Disclaimer: I do not own anything you recognize. The only thing that is
mine is the plot. Everything else belongs to J.K. Rowlings.
Chapter 3: A New Arrangement
"Now that we are all present, I believe that there is some important business that we need to discuss."
Dumbledore remained where he was standing, but paused for a moment as if in thought before continuing "Now it is for an important reason that we are all here today. Because of this fact, I ask that everyone hold their questions until the end". He glanced toward Harry's aunt.. "This includes you Petunia. All questions will be answered in due time."
No one said anything. They waited for Dumbledore to continue. "Now first things first, Harry, you have recently become aware of the reason that you stay at your aunt's house. You understand that your mother's sacrifice provided you with protection through your bloodline."
Harry nodded his understanding. He had learned all of this earlier in the summer after he had faced off with Voldemort. Dumbledore had finally sat down and explained the reason that he needed to keep returning to the Dursley's was because of the connection with his aunt through their bloodline. Harry thought that this protection provided very small consolation for the horrid treatment he received from the Dursley's.
Dumbledore continued, "The time has come where that protection must incorporate those closest to you." He looked pointedly at Hermione, Ron and Ginny.
Dumbledore sat down in an old arm chair beside the fireplace. One of Mrs. Figg's cats had jumped up and curled itself upon Dumbledore's lap. Along with everyone else, Harry waited in silence. A couple of moments later Dumbledore looked toward Lupin and gestured with his arm for the younger man to take the floor and continue.
Lupin stood up so abruptly, Harry thought that his Aunt would have fell off of the couch if Mrs. Weasley had not lay her hand on her arm. However this action did not have the calming action to his aunt that it would have, had anyone else done it. Harry saw his aunt look at Mrs. Weasley with disgust and quickly draw her arm away.
Lupin had started pacing the length of the couch. He quickly glanced at Harry and began, "We know that there has recently been a sighting of death eaters outside of Ottery St. Catchpole." He paused slightly before continuing, "On a separate incident two death eaters were spotted by the residence of Ms. Granger. Our extreme concern comes from the fact that these have been the only sightings that have been reported."
Ron, forgetting Dumbledore's request for holding questions, interceded, "So you-know-who has not attacked anyone? I don't get it, I mean he finally has his powers back and he sends out death eaters only twice? It doesn't make any sense."
Hermione answered, "It makes perfect sense actually. Ron, don't you get it? That is why Dumbledore thinks that we need protection. It is fairly obvious that Voldemort is acting out of strategy. The only death eaters active are seen by our homes. He knows exactly what he is doing."
"And that," Dumbledore spoke so quietly that everyone turned toward him out of surprise, "is why your respective homes are no longer safe for you."
A muffled thud made everyone turn to the living room entrance. On the floor, tangled with Mrs. Figg's umbrella stand was Aunt Petunia. Realizing that eight pairs of eyes were now on her, Harry's aunt scrambled off of the floor and attempted to fix her rather disheveled hair.
Mrs. Figg broke the silence at last, "Petunia, I do not believe that we were quite finished here."
To Harry, his aunt looked like a combination angry and outraged. "Well, I don't see what my use is here. All of this has to do with all of your nonsense and has absolutely nothing with me!"
Dumbledore got out of his chair and succeeded in frightening the cat on his lap so that it leapt from his lap and onto coffee table across the room. "Petunia, forgive me for disagreeing, but this has everything to do with you. If you had been listening you would understand that your house provides a safe haven where Voldemort cannot hurt Harry. It is because of this reason that I must insist that the three other children stay with you for the summer as well."
Harry thought his Aunt looked as if someone had just slapped her in the face, "Vernon would never allow it.."
But before she could finish, Dumbledore interrupted her and Harry noticed the twinkle in his eye, "Well I guess it is very beneficial indeed that he is not here for the time being."
Aunt Petunia slumped against the wall in defeat. Harry glanced toward his friends. This meant that they would be staying with for the summer. Harry had to admit that a summer at the Burrow would probably be more fun. But being at the Dursley's with his friends was better than being by himself.
At that moment Hermione spoke, "Excuse me Professor Dumbledore but if I am not mistaken, the protection from Harry's mother only works for the bloodline. Ron, Ginny and I are not part of that, so how are we protected?"
As much as Harry was annoyed that Hermione was second guessing staying there for the summer he wanted to hear the answer to the question as well. Dumbledore smiled at Hermione and replied, "Yes Miss Granger, it is correct that the protection will not work for you, but I do not think that Voldemort will bother going near the Dursley's home because of the strength of the bond that exists there. You see, he knows that he cannot touch Harry while he is there, so there is a greater amount of security for you three while you stay there. Everyone in Ron's family, himself and Miss Weasley excluded, are of age and has the means of protecting themselves, such as the ability to apparate as needed. I have also strongly recommended that your parents take a vacation to visit relatives abroad. We must take every means necessary to ensure the safety of all in this battle."
