Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.
A/N: Thanks to MaeSilverpaws1, who is beta-ing this story.
Chapter One Hundred Thirteen
Meeting
"You know Harry, when you suggested a group to us back in your first year, I never realized just how much learning we were going to have to do," Fred said a few days after Ron and Hermione had gotten together.
"Yeah mate, first it was Animagus training, then Patronus, then it was everything we learned last year, and now Occlumency lessons," George shook his head. "We've been reduced to being nothing more than a glorified study group."
"Sorry," Harry chuckled at them, all the Weasleys had agreed to work on meditation practice in the morning. Molly had been rather surprised when the twins had agreed to this, seeing as sitting still wasn't one of their best abilities, and she was even more surprised to see that they were quite capable of doing that. "If I had known that at the beginning I probably wouldn't have even join my own group."
"Oh well, there's nothing we can do about it now," Fred shrugged. "At least we can brag about the amazing magic we've learned."
"Um Fred … we haven't been able to brag at all," George reminded his twin.
"Darn that's right," Fred snapped his fingers. "That's too bad too; we have a lot to brag about."
"At least we can still brag about our amazing inventions," George shrugged.
"Everyone, we're having a meeting," Molly said just as the kids had sat down to start their meditation practices. Harry had been rather pleased that it had been easier for him to control his thoughts since the Weasley came, though he wasn't sure if it was because they were here or if the practice that he had been doing was finally paying off. Either way, with Molly's simple words, he found that his head was buzzing with the usual question whenever a meeting was about to happen. He knew that he shouldn't worry about the meetings, not when the knowledge he gain could potentially be dangerous to the Order as long as his Occlumency lessons were still in its early stages. Still, that didn't stop him from wondering what was going on in the meetings. And this one, that is taking place in the middle of the morning, was more intriguing than any of the others.
"Can we stay Mum?" Fred asked, for what was the tenth time already since they had got here. The twins and the younger residents of Grimmauld Place had not been happy that they weren't allowed into the meetings and were trying to work their mum into letting them come. They had also started the development of a listening device that would allow them to hear through closed doors and had actually put the final touches on them last night. Fred merely asked his mum if they could join to the meeting to keep her from become suspicious, hoping the extendable ears (as he and George named them because they had crafted them to look like ears), would go unnoticed by their mum for as long as possible.
"Yes you can," Molly answered catching everyone in the room by surprised. "All of you are staying."
"Okay," Ron gulped as Molly hastily left the room to tell the others that were in the house about the meeting. He looked at Harry, Hermione and his siblings before adding, "This can't be good."
"She wouldn't let us stay if it was something good," Ginny agreed. "But what do you think it's about … Prof … er … Remus, what do you think it's about?"
"I have no idea, I haven't heard about a meeting today," Remus frowned; he hadn't particularly liked the accusation in glare that Molly had given him. He had a feeling he might be in trouble too. Just ten minutes later Harry found himself sitting in the meeting room for Grimmauld Place with Ron and Hermione on his left and Ginny, Fred and George on his right. Sirius and Remus were sitting across from him, as were Molly and McGonagall.
"This isn't much of a meeting," Fred said, "only one extra guess and all."
"You will keep your mouth shut Fredrick Weasley," Molly glared at him.
Fred did close his mouth, but he realized that this wasn't really a meeting but more like a major lecture from the two people who seem to yell at him and George the most. The fact that they were both together didn't bode well for him. Of that he was sure.
"So … er … what is the meeting about, if I might ask?" Sirius asked, aware that he was getting a few angry looks from the women present.
"It is about the newest piece of information that Severus has brought to us," McGonagall said looking at Harry. "He has informed us that You-Know-Who had announced to the Death Eaters that Harry Potter was an Animagus."
Harry's eyes widened and he gulped audibly as he looked at the glare that McGonagall was giving him. The others all stiffened as well.
"This information seems to be taken as fact, seeing as Mr. Potter had been seen by over a dozen Death Eaters!" McGonagall went on. "Do you care to explain to me what you think you were doing?"
Harry's quip that he thought he was running away from Voldemort died in his throat. First of all, he knew that wasn't what she was asking him about, and second, it wasn't going to help him in the least to make her any angrier than she already was.
"We have also been informed that one of Potter's friends had also transformed himself," McGonagall went on, looking at the others in the room, not sure which one it was but had been told it was likely one of the Weasleys boys judging by the description that was given.
All the Weasley looked pale as they looked from their fuming transfiguration professor to their furious mum. There was no way in hell they were getting out of this bit of trouble in one piece.
"Why did you deem it necessary to learn how to become an Animagus when you are underage and unqualified?" McGonagall asked sharply. "Do you realize how dangerous it is to learn … how many possible ways you might have seriously hurt yourself?! Explain!"
"I take full responsibility for my actions and will accept any punishment you deem is suitable," Harry said frowning, but determined to take the punishment that came with his decision to become an Animagus in the first place. "I am the one that decided to undergo this task …"
"And the others had no mind of their own, so couldn't possibly realize the dangers that they were putting themselves in," McGonagall finished his sentence for him wryly. "I might have to agree with that seeing as clearly anyone with half a brain wouldn't have decided to do such a ridiculous and dangerous task …"
"Harry wanted to become an Animagus for me," Remus admitted with a grave expression.
