Hope of the Phoenix (8/?)
Rating: PG 13
Pairing: Remus/Petunia
Disclaimer: Still own nothing.
A/N: Sorry I was so long updating... I have my Greek and British History exams coming this week: I plead studying. (Is that a valid excuse under the law?) Anyway, I should hopefully have another couple chapters up soon. Again, thank you to all who reviewed. Thank you as well to all who are reading this story and not reviewing, I haven't forgotten you! On with chapter 8!
Chapter 8: The M.D.A
Shortly after Molly and Arthur had left Grimmauld Place to take the children to King's Cross, Dumbledore owled Remus, asking him to meet in his office. Remus had recently finished his latest assignment for the Order, and, now that everything else was in place, Dumbledore had a new one for him.
When he arrived at the Headmaster's Office, he quickly brushed the ashes off his robes, and stepped in the round room. Dumbledore was sitting at the desk, with Fawkes perched on a stand close by. He motioned Remus into the room.
"As you know, Remus, Petunia Dursley has agreed to be the spokesperson for the new Muggle awareness campaign. I have spoken with the Muggle ministry of Defense, and they have set up the telephone hotline, and the television and radio spots. I spoke with Petunia this morning, and she has begun preparing some statements. I need you to protect her. Once Voldemort becomes aware that she is raising the Muggles against him, he will likely try to eliminate her. We both know that she would be extremely vulnerable if she were to be attacked. You will be her bodyguard, and will accompany her on all her trips outside of Headquarters."
Remus had gone extremely pale as Dumbledore spoke. Him, work with Petunia? He had tried so hard to avoid her ever since she had arrived at Grimmauld Place. He swallowed, realizing that Dumbledore was still waiting on his answer.
"Wouldn't it be better to have someone else work with her? Molly, maybe? Or Tonks? Arthur would love a chance to go into the Muggle world so often ..."
"They are all currently assigned. You are the only one who is both available and suited to the task. I realize that you have issues concerning your past relationship with Petunia Evans, but I trust that you will be able to put them aside for the good of the Order. The Muggles could be extremely helpful if they are raised against Voldemort, and we need all the help possible if we are to win this war."
Remus sighed, and nodded his head to show that he had accepted the assignment.
"Good," Dumbledore smiled again, with a great deal of tenderness. "The first television spot films tonight."
Petunia was ready to go when Remus arrived to escort her to the television station. She appeared to have gone shopping for some new Muggle clothes for the occasion: she was wearing a new salmon pink dress-suit that he was sure he hadn't seen before. She appeared to have gained a bit of weight to, he noticed, startled, she was a good deal less bony and a whole lot happier than the last time he'd seen her, the first morning at Grimmauld Place. She reminded him more of Petunia Evans than ever, he thought, before squelching that thought. She was still the woman who had abused Harry his whole life, and that couldn't be forgiven just because she had a new outfit.
He was silent as the car turned through the London streets. Petunia seemed very nervous and uncomfortable, and alternated between studying her notes and looking out the window. After her initial attempts at a pleasant conversation had been rebuffed, she had given up, and retreated into her own thoughts once more.
He trailed behind as the young intern led them into the television studio. He felt very out of place, and slightly uncomfortable in the Muggle clothes that he was wearing.
He stood in the wings as the director arranged everything, and got Petunia in place in front of the camera. Now that it had come to the actually task, her nervousness seemed to have vanished; she seemed confident, focused, slightly intense. She smiled at the director as he told a joke, and then looked into the camera as he called "Action!"
In the countryside, Margery Dursley stopped in the middle of her conversation concerning the finer points of dog breeding with Colonel Fubster when her sister-in-law's face appeared on the television. Why was Petunia on television? Marge hadn't seen her sister since the last time she'd visited, three years earlier. She hadn't even been at Vernon and Dudley's funeral. Marge focused her attention to the television, ignoring Ripper's growl of protest as she stopped petting him. Petunia seemed to be in the middle of whatever she had been saying.
"... this new terrorist group, called Death-Eaters, are extremely dangerous. They attack indiscriminately, and, since they have no demands, cannot be placated. They are armed, and people are advised not to approach them. If you see any people resembling the ones in this picture, please telephone the number at the bottom of the screen immediately. As well, if you see a skull with a snake in its mouth in the sky, telephone immediately, but do not investigate. Thank you. With your help, we will be able to stop the people who murdered my family, and who are plotting to destroy the families of others."
Marge stared at the screen in amazement – hadn't her brother and nephew died of carbon monoxide poisoning, from a gas leak? That's what the police had told her. Perhaps Petunia had gone off the deep end.
In Yorkshire, Mrs. Roberts got up and looked out the window, as if she expected to see men in black robes and masks emerging across the moors.
In Norfolk, Mrs. Hetty Bayliss quickly jotted down the number, and then speed-dialed all her friends, to make sure they had the number too.
In Peebles, Mr. Angus Fleet decided to organize a neighbourhood watch.
It seemed that Muggles all across the country were now on the lookout for Death-Eaters. The Muggle Defense Association had become a reality.
