This turned out waaayyy longer than I planned, but oh well.
I DON'T OWN ANYTHING!
ENJOY!

Harry made his way to the Burrow, he glared at Aileen where she primly sat by the door. "I will find a way to throw you into a puddle, just you watch" Harry said, ignoring her smug look.

He knocked on the door and Mrs. Weasley appeared.

"Harry! You've arrived" Mrs. Weasley greeted cheerfully. "Dumbledore said you would be coming." She pulled him into a warm embrace and ushered him inside.

"Um, shouldn't you have asked me a question?" Harry asked as he was pushed to the kitchen table. He was surprised to see Tonks sitting there as well. She looked rather pale and her hair not her signature pink.

"Wotcher Harry" She greeted.

"Hi Tonks" He said.

She gave him a small smile before standing up, "I'd better be off. Thank you, Molly, for the tea and sympathy."

"Oh, you're welcome dear. Why not come by this weekend for dinner. Remus, Sirius, and Mad-Eye are coming –"

"No, really, Molly…thanks anyway…night" Tonks hurried out the door and vanished with a crack.

Mrs. Weasley sighed softly.

"What's wrong with her?" Harry asked.

"Oh, nothing for you to worry about dear." Mrs. Weasley said, waving her hands. "Now, are you hungry? I bet you are. I swear, you and Ron, both of you look as though you've had Stretching Jinxes put on you." She started to heat up a large pot on the stove.

Harry looked around the room, it was quiet so he assumed the others were all asleep. He saw Crookshanks at the base of the stairs, staring at Aileen.

"Hermione's here?"

"Yes, she arrived the day before yesterday." She sent over a bowl of steaming onion soup. "We weren't sure when to expect you, Dumbledore is never quite clear on these things. Everyone is sleeping now." She gave him some bread before sitting opposite him.

"So, you persuaded Horace Slughorn to take the job?"

Harry nodded; his mouth so full of hot soup that he could not speak.

"He taught Arthur and me," Mrs. Weasley said. "He was at Hogwarts for ages, started around the same time as Dumbledore, I think. Did you like him?"

His mouth now full of bread, Harry shrugged and gave a noncommittal jerk of the head.

"I know what you mean," Mrs. Weasley nodded wisely. "Of course, he can be charming when he wants to be, but Arthur's never liked him much. The Ministry's littered with Slughorn's old favorites, he was always good at giving leg ups, but he never had much time for Arthur — didn't seem to think he was enough of a highflier. Well, that just shows you, even Slughorn makes mistakes. I don't know whether Ron's told you in any of his letters — it's only just happened — but Arthur's been promoted!" It could not have been clearer that Mrs. Weasley had been bursting to say this.

Harry swallowed a large amount of very hot soup and thought he could feel his throat blistering. "That's great!" he gasped.

"Yes, Rufus Scrimgeour has set up several new offices in response to the present situation, and Arthur's heading the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects. It's a big job, he's got ten people reporting to him now!" She crowed. "Ever since You-Know-Who returned, odd things have been cropping up for sale everywhere, things that are supposed to guard against You-Know-Who and the Death Eaters. You can imagine the kind of thing — so-called protective potions that are really gravy with a bit of bubotuber pus added, or instructions for defensive jinxes that actually make your ears fall off…Well, in the main the perpetrators are just people like Mundungus Fletcher, who've never done an honest day's work in their lives and are taking advantage of how frightened everybody is. You know that Mundungus Fletcher was caught stealing from Sirius?"

Harry startled, "What?"

Mrs. Weasley nodded, "He's apparently been pilfering small things around the house while Sirius is gone. Kreacher apparently found out and Sirius has barred him from entry."

Harry nodded, "Good"

"Well, anyway" Mrs. Weasley continued, "every now and then something really nasty turns up. The other day Arthur confiscated a box of cursed Sneakoscopes that were almost certainly planted by a Death Eater. So you see, it's a very important job, and I tell him it's just silly to miss dealing with spark plugs and toasters and all the rest of that Muggle rubbish." Mrs. Weasley ended her speech with a stern look, as if it had been Harry suggesting that it was natural to miss spark plugs.

"Um, is Mr. Weasley still at work then?" Harry asked. He dunked a piece of bread into the soup and gave it to Aileen.