"So you did know what they had done!" Molly growled at Remus.
"I didn't know at first, nor did I encourage them to do so," Remus started to say.
"You never needed to encourage anyone Remus, we chose to do such dangerous and ridiculous things to support you," Sirius said.
"You think this is something that should be encouraged!" Molly huffed hotly.
"No," Sirius answered with an even voice. "But James and I had learned in our Fifth year how to be Animagus as well, so I understand why Harry wanted …"
"I don't care about your understanding …" Molly started, too enrage to think rationally. This fact had all the Weasleys cringing, knowing that she had gotten herself worked up and there was no stopping her now.
"So you, too, had been an unregistered Animagus," McGonagall said sternly. "As admirable as your reason was for learning this, it doesn't negate the fact that you had put your life at risk attempting to transfigure yourself. And you Potter, what were you thinking when you had decided to include so many others in …"
"We all chose to become Animagus ourselves," Hermione said, "Harry didn't make us do anything."
"I was the one that brought up trying to become Animagus," Harry argued with her, preferring to get the brunt of the blame rather than getting his friends in more trouble. When he turned to glare at her to be quiet he noticed how horrified she was to be discipline like this, but she wasn't going to let him take all the blame either.
"Believe me Miss Granger, I hold each of you responsible for you ill advised choices," McGonagall turned her glare to Hermione, "and I am disappointed in each of you for your lack of judgment. So much so that I deem you unqualified to hold a position of authority …"
"So neither George nor I will be made Headboy! The shame," Fred gasped, but stopped there when his mum glared at him more than ever.
Hermione, however, bowed her head; it was no more than she should have expected, but she knew by McGonagall's disappointed look that she meant what she said and this meant that she would not be made Prefect. Though it wasn't something that she had on her mind, she knew that she had wanted to be a Prefect from the first moment since she had first learned of the position and it was hard on her to hear that she wouldn't get this.
"But Hermione's the best student of the year!" Ron shouted out as soon as Hermione's head bowed and he defended her without any other thought. "She deserves to be Pref …"
"She, and the rest of you, are lucky not to be expelled!" McGonagall snapped back harshly, her own anger only gaining.
"And if we didn't learn to be Animagi, then Harry would have been killed at the end of third year, not to mention this last week," Ron snapped back, standing up from his seat, ignoring the glares he was getting. "You might think it was dangerous for us to learn this but I'm never going to regret learning it! And it has nothing to do with our academics or Hogwarts or anything like that."
"Ron," Hermione said softly, "its okay. I chose to become an Animagus knowing there would be consequences to that choice."
"But …" Ron said losing the steam of his anger at her words.
"I don't regret the decision either, but we can't fight the punishment for our choices," Hermione said.
Ron sighed; out of words now as he sat down next to Hermione again. His anger was gone now and he felt bad that he could do nothing to help but to let Hermione lean her head on his shoulder.
"What is he talking about?" Molly asked, her expression showing a bit more fear at what had been said about Harry being killed. Sirius quickly told McGonagall and Molly about what happened at the end of third year. About how Pettigrew had nearly killed Harry and probably would have if it wasn't for Ron transforming into a lion.
"A lion!" Molly repeated when he got to that part as she looked at her youngest son in shock.
"Yeah, we were shocked to, you would have thought that one of us would have been a lion seeing as we like to show off so much," Fred said, noticing the softening in his mum's mood, though she was clearly still angry about this.
"Maybe you guys should transform to show them what animals you are," Sirius suggested then, trying to keep the others from yelling more now that a somewhat calm had come into the conversation.
"Okey-dokey," George said, standing up and changing into a coyote.
"I guess what he meant was okey-dokey-coyote," Fred chuckled before turning himself into a crow and the coyote rolled its eyes at his twin's comment. Ron turned next, followed by Hermione and Harry.
Ginny looked at her friends and siblings and wondered if she should transform herself too. Her mum and McGonagall might not believe she was capable of doing it, being at least a year younger than the others and she would get in less trouble that way. But she pushed that thought aside, trouble was trouble after all, and she wanted to stick with the group, facing it all together. So she then turned into a cat and jumped on Ron's shoulder before moving to his head and sitting in his fully grown mane. Ron gave a soft growl but made no other protest to this.
"Impressive isn't it," Sirius comment looking at all the kids with a smile.
"Impressive!" Molly repeated glaring at him but she couldn't help but to look at her four youngest children and be amazed that they had learned a skill most adults couldn't.
McGonagall was frowning. She too was upset about the fact that they had learned this dangerous skill without any kind of help before they were old enough to understand all the principles behind the change. However, there was a certain amount of admiration in her about the amount of work they had to have gone through on their own to master this. No wonder they all did so well in her class.
"I know that you're not happy that the kids have become Animagi," Sirius said, the 'kids' all making a sound of protest at that word, but didn't change back to humans, seeming to realize that their disciplinarians were in a better mood with them like this. "But that can't be changed now. Do you know what Voldemort plans to do with this information?"
