Disclaimers: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling and her assorted publishers, not to me. Antonia Dumarest is mine, as are the assorted Snape and Dumarest relatives, and may be used with permission; e-mail me.
Spoilers: All five HP novels.
MORE MEETINGS (Arrivals & Meetings, X-XIV)X. The Longbottoms (Friday morning, 12 July)
Albus Dumbledore tossed some Floo Powder into his fireplace. "Honoria Longbottom," he said. After a moment, the Longbottom matriarch appeared.
"To what do I owe this call, Headmaster?"
"I wish to discuss some matters of mutual interest, and I would prefer that we do it in person," Dumbledore replied. "Would you care to come here, or may I visit you?"
"Come ahead, Professor," Madam Longbottom replied. "I do have a good new blend of tea."
Some minutes later found the two sitting in the Longbottom parlor, sipping tea. After a few more minutes of small talk, Dumbledore decided to get to the point.
"Madam Longbottom, I would like to invite you to join the Order of the Phoenix," he said quietly.
"What do I have to offer you? I am neither a fighter nor a nurse, and my major eligibility is that I will never give in to Him."
"I need more: I need researchers, and older people to teach Wizarding customs and law to the younger people who aren't as well-versed as they should be. I want to research Wizarding law as to what is or is not still legal. I do intend to offer such a course to complement Muggle Studies at Hogwarts, and I would also like you to help me find a teacher." He leaned back into his chair. "Also, I am forming a Junior Order, for those who are underage but already involved. If Fawkes approves him, I intend to invite Neville to join this."
Madam Longbottom was impassive. "What would they be doing?"
"Research, training, and other support activities, so as to free up the adults for active duty. We do not have enough members and the War is not going away."
A few moments of silence passed, while Madam Longbottom thought things over. "Headmaster, I will consider this if you will tell me, and allow Neville to tell me, the full truth about what happened this last month in the Ministry, and more of the truth about that Ministry Professor."
"I will," Dumbledore replied. "Is Neville here? It would be best if we both told it. Rest assured that Neville is not only not in trouble, but he acquitted himself with honor and courage, despite having Frank's wand broken."
Neville was summoned, and the next hour was spent recapping the entire battle in the Ministry, with a brief overview of the depredations of the erstwhile Professor Umbridge. When the two were done, Madam Longbottom shook her head sadly.
"So, Sirius was innocent all this time, and the Minister was an idiot?" she asked.
"Indeed, that is the case, " Dumbledore replied sadly. "The War is here, whether he will or no; we must gather all our resources to prepare, or else it will be the First War all over again. No one and nothing will be considered useless, too old, or too young; I will find something for everyone. Then there is this: now that there has been a pitched battle, those who dared to oppose the Death Eaters are in more danger than before—as if they were not already. The one Death Eater of those who were there who did escape, unfortunately, was Bellatrix, although she had to be rescued by her Master. Neville was already a target; he will be more of one."
"Then the only honorable thing to do is to join the Order, and allow Neville to join the Junior Order," Madam Longbottom replied. "I will not stand by while the torturer of my son and his wife walks free—the more so since she has now hurt my grandson. I am old, and not really fit for combat, but whatever else I can do I will."
"And I will join the Junior Order, as soon I can," Neville said. "Also, I think we should at least continue the DA at school. I owe that much to Harry: what we learned from him kept us all alive there."
"Then I have another offer for you, Neville," Dumbledore said. "I intend to have some students at Hogwarts this summer, ostensibly doing summer remedial courses. This will be true in part: however, they will also being doing research on topics of both extra-credit value, and of interest to the Order. Having this done at Hogwarts will also ensure their safety as much as we can."
"Of course I will," Neville replied immediately. "Whatever I can do, I will."
Dumbledore smiled; the twinkle was back in his eyes. "Indeed? Then will you be willing to take the summer Potions review course, to bring up your grade for Professor Snape's Advanced Potions class? He is willing to take all those who received an 'E' on their OWL into the summer class; if they perform well, then he will allow them into the NEWT preparatory class."
Neville gulped. "Who is teaching the summer course?"
"Professor Snape is, or the supply Potions professor that we will be using in the fall."
"Is there a reason that you need another professor, Headmaster?" asked Madam Longbottom.
"I have someone new for the lower four forms," Dumbledore replied, "so that Severus may take, instead, the three upper-level Defense sections. He will still have the three highest-level Potions classes, as the older students are at least used to him. I have hired an old friend of mine, Antonia Dumarest; she is not only as competent as he, but is one of the owners of the Dumarest Apothecaries, and can get us supplies."
