A/n: I'm hoping maybe I can get 20 reviews for this chapter...I might decide just not to update until I get 20 so REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!! Hehe...anyway, this chapter doesn't have much fluff, just plot thickening devices (I guess that's what I'll call them). Okay, read and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own Harry Potter as much as I own...well, let's not get into such subjects =)
Chapter 6: Dismissals at the Ministry
"I just wrote to Dean," Ginny said, bouncing into the room and sitting down next to Harry. "He's a really great guy but, well...there are better." She grinned and took Harry's hand. He smiled at her and turned to look at his best friends.
Hermione gave the couple a kind smile. She looked out of the corner of her eye at Ron, sitting beside her. He was wearing the beginnings of a scowl on his face. Hermione rolled her eyes. He couldn't even be half decent with them, could he? She dug her elbow into his side; she saw him wince and mouth "Ow!" before giving Harry and Ginny a pained smile. Hermione grinned. "Ron, you are such a dope!"
Ron glared at her and said, "Yes, thanks for injuring the dope. Go ahead, have another go at the dope!" He shoved her playfully and grinned back.
Hermione was about to sit up and punch him on the arm but she saw Harry and Ginny exchange knowing looks and decided against it. Too much could come across too soon and she didn't want that, did she?
Ginny put her head on Harry's shoulder (Hermione distinctly heard Ron make a soft gagging noise) and said, "I'm bored. Let's do something."
Ron jumped up at her words. "What do you mean, something?"
Hermione giggled. "Sit down, you pervert." Ron gave her a puzzled look. "Ginny means we should do something, not do something."
"Eww, Ron," Ginny said, giggling. "Maybe you were thinking of it in that way because you wanna do something with someone." Ginny gave him a zealous wink. Ron blushed and she laughed. "No, really, let's play something."
Ron had his eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Like what?"
"I dunno. Hermione, Harry, what do you guys think?"
But they didn't have time to respond, because at that moment four owls flew into the room and landed on each of the four teenagers' shoulders. Hermione transferred the large tawny owl from her shoulder to her lap. She untied the letter attached to its leg and opened it. Hogwarts letter. And another letter, which said:
Dear Miss Hermione Granger,
Like last year, you have been appointed Gryffindor Prefect. Please note that your Prefect actions this year are crucial, as next year you have the possibility of being appointed Head Girl. A list of Prefect duties accompanies this letter. Make sure you follow all Prefect rules and that all duties are up to par at the end of every day. Your partner is again Mr. Ronald Weasley.
Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall Deputy HeadmistressHermione took the Prefect badge and glanced up at Ron. He grinned and held up his badge. Hermione returned his smile. She couldn't help but stare at the gleaming lion on the badge. This made her think of another year of Prefect duties with Ron, alone time with Ron.
And that, of course, was a very good thing.
"Hey, Ron," Ginny said, the beginnings of a smirk on her face. "You never told us what all those, er, Prefect duties really consisted of."
Harry caught her drift and added, "Yeah, what is it you two do when you're away, alone, together?"
Ron sneered at his sister and best friend. "Ha, very funny, Potter. You're just in cahoots with that little monster I call my sister so she'll snog you again." Hermione sniggered and Ron gave Harry a smug little grin.
Ginny laughed and shook her head. "No, actually, he doesn't have to do anything for me to get a little..." She leaned forward and kissed Harry.
"Oh, man...I just ate! I'd really prefer to keep my breakfast, thanks." Ron turned away and muttered something that sounded like, "...gonna make me puke..."
Hermione smiled. It seemed like Ginny and Harry were attached at the lips. When Ginny finally tore herself away from Harry's mouth, she said, "Aww, you feel sick, Ronnie-poo? Do you need Hermione to take care of you're wittle tummy?" She sniggered. "She can give you a teensy tiny kiss to make you feel better."
Ron was about to retort but Hermione spoke first. "No, there's no need for that. Anyway, we'll need to go to Diagon Alley to get our books. Do you think your mum would go with us?" She looked from Ginny to Ron. The latter was trying to make his fist stop shaking. However, Ginny was sane enough to say, "Yeah, sure, I'll ask her. If not we can go alone."
