A/N: Thank you soooooo much to those of you who reviewed ^_^ I hope you
enjoy the next chapter.
'Ginny, pluck with your fingertips, not your nails,' said Raiye patiently.
'My fingers are all cramped up,' complained Ginny. It was two hours and about fifty songs later. Hermione and Ron sat on the floor, playing exploding snap. Zahzoo, Hedwig and Pigwigdeon had been placed in the corner.
'That'll go away in a minute,' assured Raiye, as Ginny massaged her aching fingers.
'How long have you been playing?' asked Ginny, in an attempt to delay her own playing for a few minutes.
'Since I could stand properly,' replied Raiye, examining Ginny's fingers. They were red and she had some sores from the tight strings. 'You should probably run those under some cold water.' Ginny nodded and left the room. Raiye sat on the stool and plucked absentmindedly at the instrument.
'I'm hungry,' said Ron, getting up from the bed.
'Ron, your Mum will have supper do- Harry!,' Hermione squealed and rushed at the door. Raiye stifled a snort of derisive laughter as the dark- haired form in the doorway was almost bowled over.
'Let him breathe Hermione,' said Ron, grinning. He shut the door behind Harry as a white figure landed gently on Harry's shoulder.
'Hedwig!' Harry stroked her feathers affectionately.
'She pecked us half to death when she brought your last letters,' Ron showed Harry a deep cut on the back of his hand.
'Sorry about that,' said Harry, his grin fading from his face. 'I wanted to know what was going on.' Hermione looked at the floor, seemingly abashed.
'Dumbledore made us promise,'
'I figured,' said Harry in a would-be casual voice. 'Did any of you bother to ask why?'
'Err, the owl might've been intercepted?' said Ron quietly.
'I'm sure Dumbledore can communicate by ways other than owl,' said Harry. 'Maybe he thinks I can't be trusted.'
'Don't be thick,' said Ron at once.
'Then how come you two get to know everything that's going on?' Harry said, his voice rising.
'We don't!' said Hermione, looking alarmed now. 'We haven't been allowed in the meetings.' Raiye wished she didn't have to witness what she knew was coming next.
'SO WHAT IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN IN THE MEETINGS? YOU'VE STILL BEEN HERE TOGETHER AND I'VE BEEN STUCK AT THE DURSLEYS FOR A MONTH! I'VE HANDLED MORE THAN YOU HAVE AND DUMBLEDORE KNOWS IT! WHO SAVED THE PHILOSPOHERS STONE? WHO GOT RID OF RIDDLE? WHO SAVED BOTH YOUR SKINS FROM THE DEMENTORS? WHO HAD TO GET PAST DRAGONS AND SPHINXES LAST YEAR? WHO SAW HIM COME BACK?' Ron stood with his mouth half open, Hermione's eyes sparkled with tears, while Raiye was just plain annoyed.
'When I found out I'd finally have an excuse to talk to 'the Famous Harry Potter,' piped Raiye, making Harry jump. He hadn't noticed her sitting at the harp. 'I didn't think he'd act like some whining toddler that's been denied a cookie. Don't tell me that my cousins been right about you.'
'Shut up Raiye,' snarled Hermione. Raiye kept her gaze fixed on Harry.
'Raiye Black, pleasure to meet you,' she said coyly. Harry noticed his temper residing as he got a look at her. Even through her arrogant air, Harry saw a glimmer of understanding emitting from her fathomless eyes. They were no darker than Hagrid's or Snape's but instead of reminding Harry of dark tunnels, or Hagrid's friendly nature, Harry saw mystery and secrets hidden deep inside them.
'Arrogant cow,' muttered Hermione.
'Well you could start telling me what you know,' snapped Harry. 'Lupin told me what the Order is already.'
'Some of the Order are keeping tabs on known Death Eaters,' said Hermione at once. 'Others are recruiting new members.'
'They were also talking about some sort of guard duty,' said Ron. 'But we don't know what they were guarding.'
'Could it have been me?' said Harry sarcastically.
'Oh yeah,' said Ron with a look of dawning comprehension. Harry snorted and walked around the room.
'It's not much fun here Harry,' Hermione said convincingly. 'We've been decontaminating the house. Its been empty for ages-'
'Ten years- ' Raiye swore rather badly as Fred and George materialized with two loud cracks. 'Stop doing that!' she snarled.
'Hullo Harry,' said George, beaming at him. 'You might not want to bottle your anger up like that. There might be a few people in Australia who didn't hear you.' Fred held up a piece of flesh-coloured string.
'Well, anyway you're interfering with reception.'
'You want to be careful,' said Ron warily. 'If Mum sees one of them again.'
'That's a major meeting, its worth the risk,' said Fred. 'We sent Ginny to check it out.' The door creaked open and a long red mane of hair appeared.
'Hello Harry,' said Ginny, brightly, flopping down next to Raiye. Turning to Fred and George, Ginny said, 'It's a no-go with the ears, Mums gone and put an Imperturbable Charm on the kitchen door.'
'How d'you know?' asked George looking crestfallen.
'Just chuck something at the door,' said Raiye moving from the stool to the four poster. 'If it can't make contact, the doors been imperturbed.'
'I've been chucking dungbombs at it from the top of the stairs,' said Ginny. 'They just soared away.' Fred heaved a dramatic sigh.
'Shame, and I really fancied finding out what old Snape was up to.'
'Snape?' said Harry quickly. 'Is he here?' George carefully closed the door and sat on the next bed over. Fred followed.