Neville paled. The prospect of having not one, but two classes with the Professor he feared above all others was daunting. "How will I survive one class with him, let alone two?" he thought to himself, and then blushed as he realized that he had spoken aloud, and in front of the Headmaster and his Grandmother no less.
"As you always have: with true Gryffindor courage," Dumbledore said gently, before Madam Longbottom could speak. "I also know that Professor Snape will be a bit more…understanding, if you will, if he does not have to keep up a role. The two of you need to learn to work together; he can teach you far more than just Potions, if you will let him. He truly does not hate you, nor does he hate Mr. Potter; some of what he does is partly his own impatience with those less skilled than he, and partly because he must play a role to please certain factions. The stakes are somewhat higher than you think."
"But I am so clumsy in his class—and that is even not counting Malfoy and his friends sabotaging potions. If you could find a way to keep them out, it wouldn't be so bad."
"Well, Mr. Malfoy will not be in the summer class, as he earned his O in Potions," Dumbledore replied. "I am hoping that we can keep his friends out, although if we allow them into the summer class, they may still not qualify for the NEWT class. You are doing much better, truly, and with your own wand rather than your father's I expect even more improvement. I know that you need the Potions NEWT to become a Master Herbologist; you earned an E on the OWL despite everything, so I know that you can do well in the summer class. Besides, every student brew that is well-made in the summer class will be put away for use; the course emphasis will be on Healing potions and other useful brews for Hogwarts use—such as fertilizers and nutrients." Dumbledore smiled at Neville. "Professor Snape actually makes most of Professor Sprout's fertilizer and nutrient potions; I think that it would be useful for you to learn them as well, so that Professor Snape can concentrate on truly advanced brews; this would also help you in the future. Can I count on you to help?"
Neville was shaken, both in fear of the Head of Slytherin and in surprise at the Headmaster's faith in him. "Do you really think that I can?"
"I do, otherwise I would not have asked," Dumbledore replied calmly. "There is more to you than even you can see, and I expect to see it come out more fully this year."
Neville suddenly realized what was missing. "You said that Professor Snape is taking the top three years of Potions and Defense?" At Dumbledore's nod, he continued. "And you are getting someone else for the lower forms for Potions. That leaves the lower Defense forms; who is getting those?"
Dumbledore smiled again. "Very good; you noticed. I am hiring Remus Lupin again. Despite his lycanthropy, he is the best Defense teacher you have had all the time you have been here. He will be able to teach the younger ones without scaring them; you older ones are used to Professor Snape's temper and can learn from him."
"I think I'd rather have Professor Lupin," Neville admitted.
"Ah—but you are not eligible for the one upper-level course he is teaching. You did, in fact, score an O on your Defense OWL, so you qualify for the Advanced Defense, not the 'Remedial Practical'. That is for those of you who did not practice defensive spells outside of class, as obviously you did."
Madam Longbottom leaned forward. "Do you mean that the Defense Club made that much of a difference in the OWL grades?" she asked.
"Oh, yes," Dumbledore assured her. "Everyone who was a member of either my 'Army' or the Slytherin Serpent's Fangs club scored E's and O's on their Practical OWL or NEWT, or did well on the other levels' finals. They made a considerable difference."
"But more than that: the training Harry and Hermione gave us was what made the difference in the Ministry," Neville pointed out quietly. "We could not let Harry go alone, and this is what we had trained for—defending against Death Eaters. Had we not had the training, we would have had to either leave him to go with just Ron and Hermione, or all been wiped out in the first five minutes."
"This is the third reason I would like to see you at Hogwarts this summer: your own protection. As I said, you were already a target, and you will be more of one. We will protect you, and in return, you will help us. There will also be summer DA, if we have enough students; Harry and Hermione will both be there."
XI: The Order of the Phoenix (Friday, 12 July 1996, evening)
"Thank you all for coming tonight," Dumbledore told the full Order at the meeting that Friday night.
"I would first like to introduce our newest members: first, I think at least some of you know Honoria Longbottom; she is Frank's mother and Neville's grandmother." After the polite applause, he then said, "And this is Antonia Dumarest, an old and dear school friend of mine, who has come out of retirement in the United States. And yes, that is the same Dumarest as the apothecary family; it was she and her husband Robert who owned the company at the time of their emigration from France to the United States, about 1934 or so." He indicated the tall Witch with long, iron-grey hair sitting next to him. "Tish? Care to say a word or so?"
