Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story they are owned by JK Rowling, I just borrowed them for my story.
Warning: This is a slash fic, meaning male/male pairings will occur mostly with it being a Harry/Draco fic. So if you do not like slash then please do not read it. Also there will be sexual swear words, some references to physical abuse (but not sexual abuse)
This story keeps to most of the plot from books PS, COS, POA and GOF. I decided due to certain events Sirius I had to give a different story explanation for Harry's fifth year.
I would like to thank my muse and beta Slasherbabe (Mac) for being patient with me as this is my first fic. You are wonderful Snugglies
BECAUSE I LOVE YOU
BY TIGRESS.
CHAPTER 2: FREEDOM AND CONFFESIONS.
Harry arrived at The Burrow, and for once managed not to break his glasses.
'I hate using the floo to travel' he thought.
Mrs. Weasley was standing close by, ready to welcome the young man she thought of as her seventh son. Seeing Harry stumbling out of the fire place, she gasped, her face suddenly paled. She went from being her usual bright and happy self, to being completely in shock as she saw Harry's bruises and cut lip.
"Harry, what's happened to you, who did this?" She had an idea who, but prayed that she was wrong.
"Hello Mrs. Weasley. Um, its okay, I'm fine." He replied in a whisper.
"Fine? What do you mean you're fine? You're pale; you have a black eye and a split lip. What happened dear?" There were tears in her eyes, and her voice broke as she finished the questions.
"It well, my uncle, he err, he doesn't like owls, and the one that delivered Professor Dumbledore's letter went to the kitchen instead of my room so I was, he… "Harry couldn't finish. He felt as though he was weak. After all the things he'd overcome, he couldn't defend himself against his uncle . He decided to try and change the subject.
"Where are Ron and 'Mione? Are they okay, I haven't heard from them since we finished sixth year. I usually hear from them by the second week of the summer break"
"Harry dear, they're fine; we've been trying to get everything ready. A lot has happened since the end of term. Dumbledore asked them not to send any owls in case they fell into the wrong hands. Please, dear, sit down and let me get rid of that black eye and sort that lip out for you." She said, leading him to sit at the kitchen table while she went over to a shelf. She kept all of the healing potions in a small wooden box that she had on stand. This was a good thing to have with six grown young men in the house, even more so with Fred and George's experiments often exploding.
"But I'm-" Harry began to say before he was cut off.
"No 'buts' dear, now sit down and eat something, over here. That's it dear. Now, how long has this been happening?" she asked as she opened the box, taking out the potions she needed for Harry's black eye and split lip. Harry sat in silence as she began administering the potion to his injuries. They began to heal instantly.
Lupin had arrived in the living room with Tonks moments after Harry and Mrs. Weasley had gone into the kitchen. Lupin had carried Harry's trunk, knowing how accident prone Tonks was, although she still managed to trip on the rug in front of the fireplace. Lupin caught her just before she fell f lat on her face.
"Thanks Remus." Tonks said, red in the face at the fact that yet she had fallen over in front her superior Kingsley Shacklebolt, who looked on, trying not to laugh.
"No problem," He said, smiling at her.
He went into the kitchen. He was very concerned about the appearance of James' son when he had seen him at the Durselys', and would have done something about it, but they had to get out of the house quickly, as it was no longer a safe place for him. Remus had had no idea that Harry wasn't safe with h is own relatives. He watched a moment from the kitchen door as Mrs. Weasley tended to Harry, and then he walked over to the two and sat at the table beside Harry. He was determined to find out what had been going on and who exactly had done this to Harry.
"Does anywhere else hurt dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked Harry, concern filling her voice.
"Well, erm, my back is really sore, but I don't know if you'll be able to heal it." Harry told her.
"Come on; take your shirt off, dear. Its okay, don't be shy; I do have six grown sons of my own. It's not like I haven't seen them without their shirts before." Mrs. Weasley said, using her quiet motherly tone.
Harry blushed as Mrs. Weasley helped him remove the huge shirt, and he winced with pain as the shirt was removed, seeing as his back was still raw with pain. Mrs. Weasley shrieked and was in tears at the state of Harry's back.
"Molly what is it?" Remus asked, noticing Molly's distress.
Lupin quickly got up to see what had caused her reaction to Harry's back. He assumed it was more bruises. He looked down at Harry's back.