Hermione bit her lip. "Yes, I suppose so..." A worrying thought had crossed her mind at the prospect of visiting Diagon Alley that year. She really would prefer if Mrs. Weasley accompanied them...at least she'd know what to do if something dangerous should arise. As she was thinking this, she saw Ron's face mirroring her concern.
"Don't worry," he said quietly. "We'll be okay."
Hermione didn't say anything. She looked across to where Harry and Ginny sat. Harry was staring at his hands in his laps, silent as the grave. Ginny was wringing her fingers nervously. Hermione bent her head. After all that had happened, reassurances that everything would be all right didn't quite comfort her.
"Hey," she heard Ron whisper. He tapped her hand lightly. She looked up at him. His eyes were clouded and he looked much older than sixteen. "I mean it. We'll be okay."
Thankfully, neither Harry nor Ginny made any sarcastic comments.
END POV
The next day Ron awoke unusually early again. When he went down to breakfast, he found only Ginny up. Taking a glance, he understood why. It was 7:00 in the morning. Something was definitely wrong with him; it was definitely not in his nature to be awake anytime when breakfast was nowhere near ready. Ginny was sitting hunched over at the table, her head in her hands. Her hair was pulled up under a red cap with "W.H." inscribed in white loopy writing. Ron recognized it as the cap Dean had given her earlier that summer. He wondered whether she was sleeping, she was so still.
"Ginny?"
His sister started. He distinctly saw her wipe her freckled cheeks in a would-be casual way. "Hi, Ron," she said in a shaky voice. "Why are you up so early?" Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy.
Something was wrong.
Ron walked over to where she was sitting and knelt in front of her. "Ginny, what's wrong?" Ginny pretended to look confused but when he kept his gaze on her she burst into tears. She startled Ron by throwing her arms around him and sniffling into his shoulder. He rubbed her back gently and said, "What happened?"
"Oh, Ron...Dad's been fired!"
Ron's hand stopped in mid-rub. His sister's voice rang and echoed in his mind. Dad's been fired! Fired. He had no job. His father had been fired. Ron pulled away from the hug and looked into Ginny's face. "What do you mean, fired?"
"Fired! As in, he has no job!"
He wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Where's Mum?"
"She went over to the Ministry...Dad's trying to work it out with Fudge, but it's no use! I know that stupid git isn't gonna listen to a word Dad says.... I hate that bastard!"
Ron was staring at her, shocked. So this was Fudge's doing...how he hated him. He bit back a string of colorful words he was tempted to say, and instead asked, "Did Mum wake you up and tell you? Why didn't she tell me?"
Ginny shook her head. "No, Ron, I was up and I found her here sobbing uncontrollably and she had no choice but to tell me...she asked me to tell you when you woke up. She had to go and try to help Dad—"
"She should've woken me up! I should've gone with her!" Ron said, more loudly than he intended.
"Drop the macho act! Look, there's nothing we can do. Fudge fired Dad and I highly doubt he's gonna give him his job back."
Ron suddenly thought of something. "Wait a minute. Why did he fire Dad? He's never had any problems with him, has he?"
Ginny put her head in her hands. "That's the worst part."
Ron raised an eyebrow. "Ginny...what does Fudge know?" She looked up at him and, somehow, he knew what it was about. "The Order...he found out about the Order!"
Ginny nodded, dismay etched all over her pale face. "He thinks that Dad and the rest of the Order are giving Voldemort inside information from the Ministry. That's why he also fired Tonks, and all the other members of the Order who work at the Ministry. Somehow, he didn't find out about Kingsley so we still have someone to keep watch there. Fudge blames them for Voldemort being at the Department of Mysteries in June. He says that Dad and everyone else have been on Voldemort's side all along. He's even saying that Dumbledore is putting everyone in danger because he's the leader. He says that Dumbledore and Voldemort have been in this together since the beginning!"
"How does the git explain Dumbledore kicking Voldemort's ass at the Ministry in June?" Ron growled.
Ginny gasped. "Oh, my God, Ron, you said his name!"
"What?"
Ginny gave him a tiny smile. "You finally said his name! Thank Merlin, I was getting tired of you wincing every time Harry, Hermione, and I said his name."
"Oh. Yeah. Anyway, what is his explanation for Dumbledore's fight with Voldemort at the Department of Mysteries?"
Ginny snorted. "He thinks it was all a hoax, a trick to make everyone believe Dumbledore is good. He'll do anything to get at Dumbledore, I swear!"
