Chapter 11
Dumbledore returned to Grimmauld Place late that afternoon. Remus had taken the Doctors out to get some documents signed relating to their house project. Albus climbed the stairs to the training room and a smile crept onto his face. Susan, Hermione, Ginny and Harry were cuddled on the padded floor mats together taking a nap. POP. Dobby appeared with a tray of beverages for everyone. Dumbledore conjured himself a squashy armchair and joined his young friends. Based on the cuts, scrapes and sweaty t-shirts, they must have recently finished quite a training session. Winky appeared and asked what they would like for dinner that evening. Harry said that it was Susan's day to pick. She spent a few minutes conversing with the little elf.
Dumbledore thought about the absurdity of what he was witnessing. - Four teenagers getting up early every day, training and studying 11-12 hours a day on their holiday. He doubted that most of the other students worked that hard during the school term. He asked, "Could you show me your progress?"
Hermione said, "We would be happy to Professor. Shall we try red sparks again? 25 tries for each of us. You can fire them and we will defend. Susan will go first."
One – he missed
Two – he missed
Twenty-five – he missed
"Excellent defense Miss Bones. You may join me.
Hermione successfully evaded both Susan and Dumbledore firing simultaneously. She joined them with Ginny as the target. Though she had several very near misses, Ginny didn't get hit either. "Mr. Potter. It is your turn."
Dodging four people firing sparks took a significant effort. Susan shot sparks high and in front of Harry, Dumbledore low and behind, while Hermione and Ginny aimed true. After evading them twenty five times, Harry was exhausted and bruised, but untouched.
Dumbledore was both pleased and surprised at the progress that the four had made. "Excellent work, all of you. Defensive work is most important. I am very pleased that each of you managed to escape."
Susan said, "It was the first time today Professor, at least for the three of us. Harry hasn't been hit yet."
"Really? Mr. Potter, what is your hit rate?'
"Typically fifty to seventy percent. The witches are getting a lot quicker. I had started out hitting them almost every time. Susan and Hermione are making exceptional progress. They are a lot more agile than they were. You saw how quick Ginny was."
"Very good. You each deserve a reward. Would you like a night out?"
Susan said, "That would be wonderful Professor, but we'd like to ask for something else instead."
"Certainly. What would you like?"
"We want one day off to go after Malfoy."
'So much for bowling or going to the movies,' thought Dumbledore. "You've obviously discussed this. Tell me your plan."
Harry replied, "Draco helped murder my cousin. He tried to kill Hermione and her parents, and almost certainly helped murder twelve Aurors."
"I agree. Go on."
Harry said, "We have been practicing and want to have a field exercise. Unless Malfoy is staying at the Riddle manor in Little Hangleton, we should be able to get him alone."
Dumbledore frowned. This was not what he wanted at this time, but they looked determined. "I hesitate to be a part of this. I sincerely doubt that Miss Weasley's or Miss Granger's parents would allow them to participate in such an activity were they to ask them. However this is a distraction that you four seem to be very focused on. I do admit that it would provide you with a different level of practice than sending sparks."
"There is every reason to believe that Draco Malfoy has followed in his father's footsteps and become a killer for a terrible cause. You wouldn't be playing for a silver cup or house points, rather your lives. That is not my decision to make for you. Men and women younger than you have joined in battles for centuries. Is this really what you want?"
Hermione said, "No one wants this Professor, you the least. The fact of the matter is that we are already in it. We will need some help Professor."
Dumbledore considered his words for a moment. "If on a hypothetical training basis, you were to consider such a plan what would you need?"
Harry replied, "We would want two sets of anti apparition manacles, a portkey each, my cell phone, my invisibility cloak, and an extra cloak if possible."
Dumbledore was secretly delighted that they were even considering such a plan. However Draco had not been seen at Malfoy manor since Tonks was assigned to keep surveillance on him. "Where would you expect to find him? He hasn't been seen in two weeks.
Ginny turned slightly redder than usual. "Professor, weren't you ever sixteen? He'd turn up at Pansy's house for some…"
"Chinese food and companionship. I admit that courting rituals were slightly different in the 1860s than today, but I understand what you are alluding to." Harry and Hermione looked at each other and started sniggering. A moment later, all four of them were laughing uncontrollably.
