Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Harry Potter. If I did I would be a far richer man. And I'd be a woman. I also don't own Star Trek.
Reviews are appreciated but certainly not required.
AN: This chapter ended up being too large to cover all of winter break so it's being split. Fair warning, the next one will probably be delayed. Mass Effect Andromeda comes out on Tuesday so I make absolutely no promises for a definite time table on completion of Chapter 6.
Chapter 5: Harry Potter, Exit Stage Left
Dora woke with a crick in her neck and a decidedly surly attitude. She'd been racking her brain for hours in the night trying to remember the details of the winter hols. She knew something had happened in Hogwarts and that it had caused major waves around the grounds, but that hadn't really affected the Aurors and the Order had mostly continued business as usual – meaning more guarding a stupid door for some idiotic reason. A simple missive to Croaker would've had the Department of Mysteries under 24 hour surveillance.
Rule 4: Common Sense. Muggles have it. So should we. We don't. Strive to get some.
How had she never thought to question Dumbledore before? She remembered bringing it up once, but he'd seemed so sure that the Unspeakables couldn't handle it. Well that had certainly bit them all in the arse. Dung couldn't be trusted, three of their own had been attacked, Harry had slipped through without any difficulties followed shortly by an entire group of Death Eaters…Dora's scowl deepened. Padding into the bathroom she glared at her reflection. "I will not be star-struck anymore. I will follow my instincts. No matter where they lead. Or who I have to push to the side in the process."
"Good advice," Lavender commented with an easy smile as she walked out of the shower section and put her bag on the next sink. Dora suppressed a groan. She was losing her edge; hadn't even checked to make sure the bathroom was empty before venting. God she was tired. "If I may, you don't really seem star-struck by anyone. Not that I've seen at least. You kinda stick to Harry like glue, but so does Hermione. And you're a bit mean to almost everyone else including the teachers."
"I'm mean?" Dora asked gaping at the other girl.
Lavender shrugged. "I get it. Most of the people you know were killed by a madman, the government are being arses and denying that it happened, Harry was nice to you…Most of us don't mind and you've gotten a lot mellower since the DA started up, but…yeah, you're a bit brusque if our names aren't Harry, Hermione or Luna. Heck you even seem to avoid Hermione more than I would expect considering your circles."
Dora frowned and leaned back against the sink for several moments before replying. "I…didn't realize that. I've been a bit, well distracted I guess. I'll try to be more inclusive with you guys."
"Don't change on my account," Lavender said touching up her lipstick. "You don't see me and Parv gossiping less because people glare at us do you?"
"Still, I haven't intended to be mean. I just was scared when I got here and then I saw Harry being…"
"Emo?"
Dora snorted and shook her head. "Not the word I was going for, but sure lets go with that. I just want to make sure he survives this year with his head on straight considering half the bloody country seems to be out to get him."
"Welcome to Hogwarts! The castle where the students dance for your every whim one moment and throw food at you the next!" Lavender replied with a pose. She sighed and puffed her hair up a bit with a spell before gathering her supplies. "He really should've gone to Beauxbatons, less drama for a national hero in a foreign country. I'll see you at breakfast, Dora."
Dora sighed and finished her morning routine trying to process what the other Gryffindor had said. She knew she'd been a bit short with some of the students, but she'd never meant to be actively mean. Helping Harry wouldn't mean squat if he still wound up alone and isolated except for her, Hermione, Ron and a few choice friends. Dora would have to try and make more inroads among the rest of her classmates. Yet another thing to do…perfect.
She was still half scowling as she walked into the Common Room and ground to a halt midstep. The entirety of the boys side was clustered near the fireplace talking loudly and gesturing to the few girls that had come down already. Only bits and snippets made it through the noise to her ears, but it was enough.
"Gone when we woke up – "
"Screaming like bloody murder he was – "
"McGonagall got them from our room – "
"Yeah, Ginny's gone too – "
ARTHUR! Dora's fist flew into the wall beside her and she let out a primal roar. "FUCK!" Several heads turned towards her, but she didn't pay them any attention. Arthur had been attacked just before the hols. That's what had happened! She's completely forgotten that the Weasleys and Harry had been brought to – brought to – brought to…FUCK!
The Fidelius was apparently in full force around her again.
"Dora?" Hermione asked padding over to the metamorph and laying a hand on her shoulder. "They'll be fine. I already spoke with Professor McGonagall…there was an incident last night with Mr. Weasley. Ginny and the boys were allowed to go and make certain he's alright."
Dora could only grind her teeth and force her Occlumency to the forefront as she tried to suppress everything she was feeling regarding this situation and how utterly screwed she had just become. "Room. Now. We need to talk without being overheard."
"But class starts in…" Hermione trailed off and sighed. "You're right. We should discuss this as I doubt any of them will return prior to next term. It's potions anyway so we'd just have to listen to Professor Snape claiming Harry was getting more special treatment. Come on."
Dora focused on keeping her hair a single shade as she dutifully walked behind Hermione. They reached the Room of Requirement in record time and as soon as the door shut Dora rounded on the brunette. "You know where they are."
"I do. I can't say unfortunately, but I can assure you they are completely safe."
"Safe like Harry was safe when attacked by Dementors?" Dora asked with a derisive snort. She knew that was an unfair question, but it leant the rest of what she'd have to say more weight. "Safe like he is with those monsters he calls relatives? Safe? How about safe from himself?"
Hermione frowned for a moment before her eyes narrowed and her lips twitched. "Safe from himself? Just what is that supposed to mean, Theodora Kirk?"
"You know bloody well what I mean, Hermione!" Dora growled. She curled her hands into her hair and let out a frustrated groan. "We both know that McGonagall wouldn't have let Harry go with the Weasleys unless he was involved in some way. That means this is related to Voldemort which also means that it's probably some sort of psychic attack since everyone seemed to agree that Harry was in his bed last night until whatever happened, happened. He's going to blame himself for this! I like the Weasleys but if their dad has been hurt they aren't going to care enough to pull him out of his funk. He's going to sit there and stew all by himself for the entirety of the hols, Hermione! Even assuming this 'safe' location is truly secure, he's going to be his own worst enemy. By the time either of us see him again he's going to be so bottled up, he'd probably end up killing Umbridge or Malfoy at their next verbal diarrhea episode and then where would we be?"