Ron didn't have time to agree with her because their attention was drawn to an owl swooping in through the open kitchen window. "Hermione's Daily Prophet," Ron said, standing up and untying the newspaper from the owl's leg. He placed a couple of Knuts in its pouch and it flew out the window.
"Oh, shit! They've already gotten wind of this!" Ron said, gripping the sides of the paper so hard tear marks were appearing. The front of the newspaper featured a picture of Fudge looking livid.
"WHAT?! Lemme see!" Ginny snatched the paper from his hands and glared down at it. Ron watched her eyes move from one side of the page to the other, her expression becoming more and more disgusted. Finally, after a few minutes, she threw the paper down and said, "Filthy bastard..."
Ron bent down and picked up the paper. It said:
MINISTRY DISEMPLOYS MANYEarly this morning Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge himself fired many Ministry officials. Among them is Arthur Weasley, Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office, and Nymphadora Tonks, newly trained Auror. Both, along with another number, were found to be part of a secret group led by none other than Albus Dumbledore. He calls this group a certain "Order of the Phoenix." Cornelius Fudge suspects Dumbledore has recruited certain members of the Ministry to act as spies, feeding You-Know-Who with inside information about goings-on at the Ministry. Fudge accuses these members of the Order of the Phoenix to leading You-Know-Who right to the Department of Mysteries one evening last June.
"Dumbledore has had this up his sleeve since the very beginning!" said Fudge after dismissing the culprits this morning. "He pretended to fight off Lord—er—Thingy at the Department of Mysteries, just to look good in front of everyone! The man is no more than a liar and a charlatan!"
Arthur Weasley, who has been working at the Ministry for over 10 years, claims that Fudge is terribly mistaken. "Cornelius Fudge's only purpose is to finger Dumbledore for anything that goes wrong in his precious world. None of us, especially not Dumbledore, would EVER help You-Know-Who in any way that could harm our friends and family. Fudge is a control-crazed maniac!"
Fudge tells us that it is surprising that Weasley did this, since his family is so closely acquainted with The Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter, but he's sure Weasley is guilty. When Weasley's son, Percival Weasley, was questioned about this ordeal, he said he had nothing to do with it. "I broke ties with my family the minute they decided to believe Dumbledore rather than our very own Minister. My father has greatly ashamed me and I am telling you that I believe Cornelius Fudge is right with his accusations."
Further investigations about Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix are being made.
Ron stared at the article in blind disbelief. His brain was a mess of Fudge's allegations and Percy's inconsiderate words. But only one thing stood out in his mind.
"Harry."
"What?" said Ginny, looking up at him with a puzzled look on her face.
"Harry. He's got to get out of here! Fudge was stupid enough to say we're close to Harry! Everyone will know he's here, including—"
"Voldemort!" Ginny finished, clapping a hand to her mouth.
The siblings stared at each other in silence. Things were certainly becoming too complicated.
END POVHermione sat in the living room, her head in her hands. On either side of her sat Harry and Ron. Ginny was sitting in front of her. Ron had just told her and Harry what had happened. Hermione was still in shock, utter disbelief. She bit her lip. This just didn't make sense. Fudge just wanted something to use against Dumbledore. She understood why the minister was so opposed to anything having to do with Dumbledore; he was intimidated. But she couldn't quite place why he was doing this to Mr. Weasley, a man who had worked diligently at the Ministry for such a long time.
"How did he find out about the Order?" Hermione asked, still cradling her head in her hands.
Ron shrugged. "We have no idea. But he did, and that's enough to worry about."
Hermione finally looked up and nodded. She was quiet for a moment. Then she said softly, "What's your dad going to do?"
Ron stared at her blankly. She noticed his eyes were a darker blue color again, like they had been when she had worried about Diagon Alley. He looked much older and wiser. But right now there was also confusion. He shook his head and said, "I really don't know...I just know this is definitely not good." He stood up and gave a frustrated sigh. Hermione distinctly heard him mutter, "If only we weren't so damn poor."
She closed her eyes. This was the worst part of the ordeal. The Weasleys weren't very wealthy. They didn't have a great amount of money saved up. They had depended on Mr. Weasley for a living. Hermione stood up and walked over to Ron. She put a hand on his shoulder. He looked up briefly. Hermione whispered, "Don't worry, Ron. You guys will get through this. We're going to try to help as much as we can."