'He's giving a report, top secret.'
'Git,' said Ron idly.
'He's not that bad,' said Raiye, examining her fingernails and changing them to a glimmery silver with a tap of her wand.
'Bill doesn't like him either,' said Ginny, as if this settled the matter. Harry sank onto the bed between Raiye and Ginny.
'I thought Bill was in Egypt.'
'He's got a desk job now,' said Fred. 'he says he misses the tombs but,' he smirked. 'There are compensations.'
'What d'you mean?'
'Remember Fleur Delacour?' said George. 'She's got a job at Gringotts to eeemprove 'er englishe.'
'And Bill's been giving her a load of private lessons,' sniggered Fred.
'Charlie's in the Order too,' said Ron.
'What about Percy?' asked Harry. At Harry's words, all the Weasley's and Hermione exchanged dark looks. Harry was pleased to see that Raiye's face was as blank as his.
'Whatever you do don't mention Percy in front of Mum or Dad,' said Ron gloomily. 'Whenever Percy's mentioned, Dad breaks whatever he's holding and Mum starts crying.'
'What happened?' asked Harry. Raiye looked up from her nails in interest. Ron looked down at his feet.
'About a week after term ended, Percy came home and said he'd been promoted.'
'No way,' said Harry.
'We were all surprised,' said George. 'Percy got in a load of trouble over Crouch.'
'So why was he promoted?'
'That's what we wondered,' said Ron. 'He came home really pleased with himself and told Dad he'd been offered a position in Fudge's office. He expected Dad to be all impressed.'
'Only he wasn't,' said Ginny grimly.
'Why not?' asked Harry and Raiye.
'Fudge has been storming about the Ministry checking that nobody's got anything to do with Dumbledore,' said Fred. 'They think he's just making trouble saying You-Know-Who's back. Fudge made it clear that anyone who's in league with Dumbledore can clear out their desks. Trouble is, Fudge suspects Dad.'
'Dad reckons Fudge only wants Percy in his office so that he can spy on the Family and Dumbledore,' piped Ginny.
'Your Dad was right,' piped Raiye. 'Uncle Lucius told me about your brother. The arrogant, bossy, brown-nosing Weasley that The Ministry might actually find some use for.'
'Well,' said Ron in a hollow voice. 'Percy didn't think so. He went completely berserk. He said loads of terrible stuff, like that Dad's got no ambition and that's why we've never had a lot of money.'
'It got worse,' said Ginny. 'He said Dad was an idiot to run around with Dumbledore and if Mum and Dad were going to become traitors he was going to make it clear that he didn't belong to our family anymore. He packed his bags and left that night.' Ginny was interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming up the hall. Seconds later Mrs. Weasley appeared in the doorway.
'You can come down now. The meetings over and dinner's ready. And who's left all those dungbombs outside the door?'
'Crookshanks,' said Ginny promptly.
'I thought it might have been Kreacher,' said Mrs. Weasley. 'He does odd things like that. Don't forget to keep your voices down in the hall.' Mrs. Weasley turned and left.
'Who's Kreacher?' asked Harry.
'The last house-elf left in this house,' said Raiye. 'Grandma used to have more, but she gave most of them away as wedding presents. A few of them were freed and some died.'
'That elf's a nutter,' muttered Ron darkly. 'His life's ambition is to have his head on a plaque like his mum.' Hermione scowled.
'You're not still on about spew are you?' asked Harry as the seven of them made their way towards the kitchen.
'Its not spew,' said Hermione testily. 'Its Society For the Protection of Elfish Welfare.'
'Shush,' hissed Fred, throwing his arm back. 'A few of the Order are talking in the hall. We might be able to catch what they're saying.' He withdrew an extendable ear as Harry and Raiye peaked round the corner. Snape, Tonks and Mrs. Weasley were huddled together, talking in hushed tones.
'Damn,' muttered Fred as the lot of them rounded a corner and headed for the front door.
'Shape never eats here,' whispered Ron. 'Thank god.'
'Remember to keep your voice down in the hall,' said Hermione quietly. As the seven of them passed the row of house-elf heads on the wall, they saw Lupin, Mrs.Weasley and Tonks at the front door.
'We're eating in the kitchen,' Mrs. Weasley whispered, meeting them at the bottom of the stairs. 'Harry dear, if you'd just tiptoe across the hall'
CRASH
'Tonks!' cried Mrs. Weasley in exasperation.
'I'm sorry!' wailed Tonks, who was lying flat on the floor. 'That's the second time I've tripped on that stupid.' but the rest of her words were drowned out by a continuous screech. The moth eaten, red-velvet curtains that covered the portrait of Raiye's grandmother had flown open. Harry glimpsed an old woman, with wild rolling eyes and taut, yellowing skin as Mrs. Weasley and Tonks darted forward and tried to tug the curtains back in place. Raiye watched the scene with avid interest.
'Filth! Scum! Be gone from this place! How dare you befoul the house of my fathers?' Sirius charged out of a door facing Harry and seized a bit of curtain.
'Shut up you horrible old hag, shut up!' he roared. The portraits face blanched.
'Blood traitor! Shame of my flesh!'
'Grandma, you're giving me a headache,' snarled Raiye, seizing another piece of the red velvet and helping to wrestle it shut. The screams instantly fell. Panting slightly and sweeping his long, dark hair out of his eyes, Harry's godfather Sirius turned to him.
