Disclaimer: Harry Potter and any and all official related material is the property of J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 12

Ron and Hermione stood staring at the Potter s, unable to form coherent thought. The remaining Weasley children were equally speechless, and could only gaze in utter shock at the two previously unknown persons sitting at the table in Sirius's kitchen. It was several minutes before any of them could so much as rasp out a syllable, by which time several other people had arrived and gone through their own shock and awe routines.

The group sitting at the table were soon joined by Alastor Moody, who had needed to be restrained by Dumbledore for several minutes by means of a Total Body Bind Jinx,a dn who still kept his magical artificial eye flicking back and forth between James and Lily; Kingsley Shacklebolt, who's solem expression was betrayed by the shock in his widened eyes; Dedalus Diggle, who had begun dropping his hat every couple of minutes; and several others that the teenagers had yet to be introduced to. The young woman with brightly colored hair, whom Hermione had introduced as Tonks, was gazing at the Potters with a rapt expression of wonder and awe.

When Ron could finally talk again, he found himself at a loss. What did one say to the formerly dead parents of one's best mate? Hell, what did one say to one's best mate when said mate found out? Ron blanched. A frightening thought had just run through his mind: What was Harry going to do when he found out? And who was going to tell him? Ron spun to face Hermione. The terrified look on her face conveyed that something similar was playing through her head.

"H… Hermione, has… anyone… told Harry yet? About his parents, I mean?"

"Ooh, Ron, I don't know. I mean, if he had been told, I think he would already be here." Hermione looked about nervously, as if trying to see if Harry had hidden himself in a corner and not chosen to show himself yet.

At that moment, Dumbledore choose to raise his voice from the whispers that had comprised the conversation at the kitchen table. "Very well, now that it seems that everyone's curiosity has been satisfied, and their suspicions allayed," the headmaster threw a quick, annoyed look at Mad-Eye Moody, who managed to look slightly shamefaced, "I believe we need to discuss the retrieval of the last person of whom this matter should concern."

Dumbledore let his gaze drift around those seated at the table. "At this time, I would like to ask for volunteers for the task of retrieving Harry Potter from Number 4, Privet Drive, in Little Whinging, Surry, where he is currently residing." There was a multitude of scraping and creaking of chairs as everyone seated at the table stood up. Dumbledore let out a soft sigh, though his eyes still twinkled with gratitude. "I see. Well then, I propose that Alastor, Remus, Kingsley, Nymphadora," Tonks cringed at the name; "Sturgis, Elphias, Hestia, Emaline, and Dedalus go and fetch Harry."

There was an immediate uproar from Sirius, James, and Lily.

"Come now, Dumbledore!"

"He's my son. Why can't I…"

"Please, Albus."

The headmaster's calm but commanding voice swiftly overrode their objections. "Sirius, you know perfectly well why you may not leave the house, and I will not remind you again. James, Lily, please calm down and think for a moment. How would it seem if two supposedly deceased individuals should turn up at the Dursley's to pick up someone who has had so many close encounters with a person as dangerous as Lord Voldemort? Since the beginning of this past June, Harry has become very proficient in quite a number of defensive spells, and I would not like to see the two of you hexed by your own son."

Though both Sirius and James returned to their seats, their faces dark and expressions sullen, Lily remained on her feet.

"Ablus," she pleaded, "please. He's my son."

Dumbledore looked into her eyes, his own filled with both a deep understanding and an iron resolution. "No Lily, I don't think that it would be wise. Harry's meeting with two of you, his parents, whom he still believes to be dead, must be carefully controlled so as not cause any accidents. It would be best if he met you here, in the company of those he is most comfortable with, such as the Weasley's and myself." He gestured around the room to both of Ron's parents, as well as the children standing near the fireplace.

Lily lowered her gaze and resumed her seat as those who had been given the task of retrieving Harry made their way into the front hall, their hands on the brooms which Dumbledore had conjured with a flick of his wand, saying, "The Floo Network is likely being watched by Voldemort's supporters in the Ministry. Brooms are currently the safest means for Harry to travel by. Remember to stay out of sight, and we will expect you back tonight."

Ron cast a glance at a nearby window, and could see dawn lighting up the horizon.

As the retrieval team left, Sirius gestured towards Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred, and George. "Come on, you lot, have a seat, and I'll see about getting you something to eat."

Mrs. Weasley rose to her feet. "Here, Sirius, let me tend to that, and you can see about trying to find something clean for James and Lily to wear. I'm sure they would rather like to get out of those nasty old rags." The Potters looked down at themselves, remembering that they were still wearing the funeral dress robes they had been buried in, as the children sat down and steeled themselves for the awkward first conversation with their friend's dead parents.

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