Dumbledore let them have their moment at his expense. "So if the four of you happened to be going out for pizza a week from Friday, and happened to be by Miss Parkinson's and happened to come across Mr. Malfoy, who happened to be alone at the time, what would you do?"
"We'd stun him and quickly portkey him away."
"And if you were seen and captured?"
"We use the emergency portkey to come back here."
"If you were hurt?"
"We'd portkey back here and apply first aid. Ideally we could have Madam Pomfrey waiting just in case."
"If Mr. Malfoy was not alone?"
"We'd terminate the mission and try it another time."
Hermione was getting frustrated. This was the first time that she and Harry had planned an adventure and bothered to tell Dumbledore about it in advance. Was he being a road block, or simply exercising a prudent level of caution? Recalling a conversation from several years ago she said, "Professor, we know the law. We must not be seen. She looked into his blue eyes as they softened, then twinkled.
"Yes you do, Miss Granger. Let's plan on a week from Friday. In the mean time you should work on stunning and dodging."
Winky popped in and said that dinner would be ready in thirty minutes. Susan, Hermione and Ginny left to shower and get out of their sweaty outfits. Dumbledore asked Harry to stay for a few extra minutes. They discussed the training that they were doing and the legality of a capture. Dumbledore said that he would ask Kingsley to come over the next evening and demonstrate. Harry invited Albus to stay for dinner, but he declined, saying that he was having dinner with Anna Daily. Remus arrived with the Grangers and Albus took his leave.
Dinner was quite lively that evening. Dan and Emma had been back to their lot and construction on their new home would begin next week. Dan commented that they'd had Chinese for lunch. Ginny made eye contact with Harry, then Susan, and began laughing uncontrollably. Dan asked what was so funny – saying that they had Chinese at noon all the time. Hermione spilled her butterbeer and left the table to get a dishtowel, to avoid further embarrassing herself in front of her parents.
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Ginny knocked about 11 PM, and let herself in Harry's room. Harry was sleeping on the couch, with at least three books opened. She tucked him in, stacked his books neatly off to the side and carefully removed his glasses, setting them on the nightstand. Illuminated by the fire in front of the couch he looked so peaceful. She leaned over and kissed his nose. Ginny whispered, "I love you Harry Potter."
Harry murmured, "I love you Ginny." He was having the most pleasant dream.
Ginny unrolled the sleeping bag that she had placed under his bed and placed it in front of the couch where Harry was sleeping. Comforted by the steady sound of his breathing, she immediately fell asleep.
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Kingsley came over after breakfast. He demonstrated different stunning techniques and ways of subduing an opponent with and without magic. He showed the teens how to set up a parameter, and basic ambush techniques. After they had practiced a while, he took them over to the park. As the weather was cloudy and lightly raining, it was deserted. He handed each of them a tennis ball and cast a disillusionment charm on each of them. He told them to hide and that he would be walking up to the tree by the brook in five minutes. If he reached the tree without getting hit by a tennis ball, or he hit any of them, they would have to run laps around the park for the rest of the morning. If they were successful, they could direct the next lesson.
He walked back to the house and had a cup of tea for twenty minutes. Figuring that the teens had given up by then, he walked back to the park. He didn't immediately see any of the teens. Carefully looking, he saw movement in one of the bushes near the tree. Carefully walking up to it he threw a tennis ball at the bush. He realized that he had hit a cocker spaniel by mistake. Retrieving his tennis ball, Kingsley was hit by three tennis balls. Turning around to see the witches, he was pelted by the fourth ball, from Harry who had been standing stone still by the dog.
Kingsley was pleased, but a bit embarrassed. Granted the weather was very cloudy, and it was raining lightly, but he'd just been beaten by four teenagers. Refusing Harry's offer to come in for tea and biscuits, he said that he would be back at the same time the next day to show them how to use the anti-apparation manacles.
They had reading that afternoon. Professor Flitwick had given them texts on basic conjuring. While not strictly a fighting spell like some of the blocks, curses and Jinxes that they had been taught, being able to create an abject at the moment of need would be a great asset.
That evening, Remus took them back to the park for some lessons on stealth. He showed the how to step silently, and use their hearing to tune in to specific sounds or conversations within a mass of background noise.