'Hello Harry,' he said grimly. 'I see you've met my mother.'
'Your-
'My dear old mum, yeah' said Sirius bitterly. 'We've been trying to get her down for a month.'
'Well this was her house,' said Raiye pointedly.' They passed through the hall and down a flight of stairs into the kitchen. Many chairs had been crammed into the room for the meeting and a long wooden table stood between them. Mr. Weasley and Bill were talking quietly. Mrs. Weasley cleared her throat. Her husband jumped to his feet.
'Harry!' Mr. Weasley said, hurrying forward and shaking his hand vigorously. 'Wonderful to see you!'
'Have a seat Harry,' said Sirius, setting himself next to Raiye. 'You've met Mundungus, haven't you?' A sleeping wizard, slumped onto the table gave a grunt.
'Some'n say my name?' mumbled Mundungus sleepily.
'The meetings over,' said Sirius. 'Harry's arrived.'
'So I see,' mumbled Mundungus, peering around through his matted ginger hair. Tonks and Mrs. Weasley supervised a series of heavy knives, chopping meat and vegetables of their own accord. Sirius surveyed his niece and godson.
'Had a good summer so far?' Raiye opened her mouth in response, but Harry answered first.
'It's been lousy,' said Harry moodily.
'At least you've been able to get out and about. I've been stuck inside for a month,' replied Sirius.
'How come?' asked Harry with a frown.
'The Ministry's still after him,' said Raiye. 'And Unc-er Lucius,' she corrected herself, noticing the look on Sirius' face. 'Well he knows about him being an animagus. Someone must've tipped off the Dark Lord's supporters.'
'I still hate you living with Narcissa,' grumbled Sirius. 'That whole family's a bad influence on you.'
'You live with the Malfoy's?' said Harry incredulously.
'They've always been nice to me,' said Raiye, ignoring Harry and addressing Sirius. 'And you have to give them credit for taking me in. Of course,' she added, noticing the slightly sullen look on Sirius' face. 'I would leave them to stay with you in a minute.'
'Sirius?' said Mundungus, who did not appear to have paid any attention to the conversation. He was closely examining an empty goblet.
'This solid silver mate?'
'Finest fifteenth century goblin-wrought silver, embossed with the Black Family crest,' said Raiye proudly. Mrs. Weasley flicked her wand and caused an iron flagon of butterbeer, a cauldron of stew and a heavy breadboard to soar onto the table. Tonks placed the plates and silverware next to the flagon. The chairs crammed beside the table were filled and the food was passed around.
'Potatoes Raiye?' asked Harry, passing a tureen down the table.
'Don't bother Harry,' said Sirius, taking the tureen and spooning mashed potatoes onto his plate. 'She won't eat vegetables.'
'Leave me alone,' said Raiye grumpily. Sirius reached for the breadboard, slapped a slice of the thick, home baked bread on Raiye's empty plate and topped it with a ladleful of stew.
'They've been feeding you well, right?' said Sirius, frowning in concern. 'You look like you've lost weight.' Raiye roared in exasperation.
'They feed me well, they don't beat me and no I haven't got an arranged marriage!'
'So the Malfoy's just let you run off to Sirius'?' said Harry.
'No,' said Raiye, pushing food around her plate. 'They think I'm with my mate Scylla.'
'Okay,' said Harry. 'The other way then. You live with a family of known Death Eaters, why were you allowed to come here?' Raiye looked thoughtful for a moment.
'It's not like I'm a total stranger to Dumbledore,' she said slowly and not quite meeting Harry's eye.
'When Airis died, and she was sent to live with the Malfoy's I asked Dumbledore to keep an eye on her while she was at school,' said Sirius.
'Airis was my Mum,' Raiye said shortly. 'She died the summer you lot saved Sirius, which I have yet to thank you for.' She grinned widely. Pleased though Harry was, he couldn't help but notice that neither Sirius nor Raiye had given him a straight answer.
'I've been meaning to tell you Sirius,' said Mrs. Weasley from across the table. 'There's something in the writing desk in the Drawing Room. Of course it could just be a Boggart but I thought we ought to ask Alastor before we let it out.'
'Whatever you like,' Sirius replied indifferently.
'The curtains in there are full of Doxy's too,' Mrs. Weasley went on. 'I thought we might try and tackle them tomorrow.'
'I look forward to it,' said Sirius, his voice laden with sarcasm. Raiye cast around for a change of subject.
'Tonks looks nothing like Andromeda's,' she mused, looking across the table to where Tonks, Ginny and Hermione sat. 'Must be the muggle blood in her.' Sirius cast her a dark look.
'Its remarks like that-
'Oh come off it,' Raiye said, pushing her barely touched plate of food away. Mrs. Weasley passed around a large, deep dish of steaming rhubarb crumble. Before the dish was passed her way, Raiye mumbled that she didn't fancy sweets, and excused herself from the table. Three helpings later the aura of the table became relaxed and sleepy.
'Nearly time for bed I think,' said Mrs. Weasley, yawning.
'Not just yet,' said Sirius, pushing his plate away in turning to Harry. 'I'm surprised at you. I though the first thing you'd do when you get here was start asking questions about Voldemort.' The atmosphere had instantly changed, this time to tense.
'I did!' said Harry indignantly. 'I asked Ron and Hermione but they said they weren't allowed in the meetings.'
'And they're quite right!' said Mrs. Weasley. 'You're much too young.'
