41 Dumbledore's Order
The next morning, August the first, was a pleasant and sunny day. One of the idyllic days one hopes for on important days like birthdays and anniversaries… Or when pulling one of the largest pranks ever seen on one of the most powerful men currently alive.
It was barely past breakfast when Auror Tonks and Amelia Bones knocked on the front door, grins plastered on their faces. Tonks was so excited her hair was shifting colors, each as bright and attention grabbing as the last.
"It was brilliant!" Tonks exclaimed once they joined the family in the living room. "We showed up, six of us, to escort you to Dumbledore's headquarters. Thankfully he sent Moody too, or it might have caused more of a ruckus with the muggles. We are all set to sneak inside when Moody asked 'Potter doesn't have a female relative, does he?'"
"Just my aunt," Harry replied, looking at Tonks oddly.
"That's what Remus said," Tonks agreed. "Then Moody pointed at a bright pink bicycle on the lawn. Everyone looked around confused and Moody looked at the house again. 'He's not here,' he said., 'I don't think these are the right muggles either, just a family with two young girls living here. No whale of a cousin, no walrus of an uncle, just a normal couple with two little girls.'"
Everyone was chuckling by now, which only fueled Tonks' glee.
"So anyway, we apparated back to headquarters, and told Dumbledore who was waiting to hear of our success," She continued, mirth filling her voice. "The old man goes ashen, then ballistic. He's running around, ordering everyone everywhere, trying to order me to use the Ministry to track you Harry."
"Bet that went over well," Hermione managed between chuckles, "How many shades did he hit?"
"Sorry girl, your boyfriend won," Tonks smiled. "I counted at least five different colors he hit while I was there. Anyway," Tonks continued ignoring Harry's fist pump of victory. "I left and reported to the director, we came here this morning to discuss how you and your boyfriend want to proceed."
"First off," Hermione said with a hint of pride, "Harry isn't my boyfriend, he's actually my husband."
"Your what?" Bones interjected, startled out of her normal impassive official persona.
"Heart bonded last year. For the sake of the trial, here." Hermione handed Madam Bones a letter. "This is a letter directing you to investigate the magical bonding of Harry and Hermione Potter last year. Once you see the official document, you can bring a certified healer to verify the bond and its completion."
"I see, well, I shall do so shortly,." Amelia agreed. "For now, what do you want to do about the old meddler?"
"I figure after lunch sometime I'll call a mutual friend whose house Dumbledore is using,"
"You mean Mister Black?" Amelia asked. "I know he's innocent, and have directed all my aurors to arrest and detain for questioning without harming him. It's the best I can do with Fudge and Dubledore blocking a trial."
"Thank you," Harry said. "And yes, they're at Sirius' house. I can't tell you where since he cast something called a fidelius charm on it. Makes it impossible for anyone other than the secret keeper to tell someone where it is."
"I'm familiar with the charm."
"Anyway, he managed to get us in on the secret when it was cast, so we know," Hermione explained. "We plan on moving in later today, and watch everyone lose their minds when we show up to breakfast tomorrow."
"Oh lordy," Tonks bubbled as she nearly fell from her chair. "I may accept Remus' breakfast invitation just to see that."
"Please do," Madam Bones instructed. "I know you were tempted to begin with and this lets you keep tabs on these two for me as well as Dumbledore's vigilantes."
"Sounds like we have a plan then," Hermione agreed. "Anything else we can help you with?"
"Not right now," Madam Bones said. "Though I expect to return shortly with a healer, I assume you would prefer Madam Pomfrey?"
"It'd be easier," Harry agreed. "She already knows and is one of the country's experts on bonds."
"I'll see you shortly then," Amelia said, rising to leave.
The couple's arrival at number 12 Grimauld place was without much fanfare. Sirius and Remus brought them via side-along Apparition and they arrived in their suite with only Tonks waiting for them.
"Wotcher Harry, Hermione," Tonks greeted them. "Nice setup you got here cousin."
"Thanks Nymphy," Sirius grinned as Tonks hair flared fire engine red, "I expect the happy couple will enjoy it."
