Chapter Eight
Harry, Ron and Hermione spent the rest of the afternoon catching up and fooling around with Ginny and the twins. They had been so busy earlier, preparing for the match, that they hadn't had any real time to socialize.
"Percy has been insufferable, ever since Crouch died. Had a big row with Dad when he told him about You-Know-Who's return and what a stupid git Fudge turned out to be, like the Minister of Magic could do no wrong. Dad got so mad, he nearly tossed Percy out, but Mum soothed things over, much to everyone's disappointment. I don't think Percy's been much of a help with the whole thing, but at least he doesn't swoon over Fudge anymore. He's more mad that he didn't get to replace Crouch."
Just as Ron finished talking, Harry stumbled across a new Weasley invention, The Lizard Pop. Ginny managed to catch Harry, who had turned into a newt, just before Errol, the Weasley's owl, spotted him as an early supper dish. Luckily Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were too busy in the kitchen talking to Lupin, who had arrived for dinner, to notice. Mrs. Weasley was far from fond of her sons' mischievous hobby.
"Have you two been able to see each other at all this summer?" Harry asked Ron and Hermione, after turning back into a human.
Suddenly Ron's ears went all red. "Well…I…"
"How about every other day?" asked Fred.
"Yeah, they're dating. Ickle Ronnikins has a girlfwend," teased George, who had just beat Harry at a game of Exploding Snaps.
"Shut up," growled Ron, glancing nervously at Harry.
Harry thought that this was great. He had been a little worried about the possibility of being left out if Ron and Hermione had started dating, but the possibility that the two would fight a bit less had won him over. Still, he couldn't resist teasing the two. Turning to Hermione, he started in at her.
"I can't believe you're dating this prat! Honestly, Hermione, what are you thinking?" he teased. Harry watched as both of their faces went from beet red to the color of porridge before he broke into a wide grin, sure that if he held out any longer, they'd either break into tears or tell him off severely.
"Oh, that's not funny!" cried Hermione. She scowled when she saw the smile on Ron's face. He had obviously appreciated the joke. "Ron, you know how worried we've both been about his reaction and…"
"I am here, you know, "said Harry. "And why were you so concerned that I'd be upset? No offense, Hermione, but you're not my type."
Ron's ears turned a deeper shade of red, if that was possible. "And why not? There's nothing wrong with her. Seriously wrong, anyway."
Harry stifled a laugh as Hermione muttered "How romantic," under her breath.
"No, there's nothing seriously wrong with Hermione. I just like my love interests to be a bit less…parental." Hermione just glared at him.
"You make it sound like you have a lot of experience in that field, young Harry. Been a busy summer?" Lupin had slipped into the room unnoticed and Harry, Ron and Hermione all blushed.
"Yeah, Harry, been driving the ladies of Privet Drive wild?" Fred poked Harry hard in the rib cage, and George and Ginny just looked on, Ginny particularly keen on hearing his answer. Fortunately, Mrs. Weasley called them to the table just in time for Harry to avoid the embarrassment of spilling the details of his decidedly inactive love life.
They had a fantastic meal of Cornish hens on treacle tart, Lupin catching Harry and the rest up on his life since leaving Hogwarts. "I went to Austria, where there are many werewolves roaming about the forests, causing problems for the Muggles in the surrounding villages. The Austrian Ministry hired me to bring some order to the group. That's how I got this," he said, pointing to his mangled left ear, which Harry hadn't noticed before. It looked like it had a bite taken out of it. Seeing Harry's face of alarm, he quickly added, "It's fine now. Didn't really hurt, if you can believe it. And the other guy came out looking a lot worse."
"Excellent," said Fred and George.
Hermione looked horrified. "Couldn't you have gotten it fixed up?" she asked.
"Not many decent mediwizards in that neck of the woods, I'm afraid. I'll probably get it taken cared of this week. Might as well not give people another reason to dislike me."
"I don't know," said Harry. "It gives you some character. Then again, I could see how you'd have a hard time explaining it."
