Chapter III: Agreements made
Seated around the table were Tonks, Remus Lupin, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Emmeline Vance, Dedalus Diggle, Alastor Moody, Minerva McGonagall, Dumbledore, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Bill Weasley, Mundungus Fletcher, Amelia Bones, and two other wizards Harry didn't recognize. Even Snape was there, standing as far back in the corner against the wall as he could.
Harry felt a tiny bubble of rage move up his throat as he thought back to the last time he had been in the same room as Dumbledore. He had been so angry about losing Sirius, he had destroyed the headmaster's office while he just sat there calmly. Harry immediately felt ashamed when he remembered looking around at all the damage he had caused and sat quickly down, without trying to capture anyone's eye.
Dinner was loud, and Harry was able to simply listen to everyone talking about him, catching bits and pieces of conversation...."So I says to 'im, look, Roger, I've no problem whatsoever with you goin' ahead and buying all me lamp oil, but I'll be a kneazle's uncle if I'll let you have the bottles it come in!" Mundungus finished off a story to Shacklebolt and the two wizards Harry didn't recognize....Tonks was talking quietly to Remus off to Harry's left, "But Remus, someone's bound to notice, no, I stand firm, we'll do nothing of the sort yet, it's too soon...Professor McGonagall was talking intently to Amelia Bones, ÒI have said before, Amelia, the wizengamot is only as powerful as it is willing to take itself seriously, the idea of calling minor offenses before the entire council simply weakens it's authority...But the goblins are have to be more open now, I mean, even the Ministry is acknowledging You-Know-Who's return! Diggle was arguing with Bill Weasley. Bill noticed Harry looking in their direction and flashed him a big smile, before returning to his conversation, giving Diggle a look as though Bill had explained this a thousand times to him before...No, Ron, we do need to tell him, otherwise he'll find out on his own and just be hurt he didn't hear it from us...Harry jerked his head up, having just heard Hermione whisper to Ron across the table. He tried to not make it obvious he had been eavesdropping, but he caught Hermione's eye and saw her blush. He quickly turned his attention somewhere else, to the far corner, where he caught Professor Snape looking at him oddly. It was the same look Harry remembered receiving from his professor when the whole school had found out he, Harry, was a parselmouth--when he had coaxed down a snake Draco Malfoy had summoned during their duel, which had been supervised by Professor Snape. It made Harry feel as if he had sprouted antlers, or had bobotuber pus covering his face. He held his professor's look for a second longer, than turned back to the rest of the table.
The meal finished a few minutes later and Mrs. Weasley dutifully hurried Ron, along with Hermione and Harry out the door within moments of the table being cleared. They, or course, protested loudly, but were silenced when Dumbledore's voice rose above the din and said clearly, "I ask for your compliance now, but be assured you will not be kept in the dark forever." Giving them each a look above his half-moon spectacles, he smiled. With that, Harry thought it best to allow himself to be shuffled out the door. The other turned and followed, though not quietly.
"Who do they think they are?" Ron started angrily, "kicking us out at the last minute, so they can keep their stupid secrets. You would've thought last year was a good enough reason why NOT to keep things from us."
"Ron!" Hermione admonished, "keep quiet. You know Professor Dumbledore and others have very good reasons for not telling us everything. Besides," she continued, ÒDumbledore said heÕd fill us in."
"Yeah, right," mumbled Harry, "you think, after all this time, he's going to start telling us things, just because Sirius died? C'mon, Hermione." He continued to trudge up the stairs, eyes downcast. He'd really thought Dumbledore would treat them, especially him, more like an adult, after everything at the Ministry and with Sirius, but here he was, still being treated as a child, being kept out of meetings and not being told what was going on. He was still being so unfair.
The three of them filed into the small, dark bedroom that Harry and Ron had shared the summer before. Harry sat of his old bed, and Ron and Hermione sat down next to each other on the other bed. They all stared at each other for a few moments, and finally Harry grew tired of ignoring the looks Ron and Hermione were continuously throwing each other.
