Tonks sat reading the Daily Prophet and wondering what was going on and why Remus needed her so much earlier than he had indicated. She had been getting ready to leave the Auror's office when Remus' patronus showed up telling her to come to Harry's straight away and to forget going by St. Mungos because Remus would stop by there after he was done with his meeting. I wonder who he is meeting with. It must be really important for him to leave Harry.
Tonks caught movement in her peripheral vision. Ahh…Harry is awake. Maybe he knows what's going on. "Wotcher Harry. Sleep well?"
"Hey Tonks. Weren't you here when I fell asleep? What time is it?" Harry asked as he stood up and stretched. "The last thing I remember is…Ginny. Was she here? Where is she? Tonks what's going on?"
Tonks stood up, walked to Harry and pushed him back onto the bed, "Its about half past six in the evening on Tuesday. From what I know you've been asleep since I left you this morning. And yes, Ginny was here briefly but how did you know? You were asleep when she got here and asleep when she left."
"I don't know how I know but I know she was here. I can feel it. She slept with me, didn't she? She lay on this bed and slept with me." Harry asked in a sheepish voice.
"Yes. We turned around and she had crawled into the bed with you and was immediately asleep. You were both sleeping so peacefully, we didn't have the heart to wake either of you. And before you ask, I don't know when she left. Also, I really don't know what's going on. I was at work when I got a message from Remus asking me to come stay with you so you wouldn't wake up and everyone was gone. He said he would try to be gone only an hour and if you woke I am to get your dinner from your aunt. She has made a chicken soup she says you like."
Harry stared at Tonks in disbelief, "Aunt Petunia made chicken soup for me? Why would she think I needed chicken soup? She's never made something I liked on purpose. Come on Tonks, you know more than you're telling me."
"Really I don't. After you failed to produce that second patronus this morning, Remus returned with Ginny. Before either of us could say 'Bob's your uncle' your aunt was pounding on the door and threatening Remus. Apparently she felt the house go cold and was convinced you'd been allowed to leave. Or that you were in some sort of danger. Remus showed her you were okay and she offered to make chicken soup for you and Remus, Ginny and I if we were still here. Then Remus sent me to the Weasley's asking them for a meeting at 8:00 tonight and he sealed the floo so no one else would disturb you two. That's all I know. You should know by now that I don't fancy keeping you kids in the dark. I think you're more likely to get into more trouble trying to figure out what's going on and if we just tell you up front then maybe we can head off some of the trouble. Now, since you're awake, I'll go down and get the soup from your aunt. What would you like to drink? I can get something from her or I can conjure you some butterbeer if you'd like."
"Ummm…I think I'd like some milk if she'll give it to you. They almost never let me drink something they have to buy at the store."
"Certainly. You'll have your chicken soup and milk if I have to milk a cow myself." And with a giggle Tonks was out the door and down the stairs all the while subtly changing her appearance to see if the muggles would even notice.
As soon as Tonks was out the door, Harry ran over to the fire, grabbed some floo powder and tried to go to Grimmuald Place. But nothing happened. Harry grabbed more floo powder and tried again, "Number 12 Grimmuald Place, London." Again nothing happened. What is the problem here. I said the name correctly. Why can't I get there. I know that's where there meeting. Harry didn't notice the door knob turn or see his aunt enter the room with Tonks close on her heels, "HARRY! What are you doing? You can't leave here. It's not safe" shouted aunt Petunia.
Tonks chuckled behind Petunia, "Don't worry, the floo is closed and Harry can't open it. He's not going anywhere without Remus. Harry you should know better. We aren't going to let you run off without knowing where you're going. Just sit down and eat your dinner. Remus will be here soon and I'm sure he will explain everything. Thank you Mrs. Dursley for bringing us dinner up here. I'm sure your husband will return to normal soon. He's just in shock. I guess he's never seen someone with a pig nose before."
Harry could have sworn he saw a small smile from his aunt, "That's fine Ms. Tonks. Just leave the dishes out in the hall. I don't think Vernon could stand another shock tonight. After all he had not recovered from finding out I made the chicken soup for Harry and not him and Duddley." Petunia quickly left Harry's room.
"What did you do Tonks?"