"Yeah," said Harry, speaking up for the first time in a few minutes. He went to where his best friends were standing and put his hand on Ron's other shoulder. "Of course we'll be here for you, mate. You guys are the most important people in our lives."
Ron finally turned around. He put an arm around Hermione and Harry and gave them a weak smile. "Thanks."
Hermione smiled up at him. "Anything for you," she said. Ron's ears turned pink. "And...and your family. You and your family," she added hastily. She looked away, scolding herself. Nice save.
Ginny smiled at them. "You guys are great." She nodded at Ron. "This one chose good friends. At least he dID something right," she said playfully. They were all quiet until they heard a noise coming from the fireplace.
Ron's eyebrows furrowed. "What's that?" He stepped forward, towards the fireplace. He was about to lean down and look up into it when ash flew out of it, along with a person. Ron backed away as the man straightened up and dusted himself off. When the ash cleared, Hermione saw Ron's eyes widen.
"Moody?"
"That's right, boy," growled Moody. His normal eye stayed on Ron while his magical eye moved over Ginny, Hermione, and finally Harry. It lingered on Harry for quite a while before Moody spoke again. "Are your parents here already?" he asked. Ron shook his head.
"They've been out since this morning...you've heard, right?"
"'Course I heard. Arthur couldn't convince that jackass, they were on their way here when I last talked to them about—"he looked down at a watch on his wrist, "—2 minutes ago. They should be getting here any minute."
As if on cue, the door to the Burrow opened and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley rushed in. "Alastor! You're already here. Good," said Mr. Weasley, walking over to Moody.
Ginny jumped up. "Dad, is everything all right?"
Mrs. Weasley answered for him. "I'm afraid not, Ginny. But we have some important things to deal with before we discuss that."
"That's right," said Moody, his magical eye still on Harry while his normal eye settled on Mr. Weasley. "Potter, I suggest you start packing your things."
"WHAT?" chorused the four teenagers. Ron turned and looked at his father. "What's he talking about, Dad?"
Mr. Weasley sighed. "I'm sorry, Ron, but for Harry's own safety, he has to go."
Moody nodded curtly. "If Fudge had kept his mouth shut about Harry's relationship with you, Potter would be able to stay here. However, the circumstances are much too dangerous. I've already talked to Dumbledore and he agrees. I will escort Potter back to the Muggles." Moody looked at Harry with both eyes. "Now."
Harry's jaw had dropped. "I don't want to stay with the Dursleys!"
Moody gave a hoarse laugh. "Don't act like a child. You know perfectly well why you have to stay with those accursed Muggles." Ron and Hermione gave Harry a puzzled look. He ignored it and glared back at Moody.
"Why do I have to go now?"
"Because it's safer. We don't want anyone coming around here looking for you. And at the Dursleys you can't be touched. Your aunt and uncle already know that you're coming. Now hurry up and get your stuff."
"Wait a minute," said Hermione. Everyone in the room stared at her. She took a deep breath and said, "Why do you say that Harry can't be harmed at Privet Drive? Why can't he just stay here? At the Dursleys he has no full grown wizards to call for help in case he needs it!"
"Hermione," Harry said quietly. "Don't ask. Really. I'm just safe at the Dursleys. Bottom line."
Hermione shook her head. "You're my best friend! I want to know why you're being taken back there! I need to understand that, Harry!" She glanced at Ron and added, "We all do."
Harry stared at the ground for a few moments. Then he murmured, "My mother. Aunt Petunia has her blood. And apparently, that's my protection." He looked up at her and she was pained to see that his eyes were glassy with tears. "Because she died to protect me. And the protection is still up, as long as I stay with Aunt Petunia."
Hermione bit her lip. "I'm sorry Harry, I didn't kno—"
Harry interrupted. "Forget it, Hermione. You wanted to know. Well, now you can try to understand. Because I sure as hell can't." He looked back at Moody and said, "I'll go pack up...be right back." Before anyone could stop him, he turned and ran up the stairs.