Dumbledore turned to address everyone in the room, "The first security measure is that these four will be living in your house, Petunia. As an additional protection, I ask that Remus and Nymphadora stay here with Mrs. Figg. This way, if anything does in fact happen, there will be powerful wizards nearby. Now, I believe that we have covered everything. I do not expect to run into any problems for this last month before school starts. If anyone needs to reach me send an owl. Now forgive me but I am afraid that I have other business to attend to."
Dumbledore turned to Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny. "I also expect that you will not give Harry's Aunt any more trouble than necessary. We need this summer to be a nice quiet one." He winked at Harry and apparated with a pop.
Mrs. Figg turned to Harry's aunt, "I would also ask that you not inform Vernon of anything that is going on here. We would not want him coming back early, as it could have disastrous effects."
Harry saw his aunt quickly nod and walk to the front door. Harry shrugged and turned to his friends, "Well, I guess we should move you guys in."
Lupin pulled their trunks out of his pocket, on which he had used a shrinking charm. He returned them to their owners and nodded, "You best be going home with Harry now, I want you to come by tomorrow around noon." And as an afterthought he added, "No trouble."
Harry nodded and shook his ex-Professors hand. "See you tomorrow then."
Mrs. Figg appeared from the kitchen where she had disappeared and was carrying a box. She smiled and handed it to Harry, "Happy Birthday Harry! This is just a little cake for you four to celebrate with tonight. If you need anything just call."
Harry thanked her and he led the others back to 4 Privet Dr. His aunt had set Hermione and Ginny up in Dudley's Room. Harry had set up a small old cot for Ron in his room. Harry's aunt had given them a swift warning about not letting the neighbors see them and to not be heard talking about their "nonsense". He also noticed that his aunt was glaring at him so intensely that it made Harry feel that she wanted him dead more than Voldemort did.
The four of them stayed up late into the night talking about the upcoming school year and opening Harry's birthday gifts. He had received a book about Quidditch from Ron and another book of Spells from Hermione. From Ginny he got a new set of quills and the twins had sent along their newest products as he was their silent benefactor. He had been given a trunk of Sirius's old things from Lupin and another cake from Hagrid. All in all, Harry considered it one of his best birthdays to date. As Harry lay down that night he drifted off to sleep knowing that this would be a much more enjoyable summer than any he could remember.
Chapter 3: A New Arrangement
"Now that we are all present, I believe that there is some important business that we need to discuss."
Dumbledore remained where he was standing, but paused for a moment as if in thought before continuing "Now it is for an important reason that we are all here today. Because of this fact, I ask that everyone hold their questions until the end". He glanced toward Harry's aunt.. "This includes you Petunia. All questions will be answered in due time."
No one said anything. They waited for Dumbledore to continue. "Now first things first, Harry, you have recently become aware of the reason that you stay at your aunt's house. You understand that your mother's sacrifice provided you with protection through your bloodline."
Harry nodded his understanding. He had learned all of this earlier in the summer after he had faced off with Voldemort. Dumbledore had finally sat down and explained the reason that he needed to keep returning to the Dursley's was because of the connection with his aunt through their bloodline. Harry thought that this protection provided very small consolation for the horrid treatment he received from the Dursley's.
Dumbledore continued, "The time has come where that protection must incorporate those closest to you." He looked pointedly at Hermione, Ron and Ginny.
Dumbledore sat down in an old arm chair beside the fireplace. One of Mrs. Figg's cats had jumped up and curled itself upon Dumbledore's lap. Along with everyone else, Harry waited in silence. A couple of moments later Dumbledore looked toward Lupin and gestured with his arm for the younger man to take the floor and continue.
Lupin stood up so abruptly, Harry thought that his Aunt would have fell off of the couch if Mrs. Weasley had not lay her hand on her arm. However this action did not have the calming action to his aunt that it would have, had anyone else done it. Harry saw his aunt look at Mrs. Weasley with disgust and quickly draw her arm away.
Lupin had started pacing the length of the couch. He quickly glanced at Harry and began, "We know that there has recently been a sighting of death eaters outside of Ottery St. Catchpole." He paused slightly before continuing, "On a separate incident two death eaters were spotted by the residence of Ms. Granger. Our extreme concern comes from the fact that these have been the only sightings that have been reported."
Ron, forgetting Dumbledore's request for holding questions, interceded, "So you-know-who has not attacked anyone? I don't get it, I mean he finally has his powers back and he sends out death eaters only twice? It doesn't make any sense."
Hermione answered, "It makes perfect sense actually. Ron, don't you get it? That is why Dumbledore thinks that we need protection. It is fairly obvious that Voldemort is acting out of strategy. The only death eaters active are seen by our homes. He knows exactly what he is doing."
