Chapter 9
Dinner Guests

Author's Note: Chronologically, this chapter will start a little while earlier than the previous chapter ended. Also, you may recognize a little bit of dialogue from the Deathly Hallows book, for example when it comes to the charm breaking around the Dursley's house. I am doing this in order to stay canon with the process.

(Harry's PoV)

"Hey! You! Boy!" a voice growled, "Get in here if you want your food!"

Harry jumped up, in surprise, as he saw his Uncle Vernon looking at him menacingly from the back door of Number Four Privet Drive. It was shortly after noon, and for the past couple of hours, he had been lounging in the hammock, reading through one of the Hogwarts textbooks, looking for any information on Horcruxes. Ever since he had sent Hedwig to the Burrow with a letter to Ginny, and she returned with empty talons, Harry had been out and about in the back yard of the house at different periods of the past couple of days waiting for Pigwidgeon or Errol to appear in the sky. But no owl post had come from Ginny. Nor had it come from Hermione, Ron, or any of the Order.

It was like two years ago all over again. Here he was, trapped at the Dursley's house all over again, with protection watching his every move, except that this time it was Hestia and Dedalus instead of Mundungus, Arabella Figg, or one of her many cats. He had only received two messages from his friends in the past six days he had been there, both coming from Hermione. He wondered why Ron hadn't sent him a message, and why Ginny hadn't replied to his. Were they both angry at him because of his break-up with Ginny?

"That better not be one of your ruddy, abnormal books you are reading!" Vernon said, "And why is that ruddy owl out of its cage?"

"She has every right to be out here as I do," Harry said.

"Watch your tone, boy!" Vernon growled, "If I had a right mind, I'd kick you out and let that Voltwort bloke have his way at you. Now get in here if you want lunch. Your Aunt has made this a special occasion, why she did it only the Queen knows! I better not hear any bickering about it from you either."

Harry trudged into the house with his Uncle. Aunt Petunia and Dudley were already sitting at the dining room table. Dudley looked rather mopey, and Harry soon came to realize why as he sat down. The television on the small table across the dining room, which was usually on during meal-times was turned off. Dudley reached across the table for a crescent roll from a basket, and Petunia smacked his hand.

"Not yet!" she said.

Dudley looked downtrodden at the act of physicality his mother had given him. Harry looked around the table. There were various kinds of food there: besides the crescent rolls, there was mashed potatoes, with a tureen of gravy near by; Carrots and peas mixed in one bowl; and on the counter, Harry spotted a large pudding. The timer on the oven beeped, and Petunia walked over to it. A minute later, she walked back over to the table carrying a large roast.

"All of this for a mid-day, mealtime?" Vernon asked, chuckling.

"Can't we have a nice meal for occasions other than dinner?" Aunt Petunia asked, narrowing her eyes at her husband as she sat down.

"Of course," Vernon said, "Let's begin."

"Not yet!" Aunt Petunia said, again.

"But we're all here," Vernon said, "Do you want us to say a prayer or something?"

Suddenly, the doorbell on the front of the house rang.

"Boy!" Vernon growled, "Get the door or no food for you!"

"Vernon!" Petunia said, in a scolding manner, then looked at Harry. "You just sit there, Harry. I'll get the door."

Harry and Uncle Vernon stared at Petunia as she stood up and walked out of the room. As Harry looked around the table, he suddenly realized that, along with Aunt Petunia's chair, there was a total of three chairs empty. Before Harry could get it through his head what was going on, Aunt Petunia returned to the dining room... and she wasn't alone. Hestia Jones and Dedalus Diggle were accompanying her. Dudley stared open-mouthed at the witch and wizard, and he looked how Harry felt. He would have never thought that Aunt Petunia would welcome Hestia and Dedalus into her home.

"What is the meaning of this, Petunia?" Vernon asked, getting to his feet.

"Mind your manners, Vernon," Petunia said, "They are our lunch guests. Earlier this morning, Mrs. Jones here said that she had something to say to all of us, and I invited her and Mr. Diggle for lunch. Please, Hestia and Dedalus, take a seat."

