Chapter 4 The Circus
Dumbledore arrived in Redwood four days later and took Harry by port key to the London based Order of the Phoenix headquarters. They met Ron and Hermione and Dumbledore showed them on the map where they would be going.
"Now it's a little far for you all to Apparate yet, so we will use a Port-key to go to Cyprus and then apparate from there." Dumbledore told them.
Ron and Hermione were nodding but they were staring at Harry. Or the tall, blonde, blue eyed boy with Dumbledore, who sounded like Harry.
"What have they done to you?" Ron asked.
"It's a glamour charm, and I did it to myself. Pretty cool huh?" Harry grinned.
Hermione looked slightly disconcerted and Ron grinned, "Can you make yourself look like someone else? I mean think of the things you could get up to ... " Ron's voice trailed away as he realised the Headmaster was standing listening to every word.
"This is not a permanent change, and it is possible for another wizard to make Harry reveal his true image, but it is useful for such occasions." Dumbledore told them.
Harry got the message; Dumbledore would know it was Harry, no matter what he looked like, probably because of his aura. That meant that other powerful wizards would recognise him as well. This was a basic disguise; it would not stand up to too much scrutiny, so he should still be careful.
They used the portkey and then apparated, and found themselves in front of a huge building brightly lit proclaiming, 'Casino du Liban.' "Why would they have a Circus in a casino?" Hermione asked.
"It is not only a Casino, they have restaurants and theatres in the complex as well, it is a busy place." Dumbledore replied, leading them to the entrance. They oohed and aahhed at the elegant decorations inside as they were led to the theatre where the circus would perform. They sat in the front row, popcorn in hand, and fidgeted until the lights dimmed and the music roared at them.
Harry was totally absorbed, the bright lights, the loud music and the bright costumes added to the excitement of the scenes in front of them. Harry knew that most wizards could probably perform more impressive magic than the circus performers, but somehow that made it all the more spectacular. These were muggles and they were performing tricks that took Harry's breath away.
One tiny little girl was walking on a high wire so thin Harry could barely make it out. He gasped as she performed a complicated series of jumps and flips, always landing safely on the wire. Harry and the others jumped to their feet to applaud as she eventually climbed back down the ladder.
Then came Dumbledore's favourite, the clowns cart wheeled and flipped there way around the stage. They were cheerfully flinging custard pies and buckets of water at each other. One of the must have noticed Dumbledore laughing merrily in the front row, he approached with a bucket of water in his hands. With a look from Harry to Ron and Hermione he raised his eyebrows in question. They all nodded laughing and the clown made a huge production of swing the bucket back and them flinging the contents at Dumbledore.
Looking just as conspicuous as usual, wearing a red cord muggle suit with a pink shirt and tie, Dumbledore was covered by glitter and tinsel that fell out of the bucket, instead of water. The trio watched as he shook his long beard, laughing. Winking at him, the clown returned to his friends and continued the show.
Finally the show ended and the four of them made their way outside with the rest of the crowds. Dumbledore was still glittering like a Christmas tree making the youngsters laugh when they looked at him.
"My side hurt from laughing too much," Complained Harry.
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself," Dumbledore twinkled at him.
"Thank you Sir, that was the greatest birthday gift," Harry replied.
"Laughter is the greatest gift of all," Dumbledore smiled.
The happy group appatated back to Cyprus, and then port-keyed back to London. It was late when they finally returned to their respective homes.
The happy glow was shattered the next afternoon as Harry approached the dining room and overheard McGonagall talking to Moony in a hushed voice.
"There's been another mass attack," She said. "The Ministry of Magic was bombed by muggle terrorist this morning."
Harry stood frozen in the doorway. "Mr Weasley?" Harry chocked out.
"He's in St Mungo's, he was badly injured and the old wizard who worked with him, Perkins I think his name was, he was killed." McGonagall sighed.
Harry remembered meeting the man when he had been at the Ministry two years before.