"That bastard" Lupin growled at the state of Harry's back.
'What in Merlin's name have they been doing to him!? He's been with them for almost sixteen years, what's Sirius going to do when he finds out.' He thought
"It's only been like this since I started at Hogwarts. Before then they just kept me in the cupboard under the stairs and didn't let me eat if anything magical happened, as well as putting me down all the time. Don't worry, I'm used to it." He said.
"USED TO IT? YOU SHOULDN'T NEED TO BE USED TO IT! REMUS HELP ME" Mrs. Weasley shrieked.
In the living room Draco had just come out of the fireplace. He went straight over to Tonks, and as he reached her, he heard Mrs. Weasley's shriek.
"What's up with Mrs. Weasley, Tonks?" he asked.
"Draco, she's fine. You know how Harry has that bust lip and black eye?" she asked.
"Yes, I had noticed. Go on." Draco replied.
"Oh Draco, Those muggles have been beating him." She sighed heavily.
"What? Why would they do that to him? He lives there so he's protected, so no harm will come to him! They're supposed to be his family for Merlin's sake." Draco was almost in tears.
At that moment Severus arrived with Harry's Firebolt and Hedwig. He took one look at his godson, and he knew that Draco was extremely upset about something.
"Draco, what's the matter?" He asked placing a reassuring hand on Draco's shoulder.
"It's those muggles, Sev, they've been beating Harry. We need to help him." Draco told Snape, still sounding on the verge of tears.
Severus was as shocked to hear this as the others.
'Why would they do that to the boy? Is it possible that I was wrong, and he's not as arrogant as his father was?' Severus was thinking as they quickly made their way to the Weasley's Kitchen.
When Severus and Draco reached the open kitchen door, they both froze at the site of Harry's back. They looked at each other in disbelief, fore all over Harry's back, there were long cuts. Some were openly bleeding, while others look like blisters. His back was filled with scratches and bruises, and it looked as if he'd been whipped numerous times. Draco was torn between running over to comfort Harry and going after the muggles who did this to the man he loved.
Meanwhile, Severus found himself thinking how similar they were in situation, growing up feeling they weren't wanted at home, and being beaten and ridiculed for things that were not their fault. It was his father that had been violent towards him, unlike Harry's guardians who were supposed to be protecting him. He realized the boy whom he had held a grudge against for the last five years had been through just as much, if not more than, he had in his childhood. He now found himself having a new feeling of respect and compassion for the boy.
Draco, having now managed to compose himself, walked over to Harry, whilst Mrs. Weasley was talking quietly to professor Lupin at the other end of the kitchen.
"Potter- Harry I…What happened? Why did the-?" Harry cut him off. He wasn't going to let Draco see that he was weak because he couldn't stop his uncle from beating him. He didn't want Draco to pity him; he wanted Draco to love him.
"Malfoy, look, I don't want to talk about this at-"
He stopped and looked up, and his eyes locked with Draco's. The face looking back at him was warm and caring. 'Merlin.' he thought 'Last time he looked at me like that was when he offered me friendship that first time on the Hogwarts express. His eyes look so warm, warm but sad. He looks as if he'll start crying at any moment. Gods, those eyes. I could get lost in those platinum-grey eyes and never come back. Does he feel the same for me? Could he be gay too? For once in my life, let me have just one thing that's just for me, not the Boy Who Lived.'
'Merlin' Draco sighs to himself 'He looks so vulnerable. He looks just like Dobby did when he was with us, he's in pain. I want to help him, be with him, love him, but oh those eyes. Those emerald eyes. I never got the chance to look so deeply into them before. I could get lost in those eyes.'
Mrs. Weasley came back over to Harry with tears in her eyes. Lupin watched as she administered potions to the wounds on Harry's back. Professor Snape hands Harry a small bottle filed with some potion.
"Potter, here, drink this. It will ease the pain as Mrs. Weasley tends to your injuries."
"Thanks sir." Harry replies and drinks the potion.
'Wow. What's got into him? No jibes and offers potion to ease my pain, I thought he hated me.' He thought.
"Lupin, might I have a quiet word with you?"
"Of course, lead the way Severus."
Mrs. Weasley, Draco, and Harry were now the only ones in the kitchen. They were all quiet, apart from Mrs. Weasley, who every now and then let out a little sob. Harry couldn't stand the silence any longer.
