Chapter 14
Dan was sitting outside in the covered veranda in the back garden when he noticed the young Auror pull up a chair. He smiled at her, and said, "Good morning, Tonks. How are you? Can I get you a coffee?"
Tonks was pleased to have been invited to enjoy the lovely weather, rather than sit by herself. "Good morning, Dr. Granger. Please. I'm fine thank you."
"It's Dan, please. I understand that you have known Hermione and Harry for a while now?"
Tonks replied, "Yes sir. I met Harry and your daughter last summer when they were visiting at Mr. Black's home."
Dan looked at the young Auror. Her looks reminded him of the American actress, Meg Ryan, blonde, with a pageboy cut. He realized that he might be seeing her real look or simply the look that she had established for the day.
Anticipating his unspoken question, she replied, "Yes, this is my real look. I'm grateful to have the opportunity to just be myself for a few weeks. Jamie and I wanted to thank you and your family for being so accommodating with us. Most times we have bodyguard duty, we're treated like domestics, or worse."
Dan felt compelled to ask, "Have you ever lost a client?"
Tonks looked him in the eye, and replied, "No sir, and I have no intention of changing that trend with Harry, or your family. He means too much to us, sir."
Dan was puzzled by her words. "What do you mean?"
Tonks sat up straight, sipped her coffee and replied, "Harry's about six years younger than me, so much of what I'm telling you is information that I've heard from others. When Harry was about a year old, Voldemort attacked him and his parents. They were killed, but Harry did something miraculous that sent Voldemort away for thirteen years. Baby Harry was hit dead on with a killing curse and he lived. Beyond that, the curse bounced off him and hit Voldemort, ending a war. Before that, Voldemort and his follower had murdered hundreds of innocent people. Harry is famous in our world, known as the-boy-who-lived. With Voldemort back, a lot of people are looking to Harry to somehow get rid of Voldemort again."
Dan replied, "Pardon my asking, but you're in law enforcement and Harry's in school. Why not take an army of officers up against Voldemort, or have the military just drop a bomb on his house? Is he human? The British government has snipers that could target him. Why involve Harry?"
"I don't have an answer to your question, sir. Most magical people never think of non-magical solutions as being valid. I will take those suggestions to my supervisor. They seem reasonable."
Dan sipped his coffee for a moment and added, "Harry said something about a prophecy."
Tonks grew ridged and replied, "Sir that is the equivalent of a state secret. I ask that you say nothing more about it to anyone."
"But…"
"Please sir, people have been killed over that prophecy, and people have gone to prison over it. If you know anything about it, or Harry is in anyway involved with it, please don't say anything. It's that important."
Dan put his cup down and replied, "I'm sorry. I thought you would have known."
"Please, sir…"
"I'm sorry."
"No worries, sir. Good morning Hermione. Where's sleepyhead?"
She smiled at Tonks playful banter and answered, "Still sleeping and dreaming, I suppose."
Tonks winked and said, "Pleasant dreams, I hope."
Hermione nodded, "Lord knows, he's had enough crappy ones. Is there more coffee?"
Tonks handed her a cup, "Right here. Oops. Sorry."
Hermione smiled at her. "Don't worry about it." She went to get a cloth. By the time she came back, Tonks had cleaned up the spill with a spell, and had poured Hermione a fresh cup.
"Thanks."
"My pleasure. What are your plans for the day? Are you going to take Harry back to the beach, or do something else?"
"Mum and I were going to go shopping for new outfits. Would you like to come with?"
"If you go in the morning, I'd love it. I have to stay by Harry in the afternoon."
Dan replied, "I had made tee time reservations for Harry and I at one. Would that work out?"
"Perfect," replied Hermione. "We'll be back in time to go for early lunch together."
"We'll meet up at eleven then," said Dan.
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Back at Hogwarts, as she was having breakfast, Minerva was happily remembering Harry's birthday party. She had been delighted to receive the invitation from Hermione. She was delighted to have been included on his short list of friends, happy to have actually spent time with him, and relieved that he held no grudge against her. Most of all, she'd been pleased that he'd been able to spend some time being a teenager without the weight of the world resting on his shoulders.