Hermione turned around with an explosive sigh and marched to the nearby couch plopping down with her arms crossed. Dora shut her eyes and tried to force herself to calm down before sitting across from Hermione. The brunette witch slowly shook her head and responded quietly. "I understand you're worried, Dora. Don't you think I am too? I know him better than almost anyone else in either of the worlds we tread in. McGonagall wouldn't tell me much, only that Mr. Weasley had been hurt bad...And Harry had let her know." She shook her head and continued slowly, "And as much as it pains me to admit it, I think you may be right about Harry and how he will take this." She paused and chewed on her lip. "However, you're also incorrect in that he'll be left alone to sink into self-hatred for the entire break. I'll be able to convince my parents to cancel our ski trip. If Harry is in trouble I'll be there to make sure to drag him out any depression he's in shortly after I can get off the Express."
"That's not enough, Hermione," Dora said shaking her head. "You need to take me to him too. I know how to knock some sense into that guy's skull."
Hermione's scowl returned though it quickly faded into a stony, blank expression. "I have been friends with him far longer than you, Dora. I understand him just as well as you; if not better." She remained silent long enough for Dora to start fidgeting, before her expression seemed to ease a bit. Finally, Hermione continued in a soft voice, eyes cast downwards at her hands clasped in her lap. "And yet, you have seemed to inspire and comfort him far easier and quicker than I ever have. I doubt I would have been able to get him to see McGonagall about Umbridge on my own and I would have had to twist his arm to get him teaching our group. I wish I understood why he listens to you so easily and why you seem to care so much. This is more than simple attraction. If that were truly enough to reach him than I'd have…" she murmured trailing off.
Hermione shook her head and stood to pace around the seating area. "Even if I agreed with you it doesn't matter! You can't get to him! I can't tell you where he is nor can I bring you there!"
"Fidelius right?"
Hermione barked out a rueful laugh. "Of course you'd guess it. Yes, a Fidelius. And Dumbledore is Secret Keeper. You can't get in without him approving of you and considering how our efforts have begun skirting moral lines with Umbridge he'll never agree with your request!"
Dora shrugged. She'd gotten Harry's best friend on her side. Now it was just semantics. "We still need to ask him. Frame it correctly and he'll be sure to agree. It's not like I can be a secret Death Eater!"
Hermione stopped her pacing and turned her head to stare at Dora for several seconds. Dora felt a few shivers run down her back as a decidedly dangerous, determined gleam entered the younger woman's eyes and Hermione's mouth lifted into a frightening smile. "That's true. Allow me to make a suggestion to improve this idea? Also, let me do all the talking. You're good for Harry and we're getting you into that house. One way…or another."
The door to the Headmaster's office opened and admitted a determined student and professor into the spacious abode of the head of the Order of the Phoenix. Dumbledore blinked up at the newcomers from behind his desk with a small smile gracing his lips though the customary twinkle was not present. "Ah Miss Granger, good morning. I expected to see you sometime today though I admit I had thought you would be attending classes before stopping by. You allowed her a pass, Minerva?"
"I did, Albus," Professor McGonagall said with a stiff nod. "This is important and Miss Granger deserves to be heard. I rather doubt that Professor Snape will mind her missing his course for one day."
"Severus might disagree," Dumbledore commented with a chuckle. "I assume this has to do with the absence of Misters Weasley and Potter?"
"It does, Professor," Hermione said. She stood up as straight as she could, squaring her shoulders and taking a deep breath. She cast a careful eye at the portraits on the walls before stating, "Sir, we need to give her access."
"We need to give who access, Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked cocking his head to the side in query.
"I've already spoken with Professor McGonagall and she agrees. It's the right thing to do," Hermione continued.
McGonagall sighed and nodded her head clasping her hands behind her back. "I believe she's right, Albus. The girl should be let in. They are all good for each other and they need their friends now more than ever."
"Let into what exactly?" Dumbledore's head recentered though his eyebrows had scrunched down as if staring into a particularly difficult puzzle.
Hermione again looked to the pictures and narrowed her eyes at them before turning to Dumbledore and whispering. "You know, Sir…the…place…"
"Ah!" Dumbledore exclaimed lifting a finger into the air in triumph. "The Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix!"
"Yes!" Hermione said again looking to the portraits as she only now seemed to notice that they were not moving. "I didn't want to say…paintings have ears and there could be spies anywhere…"
Dumbledore chuckled. "Some caution is always a good idea, Miss Granger, but I would advise you to avoid taking it to extremes as Professor Moody has done in the past. I usually freeze the portraits when I expect a sensitive conversation and you can be assured that there are no turncoats among this group. Not with the enchantments upon the school or office. Now, who exactly are we speaking of?" he finished clapping his hands together with his grin returned and a small hint of a gleam in his eyes.
"Well, Sir…just to be clear…you can grant access to Headquarters as Secret Keep right? Like you've granted it to the both of us?" Hermione asked hesitantly as she swung her arm to encompass herself and McGonagall.
"Of course, Miss Granger. That is how the charm works after all," he said chuckling. "I expect you've thoroughly researched it by now."
"And Number 12 Grimmauld Place is completely secure?" Hermione asked wringing her hands.
The Headmaster nodded. "I assure you, there is nowhere more secure than under a Fidelius Charm. It is perfectly safe at Number 12 Grimmauld Place."
Hermione's expression briefly morphed into a scowl before she dropped back to a neutral mask. "Well honestly I would dispute your claim because then Harry would've been under a Fidelius for his childhood instead of with those horrid relatives, but we aren't here to discuss that. We're here to convince you to let her into Headquarters."
Dumbledore spread his arms wide and laughed. "My dear, I admit to still being utterly unsure of just who we are speaking of!"