Harry was convinced that between the disillusionment charm and the tactics that Remus had shown them, they could approach Pansy's house and create an effective ambush for Malfoy.
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It had been several years since Dumbledore needed to find several Instructors at the same time. It occurred to him that the Instructors that he would be interviewing as well as most of the current staff would be at the castle after he was gone. Albus had no intention of living his last days at the castle. He hoped to purchase an automobile and travel through the American southwest in a year. Dumbledore decided to break his habit and ask the heads of houses if the had any Instructor Candidates in mind.
On Saturday he found Professors Flitwick, Sprout, and McGonagall seated at the round table in the sunroom that they used during the holiday. The windows gave the room a nice view and a bright atmosphere. As he walked in he found Professor Flitwick making a vain attempt to interest the two witches in his story of wiring Harry's home – Tales of selecting the proper circuit box, placement of the outlets and switches while fascinating to him were rapidly putting his two colleagues to sleep. When Minerva commented on how bright the home seemed in the evening, Flitwick beamed.
Albus let them finish then got to the business at hand. He was looking for Instructors who knew their topic, related well with students, and exhibited above average knowledge transfer skills. In other words he wanted Instructors who could effectively teach their topic without intimidating the students. It was 20 July. He would have to extend the contract offers in the next two weeks.
Flitwick suggested that he consider Anna Daily for the Potions Instructor. While never having taken the time to certify as a Potions Master, she clearly knew her topic and served as a substitute several years ago. Currently working at St. Mungo's research center, her most significant contribution had been the development of the Wolfsbane potion. Originally from Melbourne, there would be the avoidance of the discussion that she had grown up in one of the other houses. The other candidates discussed eventually fell away as second tier choices – due to lack of perceived teaching skills, previous infractions at the Ministry, or other reasons.
Finally the subject came around to the annual search for a suitable Defense Instructor. They hadn't had an Instructor that had lasted an entire term since Quirrell. Again Dumbledore asked for candidates. Sprout laughed and said, "Albus the answer is obvious. You need to find a twenty year old Harry Potter."
Dumbledore smiled at his earthy friend. "I know. I simply wish that he existed."
Sprout asked, "How is he getting along?"
Minerva answered, "He is spending the holiday training at Hit Wizard level!"
Dumbledore added, "Harry is indeed improving his personal skills. His own needs are not a perfect match with our standard curriculums. He wishes to improve his fighting skills, learn transfiguration, charms and conjuring and legilimency well beyond NEWT level, as well as acquire a practical knowledge of healing. He should also learn about estate management, as he will acquire control of several large trusts in a few years.
Sprout asked, "What are you suggesting?"
"Harry is currently considering several options – Private tutors, or becoming a Wizard's Apprentice. In either event, I don't think that we can accommodate his needs as well as ask him to teach on a full-time basis. Perhaps he could be talked into continuing with his evening group."
Minerva asked, "What did you have in mind if he elects the Apprentice route?"
A physical conditioning program
Advanced conjuring
Advanced charms
Advanced transfiguration
Possibly potions later on
Battlefield healing
Stealth
Advanced fighting skills
Business management
Leadership skills
"What of Miss Granger, Weasley, and Bones?"
"Albus looked at Minerva closely before answering. "I don't know if they would be interested in similar programs, or if in Miss Bones' case, if she could afford it."
"I would volunteer several evenings a week if it would help," said Flitwick. Sprout and McGonagall quickly joined in.
"You don't need to volunteer. It may be better for everyone it the lessons were viewed as paid tutoring so there is no appearance of favoritism. Mr. Potter is also investigating the use of full-time tutors. It would be best if he makes his mind up this week regarding their use. Back to topic, I am considering approaching Director Bones regarding her loaning us Hestia Jones for a term. Perhaps we can talk to Mr. Potter next year." He thanked them for their input and wished them each a good day.
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"Absolutely not. Dumbledore," said Amelia. Three weeks ago, I would have agreed in a blink, but we have so few Aurors now that losing another would be a hardship for the others. We have a three year training program that we are trying to compress into one year. What about Moody?"
Dumbledore had considered his old friend. "I'm certain that he would do well with the older students, but I believe that the younger students may be a bit intimidated by him."
"Amelia asked the obvious question. "What about a part-time student teacher?"