"Um, I'm not going to be angry with you guys for going out, you know." Harry muttered, looking at them both.
Ron and Hermione both turned bright red, "Oh, Harry," Hermione started, "it's just, well, we didn't, I mean..."
"Thanks, mate," Ron interrupted, "I guess we just didn't want to make you feel out of place or anything."
"You're not mad, Harry?" Hermione asked nervously. Both she and Ron, though they had noticeably relaxed were still sitting nervously, as if waiting for Harry to start yelling at them as he had the previous summer when he had arrived at 12 Grimmauld Place.
He looked quickly at them both, then smiled, "Nah. I mean, it's not exactly a surprise."
"What do you mean, Harry?" Ron asked.
"You two have been bickering for almost two years, c'mon, I'm not blind," Harry smiled. "So, when did you two figure it out...that you fancied each other, I mean."
"Oh, umm," they both muttered, turning red again.
Hermione began, "Last week, when I came to the Burrow for a few days, it's just, well, we were, I mean," she trailed off.
Harry starting laughing, "I think that's the first time you've ever been speechless, Hermione."
She looked apologetically at him, then turned to Ron, who had been turning more and more red with every passing moment of the conversation between Hermione and Harry.
"Relax, I meant it when I said I wasn't angry I'm happy for you, honest." he reassured his two best friends.
"Well," said, Hermione, rubbing her hands on her jeans, "Now that we've got that out of the way, what do you think they're talking about downstairs?"
Harry smiled, realizing Hermione was turning to business.
He caught Ron's eye, who shrugged helplessly, throwing a grateful look at Harry. Harry knew they would be talking about the last week's events at the Burrow very soon, once Hermione was out of earshot.
In the meantime, however, they had plenty to discuss. Once they had discussed all the possible topics of what the Order could be talking about downstairs, Ron turned to Harry and asked, "So, tell us more about Snape showing up on your doorstep."
"Oh," Harry began, "It was bizarre. Seeing Snape on the Dursley's doorstep. Oh, I almost forgot," Harry said, warming to the topic, when Snape and I were heading back downstairs..."
"Wait a tic, Snape saw your bedroom? Did he say anything?" Ron interjected.
"No, actually, he was, well, not nice, but definitely less snarky than usual. He didn't make any comments about my room, and when we got here, he took me downstairs to the kitchen and made me tea."
"But that's not the important thing...before Snape and I walked upstairs, he addressed my aunt by her first name. It was as if they had met before; that they knew each other."
Ron and Hermione sat still on the other bed, their faces screwed up in puzzlement. Harry wanted to discuss it some more, but there came a soft knock at the door.
Hermione went over and pulled it open, revealing Remus Lupin, dressed in his same shabby robes, his expression a mixture between business and, Harry wasn't sure, but regret?
"Ah, good evening, all three of you. The Headmaster has asked you come down to the kitchen now, he has things to discuss with you." his manner seemed quieter from when Harry had last seen him, and even more so from dinner. He was almost slinking around, shoulders hunched, his face withdrawn, eyes downcast. He looked as if he'd just been scolded. Harry wondered if he had been.
The three of them followed Remus downstairs quietly, the portrait of Mrs. Black still hiding behind the curtain. When they made it to the kitchen, a number of the Order had cleared out. Only the Weasley's, Remus, Tonks, Snape, and Dumbledore were left. Molly Weasley bustled over to the table, placing steaming mugs of hot chocolate in front of everyone. Remus grabbed his gratefully and began sipping immediately. Tonks took one and handed a second over to Arthur Weasley, sitting in the corner. Snape remained where he was, up against the wall in the back of the kitchen.