"Actually, I volunteered; as Albus said, I'm retired from the business," Madam Dumarest said. "I've been keeping up with the news and I'm appalled at the idiocy of the Minister here. I remember Grindelwald; that is why we left France. I could not help the first time against Riddle, as Robert died about then; but I will not stand by this time while Riddle tries to be a second Grindelwald. As I told Albus, I may be elderly, but I can still hold a wand and stir a cauldron. And even though I'm retired, I still own enough of the business to guarantee a good price and a steady supply of Potions and ingredients for both the Order and Hogwarts. I'm a Potions Mistress, and I will also be teaching the lower levels at Hogwarts in the fall." All eyes turned toward the resident Potions Master.
"I will affirm her credentials," Severus Snape told them dryly. "She is too modest: she is a Potions Mistress of about two full grades above me. As I told Albus, he could replace me with her at Hogwarts at a net gain in competence, and I will say that about very few living people; fewer yet would I trust anywhere near Hogwarts. She will be teaching the lower four forms; I will have the upper three forms and the upper three forms for Defense. Remus Lupin will have the lower four Defense forms." Murmurs arose at that; Snape's desire for the Defense post over the years was no secret, nor was his long-time feud with Remus Lupin, who was oddly quiet.
"And how did you convince the Minister to let Remus back in?" asked Molly Weasley.
"Simple, Molly: after Dolores Umbridge, I could have hired a security troll and had better teaching." There was no twinkle in his eyes, and his voice grew colder. "The only thing that is saving Umbridge from an immediate prosecution for what she has done to the children under my watch is the fact she currently inhabits a secure ward at St. Mungo's. If and when she recovers, she will stand trial, and I will prosecute it. I was deceived once: I will not be again."
Dumbledore took a deep breath, and his tone moderated a bit. "After the fiasco with her, the Board of Governors agrees with me that Remus Lupin is far and away the best-qualified DADA candidate, so long as his special needs are met. With Tish teaching the lower forms in Potions, he and Severus will share the Defense classes; Severus will make the Wolfsbane Potion and cover for him at Full Moon times; Tish will cover Severus' classes at those times and when he is needed elsewhere on Order business. She can also make the Wolfsbane, if and when Severus cannot. With three Professors rather than two covering two hazardous classes, and all Order members, we will have more protection for the students, especially our most vulnerable ones. Tish went to Hogwarts, and was a Ravenclaw; she will not be as much of a problem for the Slytherins as yet another Gryffindor would be.
"Now, there are three other matters that I wish to bring up: first is that a memorial for Sirius Black is needed and overdue." There were murmurs of agreement all around. "Owing to the security needs, it will have to be held at Hogwarts; other than here, no other place is as secure. Any time within the next two weeks will be appropriate, and not disturb the rest of the staff. Let me know as soon as possible with any ideas for this; it should be done well before the end of this month, as there will be a summer Potions class, beginning the fifth of August, and I wish it to be before then. I would also prefer that it not be held too close to Harry's birthday on the thirty-first; that would be too painful for him.
"Second, I have good news: we may continue using this house. As some of you know already, Sirius' Will has been read, and Harry has inherited this house, with Remus as lifelong caretaker; I am trustee for Harry until he is of age next year. Sirius was clear that we could continue to use it for the Order; he was the last male Black of the direct line, and his specific disinheriting of Narcissa and Bellatrix and their relatives and heirs holds magically as well as legally. None of them can now access this house, or any other property of his. Should anything happen to both Harry and Remus, Nymphadora Tonks will inherit; she and her mother are the only Blacks Sirius acknowledged or left anything to."
"What about Sirius' legal status?" asked Sturgis Podmore. "Wasn't that going to be a problem with his estate, and with young Potter, that he was still on the run?"
"He has been officially exonerated," Kingsley Shacklebolt replied. "Albus finally convinced the Minister that if Potter was telling the truth about Riddle's return, then he was also telling the truth about Peter Pettigrew, and that Sirius was innocent. I have had official orders to abandon my search for him, and an official declaration of his demise." He smiled grimly. "As I was one of those who gave evidence that I saw Sirius fall through the Veil at the hands of a known and convicted Death Eater, it was almost a foregone conclusion anyway."
Dumbledore nodded, and continued. "Third, I also have a proposal that will help us greatly, and at the same time improve the safety of some of our most vulnerable young people. I will not say 'ensure'; there is no perfect safety. But this will be an answer to three problems: protection as I said, relief of the adults for active duty, and giving some of our talented young people a means to help us. I propose to form a junior Order, subject to the same oaths and bindings, but for those who are underage. They will not be sent on missions, nor be tasked with defenses; but they can do research and train for their adult roles. We have not so many of us that we can afford to waste the strengths and abilities of those who have already proved their worth." He waited for the reaction, which was not long in coming.
