Disclaimer: Harry Potter and the Stoned Rowling.

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Feathers, Fangs and Flames

Chapter XXXVIII

Shaken

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"Can Ron and Hermione come in?" Harry asked, after Dumbledore had finished yet another complicated round of spells. "I don't think it's even possible to change now, after the full moon has completely passed. Even the wolf is calmer than before. It's like he had been in control too much and he's tired."

"Yet, at the very same time-" Dumbledore sighed. "It shouldn't have been possible for you to stay a wolf for such a long time, too. Now, we must take even the improbable into account when trying to predict the future."

"I don't feel any different, if that helps," Harry added. "Just – I think I spent too much time asleep, my sides ache."

"Be patient, Harry," Remus urged. "They waited for quite some time now; they can wait another couple of minutes."

"Or we could let your friends inside now." Albus smiled. "I could not find anything out of the expected norms yet, thus, we should be able to allow ourselves a short conversation with friend before moving on to other matters. It is not like we cannot spare a moment, and friends are, of course, a matter of utmost importance." The headmaster waved at the entrance, the door opening silently, letting in the faint scents of food and parchment.

"Please do come in. Miss Granger, mister Weasley."

"Harry?" Ron and Hermione half shouted and half asked almost at the same time, rushing into the classroom. They looked tired, like they hadn't gotten much sleep, yet, at the very same time, relieved upon being asked inside.

"Hey," Harry greeted, jumping up from one of the tables, with a drop of faked merriment. "How have you been?"

"Honestly," Hermione said. "We're supposed to be the ones asking you."

"I don't really have much to say," Harry shrugged, his eyes clouding with pain in moments. "Voldemort attacked me with renewed power, since he, somehow, came back. He won, in a way, and I changed into a wolf. Dumbledore's Portkey took me and Cho here - and - I couldn't hold myself properly -" There was a dark shadow pooling in Harry's eyes, as he paused. "Dumbledore was aware of the possibility and she's uninjured. I just reverted back - don't know much else."

There was a short pause, as Ron was gaping at Harry's summary.

"She hates me now, doesn't she?" Harry asked with bitterness echoing in his voice. "I almost killed her. I don't even remember what exactly happened - it's all too messed up in my mind. Especially after these days I remained a wolf - I recall the sudden movement - the crowd running, the fear - but not much of anything since arriving here. I hope, she-" He looked up, questioningly, looking at Hermione and Ron with the tiny hint of hope in his voice. "Did she say...?"

Harry didn't finish the question, and, as the silence stretched, Ron moved forward, taking out the silvery trinket from his robes. Harry took a short breath, smelling in the faint, very faint trail of cinnamon, salt and pumpkin juice. He recognised it immediately – his left hand clenched uncontrollably and then fell down by his side, limper than before.

Ron, standing straight, yet with a face that spoke of a measure of pity and even shame, reached forward and planted the pieces into Harry's swaying hand, closing it on the bracelet. "She gave you this."

The fingers found the ornaments and cracks, felt the cool precious metal. He gripped it tightly, not caring that the sharper edges were digging into his palm, taking refuge in this small pain, even. Harry looked down, his gaze hazy. "Why...?"

"Cho asked you to stay away for a while." Hermione added, going in for a short hug. "I'm sorry," she whispered into his ear, her hair brushing at his cheek, roughly, but comfortingly.

Harry visibly slumped, glancing at Remus.

"Look, Harry," Ron started talking before Remus could say anything. He was speaking with a passion, even though he was struggling for words at times. "I know I'm not the one to talk, really, and I'm not as good with the ruddy thing as I'd like to be. But if there ever was a thing I have thought out as much as this..." He sighed. "I never have been the greatest friend, and since I heard about your state, well, I can only imagine what you are going through.

"I mean, I don't even understand girls properly," Ron exclaimed, making Harry's lips twitch in a semblance of the smile. "And you had one of the best looking girls from a year above ours - I'm getting off track - what I want to say is that you should know more about witches than I do, but even I noticed that she didn't say she never wants to see you again. Onlyfor a while."

Harry blinked. "That doesn't mean she will..." He began, quietly, but fell into silence once more.