"Mrs. Weasley, where are Ron and Hermione?" He asked the crying woman.
"They went to Diagon Alley with Arthur and Ginny; they didn't know you were coming this afternoon. Fred and George are showing them their new Lab at the shop. I think they are shopping for gifts for your birthday next week. Don't worry though, Moody is with them, so they'll be fine." Molly reassured the boy.
"How's everyone else been?"
"Sirius is fine dear. He's at the Ministry of Magic with Dumbledore." She said.
"But why what's-"
"It's alright dear, sit down. Didn't you read the letter that Dumbledore sent? Sirius is free. They have Wormtail in custody, and he's confessed to everything he's ever done, and they've cleared Sirius' name. He just had to go down there to do the pa per work. They are offering him compensation, of course not that there is anything that could ever make up for what that fool has put him through."
"Then he really is free, does that mean I never have to go back to The Dursley's?" Harry asked hopefully.
"We'll have to see what Dumbledore says first, but I think when he finds out what they've been doing to you, I don't think that there is any way that you would have to go back there ever again." At this, for the first time that day Harry truly beamed.
"I still don't understand why you're here though." He said to Draco, not a hint of malice in his voice, but with curiosity and hope.
Draco sighed and began "Well, about a week before Lucius was killed, I was forced to take the Dark Mark. As soon as I got back to school I went to see Severus. I had heard from my father that he was a suspected traitor and that he was working as a spy for the Dumbledore, so I went to them and told them that I wanted to spy for the Order. There is no way that I would have ever willingly taken the Dark Mark, but I decided that at least I would be able to help the Order."
"But, I always thought you wanted to take the Dark Mark and be with your father."
"Let's just say I had a change of heart."
'Please believe me, Harry, I did this for you.' He thought.
'Maybe there's hope for me yet, dare I hope? Please Merlin; let him feel the same way about me as I do about him.' Harry thought.
Mrs. Weasley watched the two young men's exchange and smiled. She had known about Draco for a long time, and the past week Draco had been staying at The Burrow. It had taken a long time to convince her children and Hermione that Draco really was a spy for the Order, and it was decided that everyone should be out the way when Harry found out, as Ron thought there was no way Harry would believe it and that there would be trouble when he found out. (A.N. Hermione went along with Ron on this. She didn't know how he would react if Draco and Harry were seeing each other.)
"There, all done, Harry. How does it feel now?" Molly said, smiling as she asked.
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley, it feels much better." Harry replied, smiling back at her.
"No problem dear. Now, why don't you two go for a walk? I'm sure it will do you both some good. I'll get on with lunch. The others will be back soon."
"Okay then, if you're sure you don't need any help, we'll see you later." Draco answered.
Harry and Draco headed out into the garden.
"Let's head up to the orchard, I usually practice Quidditch with Ron, Fred, and George there."
"Okay, lead the way, Harry," He said smiling, which made Harry grin.
Draco followed Harry closely up to the orchard. There was a bench in the clearing that Ginny and Hermione usually sat on to watch the boys play.
"Have a seat, Draco," Harry's grin was now a beaming smile that made Draco's heart melt.
"So, I take it we have a lot to talk about?" Draco said still smiling.
"Well, let's start with why you had a change of heart and go on from there."
"Okay. Well, about a week before Lucius was killed, it was decided, without my consent or knowledge, that I was to be initiated into the ranks of that twisted bastard's minions. I would not have gone home that Christmas if I had known. It was bad enough that I was forced to be a git to everyone who was not in Slytherin all these years."
"But why though?" He asked knowing the answer already.
"You know how Lucius was. If I disobeyed him, I was sent to the dungeon at the manor, and he would repeatedly cast Crucio on me."
"What?" Harry gasped. "But, he was your father. Why would he-"
"Harry, my upbringing is very similar to that of yours with those muggles. Crabbe and Goyle reported everything I said or did to Lucius. Gods, the beating I got for offering you my friendship on the train in our first year. I spent most of that Christmas holiday healing in my bed."
"Didn't your mother try and stop him?"
"I told her not to, otherwise she would've got a beating too. You, of all people, know what he was capable of doing," This revelation made Harry want to grab Draco and hold him until the pain that he could see in his eyes went away.
