Chapter 17

Monday – 21 August

Dumbledore sat in his office. He'd received the signed contract back from Anna Daily, knowing that she would become an exceptional potions instructor and head of house. She certainly knew her subject. More importantly she had a nurturing manner. He easily pictured her helping and coaching students rather than bullying or berating them. He had a conversation with the school governors and explained his plan for the Defense class. Surprisingly he'd met no resistance what so ever. He suspected that many of the governors had heard rumors of Harry's involvement in the captures of the different Death Eaters, and felt that a popular, young, light wizard who'd actually done something would be a good balance with the legendary Auror.

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Tuesday morning as Harry and the others were having breakfast, a flock of owls had gathered outside the window. Like last time, they took turns unattaching the sympathy messages addressed either to him or the Weasleys, and offering the owls treats. One in particular caught Harry's eye. He took the message from the owl and opened it.

Dear Mr. Potter.

I'm truly sorry to hear about the death of your friend Ron. He didn't deserve to die.

Delores Umbridge is hiding out at:

The Seaside Cottage

Williston Road

Yorkshire

To my knowledge she is there alone.

Good luck

The note hadn't been signed. He showed it to Hermione and Ginny. Just as he put it down, it burst into flames. Harry was amazed. Hermione smiled and said, "Obviously the person who sent it to you wanted you to know the information, but didn't want any evidence that they had told you. They used a simple incendiary charm set to activate after the note had been read. They probably weren't too skilled at magic, or they would have had it activate a few seconds after the parchment had been opened rather than after it had been set down. That way no one but you would have seen it."

Harry put his arm around his brilliant friend and gave her a friendly hug. "Thanks Hermione. You're amazing!" Hermione blushed, and then beamed at Harry, knowing that he was sincere. He smiled back, and said, "Let's find the others."

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After lunch Dumbledore came for their defense lesson. Unnoticed, he watched the four practicing silent moves using hand signs to communicate. They really did work well as a team. He had been happy when the Grangers had finally agreed to let Hermione participate in the apprentice program that he'd proposed. He felt certain that he'd designed enough flexibility into the program where their individual needs would be met.

"Good afternoon my friends. What are we rehearsing for this fine afternoon?"

Hermione told him of receiving the owl. She described in amazing detail the contents and style of the letter. Dumbledore was initially suspicious, but became less so after thinking about it. He asked, "Harry, could I trouble you to bring your pensive up here please?"

Harry went to get it. Dumbledore showed Hermione how to extract a copy of her memory and carefully place it into the bowl. Dumbledore watched very carefully. When he was done, he said, "I believe that the message is authentic. How are you planning on proceeding?"

Harry replied, "She will be a lot more difficult to capture, even if she is there. The cottage is likely to be warded. I think we should ask Tonks and Remus for help like we did with Malfoy. We don't know the area."

Dumbledore thought for a moment, and asked, "What did the owl that brought you the message look like?"

"It was an eagle owl, like the one that Draco Malfoy used."

Hermione understood and said, "What if the person who sent the message knows her? She might see the owl and assume that it was from that witch or wizard, and go out to get the message. Once she got out the door, we could get her just like we did with Marietta."

"Precisely."

Susan said, "We would have no way of knowing if there were others in the cottage. We would have to be extra careful when we go up to grab her."

Dumbledore fired a silver owl from his wand. A few minutes later Moody came to the door. Dumbledore explained what the four had in mind, and that they would need to practice covering techniques so they could approach a stunned Umbridge with a minimum of risk.

Hermione smiled at the two old wizards. "Why don't you two just get cell phones?" They all laughed, knowing that they young witch had a point.

Three hours later, the five of them came back from the park. As they came in, Molly said, "How nice that you were out enjoying the lovely day. Did you have fun at the park?"

"Yes, Mrs. Weasley," they said in unison. In truth, they were sore, bruised and exhausted. They went up to the third floor training room and took turns massaging each other's sore bodies.