Hermione sank into her chair, shocked. She knew how hard it must be for Harry to talk about his mother. She imagined he must blame himself even more for her death than he did before. Because he knew for sure that she chose to give up her life for him. Hermione felt Ron sit next to her. She looked up at him. He was staring at her with a look that plainly said, "I understand how you feel." She was more thankful than ever before for having him as her best friend.
"I'm sorry, you two," Mr. Weasley said, looking at Ron and Hermione. "This is my fault."
"Don't be ridiculous, Arthur. Fudge is the only one to blame here," Moody said, his magical eye blank. It was obviously staring up through the floor of the stairs, watching Harry in Ron's room.
Ginny was sitting quietly, staring at her hands in her lap. Hermione felt sympathetic for her. Just when she was starting a relationship with Harry, one she had been waiting four years to start, he was being taken away from her.
Harry returned a few minutes later, carrying Hedwig's cage under one arm and dragging his trunk with his free hand.
Moody nodded. "All right, Potter. Let's go."
"How are we gonna get there?" Harry asked, his voice curt and stony.
Moody pointed at his trunk. "Your broom in there?" he asked. Harry nodded. "Take it out. We're flying back, like we did when we brought you to Grimmauld Place."
"Except that this time I don't have half the wizarding world looking after me, right?"
Hermione cursed inwardly. Harry's sarcasm was back. It had managed to disappear after the three weeks he had spent with them at the Burrow. But now that they were forcing him back to the place he least liked, it was back and as bad as before.
"That was for your own safety. But no, this time it's just Remus and me," Moody answered. Hermione saw Harry's hard expression soften.
"Professor Lupin is here?" he asked, with what sounded like anticipation in his voice.
"He should be...Molly, can you check to see if he's outside?" Moody said, turning to Mrs. Weasley. She nodded and dashed out the front door. Not long after that she came back with Remus Lupin.
He looked shabbier than ever. It looked like he hadn't shaven in a couple of days. His eyes were gray and hollow. It looked like he was making an effort just being here. Hermione saw him glance at Harry, but very briefly. Her heart broke. Looking at Harry must remind him of Sirius. But then again...everything most likely reminded him of his best friend.
"Hello, everyone," he said, in a sort of lifeless voice.
A weak "hello" rang throughout the silence in the room. Moody finally broke the tension by saying, "All right. Best get going."
Hermione stood up and walked over to Harry. "Keep in touch, Harry. Please." He nodded. Hermione threw her arms around him and said, "I'm so sorry." Harry patted her back but did nothing else to acknowledge her presence. She pulled away and sat back down next to Ginny.
Ron walked up to Harry and clapped him on the back. "I'll see you when we start school. And Hermione's right...write to us, okay?" Harry muttered an, "Uh-huh." Ron looked disappointed, but he didn't say anything.
Mrs. Weasley took Harry into a bone-crushing hug. "I wish you could stay with us, Harry, dear..." She pulled back and looked at him. "You know you're like one of my own. I love you." She kissed him on the cheek. Hermione could tell that this good-bye had more meaning to Harry; Mrs. Weasley had always been like a mother to him.
Mr. Weasley took Harry's hand and shook it. "I'm sorry about all this, Harry. We're gonna miss you for the rest of the summer." He gave him a small smile and said, "You're turning out to be an amazing young man."
Harry kept his head down as Ginny approached him. Ron and Hermione looked at each other. This was going to be the hardest good-bye.
Ginny was looking at the ground. Harry looked up and put a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, Gin," he whispered. "I'll see you soon." Ginny nodded but still didn't look up. Harry put his hand on her chin and raised her head. "I had a great time with you." Ginny's eyes brimmed with tears and she suddenly leaned forward and kissed Harry firmly on the lips. The adults in the room looked surprised. Hermione saw Ron smile shyly. She grinned at him and whispered in his ear, "Thanks for finally getting over that little phase you had."
Ginny pulled away from the kiss and leaned her forehead on Harry's. "I'll miss you," she murmured. Harry nodded and stepped towards the door where Moody and Lupin were waiting.
"Good-bye everyone. Thanks for everything," he said, giving them a forced smile. Then he walked out the door behind Moody and Lupin.
A/n: So, what do you think?? Please review!! Oh, and I decided that I would have Ginny say Voldemort's name cuz I don't think she's affected by it like Ron is (or should I say, was) since she had to deal with him possessing her. Anyway, remember to leave feedback!