"Nothing. It seems that I had a pig nose when I got down stairs and your uncle didn't really appreciate my appearance." Tonks burst out laughing, "You should have seen his face. It would be worth doing it again just to see that face. But I'm sure Remus will get onto me later for doing that."
Harry chuckled, "You know, someone gave Duddley a pig tail just before my first year. I'm sure he was thinking you were going to give a nose to Duddley to match his tail."
Tonks gasped and renewed laughter spilled from her lips, "You're kidding. Oh now next time I have to have ears to match. Come one Harry, lets eat."
Tonks and Harry ate in companionable silence occasionally one of them would giggle and they both would begin laughing again. When they were finished with their dinner Tonks challenged Harry to a game of Wizard's Chess, "I don't think there is a chess set here. I don't have a set and I didn't see one in Professor Lupin's things."
"Harry you don't know Remus very well if you think he would travel with out a chess set. Besides, there is a very old looking one on the table by the fire."
"That wasn't here before. I wonder what charm Professor Lupin put on my room. That is the third time that something I've needed seems to have just appeared."
"Who cares. Lets play."
Tonks and Harry sat down and began their chess match. It soon became evident that Tonks was much better at chess that Harry, for she had him in checkmate inside of twenty minutes, "Harry, you're not paying attention. You have to look two or three moves ahead. Plan ahead. Explore your options. Harry? You alright? Harry?"
Harry was lost in thought and spoke softly, "She's hurting. Someone is hurting her. Not physically but emotionally, someone is in her head." Harry's head snapped up, "Tonks. We have to get to Ginny. She's in danger."
"Harry, what are you talking about? Ginny is at the Burrow with her family. I'm sure she's okay."
"NO, she's not. Please Tonks, find her. We have to help her." Harry looked at Tonks with pleading, searching eyes.
"Alright Harry. Get changed while I check the Burrow. Then go tell your aunt you are leaving with me so she doesn't have a fit."
Harry hurried and put his trainers on and then ran out of his room. Tonks unlocked the floo, took a bit of floo powder, kneeled on the fireplace hearth and stuck her head in the fire to talk to the Burrow. She felt her head spin on her shoulders and soon was looking at four redheaded men sitting around the table of the kitchen, "Wotcher guys. Can you get Ginny for me?"
Bill spoke up, "Sorry Tonks. She left with Remus about an hour ago. I don't know where she is."
Tonks looked worried about this news, "Okay Bill. Please send a message to McGonagall asking her to come to headquarters. And boys, stay here. Let your parents work this out." With a pop, Tonks head disappeared from the fire.
Ginny opened her eyes and was a bit disoriented from the aparation. She saw the grimy alleyway that ran behind Grimmuald Place. Lupin spoke softly, "Let's go. We don't want to be out in the open too long. Keep your wand out."
As they approached number 11 a large house began to squeeze itself between number 11 and number 13. The muggle homes on either side slid sideways to allow number 12 to appear without the muggles ever being the wiser. The music continued to boom forth from the windows of number 11 and the fight going on in number 13 never ceased. Remus and Ginny walked up to the door of number 12 Grimmuald Place and Remus put a hand to the snake shaped knocker. With his wand in his other hand he muttered the incantations to unlock the door. He guided Ginny inside and reminded her to take care of the troll leg umbrella stand and to be quiet in the hallway so as not to awake the portrait of Sirius' mother just in case she decided to start yelling again.. "Let's go down to the kitchen and make some tea while you tell me what's going on."
Ginny sat down at the table and began telling Lupin about her dream. Lupin listened without interrupting while making notes on piece of parchment he had pulled from a drawer in the kitchen. "So you're telling me you dreamt of Voldemort killing Draco Malfoy and you saw it from Voldemort's point of view?"
"Yes sir. I also saw Snape. He is with Voldemort and is just waiting for enough time to pass since Dumbledore's death so he can tell Voldemort where the headquarters are. I heard him tell Voldemort that ten days after a secret keeper's death, the charm ceases to function and anyone could tell the whereabouts of the secret. Is that true sir?"
Remus wrote that information down as well and looked Ginny in the eye, "I'm not sure. We will have to ask Professor Flitwick. He will know. So tell me, why do you think you are having these dreams of Voldemort?"