"Yes, he is. As a matter of fact, he's a tiny bit late…he said he'd be back around midnight…"

She turned to look at a large clock that was perched awkwardly on top of a pile of sheets in the washing basket at the end of the table. Harry recognized it at once: It had nine hands, each inscribed with the name of a family member, and usually hung on the Weasleys' sitting room wall, though its current position suggested that Mrs. Weasley had taken to carrying it around the house with her. Every single one of its nine hands was now pointing at 'mortal peril'.

"It's been like that for a while now," Mrs. Weasley said, in a too casual voice, "ever since You-Know-Who came back into the open. I suppose everybody's in mortal danger now…Oh!" she pointed at the clock's face. Mr. Weasley's hand had switched to 'traveling'.

"He's coming!" And sure enough, a moment later there was a knock on the back door. Mrs. Weasley jumped up and hurried to it; with one hand on the doorknob and her face pressed against the wood she called softly, "Arthur, is that you?"

"Yes," came Mr. Weasley's weary voice. "But I would say that even if I were a Death Eater, dear. Ask the question!"

"Oh, honestly…"

"Molly!"

"All right, all right. What is your dearest ambition?"

"To find out how airplanes stay up."

Mrs. Weasley nodded and turned the doorknob, but apparently Mr. Weasley was holding tight to it on the other side, because the door remained firmly shut.

"Molly! I've got to ask you your question first!"

"Arthur, really, this is just silly"

"What do you like me to call you when we're alone together?"

Even by the dim light of the lantern Harry could tell that Mrs. Weasley had turned bright red; he himself felt suddenly warm around the ears and neck, and hastily gulped soup, clattering his spoon as loudly as he could against the bowl.

"Mollywobbles," whispered a mortified Mrs. Weasley into the crack at the edge of the door.

"Correct," Mr. Weasley said. "Now you can let me in."

Mrs. Weasley opened the door, allowing her husband inside.

"I still don't see why we have to go through that every time you come home," Mrs. Weasley complained, still pink in the face as she helped her husband out of his cloak. "I mean, a Death Eater might have forced the answer out of you before impersonating you!"

"I know, dear, but it's Ministry procedure, and I have to set an example. Something smells good — onion soup?" Mr. Weasley turned hopefully in the direction of the table. "Harry! We didn't expect you until morning!"

They shook hands, and Mr. Weasley dropped into the chair beside Harry as Mrs. Weasley set a bowl of soup in front of him too.

"Thanks, Molly. It's been a tough night. Some idiots started selling Metamorph-Medals. Just sling them around your neck and you'll be able to change your appearance at will. A hundred thousand disguises, all for ten Galleons!"

"And what really happens when you put them on?"

"Mostly you just turn a fairly unpleasant orange color, but a couple of people have also sprouted tentaclelike warts all over their bodies. As if St. Mungo's didn't have enough to do already!"

"It sounds like the sort of thing Fred and George would find funny," Mrs. Weasley said hesitantly. "Are you sure —"

"Of course I am!" Mr. Weasley replied. "The boys wouldn't do anything like that now, not when people are desperate for protection!"

"Speaking of those two, you will be staying in their room tonight dear" Mrs. Weasley told Harry.

"Where are they staying?"

"Oh, they have a small flat above their shop. I must say, I didn't approve at first, but they do seem to have a bit of a flair for business!" She said. "Come on, I think it's time for bed" She shooed him up the stairs. "Your trunk is already up there."

"Thanks. Good night Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley"

"Good night Harry" They replied.

Harry made his way to Fred and George's room on the second floor. It was crowded with boxes and smelled like gunpowder. Hedwig hooted happily at Harry from her perch on top of a large wardrobe, then took off through the window; Harry figured she had been waiting to see him before going hunting. He changed into his pajamas and got into bed. Aileen made herself comfortable in the crook of his neck, her purring lulling him to sleep.

Seconds later, or so it seemed to Harry, he was awakened by what sounded like cannon fire as the door burst open. Sitting bolt upright, he quickly got to his feet and grabbed the nearest blob and brought them to the floor.

"Harry!" They shrieked.

It took him a few moments to recognize the voice, "Ron?"

"Yeah mate"

Harry immediately stood up and fumbled for his glasses. When he put them on, he saw Ron still on the floor and Hermione at the door, both gaping at him.

"Sorry, I've been doing defense training and it's not uncommon to be attacked while I'm sleeping."