'Since when does one have to be a member of the Order to ask questions?' said Sirius. 'He's been trapped in that Muggle house for a month! He's got the right to know what's happen-'
'Hang on!' interrupted Fred. 'How come Harry gets all his questions answered? We've been on you lot for a month!'
'And you haven't told us one stinking thing!' said George.
'It's not my decision what your parents choose to tell you,' said Sirius. 'Harry on the other hand-'
'It's not down to you to decide what's good for Harry!' said Mrs. Weasley sharply. 'Have you forgotten what Dumbledore told you?'
'Which bit?' snarled Sirius.
'The bit about not telling Harry more than he needs to know!' said Mrs. Weasley shrilly. 'He's not a member of the Order, and he's only fifteen!'
'And he's dealt with more than the Orders done,' said Sirius. 'And then some.'
'I'm not denying what he's been through,' said Mrs. Weasley, colouring. 'He's not James, Sirius. He's still at school and the adults responsible for him should not forget it!'
'So I'm irresponsible now?' said Sirius quietly. Mrs. Weasley huffed in exasperation and turned to her husband.
'Arthur, back me up!' Mr. Weasley looked thoughtful for a moment.
'Dumbledore knows the position has changed Molly. Harry will have to be filled in, now that he's staying at headquarters.'
'Yes, well,' said Mrs. Weasley, with and air of defeat. 'Dumbledore must have had his reasons for not wanting Harry to know too much, and speaking as someone who has Harry's best interests at heart-'
'He's not your son,' interjected Sirius.
'He's as good as!' said Mrs. Weasley fiercely. 'Who else has he got?'
'He's got me!'
'Yes,' said Mrs. Weasley, her lip curling. 'Well it's been rather difficult for you to look after him while you've been locked up in Azkaban, hasn't it?' Sirius jumped to his feet.
'Sit down!' said Lupin firmly. Sirius sat back down, his eye's blazing.
'Harry should have a say in this,' Lupin continued. 'He's old enough to decide for himself.'
'I want to know,' said Harry at once.
'Fine,' said Mrs. Weasley, her voice cracking. 'Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, off to bed.' There was an instant uproar.
'We're of age!' bellowed Fred and George together.
'If Harry's allowed, why can't I?' howled Ron.
'Mum I want to hear!' whined Ginny.
'Molly, you can't stop Fred and George,' said Mr. Weasley. 'They're of age.'
'Alright then,' she snarled. 'Fred and George can-'
'Harry'l tell me and Hermione everything anyway,' said Ron hotly.
'Ginny, bed!' said Mrs. Weasley, standing up to walk Ginny up the stairs. Scowling, and stomping, Ginny followed her Mum up the stairs and through the corridor.
'Go straight to bed,' said Mrs. Weasley, wrenching the door to the girl's room open. Ginny stomped into the room and slammed the door shut after her. Almost in angry tears, Ginny trudged over to the armoire, but stopped when she heard a peculiar sound coming from the bathroom. It was an awful sort of retching. Curious, she threw the door open and saw Raiye straitening up, and flushing the toilet.
'Are-are you okay?' asked Ginny, feeling concerned. Raiye turned around in alarm. Her eyes were watering heavily and her pale skin was flushed to a deep magenta.
'Yeah, I'm fine,' she gasped, reaching for the tap and running some cold water. She cupped it into her hands, swished it around her mouth and spat into the sink. 'I suppose it was all the, err, excitement.'
'Should I get Mum? Or Sirius?' said Ginny, feeling concerned. Raiye shook her head and stood up from the sink.
'I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention this to Sirius,' she said, turning to Ginny. 'He gets so worried if I complain of even a headache.
'Well okay,' said Ginny, reaching to wipe Raiye's still watering eyes. Raiye jerked back before Ginny's hands got close.
'D'you think you could fetch me some pyjama's?' said Raiye, running the tap again and reaching for her toothbrush. Ginny nodded and returned to the armoire. She grabbed some random nightgowns for Raiye and herself.
'Here you are,' she said, handing the turquoise gown to Raiye, and pulling a red one over her head.
'What was going on downstairs?' said Raiye, scrubbing makeup off her face. 'I heard shouting.' Having forgotten her anger, Ginny shrugged.
'Hermione will tell us when she comes up to bed.' Raiye nodded and tossed her facecloth beside the sink. Ginny was knocked for six by how different Raiye looked without her makeup. She didn't glow anymore, on the contrary, she looked rather dull. Her eye's were smaller, and her cheekbones less striking.
'Yes, I'm rather gifted with cosmetics, aren't I?' muttered Raiye sarcastically. Ginny jumped and blushed.
'Well you're far from ugly,' she said, to make up for her staring. Raiye made a noise of disbelief.
'Whatever, let's just go to bed.' They extinguished the torches and snuggled into the four-poster, leaving the cot for Hermione. Raiye was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Ginny however, waited up for Hermione, who came in about a quarter-hour later.
'What happened?' she asked, sitting up the moment Hermione closed the door. Raiye moaned and rolled over.
'Just stuff we knew already,' said Hermione, pulling her own nightgown over her head. 'Well, sort of. Sirius let something slip about a weapon the Order didn't have last time.'
'Oh,' said Ginny inquistivley. 'What kind of weapon?'
'I don't know, your Mum sent us to bed.' Hermione crawled into the cot.
'Yes, she's awfully good at that,' yawned Ginny. Hermione muttered something and turned onto her stomach. The diamonds on the harp glittered in the moonlight that poured into the room. Ginny smiled dreamily and fell asleep.