Hermione froze, blinked several times and then thrust a hand to her mouth with a gasp. "Oh my! I'm so sorry Professor! I didn't realize I'd forgotten the most important bit! It's Dora Kirk. The transfer student. She needs to be granted access, Sir. Harry needs to see her during the holidays."
Dumbledore frowned and let his hands drop into a clasped position on the table top. "I am certain that young Miss Kirk can wait until the start of term to see her friend again. I cannot just let anyone into Headquarters. I'm surprised you would go along with this, Minerva." He turned an exhausted gaze onto McGonagall and shook his head. "You know that we must carefully research every person who is granted access. This is a delicate situation and if we are not careful a spy could easily enter our ranks again."
McGonagall scowled and stepped forward pointing a finger at Dumbledore. "You know perfectly well that we did not check half of the new members as well as we should have! Hestia Jones has an uncle that joined the Death Eaters not one week before we inducted her into the Order! Exceptions are made at all levels, Albus. The girl is a large part of Potter's support network and considering the events of last night I feel it best she be allowed to speak with him!" the professor said with a hint of Scottish brogue coloring her accent.
Dumbledore just sighed again and shook his head as he turned towards the phoenix on its perch. "Certainly, he can rely on you for two weeks, Miss Granger? It is not so long a time I think."
Hermione blinked rapidly as moisture accumulated at the corners of her eyes. She ran a hand along her eyes before replying. "Professor I am his best friend. But…but I am no longer the one he turns to first. I am no longer the one who he searches out to discuss his problems. I am no longer the one able to comfort or calm him best. You need to let Dora see him or I worry that he will not be in a good mental position upon his return despite any efforts I take over the hols."
Dumbledore was silent for nearly a minute as he stared at his desk. Finally with a heavy, sorrow-filled sigh, he shook his head. Looking up, the other two could see a single tear coursing down his cheek. "I am truly sorry, but I simply cannot take the chance. Perhaps had Miss Kirk been from a location that we could easily verify her story things would be different, but as it stands the risk is too great. You will simply have to make do, Miss Granger."
Hermione's lips quivered and her teeth bared as her hands clenched into fists. She glared at the Headmaster hard enough that the man started to subtly fidget and for a moment they all thought his robes might literally burst into flames. "You honestly think she's compromised? That she's a spy? That she works for bloody Voldemort?! You fool! She's had dozens of opportunities to kill him with no one else the wiser! She's skilled enough to do it too! I'm skilled enough to do it and Barty Crouch Jr. proved last year that I can't resist the Imperious curse! I'm more of a threat to Harry than she is! You're a fool Headmaster and it's no wonder that Harry has been losing faith in you this year! Between Umbridge, Fudge and this?! Good luck to you, Sir. I hope you find your way back to rationality before it is too late."
With her piece said, Hermione turned on her heel and stormed out of the office. McGonagall watched her for a second and shook her head before turning to follow. "Minerva, wait," Dumbledore said softly. McGonagall paused but did not look back. "I am correct am I not? Harry's safety must take priority. We cannot be certain that the girl is entirely who she claims. There is simply no way to verify her identity without resorting to Legilimency or veritaserum…"
"Then perhaps you should have offered those options instead of simply dismissing us, Albus," McGonagall said with a sigh. "You have made decisions on your own for too long. You should allow others to have some input again before things take a turn for the disastrous. Good day, Albus. Let us not speak of this until both of our heads have had a chance to cool."
McGonagall walked out of the Headmaster's office and proceeded immediately to the Room of Requirement. She had no sooner closed the door then she threw both hands into the air and whooped, twirling in a circle. "I can't believe that worked!" McGonagall shouted. "Hermione you are a Merlin-be-damned genius!"
"Can you please shift back, Dora? It is…unsettling watching Professor McGonagall cavort around like a little girl…" Hermione groaned with two fingers rubbing her brow from the couch nearby. Without losing her grin, the visage of Minerva McGonagall slowly melted away, leaving Dora Kirk in its place – with robes nearly a size-and-a-half too large. Dora took a quick glance at her robes and with a shrug cast a resizing charm on them before plopping down into the seat next to Hermione and throwing an arm around her friend.
"You were brilliant, Mione! Utterly brilliant!"
"You know we don't learn that charm until the end of next year…" Hermione murmured. Shaking her head she sent a small grin to Dora. "You were quite good yourself. I thought that that second speech was impeccably well done. Did you remember to ensure he didn't speak with the Professor until after we leave in the morning?"
"Yeah, we should be fine," Dora said waving her hand in dismissal. "Where'd you come up with that last rant? And that stuff about Harry not turning to you? It all sounded so…so real!"
Hermione uttered a watery laugh and leaned against Dora's shoulder. "That's because it was. Harry has looked to you before me for some time now. I…I haven't taken that well and I think I owe you an apology. I can't give it, not yet. I will though." Dora frowned and pulled the brunette closer. "And what I shouted before I left was…entirely true. He is blind now…I just don't understand how one so great, so powerful, so respected could be so utterly convinced that he cannot accept any council but his own!? It's…I became a Gryffindor because I wanted to be like him…"
Dora sighed and squeezed the other girl hard. "First off, you don't owe me anything. I haven't meant to steal your best friend, Hermione. I just want to see him safe and happy like you do. And don't stress yourself out about Dumbledore. He does seem to mean well. He's just been right so often for so long that he…he seems to be having some serious issues recognizing that his way hasn't worked this time. We'll fix it on our own and make him listen to us."
Hermione nodded into Dora's shoulder. "We will have to. It did work though? You know the location of the Order of the Phoenix?"
"The Headquarters for Order of the Phoenix is at Number 12 Grimmauld Place," Dora said with an ear-splitting grin. "I thought the Fidelius secret had to be delivered explicitly word for word in order to let someone in. I can't believe we were able to circumvent it like that."