"Come in, come in," Dumbledore motioned them all to take a seat, "Now, as you have been promised, and as I think we ALL agree," said began Dumbledore, looking over spectacles at Snape, who had given a light snort in response to the Headmaster's comment, "there are a few things you will need to be filled in on. I am asking, because we are placing this trust in you, not to tell your classmates what we tell you, and that you, in turn, trust us to tell you that which we feel in necessary and keeping what should be kept between full members of the Order secret. I still stand firm that members of the order must be of-age and out of school. I will not waver in that requirement. Until such time, we will decide what information is passed along. I can assure you, however," he looked very carefully at Harry, "That you will not be kept completely out of the goings- on. I ask for your trust. Do I have it?"
Dumbledore continued to look directly into Harry's eyes, waiting for his response. Harry wanted to answer yes, but there was a still a part of him that wanted to yell at the old man. Carefully, though, Harry swallowed and nodded his agreement. Seeing that, Ron and Hermione nodded their assent as well.
"Excellent!" Dumbledore cried, "then, let us get to business. We have much to tell you. But, I believe, business first. Harry, I understand your reluctance, but I again insist you take Occlumency lessons from Professor Snape." Dumbledore was cut off and Harry leapt from his chair, knocking it over in the process.
"But why?! It didn't work last time, Snape hates me. He hated my father and he hates me!"
"Professor Snape, Harry," Dumbledore gently corrected him, "and I hardly think Professor Snape hates you. Am I correct, Severus?" he asked, turning his gaze to the dark figure in the corner.
Snape roused himself where he had been standing quietly, then came forward so his face was in the dancing light from the fireplace. "Headmaster," Snape began, ÒI assure you, if it your desire I will attempt to again teach Mr. Potter to close his mind, but I will require a greater sense of purpose from Mr. Potter if this second attempt is going to be successful." SnapeÕs eyes were boring into Harry's, the bright black eyes staring right at him, daring him to say anything further, "I have my own interests at stake as well, Headmaster," he continued, "If Potter continues to fail in his pitiful attempts to close off his mind, my cover may be blown. If the Dark Lord were to discover I was teaching Potter to defend himself against Legimens, it could prove fatal." He closed his hands tightly on the back of the chair in front of him.
"I understand, Severus," Dumbledore said, holding his hand up in an offer of peace, "I ask you both to try harder, not only in Occlumency, but also simply to get along-to tolerate each other in the same room. In a way that you, Severus, and Sirius, were never able to reach. This is not a request, it is a command. Is that understood?" his voice was very quiet by the end, causing Harry to tremble slightly.
Harry took a moment to look at Snape, who was glaring in his direction. Slowly Harry extended his hand towards Snape. Looking very surprised at the gesture, Snape slowly extended his right towards him. Hanging a few inches apart for several moments, they finally grasped hands and shook firmly. Dumbledore's eyes rested on this for a few moments, his face very serious.
Harry released Snape's hand and they both stepped back to look at each other. With a almost imperceptible nod, Snape turned to Dumbledore, nodded and said, "Headmaster, I must now take my leave. Good night." and with this, he swept from the room, a much more impressive exit this time around, as he was back in his black robes.
Harry turned and looked at Remus, who gave him a very reassuring smile. Harry sat back down in his chair, next to him, still slightly confused as to why he had just agreed to get along with Snape.
Dumbledore meanwhile, rubbed his hands together and turned to look at all four of his pupils, "Now, children, I am asking you all to keep certain knowledge among yourselves, more now that ever. I also ask you to disband the DA, and to keep an ever more constant vigilance for your safety. Is that understood" he asked, his eyes peering over the edge of his half-moon spectacles.
"Disband the DA? But why? Why now, when Voldemort's getting stronger? The only way we're going to be able to defend ourselves is if we start practicing." Harry protested urgently.
"Harry," Dumbledore started, "the circumstances last year did provoke the formation of such a group, I understand. However, this year, I believe your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is a bit more progressive in her teaching techniques."
Harry lowered his eyes, and glanced over at Hermione and Ron. The both of them were nodding at him. Against his better judgement, he decided to agree with Dumbledore.
Dumbledore nodded again, before raising his eyes to Harry's, "And now, Harry, as was my promise, I will try to answer any questions you may have."