Hestia and Dedalus bowed slightly and sat down in the empty chairs near Harry as Vernon stared at them.

"Fill your plates everyone," Petunia said, sitting down, "There is enough for here for even second helpings."

Everyone was very silent for a few minutes as food was passed around and onto the plates.

"So, Hestia," Petunia said, in her best attempt at a polite voice, when the plates were filled. "Can I call you, Hestia?"

"Of course," Hestia said.

"I think we should get right to the center of the matter on your mind," Petunia said, "If you will."

"Yes," Hestia said, "As I'm sure you already know, the charm that was placed on this residence many years ago when Harry was but an infant, will expire at the end of next week when Harry turns seventeen years of age. It was in the original plan by colleagues of mine that Harry was to be escorted to the Weasley family residence on that day. Unfortunately, there has been a change of plans."

Harry stared at Hestia. What had changed?

"A former colleague of mine," Hestia said, "turned traitor when he betrayed us and murdered Albus Dumbledore."

"Murdered?" Aunt Petunia asked, looking from Hestia to Harry.

Harry frowned at his fork of mashed potatoes. He had not told the Dursleys what had happened to the late Headmaster. They were just aware that he had passed away.

"Yes," Hestia said, sadly, "Unfortunately, the traitor knew many secrets, including one of the most important: the secret of the charm placed around this house, and that its expiration date, if you will, will end on the day Harry turns seventeen. We believe this traitor is now in league with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."

"Who?" Vernon muttered.

"Voldemort," Harry said, without thinking.

Dedalus gave a sharp gasp and almost upended his glass of lemonade. Fortunately Hestia caught it in time.

"Speak not the name, my good man," Dedalus said to Harry.

"Sorry," Harry muttered.

"As I was saying," Hestia continued, unfazed by the interruption, "we now believe that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named now believes that Harry would be escorted to the Weasley residence on that date. So, unfortunately, as I said, we had to change our plans."

"Merlin, did we!" Dedalus exclaimed.

Hestia glanced sideways at her colleague, and Dedalus stared at his plate.

"The new plan is to break the charm on this house a different way," Hestia said.

She turned to Harry.

"Now, your mother's charm will only break under two conditions: when you come of age, or -" Hestia gestured around the house, "you no longer call this place home. You will soon be leaving in the full understanding that you're never going to live together with your relatives again, correct?"

Harry looked around at his aunt, uncle and cousin.

"Yeah," Harry said, easily.

"You bet you will!" Vernon grumbled.

"Vernon," Petunia muttered.

"So this time," Hestia said, "when you leave there will be no coming back, and the charm will break the moment you get out of its range. As I said, we're choosing to break it early, because the alternative is waiting for You-Know-Who to come and seize you the moment you turn seventeen."

"Good plan," Harry said.

He was about to ask when this was going to be taking place, when Hestia cut across him, turning to his relatives.

"Now," Hestia said, "The thought that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named could prance right up to this house on Harry's birthday is a very chilling thought. I'm sure it is the same for you as well, Mrs. Dursley."

"Yes," Petunia said, "You'll be here protecting us, right?"

Dedalus choked on his lemonade.

"Here?" he asked, "We're not going to be here! Oh, no, no, no!"

"But," Harry said, "I thought you were protecting my relatives long-term?"

"We are, Mr. Potter," Hestia said, "But not here – we would not survive against that kind of onslaught. And neither would your relatives."

"Now wait one moment!" Vernon said, "Are you saying what I think you are saying?"

"I am saying, Mr. Dursley," Hestia said, "That we are going to be moving you and your family to a safe-house for your protection."

"Excuse me?" Vernon asked. "Do you know how long I have lived in this house? Do you think I want to see this house blown to smithereens? Which it certainly would if you were not protecting it from a mad-man!"

"Mr. Dursley," Hestia said, "What do you care for more? Your house or the lives of yourself and your family?"

Vernon went red in the face and spluttered. He picked up a napkin under his silverware and dabbed his forehead with it.