"She is broken, scared to the death, even - I saw her, but I have been the same when I heard about your state first - and, to tell the truth, I'm still afraid. But I always wanted come back. She does, too – it can't be otherwise. I am afraid-" Ron gulped, and gave Remus a short look, continuing to speak his mind. "Afraid of Remus, I'm scared that you would change in the night and tear my throat off – it can't happen, not in the tower – and I keep telling myself that after every nightmare I have. But I know - I truly believe this - you will do anythingin your power so my nightmares wouldn't come true. And I trust you - even if - You-Know-" Ron paused, gaping for word, trying to force himself to cross the boundaries of fear.

"Even if Vol-" he tried once more, differently, visibly shaking at the difficulty pronouncing the name. "If Vol-de...mort got you this one time - I don't care about that. You will be the one to win in the end - as you have done many times. I trust you, and I want to remain your friend. I want to help. You're my best friend - I can let you face anything alone or I can't call myself a Gryffindor."

"Ron," Hermione breathed out his name in a whisper, as Dumbledore smiled brightly at what was going on before his eyes.

"I know that you will continue to be as you were," Ron spoke up, standing straighter. "I have turned away from you - and not even once – but, I came back. Cho will - too. I know that as surely as I know that I'm not going to go running."

"But I could hurt you," Harry was talking in a low tone. "I could kill you - I always thought that I had a chance at control, but it was an illusion - and now, I'm even more dangerous than before."

"But you don't wantme hurt, do you?" Ron smiled lightly. "As long as you keep that attitude, I don't see a problem. Just - don't take offence if I can't spend all full moons with you."

"How can you joke about that?" Harry asked, his lips twitching without him really wanting to. "It's not - wait - you said 'all full moons'? Eager to keep me company a couple of times?"

Ron laughed nervously. "Maybe?"

"I think that could be arranged." Remus joined in, smirking. "If you really want it."

Ron fidgeted nervously.

Harry laughed. It was barking sort of laughter, a thing he all but inherited from his godfather. But also, unlike the last time he had laughed this way - out of desperation and sheer disappointment – this time, it was a good laugh. Something bottled up in the form of the wolf for these long hours, when he spent every other second fearing that he wasn't going to change back, thinking about Cho, had come loose. He laughed so hard that his eyes were starting to water.

"It wasn't even that funny," Ron muttered, before getting swept with the tide.

Remus was chuckling, Hermione was grinning in between sobs, and Dumbledore - the Headmaster was just standing there, a bright smile on his face, his eyes twinkling with merriment and hope.

It took them a good five minutes to calm down, and even then, Harry continued on to smile.

"I missed you," Harry finally spoke, his gaze clearer than before. "Thank you for waiting."

"Anytime," Ron said as Hermione nodded, confirming his word. "Always."

"How is everyone?"

"Cho is rarely seen outside the classes - Marietta said that she's usually up in the Ravenclaw dorms," Hermione started, quickly moving on from the matter of Cho. "Diggory is going around talking to people that nothing was your fault, and is claiming that you should be the only champion. Krum-" She glanced at Ron, slightly blushing. "Is his usual self - but he's taking your side at whole this. I didn't tell him that you're still in the castle, but I think he suspects. We have spent the last few days in this corridor, and people must have noticed."

"Everyone is guessing, but no one knows anything," Ron said, taking over. "Bill actually chose to stay for a couple of days - until the Hogwarts Express leaves. I think he's just trying to get with Fleur and, at the same time, watching over Ginny."

"How is Ginny?" Harry asked. "I kind of expected her to be here, too."

"She was, the first day we were hoping to see you - but then she decided not to come too soon," Hermione said, sighing. "Not to get in the way, whatever that means. She was spending today with Bill, I think."

"What about Hagrid?"

"We've visited him once," Ron answered. "He's talking about something to do for the Headmaster, but-" Ron looked questioningly at Dumbledore. "He's not telling."

"Ah, I would trust Hagrid with my life, but he still speaks only as his huge heart allows." Dumbledore smiled comfortingly. "Do not pester him for information too much, he knows not where he is going to go yet, only that he will."

"What do you want him to do, sir?" Harry asked. "If you can tell us?"

"Let's just say that I'm having a hard time convincing Fudge to act. He is bent on the current issue, and can't see the full picture. A remarkable move on the part of Voldemort, putting everyone's attention on Harry Potter and werewolves."

Harry pondered for a moment. "You want to fight Voldemort, but Fudge doesn't believe he's back?"

