FOR GRANTED
Chapter 9: Breaking the News!
After relaxing a little – the three decided to go in. On their way they met Ginny and Gabrielle. "Hi, what are you two doing out here…?" Ron asked.
"I thought we should take a break from all the grownups so I dragged Ginny outside…" replied Gabrielle.
"Oh ok then … why don't you two join us…we were just headed inside, lets play something like exploding snaps or something…How about you Harry and Hermione"? Ron asked again…
"Sure…lets go in" Harry said this looking down trying to avoid Ginny.
Ginny who seemed to notice this also gave him a cold shoulder and said"No Ron! I have a better idea…I think I heard twins coming back so why don't we all team up and play quidditch, Gabrielle plays quidditch too…"
"Yes I do play quidditch…lets play – it will be a good break…" added Gabrielle.
"But Hermione can't play, she is not …" Harry looked at Hermione with a look to ask her to back him on it because he didn't really feel like playing with Ginny on the team.
Ginny cut him off…"Oh Hermione won't mind I am sure…we always had to force her in to playing anyway … sooo Hermione?" Ginny asked Hermione with a 'dare you to spoil this' look.
"No, Its fine by me, I don't mind! You guys go ahead…I will watch besides I have a book to read…" with that said Hermione went inside the house.
"Ok! That's settled then everyone…lets grab some brooms …" Ron said cheerfully.
Ginny was right, the twins had come. They immediately agreed to play and even asked Charlie but he decided to watch them all instead, just like Hermione.
While they were grabbing brooms, "Hey Harry, Moody wants to talk to you later…he will drop by after an hour or two along with some other order member" said Charlie.
"Any idea about what?" asked Harry.
"I guess you have some idea…" Charlie said with a knowing smile.
They six of them teamed up, Harry, Ginny and Fred on one side and on other it was Ron, Gabrielle and George. Hermione finally came out with holding a book in one hand and a walking stick in other…slightly limping; Charlie offered to take the book from her which she gladly handed over. He read the title "Advance Defensive spells and training programs", then he opened the first page where it said "A handbook for people who are interested in becoming Aurors; this book guarantees success" – Charlie looked up questioningly at Hermione who just gave him a nervous smile.
Charlie summoned a chair for Hermione and sat on the ground himself. He then handed the book over to Hermione, "Ron told me how much you like to read and I always assumed he meant novels...didn't know he meant these kinda books", Charlie said.
"Well sorry to disappoint you but yes these are the kind of books I read" replied Hermione.
"So I gather you are planning to become an auror?" Charlie asked her, at which she gave a nervous smile and said "you can say so!" This was the first time Hermione was having a conversation with Charlie or probably this seemed like the longest conversation the two ever had otherwise it was more of 'hello, hi how are you' sort of stuff.
Charlie then added "Hermione I never thanked you for stunning that death eater who was about to attack me."
"Oh it's no big deal! Anyone in my place would have done the same. I am sure you would've done the same for me." Hermione replied with a smile.
Charlie just thanked her again and silently in his mind said,"Yes… but nobody did! You had to save yourself"
The two of them started watching the game, where it seemed they were fighting over the score…both the teams looked at the Charlie and Hermione for some sort of answer but since neither of them were watching the game that attentively – they just shrugged. Every one groaned and decided to start from new.
After an hour of playing quidditch, they all decided to call it quits. When they got down from their brooms…Ginny slightly knocked her shoulders with Harry and walked ahead without looking back. This did not go unnoticed by Ron who mentally told himself to talk to Harry about it, he better not have hurt her.
When they went inside, Mrs. Weasley had laid out a lavish lunch for everyone. They all piled up their plates and went different places to sit. Meanwhile Moody finally made an appearance along with Prof. McGonagall and another man…who looked quite handsome with grey hair, tall and broad built, clean shave and wore black robes. Harry, Hermione and Ron exchanged a nervous look with each other. After the elders exchanged greetings…Mr. Weasley called Harry to come over.
"Harry, meet Philip J. Walker" introduced Mr. Weasley; who extended a hand with a warm smile towards him. Harry shook hands with him.
"How are you doing lad and how's Granger?" asked Moody.