"Anyway," continued Lupin, "after I finished that job, I was contacted by Ludo Bagman to help with the Triwizard Tournament. I had to help Hagrid wrangle up some creatures for your last task in the maze."
"Why didn't you stay to watch?" Ron asked through a mouthful of rolls. Hermione tutted at his table manners.
"I did! Sirius asked me to come and hold his leash so he wouldn't look conspicuous. But once the trouble started, Dumbledore sent me to keep an eye on Karkaroff. I lost track of him though. Since then, I've been working with Dumbledore." Harry knew that Lupin would never tell him what he'd been doing for the headmaster, so he didn't bother asking.
After they were finished eating, Lupin retired to the living room with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Harry and Hermione followed Ron back up to his room, where they got into another vicious pillow fight due to Harry's teasing.
"Seriously, though," Harry continued, once the air had been cleared of goose feathers. "I wonder what they're saying downstairs." It had been nearly an hour since they ate, and Lupin and the Weasley's were still talking, sometimes loudly enough that it echoed up to Ron's room.
"Well, let's go have a listen," said Hermione, and both Ron and Harry looked at her in shock. "Well, you want to know what's going on, don't you?" she asked.
"You've been hanging around Ron way too much," answered Harry, but he was impressed by her eagerness to do something improper.
"We could amplify their voices with the Sonorous Charm," suggested Ron.
Harry shook his head. "No, we don't want everyone to hear what they're saying. Let's just do it the old-fashioned way. Get a bit closer and hide."
"Well, we could go to the pantry right next to the living room and listen through the vent. Only it'd look a bit odd if they found us in there."
"You could just say you were snogging," teased Harry.
"Yeah, and you were just so desperate for it, you had to come and watch," scowled Ron.
Hermione just ignored them. "Isn't there anywhere less conspicuous than that?"
"Why don't we just fly up to the roof and listen through the chimney?" suggested Harry.
Trying to fit the Invisibility Cloak over himself and the broom was a bit tricky, but soon Harry led Hermione and Ron up to the roof, landing as softly as they could next to the chimney and straining to hear the voices from below.
"I think Dumbledore should come back. If You-Know-Who is really back in Britain so soon, Dumbledore can't be bothered with this experiment. He ought to come back to our community and protect Harry from here." This was Mr. Weasley.
"If Voldemort has a mind to kill Harry, it will not matter where he is. As much as I'd feel safer knowing Dumbledore is close by and in his own body, I feel it is wise for him to wait at Harry's house a bit longer and hope that the Death Eaters come to him." Lupin sounded very unsure of himself.
"Is it wise to assume You-Know-Who is even after Harry at this time?" asked Mrs. Weasley. "Maybe last night was just a one time thing, or something just for fun. I know that Harry's high on You-Know-Who's death list, but surely there are more pressing things for him to be attending to at this stage of his return?"
"I wish I could agree with you, Molly," answered Lupin. "But I believe that the only reason Voldemort hasn't begun terrorizing the streets of England yet is that his reputation was weakened by his failed attempt to kill Harry in the cemetery. He is a cunning wizard and knows that nothing will get done without the ability to drive fear into the hearts of every Death Eater. And he has already realized why he couldn't kill Harry. With his new wand, Harry could not stand against him again, no matter how powerful the boy is. Besides that, Arabella's disappearance is much to suspicious for it to be coincidence."
"Is Dumbledore prepared to fight the Dark Lord and all his forces alone?" asked Mr. Weasley. "That is what you are suggesting, Remus. If You-Know-Who tries to abduct or kill Harry at his home, only Dumbledore will be there to fight. I do not doubt his strength, but do you think it's wise?"
"We will think of a way to help. Arabella has only just disappeared, so we should have another day at the very least. In the meantime, keep your eyes and ears open and help me look after Harry. If I feel it necessary, I will move him to a safer place and use Sirius as a Secret-Keeper."
"Of course," said Mr. Weasley. "Good night, Remus."
"We'll see you tomorrow night for dinner," added Mrs. Weasley. Would you like me to bring anything?"
"No, thank you Molly. Goodnight."