'Ginny, pluck with your fingertips, not your nails,' said Raiye patiently.
'My fingers are all cramped up,' complained Ginny. It was two hours and about fifty songs later. Hermione and Ron sat on the floor, playing exploding snap. Zahzoo, Hedwig and Pigwigdeon had been placed in the corner.
'That'll go away in a minute,' assured Raiye, as Ginny massaged her aching fingers.
'How long have you been playing?' asked Ginny, in an attempt to delay her own playing for a few minutes.
'Since I could stand properly,' replied Raiye, examining Ginny's fingers. They were red and she had some sores from the tight strings. 'You should probably run those under some cold water.' Ginny nodded and left the room. Raiye sat on the stool and plucked absentmindedly at the instrument.
'I'm hungry,' said Ron, getting up from the bed.
'Ron, your Mum will have supper do- Harry!,' Hermione squealed and rushed at the door. Raiye stifled a snort of derisive laughter as the dark- haired form in the doorway was almost bowled over.
'Let him breathe Hermione,' said Ron, grinning. He shut the door behind Harry as a white figure landed gently on Harry's shoulder.
'Hedwig!' Harry stroked her feathers affectionately.
'She pecked us half to death when she brought your last letters,' Ron showed Harry a deep cut on the back of his hand.
'Sorry about that,' said Harry, his grin fading from his face. 'I wanted to know what was going on.' Hermione looked at the floor, seemingly abashed.
'Dumbledore made us promise,'
'I figured,' said Harry in a would-be casual voice. 'Did any of you bother to ask why?'
'Err, the owl might've been intercepted?' said Ron quietly.
'I'm sure Dumbledore can communicate by ways other than owl,' said Harry. 'Maybe he thinks I can't be trusted.'
'Don't be thick,' said Ron at once.
'Then how come you two get to know everything that's going on?' Harry said, his voice rising.
'We don't!' said Hermione, looking alarmed now. 'We haven't been allowed in the meetings.' Raiye wished she didn't have to witness what she knew was coming next.
'SO WHAT IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN IN THE MEETINGS? YOU'VE STILL BEEN HERE TOGETHER AND I'VE BEEN STUCK AT THE DURSLEYS FOR A MONTH! I'VE HANDLED MORE THAN YOU HAVE AND DUMBLEDORE KNOWS IT! WHO SAVED THE PHILOSPOHERS STONE? WHO GOT RID OF RIDDLE? WHO SAVED BOTH YOUR SKINS FROM THE DEMENTORS? WHO HAD TO GET PAST DRAGONS AND SPHINXES LAST YEAR? WHO SAW HIM COME BACK?' Ron stood with his mouth half open, Hermione's eyes sparkled with tears, while Raiye was just plain annoyed.
'When I found out I'd finally have an excuse to talk to 'the Famous Harry Potter,' piped Raiye, making Harry jump. He hadn't noticed her sitting at the harp. 'I didn't think he'd act like some whining toddler that's been denied a cookie. Don't tell me that my cousins been right about you.'
'Shut up Raiye,' snarled Hermione. Raiye kept her gaze fixed on Harry.
'Raiye Black, pleasure to meet you,' she said coyly. Harry noticed his temper residing as he got a look at her. Even through her arrogant air, Harry saw a glimmer of understanding emitting from her fathomless eyes. They were no darker than Hagrid's or Snape's but instead of reminding Harry of dark tunnels, or Hagrid's friendly nature, Harry saw mystery and secrets hidden deep inside them.
'Arrogant cow,' muttered Hermione.
'Well you could start telling me what you know,' snapped Harry. 'Lupin told me what the Order is already.'
'Some of the Order are keeping tabs on known Death Eaters,' said Hermione at once. 'Others are recruiting new members.'
'They were also talking about some sort of guard duty,' said Ron. 'But we don't know what they were guarding.'
'Could it have been me?' said Harry sarcastically.
'Oh yeah,' said Ron with a look of dawning comprehension. Harry snorted and walked around the room.
'It's not much fun here Harry,' Hermione said convincingly. 'We've been decontaminating the house. Its been empty for ages-'
'Ten years- ' Raiye swore rather badly as Fred and George materialized with two loud cracks. 'Stop doing that!' she snarled.
'Hullo Harry,' said George, beaming at him. 'You might not want to bottle your anger up like that. There might be a few people in Australia who didn't hear you.' Fred held up a piece of flesh-coloured string.
'Well, anyway you're interfering with reception.'
'You want to be careful,' said Ron warily. 'If Mum sees one of them again.'
'That's a major meeting, its worth the risk,' said Fred. 'We sent Ginny to check it out.' The door creaked open and a long red mane of hair appeared.
'Hello Harry,' said Ginny, brightly, flopping down next to Raiye. Turning to Fred and George, Ginny said, 'It's a no-go with the ears, Mums gone and put an Imperturbable Charm on the kitchen door.'
'How d'you know?' asked George looking crestfallen.
'Just chuck something at the door,' said Raiye moving from the stool to the four poster. 'If it can't make contact, the doors been imperturbed.'
'I've been chucking dungbombs at it from the top of the stairs,' said Ginny. 'They just soared away.' Fred heaved a dramatic sigh.
'Shame, and I really fancied finding out what old Snape was up to.'
'Snape?' said Harry quickly. 'Is he here?' George carefully closed the door and sat on the next bed over. Fred followed.