"Magic is all about intent," Hermione said with another small shrug. "The words, wands and rituals are simply to help one focus. Otherwise wandless magic or silent casting would never work. We simply had to get Dumbledore thinking of divulging the secret of the location of Headquarters to those present in the room. Magic would interpret that as the Secret Keeper divulging the information. Had he agreed to actually let 'Dora Kirk' in instead of just 'Hermione Granger and the woman beside her' it would have just been icing on the cake…That was my theory after all…I'm…perhaps I should go into research when this is over…"
"Definitely a good idea, Mione." Dora gave her friend one more squeeze before settling back into the couch. "So do you want to go to History or stay here for a little while?"
"Can we just stay? For a little bit?" Hermione asked softly. "I…I need to come to terms with losing my role model and…I simply don't feel up to dealing with Binns right now."
Dora nodded and kicked her feet up. "Sure. We can stay as long as you want, Hermione."
The train ride to London was one of the longest Dora had ever experienced. The entire time she was shifting positions and glancing at the door of the cabin just waiting for someone to come rushing in to prevent her from storming Grimmauld. Hermione wasn't all that much better though she hid it well behind her normal habits. The secret was pretty clear to anyone observant though. Having only progressed five pages in three hours tends to showcase one's lack of focus.
As the train finally pulled into the station Dora shot to her feet and practically dragged Hermione behind her as they rushed off the train. "Dora wait! I don't know how to get there via the tube; we need to drive so we need to meet up with my – Mum! Dad!" Hermione broke off mid-thought and hurried forward to engulf both parents in a strong hug. Dora stood to the side blinking rapidly to clear her eyes and ignore that her own mum and dad were unlikely to ever hug her like that again.
"This is my friend, the one I told you about in the letters."
"Oh the Retaliation Prankster huh?" Robert Granger said with an easy grin and small chuckle. Dora raised an eyebrow at his title. Apparently Hermione hadn't been exaggerating when she'd described her parents as 'somewhat more interesting than your average dentist' on the train. "Pleasure to meet you dear."
"It's nice to meet Hermione's parents as well, sir," Dora replied shaking his hand. She turned to Mary Granger and lightly hugged the older woman. "I'm sorry that your ski trip was cancelled."
Mary waved it off and started to direct the group towards the platform exit. "It's not a big deal. We would've liked to spend some more time with our daughter, but we understand that the current environment makes that difficult if things come up."
Hermione sighed. "I promise, we'll do something fun this summer, Mum. Thanks for agreeing to drive us. We can't use the Floo and it's another few months before I can apparate."
Legally at least. Dora thought with a snort. More time wasted when she could've just jumped right over there once out of sight. That would have been rather hard to explain though so she was stuck with the slow way. Being young sucked.
The drive passed quickly and while they Grangers caught up, most of the conversation flew right over Dora's head. She was too focused on watching the houses fly by. Everything looked so different when not on a broom…she'd have to get a bike at some point when things settled down…
"Grimm something right?" Robert asked as she slowed the car just past the new intersection. "I think this is it…Grimmold?"
"Grimmauld," Dora commented distractedly as she checked mail boxes. This was the moment of truth and it was either going to be a huge victory or a crushing defeat if…An instant later the space between Numbers 11 and 13 expanded and a decrepit house appeared as if from nothing. "Hah! Suck on that lemon drop old man!"
Laughter from the front seat accompanied Dora's outburst. "Guess it's the right place. You kids want out here?"
"Yes, Daddy. Thanks again for the ride. I'll call you in a day or two alright?"
"That's fine, sweetheart." Mary smiled into the backseat and reached out to gently hug her daughter. "Just make sure your friend is okay and please do try to relax at least a little. It is almost Christmas and New Years after all!"
"Yes, Mum," Hermione said rolling her eyes. The car came to a stop and she gave her father a short hug before turning to Dora. "Last chance to avoid the storm you'll dredge up by going inside."
Dora shook her head and continued to stare up at the window to the third floor. Harry had claimed…which one had he barricaded himself into for a few days?
With an exasperated sigh Hermione leaned over and opened Dora's door pushing her out before following behind. "Have a happy hol guys! Come on, let's get this over with. Cross your fingers Sirius answers. If it's Mrs. Weasley we might as well turn around and head back to the car."
"Or we just stun her and let her rant later." Dora almost winced as her brain caught up with her mouth. Talk about almost spilling the beans there. She needed to focus more and stop letting the situation break her character or concentration.
"I would rather like to avoid stunning a respected member of my extended family," Hermione commented. She grinned sheepishly as they passed through the gates and headed towards the front door. "Even if I do want to either knock her out or gag her myself every once in awhile."
Dora reached the entrance first and she carefully twisted the handle and pushed it open. When the latch gave way Dora was left staring at the open door held in her hands. That wasn't supposed to happen. The house only responded to active members of the Black family…
Rule 122: You can look a gift horse in the mouth, but be prepared to be flattened by the fist flying out of its gullet.
"Deal with that later," Dora murmured shaking her head and stepping inside. Hermione followed behind and quickly shut the door. Dora started walking forward not lifting her eyes from the Evil Troll Leg Stand. The thing had a personal vendetta against her. Nonliving piece of stationary furniture aside, that troll leg always did its level best to have her break her neck. Not this time. This time Dora was going to avoid it. This time she was going to –
Sirius rounded the corner and smiled, waving to Hermione before he caught sight of Dora and cocked his head to the side. Dora just drew in a breath for her prepared 'Take me to Harry, nothing interesting here speech' when the return of EVIL made itself known. "OH COME ON!" she shouted from the floor scowling at the monstrous creature rolled to a stop. Her hands were aching something fierce from catching her fall and Evil was lying just beyond their spread-eagle position.
That Troll Leg Stand was not going to survive the night.
"Sorry about that," Sirius commented reaching down and helping to pull her to her feet. "I keep meaning to throw it on the rubbish bin and keep forgetting…Also it's incredibly hilarious since my cousin seems to aim to trip on it every time she's here. Gotta keep some levity in this miserable place," he finished with a shake of his head and his eyes cast towards the floor.