Dumbledore's silver mustache quivered with laughter. "That option keeps coming up. I will have to consider it." On another subject, would it be possible for me to talk with Peter Pettigrew for a few minutes?"
"Of course. Are you planning on using Veritaserum?"
"No Legilimency. He can be interrogated later in the day if you wish.
We can go now. I will accompany you. They walked down to the holding cells. Pettigrew was in a cell be himself watched 24 hours a day by two Aurors.
Dumbledore sat in front of Pettigrew and started searching the edges of his memories – Being recruited by Malfoy, becoming secret keeper for the Potters, Lilly casting the spell, being found by an eleven year old Percy Weasley, evading Crookshanks, being confronted by Sirius and Remus, Voldemort's rebirth, various meeting with different Death Eaters, the evening preceding the attack on the Dursleys – Draco, Umbridge and two assassins Dumbledore tried to find a recollection of the evening prior to the attack at the Granger home. Apparently Pettigrew had not been there.
After five minutes the left the holding cell, leaving Pettigrew and his watchers in peace. Dumbledore told Bones to question Pettigrew regarding the Potters, Black, the attack on the Dursleys and the murder of Cedric Diggory.
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Harry and the teens found Remus in the cellar of the house. They told him of their plan to snatch Malfoy the next week and asked him if he could help them get some lightweight basic body armor. Remus suggested that they invest in Dragonhide vests that would be worn inside a shirt. They would absorb most jinxes.
"What about the muggle body armor that the police wear?"
"What are you trying to stop?"
"A killing curse or the Cruciatus curse. They're playing for keeps. I reckon that we might as well recognize that and be as prepared as we can."
Remus said that he would quietly investigate the options and get back to Harry in a day or so. Harry told him that he wanted the best available, and cost was not a consideration.
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Saturday night Harry asked Ginny if she wanted to go out and have dinner with him. She immediately agreed. Tonks walked with them as they walked down the three streets to the restaurants. Next to the Pizza hut was an Asian restaurant that they decided to try. Tonks ate a few tables over from them, wishing that they wouldn't exclude her, but understood that even in a large home like Harry's a few minutes of privacy was precious. She had shown Harry how to cast a silencing charm around their booth to use after their food had come.
They had fun fumbling with the sticks and making faces at each other. Half way into the meal Ginny asked, "Harry, would you be my boyfriend?"
"Of course. Would you be my girlfriend?"
"Of course. Harry, a lot of other girls keep chasing you. If you want to, I'd let you…"
"Stop. Ginny I don't care who is chasing me, and I can't ward the house against owls delivering knickers. I can't stop witches from waving their bits in my face. I don't encourage it, and I don't react to it. I can only think of one young lady that I'm interested in. She has pretty eyes, warm lips, and always thinks of others. I'm proud to know her."
"Why thank you Mr. Potter." She was desperately relieved.
"Ginny, we're not old enough or anywhere near ready to make love. Don't worry about that. I'd never ask you to do anything that wouldn't be right. I really like your company. I like when we sleep by each other. I like cuddling up on the couch with you. I love when you sing your little songs and you don't think anyone is listening. You're fun to be with, and you have a nasty wicked streak in you that I love to see come out every once in a while. I'm proud to be your boyfriend."
He continued. "I worry about you being publicly linked to me. I don't want you or your family to get hurt because of me. So we'll need to be careful there. Tonks has been helping me with that morph thing, and I should be able to disguise myself pretty well when we go out."
"Nice. So do I get to help you practice?" Ginny had a wicked gleam in her eye
Harry chocked on his hot and sour soup and started coughing. "I'm sorry. Strong soup."
"I said I'd help you practice if you want. Tonks told me that it would help if you had someone to practice with."
"I'd like that thanks."
"We should probably get back. She's been done a while now. Thanks for a nice dinner Harry."
On the way back Tonks poked Harry and said, "You really choked on your soup Harry. Most people set their chopsticks down and use the spoon."
"Very funny. Ginny offered to help me practice morphing."
A smile flashed on her face, and her crystal blue eyes sparkled. "That's a fabulous idea! I'll give her some pointers to help you with. We should have thought of that earlier. I bet Ginny would be good at helping you. Good night you two."
"Thanks Tonks. Goodnight."
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