'He's giving a report, top secret.'
'Git,' said Ron idly.
'He's not that bad,' said Raiye, examining her fingernails and changing them to a glimmery silver with a tap of her wand.
'Bill doesn't like him either,' said Ginny, as if this settled the matter. Harry sank onto the bed between Raiye and Ginny.
'I thought Bill was in Egypt.'
'He's got a desk job now,' said Fred. 'he says he misses the tombs but,' he smirked. 'There are compensations.'
'What d'you mean?'
'Remember Fleur Delacour?' said George. 'She's got a job at Gringotts to eeemprove 'er englishe.'
'And Bill's been giving her a load of private lessons,' sniggered Fred.
'Charlie's in the Order too,' said Ron.
'What about Percy?' asked Harry. At Harry's words, all the Weasley's and Hermione exchanged dark looks. Harry was pleased to see that Raiye's face was as blank as his.
'Whatever you do don't mention Percy in front of Mum or Dad,' said Ron gloomily. 'Whenever Percy's mentioned, Dad breaks whatever he's holding and Mum starts crying.'
'What happened?' asked Harry. Raiye looked up from her nails in interest. Ron looked down at his feet.
'About a week after term ended, Percy came home and said he'd been promoted.'
'No way,' said Harry.
'We were all surprised,' said George. 'Percy got in a load of trouble over Crouch.'
'So why was he promoted?'
'That's what we wondered,' said Ron. 'He came home really pleased with himself and told Dad he'd been offered a position in Fudge's office. He expected Dad to be all impressed.'
'Only he wasn't,' said Ginny grimly.
'Why not?' asked Harry and Raiye.
'Fudge has been storming about the Ministry checking that nobody's got anything to do with Dumbledore,' said Fred. 'They think he's just making trouble saying You-Know-Who's back. Fudge made it clear that anyone who's in league with Dumbledore can clear out their desks. Trouble is, Fudge suspects Dad.'
'Dad reckons Fudge only wants Percy in his office so that he can spy on the Family and Dumbledore,' piped Ginny.
'Your Dad was right,' piped Raiye. 'Uncle Lucius told me about your brother. The arrogant, bossy, brown-nosing Weasley that The Ministry might actually find some use for.'
'Well,' said Ron in a hollow voice. 'Percy didn't think so. He went completely berserk. He said loads of terrible stuff, like that Dad's got no ambition and that's why we've never had a lot of money.'
'It got worse,' said Ginny. 'He said Dad was an idiot to run around with Dumbledore and if Mum and Dad were going to become traitors he was going to make it clear that he didn't belong to our family anymore. He packed his bags and left that night.' Ginny was interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming up the hall. Seconds later Mrs. Weasley appeared in the doorway.
'You can come down now. The meetings over and dinner's ready. And who's left all those dungbombs outside the door?'
'Crookshanks,' said Ginny promptly.
'I thought it might have been Kreacher,' said Mrs. Weasley. 'He does odd things like that. Don't forget to keep your voices down in the hall.' Mrs. Weasley turned and left.
'Who's Kreacher?' asked Harry.
'The last house-elf left in this house,' said Raiye. 'Grandma used to have more, but she gave most of them away as wedding presents. A few of them were freed and some died.'
'That elf's a nutter,' muttered Ron darkly. 'His life's ambition is to have his head on a plaque like his mum.' Hermione scowled.
'You're not still on about spew are you?' asked Harry as the seven of them made their way towards the kitchen.
'Its not spew,' said Hermione testily. 'Its Society For the Protection of Elfish Welfare.'
'Shush,' hissed Fred, throwing his arm back. 'A few of the Order are talking in the hall. We might be able to catch what they're saying.' He withdrew an extendable ear as Harry and Raiye peaked round the corner. Snape, Tonks and Mrs. Weasley were huddled together, talking in hushed tones.
'Damn,' muttered Fred as the lot of them rounded a corner and headed for the front door.
'Shape never eats here,' whispered Ron. 'Thank god.'
'Remember to keep your voice down in the hall,' said Hermione quietly. As the seven of them passed the row of house-elf heads on the wall, they saw Lupin, Mrs.Weasley and Tonks at the front door.
'We're eating in the kitchen,' Mrs. Weasley whispered, meeting them at the bottom of the stairs. 'Harry dear, if you'd just tiptoe across the hall'
CRASH
'Tonks!' cried Mrs. Weasley in exasperation.
'I'm sorry!' wailed Tonks, who was lying flat on the floor. 'That's the second time I've tripped on that stupid.' but the rest of her words were drowned out by a continuous screech. The moth eaten, red-velvet curtains that covered the portrait of Raiye's grandmother had flown open. Harry glimpsed an old woman, with wild rolling eyes and taut, yellowing skin as Mrs. Weasley and Tonks darted forward and tried to tug the curtains back in place. Raiye watched the scene with avid interest.
'Filth! Scum! Be gone from this place! How dare you befoul the house of my fathers?' Sirius charged out of a door facing Harry and seized a bit of curtain.
'Shut up you horrible old hag, shut up!' he roared. The portraits face blanched.
'Blood traitor! Shame of my flesh!'
'Grandma, you're giving me a headache,' snarled Raiye, seizing another piece of the red velvet and helping to wrestle it shut. The screams instantly fell. Panting slightly and sweeping his long, dark hair out of his eyes, Harry's godfather Sirius turned to him.
'Hello Harry,' he said grimly. 'I see you've met my mother.'