"Uh, yeah…no problem mate" Ron said as he got off the floor.

"We're sorry too. We shouldn't have barged in; we were just so excited to learn you were here." Hermione said, looking him over.

"Well, it's nice to see you too" Harry said as he sat down on the bed. Ron and Hermione each shoved a box over and sat down.

"When did you get in? Mum's only just told us." Ron asked.

"Around one o'clock this morning." Harry said.

"How have you been, Harry?" Hermione asked. "Are you okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well…" she looked unsure "your sister, last year…"

"Oh! No, everything's –" He quickly ducks his head in time for a brown and white blur to fly over him. "Ha!" He shouts in triumph.

Aileen chirps at him and goes over to Hermione.

"Oh, she's beautiful" Hermione coos as she picks up the cat. "But I thought you had Hedwig"

"I still have her, she's not a pet."

"Then why is she here?" Ron asked.

"Because Aileen thinks she's training me" Harry said.

"Aileen? But didn't she…you know…" Ron said softly.

Harry smiled, "She didn't die, she came back."

"But wasn't she hit with the killing curse?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, but she's not human remember."

"So, this is…" She trailed off as she examined the cat on her lap.

"Hello" Aileen greeted. The two squeaked in surprise.

"I'm training Harry's magical senses" Aileen said with a smug swish of her tail. "I get to sneak up on him whenever I want and see if he can dodge me. This is probably the first time he's managed to do it." She sent him a teasing look over her shoulder.

He stuck his tongue out in retaliation.

"She also likes to play hide-and-seek." Harry said.

"You'll thank me someday" She said.

Harry rolled his eyes. "You guys will keep this a secret right?" He asked. "I don't need everyone knowing about this."

"No problem Harry" Ron assured. Hermione nodded in agreement.

"Thanks guys."

"So, what did Dumbledore want with you? Mum said he would be dropping you off." Ron asked.

"He wanted my help recruiting an old professor." Harry shrugged.

"I guess that makes sense, seeing as Umbridge is gone. Thank Merlin for that!"

Harry chuckled.

"Think he'll be any good?" Hermione asked.

"Don't know. Mrs. Weasley said he was good."

"Mum had him? He must be ancient"

The trio laughed.

A moment later, Ginny burst into the room with a disgruntled look on her face.

"What's wrong with you?" Ron asked.

"It's her," Ginny said, plonking herself down on Harry's bed. "She's driving me mad."

"What's she done now?" asked Hermione sympathetically.

"It's the way she talks to me — you'd think I was about three!"

"I know," said Hermione, dropping her voice. "She's so full of herself."

Harry was astonished to hear Hermione talking about Mrs. Weasley like this and could not blame Ron for saying angrily, "Can't you two lay off her for five seconds?"

"Oh, that's right, defend her," snapped Ginny. "We all know you can't get enough of her."

This seemed an odd comment to make about Ron's mother. Starting to feel that he was missing something, Harry asked, "Who are you talking about?"

"Ugh, Phlegm." Ginny sneered.

"Phlegm?" Harry looked at Ron.

"Fleur Delacour, you remember her, right? She was a champion in the Triwizard Tournament." Ron answered.

"Okay, but what is she doing here?"

"Bill's 'in love' with her." Ginny rolled her eyes. "Mum hates her, though she won't admit it. Thinks they're rushing into it."

"They have been together a year" Ron said.

Ginny scoffed, "Of course you like her. A pretty veela for you to stare at."

Ron huffed.

Harry snickered quietly. "Do you know if breakfast is ready?"

"Uh, yeah" Ron said, "but Mum was going to bring a tray up for you."

"No need, might as well go down and say hello."

Ginny glared at him.

Harry took Aileen from Hermione and went downstairs. When he entered the kitchen, Mrs. Weasley was cooking while Fleur was sitting at the table. The blonde was the first to see him.

" 'Arry," she said in a throaty voice. "Eet 'as been too long!" She quickly crossed the room and embraced him, kissing both of his cheeks. "I 'ave been longing to see you. You remember my seester, Gabrielle? She never stops talking about 'Arry Potter. She will be delighted to see you again."

"Oh…uh…is she here too?" Harry croaked.

"No, no, silly boy," said Fleur with a tinkling laugh, "I mean next summer, when we — but do you not know?" Her great blue eyes widened and she looked reproachfully at Mrs. Weasley.