"And that," Dumbledore spoke so quietly that everyone turned toward him out of surprise, "is why your respective homes are no longer safe for you."
A muffled thud made everyone turn to the living room entrance. On the floor, tangled with Mrs. Figg's umbrella stand was Aunt Petunia. Realizing that eight pairs of eyes were now on her, Harry's aunt scrambled off of the floor and attempted to fix her rather disheveled hair.
Mrs. Figg broke the silence at last, "Petunia, I do not believe that we were quite finished here."
To Harry, his aunt looked like a combination angry and outraged. "Well, I don't see what my use is here. All of this has to do with all of your nonsense and has absolutely nothing with me!"
Dumbledore got out of his chair and succeeded in frightening the cat on his lap so that it leapt from his lap and onto coffee table across the room. "Petunia, forgive me for disagreeing, but this has everything to do with you. If you had been listening you would understand that your house provides a safe haven where Voldemort cannot hurt Harry. It is because of this reason that I must insist that the three other children stay with you for the summer as well."
Harry thought his Aunt looked as if someone had just slapped her in the face, "Vernon would never allow it.."
But before she could finish, Dumbledore interrupted her and Harry noticed the twinkle in his eye, "Well I guess it is very beneficial indeed that he is not here for the time being."
Aunt Petunia slumped against the wall in defeat. Harry glanced toward his friends. This meant that they would be staying with for the summer. Harry had to admit that a summer at the Burrow would probably be more fun. But being at the Dursley's with his friends was better than being by himself.
At that moment Hermione spoke, "Excuse me Professor Dumbledore but if I am not mistaken, the protection from Harry's mother only works for the bloodline. Ron, Ginny and I are not part of that, so how are we protected?"
As much as Harry was annoyed that Hermione was second guessing staying there for the summer he wanted to hear the answer to the question as well. Dumbledore smiled at Hermione and replied, "Yes Miss Granger, it is correct that the protection will not work for you, but I do not think that Voldemort will bother going near the Dursley's home because of the strength of the bond that exists there. You see, he knows that he cannot touch Harry while he is there, so there is a greater amount of security for you three while you stay there. Everyone in Ron's family, himself and Miss Weasley excluded, are of age and has the means of protecting themselves, such as the ability to apparate as needed. I have also strongly recommended that your parents take a vacation to visit relatives abroad. We must take every means necessary to ensure the safety of all in this battle."
Dumbledore turned to address everyone in the room, "The first security measure is that these four will be living in your house, Petunia. As an additional protection, I ask that Remus and Nymphadora stay here with Mrs. Figg. This way, if anything does in fact happen, there will be powerful wizards nearby. Now, I believe that we have covered everything. I do not expect to run into any problems for this last month before school starts. If anyone needs to reach me send an owl. Now forgive me but I am afraid that I have other business to attend to."
Dumbledore turned to Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny. "I also expect that you will not give Harry's Aunt any more trouble than necessary. We need this summer to be a nice quiet one." He winked at Harry and apparated with a pop.
Mrs. Figg turned to Harry's aunt, "I would also ask that you not inform Vernon of anything that is going on here. We would not want him coming back early, as it could have disastrous effects."
Harry saw his aunt quickly nod and walk to the front door. Harry shrugged and turned to his friends, "Well, I guess we should move you guys in."
Lupin pulled their trunks out of his pocket, on which he had used a shrinking charm. He returned them to their owners and nodded, "You best be going home with Harry now, I want you to come by tomorrow around noon." And as an afterthought he added, "No trouble."
Harry nodded and shook his ex-Professors hand. "See you tomorrow then."
Mrs. Figg appeared from the kitchen where she had disappeared and was carrying a box. She smiled and handed it to Harry, "Happy Birthday Harry! This is just a little cake for you four to celebrate with tonight. If you need anything just call."
Harry thanked her and he led the others back to 4 Privet Dr. His aunt had set Hermione and Ginny up in Dudley's Room. Harry had set up a small old cot for Ron in his room. Harry's aunt had given them a swift warning about not letting the neighbors see them and to not be heard talking about their "nonsense". He also noticed that his aunt was glaring at him so intensely that it made Harry feel that she wanted him dead more than Voldemort did.
The four of them stayed up late into the night talking about the upcoming school year and opening Harry's birthday gifts. He had received a book about Quidditch from Ron and another book of Spells from Hermione. From Ginny he got a new set of quills and the twins had sent along their newest products as he was their silent benefactor. He had been given a trunk of Sirius's old things from Lupin and another cake from Hagrid. All in all, Harry considered it one of his best birthdays to date. As Harry lay down that night he drifted off to sleep knowing that this would be a much more enjoyable summer than any he could remember.