"Cornelius Fudge and one of his junior assistants were killed."
"Percy?" Harry asked.
McGonagall nodded sadly, tears slipping down her pale cheeks.
"Oh my God," whispered Harry.
"Were there any more?" Moony asked and received another small nod.
"Kingsley Shaklebolt and Dawlish were on duty, Barnaby from floo regulation, Graham and Rubin from games and a least six other unspeakables. There are hundreds of injured in St Mungo's. Most of the Wizengamot were uninjured because there court room is so far under ground. Dumbledore is fine." McGonagalls voice trailed off and they sat in a tense silence.
"Can I go and see Mr Weasley?" Harry asked, knowing the answer.
"I'm sorry Harry; it would be too obvious a target. Dumbledore wants you to stay here until he can come."
Pushing his chair back so suddenly that it fell to the floor with a crash, Harry raced to the privacy of his bedroom, flung himself face down on the bed. Poor Mrs Weasley, how could Percy be dead? How could Mr Weasley be seriously injured? Poor Ron. Harry felt as though someone had ripped his stomach out. He begged for God to make it a bad dream. But nothing changed and Harry couldn't make himself wake up from the nightmare. It was real; more people had died because of one man's evil.
Harry emerged from his room a few hours later, having washed his face and changed his t-shirt. Moony was still sitting in the dining room but he was alone now.
"Harry?"
"I'm ok, I just couldn't … I wanted to go …. you know … I just wanted to help," Harry said.
"I know it's not fair on you or them. But putting yourself in danger and them too wouldn't be much help," Moony replied.
"DAMN HIM," Harry yelled, and then flopped down on an empty chair. "Have you heard how Mr Weasley is?"
Moony shook his head. "I do understand how frustrating it is. I hardly ever get to leave here either."
"I'm sorry you have to baby-sit," Harry said bitterly.
"Hey, I'm not baby-sitting. You know I can't go many places anyway, because of what I am." Moony's expression softened as he looked at Harry adding, "Migizi, you have to be strong. It's not easy to be kept away from your friends when they need you, but you have to protect yourself from him until your ready."
Harry wanted to rage at the world, would he ever be ready? Maybe it was all a big mistake, maybe it should have been Neville from the beginning. Then he felt guilty, Neville was his friend. You didn't wish Voldemort on anyone just to save your own ass. A crackling sound distracted him as he saw Bill Weasley appear.
Bill strode forward and grabbed Harry into a hug. Momentarily startled, Harry didn't say anything until Bill released him.
"Harry, Dads going to be okay. He's lost an eye, but at least he's not … "
"What about Percy?" Harry asked.
Tears shone in Bill's eyes as he slowly shook his head, "Percy's gone."
"I wanted to come, but Dumbledore won't let me," Harry muttered resentfully.
"I know," Bill answered, "He thinks they might strike the hospital next."
"Aren't there magical wards to prevent this sort of thing?" Harry asked.
"The wards protect against outside explosions and disasters from the muggle world. They can protect against the strongest magical attacks. But they were never designed to prevent a muggle bomb going off in the middle of the building." Bill explained. "Somehow the muggles were brought inside the building to set up the bomb."
"I don't understand. How can it protect against magical attacks, Voldemort fought there before."
"Magical assaults, direct attempts to destroy the building using magic, that sort of thing. Because it's the Ministry they can't put wards up to prevent people from entering, it wouldn't be practical." Moony added.
"What about St Mungo's? Are they going to add wards to protect it form muggle technology?" Harry asked.
"That's what Dumbledore and the others are trying to do now." Bill answered.
"Will there be a funeral?" Harry asked.
"Yes, day after tomorrow. Mum wants me to arrange it. Charlie arrived an hour ago; they're at the hospital with Dad."
"I want to go, tell Dumbledore that I'm going."
"I'll tell him Harry. But wait for him to answer okay? You can't leave here without him." Bill answered.