"Precisely," Hestia said, "We could not protect you if you chose to stay here. We may have promised your nephew to be your escorts, but we would not risk our own lives so foolishly if you chose to do so."

"I'm sure my husband agrees with you," Petunia said, "I apologize for his manners."

"So let me get this straight," Harry said. "My relatives here are going to be escorted to a safe house. And I am going to get escorted by members of the Order to the Burrow."

"That is correct, Mr. Potter," Hestia said, before taking a bite of roast from the end of her fork.

"And... when is this taking place?" Harry asked.

Hestia stared at Harry for a moment, swallowing the piece of roast and dabbing her lips with her napkin.

"Tomorrow," she said simply.

-
(Ron's PoV)

"Tomorrow?" ejaculated Ron.

Ron, Hermione and Ginny were currently sitting at the long table in the Burrow's kitchen. It had been ten minutes since they were discovered eavesdropping on the staircase. In those ten minutes, they were brought up to date of all the information that had been decided on the subject of Harry's departure from Number Four Privet Drive. Each member of the Order had given their opinion on the matter. That is except for Mrs. Weasley, who had not said a word since she had discovered that her own children were eavesdropping on a supposedly secret Order meeting. The only movement she had done since Ron, Hermione and Ginny had arrived in the kitchen was grab the Extendable Ears from each of them and obliterate them into non-existence with her wand, and silently dare that they say one word of complaint.

"Yes, tomorrow," Mad-Eye said, "If we wait any longer, there is a chance that the mission would be compromised."

"There is already a chance it could be compromised, Alastor," Kingsley Shacklebolt stated.

"And we are all well prepared for that," Mad-Eye said.

"Not exactly," Remus said, "We still need more talent on this mission. I don't trust our numbers."

"I volunteer myself to take part in this mission," Ron said, immediately.

"Ronald!" Mrs. Weasley gasped, finally speaking up.

"If he's going, then I am," Hermione said.

"Hermione!" Mrs. Weasley gasped.

Ron looked at Hermione, who narrowed her eyes and silently dared him to object.

"No!" Mrs. Weasley said, "I refuse to accept!"

"They are of age, Molly," Mr. Weasley said.

"They have enough skill as well," Mad-Eye said, "We are all aware of that. I was going to suggest the two of them myself!"

"They are not members of the Order!" Mrs. Weasley cried, "Or is that rule suddenly terminated for the – the – the greater good?"

The whole room went silent. Mrs. Weasley stood up from her chair.

"I will not be a part of this meeting anymore," she said, harshly, "First my husband, and three of my sons are chosen to go on the mission, and now my youngest son and his friend who I care deeply for?"

Ron looked at Hermione, who blushed madly.

"You have all lost your common sense!" Mrs. Weasley cried out, banging her fists on the table, "I understand that this is all for Harry's safety, who we all care very deeply for, and know how important his safety is, but I want you all to consider what you are doing, and ask yourself if there is a different way! Come, Ginny, we will not be a part of this madness anymore!"

"But Mum, I -" Ginny began.

She immediately went silent as her mother walked past her, taking her hand and dragging her out of the kitchen. Ron, Hermione and the Order all exchanged glances at each other.

"Molly does bring up a good point," Kingsley said, and when many in attendance, including Ron and Hermione, opened their mouths to speak, he put up his hands to stop them. "I want you all to consider what we have agreed to do. If any of you wish to no longer be a part of this mission that will take place tomorrow evening, I want you to speak up now..."

Kingsley looked around the room for a moment.

"Or forever hold your peace," he finished.

Nobody in the kitchen spoke up, nor did they leave the room.

"We will all meet back here tomorrow afternoon to prepare for our trip to Surrey," Kingsley said, after a couple of minutes of silence. "Arthur, please be sure to contact Fred and George. Bill, I believe you volunteered your fiancee, if she accepts, for this mission as well?"

"Y-yes, sir," Bill said, though his voice faltered a moment.

"If you can get in contact with her," Kingsley said, "and give her a summary of future events, I would appreciate that."

"Of course," Bill said.