"Oh Draco, I – I don't know what to say. I am so sorry, I had no idea," Harry whispered to Draco, truly sounding sorry.
"Only those who reported me to Lucius knew," Draco replied quietly.
"Bastards," Said Harry, disgusted that people knew what Lucius did, but didn't do anything to help Draco.
"Don't worry about it. That's partly the reason why I went to Severus and Dumbledore when I got back to school after they marked me. We decided I would spy for the Order with Severus. I was immediately placed in the inner circle of death eaters, because of Lucius and I was trusted more than Severus. That's really how Wormtail was caught, I had told Severus and Dumbledore about the raid. Unfortunately, that was a trap to try and find out if Severus really was a spy. I am still not sure why Wormtail gave up so easily, though he had mentioned a while ago that he was having doubts about being with Voldemort, and he mentioned something about a wizard's debt."
"He owes me his life. I stopped Sirius and Remus from killing him back in the third year," Harry muttered.
"Fuck, no wonder he gets the shitty jobs all the time. I'm glad we caught him, especially after what he's done to you and your parents." Draco said an angry glint in his eyes as he mentioned Wormtail.
"Well, the way I saw it handing him over to the Aurors would've proven Sirius innocent." Harry told him.
"But he got away," Draco said.
"Yeah, anyway what else was it that made you join the Order? You said there was another reason," 'Please, let it be me. Just this once, something just for me, not the 'Boy- Who-Lived' Harry pleaded to himself.
Draco looked directly in to Harry's eyes, and reached out for his right hand.
"You, Harry, it's because of you." He said in a whisper
'YES' thought Harry 'Merlin I was right. Keep calm, Harry, keep calm'
"What do you mean?" he asked smiling innocently.
"You dolt, haven't you noticed that I haven't been starting fights with you, or taunting Ron and 'Mione?" Draco said in a teasing voice.
"I-yes, but I didn't know why. You've been ignoring us instead." Harry said stuttering slightly.
"I couldn't risk any of the Slytherin's realizing how I felt about you." 'Don't fuck this up, Draco, stay calm' he thought.
"I was ignoring you because I wasn't being forced to be a git to you anymore. I was ignoring you because I love you, I always have, but I couldn't risk the others finding out. In the first year I thought I wanted to be your friend, but last year I realized that I wanted more than your friendship. I wanted to look after you, protect you, b e with you and have you love me back. I truly am sorry for everything that I've done to hurt you the past six years. I was weak, and I was afraid of what Lucius might do to me for disobeying him, or to us both if he found out how I felt about you I- I'm sorry." Draco said, his voice choking up with unshed tears.
Tears were glistening in his eyes there was a lump in Harry's throat.
"Oh Draco it's, I-I feel the same way about you. Come here." Harry said, finally allowing the tears to freely run down his cheeks.
Harry pulled Draco to him, his left hand rose to tenderly stroke Draco's cheek. Draco wrapped his arms around Harry's waist, and they come close together slowly. They soon were nose to nose, and Harry gently brushed his lips against Draco's. Draco gasped with delight, smiled, and then ran the tip of his tongue over Harry's lips, receiving a moan from Harry. He parted his lips to allow entry for Draco, and they both began tasting each other, exploring each others mouths as they deepened the kiss. Eventually they had to break apart, both gasping for air.
"Wow, Merlin that was, I've wanted to do that since-"Draco began.
"Shh," and then Harry came back for another kiss.
"Well, it's about time you two," Hermione had seen the two kiss the first time and decided to sneak up on them. Not that either of them would have noticed, they were oblivious to the world around them. Harry's head snapped up to the direction of Hermione's voice.
"For Merlin's sake 'Mione! Don't sneak up on us like that," Hermione just grinned innocently at the boys.
"Well, hello to you too Harry."
"Sorry, how are you? What's been going on, and why hasn't anyone been answering my letters?" Harry asked her.
"Ah, well, firstly I'm fine. We were told not to send any owls to you in case they fell into the wrong hands. Dumbledore made us swear we wouldn't, and he wants to tell you everything when he sees you."
"Why do I get the feeling of de ja vous, hmm?" Harry muttered, though both Draco and Hermione heard him.
"Look, let's find Ron and get back to The Burrow. Dumbledore and Sirius just got back."