"Albus, this is absurd. Haven't you learned from last month? You are going to encourage them to get into more trouble!" Molly Weasley had been horrified at what had happened at the Ministry—but more so that it had been her youngest children and her only daughter involved.
"On the contrary, this will be more likely to keep them out of critical trouble, and keep them too busy to get involved more than they should. Last month was a lesson in what happens when they act on inadequate information. It also showed us that our young people do not lack either courage or resourcefulness; what they lack is direction."
"And where did you get this idea?" Molly was unmoved.
"From a source that provided me with several useful ideas recently: Harry Potter," Dumbledore replied. Ignoring the murmuring that sprang up, he continued, "He wishes to take up his share of the War, even though he is not ready. One item he mentioned is true: those teens that went to the Ministry last month already know too much for their safety and ours; they were already targets and now they will be more so. The only thing that will save them is to train them and prepare them for the next encounter."
"But the Dark Lord's Inner Circle is now in Azkaban," protested Hestia Jones. "They are not now a danger."
"They are not now a danger: but they will not stay there," Snape put in. "Unless Fudge gets some sense, and quickly executes at least those already convicted, the Dark Lord will break them out; it is a matter of when, not if. I do not see Fudge getting any sense soon, as long as there is a profit to be made. In any case, Bellatrix Lestrange is still free, as is Peter Pettigrew, and other lower-ranking members. We have a little time to prepare, and we cannot afford to waste it. In this, I find myself actually agreeing with Mr. Potter: the only thing that will save him and his friends from the next encounter—and there will be one—is as much training as they can endure, and that as soon as possible. That there was only one fatality this time, and that not a student, was sheer good fortune; we cannot depend on that again."
Molly Weasley stared at Snape in shock. "I cannot believe what I am hearing! You of all people are endorsing Albus' and Harry's crazy idea!" Snape returned her stare with a calm gaze of his own rather than his usual sneer; this was even more unnerving to her. What had gotten into the man?
Arthur Weasley took Molly's hand. "I know that you want to protect our children. But it's too late: they aren't children any more. As Albus said, they already know too much, and there are not enough of us to protect them all. It is as Albus said: the only thing that will save them is enough training to survive, and the Order is the best place for them to get it. If even Severus can see it, who is normally utterly opposed to anything involving the students, and still more opposed to anything to do with Harry, then we can do no less than support them. Remember what they did, all on their own without help—Dumbledore's Army; think of what more they could do with the Order's support."
Molly pleaded her case to the one person she was certain that would support her. "Alastor, surely you see this is crazy!"
The old Auror shook his head. "No, it isn't. This is indeed Harry Potter's idea, made after last month, and I applaud him for seeing his duty and being willing to take it up. I agree that neither he nor the other students are ready for all-out war, but the more they can defend themselves the less we will have to protect them; there just aren't enough of us to do that and everything else too. I, for one, am all for a junior Order and will be willing to teach them. If it is indeed subject to the bindings and oaths of the Order, then Fawkes will have to approve them anyway, and we will have more authority over them while they are in training or while they are working for us." He smiled. "It's my call, and Remus', anyway, as far as Harry goes; we are now his new guardians." That drew even more murmurs; only the Weasleys, Lupin, Snape, Tonks and Dumbledore knew all about Harry's current situation.
Molly was heartbroken. She knew that the youngest children would be involved in the war as soon as they came of age, but that was still two or three years away. "Albus, is there no other way?" she pleaded.
"Short of shipping them off to a distant land, no," Dumbledore replied quietly. "There is no truly safe place for them any more. All that we can do is keep them busy with tasks useful to us, and in a reasonably safe location. All six of those who went to the Ministry, and some others, will be going to summer school at Hogwarts; several of them will be doing research into matters pertaining to my own summer project: making Hogwarts in fact as well as in legend the safest place in the Wizarding world."
"Summer school?" Molly was curious.
"Yes; I have some independent study projects planned that will be just the thing to keep the students busy and productive. This way, they are far less likely to get frustrated and strike out on their own, with inadequate information." Dumbledore smiled. "And one part of it I think you will approve: Fred and George will be studying to take their NEWTs at a special sitting this fall. They more than qualify, in my estimation; all they need is the formal testing. If anything, Filius would give them one right now just on the strength of that swamp they left in the corridor."
