A few days later…
Harry and Arabella are at Hogwarts. They have just arrived by Floo powder. Harry has already settled in although a bit early to his customary dormitory and is a bit lonely although he had a lot to ponder. What was Mrs. Figg doing all these years? Was she really there to protect him? What was this new realm that Sirius was talking about? And why was he at Hogwarts?
Sighing, he got out of bed and wandered downstairs. Dumbledore was standing at the entrance to the Great Hall and smiled grimly as Harry approached. There was an understanding twinkle in his eyes, and he warmly gestured for Harry to take a seat at the head table next to him.
"You must be curious," was his simple remark.
"Well, yeah. I mean, what is Ms. Figg doing here? How do you know her? What is going on?" The questions poured out like a torrential flood.
Dumbledore smiled. "You will find out shortly." He pulled out his magical pocket watch and the two of them watched as Arabella Figg wandered over to the table. The three of them sat in silence until finally, a shaggy black dog wandered into the hall, followed by (and Harry involuntarily shuddered) Professor Severus Snape, the real Mad-Eyed Moody, Hagrid, and, to Harry's surprise, Remus Lupin. They all approached silently and took a seat at the table, except for the dog who came to put its head in Harrys lap for a few seconds before transforming into the healthier looking Sirius Black, who smiled, winked, and then took his seat.
Snape shot Harry a nasty look. "Do you think that it's wise involving students in this? After all, Potter has been nothing but trouble since he stepped foot in this castle. Is it a wise idea to have him present for this?"
Dumbledore glanced around the table, and simply stated,. "Severus, I do think that you are quite in the minority with that opinion here. After all, we are not involving Harry intentionally, we simply could not have him staying alone without the protection of Arabella. You know that. After all, we have much more pressing matters to discuss."
Snape looked at the faces surrounding him and quieted down when he realized how many allies Harry had here. He glared at Harry with such intensity that his scar hurt, but did not say a word.
Dumbledore continued. "So. Sirius has been in contact with all of you within the last several weeks at my request, and I feel that now is the time that we need to share whatever knowledge we have gained with the rest. Everyone here is working together. Everyone must be trusted. There must be mutual trust, mutual respect, and mutual cooperation. You must be able to willingly put your life in any one of these people's hands. All differences must be cast aside at this point." He looked pointedly at Snape and Sirius, who looked as if they would shoot daggers.
"Now, I have been in contact with the Ministry, and the news does not look good. Their minds are as closed to this as ever, and Fudge is threatening to shut down Hogwarts if I don't leave off my 'codswallop theory' about Voldemort. The Daily Prophet isn't much better, and most people I've talked to in Diagon Alley have simply thought that I was going senile. It looks as if the general wizarding population isn't getting anywhere."
"Fudge isn't cooperating? He of all people should…"
Lupin cut Moody off. "No. You wouldn't have known, but a few years ago, Fudge took Dumbledore from Hogwarts during the whole fiasco with the Chamber of Secrets. He doesn't know what he's doing."
"Fudge has always been a bit of a mercenary. He will do anything-even ignore the return of You-Know-Who-to keep the wizarding world from mass hysteria and himself from loosing control and popularity." Arabella Figg spoke as if she was the main authority on Fudge.
"But don't you think that maybe he just needs to know more before he can realize the gravity of what's happening?"
"Severus, really. The only people who we know we can trust are sitting in this room. And, yes, we must trust the people here. I'm saying that we cannot trust Fudge. We simply cannot. He is just too weak of a person." Lupin was definitive, as if that should close the discussion.
"And look 't what he tried to do ter poor little Bucky! I miss him so much… the poor little thing. That monster tried ter kill him!" Hagrid burbled. "He didn't mean ter hurt anyone…"
"Hagrid… get a hold of yourself. Buckbeak is fine. He's actually happy and you will be able to get to see him soon." Sirus looked concerned yet a tad aggravated at the turning of the conversation. Arabella seemed a bit confused, but Snape just rolled his eyes.
"Really, Hagrid, there's no problem. I'm sure Bucky is having fun," Harry piped in, not wanting Hagrid to cause a scene in the middle of this conversation.
Dumbledore smiled to himself and looked at the groundskeeper. "Hagrid, if you don't mind, we are all very interested to know how your adventure turned out. Few of us here have ever dealt with giants before.
Hagrid brightened. "Yeah, well. T'was fun. Olympe and I made out to 'er grandmother's place up in the mountains. I couldn't understand much of what they said, but the food was good, and Kaideux promised that she'd gather everyone she knew up ter support us. My mums side of the family was 'appy ter see me as well. I gave them an owl to keep in touch with us-that made 'em smile. He likes to just sit on my grandmum's finger and preen himself. But, they all seemed eager to help. Of course, on the other side of the mountains, they're a nasty lot. Forced me out to the other side when they saw the two of us. Said sommthin' about half-breeds and traitors to the tyrannical humans or somthin' of the like. Anyway, the giants are divided, that's for sure. They still resent the treatment of their ancestors. But we have some of them who will fight with us."