"Why didn't you say so?" Harry leapt up, took Draco's hand, and the three of them started running in the direction of The Burrow. All three of them smiles beaming across their face's
Suddenly, he Harry stopped running.
"Stop, stop. Wait, hang on," Harry said, his face suddenly looking a bit grim.
"Harry what is it?" they both asked.
"What are we going to do about Draco and me?" the other two just looked at each other and grinned.
"Harry, its okay everyone knows how Draco feels about you. He told us before Dumbledore sent the owl to you," She said matter-of-factly.
"Really? And you guy's are ok with it?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Harry, Ron and I sussed that out ages ago, before the battle in Hogsmeade."
"You knew? But I-I never said anything how-"
"Your eyes gave you away Harry. Though I must admit, before Draco joined the Order, it was very hard for me to stop Ron from going off on one."
"What? You mean Ron's totally okay about this?"
"Well, he wasn't at first, but now we know Draco's different. He's fine about it. We got to know the real Draco these last couple of weeks, it turns out that we have quite a few things in common with him," Harry sighed with relief.
"I never thought I'd hear that from you two, but I'm glad you guys are okay with this. It means a lot to me."
"Honestly, what kind of best friends would we be if we didn't even try? Besides, Dumbledore explained everything to us."
"I knew he knew what was going on with me! He sat there with his eyes twinkling at me as I tried to explain my reasons for wanting to help the Order," Draco said.
"Well, he is the greatest wizard of our time. He knows everything," Harry replied, stealing another kiss from Draco.
"There's Ron. HEY RON! I'VE FOUND THEM!" Ron turned and looked to the three approaching him. Seeing that Harry was holding Draco's hand, he grinned.
"Hiya Harry, Draco. We've been looking all over for you two, how you doing mate?"
"I'm fine now Ron," He said smiling towards Draco.
"Cool. By the way, what's up with mum? As soon as we got through the door she sent Ginny upstairs and asked 'Mione and I to come fetch you. When I asked what was up she started sobbing again." Draco looked to Harry a serious look now on his face.
"Harry, show them what that muggle bastard did to you. Take your shirt off," Ron and Hermione just shot questioning glances at each other.
"Harry, what's Draco on about?" Harry had removed his shirt, and he turned round to show them his back.
"Harry? What the fuck happened? Who did this?" Ron said, half shouting, eyes wide with fury. Hermione was in tears.
"My uncle, he doesn't like owls. The one Dumbledore sent came to the kitchen instead of my room. Dudley went into hysterics, and I was sent to my room, When they had finished eating he came up and started punching me in the face. I started to block his punches, and it made him even angrier, so he called Dudley to pin me down while he got his belt an-" Harry's voice broke he couldn't carry on.
"Fuck, and here we are trying to protect muggles and your own fam-" Ron started.
"He's not my family anymore Ron. I am not going back there, even if her blood does protect me. I am not, I can't. 'Mione, please don't cry, I'm okay now. I am never going back there." He looked at Ron, a look that said 'Help me' in his eyes.
"'Mione darling, don't cry. It's going to be okay." Ron said, taking Hermione in his arms and rubbing her back trying to calm her down. Draco helped Harry to put his shirt back on then embraced him gently, as to not hurt his back.
Now that they had all calmed down, they leisurely strolled back to The Burrow, through the garden and into the kitchen. They arrived to a kitchen full of Weasley's, Dumbledore, Sirius, Lupin, Tonks, Snape and Kingsley. The moment they were seen, Sirius ran over to Harry and gently hugged his godson.
"Harry, oh gods, are you okay? Why didn't you tell someone-?" Harry cut him off.
"Sirius, I missed you so much! You're free. I'm so glad you're okay. What have they done with Wormtail?" Sirius looked down to his godson in disbelief.
"Never mind that just now. I want to know what that so called 'uncle' has been doing to you."
"Padfoot now is not the time for this. We are having a celebration for you, and then we'll all be heading to H.Q. Harry's okay now, he's here with all those who love him." Lupin said.
"But moony-" Dumbledore had just joined the group.
"Remus is right Sirius; we will be discussing the Dursley's at the meeting. We can address this matter then. Anyway, it appears to be a double celebration, for you and for Harry." Sirius had agreed for now.
Dumbledore walked to the middle of the living room and got everyone's attention.