'Your-
'My dear old mum, yeah' said Sirius bitterly. 'We've been trying to get her down for a month.'
'Well this was her house,' said Raiye pointedly.' They passed through the hall and down a flight of stairs into the kitchen. Many chairs had been crammed into the room for the meeting and a long wooden table stood between them. Mr. Weasley and Bill were talking quietly. Mrs. Weasley cleared her throat. Her husband jumped to his feet.
'Harry!' Mr. Weasley said, hurrying forward and shaking his hand vigorously. 'Wonderful to see you!'
'Have a seat Harry,' said Sirius, setting himself next to Raiye. 'You've met Mundungus, haven't you?' A sleeping wizard, slumped onto the table gave a grunt.
'Some'n say my name?' mumbled Mundungus sleepily.
'The meetings over,' said Sirius. 'Harry's arrived.'
'So I see,' mumbled Mundungus, peering around through his matted ginger hair. Tonks and Mrs. Weasley supervised a series of heavy knives, chopping meat and vegetables of their own accord. Sirius surveyed his niece and godson.
'Had a good summer so far?' Raiye opened her mouth in response, but Harry answered first.
'It's been lousy,' said Harry moodily.
'At least you've been able to get out and about. I've been stuck inside for a month,' replied Sirius.
'How come?' asked Harry with a frown.
'The Ministry's still after him,' said Raiye. 'And Unc-er Lucius,' she corrected herself, noticing the look on Sirius' face. 'Well he knows about him being an animagus. Someone must've tipped off the Dark Lord's supporters.'
'I still hate you living with Narcissa,' grumbled Sirius. 'That whole family's a bad influence on you.'
'You live with the Malfoy's?' said Harry incredulously.
'They've always been nice to me,' said Raiye, ignoring Harry and addressing Sirius. 'And you have to give them credit for taking me in. Of course,' she added, noticing the slightly sullen look on Sirius' face. 'I would leave them to stay with you in a minute.'
'Sirius?' said Mundungus, who did not appear to have paid any attention to the conversation. He was closely examining an empty goblet.
'This solid silver mate?'
'Finest fifteenth century goblin-wrought silver, embossed with the Black Family crest,' said Raiye proudly. Mrs. Weasley flicked her wand and caused an iron flagon of butterbeer, a cauldron of stew and a heavy breadboard to soar onto the table. Tonks placed the plates and silverware next to the flagon. The chairs crammed beside the table were filled and the food was passed around.
'Potatoes Raiye?' asked Harry, passing a tureen down the table.
'Don't bother Harry,' said Sirius, taking the tureen and spooning mashed potatoes onto his plate. 'She won't eat vegetables.'
'Leave me alone,' said Raiye grumpily. Sirius reached for the breadboard, slapped a slice of the thick, home baked bread on Raiye's empty plate and topped it with a ladleful of stew.
'They've been feeding you well, right?' said Sirius, frowning in concern. 'You look like you've lost weight.' Raiye roared in exasperation.
'They feed me well, they don't beat me and no I haven't got an arranged marriage!'
'So the Malfoy's just let you run off to Sirius'?' said Harry.
'No,' said Raiye, pushing food around her plate. 'They think I'm with my mate Scylla.'
'Okay,' said Harry. 'The other way then. You live with a family of known Death Eaters, why were you allowed to come here?' Raiye looked thoughtful for a moment.
'It's not like I'm a total stranger to Dumbledore,' she said slowly and not quite meeting Harry's eye.
'When Airis died, and she was sent to live with the Malfoy's I asked Dumbledore to keep an eye on her while she was at school,' said Sirius.
'Airis was my Mum,' Raiye said shortly. 'She died the summer you lot saved Sirius, which I have yet to thank you for.' She grinned widely. Pleased though Harry was, he couldn't help but notice that neither Sirius nor Raiye had given him a straight answer.
'I've been meaning to tell you Sirius,' said Mrs. Weasley from across the table. 'There's something in the writing desk in the Drawing Room. Of course it could just be a Boggart but I thought we ought to ask Alastor before we let it out.'
'Whatever you like,' Sirius replied indifferently.
'The curtains in there are full of Doxy's too,' Mrs. Weasley went on. 'I thought we might try and tackle them tomorrow.'
'I look forward to it,' said Sirius, his voice laden with sarcasm. Raiye cast around for a change of subject.
'Tonks looks nothing like Andromeda's,' she mused, looking across the table to where Tonks, Ginny and Hermione sat. 'Must be the muggle blood in her.' Sirius cast her a dark look.
'Its remarks like that-
'Oh come off it,' Raiye said, pushing her barely touched plate of food away. Mrs. Weasley passed around a large, deep dish of steaming rhubarb crumble. Before the dish was passed her way, Raiye mumbled that she didn't fancy sweets, and excused herself from the table. Three helpings later the aura of the table became relaxed and sleepy.
'Nearly time for bed I think,' said Mrs. Weasley, yawning.
'Not just yet,' said Sirius, pushing his plate away in turning to Harry. 'I'm surprised at you. I though the first thing you'd do when you get here was start asking questions about Voldemort.' The atmosphere had instantly changed, this time to tense.
'I did!' said Harry indignantly. 'I asked Ron and Hermione but they said they weren't allowed in the meetings.'
'And they're quite right!' said Mrs. Weasley. 'You're much too young.'