Everyone was silent for a second. Sirius started to talk, but Dumbledore held up his hand. "No, we'll wait until everyone's been able to speak. Remus, how has your search been?"
Remus Lupin smiled. "Well, most of the magical creatures I've been able to talk to seem to be for us-especially after telling them my story and how you hired me even though you knew I was a werewolf." Snape shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "The other werewolves don't want to get involved unless they are forced in, but most of the others seem to be willing to help but frightened. Yes, very frightened indeed. They are afraid to swear allegiance to either side because they can feel things that we cannot. This sixth sense seems to tell them that there is something big and ominous ahead of us. They do not want to get involved. It will take time."
Dumbledore stroked his beard, waited a second, and then gestured to Arabella.
"Well, I have somewhat good news. None of the Muggle media seems to be picking up on much. There have been a reported climb on snake attacks, but they seem to blame that on the weather. Besides that, there have been no Muggle attacks that seem to be inexplicable. Either the Ministry has done their job of covering them up from both worlds, or nothing serious has happened." The unsaid "yet" hung in the air in front of them menacingly, but nobody voiced the sentiment.
"Right. Thank you Arabella. Alastor, I don't suppose you'd enlighten us…"
"Yes, sir, I do have some information," Mad Eyed- Moody growled. "The Death Eater activity seems to be on a rise, I tell you, in all areas of the Ministry. Whenever I enter Knockturn Alley, people go scattering in every direction, stores close, and I feel a large amount of people Disapparating. Fudge has, doubtless, stripped me from my right to search people's estates, but I can tell. Would you like a list of people who were cleared by the Ministry but are still working? There's Bagman for one, and Crabbe, Crawley, Deliva, Enernt…"
"You don't honestly expect us to believe him, Dumbledore! He's been paranoid ever since…" Snape cut in, rolling his eyes.
"Enough!" Dumbledore spoke in a voice sharper than Harry had ever heard before. "Severus." He shot the Potions professor a stern look that quieted him, and then inclined his head and motioned for him to proceed.
"Well, they're meeting again. It's hard, damn, it's hard to go and stand it there with all of them." He clenched his arm with his hand and continued. "They are planning their attack. It's soon. It's decisive. But, unfortunately, I am too involved with the school to gain access to his inner circle. It's incredibly taxing to go and feign… especially with some of the things that they are saying and planning. Some of them suspect me, but then there are some, like Malfoy, who trust me and lead me deeper and deeper in. He is a man to be respected, although a bit misguided, but I will lead his son to glory. Probably the most promising student in the school." Hagrid coughed, and Harry tensed but remained silent. "I haven't gotten far into the plans. They want to make me prove myself first. It's incredibly hard not to give myself away."
"Yes, Severus. I can't imagine how it must be, to see them, to hear them talking and planning. Very very disturbing indeed. It takes a strong and faithful man such as yourself to remain a loyal spy Severus." Dumbledore acknowledged the difficulty of Snape's task and promised to support him in any way possible.
"Thank you all. It is imperitive that this information does not leave the room, although I suspect you all know that. Thank you for your time. Harry, if you would follow me."
They all stood up and left, and Harry followed Dumbledore up a rickety staircase into an empty classroom.
"Harry. I don't think I need to tell you what kind of a situation we are in right now. I know you're wondering what you are doing here. I know that if there is to be a face-to-face incident, you are the most likely to face Voldemort. You have done it before. Therefore, I need to prepare you as much as possible for this occasion, should it arise. Right now, I am offering you a way out. If this ever gets to be too much for you, you could go stay with the Dursleys and Arabella would continue her watch. As long as she is at her Maisaregard-the model of her house-you are safe. If you stay, the temptation will be great. I would be doing you a great misdeed if I were to tell you that Voldemort could not give you power-power enough to do many great things. Voldemort could make your dreams come true-but at what cost? There is a difference between what is right and what is easy. The years to come are filled with misfortune. People you care about are going to die-we saw that with Cederic Diggory. You must be ready to choose and act."
Harry simply nodded. He didn't know what to say. It wasn't the first time that Dumbledore had read his mind. He just wished Ron and Hermione were there for him to talk to. Dumbledore smiled, and told him to go on up to his dormitory. It was late, and the students were arriving within three weeks. Exhausted, Harry found his way through the corridors up towards the Gryffindor tower.