Rating: PG 13
Pairing: Remus/Petunia
Disclaimer: Still own nothing.
A/N: Sorry I was so long updating... I have my Greek and British History exams coming this week: I plead studying. (Is that a valid excuse under the law?) Anyway, I should hopefully have another couple chapters up soon. Again, thank you to all who reviewed. Thank you as well to all who are reading this story and not reviewing, I haven't forgotten you! On with chapter 8!
Chapter 8: The M.D.A
Shortly after Molly and Arthur had left Grimmauld Place to take the children to King's Cross, Dumbledore owled Remus, asking him to meet in his office. Remus had recently finished his latest assignment for the Order, and, now that everything else was in place, Dumbledore had a new one for him.
When he arrived at the Headmaster's Office, he quickly brushed the ashes off his robes, and stepped in the round room. Dumbledore was sitting at the desk, with Fawkes perched on a stand close by. He motioned Remus into the room.
"As you know, Remus, Petunia Dursley has agreed to be the spokesperson for the new Muggle awareness campaign. I have spoken with the Muggle ministry of Defense, and they have set up the telephone hotline, and the television and radio spots. I spoke with Petunia this morning, and she has begun preparing some statements. I need you to protect her. Once Voldemort becomes aware that she is raising the Muggles against him, he will likely try to eliminate her. We both know that she would be extremely vulnerable if she were to be attacked. You will be her bodyguard, and will accompany her on all her trips outside of Headquarters."
Remus had gone extremely pale as Dumbledore spoke. Him, work with Petunia? He had tried so hard to avoid her ever since she had arrived at Grimmauld Place. He swallowed, realizing that Dumbledore was still waiting on his answer.
"Wouldn't it be better to have someone else work with her? Molly, maybe? Or Tonks? Arthur would love a chance to go into the Muggle world so often ..."
"They are all currently assigned. You are the only one who is both available and suited to the task. I realize that you have issues concerning your past relationship with Petunia Evans, but I trust that you will be able to put them aside for the good of the Order. The Muggles could be extremely helpful if they are raised against Voldemort, and we need all the help possible if we are to win this war."
Remus sighed, and nodded his head to show that he had accepted the assignment.
"Good," Dumbledore smiled again, with a great deal of tenderness. "The first television spot films tonight."
Petunia was ready to go when Remus arrived to escort her to the television station. She appeared to have gone shopping for some new Muggle clothes for the occasion: she was wearing a new salmon pink dress-suit that he was sure he hadn't seen before. She appeared to have gained a bit of weight to, he noticed, startled, she was a good deal less bony and a whole lot happier than the last time he'd seen her, the first morning at Grimmauld Place. She reminded him more of Petunia Evans than ever, he thought, before squelching that thought. She was still the woman who had abused Harry his whole life, and that couldn't be forgiven just because she had a new outfit.
He was silent as the car turned through the London streets. Petunia seemed very nervous and uncomfortable, and alternated between studying her notes and looking out the window. After her initial attempts at a pleasant conversation had been rebuffed, she had given up, and retreated into her own thoughts once more.
He trailed behind as the young intern led them into the television studio. He felt very out of place, and slightly uncomfortable in the Muggle clothes that he was wearing.
He stood in the wings as the director arranged everything, and got Petunia in place in front of the camera. Now that it had come to the actually task, her nervousness seemed to have vanished; she seemed confident, focused, slightly intense. She smiled at the director as he told a joke, and then looked into the camera as he called "Action!"
In the countryside, Margery Dursley stopped in the middle of her conversation concerning the finer points of dog breeding with Colonel Fubster when her sister-in-law's face appeared on the television. Why was Petunia on television? Marge hadn't seen her sister since the last time she'd visited, three years earlier. She hadn't even been at Vernon and Dudley's funeral. Marge focused her attention to the television, ignoring Ripper's growl of protest as she stopped petting him. Petunia seemed to be in the middle of whatever she had been saying.
"... this new terrorist group, called Death-Eaters, are extremely dangerous. They attack indiscriminately, and, since they have no demands, cannot be placated. They are armed, and people are advised not to approach them. If you see any people resembling the ones in this picture, please telephone the number at the bottom of the screen immediately. As well, if you see a skull with a snake in its mouth in the sky, telephone immediately, but do not investigate. Thank you. With your help, we will be able to stop the people who murdered my family, and who are plotting to destroy the families of others."
Marge stared at the screen in amazement – hadn't her brother and nephew died of carbon monoxide poisoning, from a gas leak? That's what the police had told her. Perhaps Petunia had gone off the deep end.
In Yorkshire, Mrs. Roberts got up and looked out the window, as if she expected to see men in black robes and masks emerging across the moors.
In Norfolk, Mrs. Hetty Bayliss quickly jotted down the number, and then speed-dialed all her friends, to make sure they had the number too.
In Peebles, Mr. Angus Fleet decided to organize a neighbourhood watch.
It seemed that Muggles all across the country were now on the lookout for Death-Eaters. The Muggle Defense Association had become a reality.