Remus was currently pinching the bridge of his nose and resisting the urge to bash his head off something hard. Not that anyone would notice that right now, what with all the arguing going on around them. It was a lot of arguing. A lot of loud arguing.
"No, that won't give us enough time to get the Dursleys to safety," Dora was arguing with a very adamant Elphias Doge.
"It gives us plenty of time."
"Are you aware of how slow methods of muggle transportation are compared to magical?"
"I thought these automobiles were supposed to be quite fast."
"They're now called cars and, yes, they're fast but they aren't magic fast."
"Oh. Then my idea won't work."
"No. It won't."
Now that was a voice heavy with exasperation and tiredness. It was odd hearing it from his wife (his wife) and not him. Then again, she had to deal with similar things at the Ministry only to attend meetings like this where things also did not get resolved. Dora liked to be doing something. To be kept busy. Idleness did not suit her. She got frustrated.
Elphias, on the other hand, looked quite disappointed. Remus knew that the man did love muggle vehicles, though he didn't think he had ever been in any...
"The Dursleys will still need to leave in a car," Remus assured him. "You can be their guard."
That perked him up. Remus made a mental note to make sure that he did not attempt to drive.
"It can't be their car," Tonks reminded them. "The Death Eaters that watch for them probably know their car."
"That's all very well and good but there's no point in giving the Dursleys a car when there's no plan to remove the boy," Alastor barked.
They were going to retrieve Harry from his relatives for the last time within the next two weeks or just before- that much they had agreed on. They had to be the ones to break the protection of Lily's blood, not Harry turning into an adult. It was how they were going to go about doing that was the problem. No one could agree on anything. He had already mentioned that but that literally was the only thing that had happened this evening. Disagreements, disagreements, disagreements. It really should not be this hard to sort out how they were going to retrieve one teenaged boy.
The safe house for the Dursleys had already been set up; food, enchantments and the like. Harry was the only thing they had to sort out and they just couldn't do it. Or rather, they couldn't agree on having to do it.
"So, Harry knowing he'll never come back to the Dursleys means that his mum's protection will end?" Ron asked.
"That's what we understand from Dumbledore," Kingsley replied.
"And the Dursleys have to understand that too?" Hermione added, always the thorough one.
"Exactly, we'll be getting verbal confirmation of this so the intent isn't vague."
Vague intent meant that the magic could sometimes get weird. Weird magic was never a good thing.
"And Harry won't ever have to go back the Dursleys again?" Ron checked, a note of protectiveness in his voice.
"Only if he wants to," Alastor told him.
Hermione and Ron exchanged looks with the twins and nodded, they looked almost relieved. Remus noticed that they never referred to the Dursleys' home as "home" or "Harry's" even once. Hmm. There was no time to question that but he probably should at some point.
It was odd having Ron and Hermione sit in on this meeting. The idea that they were old enough to join the Order was... well, it was odd. Weird. Unbelievable. It made him feel old.
Technically they shouldn't be allowed to join the Order as, although they were both seventeen, they hadn't left school. They were supposed to be starting seventh year this year. Supposed to being the operative words. Because they weren't doing that. Not Ron. Not even Hermione. Definite not Harry. Albus had left them something to do and they had to leave school to do it. That's all anyone got out of them no matter how much they pried or tricked. Not even Alastor could break them, impressively.
So, they had argued that since they had left school they should be allowed to participate in meetings. Begrudgingly, Molly let them (as she was the voice of authority for them, realistically). Mainly because all the meetings since involved Harry in some way.
"They'll never want him back," Ron muttered.
None of the "kids" disagreed.
"Surely, they'll be reasonable," Kingsley said optimistically. "We're trying to help them, after all. Save them, even."
"Three words, Kingsley. Bars. On. Windows." Ron said hotly.
Now that made Remus take notice.
"What did you say?" He said lowly but in the sort of tone that made everyone else fall silent in fear.
"Uh, um..." Ron spluttered. "Hermione?"
"This is the first I'm hearing of this too, Ronald."
"Well, you see... um."
"What Ronnie means," one twin started.
"- is that the Dursleys liked to keep Harry out of the way," the other continued.
"Out of sight, out of mind."
"Locks help with that."
"We are discussing this later," Remus said firmly as everyone else looked around uncomfortably.
Harry would not appreciate his business being broadcasted about to everyone. It he would find out. Locks? No, not the time, Remus. Not the time.
"Well, we need to come up with something," Dora said in exasperation.
"We have," Minerva said tiredly. "Too many somethings."
"None of them good. It shouldn't be this hard."
"But it is, lass, because we're doing it right," Alastor growled. "Leaving something small to chance could mean life or death."
Teacher and student glared at each other - Dora the only student to ever do that to Alastor Moody - but the student acquiesced. Begrudgingly.
"I got an idea," Mungdungus suddenly said.
It was so unusual for him to suggest something that they all stopped and stared. It made the shifty man look very uncomfortable but too bad.
"Yes, Mungdungus?"
It was amazing how much disdain Minerva could put into a person's name. It really put you in your place though, for once, Mungdungus seemed to be oblivious to it. Actually, he looked to be concentrating quite hard on something. Not an expression Remus was used to seeing on his face.
What he was also not used to hearing was someone saying they had an idea and then not saying anything.
"Dung!" several people shouted, startling him.
"What?"
"Your plan," Dora said in exasperation.
"Oh. You're taking me seriously?"
They all groaned at that. Though, to be fair, he had a point. They normally only used him for some of the shader people he could naturally interact with - not something like this.
"It can't be more ridiculous than the Weasley twins' idea," Minerva said with a sigh.
"We still say our plan is the best one," one of them objected.
"No." came several voices, making them pout.
"Mine might be able to do something," Mungdungus got the attention back on him.
"Then say it," Alastor snapped. "None of you prevaricating. Get to the point."
"Keep your underwear on. I'll tell you; I'll tell you."
They all listened in awe as Mungdungus explained his plan. Quite frankly, it was brilliant. A few holes here and there but those should be easily solved. And it was still brilliant. Who knew Mungdungus Fletcher could come up with such a plan?