His miserable expression was the only thing that helped her manage to keep the snarl from crossing her features. I knew he kept that thing in the hallway on purpose! Taking a deep breath Dora forced her annoyance down and tried to smile at him. It came off more like a grimace. "No problem. We're here to see Harry."
Sirius' eyes cast briefly upwards before he turned back to Dora and Hermione frowning. "I figured. We shouldn't talk here; it's a miracle my mother hasn't woken up yet. Come on." Turning Sirius padded back down the hallway with the girls following.
"I swear this house is even more gloomy than during the summer," Hermione muttered. "How they expect that poor man to stay here all alone is simply astounding."
Dora could only nod. Memories of her cousin falling backwards through the Veil assaulted her. Of course he'd run to help Harry once they heard. He'd probably been going crazy sitting here with just Kreacher and that evil portrait. How he hadn't gone on a one-man Death Eater raid beforehand was the miracle.
They stepped into the library and Sirius shut the door behind them leaning against it with crossed arms. His wand wasn't out, but his hand was visibly close to it as he stared at Dora. "So. Who are you?"
"Sirius, this is Dora Kirk," Hermione said planting herself between Dora and the old Marauder. "I don't know if Harry ever had a chance to mention her prior to slowing down our letters, but she transferred to Hogwarts this year. She's one of our best friends. When we heard about the attack on Mr. Weasley we knew Harry wouldn't take it well and we needed to come and make sure he was alright."
"Where is he?" Dora asked softly. "I understand needing to read me the riot act and vet us, but can we please do that afterwards?"
"Dora huh? My cousin sometimes lets me call her that if she's feeling particularly nice. Small world." Sirius looked from Hermione to Dora and slowly unfolded his arms letting them drop to rest inside his pockets. "I should've called you first, Hermione. I thought I might be able to fix things myself you know? Haven't had much luck. If you girls think you can help, please feel free because Remus and I are at a loss and Molly is just making it worse. He's in Buckbeak's room on the third floor. Won't come out. Won't even open the door. I've been leaving his meals outside the door and just taking away the empty plates."
Hermione grimaced and shook her head. "Dammit Harry…I should've let you convince me to leave last night, Dora. Come on. Let's go knock some sense back into the boy."
"He's a boy, they don't come equipped with sense. The smart ones just listen to us because they know we do," Dora commented with a small grin. She was here, Sirius was here, Harry was here and Hermione was here. She could fix this.
She could save all three of them.
The knock on the door to Buckbeak's room went unanswered. Dora cast an annoyed glare at the sign saying Regulus Arcturus Black hanging in the center. "Harry! Hermione and I did not drag our cute little butts halfway across the country for you to ignore us! Open up!"
There was a scrambling sound and a dull thud followed by a loud curse before the latch was flipped and the door thrown open. Dora stared at the young man on the other side trying to keep her hair pink despite the shock of his appearance. He had some stubble on his chin, his hair was worse than usual, there were some feathers sticking to his pants and his face was drawn and gaunt. It looked like he hadn't been sleeping in a week instead of just the two days. "Dora? Hermione? Hermione, aren't you supposed to be on a ski trip? Dora, how'd you get here?! Dumbledore actually agreed to let you come?"
Hermione winced and wiped a hand down her face. "After a fashion. The Headmaster was…quite adamant about not trusting her. So we tricked him instead. Now are you going to stand aside and let us in so we can talk or are you going to keep this conversation going in the hallway?"
"You. Tricked Dumbledore?!" Harry gaped at the brunette for several long moments before beginning to chuckle. The chuckle quickly morphed into full blown laughter which soon changed into an even more raucous noise as he grabbed his sides and shook with his mirth. "Hermione Jane Granger, we are a horrible influence on you!" the boy finally managed to wheeze out between laughs.
Dora just raised an eyebrow at him and after a moment shrugged. "I agree. We're bad for your perfect record, Hermione. Though I can't deny you're far better at the cunning and deviousness than I would've expected. You go girl!"
Hermione blushed and wrung her hands. "I'd really rather not discuss that at the moment."
Harry managed to reign in his laughter and stepped to the side waving the girls into the room. Both walked in and after exchanging bows with Buckbeak sat down in a circle close enough to the hippogriff so all three could pet his feathers. "So," Dora commented nodding to Harry's clothes, "you badly need to either sleep or shower it seems. Probably both."
Harry shrugged. "I've been avoiding the Weasleys. Scourgify charms work fine for now."
Hermione shook her head and narrowed her eyes. "Harry Potter that is not sufficient. You are in a house with running water. You will go shower and then we will talk."
"But didn't you just?" Harry started before being cut off by Dora jabbing a finger into his chest.
"Shower mister. Now. We can wait to tell you you're an idiot for another fifteen minutes."
Harry stared between the two girls before sighing and getting back up. "I will never understand girls," he muttered. Grabbing a towel from a pile of things near the door, he walked out leaving Hermione and Dora alone with Buckbeak.
Dora gently stroked the large creature waiting until she could hear the rushing of water in the pipes from across the hall. She and Hermione sat in silence for another few minutes before she asked, "Keeping him off balance?"
"Routine mostly," Hermione said with a shrug. "The first step to convincing him he is normal is to make him feel normal."
Dora shook her head. "But he's not normal, Hermione. He's amazing and noble to a fault, but he's not exactly normal and he's never going to be."
"Yes, but that doesn't mean he has to feel alone."
"That is not what I said. I just said we shouldn't try to convince him he's completely the same as everyone else when it's not true." Dora grimaced. "We can comfort him and make sure that we help him figure out what's going on, but we can't lie to him."
"I wasn't going to suggest we do." Hermione shrugged and reached out to squeeze Dora's thigh. "I'm sorry; I know that you are sensitive over the normality thing as well. We all are to a degree. Between my intelligence, your abilities and Harry's fame, none of us are ever going to be normal per se."
The door opened and Harry walked in with water still dripping from his hair. "Good to know I'm surrounded by people just as strange as me," he commented. The tone was flippant, but Dora caught the tension around his eyes and neck that belied the sentiment's undercurrent.