"I don't know sir. Could it be some leftover connection from that diary? I would have dreams during that time, too. But why am I having dreams of what's going on now? I mean Voldemort didn't look anything like Tom Riddle did and I never had a dream from his point of view." Ginny said thoughtfully. "Professor Lupin, I'm scared. I don't feel right. It's like my energy is draining as we speak." Ginny buried her head in the crook of her arm on the table and began to weep. "I just seem to cry all the time and I don't really know why. I just hurt and ache. It's never been like this before. I've had injuries before. I mean I grew up with six brothers and I play Quidditch. But I've never had pain like this before. The only time I have felt even a little better is when I woke up from my nap this morning. But it didn't last for long."
Neither Remus nor Ginny noticed the arrival of her parents in the kitchen till they heard Molly sob, "Oh, Ginny dear. I'm so sorry. Honey I had no idea you were having so many problems. We'll take you straight to St. Mungos as soon as we have our talk with Remus. Why don't you go lay down in the parlor? I'll start a fire in the grate and conjure you some hot chocolate. You just go rest." Molly ushered her daughter out the door of the kitchen.
Arthur walked over to the stove to reheat the tea kettle. "Molly will want something to drink while we talk. I'll make some tea and slip a little something in it. She has been too stressed lately. A bit of Ogden's finest should help mellow her out."
Remus chuckled at Arthur's 'handling' of his wife. "Just make sure she doesn't catch you."
"Not likely. I've been doing this for too long." Arthur put the finishing touches on three mugs of tea and sat a tin of Molly's biscuits on the table. He handed Remus one of the unspiked mugs and kept the other for himself. He sat Molly's 'special' tea on the table as he and Remus sat down to wait for her to finish fussing over Ginny. "Tell me Remus. Is it what we suspect?"
"Let's wait for Molly. But I will tell you we don't know enough about any of this to make any certain claims. We can only make assumptions and I don't like the odds with assumptions." Both men sat in quiet contemplation waiting for Molly to return.
They didn't have long to wait. Molly bustled back into the kitchen clucking her tongue, "She's exhausted. I wish she would let me give her a potion or at least some tea. But she's stubborn. She insists this will pass soon and she doesn't like the way she feels after she wakes when she has taken a potion." Molly sat down at the table in front of the last mug of tea. "Did Arthur 'fix' my tea?" she asked Remus with a twinkle in here eye, "You know he's been doing that for years. I know he cares, but I wish he'd get a better brand of firewhisky. Ogden's isn't my favorite, you know."
Remus laughed into his tea mug and listened to Arthur try to backpedal, "Molly, dear, I've never..." At least he had the decency to blush under the scrutiny of his wife.
"Humph" Molly turned to Remus, "Okay. What's going on with the kids? I know neither has slept well. Albus suspected there was some sort of connection but we didn't have time to get into what it could mean. I assume you have been looking into the possible meanings?"
Remus nodded, "Yes. I finally got around to the last book Albus gave me on the subject. And I don't mind telling you, I don't like what it says. You've both heard of a Fated couple?" Lupin continued when he received an affirmative nod from both Molly and Arthur. "A Fated couple most likely will never meet. The odds are just too high. However, if they do meet, and are together and remain together of their own free will, their powers will grow exponentially. There is probably nothing they can't do together. However, if they do not remain together and part ways forever, they will quickly loose all magical ability. I believe this is what we are dealing with. The book speaks of physical ailments the couple will suffer and of nightmares. Both Ginny and Harry have had problems with their magic since they left school. I know Harry has had nightmares and today Ginny told me of a nightmare she has had. She has also told me of the pain she has been experiencing. I think Harry has had these pains, also however he hasn't told anyone about them. But I do know he has had a significant loss in power. His aunt is able to feel the difference in the atmosphere in her home when Harry is there. When he tried to produce a second patronus this morning and failed, she immediately felt the reduction in the atmosphere and assumed I had let Harry leave the house. She only calmed down once she saw Harry sleeping on the bed. When Tonks and I were looking the other way, Ginny crawled onto the bed and feel asleep. She has told me that she felt better after that nap but her feeling better did not last. Then she had this dream." Lupin retold Ginny's story to Molly and Arthur. As they sat listening captivated that their little girl could be seeing what is going on inside Voldemort's head, Tonks came storming through the door.
"I need some help in the parlor with Ginny." And she turned on her heal and strode back out. The three sat there, momentarily stunned at the unexpected sight of Tonks in the kitchen. As one, they jumped up and ran out the door and up to the parlor.
