understand it's really safe for me here. Their home is unplottable and the wards are stronger than the blood wards at Privet Drive, and even those of Grimmauld Place or Hogwarts. I know for a fact that the security here is unassailable. I recognize that Professor Dumbledore will not like it (you may tell him if you want), but frankly, this is a much more healthy place for me than anything he has devised, so I'm quite content. This is where I need to be right now, so this is where I'll stay until I feel ready to tackle the pressures of being the Boy-Who-Lived again.

Since I've been here, I've gotten stronger both physically and emotionally. My rescuers/guardians have been wonderful! They have been a combination of psychologists, teachers, friends, trainers, advocates, and parents. It's incredible how they have begun to reverse some of my years of insufficient nutrition and physical mistreatment and most importantly, they've been so helpful in helping me deal with a lot of emotional issues. I feel almost like a new person!

You'll also be happy to hear that I've not been neglecting my studies. They made me realize how much I've missed over the years both because of my laziness and lack of background in the Wizarding world. At any rate, I've been revising my old lessons. Since I can't receive any owls here, I won't get my results from my exams, but at least I can get better at what I should have learned over the past five years! My guardians got copies of my old schoolbooks in New York City, plus some wonderful new resources that really help me to understand things I'd never given much thought to before, like how magic actually works, or how various preparations make a difference in potions. Yes, I recognize that you are probably rolling your eyes right now, but well, it was an eye opener for me! (smile)

As you probably deduced from where we shopped for books, I am not in Great Britain. My guardian's home is a lush, idyllic (and unplottable, etc) island in the Caribbean. Every day I am surrounded by the most incredible birds and animals, richly forested landscape, and charming, happy people. It is like a paradise vacation every day! I tell you all of this because I want you to know that while I am still mourning Sirius, I am also happier than I've ever imagined I could be in my life.

Anyway, I know that you are obsessing over your OWLS results, if you haven't yet gotten them, and I know as well that you excelled at all of your exams. I will have to wait until I return, as I'd mentioned that no letters can make it through the security here right now. At any rate, I know this coming year will be a much better one for me, and I'm really looking forward to getting back to Hogwarts with my new work ethic and new attitude!

I hope you're enjoying your summer, and I can hardly wait to see you at Hogwarts!

Your friend,

Harry

Hermione held the letter close to her chest, smiling at the new Harry she sensed from his correspondence. Then, she froze as the rest of his message hit her, hard.

Oh Merlin, What is he thinking? Who are these people that he'd gone off with? What did he mean about the Dursleys' 'mistreatment,' has he been abused? And what about he'd 'given up?' Had he been suicidal?

Her thoughts spinning around her head, she paused and took a long, deep breath. How could she alert someone to Harry's absence from Privet Drive? The owl bringing her subscription to the Daily Prophet wouldn't come until morning, and someone needed to know as soon as possible. She hated not being able to contact wizarding people easily. She stopped for another deep breath. Ok, so she couldn't get to Hogwarts to speak to Professor Dumbledore, but she could get to Grimmauld Place, and they could floo the headmaster from there. "Mom!" She called out, "Mom, I need to get to London, it's an emergency. Where's the train schedule?"

--

Dear Ron,

How are you? I know that we weren't supposed to be in contact, but I know that this is safe, and I wanted to let you know what's going on with me right now.

First of all, I'm not at Privet Drive anymore. You know what a horrible year I had at school, and when I came back to the Dursleys' they were even worse than in the past. I was really depressed, starving, and exhausted, and just when I couldn't take it anymore, I was rescued!

A really kind woman and her brother had been checking up on me each summer. They knew a little about the situation at the Dursleys, but were unwilling to interfere in other people's affairs, until they realized how bad off I was, and that I really needed to get away from there.

Well, she came to visit me at Privet Drive, and realized that I was so tired of it all that I wouldn't have survived the summer, so she brought me to her home. Before you panic, I need to say that it is really safe for me here. They both want only for me to get healthy again, so I have nothing to fear from them, their home is unplottable and the wards are stronger than even Grimmauld Place or Hogwarts. No one can reach me here, so please don't worry (and tell your mom not to worry, either!). I know Professor Dumbledore will not like it, but that can't be helped. This is where I need to be right now, so this is where I'll stay until I feel ready to tackle the Wizarding world and all its pressures again.

Since I've been here, I've gained almost a stone, I've been running and working out every day, so most of it is muscle, though I've been also taking nutritional drinks that are similar to potions (though they taste much better), so I think I may have grown taller just a little, too! I feel so much more healthy than I can ever remember and I also feel happier—I've really had time to think about some of the difficult things in my past, and begun to deal with them, and I tell you I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders!

Well, enough about me—I hope your summer has been going well, and you've been flying—Gryffindor will need its Keeper to be sharp next year! Please, give my love to your family.