"Friends, I shall now propose a toast. To The Order of The Phoenix, may the light always prevail over dark and to freedom for us all?" Dumbledore said, making a point to look to Sirius when he said the part about freedom.
Every body raised their glasses and said, "To freedom."
After the celebration that went into the early evening, it was time to make their way to Grimmauld place. Dumbledore rose from his chair and walked over to where Harry, Draco and Sirius were talking.
"Harry, You Draco, Ginny, Ron and Hermione are going to go with Sirius and Remus, the rest of us will apparate to head quarters, we'll take your things."
"Excuse me sir, but how are we getting there. Portkey?" He asked.
"No Harry, Fawkes will be taking you, he will be here shortly."
The trunks were all packed and brought into the living room.
"I'll go on ahead to make sure all is well, I have my mirror with me I'll call you with the all clear Albus."
The mirrors were used by members of the Order to communicate directly with Dumbledore; these were the same type of mirrors that Sirius gave to Harry in his fifth year.
"Excellent idea Alastor, I will await your appearance before Fawkes brings Harry and the others, Oh and take Nymphadora with you."
Tonks rolled her eyes, Harry and the others laughed, it was very common knowledge that Tonks disliked the use of her first name and was embarrassed by it and preferred to be called by her surname, almost instantly they disapparated.
"Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Draco." Mrs Weasley called.
"Make sure that you haven't left anything behind anything that you will need."
Immediately they checked and double checked their trunks to make sure they hadn't forgot anything. Moody's voice was soon heard coming from Dumbledore's mirror.
"All clear Albus." Moody said.
"Thank you Alastor they will be with you shortly."
"Alright over here if you please," motioning the group to come forward. With a flash of flames Fawkes the beautiful gold and scarlet phoenix appeared.
"Ah excellent timing as always Fawkes."
"Alright each of you hold hands, Harry do you remember how this works?"
"Yes sir."
Harry took hold of Draco's hand, the others caught on, each holding on to the hand of the person next to them.
"We're ready sir." And with a nod from Dumbledore Harry took a hold of Fawkes' tail feathers.
He had indeed remembered how to do this from a conversation after defeating Tom Riddle from coming back in his second year. Dumbledore had told him that not only that not only could phoenixes' carry extremely heavy loads but they could apparate with heavy loads too.
With a flash of flames they were gone, instantly appearing at Grimmauld Place.
"Ok you lot take your things upstairs, Draco you can share with Ron and Harry." Draco grinned at Harry who blushed; they all went upstairs to unpack.
"Draco can I ask you something." Draco stopped hanging his robes up and came over to Harry wrapping his arms around his waist.
"Sure, what is it Harry," stealing a quick kiss.
"well erm, won't your mother be suspicious with you being away from the manor all this time?"
"No, its ok Harry, she was always against Voldemort's Cause, she knows that I'm helping The Order. She wanted to her self but I said I didn't want her to get mixed up in the war with the death eaters. She's been through so much already because of Lucius so she's staying at Snape Manor with Severus. Its safe there for her I'm their secret keeper so that they'll never be found, actually it was Dumbledore's idea to do it, that way we all have piece of mind, she will be coming to Hogwarts with Severus when term starts."
Harry was relieved to here this, not only was Draco's mother against Voldemort but he was also very worried for Draco's safety with him being a spy for the Order, this was a perfect plan to keep them both safe. When they had finished unpacking they joined Hermione and Ginny on the landing and made their way back down to the kitchen.
As they entered the kitchen, they realised they had interrupted a heated discussion, professor Lupin was trying to calm Sirius down.
"Ah, welcome have a seat ladies, gentlemen." Said Dumbledore,
Motioning to the empty seats between Sirius and the twins, who had just arrived after closing Weasley's Wizard Wheezes for the day. Professor Mcgonagal had also just arrived and took he seat as always next to Dumbledore.
"Sirius if you don't mind we can continue that discussion after the meeting."
"Alright Albus, but this discussion is far from over."
"Certainly. Now then we are here to discuss possible changes to Hogwarts for the next term. I say possible changes because a lot will depend on Harry if he feels he is up to the task." He winked at Harry and smiled.
"Harry, if you feel you are able, we would like you to be the head of a new faction of The Order, to lead those students who are trust worthy and able in preparing for the approaching war against Tom and his followers."