"We do lack any viable proof." Dumbledore nodded. "The fallout at the Ministry is rather huge, same as inside out society as a whole. Some wizards are calling for death of all Werewolves, others are speaking about reducing the restrictions and trying to integrate them in the society better. A precious few, but your name still carries a lot of weight. Malfoy is fighting to discredit it as much as he can - you're probably going to see more of the bad press in the coming months, but it hasn't really started yet."

"Whatever happened with Rita?" Hermione suddenly asked. "Harry told as how you caught her, but I haven't seen one word about her since."

"Ah, this brings us to one of the questions I wanted to ask you today, Harry," Dumbledore said, walking a step closer. "It is something you'll probably hate, but at the same time, something that might give us the small edge we need. For this, one of the first battles of the Second Wizarding war, is not going to be about the power of magic, nor skill in duelling, but one of the public opinion."

"Just tell me what to do, sir."

Dumbledore had a short shadow cloud his eyes. "I am not expecting obedience out of you, Harry - you have earned the right of your own say in these matters, and I wouldn't like you to give it away to an old fool such as I too fast. Nevertheless, I hope that you will agree to give an interview."

"To Rita?" Harry asked, outraged. "Why?"

"No, no - Rita Skeeter will be joining my efforts with the press, but I would be foolish to offer you to speak with someone who can twist out words without recognition."

"She's doing what?" Harry exclaimed. "You're letting her write articles as if nothing had happened?"

Dumbledore shrugged dismissively. "She was always the one to go after people, and who can be better at undermining Peter Pettigrew and Barty Crouch Junior? I loathe using her like this, but she has sworn to not write a single article about you. This, in more ways than one, is a chance for her redemption, and I hope it will help to turn the coming tide of Lucius smear campaign."

"I don't know if I agree with your method..." Harry finally started to calm down. "But I understand what you are trying to achieve. I will agree to do an interview, if you believe that it will help for us."

"Good, I will inform you of the details at a later date - we have a few things we must do when the school year ends - and maybe even more, should you agree to help me with other endeavours." Dumbledore scratched his beard, turning towards Ron and Hermione. "Although, at this moment in time, I feel confident asking Harry for assistance, I cannot make such an exception for you two, as your parents will, most definitely, object."

"But we want to help!" Ron shouted loudly. "This is Harry who are we talking about!"

"What if our parents let us, would you reconsider, sir?" Hermione prodded carefully. "Maybe there can be a compromise?"

"I will bear that in mind," Dumbledore nodded. "In fact, in a couple of weeks, I might have a need for the assistance of the whole Weasley household. There is a house, Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, a house that has served for the Black family for ages, and one Sirius had been hiding in before his demise. It was on my suggestion that he had moved there at the start of this school year - and although the house has been protected by various protections and charms, it's greatest asset is the Fidelius Charm that I had added this year, to ensure Sirius' safety in between your meetings."

"It never was a place Sirius would like being cooped up in, but it must have been a perfect choice to keep him safe," Remus supplied. "I had forgotten about it entirely."

"That is the governing principle of the Fidelius Charm - the place is hidden so well, that even those who knew about it, tend to forget about its existence, or, about the place where it is at," Dumbledore explained. "The problem is that in his will, Sirius left the house to Remus Lupin, who, by the latest anti-werewolf laws can't be the first pretender, because there is another magical benefactor mentioned in the will. In any other circumstances the house would probably have been given to Harry right away, but now..."

"Everyone knows that I'm a werewolf, too. I understand." Harry nodded. "But do I really need the house?"

"The Order needs a place for the meetings," Dumbledore said. "And it is conveniently very well protected, and, at the very same time near the vital places of interest in London. The King's Cross station, The Ministry of Magic and St. Mungo's Hospital - all these three palaces are important for the wizarding community. These are the sites the Order will be helping protect and having Headquarters in London would increase our mobility and prove a safe haven to retreat to in case of trouble."

"But who will get the house? Tonks?" Harry scratched his head. "If I can't inherit?"

"But you can."

"I don't understand, you've just said that Remus can't inherit, but I can?" Harry blinked. "What do you mean?"

"The laws restricting werewolf rights only apply to old family houses, and as always, are biased towards the last members of a wizarding family. It is a tangle of laws and rules, but I am positive that we can see it through. After all, there's the fact that the will must have been implemented at time of Sirius death. And the only delay has been Narcissa Malfoy - claiming her own share of inheritance."