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After dinner, Dumbledore came back and asked Harry to visit with him. They went up to the study and Dumbledore sealed the doors. After they had both found a comfortable place to sit among the Grangers piles of blueprints and other papers and each had their favorite beverage, Harry asked, "How can I help you Professor?"

Dumbledore began, "I have asked Alastor to teach defense this year. I have a concern that I would like your opinion on." Seeing Harry nod, Dumbledore continued, "Do you think he might be a bit too intimidating for the younger students, especially the first years?"

Harry laughed, "Professor, he was intimating to my uncle. Of course in that case, I think he'd meant to be. What did you have in mind?"

"I was wondering if you might consider helping Alastor with the younger students, in the role of a Teaching Assistant. Many of the universities have them – An older student operating under the tutelage of a professor. In your case, I'm certain that the younger students would relate better to your style than Alastor's."

Harry knew that he'd been set up. "I'd be happy to help you professor. Is there a list of responsibilities?"

Dumbledore replied, "I just happened to have jotted a few down. I have the paper with me here. You would be responsible for the first, no make that the first and second year classes. That would be a total of four classes. We can schedule them so they do not interfere with either your individual lessons or the lessons with the witches. You would of course be paid half of a starting teacher's salary, though I'm certain that isn't of primary importance to you. You will have full responsibility for both years, though I would ask that you confer with me, or any of the other professors if you are in doubt over a specific issue. If that were agreeable, I would have you review the agreement and make any changes that you feel to be needed. After you sign it, I would like to bring in the others and talk a bit more with you regarding the logistics of the apprenticeship program. We can work out the cost of the program during the term."

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After they had all gathered, Dumbledore conjured a chalkboard and the following schedule appeared. He gave them a moment to read it.

Schedule

Monday - Friday

5:30-6:30 - Physical conditioning

6:30 – 8:00 – Get dressed and have breakfast

Monday

8:00 - Noon

Hermione – Advanced Runes

Ginny – History of Magic

Susan - Healing

Harry – First year DADA

2:00 – 5:00 – Defense – Blocks & Shields

7:00 – 9:00 – Advanced Charms

Tuesday

8:00 – Noon

Hermione – Advanced Arithmancy

Ginny – Astronomy (classroom portion)

Susan - Healing

Harry – Second Year DADA

2:00 – 5:00 – Defense - Stealth

7:00 – 9:00 – Advanced Transfiguration

Wednesday

8:00 – Noon

Hermione - Finance

Ginny - Finance

Susan – Advanced Herbology

Harry – Finance

2:00 – 5:00 - Strategy

7:00 – 10:00 – Practical Potions

Thursday

Hermione – Independent Study

Ginny – Independent Study

Susan - Advanced Herbology

Harry - Leadership

2:00 – 5:00 - Attack Techniques

7:00 – 9:00 – Advanced Conjuring

Friday

8:00 – Noon

Hermione - Healing

Ginny - Healing

Susan - Mental Defenses

Harry – Mental Defenses

2:00 – 5:00

Hermione – Research

Ginny - Homework

Susan - Homework

Harry – Staff Meeting

Sunday Afternoon - DA

The schedules made sense both from the topics that they wanted to learn about together, and also topics that would meet their individual needs. After their individual questions were answered, Dumbledore continued.

"I have found suitable living space for each of you. The old student head of house scheme had a student from each house living in a common area. If you selected this option, each of you would have your own room and you would share a common room. Since you have a number of classes together, you would have the opportunity to work on them. Those rooms are located on the other side of the reception room that is off of the Great Hall. Harry, I believe that you were in that room, after having your name called to participate in the TriWizard Tournament."

"If you would prefer, you could retain your rooms in Gryffindor and Hufflepuff towers instead. Harry, you would have the option of living quarters in the Staff wing if you would prefer. I need to talk with Molly for a moment. I will leave you to discuss this among yourselves, and I will return in ten minutes."

Dumbledore returned a few minutes later. The teens had each voted on the quad arrangement. He told them that he felt it to be a better arrangement, as it would give them the chance to study and practice together.