"Don't call me that!" fumed Tonks.
"Whatever," Sirius waved her off and turned to the couple. "We have you set up so you don't need anything till tomorrow, bathroom is through there, your bedroom," He indicated first one door, then another, "Complete with a six foot scratching post."
"We prefer using things like your drapes and clothes for that," Harry returned deadpanned. "Especially while you're still wearing them."
"Eep," Sirius squeaked. "Moving on, I'll come get you in the morning when everyone is ready for breakfast. I should warn you though, the Weasleys showed up earlier today."
"The Weasleys?" Hermione asked. "What do they want?"
"It seems that despite the issues you had with their youngest last year, they really care about Harry. At least that's what they say anyway." Sirius rubbed the back of his neck, "They're staying here to get the latest information they can on the search for you. Told me their wards were getting upgraded and needed somewhere to stay while they were getting worked on too."
"Yeah, but they really don't pay much attention, do they?" Harry asked. "Everyone knows how close to Hermione I am, yet no one thought to either tell her I was missing or to ask if she knows where I am. Pretty stupid don't you think?"
"Especially once she found out no one had told her," Tonks quipped. "I am not nearly as close to the pair of you and my first thought would be to ask her. If for no other reason than to avoid being killed when she found out I didn't tell her you were missing."
"Out of curiosity," Hermione asked. "Did anyone think to ask you or Remus where he was, or even mention to you they were looking for Harry?"
"Nope," Sirius replied. "Albus told me last night that your arrival had been delayed, Pup, but not to worry as you'd be here soon. Didn't say when, though."
"I bet," Harry grimaced. "I can just imagine the fallout tomorrow. I'd suggest just saying you got tired of waiting and went to see how I was doing yourself. Brought us back since you'd already arranged it with my guardians and we were ready."
"Oh, has Professor McGonagall been involved with the search at all? Or even been informed of it?"
"Not that I know of, why?"
"Ask her to be here for breakfast tomorrow," Hermione said with an evil glint in her eye. "It'll make Dumbledore look even worse."
Plans for the morning settled, the group broke up, drifting away to various personal pursuits as the rest of the house was busy coming and going, searching for the boy that even now settled in to relax with his wife in his arms.
"Ready?" Harry asked Hermione the next morning as they paused outside the door to the kitchen.
"As I'll ever be." She squeezed his hand in hers. "Let's get it over with."
They entered the kitchen and paused, taking in the tableau. One end of the large dinner table was a sea of red as Fred, George, Ron, Ginny, Mrs and Mr Weasley ate their fill, Ron eating as much as the rest combined. Next to them were Remus and Tonks, sitting across from a trio of middle age witches they didn't know. Next down the table was Professor McGonagall, a portly seedy looking man and a tall dark skinned bald man in robes that reminded Harry of Africa. Finally, at the end of the table, two open spaces sat across from Professor Snape and an older witch while Sirius settled into his seat at the head of the table.
"Come on then Harry," Sirius called to them. "Get a seat, food is getting cold."
Everyone froze. Forks were suspended partway to mouths, drinks were held mid air. Everyone around the table stared in disbelief as Harry and Hermione made their way to the table. Well, almost everyone. At the far end, Ron Weasley continued to inhale everything within reach, fork scraping and clattering as he shoveled more food into his already full maw.
"Harry!" Harry braced himself as Molly Weasley tried to hug the life out of him, rocking a little as she squeezed. "You gave us such a fright."
"Pardon my manners," the tall black man broke in. "But what are you doing here? And when did you get here?"
"What?" Harry asked. "We got here last night like we'd planned all summer. Why do you ask?"
"You've planned to come here all summer?" the man asked, then shook himself. "Sorry, I forgot my manners there, I am Kingsley Shacklebolt, auror for the Ministry."
"Nice to meet you Mr Shacklebolt," Hermione said as Harry extracted himself from Mrs Weasley to shake his hand.
"Ah good, everyone is here," Albus's voice cut in from the doorway. "Once everyone has eaten we can continue our efforts."
"Headmaster," Molly interrupted, stepping out of the way so Albus could see Harry.