"Malfoys," Harry spat, his voice heavy. "Always Malfoys."

"Indeed. This time, however, the last clause of the will in question plays a very significant part in the equation - Sirius explicitly forbade anything from being inherited by a Black. There might be some problems for young Nymphadora Tons because of it, even. However, her mother hasn't been a Black since her marriage with Ted Tonks, and that issue takes care of itself."

"What about Pettigrew?" Remus interjected. "He has been proven alive - by Bartemius Crouch. Can he inherit his share?"

"Regrettably, yes. Although, not the house - the Grimmauld Place should only be inherited by either one of the two of you, most probably Harry - as I tried to explain before - the time the will was opened is considered a date of reference, thus Harry doesn't even count as a werewolf in face of the will. It should be a trivial matter to prove that. What is significantly more difficult, is trying to distinguish if a house could even be inherited by a non-Black. And there's no good way to check it before the house officially belongs to you - if there is, we are going to need the services of Bill Weasley - to make the house usable for us.

"This will be one of our aims for the summer. Harry, I will have to ask you to return to Dursleys for a time, but before the next full moon comes you will move into Grimmauld Place - at least that is the course of action I would like to take."

"I'll be transforming there?"

Dumbledore nodded.

"Why not Hogwarts?"

"The Ministry believe that I might be harbouring a dangerous fugitive werewolf, and they will be conducting a throughout search, and I will provide them all the cooperation I can regarding that matter. Your potential placement at Grimmauld Place during the full moon allows myself more freedom of movement. Also, it's the only place I'd consider safer than Privet Drive. Well, except the castle itself - especially under heavy wards that will be activated during the summer."

"Heavy wards?" Hermione asked, interested. "Hogwarts the History doesn't mention anything about them."

"It's not something that is often mentioned." Dumbledore waved it off. "During tense years, and especially during the last wizarding war, the castle was considered to be a safest place in whole British Isles. Before, catching individual troublemakers have been a daunting task, but anyone who wishes to intrude with force is going to run into the Founder's magic.

"And not only that - every Headmaster is known to have added something of his own - these protections, woven into the very stones of the place, coupled with the convenient fear the Dark Lord has for confronting yours truly, makes up for a guarantee that there will be no direct assault of Hogwarts while I reside over the school. Thus, it's the safest place to be in during wartime, but, as you three know, not the best one for hiding Philosopher's Stones." Dumbledore winked at them as the three Gryffindors laughed lightly.

"Albus," Lupin began after a short pause. "Forgive me for speaking about this so soon, but you mentioned more things we could help you with. Hagrid is going to go and try to see the Giants, isn't he? The mission he doesn't yet know about – it's the only thing that's probable."

The Headmaster hmmed.

"Severus is spying on the Death Eaters, like he did before," Lupin continued. "And I, well, you would like me to try and talk to a couple of werewolves I know?"

Hermione gasped.

"The werewolves have never been organised in the way to take a stand on any side, but every single one that would refuse join Fenrir Greyback would be an asset," Dumbledore said. "It would be a sensible course of action. We are going to talk more on the next meeting of the Order. Of course, I should not need to say, but," he added looking at Ron and Hermione. "Everything you have heard here is a secret."

"I want to help." Harry crossed his arms. "It is as much of my fight as it is yours - and if Remus will go speak with other werewolves, can I join him?"

"I can promise you only this - I will take your opinion in mind during the meeting." Dumbledore sighed. "I would not want you to take risks so needlessly."

"But Moony-"

"Harry," Dumbledore interrupted him. "If you want to be in the Order, I will need you to stop questioning everything outside the actual meeting. There is a reason why some decisions are discussed only during the gatherings - in a war, everyone has to be as careful as possible. If you're going to try and push too much, I might reconsider letting you join this early. I should not need to tell you this, but in the Order, people are constantly put to danger, and not taking it as seriously as it deserves to be taken could be fatal."

"I don't want to be in the Order if that means I'm not going to do anything." Harry muttered, and continued louder. "But I understand what you want to say, sir. Or at least, I think I do."

"Good." Dumbledore concluded. "Now, as we have spent quite a while talking already, I believe we should move on with a couple of more tests."

Harry groaned.

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This chapter turned out harder to put in words than what I saw it in my mind. Next up, more drama.