"I'm not a child."
"No one thinks that you are. But you will still need a way to leave; you can't apparate from here, not without removing the wards on this place."
Harry looked away. He knew how to remove the wards; McGonagall and Bill had taught him. But he would wait until Dumbledore answered, maybe he would say yes.
"I know what you're thinking Harry. You can't break the wards to this place yourself, Dumbledore set them."
There was nothing left to say. Bill left an angry Harry and a concerned Moony behind as he returned to see his Father. Harry sat and stared into space.
"Are you hungry?" Moony interrupted his thoughts.
Harry shook his head.
"Look, be patient, ok?"
"What for? He's killing everyone now, he's doesn't even care who he kills anymore. How can we protect people if we don't know who he will target next?" Harry replied.
"I don't know."
They sat for a long time in silence. Each consumed by his own fears and worries. Harry was worried about The Weasley's; it must be horrible for them to loose a son and a brother. Harry might not have cared much for Percy, even though he had admitted he was wrong about Voldemort. He had still lived in London and rarely spoke to his family. But he was not a bad person; he didn't deserve to die like that. No one did.
Dumbledore eventually arrived looking tired and dirty. Moony ordered some tea and a light meal and they all sat down to eat. Harry couldn't eat much but he drank the tea, automatically, it gave his hands something to do.
The Ministry had set up a temporary base in an abandoned warehouse on the Thames. They had named a replacement for Cornelius Fudge, until they could arrange an election. Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Law Enforcement would take the post.
"I thought they would have asked you," Moony said to Dumbledore.
"My place is at Hogwarts. They need someone who can be available twenty four hours a day if necessary." Dumbledore replied.
"About Percy's funeral sir," Harry asked.
"It will be held in two days time in Ottery St. Catchpole, near The Weasley's family home." Dumbledore told him sadly. "I will collect you both at 10am."
Harry breathed a small sigh of relief; at least he would be able to go. Not that it would change the fact that Percy was dead, but at least he would be there for Ron and the others. It seemed right somehow.
Free from lessons, Harry spent his time trying to study his Elemental magic. He was progressing with fire, wind and water but earth was still eluding him. Try as he might, he couldn't seem to control it.
The morning of the funeral dawned, and Harry ate a little breakfast then realised he didn't know what kind of clothes were appropriate. Moony told him to wear his black wizards' robes. Harry stared at the clock on the wall, which seemed to be stopped at quarter to ten. Eventually Dumbledore appeared, wearing Black robes that made his hair and beard seem more silver than ever. They used a port key to travel to the Weasley's home.
Mrs Weasley was sitting on the sofa with Mr Weasley, who had a patch over his right eye; they had silent tears running down their faces. Harry approached uncomfortably, unsure of what to do.
"Molly, Arthur, you have my deepest condolences," Dumbledore took their hands in turn and bowed over them.
Mrs Weasley didn't even look up; she nodded slightly and continued to weep. Mr Weasley managed to say, "Thank you for coming Albus."
Harry muttered, "I'm sorry that this happened, I'm really…." He broke off as his voice trembled with unshed tears. Neither of the elder Weasley's seemed to notice as they nodded at him. Harry wished himself a hundred miles away, Mrs Weasley rarely looked at him without a huge smile on her face and a kind word ready, and it was difficult to see her look this way.
Turning, he sought his friends. Ron and Hermione were standing close to the door, watching something outside. Harry joined them and said quietly, "Hi."
Hermione answered, "Hey Harry……"
Harry put his arm around his friends shoulder awkwardly and patted him a little. "Hey Harry," he received in return.
Harry could see Bill sitting on one of the chairs holding a small pile of black and red, which he assumed was Ginny; Charlie stood talking quietly to Moony. Searching the room he asked, "Where are Fred and George?" then followed Hermione's finger, pointing outside to the garden.