"Harry my boy, you're here." The startled headmaster moved closer. "You gave us quite a scare when you weren't at your aunt and uncle's house. Why didn't you tell anyone they had moved?"
"Moved?" Harry asked. "They didn't move, they're in prison."
"They're what?" Dumbledore stepped back in shock. "Whatever for? Where are you staying now?"
"They're in prison for 13 years of child abuse to Harry," Hermione answered hotly. "As for where he's staying, he's with a very nice family that actually cares for him. Since you are the one that left him in that hell hole and never checked on him, I would like to know why you are so interested in where he is now?"
"Now Miss Granger…"
"It's actually Mrs Potter now," Hermione cut him off. "Has been for a while now. Thanks to this farce of a hearing the Ministry is insisting on, that fact is unlikely to remain a secret so might as well let it out here."
"What? How?" Dumbledore felt the world spinning out of his control.
"You witnessed it last year during the first task," Harry informed the headmaster. "The golden light was a heart bond settling. Been dealing with the fallout from that all year. It was the real reason Hermione and I got moved to private quarters, we needed physical contact for the bond to settle."
"I see…" Dumbledore sighed. "Unfortunately, as your magical guardian I must inform you that without my permission beforehand, no marriage is legal. I'm afraid you aren't actually married."
"Oh?" Harry asked dangerously. "And just how long have you been my magical guardian?"
"Since you were a year old," Albus said matter of factly,
"Well then, we should look at getting you charged with child abuse as well," Harry stepped angrily towards the headmaster, only to be restrained by Hermione. "You were supposed to ensure I was being taken care of, fed properly, had a place to sleep, and not being treated worse than Malfoy's house elf. You failed miserably headmaster," Harry sighed, the wind coming out of his sails. "That is why you haven't been my magical guardian since my new family assumed temporary guardianship of me."
"Harry," Dumbledore said sadly. "I'm sorry you feel that way but I must insist you tell me who your guardians are, they are hopelessly inadequate no matter what you think. I'm sure we can get at least your aunt released and you can both return to number 4."
"WHAT?" Hermione raged. "Why in Merlin's name would you want to return Harry to such an abusive situation? He had years of scars and poorly healed broken bones and you want him back there?"
"While the circumstances are unfortunate, I'm afraid it really is best for Harry."
"Are you off your rocker?" Harry demanded. "What possible excuse could you have to want me back there? What conceivable reason would I be better in such a situation than with a loving family?"
"I'm afraid you'll just have to trust me Harry…"
"Like hell," Sirius cut in, standing from his chair and moving beside Harry, Minerva joined them a moment later. Dumbledore was suddenly reminded he had an audience, a rather agitated one. "That isn't good enough Albus, tell us why."
"I…" Albus looked around, seeing that no one in the room seemed to be willing to give him the benefit, he sighed. "When I placed Harry with his aunt and uncle, I placed wards tied to him that prevented him from being harmed from so long as he lived with his aunt. Blood wards yes, but protective so that as long as Harry lived with someone of his mother's blood and called number 4 Privet Drive his home, no evil could touch him."
"It's no wonder they never worked," Harry muttered into the silence. "That has never been my home Headmaster. Why would I call a place where I was regularly beaten and ridiculed home?"
"You… what?" Albus was stymied with the question.
"Headmaster," Hermione said softly, her ears flat in rage. "You mean that you continued to keep Harry in an abusive household, beaten, starved and unloved, for wards you cast that never worked and you never checked?"
"Well, I am a very busy man," Albus started placating the irate witch.
"Yet you seem unnaturally interested in Harry professor." Hermione's tone was icy and her hair started to flare behind her as power cracked through it. "Why professor, what is so special about Harry that you can't stop trying to manipulate him, mold him into whatever it is you're guiding him towards? Why does he always have to suffer? Why is he the only one you seem to care about in the entire school, but only to the point where he does what you want?"
"I'm afraid that is information I cannot let get out, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said sadly. "But rest assured it's for the greater good."
"Greater good? Good for who?" Hermione demanded, her magic flaring around her and her aura becoming visible as it raged. "Why you? What makes you lord and master of Harry's fate? You know what, I don't care how you justify it, no man should ever lord over another."