Seated around the table were Tonks, Remus Lupin, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Emmeline Vance, Dedalus Diggle, Alastor Moody, Minerva McGonagall, Dumbledore, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Bill Weasley, Mundungus Fletcher, Amelia Bones, and two other wizards Harry didn't recognize. Even Snape was there, standing as far back in the corner against the wall as he could.
Harry felt a tiny bubble of rage move up his throat as he thought back to the last time he had been in the same room as Dumbledore. He had been so angry about losing Sirius, he had destroyed the headmaster's office while he just sat there calmly. Harry immediately felt ashamed when he remembered looking around at all the damage he had caused and sat quickly down, without trying to capture anyone's eye.
Dinner was loud, and Harry was able to simply listen to everyone talking about him, catching bits and pieces of conversation...."So I says to 'im, look, Roger, I've no problem whatsoever with you goin' ahead and buying all me lamp oil, but I'll be a kneazle's uncle if I'll let you have the bottles it come in!" Mundungus finished off a story to Shacklebolt and the two wizards Harry didn't recognize....Tonks was talking quietly to Remus off to Harry's left, "But Remus, someone's bound to notice, no, I stand firm, we'll do nothing of the sort yet, it's too soon...Professor McGonagall was talking intently to Amelia Bones, ÒI have said before, Amelia, the wizengamot is only as powerful as it is willing to take itself seriously, the idea of calling minor offenses before the entire council simply weakens it's authority...But the goblins are have to be more open now, I mean, even the Ministry is acknowledging You-Know-Who's return! Diggle was arguing with Bill Weasley. Bill noticed Harry looking in their direction and flashed him a big smile, before returning to his conversation, giving Diggle a look as though Bill had explained this a thousand times to him before...No, Ron, we do need to tell him, otherwise he'll find out on his own and just be hurt he didn't hear it from us...Harry jerked his head up, having just heard Hermione whisper to Ron across the table. He tried to not make it obvious he had been eavesdropping, but he caught Hermione's eye and saw her blush. He quickly turned his attention somewhere else, to the far corner, where he caught Professor Snape looking at him oddly. It was the same look Harry remembered receiving from his professor when the whole school had found out he, Harry, was a parselmouth--when he had coaxed down a snake Draco Malfoy had summoned during their duel, which had been supervised by Professor Snape. It made Harry feel as if he had sprouted antlers, or had bobotuber pus covering his face. He held his professor's look for a second longer, than turned back to the rest of the table.
The meal finished a few minutes later and Mrs. Weasley dutifully hurried Ron, along with Hermione and Harry out the door within moments of the table being cleared. They, or course, protested loudly, but were silenced when Dumbledore's voice rose above the din and said clearly, "I ask for your compliance now, but be assured you will not be kept in the dark forever." Giving them each a look above his half-moon spectacles, he smiled. With that, Harry thought it best to allow himself to be shuffled out the door. The other turned and followed, though not quietly.
"Who do they think they are?" Ron started angrily, "kicking us out at the last minute, so they can keep their stupid secrets. You would've thought last year was a good enough reason why NOT to keep things from us."
"Ron!" Hermione admonished, "keep quiet. You know Professor Dumbledore and others have very good reasons for not telling us everything. Besides," she continued, ÒDumbledore said heÕd fill us in."
"Yeah, right," mumbled Harry, "you think, after all this time, he's going to start telling us things, just because Sirius died? C'mon, Hermione." He continued to trudge up the stairs, eyes downcast. He'd really thought Dumbledore would treat them, especially him, more like an adult, after everything at the Ministry and with Sirius, but here he was, still being treated as a child, being kept out of meetings and not being told what was going on. He was still being so unfair.
The three of them filed into the small, dark bedroom that Harry and Ron had shared the summer before. Harry sat of his old bed, and Ron and Hermione sat down next to each other on the other bed. They all stared at each other for a few moments, and finally Harry grew tired of ignoring the looks Ron and Hermione were continuously throwing each other.