Harry

Albus Dumbledore reread the letter for what seemed the hundredth time as the last few stragglers came into the dark, shabby room that served as the meeting space for the Order of the Phoenix. The room was filled to bursting with the people involved in the search for the Boy-Who-Lived. There were mutters, nervous glances at the front of the room, whispered deliberations on the purpose of the meeting, but seeing their head sitting so calmly, there was actually less apprehension than at previous meetings.

Finally, seeing Severus, who never spent anymore time than was necessary at Grimmauld Place, enter, Dumbledore cleared his throat, and began. "Young Ron Weasley has received a letter from Harry Potter." Immediately, voices broke out, "Where is he?" "What happened?" "Was it You-Know-Who?"

When the noise did not die out, he held up a wizened hand and continued. "He was taken from Privet Drive by unknown persons, but it appears that he has not been harmed, and in fact, has been treated well. We do not right now know his location, but it is only a matter of time before we can retrieve him."

"What do you mean unknown persons? How do we know they really mean him no harm?" Lupin's voice, though quiet, cut through the latest set of murmurings.

"At the risk of agreeing with the wolf," Severus interjected, his intimidating voice a stark contrast to the gentle quality of Lupin's, "the reckless imbecile has absolutely no ability at judging other people. He would probably go with anyone who buoyed up his arrogant self-image!"

"I have indications from his letter that these people have watched out for him in the past," Dumbledore began, "And—"

"Then why don't we know about them, if they are acquaintances?" He was interrupted by Molly Weasley this time.

"We have to recognize that there was much about Harry's home life that we didn't know." Dumbledore noted, sadly.

"Headmaster," Again, Severus' dark baritone pierced the uncomfortable murmurs that permeated the room. "Anyone could have positioned themselves in the miscreant's neighborhood, slowly gaining his trust, for just this type of abduction. How else would they get him past the wards?"

"Very good point, Severus, we cannot assume that though expressing kind sentiments to young Harry, they did not have ulterior motives. That leads me to ask if you have heard anything at all from your last few meetings that would, perhaps in hindsight, give you reason to suspect this to be the actions of Voldemort?" He gazed at Severus, while noting with disappointment that most of the people in the room still shuddered at hearing the dreaded name.

"I have obviously not heard anything directly, and I believe that if something this important was in the planning stages, there would have been some excitement around the Dark Lord's circles. There has been absolutely nothing. In fact, as I'd noted before, he'd mentioned that he no longer can feel Potter's presence through the curse scar. He knows nothing about Potter's whereabouts.

"On another note, Headmaster," Severus continued, "What was the manner of delivery of Weasley's message from Potter?" Everyone turned to Molly and Arthur, who seemed bewildered by the question. They shrugged at each other quickly, then Molly answered, "We didn't ask, Severus, we just assumed that it was delivered by owl. Why?"

"Did you take the letter from the owl, or see one drop the letter?" He continued, implacably.

"No…."

"What is this about, Snape?" The harshly grating voice of Alastor Moody cut in.

"I received a letter from Potter as well, at approximately the same time as Weasley, it seems." There were sharp glances, and the volume of the muttering increased markedly. "I found it in my warded, sealed chambers, into which even a gnat couldn't slip, yet there it was on my desk. I am curious about the power of someone who can get into Hogwarts, and my quarters in the dungeons, undetected." Severus drawled silkily.

Dumbledore seemed disconcerted. He gazed before him, thinking rapidly, then asked, seemingly to keep the conversation going while he absorbed this information, "What was in your letter from young Harry, Severus?"

"He was apologizing for the actions which led to the end of his extra lessons." Not everyone knew of, or would approve of Severus giving Potter Occlumency lessons, so the fewer people that knew about them, the better, in his view.

"Why, how mature of him!" Dumbledore's eyes positively twinkled. "Perhaps we shall see a new young man when he returns to Hogwarts this fall!"

"If he returns to Hogwarts!" Molly cried out. "What did you mean about this person being powerful? What could they want with poor Harry?"

The murmurings peaked as voices rang out with demands for more information, shouting out suggestions for tracking the boy, and just generally adding more emotions to the melee. Severus sat back, observing, but not participating in the various debates. It appeared a large number wanted to alert the Ministry, to call upon the Aurors to help search, while others, glancing towards his shadowed corner, reminded everyone of his reports on Death Eaters infiltration of the Ministry offices. Moody argued that it would alert Voldemort to Harry's absence, while Molly felt that the Ministry could put a trace on Harry, at which point, Severus was unable to sit quietly any longer.

"If it is possible that you remember the process, perhaps you could use your brain before spewing such idiocy?" Severus sneered. "How exactly would the Ministry trace Potter? His wand is here, with his trunk and other worldly belongings." He was taken aback at the volume of the debate. Had no one realized what it meant that Potter had taken nothing with him? Were the simpletons that forgetful? His fuming was interrupted by a knock on the sitting room door, and one of the Weasley twins stuck in his head.

"Sorry to barge in, but Hermione Granger just took a train and a taxicab here to see you, Headmaster. She says that Harry is no longer in England!"

TBC