"Harry, like it or not, you're tied up in this. Don't give it more power than it deserves. Whatever happened is no different from the other crazy stuff you've told me about." He frowned at her but shrugged and sat back down in the circle. "Now tell us about what has you freaking out and refusing to be around anyone."
Harry stayed silent for nearly a minute just stroking Buckbeak and staring at his hands. Eventually when the silence had grown to uncomfortable proportions he started speaking. "I was possessed. I attacked Mr. Weasley. I hurt Ron's dad. I…I nearly killed him…"
Hermione's eyes narrowed to slits and she vehemently shook her head. "Honestly, Harry! That's beyond foolish to think that! How could you have possibly left Hogwarts, secretly attacked Mr. Weasley, gotten back to school and woken everyone in the dorm quickly enough for McGonagall to have gotten help to a man badly injured?"
"Yeah mate, your roommates were rather convinced that you were in bed the entire night until you started screaming bloody murder," Dora commented with forced nonchalance. "You might have seen through old Voldy's eyes as he tried to get through Arthur Weasley, but you sure as heck weren't possessed and doing it yourself." She paused and tapped her chin, a slight grin spreading across her lips. "Actually if anything you did a reverse possession! Think of how useful that could be!"
Harry just stared at her with his mouth open though Hermione groaned and slapped a hand to her forehead. "Seriously, Dora? Not helping."
Dora sighed and shook her head. "Yeah, probably a bad idea. You'd likely just see tons of gross shite peeking into his head. It's too bad; being able to force him to AK himself would've been beyond hilarious. He'd probably just get more pissed at you for next time though I suppose you already have a target on your head so maybe just for giggles we can try it anyway?" she asked innocently fluttering her enlarged, doe-like eyes at the two others.
Harry and Hermione cast each other incredulous glances before turning back to Dora and chuckling slightly. Harry reached over and pat her knee. "Thanks for that, Dora. Hermione, you too. I guess it was kind of stupid to think that I was the one who did it. But still, it felt so real. Like it was my teeth sinking into him. I know they said it was that snake familiar he has, but it felt like me. There…why do I have this connection? Why can't I get rid of it!?"
Hermione wrapped him in a hug and laid her head on his shoulder briefly before letting him go. "I don't know, but we'll figure it out like we always do."
Dora nodded. "Darn right we will. In the meantime, I can start to teach you some Occlumency. It might help keep him out. Basically it's the opposite of mind reading; it closes off your mind to others with some cool side effects like helping you deal with strong emotions a bit easier."
Hermione frowned and cocked her head at Dora. "Why are you just bringing this up now?"
Because I couldn't figure out how to frame it earlier without sounding suspicious. "Because I didn't think it was important earlier. It's not something a ton of people use. I mostly know it because my teacher was evil and loved to work years ahead of 'those frustratingly slow public schools'. I don't know if it'll work or not, but hey, it's a worth a shot."
Harry nodded. "Anything that might help would be appreciated."
"Okay, it's settled then!" Dora said clapping her hands together. "We start practicing tonight and we stop moping around starting now!"
Hermione chuckled. "I think we can agree to that. Harry?"
He shot a wary glance to the two girls before throwing up his hands in defeat. "Fine, I give up. You two make sense so I'll try to perk up and stop dwelling on it."
"Yes! Success!" Dora pumped her hands into the air as all three grinned at each other. Things were looking up again.
It was dinnertime before the trio picked up to leave the room. "Are you sure about this, Dora? You could still sneak out…" Hermione commented worrying at her lip.
"Sirius already knows I'm here so there's not much point in leaving now is there? Besides where would I go? I don't really feel like grabbing a ride back to Hogwarts for the rest of the break."
Harry groaned and wiped a hand through his hair as he led the progression down the stairs. "Mrs. Weasley is not going to be happy you're here."
"Eh, what's the worst she can do? Yell at me? Like that's going to do anything," Dora commented grinning and lacing her hands behind her head. Harry just shook his head and Hermione frowned and subtly moved to place Dora between the two of them. It was sweet how they thought they'd be protecting her from the wrath of the resident matriarch. Molly had nothing on Bellatrix.
"Harry! You've come down for dinner!" said red-headed woman exclaimed as she pushed through the door to the kitchen with a tray in one hand and her wand in the other. A flick of the wand had the plates soaring back into through the door and she'd enveloped Harry into a hug before even bothering to look anywhere else. "When Sirius said that Hermione had shown up I just knew you'd be down in no time! Thank you dear so much for – " The abrupt termination of her line of thought was almost amusing.
Dora smiled and waved waiting for the mountain to erupt. "I have not seen you before," Mrs. Weasley said carefully. She slowly stood back up and tried to push Harry to the side. He didn't seem to be having any of that as he stayed planted firmly between Dora and Molly.
"Yeah, it'd be pretty hard to see me considering I just barely made it onto the train in September and I've been at Hogwarts since then," Dora commented never losing her smile.
"Hogwarts."
"Yup," she replied popping her 'p'. "Name's Dora Kirk. You must be Mrs. Weasley. It's nice to meet you."
Molly rocked back on her feet caught off her stride at how the conversation was going. "Dumbledore trusted you enough after such a short time to allow you into our sanctuary?"
"Sure. After a fashion," Dora said her grin becoming more of a smirk. "I'm sneaky that way."
It took a moment for Molly to process that statement, but once she had, her eyes narrowed and her wand flashed up. "You tricked your way into this house?! How dare you!"
A groan issued from Harry and Dora felt Hermione shift right behind her. The door to the kitchen swung open again and most of the members of the Order peered out around the door. She caught a glimpse of the rest of the Weasleys, Shacklebolt, Remus, Sirius, Hestia and – a shiver ran down her back as Dora locked eyes with Tonks who leant around the frame to catch a peek at what was going on.
"Who has tricked their way inside? That should not be possible under a Fidelius," Shacklebolt asked stepping forward to stand beside Molly. Trust Shack to try and sort things out.