Two figures, dressed in black, sat on the fence staring out at nothing. Harry knew that it shouldn't seem strange to see his friends in black robes, they wore them to school everyday, but somehow everyone looked different. There was a heavy sadness around the room that Harry could almost taste.
"Shall we begin?" Dumbledore said quietly. He led the group outside; they walked across the fields at the back of the house until Harry spotted a tiny stone church. There were several black clad people waiting outside. They all shook hands with the Weasley's and Harry hung back with Moony, feeling like an intruder.
Inside the church, Dumbledore took his place at the front of the small group. Harry thought that this was perhaps the most frightening thing of all, to see the usually gregarious headmaster looking so sombre.
"We have gathered here today to reflect upon
the loss of a wonderful young man. Percy Weasley
has left us, for a new adventure. He was not
permitted to fulfil his dreams in this world.
So we, as his friends and family, stand here today
to pray that he will be able achieve them now,
wherever he may be. We wish him well on his
journey, and we will strive to celebrate his short
life here with us."
Harry could barely hear over the sobs that filled the church. Tears fell unchecked from behind his glasses. Mr Weasley, supporting his wife, approached the white casket resting on the alter steps. They took two stones and placed them on the lid. Harry looked questioningly at Moony who nodded his head slightly, acknowledging Harry question.
"The family will each place a wish, bound in a stone," Moony whispered.
"For Our Son we wish him to find Love." Mr Weasley stammered.
Bill and Ginny went next and wished he would find happiness. A very subdued Fred and George went forward to wish him laughter and joy. Then Ron and Charlie placed their stones saying, "We wish that he find justice and hope."
The family stood with their hands joined and faced Percy's coffin. Dumbledore raised his wand and a bright white flame burst from it and engulfed the coffin. Harry took a step forward as Mrs Weasley almost fell to her knees. Bill and Mr Weasley took her arms and helped her out of the church. Charlie leaned down and lifted his little sister into his arms and the rest of the Weasleys followed their parents.
Moony took Harry by the arm and led him back to Dumbledore. The rest of the congregation were leaving. Dumbledore placed a small golden sphere on the floor and opened it; pointing his wand at the ashes on the floor, he commanded them inside the sphere. There was a click as the sphere was locked and Dumbledore lifted it gently and placed inside his robes.
Harry was lost in a fog, he could never remember being at a funeral before. He shuddered and hoped that he would not have to go to another for many, many years. He allowed himself to be led back to the Weasley's house.
Dumbledore gave the sphere to Mr Weasley, who finally collapsed onto a chair and buried his head in his hands. Everyone in the room seemed to find somewhere else to look as Dumbledore bent down and spoke quietly to the distraught man.
The family and visitors sat round the table to eat a small lunch. Every now and again someone would tell a story about Percy. Then they would all fall silent again. Dumbledore stood eventually and bid them goodbye, he took Harry and Moony back to Redwood.
"Migizi, are you alright?" Moony asked.
"Was that what it was like for my parents?" Harry asked quietly.
"There were many more people there, but basically it was the same type of service." Dumbledore answered quietly.
"Was I there?"
"No," Dumbledore answered.
"Who placed the stones?"
"Remus, Minerva, myself, and many of the remaining Order members." Dumbledore answered.
"But not there families," Harry said quietly.
"We did what we thought was best Harry," Moony told him.
Harry wasn't sure why this mattered so much now; his parents had died a long time ago, but for some reason he felt angry. Angry, that they had not even had a gift stone from him or any other relative.
"What did you do with their spheres?" Harry asked.
"They were kept with their friends for forty days, and then their ashes were released. Just as Percy's ashes will be."
"Where?"
"Your parents' ashes were released over the lake at Hogwarts. I don't know where Mr and Mrs Weasley will release Percy's." Dumbledore told him.
Harry nodded, and then left for the privacy of his room. It was several hours later when he realised that he had not asked about Sirius' funeral. They had not found Sirius' body. Did that mean he didn't have a ceremony?