On Your Mark
By Arlo
Chapter 13- Friends and Family
Wednesday lunchtime brought Mrs. Weasley, Ron and Ginny, as well as Luna Lovegood and her father. Mr. Lovegood had joined the Order after having a long talk with his daughter upon her return from Hogwarts. He had been very impressed with the interview with Harry that he had printed in his newspaper, and trusted his daughter's judgment implicitly. She was special after all. He was glad that Dumbledore had offered for her to stay at Order Headquarters to help keep her safe and train her in her unique talents, but wanted to meet the people with whom she was staying. He was a little concerned about her living with a werewolf, despite Molly's reassurances, and wanted to meet "The Boy who Lived" himself to determine his intentions.
Harry had come in from the garden through the back servants entry and headed up the back stairway to the fourth floor so he could quickly shower and change before meeting his friends. Sirius had often used the narrow steep steps to escape the noise and memories in the entryway, especially when he was in one of his more somber moods. Harry found it just as convenient for avoiding various new Order members who wanted to engage him in inane conversation and gape at his forehead.
He had just finished dressing in his black jeans and dragon tee shirt when he heard Remus and Mrs. Weasley showing Ron his room next door. Surprising his mate by coming up behind him from the bathroom, he was equally surprised himself as Mrs. Weasley screamed his name and took him into a bone crushing hug. She then left to freshen up in her own room down the hall, while Remus went down one flight to make sure the girls had everything they needed.
"We aren't sharing a room?" Ron asked in a disappointed tone.
"Not exactly," Harry replied. "You're in here with Neville and I've got my own room through here," he pointed to the adjoining bath. "It is my house after all!" he joked.
"I guess it's okay then. Neville's coming? I mean that's great and everything but I wasn't expecting him. I didn't expect Luna either until they showed up at the Burrow this morning."
"Yep, train them up a bit I suppose. If they're going to insist on hanging out with me, they better be up to the challenge! Especially if Neville's going to keep taking on Bellatrix. She one tough brood, that one!"
"Scary looking, too." Ron agreed. "So let's see your pad, mate. By the way, you're looking pretty good, I mean healthy and happy and all that," he added after Harry shot him a strange look.
Harry led him through the bathroom where Ron had good laugh at the vast array of personal care items on the shelf. Harry explained that Order members had quickly picked up on the fact that a fragrant gift would keep them on the good side of the Master of the House. Sirius had tried everything and anything to get rid of what he referred to as the stench of Azkaban, but had never been quite satisfied with any of them. So, all the bathrooms were now well stocked with everything from Azalea oil shampoo to Zucchini-lime body butter, which Harry found really helped his hands after gardening.
The red haired boy's mouth dropped as they entered Harry's room and he looked around, however. "Wow, the is really great!" Ron exclaimed as Harry showed him some of the cooler features, like the ceiling. "Wicked, man you must be dead chuffed! I'd kill for a room like this!"
"Maybe I should put an imperturbable charm on the door at night, then," Harry joked. Ron's ears turned a bit red. "Well, if you promise not to do me in, in my sleep, we can see if Remus can do something similar in your room! He really didn't know what you would like and besides, I refuse to have a room in my house painted Chudley Cannons Orange!" Harry told his friend as they went downstairs to see the girls room.
"This is beautiful Harry! What a difference!" Ginny said, gaping at him as the boys walked into the room..
"I can't take the credit, Gin. Remus and Sirius did most of the work," Harry smiled as he turned away from her stares to address the Lovegoods. "Welcome to the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix! It's nice to finally meet you, Mr. Lovegood. I really appreciate what you did for me last year," Harry said shaking the man's hand.
"It was my pleasure, Harry. I should be thanking you. My circulation went up three hundred percent after that issue! It's even surpassed the Prophet! I always knew that people really wanted to read factual stories, written in a professional manner! I'm glad they came around!"
Harry smiled. The Quibbler was well known for fanciful fabrications and clever advice featuring odd people and strange creatures. But he had to admit, there was an underlying truth to some of it. "Hi, Luna! I hope you like your room. Mine is just above it, there's a great view of the sunset over the park!" he told her.
The blonde girl looked dreamily out the window, nodding. "I'll come up here at 8:41 tonight then. The walls will probably be green by then."