"Um, I'm not going to be angry with you guys for going out, you know." Harry muttered, looking at them both.
Ron and Hermione both turned bright red, "Oh, Harry," Hermione started, "it's just, well, we didn't, I mean..."
"Thanks, mate," Ron interrupted, "I guess we just didn't want to make you feel out of place or anything."
"You're not mad, Harry?" Hermione asked nervously. Both she and Ron, though they had noticeably relaxed were still sitting nervously, as if waiting for Harry to start yelling at them as he had the previous summer when he had arrived at 12 Grimmauld Place.
He looked quickly at them both, then smiled, "Nah. I mean, it's not exactly a surprise."
"What do you mean, Harry?" Ron asked.
"You two have been bickering for almost two years, c'mon, I'm not blind," Harry smiled. "So, when did you two figure it out...that you fancied each other, I mean."
"Oh, umm," they both muttered, turning red again.
Hermione began, "Last week, when I came to the Burrow for a few days, it's just, well, we were, I mean," she trailed off.
Harry starting laughing, "I think that's the first time you've ever been speechless, Hermione."
She looked apologetically at him, then turned to Ron, who had been turning more and more red with every passing moment of the conversation between Hermione and Harry.
"Relax, I meant it when I said I wasn't angry I'm happy for you, honest." he reassured his two best friends.
"Well," said, Hermione, rubbing her hands on her jeans, "Now that we've got that out of the way, what do you think they're talking about downstairs?"
Harry smiled, realizing Hermione was turning to business.
He caught Ron's eye, who shrugged helplessly, throwing a grateful look at Harry. Harry knew they would be talking about the last week's events at the Burrow very soon, once Hermione was out of earshot.
In the meantime, however, they had plenty to discuss. Once they had discussed all the possible topics of what the Order could be talking about downstairs, Ron turned to Harry and asked, "So, tell us more about Snape showing up on your doorstep."
"Oh," Harry began, "It was bizarre. Seeing Snape on the Dursley's doorstep. Oh, I almost forgot," Harry said, warming to the topic, when Snape and I were heading back downstairs..."
"Wait a tic, Snape saw your bedroom? Did he say anything?" Ron interjected.
"No, actually, he was, well, not nice, but definitely less snarky than usual. He didn't make any comments about my room, and when we got here, he took me downstairs to the kitchen and made me tea."
"But that's not the important thing...before Snape and I walked upstairs, he addressed my aunt by her first name. It was as if they had met before; that they knew each other."
Ron and Hermione sat still on the other bed, their faces screwed up in puzzlement. Harry wanted to discuss it some more, but there came a soft knock at the door.
Hermione went over and pulled it open, revealing Remus Lupin, dressed in his same shabby robes, his expression a mixture between business and, Harry wasn't sure, but regret?
"Ah, good evening, all three of you. The Headmaster has asked you come down to the kitchen now, he has things to discuss with you." his manner seemed quieter from when Harry had last seen him, and even more so from dinner. He was almost slinking around, shoulders hunched, his face withdrawn, eyes downcast. He looked as if he'd just been scolded. Harry wondered if he had been.
The three of them followed Remus downstairs quietly, the portrait of Mrs. Black still hiding behind the curtain. When they made it to the kitchen, a number of the Order had cleared out. Only the Weasley's, Remus, Tonks, Snape, and Dumbledore were left. Molly Weasley bustled over to the table, placing steaming mugs of hot chocolate in front of everyone. Remus grabbed his gratefully and began sipping immediately. Tonks took one and handed a second over to Arthur Weasley, sitting in the corner. Snape remained where he was, up against the wall in the back of the kitchen.