"I did," Dora said raising her hand and shaking her head to tear her gaze from her counterpart. "Harry was here and he needed some help which none of you people seemed willing to give. I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
That comment apparently didn't sit well with Molly at all. "Why you little harlot!" she screamed her wand starting to spark. "How dare you imply that you came here to seduce that young man!" Dora almost laughed at that comment. How Molly had leapt from 'I'm here to help' to 'I'm here to jump his bones' was impressive.
"I believe we should consult Dumbledore on this," Shack said softly. In a moment his silver Patronus was running out through the walls to deliver the news of an intruder. Again just like Shack. He had always been careful to keep people posted on need-to-know information. So unlike her ex-idol.
"Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said calmly though the iron grip on Dora's hand spoke volumes to her true feelings. "Dora was not alone in her efforts to arrive here. I assisted her and I agree that I would do it again. We appealed to Professor Dumbledore and he was very unreasonable about the entire matter."
"She could be a Death Eater spy! She's just admitted to trying to seduce him! What else could she be up to?! I want her out! NOW!"
Harry blinked and snorted. "Seduce me? Dora, have you seduced me? I know I'm a bit oblivious, but I'd like to think I would have noticed that."
Dora shrugged and winked at him. "Well I haven't ruled it out, but no, I haven't attempted to get you into bed yet. You'll know if I come after you, Harry, of that you can be sure."
Sirius slid around the doorframe and stepped up next to Harry. "Molly, hold on here. You're completely overreacting. I talked with both Hermione and Dora when they got here. They just came to talk to Harry and help him deal with the thing with Arthur."
Molly just scowled and gripped her wand tighter. "Even more reason to throw her out! She's been informed of things not her concern and she needs to leave before she learns anything sensitive!"
Fred and George looked at each other and cocked their shoulders in a dual shrug before Fred turned to his mother. "Uh, Mum, we haven't learned anything 'sensitive'. If she's going to figure something fancy out before we do I vote she stays so we can grovel at her feet in an attempt to learn more."
"There there, minions, our work on Umbridge is enough at this juncture," Dora said wiggling her eyebrows to the twins. George chuckled in reply and saluted her.
"Sirius stand aside! I will take care of this little hussy."
Harry scowled and he stepped directly between Molly and Dora. "Mrs. Weasley, we've been trying to tell you that this is ridiculous. If Dora and Hermione hadn't come to talk to me, I'd probably still be up with Buckbeak. Please stop yelling at her, calling her names and trying to toss her out. She's my friend and I'm very glad to have her here!"
Molly shook her head and raised her wand. "You have no idea where she's from or who she is! Get out of the way, Harry!" She flicked her wrist and a spell shot out of it. Dora didn't even flinch as it struck a shield erected by Sirius. The old dog's lips pulled back into a snarl and he sent a disarming hex into Molly from point blank range.
As he caught her wand Sirius shouted, "Enough!" The floor above them rumbled as muffled screaming started up. Dora bit back an annoyed grunt at the horrible portrait. Thankfully it was quiet enough that the woman's curses didn't interrupt the current confrontation. "Molly Weasley, Dora Kirk has sanctuary in my house. She has been vouched for by Hermione, Harry and the twins. Neither Ron nor Ginny have said anything against her yet either. That's good enough for me. If you can't sit here and have a decent, civil conversation with my godson's friend then you can leave!"
Inside, Dora cheered. Sirius had never actually stood up to the Weasley matriarch last time around. How he'd always sat there and taken her constant ribbing had consistently grated back in the day. Dora wished she knew what domino she'd tapped that set this change in motion…
Speaking of dominos…that Ron hadn't immediately jumped to his mother's side was a definite improvement; on the other hand that he was still hanging back by the kitchen door staring glumly at the middle ground between the two groups was a tad disappointing. Ginny's expression seemed frozen between annoyance and entertainment. This was probably the girl's dream. Either way she'd win. Her mother would be knocked down a peg or Dora would be kicked out and leave her as the sole female – beyond Hermione – Harry's age in the house. Dora almost snorted at the thought of Ginny acting slightly like a dreaded Slytherin.
Molly reared back on her heels and gaped at Sirius for nearly five seconds before managing to regroup. "Sirius Black you will give me back my wand and let me deal with this. I am protecting this family and this house far better than you obviously!"
From just in front of the kitchen door Tonks frowned and shook her head. "That's a low blow, Molly. You know as well as the rest of us that Sirius isn't allowed to leave because there's too much chance he'd be recognized and killed."
"Mrs. Weasley, Dora is my family as much as any of you are," Harry stated softly as his wand dropped into his hand. "I won't stand here and let you threaten her and insult Sirius!"
Sirius for his part had gone stock still. He lowered his wand and glared at the large red-head. "Get out." His voice was soft, but it cut through the whispered conversations and brought absolute silence to the hall. The only sound after was continued muffled curses from Walburga Black, a slight whoosh from the kitchen and heavy breathing in the hallway.
"What?" Molly asked blinking at Sirius.
"I said: Get. Out. You are no longer welcome under my roof, Molly Weasley. Get! Out!"
"Now, now, Sirius," Dumbledore's soothing voice cut into the rant as he stepped around the people clustered near the door to the kitchen. Dora's eyes narrowed at seeing the man. Kitchen Floo; at least the thump made sense now. "Let us all calm our tempers and discuss this like rational men."
Sirius shook his head and pointed his wand at Molly. "Not this time, Dumbledore. She leaves right now or House Black is not going to be hosting the Order of the Turkeys any longer."
"Sirius, please – " Dumbledore implored.
"You have ten seconds to leave, Molly. Ten, nine, eight…" Sirius said continuing to glare.
Dumbledore sighed and shook his head. "Molly, please let us deal with this. I will come speak with you later once I have everything sorted out. It should only be a few hours."