"And how will that benefit the Order?" Molly knew the Headmaster very well; he never had only one reason for anything he did.
"Outside of myself, Remus Lupin and Argus Filch, those two know the castle better than anyone alive," Dumbledore replied with a smile; it was returned by innocent looks from the twins. "One of my plans is to do a full mapping of the castle with an eye to plugging security leaks; they know most of those leaks already. The other is to give them a secure place for Order research."
"But Ron isn't a good researcher," Molly threw out her last argument. "And Ginny's too young."
"He can improve, and she is not," Dumbledore refuted gently. "If he has a reason to be interested, he can do things that he might not do otherwise. He is also a quite good strategist; I intend to hone those skills for something more than chess and Quidditch. And Ginny's age belies both her intelligence and her courage: of all of those students, other than Harry she has the most first-hand experience with Tom; I intend to make use of it."
Molly's head went down at the reminder of her daughter's first Hogwarts year. "If you must, Albus," she sighed sadly. "I know that you probably have more reasons that you're not telling us, but I can't think of any more counter-arguments." She raised her head again, and looked around. "And if you have both Severus and Alastor on your side, I'm outvoted before I even start."
Dumbledore smiled kindly at Molly. "I know you only want the best for your children. Believe me, so do I. This will keep them busy, productive, and learning, and satisfy in part their desire to help the cause, and keep them in one of the safer places they can be." He looked up at the other Order members. "Are there any other comments, or objections?"
There were none. When the vote was taken, it was unanimous in favor of creating the junior Order, with only Molly abstaining.
XII. The Grangers (Saturday, 13 July, morning)
Hermione Granger was quite excited. "The Headmaster is coming for a chat today!" she told her parents.
"Could it be anything to do with your OWL scores?" Dan Granger, her father, was intrigued.
"I don't see how—those aren't due for at least another week, and the Headmaster doesn't usually get involved. Those come from the Examining Authority in the Ministry."
"Will he be able to—you know—be discreet?" Emily Granger asked.
"Well, he does have rather flamboyant taste in clothes—but he says he'll come directly in via his Phoenix. No one will see him if he doesn't want to be seen. He wants to talk to all of us, not just me."
"Then it must have to do with whatever went on at that Ministry of yours," Dan Granger concluded. "I don't think you've told us everything about that."
Hermione hung her head a little. "I can't; some of it is secret, or not mine to tell. Maybe the Headmaster can allow some of it."
"I hope so," her mother said. "There is too much going on in your world that we don't understand. I don't want to have to take you out of school, when you are doing so well!"
"I don't intend to go," Hermione said firmly. "I need to be there!"
"But how badly do they need you?" her father asked with concern. "So badly, that just being the best is risking your life? That calling it 'cutthroat politics' in your world is not far from the actual truth?"
"Don't get us wrong, love," Emily assured Hermione. "We are truly proud of your accomplishments, even if we don't understand all of them. But we would really prefer a live daughter!"
"So would I, Mum," Hermione replied. "I know that the Headmaster will have some idea about how to handle things; he is the greatest Light Wizard alive."
When Albus Dumbledore arrived, it was indeed in a flash of flame and holding the tail of his phoenix, Fawkes. The elder Grangers had never seen such a creature before, even in Diagon Alley; they were so impressed when the beautiful bird allowed them to pet him, they didn't even notice that Dumbledore had conjured up a stand for him until after Fawkes had perched there. Dumbledore himself was dressed much as he had been at the Dursleys', for his conversation with D.C. Markham: Muggle casual suit, no tie, beard shorter and neater, and hair in a braid down his back. Hermione strongly suspected either Glamour Charms, or Transfigured robes.
"Good afternoon," he said politely, with a warm smile. The Grangers both shook hands with him, and then they all went into the kitchen to have some tea.
After some small talk, Dumbledore addressed the reason for his visit. "I am here to offer Miss Granger some advanced work over the summer. It would involve mainly research, but there might be some practical work, too, especially in Potions. There will be a summer class for those whose grades did not quite qualify them for the Advanced Potions class; while your daughter's grade in Potions was Outstanding, and she does not need this course, I would like her available for possible tutoring for the other students." He turned to Hermione. "You may be interested to know that Professor McGonagall specifically asked for you for her and Professor Flitwick's research project on Hogwarts charms, and Professor Snape did so for a Potions project I have assigned to him."
"They did?" Hermione was surprised. "Isn't that unusual?"