Harry and Arabella are at Hogwarts. They have just arrived by Floo powder. Harry has already settled in although a bit early to his customary dormitory and is a bit lonely although he had a lot to ponder. What was Mrs. Figg doing all these years? Was she really there to protect him? What was this new realm that Sirius was talking about? And why was he at Hogwarts?
Sighing, he got out of bed and wandered downstairs. Dumbledore was standing at the entrance to the Great Hall and smiled grimly as Harry approached. There was an understanding twinkle in his eyes, and he warmly gestured for Harry to take a seat at the head table next to him.
"You must be curious," was his simple remark.
"Well, yeah. I mean, what is Ms. Figg doing here? How do you know her? What is going on?" The questions poured out like a torrential flood.
Dumbledore smiled. "You will find out shortly." He pulled out his magical pocket watch and the two of them watched as Arabella Figg wandered over to the table. The three of them sat in silence until finally, a shaggy black dog wandered into the hall, followed by (and Harry involuntarily shuddered) Professor Severus Snape, the real Mad-Eyed Moody, Hagrid, and, to Harry's surprise, Remus Lupin. They all approached silently and took a seat at the table, except for the dog who came to put its head in Harrys lap for a few seconds before transforming into the healthier looking Sirius Black, who smiled, winked, and then took his seat.
Snape shot Harry a nasty look. "Do you think that it's wise involving students in this? After all, Potter has been nothing but trouble since he stepped foot in this castle. Is it a wise idea to have him present for this?"
Dumbledore glanced around the table, and simply stated,. "Severus, I do think that you are quite in the minority with that opinion here. After all, we are not involving Harry intentionally, we simply could not have him staying alone without the protection of Arabella. You know that. After all, we have much more pressing matters to discuss."
Snape looked at the faces surrounding him and quieted down when he realized how many allies Harry had here. He glared at Harry with such intensity that his scar hurt, but did not say a word.
Dumbledore continued. "So. Sirius has been in contact with all of you within the last several weeks at my request, and I feel that now is the time that we need to share whatever knowledge we have gained with the rest. Everyone here is working together. Everyone must be trusted. There must be mutual trust, mutual respect, and mutual cooperation. You must be able to willingly put your life in any one of these people's hands. All differences must be cast aside at this point." He looked pointedly at Snape and Sirius, who looked as if they would shoot daggers.
"Now, I have been in contact with the Ministry, and the news does not look good. Their minds are as closed to this as ever, and Fudge is threatening to shut down Hogwarts if I don't leave off my 'codswallop theory' about Voldemort. The Daily Prophet isn't much better, and most people I've talked to in Diagon Alley have simply thought that I was going senile. It looks as if the general wizarding population isn't getting anywhere."
"Fudge isn't cooperating? He of all people should…"
Lupin cut Moody off. "No. You wouldn't have known, but a few years ago, Fudge took Dumbledore from Hogwarts during the whole fiasco with the Chamber of Secrets. He doesn't know what he's doing."
"Fudge has always been a bit of a mercenary. He will do anything-even ignore the return of You-Know-Who-to keep the wizarding world from mass hysteria and himself from loosing control and popularity." Arabella Figg spoke as if she was the main authority on Fudge.
"But don't you think that maybe he just needs to know more before he can realize the gravity of what's happening?"
"Severus, really. The only people who we know we can trust are sitting in this room. And, yes, we must trust the people here. I'm saying that we cannot trust Fudge. We simply cannot. He is just too weak of a person." Lupin was definitive, as if that should close the discussion.
"And look 't what he tried to do ter poor little Bucky! I miss him so much… the poor little thing. That monster tried ter kill him!" Hagrid burbled. "He didn't mean ter hurt anyone…"
"Hagrid… get a hold of yourself. Buckbeak is fine. He's actually happy and you will be able to get to see him soon." Sirus looked concerned yet a tad aggravated at the turning of the conversation. Arabella seemed a bit confused, but Snape just rolled his eyes.
"Really, Hagrid, there's no problem. I'm sure Bucky is having fun," Harry piped in, not wanting Hagrid to cause a scene in the middle of this conversation.
Dumbledore smiled to himself and looked at the groundskeeper. "Hagrid, if you don't mind, we are all very interested to know how your adventure turned out. Few of us here have ever dealt with giants before.
Hagrid brightened. "Yeah, well. T'was fun. Olympe and I made out to 'er grandmother's place up in the mountains. I couldn't understand much of what they said, but the food was good, and Kaideux promised that she'd gather everyone she knew up ter support us. My mums side of the family was 'appy ter see me as well. I gave them an owl to keep in touch with us-that made 'em smile. He likes to just sit on my grandmum's finger and preen himself. But, they all seemed eager to help. Of course, on the other side of the mountains, they're a nasty lot. Forced me out to the other side when they saw the two of us. Said sommthin' about half-breeds and traitors to the tyrannical humans or somthin' of the like. Anyway, the giants are divided, that's for sure. They still resent the treatment of their ancestors. But we have some of them who will fight with us."