"She is doing better now!" replied Harry.
"Well Harry lets cut to the chase, as you were told about Philip here, he is a retired auror, he had served the auror department for 20 years when I joined him, but we were always positioned at different places though. He was always on a move so I can't really tell you where he is from and last but not least he is a member of the order. He had been away from England on Dumbledore's orders and only came few days back" said Moody.
"Anyway we are here to ask you about your last trip with Dumbledore. Harry you have to tell us in order to destroy Lord Voldemort. Minerva already told me you refused to tell her but I am not here to take No for an answer…" said Moody in a stern tone.
Harry looked at everyone present in the room, Remus and Tonks had appeared too. Remus squeezed Harry's shoulder trying to comfort him.
"I didn't tell Prof. McGonagall anything because there was as such nothing to tell. I don't know where I was taken by Prof. Dumbledore, you see, I was blindfolded the entire time by him. He told me that I was not old enough to see what path we are taking – he said he didn't want me to see where we are going because he didn't want me to visit the same place again…he said something about my parents having a history there." Harry said all this with a calm voice.
"I know you are lying, boy…" said Moody.
"I am not … this is what really happened, then he used my hand to open some kind of door – which was the only reason he took me with him in the first place" … he then gulped some liquid that I don't know of and then I felt a heat erupting from the ground. I can't recall anything after that…then we returned. That's when he stunned me in order to protect me from death eaters …well you know the rest" Harry obviously didn't want to talk about the last part for he looked down as if trying not to picture the whole scene again.
"Why couldn't you tell me all this that day Mr. Potter" asked McGonagall.
"I didn't trust anyone at that moment. I doubted everyone and felt as if all the portraits in the room were eavesdropping on something they had no business in…I don't know what I was thinking…I was just confused." Harry replied with a voice full of emotion.
Philip who had been quiet all this time finally spoke, "so when you say you were blind folded I am sure you were not able to see anything but I am sure you can tell whether you two were on smooth road or had to climb or take a BOAT" he said the last part as if he knew something the others didn't and gave Harry a questioning look as if tell him that I know you are not telling the truth.
Harry hesitated a little and then said we had quite a climb and then Prof. Dumbledore apparated us to some place…" and Harry stopped talking.
"So did you later take a boat or not?" asked Philip again.
"Yes… yes we did!" replied Harry.
"Did you hear him casting a spell or two when you were on boat…or did you feel anything trying to attack the boat…" Philip asked in an ordering tone.
Harry looked him in the eyes and finally said "NO! I did not feel anything of the sort"
"What about a torch…did you have some sort of fire torch?" Philip held Harry's gaze.
"No, we could've lit our wands if we needed light" Harry replied with equal determination.
Harry felt very proud of himself for telling such great lies, infact coming up with them at the spur of the moment ("Well Done Harry" he mentally patted himself) and amazingly not at all guilty. ("I would make a great actor in muggle world "He thought)
Finally a long pause took place…others were all looking at the two as if they were talking Chinese. Let's leave Moody…I think this is all we will get from the boy. They all got up to leave…once they were outside the room while Harry remained inside…Philip turned back and made a hand shaking gesture towards Harry. Who returned the handshake but Philip held on to his hand…"It was nice meeting you Harry. You are exactly how Albus described you. I am almost as old as Albus, probably ten years younger…that's something I am sure you were not told." He said this as if trying to tell Harry that he knew more than Harry was letting on.
"Anyway Good Bye! Wish you lots of luck with your future" with that said Philip let go of Harry's hand and left.
Remus and Tonks remained while the rest of them left.
"We have to take you back to Dursleys tonight Harry…I know I said one more day but I guess this can't wait" McGonagall thinks its best for you. At this both Hermione and Ron moved towards Harry.
Harry looked at both of them beside him and felt really at ease, the uncomfortable feeling that he had after talking to the order was gone now. Hermione nudged Ron a little… who had been dreading this moment as how to go about getting permission from his parents without letting them know of their plans.
Finally Ron gathered some courage and asked, "Mum Dad…I was wondering if I could go with Harry to his place for sometime…"
At this everyone just started at the three…
"Well Hermione is also going…she got permission" – at which everyone turned towards Hermione…and she nodded. "Yes…yes I got permission to stay with him".