"Minerva?" Kingsley said.

"I will try to round up a volunteer or two of my own," Professor McGonagall said.

"We would all be most grateful, I am sure," Kingsley said. "Now, if you excuse me. I must be off to the Ministry. I am not going to inform them of what we are doing, but I am going to find a way to make sure the Obliviator Squad and the Muggle Protection Department are each aware of the possibility of their needed presence after this is all said and done... just in case."

Kingsley bowed in farewell and walked out of the house. Ron stood up and walked out of the kitchen. He went over to one of the large sofas and sat down on it. A moment later, Hermione sat down next to him. Ron glanced out of the corners of his eyes at her. She frowned and looked down at his hands.

"I know what you are going to say," she said.

"Then why did you do it?" Ron asked.

"He's our best friend, Ronald," Hermione said.

"I am aware of that," Ron said, "But you are -"

Ron glanced over shoulder at the remaining Order members in the kitchen. He and Hermione had agreed not to announce their new relationship at this moment in time. They did not want to impede on the Bill and Fleur's spotlight with their wedding. He turned back to Hermione.

"And you are my girlfriend," Ron said, lowering his voice to a whisper.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked. "So if I agreed not to go on this mission, and I asked you not to go because you're my boyfriend, would you agree to that?"

"Hermione -" Ron began.

"Oh, I see," Hermione said, "Because I am a girl, I should stay here with your Mum and Ginny while you are risking your life?"

"Do you not remember what I said yesterday?" Ron asked. "I'd die for you, Hermione. Do you not understand that? Do you really want me to be distracted on this mission of escorting Harry because I am too worried about your well-being instead?"

"I can protect myself," Hermione said.

"Didn't do very well when George surprised you, did you?" Ron asked.

"If you remember," Hermione said, "I was the one left standing after that happened."

"Because they had no intentions of killing you," Ron said, "It will be different in Surrey!"

"We're not even sure if we're going to get attacked while escorting Harry," Hermione said.

"I am not taking that chance, Hermione," Ron said, "And neither is anyone else in the Order."

"I'm going, Ronald!" Hermione said, "I'm doing this for Harry. You better get that through your thick skull!"

Before Ron could respond, Hermione stood up in a huff and headed up the stairwell. Ron sighed, stood up and followed Hermione up the stairs.

"I suppose I can't ask you not to go, am I right?" Remus' voice said.

Ron turned, thinking that Remus was talking to him.

"I'm going, Remus," Tonks said, "I'm an Auror, this is my job."

"But darling," Remus said, "The last time I checked you were -"

"I am fine!" Tonks said, "Besides, the last time I checked, you didn't care!"

"Dora!" Remus said, loudly.

Ron saw Tonks walk off in a huff past the stairwell and out through the back door of the house. She slammed the door behind her. Remus walked toward the door, and he turned and noticed Ron looking at him.

"You heard that, didn't you?" he asked.

"I – I – no," Ron lied.

Remus stared at Ron with raised eyebrows. A hint of a smile crossed his lips.

"Well, on the off-chance you did," Remus said, "I'd appreciate it if you kept this quiet. It is very personal between me and Dora, at the moment. I'm sure you'll understand it before too long. But for now -"

"It will be our little secret," Ron said, who, to be honest, had no idea what Remus was going on about.

"Thank you, Ron," Remus said, "I must be off. I will see you tomorrow."

"Right," Ron said.

Remus bowed slightly and walked out of the Burrow. Ron turned and headed up the stairs. When he arrived at Ginny's bedroom, he thought he could hear somebody crying. He frowned, knowing it was Hermione. He had upset her with his demands of her to remain at the Burrow. Knowing he would regret it, he tapped his knuckles on the door. A minute later, the door opened and Ginny stood there. Her eyes were puffy and red. Ron then realized that it hadn't been Hermione who was crying.

"Is Hermione in there?" Ron asked.

"No," Ginny said, "I don't know where she is."

"What's wrong?" Ron asked.

Ginny sniffled and, to Ron's surprise, she wrapped her arms around his middle in a hug.