She'd witnessed his lightning fast reflexes and was grateful that Fred and Tonks hadn't been on the short end of a tragedy. She'd witnessed that he had the undivided ear of the new Minister of Magic, and realized that in a few short years, he would most likely attain his place of power within the wizarding world.
She rethought her career discussion with him. There weren't many millionaire policemen in the world, probably none who were multi-millionaires. Little did she realize that her estimate of his wealth was only a small fraction of his holdings. She was still angry at Dumbledore for interfering with Harry and manipulating others to do his bidding to control him.
At that moment, she had an epiphany – manipulating others – her, Tonks, Kingsley, Snape, the Grangers. The pieces began falling into place. 'Snape would do anything that Albus suggested without hesitation'. Dumbledore had sent her and Tonks on an errand to go collect Harry from the Grangers, but Bones had put a stop to it.
Dumbledore had sent Kingsley to go find Harry. Kingsley took it a bit to far costing him his position as Senior Auror, and probably the Directorship position that Hammer had been given.
Dumbledore had probably sent Snape to visit the Grangers in that disgusting garb,…and something had gone horribly wrong. 'But why was Malfoy there?' she wondered. He wasn't a full fledged Death Eater yet.
Then it made sense. He was there because he wasn't a Death Eater. Snape had to bring someone along to be convincing. Death Eaters never attacked alone. It hadn't been a sanctioned raid, so Snape didn't want to risk using a real Death Eater and getting found out. So he recruited one of his students, Draco Malfoy to accompany him.
And then something went horribly wrong. They were spotted. No, that didn't make sense. The whole point would to have been seen and demonstrate the risk to their safety, then for Snape to escape after inflicting some minor property damage.
No, the Malfoy boy must have engaged Michael Wood in a fight, and somehow one or the other killed him. Probably Malfoy, he never could exercise any real finesse. Snape would have simply stunned him and gotten cleanly away.
Except they were seen. Had they left immediately after killing Michael, they would have gotten cleanly away. Draco probably began exercising some sort of bloodlust frenzy. Potter and Hermione were outside, and hadn't been trapped in the house that Malfoy was attempting to burn down. They saw the two Death Eaters and defended their home.
'Albus, what have you done?' There was no way to prove it, but she was certain that each of the pieces fit. She recalled the American President ordering the break in a few years back, and how it unraveled, horribly dividing a nation. There was no paper trail in this case, and the people in the middle were dead.
It probably seemed like a prank at the time, hardly worse than the Malfoy boy and his idiot friends dressing up as dementors to scare Potter, but it had gone horribly wrong.
But what to do about it? He had clearly not stepped up and accepted responsibility for his action, probably rationalizing that it was a greater good situation again. She was certain that she could no longer follow him, she wasn't certain that she was willing to work for him. Should she resign from the Order, or call for his resignation? Clearly they were the right things to do.
But would either action help their struggle against Voldemort? Dumbledore might be destined to defeat him, Potter might, she didn't know for sure. Dividing the light side right now would do them no good.
Perhaps he had an explanation? A hundred years service to the light side certainly would earn him the right to speak on his own behalf.
"Good morning, Minerva."
Startled, she nearly jumped out of her seat. Regaining her composure, she simply replied, "Albus."
"What are your plans for the day, Minerva?"
"I wanted to talk with you, if you have the time."
Dumbledore looked at his pocket watch for a moment and replied, "As it turns out, I do. What shall we talk about?"
Without pausing, Minerva queried, "Who directed that Snape go visit the Grangers that evening?"
Deciding to tell a truth, Dumbledore replied, "I had inquired if Voldemort had any idea where Harry may have been staying after the deaths of Harry's relatives. Severus replied that Riddle was looking for Harry but had not yet found him. I knew it was but a matter of time until he took up attacking Harry's friends' houses. I asked Severus if he would visit the Granger residence to check on the security.
"And?"
"Obviously things went very, very wrong. For some inexplicable reason, Severus invited Malfoy to accompany him, and I'm certain that you are aware of the rest."