As they entered they heard Harry murmuring to Ginny, "Let it go. Come on. Come back to us Ginny. They can't hurt you while I'm here."
The four adults were stunned at the tenderness in Harry's voice and on his face. They saw him sitting on the couch where he had gathered Ginny's sleeping form into his lap and was stroking her hair.
Lupin was the first to speak up, "What's going on here? Tonks, why have you allowed Harry out of his aunt's house?"
"I don't know what exactly is going on, Remus. Harry and I were playing chess and he got this far off look on his face and then he grimaced like he was in pain. When I was able to get his attention he said Ginny was being hurt and that we had to get to her. When we got here Harry immediately came in here and found Ginny thrashing around on the sofa. He refused to leave and go get you all so I came down instead." Tonks looked at Remus "I'm sorry. I knew he would take off on his own if I didn't bring him here. I knew if we didn't find her here at least maybe you lot could keep him from doing something stupid." Tonks moved over to stand beside Remus. "Please, I didn't know what else to do. I sent a message but he was ready to go out the window if we didn't leave."
Remus looked down into Tonks face and knew she was feeling responsible for the danger Harry had been put in by bringing him here, "I know love. He would have left without you. You did what you had to. He can be exceedingly stubborn. He is, after all, James' son and Sirius' godson."
Molly finally found her feet and rushed over to the couch where Harry continued to hold Ginny. "What's happening to her? Harry. What's going on?"
"She'll be okay now, Mrs. Weasley. I heard her call to me. I'm not sure how but she said she was in pain. I just had to get to her." Harry looked up at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley with tears in his eyes. "I know it was a risk for me to leave the house, but I had to help Ginny. She's resting better now. Can I please stay with her? She needs me. She's told me she needs me to stay."
Mrs. Weasley looked up at her husband, "Oh Arthur. It's true isn't it? They really are…"
"Molly, we didn't finish our discussion." Remus interrupted her, "I really think we should before you go any farther. Let's leave them here. I think they will be okay for a few moments while we finish our discussion." Remus turned to Harry, "Stay here, please. We will be back in a minute. If something changes, yell, scream do anything to attract our attention but please do not leave the house, Harry."
Harry nodded and shifted into a more comfortable position on the couch. He looked down at Ginny's pale face and said, "We won't leave. I promise. Everything is fine, now. But are you going to tell me what you are talking about?"
Remus considered Harry briefly, "Harry. This involves Ginny and since she is still a minor, it has to be with the consent of her parents. I will tell you about your part in this later after Molly and Arthur have decided what they want to do."
Harry nodded at Lupin and looked back down at Ginny as the four adults left the room.
The kitchen door had barely swung closed before Molly rounded on Lupin, "You tell me right now why I couldn't say anything else back there. They need to know what is going on. We need to tell them, Remus. They need to be prepared." Turning to her husband, Molly cried into his shoulder, "Arthur they are too young for this."
Arthur patted his wife's back and led her to the table, "Sit love. Lets here the rest of what Remus has to say."
Arthur nodded at Lupin to continue, "This will only take a few minutes, but it is probably the most important part of it. If there is interference from out side the couple it could result in irreversible spell damage. They could lose their minds. We can not interfere. It has to be their decision. For tonight I suggest we take them back to Harry's aunt and uncle's. The wards are the strongest there and what ever is invading Ginny's mind probably can not get through there. I will stay with them tonight and Arthur can relieve me tomorrow after work. I think we need to try to keep them together as much as possible. If they truly are a Fated couple, they need to spend time together in order for them to regenerate their abilities and so they can begin to feel physically better. Together they should become much more stronger and able to face the few subtle hints we can give them."
Molly looked up at her husband, "What do you think Arthur? Should we let her go with Remus and Harry?"
Arthur removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes, "Molly, I don't think we have a choice. She's obviously not going to get well by herself at home. I'm sure Remus will take good care of her and we know Harry will. We can pop over and check on them tomorrow. Come on Molly. Let's go home and check on Bill." Arthur led his wife out the back door to where they could safely apparate.
Remus turned to Tonks, "Send a message to Kingsley, will ya? Tell him we are going to make a portkey to take the kids back." Remus picked up a teacup and carried it to the parlor.