"Now Miss Granger…"
"It's Mrs Potter, sir," she snarled. "You don't have any authority here, I suggest you leave."
"Now see here, I am the leader of the Order, and as such-"
"GO AWAY!" Hermione bellowed, magic rolling off her in a wave that pushed everyone back, every one back except Harry and the headmaster. Harry stayed right by her side. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and Leader of the Order of the Phoenix simply disappeared with a pop.
Silence reigned in the kitchen as Hermione took several deep breaths, before turning and folding herself in the arms of her husband. Soft sobs could be heard, as well as gentle whispers as Harry comforted her. Minerva looked around the table, taking in the looks as she did so.
"I think this has given all of us a lot to think about," McGonagall said as she stood. "For the record, I agree with Mrs Potter. Albus severely overstepped his authority and morally he was even further in the wrong. I for one support these two, but each of us must make that choice for ourselves. These two have a trial to prepare for, and I know they have a plan already, I feel it is a good one. Let us leave them to their work while we all reflect on what we have seen here today. I am calling a full meeting of the Order tomorrow night to inform everyone of what has happened, then we will reconvene on the fifth to decide who wishes to continue to follow the headmaster, and who thinks we need new leadership."
The next few days were a blur. Harry and Hermione spent most of their time either in their rooms, thoughtfully warded by Remus to exclude anyone not on an approved list, or the library. When Sirius had first shown them the library, Harry had wondered if he'd ever see Hermione leave it again. Rows and rows of books, scrolls and other references lined the room, causing her eyes to widen in awe and a hint of lust. Turned out he needn't have worried however, because as interesting as a whole library to explore was to his wife, he somehow ranked higher on her priority list.
The next three days were filled with a lot of studying of laws, both ones they thought applied and ones they figured the Ministry would charge them with anyway. It wasn't unusual for the pair to miss lunch and only appear for breakfast before they entered the library and dinner when they left it. They were seen outside of it occasionally, for Sirius placed a firm limit on how long they could spend there every day. Most of the rest was spent in their rooms, studying some more or simply relaxing together.
The morning of the fifth they got up extra early and were unsurprised when Tonks showed up and started pounding on their door.
"We need to hurry," The auror said out of breath, "Fudge changed your time as we expected, it's now 8am in courtroom 10."
"Isn't that the one they had the death eater trials in?"
"Yup, it's also the largest," Tonks confirmed, leading the already dressed pair downstairs. "Somehow I doubt this is going to be a simple hearing."
"Oh I doubt it too," Harry confirmed, holding the door open for the ladies.
"Good, you're up Harry," Mrs Weasley greeted them. "Arthur should be down in a bit and you'll be going in to the Ministry with him. Hermione dear, you'll be working with the others to clean this place up a bit, they're in the drawing room today."
"I will?" Harry asked slightly coldly. "And who arranged this?"
"Well," Molly had the good sense to look abashed. "Albus arranged it some time ago. I know things are tense between you now but it is a good idea, he's going there anyway."
"Unfortunately, as grateful as I am for the offer, I must decline," Harry told her, grabbing some toast and buttering it, "The Minister decided to change the time and venue, so we need to leave now."
"But it's unsafe," Molly protested.
"It's okay, I'll be escorting them," Tonks informed her.
"No, it's much too dangerous," Molly argued. "I'll get Arthur and-"
"I'm an Auror, Molly," Tonks stated coldly. "Your husband is not. Madam Bones sent me to escort these two and that's what I'll be doing."
"Two?" Mrs Weasely questioned "Why would Hermione go? No, she'll stay here and work with the others."
"Mrs Weasley," Hermione said coldly, her ears flat against her head. "Would you stand with your husband if he was accused of something?"
"Of course I would dear, how could you question that?" her indignant reply came.
"Then how could you expect me to do any less?" Hermione asked pointedly.
"But… you… I…." stammered the Weasley matron.
"Come on Harry," Hermione pulled her husband back out of the kitchen. "We need to leave or we'll be late."