'Since when does one have to be a member of the Order to ask questions?' said Sirius. 'He's been trapped in that Muggle house for a month! He's got the right to know what's happen-'
'Hang on!' interrupted Fred. 'How come Harry gets all his questions answered? We've been on you lot for a month!'
'And you haven't told us one stinking thing!' said George.
'It's not my decision what your parents choose to tell you,' said Sirius. 'Harry on the other hand-'
'It's not down to you to decide what's good for Harry!' said Mrs. Weasley sharply. 'Have you forgotten what Dumbledore told you?'
'Which bit?' snarled Sirius.
'The bit about not telling Harry more than he needs to know!' said Mrs. Weasley shrilly. 'He's not a member of the Order, and he's only fifteen!'
'And he's dealt with more than the Orders done,' said Sirius. 'And then some.'
'I'm not denying what he's been through,' said Mrs. Weasley, colouring. 'He's not James, Sirius. He's still at school and the adults responsible for him should not forget it!'
'So I'm irresponsible now?' said Sirius quietly. Mrs. Weasley huffed in exasperation and turned to her husband.
'Arthur, back me up!' Mr. Weasley looked thoughtful for a moment.
'Dumbledore knows the position has changed Molly. Harry will have to be filled in, now that he's staying at headquarters.'
'Yes, well,' said Mrs. Weasley, with and air of defeat. 'Dumbledore must have had his reasons for not wanting Harry to know too much, and speaking as someone who has Harry's best interests at heart-'
'He's not your son,' interjected Sirius.
'He's as good as!' said Mrs. Weasley fiercely. 'Who else has he got?'
'He's got me!'
'Yes,' said Mrs. Weasley, her lip curling. 'Well it's been rather difficult for you to look after him while you've been locked up in Azkaban, hasn't it?' Sirius jumped to his feet.
'Sit down!' said Lupin firmly. Sirius sat back down, his eye's blazing.
'Harry should have a say in this,' Lupin continued. 'He's old enough to decide for himself.'
'I want to know,' said Harry at once.
'Fine,' said Mrs. Weasley, her voice cracking. 'Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, off to bed.' There was an instant uproar.
'We're of age!' bellowed Fred and George together.
'If Harry's allowed, why can't I?' howled Ron.
'Mum I want to hear!' whined Ginny.
'Molly, you can't stop Fred and George,' said Mr. Weasley. 'They're of age.'
'Alright then,' she snarled. 'Fred and George can-'
'Harry'l tell me and Hermione everything anyway,' said Ron hotly.
'Ginny, bed!' said Mrs. Weasley, standing up to walk Ginny up the stairs. Scowling, and stomping, Ginny followed her Mum up the stairs and through the corridor.
'Go straight to bed,' said Mrs. Weasley, wrenching the door to the girl's room open. Ginny stomped into the room and slammed the door shut after her. Almost in angry tears, Ginny trudged over to the armoire, but stopped when she heard a peculiar sound coming from the bathroom. It was an awful sort of retching. Curious, she threw the door open and saw Raiye straitening up, and flushing the toilet.
'Are-are you okay?' asked Ginny, feeling concerned. Raiye turned around in alarm. Her eyes were watering heavily and her pale skin was flushed to a deep magenta.
'Yeah, I'm fine,' she gasped, reaching for the tap and running some cold water. She cupped it into her hands, swished it around her mouth and spat into the sink. 'I suppose it was all the, err, excitement.'
'Should I get Mum? Or Sirius?' said Ginny, feeling concerned. Raiye shook her head and stood up from the sink.
'I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention this to Sirius,' she said, turning to Ginny. 'He gets so worried if I complain of even a headache.
'Well okay,' said Ginny, reaching to wipe Raiye's still watering eyes. Raiye jerked back before Ginny's hands got close.
'D'you think you could fetch me some pyjama's?' said Raiye, running the tap again and reaching for her toothbrush. Ginny nodded and returned to the armoire. She grabbed some random nightgowns for Raiye and herself.
'Here you are,' she said, handing the turquoise gown to Raiye, and pulling a red one over her head.
'What was going on downstairs?' said Raiye, scrubbing makeup off her face. 'I heard shouting.' Having forgotten her anger, Ginny shrugged.
'Hermione will tell us when she comes up to bed.' Raiye nodded and tossed her facecloth beside the sink. Ginny was knocked for six by how different Raiye looked without her makeup. She didn't glow anymore, on the contrary, she looked rather dull. Her eye's were smaller, and her cheekbones less striking.
'Yes, I'm rather gifted with cosmetics, aren't I?' muttered Raiye sarcastically. Ginny jumped and blushed.
'Well you're far from ugly,' she said, to make up for her staring. Raiye made a noise of disbelief.
'Whatever, let's just go to bed.' They extinguished the torches and snuggled into the four-poster, leaving the cot for Hermione. Raiye was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Ginny however, waited up for Hermione, who came in about a quarter-hour later.
'What happened?' she asked, sitting up the moment Hermione closed the door. Raiye moaned and rolled over.
'Just stuff we knew already,' said Hermione, pulling her own nightgown over her head. 'Well, sort of. Sirius let something slip about a weapon the Order didn't have last time.'
'Oh,' said Ginny inquistivley. 'What kind of weapon?'
'I don't know, your Mum sent us to bed.' Hermione crawled into the cot.
'Yes, she's awfully good at that,' yawned Ginny. Hermione muttered something and turned onto her stomach. The diamonds on the harp glittered in the moonlight that poured into the room. Ginny smiled dreamily and fell asleep.