The Headmaster's smile faded. "As I have said to several people this week: these are not normal times, and the normal procedures will no longer serve us. My staff is too small for all I need them to do this summer, over and above what they must do to prepare for next term. While I am hiring additional staff, they will not be enough; I also wish to have student help. You are the best researcher in your year, possibly in the entire school; I would like your help. Are you willing?"
The smile returned a little, as did the twinkle in the eyes. "Consider: you would have free run of the library, and perhaps be able to do outside research in, say, the Black Library."
"Of course I am willing," Hermione said eagerly. "It will look good on my records, all this extra-credit work. When would we begin?"
All three adults chuckled. The Grangers were used to Hermione's love of learning.
"You said the magic words, no pun intended: Library access," Dan Granger said, shaking his head ruefully. "She really loves that Library of yours." His own smile faded. "Headmaster, I'll get to the point: I'm minded to allow this if you tell us more about what is going on in your world. Hermione was adamant that some of it is secret, but as her parents we need to have an idea of what our daughter is facing."
"I will explain as best as I can," Dumbledore replied. For the next hour, he and Hermione related the events of the previous month and some of the previous school year to the shocked Grangers, leaving out only certain secret details, such as the Order. When he was done, both Granger adults were upset—and not just for their daughter.
"That horrible woman—how did she ever convince the Ministry that she was fit to teach in a school with young children?" Emily Granger was incensed at the depredations of Dolores Umbridge. "And is there a way that will prevent her from ever doing it again?"
"At this time, she resides in a secure ward at St. Mungo's," Dumbledore replied grimly. "Be sure that if and when she recovers enough to stand trial, there will be one. I have explained to the Minister in great detail that my first obligation as Headmaster is the welfare and safety of the children, and his handpicked appointee did nothing but violate that; I will not accept anything of that nature ever again."
He took a deep breath, and his voice grew milder. "The best and most honorable Professor that we have had in the Defense post for the last five years is a Werewolf, who is rendered harmless by the Wolfsbane Potion; I am rehiring him for the lower four forms, and having my Potions Master take the upper levels. He is also a Defense Master and an expert dueler; he is wasted on beginners' lessons when he is needed for complex specialty potions, such as the project he wishes Miss Granger's assistance with."
"Oh, Ron isn't going to like that at all," Hermione pointed out. "And how will Harry take it? If he does well in the summer class, that will be two classes with Professor Snape this fall, and he had barely patience for one!"
"Do not be overly concerned," Dumbledore replied soothingly. "There is one other matter which may do something about both Mr. Weasley's and Mr. Potter's problems. I intend to form a summer DA, for those of you underage but with something to contribute to the effort; what you would be doing at Hogwarts will have three purposes. One, it will give us valuable information that is needed, without tying up an adult Professor. Two, it will give you the protection of Hogwarts over this summer: you are a target, and your proximity to Mr. Potter is only one factor. Three, you will continue advanced training so that you may be prepared for whatever comes. Professor Snape will be handling some of that training, and this will, I hope, make it easier for some people to deal with him."
"Of course I'll join," Hermione said immediately. "When do we go?"
Dan Granger chuckled. "I'm devastated—thrown over for a pile of books!" he said, with a melodramatic clutch of his chest. Both his wife and daughter giggled, and Dumbledore smiled.
"Honestly, Dad, it's for the best," Hermione said when the giggles had died down. "This situation won't go away, even if we leave the country. Harry needs me, and so does Ron. I can't not help; I'm a Witch, and for the sake of our world I have to go."
"Then that is settled," Dumbledore said, as he rose to his feet. "Miss Granger, I suggest you begin packing; I will arrange secure transport, and that may be as early as tomorrow."
XIII. The Weasleys, Part 1
(Saturday, 13 July 1996, afternoon)
"Mum! Professor Dumbledore's here!" Ron Weasley called into the kitchen of the Burrow.
"Well, don't just stand there, Ron, bring him in for dessert!" Molly Weasley bustled over to greet the Headmaster. "Albus, I do hope you have time for some fresh berry pie!"
"If you have a slice to spare for me, I will certainly do justice to it," Dumbledore replied with a smile. "Your pies are worthy of the Hogwarts tables—not that I'd tell our House Elves that." He was promptly seated at the kitchen table with a generous slice set before him.
After the pie had been properly appreciated, Dumbledore asked to move the talk to the living room. "I need both of you, as well as Ron, Ginny and the twins if they're here," he told the elder Weasleys. When all were seated, including the twins, he cast Silencing and locking charms on the room.