Tonks soon joined him, "Kingsley will cover it. I'll come back with you and help settle Ginny. I don't thinks Molly or Arthur would appreciate either of you undressing Ginny."
Remus nodded, "Thanks." Turning he addressed Harry, "Harry, we are going to take a portkey back to your aunt and uncles' house. Tonks will come with us. Ginny is going to stay the night. When we get back there I want you to wake her up so you both can take some dreamless sleep draught. Luckily there was some left here and we won't need to go to St. Mungos right away. The portkey will activate in about one minute so hold on tight to Ginny, Harry. It's harder traveling by portkey while holding onto someone. I'm going to take one of her arms so we don't loose her."
Before he knew it Harry felt that familiar tug behind his navel and he was spinning through space. Harry landed heavily on the floor of his bedroom still clutching Ginny to his chest. Harry shook Ginny awake, "Ginny, love. Wake up. Remus wants you to take some sleep potion. It will help you rest."
Ginny opened her eyes and looked up to see a very concerned Harry above her, "Where am I? I was on the couch at headquarters and I called out to you in my sleep and then you were there. How did you get there Harry? And where are we now?"
"There is time for that in the morning, love. You're safe." Harry held a cup up to her, "Here, drink this. It tastes horrible but it helps." Ginny took the cup from Harry and looked at him warily.
"Am I staying here for the night?" Ginny asked.
"Yes. And you have to promise me you won't leave till we all wake up tomorrow and we can talk. I don't really know any more than you do. Remus is keeping a tight lip on this and hasn't told me anything. He is going to make me take some of that vile stuff to sleep, too."
Ginny nodded her head; "I'll stay till we talk" and she downed the potion in one gulp. Tonks came over and moved Harry out of the way and helped Ginny get ready for bed.
Harry crossed the room and addressed Lupin, "Professor, are we gong to be okay? I can't stand to see Ginny sick like this and I can't do much magic. And if I can't do magic then I can't protect her. Is the same thing wrong with her?"
Remus stood and placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, "Don't worry, Harry. It will be okay. Just rest tonight. I'll be here in the morning and Arthur will be here tomorrow afternoon. We will discuss this stuff in the morning. I'm afraid this will mean that your mum's trunk will have to wait till next week. That is if you want me to help you with it."
Harry looked up at Remus, stepped forward and gave the aging werewolf a one-armed hug, "I'd completely forgotten about the trunk. Of course I want to wait till you are here to open the trunk. It wouldn't be right to open it without you. I never said this to Sirius, but I wish I had and so I am making sure I get to say it to you, thanks for caring, Professor. You and Sirius, you guys were the family I never got to have. Thank you for everything." Harry turned away to go to the bathroom and change. He missed the tear slip down the werewolf's face.
"They will be alright, wont they Remus?" Tonks said pulling Remus into a bone-crushing hug. "I've grown fond of them both and I want to see them do well."
Remus nodded, "Yes. They will be fine. But it is going to take some work. Tonks, do you want to stay here tonight? I'm really tired and I could use another pair of eyes to watch these two."
Harry came back from the restroom, "Professor, where do I sleep?"
"Harry, it's okay. Ginny is asleep. Go ahead and climb into bed with her. I don't think I can enlarge the room any more to fit another bed. You can sleep on top of the sheet and still be covered by the quilt. Tonks is going to stay, also. We're not going to set an alarm or anything because I want you to sleep as late as possible. Now, I am going to go down and let your aunt know you are back."
"That's okay…she knows already. She was pacing in the hall when I went to the loo. She said she felt the change when I came back and wanted to check on me. It still unnerves me the way she's acting." Harry shook his head and moved over to the bed and got under the quilt. Remus handed him the dreamless sleep draught. Harry downed it with a grimace and lay down. Soon Harry was drifting off to sleep. Remus watched as he automatically reached out and pulled Ginny close.
Remus turned to Tonks, "I guess I'd better go back to headquarters and speak with Minerva. She wanted to be kept informed if anything like this should happen. I guess Dumbledore was talking about this with her as well. Watch over them for me, Nymphadora. I'll return as soon as I can." In a flash of green light, Remus was gone. Tonks walked over and took a t-shirt and pajama bottoms out of Remus' duffle and went to the bathroom to change, "If I'm going to stay here, I'm at least going to be comfortable" she muttered to herself.