"As such your status is no longer that of student. You will need to observe the regular rules with the following exceptions. You may leave the school grounds on Saturdays between 6 AM and 9 PM. You may also leave as situations develop by notifying me in advance. You do not have a curfew. You may wear the gray apprentice robes in addition to the regular black work robes. You may have guests in your common room subject to their own curfews. I would like you to arrive at the castle by noon on 28 August. Here is a portkey. Hermione can help to shrink your trunks. You may wish to purchase a different trunk if you would like to bring a few more things. Your sleeping rooms are not as large as the fine ones in Harry's home, rather about 2/3 the size."

He let them think about his message for a moment answered a few other questions, and bid them goodnight.

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Poppy had been checking up on the four both as a group and individually since the attack at the burrow. She was enjoying the opportunity so visit with each of them, and especially Susan and Harry. She was delighted that Susan had expressed an interest in being a Healer, and believed that the young witch possessed the kind and gentle nature that would give her a good rapport with the patients.

When she visited with Harry on Wednesday morning, she asked how things were going. Harry framed his answer around the witches, and their activities. Trying again, she asked, "And how are you?"

"It's been a summer of choices. My relatives were murdered. Suddenly I had the financial and legal means to take care of myself. I finally have clothing that fits. Ginny and Tonks came to live with me. I captured the man who betrayed my parents, and then Hermione and her parents came to live with me. I acquired some interesting skills, and then we captured a few Death Eaters. I lost two of my best friends, and gained some new ones. I killed five people. Professor Dumbledore offered me an apprenticeship, and a part time teaching position."

Harry had told her a number of things that she hadn't known, but hadn't really answered her question, or had he? Given what he'd just said, would she prefer that he say "I'm fine, no worries," or that he be a bowl of emotions. She tried a different approach. "Harry, you've had a year that you wouldn't wish on anyone. What can I do to make your life easier?"

Almost by reflex, Harry said, "Take care of Ginny. She misses him so much."

"She seems to be quite comfortable in your arms Mr. Potter." With a coy grin on her face she added, "Granted that's a place that many young witches would love to be. Are you two happy together?"

A smile that Poppy had never seen in the young man flashed on his face. She knew that Harry was not articulate in expressing his emotions, but he'd answered her question perfectly. "I'm very happy for you Harry. I'll simply suggest that you use prevention where necessary, and be respectful of each other's feelings. She's a lovely young woman."

"Madam Pomfrey. I really appreciate that you've always taken such good care of me. Thank you very much."

Poppy smiled. "As I told you before Harry, I would follow you to the gates of Hell and back. You are an outstanding leader, and a wonderful man. I'm proud to call you my good friend."

"Me too. Thanks."

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Tonks came by a few minutes later while the others were working with McGonagall. She had been gone a lot lately checking on leads regarding Umbridge and the other suspects. Harry was in an introspective mood. She led him up to her room. "Ready to get naked again?"

Harry didn't react. Instead he just started taking his shirt off.

Tonks put her hands on his shoulders, realizing that the last month of weight training had added muscle to the real Harry. Merlin he was put together. "Harry, what's wrong?"

"I was thinking about something."

She had him strip down to his boxers and she placed him face down on the massage table, rubbing healing massage oil into him. "So what were you thinking about?"

"Tonks, we trust each other right?"

"Right."

"So anything that we talk about stays in this room, right?"

"Right."

"Last June in the Department of Mysteries, after Bellatrix murdered Sirius, I chased her up into the lobby."

"You started to mention that before."

"Anyway, I wanted to kill her. I wanted to grind her into mush for what she did, but I couldn't do it right. I wanted to hurt her for what she did."

Tonks could see where this was going, but felt that Harry needed to say it, so she said nothing.

"I cursed her, but a few seconds later, she stood up and laughed at me."

"What were you having trouble with?"

"The Cruciatus curse."