"I have several points to get to. First of all, I have approved the return of Messrs. Fred and George to Hogwarts for a summer refresher course, culminating in their NEWT examinations at a special sitting at the end of August. As they were only six weeks before NEWTs when they left, this should not be too difficult. I also intend to set aside research space for them for Order work; this is so that their shop will not be compromised. Hogwarts has a great deal of unused space; it is time it was put to use."
He took a deep breath, and continued. "I will ask you to participate in Professor Snape's summer Potions class; this is partly for credit, and partly to give Harry Potter two more adult bodyguards. I do not yet know who else will be in the summer class; everyone who achieved an E on their OWL has been invited. Performance in this class will help select for Professor Snape's Advanced class, which only has nine students. This is not enough students to make a full class, but letting in all the E-grade achievers would make too large a class; I wish him to have only one section instead of the usual two."
"So Harry didn't get the O grade?" Ron asked. "I'll bet Hermione did."
"He didn't, and she did," Dumbledore replied. "Professor Snape has agreed to take into his fall class everyone who performs well in the summer class. That includes you, Ron."
"Summer with Professor Snape?" Ron gulped.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Indeed, but that is not all. Several summer programs are planned. What would you say to a special seminar on aerial combat from broomsticks, led by Professor Flitwick?"
Ron's eyes opened wide. "I'd grab that right away!"
"So would I!" Ginny echoed.
"Ginny! You're too young!" scolded Molly Weasley.
"Nonsense, Molly," Dumbledore replied gently. "Her flying skills are good and so are her combat skills. This will not be age-limited. All three of you boys will also be invited."
"And have you managed to do something about that ridiculous ban on Harry and us?" George asked. "Seems that if you have four Weasleys and Harry, we ought to get in some Quidditch for practice in maneuvers!"
Dumbledore smiled. "I have managed to get all of those ridiculous Ministry Directives nullified. I believe in a reasonable balance of study and relaxation, after all." His face grew more serious. "However, there is another reason I am inviting the four of you to Hogwarts this summer. Fred and George, you are both in the Order; as I said, I intend to give you research space. You can still commute to your shop as needed, and with the Black inheritance, you can afford to hire more help. Ron and Ginny, the events of last month have placed you in even more peril than you were already in; I intend to form a junior Order, for those of you underage but with something to offer us. Fred and George will also be working with the juniors to bring their skills up to speed. This has already been approved by the full adult Order, but I asked them to keep it secret until I spoke of it. You two are invited to join." He looked at Ron. "I'm told that you're quite the strategist and tactician; I have need of more of those." He then turned to Ginny. "You have insights into our enemy unmatched by any except Harry and Professor Snape; I intend to make use of them. I have also been told about your Bat-Bogey hex; I'd like you to teach it to others. There will be a summer DA as well, if there are enough students there; this will be apart from the Order."
It was Ginny who noticed something. "Mum, you're too quiet. Aren't you upset by this?"
"Yes, I am, dear," Molly replied sadly. "But we already argued this out in Friday's Order meeting. I will concur, if only to give you four the safety of Hogwarts."
"And I already agreed that it was a good idea," Arthur Weasley added. "We can't protect everyone; you kids will have to help protect yourselves."
"What about Luna? And Neville?" asked Ginny. "Aren't they in at least as much danger?"
"I have already asked Mr. Longbottom; he has agreed, and will also enter the summer Potions class. His grandmother has also joined the Order. When the Lovegoods return from their holiday in Sweden, I will also ask them; Luna can help with research, and write articles if need be for her father's paper; I intend to ask Mr. Lovegood to join if he wishes. Mr. Potter is already at Hogwarts; I will ask you to keep that fact quiet. In fact, the idea for a Junior Order is his, and I thought it a good one; he will be a member. Miss Granger will be as well; she does not need the summer Potions class, but she is requested for some research projects some of the staff have in mind, for which they do not have the time."
Ron grinned a bit. "That's our Hermione; offer her a chance to go to the Library and she'll agree to almost anything."
Dumbledore returned the grin with a smile of his own. "She is not the only one to be offered a summer research task. I intend to have Mr. Potter open the Chamber of Secrets for us, so that we may investigate it further for possible hazards and secret entrances. Owing to its size and access, flying would be helpful."
Ginny blanched. "Are you that worried?" The Chamber was among her worst memories.