"Come in, come in," Dumbledore motioned them all to take a seat, "Now, as you have been promised, and as I think we ALL agree," said began Dumbledore, looking over spectacles at Snape, who had given a light snort in response to the Headmaster's comment, "there are a few things you will need to be filled in on. I am asking, because we are placing this trust in you, not to tell your classmates what we tell you, and that you, in turn, trust us to tell you that which we feel in necessary and keeping what should be kept between full members of the Order secret. I still stand firm that members of the order must be of-age and out of school. I will not waver in that requirement. Until such time, we will decide what information is passed along. I can assure you, however," he looked very carefully at Harry, "That you will not be kept completely out of the goings- on. I ask for your trust. Do I have it?"
Dumbledore continued to look directly into Harry's eyes, waiting for his response. Harry wanted to answer yes, but there was a still a part of him that wanted to yell at the old man. Carefully, though, Harry swallowed and nodded his agreement. Seeing that, Ron and Hermione nodded their assent as well.
"Excellent!" Dumbledore cried, "then, let us get to business. We have much to tell you. But, I believe, business first. Harry, I understand your reluctance, but I again insist you take Occlumency lessons from Professor Snape." Dumbledore was cut off and Harry leapt from his chair, knocking it over in the process.
"But why?! It didn't work last time, Snape hates me. He hated my father and he hates me!"
"Professor Snape, Harry," Dumbledore gently corrected him, "and I hardly think Professor Snape hates you. Am I correct, Severus?" he asked, turning his gaze to the dark figure in the corner.
Snape roused himself where he had been standing quietly, then came forward so his face was in the dancing light from the fireplace. "Headmaster," Snape began, ÒI assure you, if it your desire I will attempt to again teach Mr. Potter to close his mind, but I will require a greater sense of purpose from Mr. Potter if this second attempt is going to be successful." SnapeÕs eyes were boring into Harry's, the bright black eyes staring right at him, daring him to say anything further, "I have my own interests at stake as well, Headmaster," he continued, "If Potter continues to fail in his pitiful attempts to close off his mind, my cover may be blown. If the Dark Lord were to discover I was teaching Potter to defend himself against Legimens, it could prove fatal." He closed his hands tightly on the back of the chair in front of him.
"I understand, Severus," Dumbledore said, holding his hand up in an offer of peace, "I ask you both to try harder, not only in Occlumency, but also simply to get along-to tolerate each other in the same room. In a way that you, Severus, and Sirius, were never able to reach. This is not a request, it is a command. Is that understood?" his voice was very quiet by the end, causing Harry to tremble slightly.
Harry took a moment to look at Snape, who was glaring in his direction. Slowly Harry extended his hand towards Snape. Looking very surprised at the gesture, Snape slowly extended his right towards him. Hanging a few inches apart for several moments, they finally grasped hands and shook firmly. Dumbledore's eyes rested on this for a few moments, his face very serious.
Harry released Snape's hand and they both stepped back to look at each other. With a almost imperceptible nod, Snape turned to Dumbledore, nodded and said, "Headmaster, I must now take my leave. Good night." and with this, he swept from the room, a much more impressive exit this time around, as he was back in his black robes.
Harry turned and looked at Remus, who gave him a very reassuring smile. Harry sat back down in his chair, next to him, still slightly confused as to why he had just agreed to get along with Snape.
Dumbledore meanwhile, rubbed his hands together and turned to look at all four of his pupils, "Now, children, I am asking you all to keep certain knowledge among yourselves, more now that ever. I also ask you to disband the DA, and to keep an ever more constant vigilance for your safety. Is that understood" he asked, his eyes peering over the edge of his half-moon spectacles.
"Disband the DA? But why? Why now, when Voldemort's getting stronger? The only way we're going to be able to defend ourselves is if we start practicing." Harry protested urgently.
"Harry," Dumbledore started, "the circumstances last year did provoke the formation of such a group, I understand. However, this year, I believe your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is a bit more progressive in her teaching techniques."
Harry lowered his eyes, and glanced over at Hermione and Ron. The both of them were nodding at him. Against his better judgement, he decided to agree with Dumbledore.
Dumbledore nodded again, before raising his eyes to Harry's, "And now, Harry, as was my promise, I will try to answer any questions you may have."