McGonagall looked at each of her students one last time, grudgingly impressed before turning to Sirius to answer the question. "It is not clear what You-Know-Who plans to do with this information. There is no proof of course that Potter and the others are Animagus …" she said again looking over at the proof in this room, "obviously he can't come out and tell the Ministry. We fear that he might have Lucius tell the Minister, but that hasn't happened yet, again lacking a reason for Lucius to know Potter was one, seeing at the Minister doesn't believe they had seen each other since the Quidditch World Cup, where Fudge was present as well.
"However, this is dangerous knowledge for the Death Eaters to know, and can be used against you," she went on to say looking back to the animals as Harry turned back into a boy, quickly followed by the rest of the group. Ginny needing to jump off of Ron's head before either one of them could change.
"What would happen to us if the Ministry knew that we were illegal Animagi?" Harry asked.
"It depends, but there will definitely be a hearing and a harsh sentencing," McGonagall said. "With your current status at the Ministry, I would imagine it would be very harsh indeed."
"But Professor McGonagall, we're underage," Hermione said remembering reading about a case similar to their situation when she had gone through her research on Animagus.
"Indeed," McGonagall said before Hermione could say anymore, clearly already knowing the case the girl was about to bring up, "which makes this both more difficult and easier for us."
"Okay, well I'm glad that you've cleared that up," Fred said sarcastically.
"Though it doesn't really help us, seeing as we are of age now," George pointed to himself and Fred.
"I'll address that issue in a moment," McGonagall said to the twins before turning back to the others. "I believe, Miss Granger, that you were about to refer to the case of Albert Jennings, who had appealed to the Ministry to allow him to attempt to become a Animagus as an underage wizard. He had been allowed to do so with the condition that as he became a register Animagus a tutor would be present for all of his lessons. Am I correct?" she said finished looking at Hermione who nodded her head.
"That is what I'm going to say has happened if and when it is known that you are an Animagus," she went on to say briskly.
"Would that get you in trouble?" Harry asked having a feeling she will be sticking her neck out for him.
"It might, but not nearly as much trouble as you would be in if I don't," McGonagall said.
"Professor …" he started to say.
"Potter I will be doing this," McGonagall said firmly, clearly telling him not to argue with her anymore. "I will inform you that even with this law, a prospective Animagus must be in at least fifth year, where they are only able to attempt the first stage of the transformation until after they are able to pass their O.W.L.'s. Luckily enough, all of you have such high marks in my class that you would qualify for a chance to attempt the transformation, so it will not be questioned as to why I would give you the opportunity to learn this skill. Fred and George, you are able to apply to the Animagus Association, as you are now of age, though we believe that would be better for you to wait until Christmas holidays before you do, so that the Death Eaters don't try to spread rumors of Potter being an Animagus before he has a chance to get to school. I will be informing the Association myself, that I will be tutoring you at the beginning of the term and soon afterward that your younger brother and his two friends, as well as Longbottom, I assume."
Harry wasn't sure if he should answer that or not, not wanting to get Neville in trouble, but he knew that there was no point in denying it when McGonagall looked at him. "Yes, and Luna too."
"Miss Weasley, you and Miss Lovegood, however, will not be able to take lesson until next year and therefore have a danger of being discovered of being Animagi before even I can protect you," McGonagall went on to say.
"Is there a way that people can figure out that we've become Animagi … I mean besides us transforming in front of them?" George questioned. "Because if not, I don't think Gin or Luna would be stupid enough to do that."
"Thanks for your vote of confidence George," Ginny rolled her eyes.
"There is a spell that will indicate someone is an Animagus as soon as they started the process of transforming themselves, though it doesn't show what stage of the transformation that the person is in," McGonagall answered. "I advise you be extra careful Miss Weasley, though as of yet, we are only doing this for precaution, it might prove to be needed in the future."
"Professor, isn't the Animagus Association a department in the Ministry?" Hermione said. "What would happen if the Minister finds out that you're teaching us this?"
"He will not be able to stop me from teaching you unless he revokes the old law," McGonagall answered. "An action he will only be able to take if he learns that Potter is trying to become an Animagus, which I do not intend on informing him of."
"You?" Ron questioned.
"Minerva is one of the examiners for Animagus testing and offers assistance to anyone with the desire to attempt the transformation," Sirius answered. "She will be able to fill out the official request to tutor you so it can be recorded without any trouble. There's only one person from the Ministry in the Animagus Association and he mostly just keeps the records."
"Only one?" Hermione questioned this time.
"Seeing as there are only eight registered Animagus and only three people at this time trying to get registered, there is no need to expand the department," Sirius answered.
"Um … okay now that that's all settle … can you tell us what we're going to be doing when you're giving us 'lessons'?" George asked.
"You'll be having detention for as long as I see fit" McGonagall answered. "After that, you will be using your time to study."
"That's what I thought you were going to say," George groaned.
"And don't think that's the only punishment that you're going to be getting," Molly added, glaring at her children again.
"We wouldn't dream of it," Fred said grimly.
It wasn't long after that that all the kids were excused from the meeting room as the other remained to pass on information they had gain since the last meeting.