Molly shook her head and kept her eyes centered on Sirius'. "Headmaster I hardly think – "
"Now, Molly," Dumbledore cut her off before her rant could get restarted. Scowling Molly held out her hand to Sirius with a huff. The man waited a long moment before reluctantly handing her wand back over. As soon as her fingers clenched around it, Molly turned and stalked into the kitchen towards the Floo. A pin could've dropped in the hall as Dumbledore watched her go before turning to narrow his eyes on Dora. "I do not remember giving you the secret of this location. How is it you are here, Miss Kirk?"
Dora raised her eyebrows at the man and snorted. "Oh so now you remember my name? Couldn't seem to figure it out when Hermione was talking with you could you?"
"I do not believe that is relevant," Dumbledore commented his gaze hardening.
"Actually it's completely relevant. See that's when you granted me access. I was pretty cunning about how I asked, but I did still ask," Dora said with a smile and a small wave to encompass the house. "It would have been nice of you to tell me without having to pull it out of you, but it was a long shot getting here the easy way."
"We asked you, Headmaster," Hermione stated stepping up to stand beside Harry and Sirius in blocking off Dora. "We gave you multiple reasons and opportunities to hear our side yet you continued to ignore anything we said. I had to resort to underhanded methods to manipulate the permission for our friend to enter this house and help Harry see some sense."
Dumbledore peered intently at Hermione before shifting back to Dora with narrowed eyes. "I was not speaking with Minerva at all…Polyjuice…I am becoming far too complacent…"
"Nope. Try again," Dora commented shrugging. "Close but no dice." Dumbledore's head jerked up and he quickly passed his gaze between Tonks and Dora both with similar shades of pink hair. His eyes widened and he gaped for just a moment before managing to recover. "You are a metamorphmagus!"
"Nail on the head!"
George slapped his brother on the back and let out an incongruous shout of glee. "Haha, I knew it! Technicolor Hair Spell my arse! Pay up, Fred!"
"Lucky guess," Fred grumbled as he passed over several galleons. Dora smiled at the twins and bowed her head slightly. She was surprised it'd taken the school this long to realize her game of daily hair changes wasn't caused by a spell. Word would probably spread quickly now that all the Weasleys were aware. At least she wouldn't have to keep trying to hold her morphs now to keep the mystery going.
"Extraordinary abilities aside, I never once spoke the full phrase nor did I agree to tell you in the future, Miss Kirk," Dumbledore said shaking his head. "This is quite disturbing."
" 'Like you've granted access to the both of us?' " Hermione whispered. "Magic is all about intentions, Headmaster. You need to be more careful in how you phrase things. That I could mislead you in under five minutes…It's a wonder that we aren't swimming with Death Eaters. You claim this house is safer than anything else possible. Yet I am sixteen and I worked out how to evade your defenses in under an hour. Your methods do not work, Headmaster Dumbledore. I wish you could admit that."
Dumbledore frowned and remained quiet. Eventually he shook his head and centered his gaze back onto Dora. "Evidently I will have to reevaluate how I conduct my meetings. Now…Miss Kirk's background and motivations remain unverified. Harry's safety is the utmost priority. I apologize, but you cannot be allowed to remain aware of this location. I believe that Obliviation is the most prudent – "
Dumbledore bit off the rest of the sentence as he stared down at four wands pointed directly at his chest. Dora, Hermione and Harry had all raised their wands simultaneously while Sirius was only a heartbeat behind them. The entire house seemed to take a collective breath until the twins and Ron slipped past Dumbledore's side. Fred and George took up flanking positions on either side of Dora while Ron stepped behind her to cover the rear. Tonks, Shack, Hestia and Remus remained rooted to the floor by the kitchen staring open mouthed at the events in front of them. Dora couldn't help a small, warm smile from spreading on her lips. So much for being mean. Suck on that Lavender!
"Headmaster Dumbledore, I think it prudent that you leave my house as well," Sirius stated softly. "As I've said, Dora Kirk has the confidence and trust of my godson and his friends. She now has mine as well. If you cannot accept that feel free to move Headquarters to another location. But she will be allowed to stay here as long as she wishes. As to Harry's safety, he is free to choose whether to follow you to your new Headquarters or to remain here for the holiday. The choice is his. Not yours. His. If he wishes to go up and join the Death Munchers that's something I'd try and talk him out of, yet it should still be his choice. I let you dictate his guardians against his wishes during the last two summers. I will not let you dictate his shelter, friends or actions now. Leave and come back when you've had a chance to decide your choice." Sirius' words were punctuated by a dull glow to his wand. Dora whistled low. She'd never seen her cousin this angry before. Even when he was fighting Bellatrix he hadn't seemed truly…angry. Suddenly she truly understood why the Blacks were feared.
Dumbledore looked between all of the occupants of the hallway before slowly nodding with a quiet sigh and making a show of returning his wand to its holster. "I apologize for the atmosphere and disturbance. Everything I have done has been to protect Harry. I wish to continue using your home to conduct meetings, Sirius. I will withdraw my concerns about Miss Kirk until such time they need to be revisited. For now I will leave to allow for all of our heads to cool." Again pins could've hit the floor like cannons. Dumbledore simply nodded to all present and walked back to the fireplace, Flooing away.
AN: Much thanks to RhysThornbery for his beta assistance on this.
Is Hermione a bit…harsher than strictly necessary in this chapter? Probably. I feel that this is a bit more realistic of a reaction though from someone whose idol just tore down their pedestal in front of her eyes.
\/\/\/\/
Mad-Eye's Rules For Successfully Reaching Retirement:
Rule 4: Common Sense. Muggles have it. So should we. We don't. Strive to get some.
Rule 122: You can look a gift horse in the mouth, but be prepared to be flattened by the fist flying out of its gullet.
\/\/\/\/
Fic Recommendation: "Twenty seconds of bravery" by MercuryM. This used to be on this site, but it seems the author has removed the oneshot collection it was in. It's still found by its lonesome at Archive of Our Own (make sure you google search for "MercuryM" in quotations otherwise it has issues popping up…). This is a Harry/Tonks short oneshot where Tonks tells Remus after their first date that she is in love with someone else. It is incredibly sweet and written well. It's a very nice small fic for Honks shippers.