"Why am I left out of everything?" she said, sobbing against Ron's chest.

"What do you mean?" Ron asked.

"Mum's making me stay here tomorrow," Ginny said, sniffling. "Apparently, I am not to leave her eyesight tomorrow when you leave to go to Harry's house."

"Ginny," Ron said, with a sigh, "You understand why that is, don't you?"

Ginny looked up at Ron, and narrowed her eyes at him.

"Don't you say it too," Ginny said, angrily, "I heard enough of it from Mum. I was a part of the Ministry battle a year and a half ago, and that skirmish at Hogwarts just days ago. Both where I had to duel Death Eaters. And I survived. So don't you dare think I wouldn't be of any help tomorrow."

"We're not even sure if we're going to get attacked while escorting Harry," Ron said, echoing Hermione's words from a few minutes ago.

"Don't give me that, Ronald," Ginny said, "The Order wouldn't have had such a big meeting if they thought there was no chance of danger."

"That's just it – there is a chance of danger," Ron said.

Ginny pushed off Ron.

"I knew you would say that!" she said, in a huff.

She walked back into her bedroom and slammed the door. Ron stared at the door for a moment, then when he couldn't figure out what to say to Ginny, he walked up the stairs toward his room. When he arrived, to his surprise, he found Hermione laying on his bed. She was staring at the ceiling directly above his bed. If he had not just been part of an argument with her, he would have been delighted to see her in his bed. Unfortunately, he knew she wasn't the least bit happy with him.

"What do you want?" Hermione asked.

"This is my bedroom, isn't it?" Ron replied.

Hermione sat up, and proceeded to stand up from the bed.

"Please don't leave," Ron said, "I didn't mean it like that."

Hermione sighed audibly and sat back down. Ron walked over to the bed and sat down next to her. He gently took her closest hand in his and moved his thumb over the back of her hand in a massaging manner. He looked up at Hermione, her gazing into her eyes. She returned his glance, and neither of them spoke for a minute.

"Ron, I need to go tomorrow," Hermione finally said. "If something happened in Surrey, and I wasn't there, I would never forgive myself. Especially if I wasn't there to protect you."

"I don't need -" Ron began.

Hermione cut him off with a brief peck to the lips.

"Yes," she said, staring into his eyes, "you do. Just as much as I need you to protect me. Just as much as Harry needs us to protect him, and we need him to protect us."

Ron's eyes moved from Hermione's to her lips, then to their linked hands.

"If you go," Ron said, "You have to be by my side at all times. No matter what happens."

"Would I ever leave your side?" Hermione asked, smiling.

"No," Ron said, "I suppose not."

Hermione kissed him softly on the lips again.

"No," she said, looking back up at his face, "I would not."

Ron smiled and kissed Hermione again. She chuckled against his lips and laid back against the bed, taking him with her. She allowed Ron, who was most surprised at this action, to venture his tongue between her lips, and he massaged it along her own. Only when neither of them could hardly breathe, did Ron back up and lay on his pillow beside her. Hermione cuddled up against him, her head on his chest, just under his chin.

"I love you, Hermione," Ron whispered sincerely.

Hermione did not respond immediately. She just inhaled and exhaled, her breath blowing across Ron's shirt.

"I love you too, Ron," she said, after a full minute.

Ron kissed Hermione on the top of her head, and they just laid in each other's arms, their minds full to the brim of the events that would happen the next day.

-
Ah, I love this chapter. So many parts of this chapter just came to me suddenly, for example Hestia and Dedalus as guests allowed to dine with Harry and the Dursleys. Molly's outrage came to me as I wrote it, and it even shocked me!

Hmmm, Remus and Tonks having a lover's quarrel... what could that be all about? Oh, and before someone asks, no, they aren't married yet, like they were at this time in the actual book. I have my ideas for the two of them, however, and you'll soon find out part of it in a few chapters.

Hopefully I can get the next chapter up today. I'm not sure. I want it to be perfect, and perfection takes a while to complete. I hope you loved this chapter as much as I did!