Chapter 27

Pandemonium

Pandemonium. Complete and utter pandemonium was the best way to describe it. Harry's little excursion to St. Mungo's had everyone in an uproar. The impromptu Order meeting Albus just finished had not gone well. Daily Prophet reporters, the Improper Use of Magic Office, St. Mungo's security, and the Order Members were all looking for Harry and looking to Albus for answers. Answers he did not have and couldn't give. From what Dumbledore had been able to piece together, Harry had responded to a request of a young girl, a Miss Kiley Kramer, to visit her sister who was ill. The family being a bit shocked to see him blew his cover and he hightailed it out of there. Of course, Harry being Harry had to break the underage magic statute first. Dumbledore sank his head on his desk and couldn't help but wonder if perhaps the giant squid would like some company - permanently.

St. Mungo's security was screaming about not being notified of Harry being in the building and demanded to be informed of any future visits. Seems one of their guards was trampled on by the crowd and now had 2 broken ribs. Albus assured them that previous to the visit, there was no reason to believe the visit would cause such chaos. He assured the hospital administration that he doubted Harry would be making any trips there in the future. Merlin, he hoped he was right.

Albus was most confused most about Harry's use of magic. It was unlike him to break rules for the sake of breaking them. He could not imagine why he would suddenly conjure flowers for the girls, a nice gesture, certainly, but not exactly worth breaking the law over. It was almost as if he had done it without thinking about it. What was worse is now the warning letters could not reach him; they could not be left at a drop box. Malfalda had thrown a fit until Dumbledore told her he would deliver it personally. With his guarantee, she agreed to once more keep Fudge out of it, but should there be another occurrence, especially with such trivial magic, she warned him she would not be able to keep it off of Fudge's desk.

He was also confused about what Harry was doing there in the first place. He had rarely been heard from, nonetheless seen since his disappearance. How could Remus let him just go there? He knew Harry had to be protected. He even knew why. The mob that quickly gathered was astonishing. In less then five minutes after he had been unceremoniously announced, there were at least 50 people and 3 reporters cramming into the ward. What in Merlin's name were they thinking? What if it had been a trap?


Number 12 Grimmauld Place was in such an uproar that even the shrieking portrait of Mrs. Black could not be heard over the commotion. Several of the members had gone to Hogwarts to try to make sense of the commotion. There were reports coming in from various members that there were rumors that Harry started a riot at St. Mungo's, and that he thumbed his nose at the ministry.

While they waited for some answers, Mrs. Weasley could not help but be dismayed at the turmoil. She knew the shy dark haired boy would never deliberately start a commotion. She was concerned about Harry's well being. Why was he at St. Mungo's? What if he was injured? What if Remus was and there was no one with him to protect him now? Would Harry come back on his own? She wished things could be easier on the adopted Weasley.


Harry was a bit stunned by his public appearance, so to speak. He couldn't believe the reaction of the girls nor the crowd that had gathered when he was outted. He had thought things were difficult when he went to Diagon Alley his first year. He could not imagine what would happen now. Every time Remus tried to engage him in conversation he just replied uh-huh.

Remus left Harry to his musings, as he went to find Mikhail. He found him hiding out in the kitchen. "How's the celebrity?"

"In shock I think," Remus chuckled.

"I would imagine so ... I had no idea. I mean I knew that he was well known but ..."

Remus cut him off, "It has never been like that before ... I mean he's usually recognized and pointed at, but mobbed ... that's new. What on earth is going on?"

Mikhail shook his head. "I have no idea but I'm thinking we need to keep up a bit more on current events ..."

"That's a bit of an understatement although I don't think we'll be planning on any trips out soon. Think you could grab some of the papers and other publications tomorrow?"

"Sure. I think we all need to know what's going on especially since I'm sure this little outing will be mentioned."

Remus rolled his eyes and answered sarcastically. "Do you think so?" Remus beamed proudly. "He handled himself great though, don't you think? No errs, or ahs, he sounded like the hero he is when he spoke to that family. When did he grow up? Become so mature?"

Mikhail chortled. "You haven't been watching him lately have you? Take a good look," he pointed to Harry who was using his Occlumency training to calm his mind. He needed the help to allow him to adjust to the change in public opinion. Remus was stunned. He would never have imagined a 16-year-old boy responding so maturely. He expected exciting hopping and braggers rights; his father and godfather certainly would have. 'Thank you Lily!', he thought.

Remus puffed up proud if a bit sad, "He's really coming into his own, isn't he?" he asked rhetorically.

Mikhail grew serious a moment. "You know we do have a slight problem though..."

Remus looked at him blankly.

"The flowers..." Mikhail prompted.

Comprehension dawned on Remus. "Bloody hell ... "

Harry sat down after supper to write a short apology to the Kramers. Although he wasn't quite sure he understood it, he felt terrible about the chaos that ensued once his presence was known. He could only imagine the harassment they would go through. He had only wanted to make the little girl a bit happier, not disrupt her care. He only hoped Rita Skeeter wasn't one of the reporters assigned to the story. He also hoped they would leave the poor family alone quickly. With the little girl so ill, they had enough difficulties.

He finished the letter and called Hedwig to him as she spent most of her time outside. This was probably due to all the summer holidays at the Dursleys where she was locked up. "Here girl," Harry called. "I finally have a letter for you. I know you haven't been used very much, but the Order knows you and I can't have them tracking you."

He tied the letter to her leg. "Take this to the Kramers at St. Mungo's, girl, and be extra nice to Kali if you see her, okay?"

Hedwig hooted in reply and flew off toward the ever darkening horizon.

Harry sighed. "Wow, what a day,' he thought.