Everyone was silent for a second. Sirius started to talk, but Dumbledore held up his hand. "No, we'll wait until everyone's been able to speak. Remus, how has your search been?"
Remus Lupin smiled. "Well, most of the magical creatures I've been able to talk to seem to be for us-especially after telling them my story and how you hired me even though you knew I was a werewolf." Snape shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "The other werewolves don't want to get involved unless they are forced in, but most of the others seem to be willing to help but frightened. Yes, very frightened indeed. They are afraid to swear allegiance to either side because they can feel things that we cannot. This sixth sense seems to tell them that there is something big and ominous ahead of us. They do not want to get involved. It will take time."
Dumbledore stroked his beard, waited a second, and then gestured to Arabella.
"Well, I have somewhat good news. None of the Muggle media seems to be picking up on much. There have been a reported climb on snake attacks, but they seem to blame that on the weather. Besides that, there have been no Muggle attacks that seem to be inexplicable. Either the Ministry has done their job of covering them up from both worlds, or nothing serious has happened." The unsaid "yet" hung in the air in front of them menacingly, but nobody voiced the sentiment.
"Right. Thank you Arabella. Alastor, I don't suppose you'd enlighten us…"
"Yes, sir, I do have some information," Mad Eyed- Moody growled. "The Death Eater activity seems to be on a rise, I tell you, in all areas of the Ministry. Whenever I enter Knockturn Alley, people go scattering in every direction, stores close, and I feel a large amount of people Disapparating. Fudge has, doubtless, stripped me from my right to search people's estates, but I can tell. Would you like a list of people who were cleared by the Ministry but are still working? There's Bagman for one, and Crabbe, Crawley, Deliva, Enernt…"
"You don't honestly expect us to believe him, Dumbledore! He's been paranoid ever since…" Snape cut in, rolling his eyes.
"Enough!" Dumbledore spoke in a voice sharper than Harry had ever heard before. "Severus." He shot the Potions professor a stern look that quieted him, and then inclined his head and motioned for him to proceed.
"Well, they're meeting again. It's hard, damn, it's hard to go and stand it there with all of them." He clenched his arm with his hand and continued. "They are planning their attack. It's soon. It's decisive. But, unfortunately, I am too involved with the school to gain access to his inner circle. It's incredibly taxing to go and feign… especially with some of the things that they are saying and planning. Some of them suspect me, but then there are some, like Malfoy, who trust me and lead me deeper and deeper in. He is a man to be respected, although a bit misguided, but I will lead his son to glory. Probably the most promising student in the school." Hagrid coughed, and Harry tensed but remained silent. "I haven't gotten far into the plans. They want to make me prove myself first. It's incredibly hard not to give myself away."
"Yes, Severus. I can't imagine how it must be, to see them, to hear them talking and planning. Very very disturbing indeed. It takes a strong and faithful man such as yourself to remain a loyal spy Severus." Dumbledore acknowledged the difficulty of Snape's task and promised to support him in any way possible.
"Thank you all. It is imperitive that this information does not leave the room, although I suspect you all know that. Thank you for your time. Harry, if you would follow me."
They all stood up and left, and Harry followed Dumbledore up a rickety staircase into an empty classroom.
"Harry. I don't think I need to tell you what kind of a situation we are in right now. I know you're wondering what you are doing here. I know that if there is to be a face-to-face incident, you are the most likely to face Voldemort. You have done it before. Therefore, I need to prepare you as much as possible for this occasion, should it arise. Right now, I am offering you a way out. If this ever gets to be too much for you, you could go stay with the Dursleys and Arabella would continue her watch. As long as she is at her Maisaregard-the model of her house-you are safe. If you stay, the temptation will be great. I would be doing you a great misdeed if I were to tell you that Voldemort could not give you power-power enough to do many great things. Voldemort could make your dreams come true-but at what cost? There is a difference between what is right and what is easy. The years to come are filled with misfortune. People you care about are going to die-we saw that with Cederic Diggory. You must be ready to choose and act."
Harry simply nodded. He didn't know what to say. It wasn't the first time that Dumbledore had read his mind. He just wished Ron and Hermione were there for him to talk to. Dumbledore smiled, and told him to go on up to his dormitory. It was late, and the students were arriving within three weeks. Exhausted, Harry found his way through the corridors up towards the Gryffindor tower.