Ron gawked at her, and Ginny giggled, but Harry looked at the blue painted walls and realized she had a point. The orange yellow glow of the sunset, might very well make them take on a greenish tinge. "Mine just get golder," he told her nodding in agreement
Lunch was extremely interesting, to say the least. Mr. Lovegood told fascinating stories about his work and asked odd questions of Harry and Remus. The werewolf was always quite uncomfortable talking about his condition and Harry never particularly liked talking about himself. Fortunately, Kingsley came to their rescue by asking Mr. Lovegood about his accusations that Minister Fudge was planning on taking over Gringotts Bank and whether aurors should investigate the matter. The editor of the Quibbler then went off on a tangent of Ministry corruption and scandal, that Harry actually found quite plausible. A quick glance at Mrs. Weasley, though told him that she thought it all bunk and was not trying to hide her feelings in the least. At the other end of the table, Ginny and Luna were engaged in a giggly conversation that included many glances in his direction. Harry tried to talk to Ron, but his friend was too engrossed in his food to say much, so he turned back to Mr. Lovegood's theories, they were certainly food for thought.
After lunch, Luna's father left and Mrs. Weasley went down to the kitchen to meet the new house elves. The four teenagers went into the drawing room to play cards. Harry really wanted to know what happened with Percy, but didn't want to ask with Luna present.
Eventually, the two girls went up to their room to unpack and Harry and Ron were left alone. "So, er, what's new Ron?" Harry asked tentatively as they set up the chessboard.
Ron frowned, "I suppose you've heard that Percy's back, right?" Harry nodded. "Stupid git!" Ron continued, "didn't even tell anyone that he was going on holiday! Can't believe he got everyone all frazzled like that! Said he didn't think anyone would notice him missing!"
Harry couldn't believe Ron could be so callous about it. Sure, Percy was a prat, but laying into him like that! He should at least be glad that he was alive and well! "Aren't you glad he's alright?" Harry asked. Ron shrugged. "Remus told me he quit his job at the Ministry. At least that's something, huh?"
"You know why he quit?" Ron lashed out angrily. "Because Fudge wouldn't give him Umbridge's job! You know, assistant undersecretary!"
Harry stared incredulously at his friend. How could Percy even consider being offered such a senior position with only two years experience? "He wanted Umbridge's job?"
"Yep! Thought he deserved it because of his loyalty to the Minister! Naturally Fudge thought otherwise. How could he pass over all those people who've worked there for years and know how things run? He'd really get called on the carpet for that! He's in pretty deep as it is!"
"Fudge?"
"Yea, People aren't too thrilled he let You Know Who have a years head start on taking over! And now you and Dumbledore are the heroes again! Poor Harry Potter and all that rot!"
Harry glared at Ron, "what, you think I deserved all the crap they gave me last year?"
"No, of course not, mate! That's not what I meant!- I didn't mean it to come out that way!"
"I sure hope not," Harry replied angrily. "Because you know darn well…"
"I'm just trying to say that now everyone knows the Ministry was wrong and you were right, and that they weren't happy at the way it was handled, that's all!" But Harry could tell that that wasn't all. Ron's emotions were coming through loud and clear and Harry didn't like what he was feeling. "Ron, are you aware that I am an empath?"
"You mean, you can feel other people's feelings?" Ron asked, his ears turning as red as his hair. "Er, so, what am I feeling?"
"Jealousy and anger mostly."
"Jealous! I'm not jealous of you! Sure you've got this great house and your room is cool and your rich and famous…"
"And I have no parents, I've got a madman trying to kill me, my nightmare would send anybody to the cracker box… You are welcome to it all! All I ever wanted was a family, someone to love me! I should be jealous of you!
Ron hung his head, "I know all that, mate I'm sorry I really am, I don't know what gets into me sometimes. I mean I know all those things and then I see your room or something and I forget. I'm just a git!"
"It's okay, Ron. You just need to talk about your feelings more, that's all."
Ron laughed. "You're telling me to talk 'bout stuff! That's the pot- Potter- calling the kettle black it is!" Harry couldn't help but agree and joined in laughing.
They went back upstairs where Harry helped Ron put his things away and decide which bed he wanted. They talked a little about Harry's new found talents and about his training. Ron couldn't wait to get started himself, but knew he had to wait for the others.