"Sir?" Harry was confused surely Voldemort wasn't going to attack Hogwarts.
"We fear that Tom and his followers are going to attack Hogwarts before you finish your schooling, it will be harder for him to track you down, as you know he is obsessed with trying to destroy you, he thinks that at least if you are at Hogwarts he has a chance to do it, so if he's going to try this we need to be able to not only protect you but the students and school as well. We were hoping that those in year six and seven would help the staff along with The Order when the battle takes place, I know this is going to be an extra burden for you Harry but it would be better for those students if they could fight back against Tom." A tear rolled down Dumbledore's face at his last reason.
"But sir, wouldn't it be better if instead of waiting for him to attack, why don't we attack him before it gets to that. That way we can ensure the battle will be no where near the school."
"Harry, you need to be able to apparate, also there is much you have to learn before you face him again, you need to prepare so you will be able to defeat him."
"But sir with all due respect, Voldemort has gone after me so many times and I've got away from him, all I need to know is how to deal with him without using the killing curse."
"Harry, you know the prophecy, it's you or him." said Hermione.
"This is madness, were not getting any where, Harry you need training, We have to delay Voldemort as long as we can, You can start the day after your birthday, you'll be able to do magic then, but as for going after him it's madness before you have been trained ."
"I agree with Sirius, Harry it's too dangerous until you have finished your training, especially since he is now able to get to you even if you are at privet drive, this is why we had to get you away from there, Peter told Kingsley and Tonks that he has been able to break the protection charm I placed on you while you are there, your aunts blood no longer protects you."
"Sir how, are you sure?"
"We are sure; Peter even gave the same information under the influence of vertesirum to confirm that he was telling the truth."
"But professor Dumbledore I don't understand, why he would do that, give us information willingly."
"Harry in doing this Peter believes he is paying back his life debt to you for saving his life, when you found out the truth about Sirius."
"That doesn't mean I'll forgive him for what he did to my parents." Harry snapped it was clear to all he was getting angry.
"I know it doesn't, but he has helped you by saving you from a battle you are not ready for; in doing this he has saved your life. Preparing you in your seventh year is the best place to start; also in training the sixth and seventh years starting next term will help the teachers protect the rest of the students so we can concentrate on Tom."
"Alright, I'll do it," Harry didn't like the thought of having to fight Voldemort while at school he knew it was dangerous for the rest of the school but at least they would be able to protect them selves.
"Excellent, we will have another meeting tomorrow to go through the details after you are all rested."
"Just a moment, what are we going to do about Dursley?" Said Sirius.
"I think its best if we talk about that when these young ladies and gentlemen have gone to bed don't you."
"Albus is right Sirius; we'll talk about it when they've gone to bed." Lupin said, as he put a supportive hand on Sirius' shoulder.
"Ok, a light supper I think seeing as how much we all ate this afternoon."Mrs Weasley said. As she got up and started making sandwiches ad pasties while Minerva arranged cakes, biscuits and other treats.
"Sirius, can I talk to you a sec." Harry whispered.
"Sure Harry, come into the study we'll talk there it's quiet in there."
As they entered the study Sirius closed the door behind them and motioned for Harry to sit on the couch beside him.
"What is it Harry." His voice filled with concern and love for his god son.
"Do we have to do anything about the Dursley's, I mean can't I just never go back there?"
"Harry they've been beating you all these years and you don't want us to do anything? Why don't you want us to do anything about them?" Sirius was confused at Harry's request.
"I don't know, I would just rather not to have to see them again, besides I can stay with you now can't I? You're free now." He said sounding hopeful.
"Are you sure, I mean I'd love you to stay with Remus and me, but not doing anything to punishing the Dursley's are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
"Ok I'll tell the others later, though I doubt it will stop Molly from at least sending a howler." They laughed at the thought and hugged.
Harry was relieved to hear that nothing bad would happen to the Dursley's, though he was sure that if Mrs Weasley did send a howler it would be all the punishment that they would need. They went back to the kitchen. Enjoying the company all around him Harry was content that from now on he would be around those who loved him. When they had all eaten their fill, Mrs Weasley shooed them all up to bed, kissing each of them goodnight on their away out of the kitchen. Exhausted they all went up to bed bidding each other goodnight. After Harry kissed Draco goodnight they went to bed, all wondering what they would do tomorrow.