"We hadn't got around to telling him yet." She defended.

Fleur turned back to Harry, eyes bright, "Bill and I are going to be married!"

"Oh," said Harry blankly. He could not help noticing how Mrs. Weasley, Hermione, and Ginny were all determinedly avoiding one another's gaze. "Wow. Er — congratulations!"

She swooped down upon him and kissed him again.

"Bill is very busy at ze moment, working very 'ard, and I only work part-time at Gringotts for my Eenglish, so he brought me 'ere for a few days to get to know 'is family properly. I was so pleased to 'ear you would be coming — zere isn't much to do 'ere, unless you like cooking and chickens!"

He heard Mrs. Weasley huff from her place at the counter.

Fleur noticed Aileen in his hands and cooed, "Oh, un si beau chat!"

Harry quickly dodged her hands, "Please don't touch her."

Fleur frowned, but backed off.

"Here you are dear" Mrs. Weasley said as she placed a plate on the table. "I was going to bring a tray up for you later."

"Yeah, Ron said, but I thought I would come down." He placed Aileen on the table and sat down. He began to eat, occasionally feeding Aileen.

When Harry was finished with breakfast, he went back to his room to dress before finding Ron and Hermione again. He found them in Ron's room, sitting on the floor. Hermione was reading while Ron was eating.

"Hey Harry, had enough of Fleur?" Hermione asked bitterly.

Harry shrugged but didn't respond.

"It's not like she's going to live here forever. We barely see Bill as it is, I don't think that's going to change once they're married." Ron said.

Hermione huffed, but didn't respond.

"So, why is Aileen following you around in cat form?" Ron asked after a moment of silence.

"She's going to be popping in every now and again to train me this year. She thought it would be easier if she were a cat, that way she can come and go as she pleases without suspicion."

"Training you for Voldemort?" Hermione asked.

Harry nodded. "I'm also getting private lessons from Dumbledore this year."

"Really? Wicked" Ron said. "You'll have to tell us all about it."

Harry nodded, "I'll probably need Hermione's help anyway." He grinned.

Hermione grinned sheepishly.

"So this is it" Ron said, "They're training you to end the war."

"I think so. I have a feeling this is all going to end very soon." Harry replied.

"Well, we're with you mate" Ron said. "Whatever it is."

Hermione nodded.

Harry smiled, "Thanks guys."

/

Later that afternoon, their O.W.L. scores came. Hermione, of course, got near perfect OWLs. Harry didn't do too badly, but he didn't get an O in Potions, which meant he couldn't become an Auror. He was disappointed, of course, he studied a lot for that one, but not enough apparently.

"Well, we're N.E.W.T. students now!" Ron cheered as they compared scores.

/

As Mrs. Weasley said earlier, Remus, Sirius, and Mad-Eye joined them for dinner. Harry was curious if Mad-Eye would be able to tell Aileen wasn't a cat. He had a bet going with Ron.

He ended up winning when Aileen made her presence known by sitting in front of Remus and glaring at him. All the Auror did was raise a brow before returning to his meal. A part of Harry was disappointed.

"What did you do to deserve that look, Remus?" Harry snickered.

"Whatever it is must have been serious" Sirius commented, a slight smirk on his face.

Remus sighed, attempting to eat his dinner around the cat sitting in front of him with little success. "I think I know." He gave another sigh as Aileen took food off his fork before it could reach his mouth.

"Here, Remus" Ginny stood and went to pick Aileen up.

Harry quickly stopped her, "Please don't touch her"

Ginny frowned, "Why not?"

"Because she doesn't like other people touching her" Harry replied. Aileen hissed at her to prove his point.

"Then why don't you get her off the table." Ginny said.

Harry shrugged, "My dad told me not to get in the way when a woman looks at someone like that."

"Smart man" Sirius nodded.

Remus chuckled and went back to attempting to eat his dinner.

Once dinner had finished, Aileen followed Remus outside as the man left. She didn't return until Harry was getting ready for bed.

"Where have you been?" Harry asked as she made herself comfortable on his chest.

"I had to give Remus a talking too." She replied.

"About what?"

"About him being an idiot. I think I got through to him though. And if I didn't, I'm sure Sirius will."

"I'll take your word for it." He said and went to sleep.