"Not worried, per se, but merely being careful, Miss Weasley," Dumbledore replied calmly. "My summer project is to secure Hogwarts itself. I intend to do a thorough mapping and census of the entire castle, so that it is as safe in fact as it is in legend. Secret escape routes are useless if your enemy knows of them, and an invasion cannot be ruled out." He turned to the twins. "That is the fourth reason I wish you two at Hogwarts this summer, besides your NEWT revision, guarding Harry, and your Order work: you have the most extensive knowledge of the castle of anyone alive except Argus Filch, Remus Lupin, and myself; we need that knowledge now."
Fred turned to George and a look passed between them. "Of course we will. Hogwarts has given us a great deal—" Fred began.
"And the least we can do is everything we can to keep the school out of the Dark Lord's hands," George finished.
"Then that is settled," Dumbledore replied. "I will owl you with the date to report to Hogwarts, which may be as early as tomorrow; and we shall see about secure transport."
"One more thing, Professor," Ron put in. "Why is Harry at Hogwarts, and how is he doing? He said in his last note that he wasn't at the Dursleys' any more, but he wouldn't say where he was. And he hasn't said anything at all about either this last month or this summer."
Dumbledore's smile faded. "All of this will be explained when we are all at the school. I will only say that he is there for safekeeping. He is still being careful of his mail, despite the secure cutouts we are using. Now is when he will need his friends more than ever; he will be doing advanced training of his own, in part to keep him ahead of the DA, and in part for reasons we will discuss after the Junior Order is formed. He knows now that he cannot and should not push away his friends; please show him your support." He rose. "Arthur and Molly, please stay behind; I need a word with you two alone."
XIV. The Weasleys, Part 2 (Arthur and Molly)
When the younger Weasleys left, Dumbledore cast Imperturbable Charms as well as a Locking Charm. "There—that should keep out those excellent Extendable Ears. Now, I wish to discuss something with the two of you that I could not mention at the will reading, the Order meeting nor in front of the students yet, and that is Harry."
"How is he, really?" asked Molly anxiously. "He was so pale and quiet at the will reading, but that must have been an ordeal in and of itself."
"Recovering from a previous ordeal involving the Muggle police, his cousin, and the Dursleys' neighbors," Dumbledore replied quietly. "Last Friday, he wrote to me and to Professor Snape, making several requests and suggestions; the Junior Order was only one of them." He proceeded to tell them everything that had happened that weekend, leaving out only some details from the letters, and the details of some of the conversations with Snape. When he was finished, there was a long silence, broken by Arthur.
"So Dursley was minding our warning, but only just?" he asked.
"That is so. Without the other events of that day, I doubt that things would have gotten worse, but they certainly would not have improved any. But the incident with the Muggle police has blown the Dursleys' tissue of lies to bits; they are now exposed to their neighbors, which was the very last thing they wanted. When they returned from the station house, we feared that they would take it out on Harry, and then he would have blown up, with possibly tragic consequences. The Muggle officer warned me—he was quite perceptive and intelligent for a Muggle—Severus did, and Harry did himself; so we three adults took preemptive action instead." He smiled. "You should have seen Severus giving them the full classroom treatment; it was truly scary. I am more glad than ever that not only is he on our side, but he is now on Harry's side."
Molly shook her head. "That poor boy. It just never seems to end for him, does it?" Another thought struck her. "Albus, you said that the waiver was for a temporary guardianship. Is this what you meant by what you said at the will reading? Is he really going to Alastor and Remus?"
"Yes, he is; Harry had already consented two days before. And before you ask: I cannot keep him for obvious reasons; you two cannot, as that will make you even more of a target, although Harry needs you to stay in his life; and Remus cannot alone, although Sirius wished him to, without a non-werewolf as a co-guardian. While Harry now owns the Black House, and can live there, he is still a minor until the end of July, next year."
"So, why did you select Alastor?" Arthur asked.
"Simple: who else in the Order—I will not accept anyone outside it—has the experience to not only train Harry, but to understand what he is facing?"
Arthur nodded. "Makes sense to me; he'll guard Harry with his life and make sure he's trained and is one of the few people Harry will trust to keep him out of trouble."
"Indeed," Dumbledore replied. "He also knows his main shortcoming, and will allow you and Molly to give Harry the family love he so badly needs." He sighed sadly. "Losing Sirius now could not have come at a worse time; however, as I said to Minerva, it has not driven him deeper into depression, as I feared, but crystallized his resolve, as I had hoped it would."
"What will you tell the children of Harry's situation?"
"The bare necessities; I will let him tell the details. I suggest, however, that you tell Ronald and Ginevra the rest of the story about the will reading, if you have not already; the sooner they realize that they are not poor any more, the better."