Mr. Weasley finally spoke…"I gather that this was all planned before Harry and Hermione came here?"
The three nodded very innocently.
"What about your aunt and Uncle, Harry – will they be OK with them coming over?" asked Mrs. Weasley.
"We will find out once we get there…" Harry replied sheepishly. "But I doubt they will have any problem. Dumbledore told them last year that this would be my last month with them so I don't think they will have much problem…" added Harry.
"So why did you plan to go to Harry's place", Remus asked very straight forwardly and suspiciously.
"We thought this would be our last year together and we just thought we should spend the last holidays together…" said Harry with genuine feelings and mentally reminding himself "yeah last holidays together…who knows where will fate take us". While thinking this he stole a look at Hermione who was looking at everyone waiting for their response.
"What do you think Molly…should we let him go?" Mr. Weasley asked
"Sure as long as those muggles don't kick them out…I am ok with it" – replied Molly.
"I guess those Dursleys need another talk…God I hate talking to them…"continued Remus.
"Hey don't you worry…I will talk to them with ya…Didn't you see how much they liked me the last time we met so I don't see any reason for them to refuse me" added Tonks.
At that everyone laughed. Ginny looked red enough to actually start a fire…she left for kitchen and slammed the door.
"Oh I think Ginny is just going to miss the company of you three so she is feeling a bit left out…give her time" said Mrs. Weasley explaining Ginny's actions
While Harry, Ron and Hermione looked beyond happy…they didn't know it would be so easy.
"You three better get packed…we have to leave at around 9pm, when its dark" said Remus. The three finally headed upstairs. Once they were up in Ron's room, Hermione told them that she was all set so she sat and watched the two. Ron who finally gathered some courage decided to ask Harry if there was anything wrong between him and Ginny – while packing.
Harry who had been dreading this moment…took a deep breath and finally said, "Ron I kind of broke up with Ginny at Dumbledore's funeral…"
Before he could continue…Ron immediately turned towards him and asked in an angry tone,"Why…why would you do that? … But Ginny told everyone the other day that you two were still going out..." Ron looked at Hermione to see what her reaction is. Seeing the look on Hermione's face, he continued, "You knew? You knew all this time didn't you? … Is that why Ginny is acting cold towards you Hermione…did you have anything…" As if some sort of revelation entered Ron's mind, "…you two are not together are you?"
At this Harry and Hermione both said "NO", "OFCOURSE NOT"
Harry finally told Ron the reason behind his breaking up with Ginny"……so you see I don't want to risk her life because she was my girlfriend…and I have no idea why she said we are still together"
Ron suddenly felt really embarrassed and apologized. "I am sorry…I am sorry about everything and jumping to assumptions like you two getting together…imagine that" he said the last part as if it was something funny.
Hermione and Harry both looked a bit irritated, "What made you even think that way Ron…why would I ever like Hermione in that way?" said Harry
Hermione kept quiet throughout this ordeal.
Ron and he shared a laugh over it while Hermione felt so hurt that she couldn't utter anything and started thinking, "yeah why would he ever like me! I had to practically drown myself for Ron to notice me and Harry…why would he even like me…look at the girls he's been after Cho and Ginny…beautiful girls…" while she was thinking all this…she noticed how both of them still found it funny and were snickering about it. She finally decided to get up…
"Where are you going?" asked Ron and Harry together
"I just think I need to recheck my packing and yeah Harry I think before we leave you should talk to Ginny", saying that she left. The hurt look though didn't go unnoticed by the two boys. They looked at it each other and it was Ron who asked "was it something we said? "
Harry then shrugged as if he was as clueless as Ron was. Harry knew he had to talk to Ginny and he dreaded it more than anything. Ron asked him what was Hermione talking about to which Harry said…"just to clear the air between the two of us…Hermione thinks the two of us should talk" … with that said .. he laid down on the bed with his legs dangling from the bed.
Author's Note: Sorry took long in submitting this chapter. I am kinda busy with exams and work so hardly finding time in between so next ones will be a little delayed too. Thanks again for the reviews : )