They had fun working on the garden the next two mornings. Luna kept them all in stitches looking for Prickle-backed Larkies, which she insisted loved to nest in overgrown city gardens. Not even Remus had ever heard of them, but he kept asking her serious questions about them, just for a laugh. Neville came on Friday evening escorted by his grandmother, who stayed for dinner and was chatting with Professor McGonagall as if they were old friends, which Harry figured they probably were. By the time Hermione came on Saturday afternoon, they were all settled in and looking forward to learning everything they could from all the experienced wizards in the house.
The next few weeks became a routine of morning garden or house work, they were all glad when it was a nice day because it was a lot more fun working outside, and Neville was really in his element in the garden. Even the adults were learning things about magical plants from the young man. Magic classes were after lunch, depending on who was in the house. Defense was of course, the priority, but charms and transfiguration were high on the list as was occlumency and dueling. Both of which were taught by Remus to all but Harry. Kingsley spent those times with Harry working on auror skills and apparition, which everyone agreed that Harry needed to learn, whether he could do it legally or not. In the evenings Harry would get lessons from Dumbledore on occlumency and Luna would join them when they were working on empathic skills. Her mother had long ago taught her to block out emotions around her, which, Harry learned, led to her usually dreamy state. Her empathic talents were more basic than Dumbledore's and Harry's but Luna could still use them to read people's intentions through their emotions, something that proves very helpful in making sure others can be trusted. The more people that could tell who was really on what side the better, and Luna's talents would prove invaluable in the future.
The routine was broken up by their Hogwart's letters and booklists, which were again late due to the addition of some new courses. Harry had agreed to teach the O.W.L. preparation course to the fifth years and Remus and Hermione had helped him select the best books for the class. They were also surprised to find out that a new modern history class for older students would be taught by once-again Professor Lupin, and they had spent a fun evening coming up for names for the course to make it sound more interesting. Remus had finally settled on "The Dark Arts in Modern Times" or DAMT which everyone thought was a great acronym for the subject.
The letters also brought the news of the Student Professorial Assistant positions, Hermione was thrilled to have been selected for transfiguration, and Harry couldn't help but relay the story of the battle for her services. Neville was completely dumfounded to have received the position for herbology, as everyone had expected Professor Sprout to select one of her own Hufflepuff students. Once assured that the letter was indeed correct, he immediately sent an owl to his gran telling her the news. Both Ginny and Luna were named prefects for Gryffindor and Ravenclaw respectively and Harry was starting to feel a little sorry for Ron when he opened his letter. But out of the envelope fell a red and gold badge with a large "C" engraved on it and Ron went nutters! "Quidditch Captain!! I made Quidditch Captain," he ran around the house yelling, loud enough to wake Tonks who had just come off auror duty. Harry had completely forgotten that the post needed to be filled and couldn't think of a better person for the job. Ron had now achieved two of the desires he saw in the Mirror of Ersied in their first year. Harry secretly doubted very much that his friend would also become Head Boy, but two out of three wasn't bad!
"Hey, Harry, are you back on the team?" Ron asked him excitedly. "I need to know so I can start planning strategy. We need two new chasers and Ginny makes a better chaser than seeker!"
Harry just shrugged, he hadn't even thought about it. He didn't know if he would even have the time, what with teaching, assisting and training. "I dunno," he answered honestly. "I'm really happy for you though, you'll make a great captain! As a matter of fact, you're starting to sound a lot like Oliver Wood already!' he told Ron, clapping him on the back.
Arrangements had to be made for the students to go to Diagon Alley for their supplies. It was decided that they would go in small groups of two or three with as many Order members in tow. Students whose families were loyal to Dumbledore were told that there would be extra security on certain dates so that the 'safety in numbers' rule would apply. Harry was assigned to go with Hermione and the Evans family was notified. Neville would go with Luna and the Weasleys would go to the marketplace en masse.
The night before the first group (the Weasleys) was set to go, Harry had a very strange nightmare about Goblins bowing to him and rooms filled with gold and jewels. He awoke with his scar prickling and immediately woke Remus to tell him about the dream. They made sure that Harry cleared his mind before he went back to sleep and he awoke the next morning, having completely forgotten about it.