Tonks said nothing for a moment. She didn't want to make light of an extremely troubling moment for her friend, but the reality was he didn't have the inert hatred in him to ever make it work, any more than she did. "What are you expecting me to say Harry? I'm not proud to hear that you tried it on her, but in the same circumstances I'd have tried the same thing myself. Torturing someone isn't a part of who we are Harry, and I have the greatest respect for you, but we're not cold-blooded murders."

She flipped him over and continued working on his bruises and scrapes. "Harry, I never went looking to take someone's life. It doesn't mean that I wouldn't do it in a heartbeat if it came to that. It means I've been lucky to have not been placed in some of the horrible situations that you have. I don't think any of the living Aurors except maybe Kingsley or Moody have come close to being placed in the hurricanes that you've been thrust into."

"Harry spell work is a bit like vocabulary I suppose. If you take the time to learn enough words, you don't have to resort to vulgar language. You can hurt her or kill her a dozen different ways without using the unforgiveables." Harry was in rough shape. He had enough black and blue marks to have it look like he'd been beaten, yet she knew that he'd gotten them all in fights or training. She could see that he was aching. "Do you want me to finish?"

Harry looked into her crystal blue eyes. He shook his head. "No thanks, but thanks. I'm thirsty. Tonks?"

She looked up for a moment.

"Thanks Sis."

He failed to notice the tears welling in her eyes.

Harry got dressed and they walked down to the kitchen. Harry poured her a glass of wine and a butterbeer for himself. They went back into the library and Harry sealed the door so the parents wouldn't overhear something. "Tonks, can I ask you a favor?"

"Of course."

"Would you and Remus help us again this Friday? Like last time?"

The reality was that she too would follow this young man anywhere. She only asked one word, "Who?"

"Umbridge."

"How?"

"We found her, or we think we did. Remus is surveying the area right now."

"That's the day after tomorrow. How can I help?"

Harry explained how they grabbed Marietta, and their concern that there might be someone else in the house.

Tonks composed her question for a moment. Regardless of his answer, she would help him. She just wanted to know. "Harry, are you trying to capture her or kill her?"

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The next day, Flitwick and McGonagall gave them a combined lesson on transfiguring objects that were being thrown at them. It was yet another variation on the other exercises designed to improve their quickness. After lunch, they both wished the teens good luck and talked a bit about the next term's lessons. After they left Remus went with them into the library and reviewed the diagrams and photos that he had taken. They would take a portkey to within a mile of the cottage and walk the rest of the distance. They would leave at 4:00 and hopefully be home before noon. Poppy and Dumbledore would be over by 5:00 AM. Harry would bring his cell phone and Remus would leave his in the Library in case they needed to call for backup.

If the Weasley or the Grangers happened to ask, Dobby and Winky would say that they had gone out on an errand with Remus.

They went to bed early in anticipation of an early morning.

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A light rain was coming down when Harry woke that morning at 3:00. He took a quick shower and dressed in jeans, trainers and a sweatshirt. As he was getting dressed, Ginny woke up. She was so beautiful, looking to Harry like an auburn haired angel. A few minutes later they met with the others with their knapsacks in the kitchen. Winky had made them a light breakfast of toast, juice and coffee. As always, Susan had a diet coke.

Ten minutes before four, Tonks and Remus arrived. They checked their gear, and took the portkey. Arriving, Remus said they were about a mile away from the cottage. Half way to the cottage, they were soaked by the rain. They hadn't used any spells to avoid setting off any of the wards that might be at the cottage. Like last time, Hermione was carrying the Eagle owl that Dumbledore had found for them. He'd had Harry show his memory of seeing the owl in a pensive, so he could find one that was a very close match.

Be 4:45 they were in position and well hidden. The cottage was dark, and they didn't know if anyone was there or not. They would have to wait and see.

They waited. The rain hadn't let up; in fact it was raining harder. Remus and Ginny were positioned by the back entrance, while Tonks and Hermione were on the side. Harry and Susan were by the front.

At 6:45 Hermione released the eagle owl. It flew to the front door by Harry and Susan and started tapping in the door. Tonks and Hermione started to move a few paced closer to the front as the owl was tapping on the door.

She tripped.

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