Pushing herself, Minerva asked, "Had you suggested that Snape visit the Granger home in the middle of the night wearing Death Eater garb?"
Smoothly, Dumbledore replied, "No. I made no such suggestion. He said that he would take care of it. Those were the last words that he spoke to me." In reality, he had specifically requested that Snape wear his Death Eater garb, which implied that he do it at night, but he had never suggested bringing the Malfoy boy or engaging a ministry Hit Wizard in a firefight.
Minerva wasn't sure what to say. His story regarding Snape was too convenient. She could think of no logical reason that Snape would interpret a request of "Why don't you go check up on Harry?" as direction to go out, find an accomplice, and commit murder.
Digging a bit further, she asked, "Why did he interpret your instructions so badly?"
Adjusting his half moon spectacles, Dumbledore replied, "I wish I knew. He had a lifetime of precision when it came to following instructions."
"My point, exactly. Are you going to wait and see if it blows over, or take some proactive action?"
Looking directly at her, Dumbledore asked, "What are you suggesting?"
This was one of the hardest conversations that she had ever been in. She looked at him carefully, took a breath, then replied, "I think you need to tell the Order what really happened, and consider a reorganization. From the moment that term ended, the actions by the members of the Order have been poorly executed, divisive, and have jeopardized lives and careers. Albus, don't let this degrade into a vote of no confidence. Further, I think you owe an apology and an explanation to Harry and the Grangers. You can decide for yourself with respect to the Ministry."
Dumbledore got up to leave. "Thank you for your very candid remarks, Minerva. I shall of course consider your recommendations very carefully. Enjoy your day." He was both hurt by her comments, and impressed that she would find the courage to utter the words to him.
In truth, the Order was in complete disarray. His only surprise was that he hadn't yet received any resignations. The succession of leadership in the Order was obvious to him, but he felt that Harry was a year away from being ready.
Overall Dumbledore was still disappointed in Harry's behavior over the summer holiday. He had exposed himself and others to needless risk.
At the same time, Dumbledore realized that he couldn't expect to Harry to make decisions as if he had a hundred years of perspective to draw from. It had been a long time since he had been sixteen. Dumbledore wasn't sure that he would have done any better himself.
Given that Harry's number one detractor within the Order was gone, maybe the time had come to invite the next generation. He would consult with Alastor tomorrow.
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Tonks enjoyed watching Harry and Dan banter back and forth as they made their way around the back nine of the course that they had found. Dan had bought them several beers and their play had loosened up somewhat. Mulligans became the norm, as did improvements to the lay of the ball. Regardless of the slight infractions to the rules as defined by the Royal and Ancient, the two men were having a great time, and obviously enjoyed each other's company.
The course was not long, barely 6,000 yards, so they hit irons from most of the tee boxes. Harry was not a long ball hitter, but had an amazing amount of control for a first year golfer.
Both men had good short games. From 50 yards in, they were nearly a match for each other. As such, playing a short course, proved a significant advantage for Harry. As such, after seventeen holes, with the four strokes a side that Dan had given Harry, they were dead even. The eighteenth hole was a short par four, about 280 yards with a narrow fairway sand bunkers guarding the green.
Dan hit off first with his three iron. He hit the ball 180 yards, but landed to the right of the fairway in the second cut. "You're up," he said to Harry.
Harry pulled his two iron from the bag, teed the ball a bit higher than normal and hit about 160 yards. The ball rolled true and was nearly even with Dan, but in a better position. "Good shot," said, Dan.
"Thanks," replied Harry, knowing that Dan had meant it.
In truth, the second cut would be considered long rough at most courses. Dan played a five iron and swung harder than he liked. The ball carried, but was 30 yards from the pin. He quipped, "I was lucky that I even found it in this mess."
Harry smiled at him. His own ball was sitting well in the short grass. He hit a four iron and to his amazement, was on the back edge of the green. "Excellent," remarked Dan. "You should be able to two put that for a par if you set it up."
"I hope so," replied Harry, less confident of the technique than Dan.
Dan hit his third shot and landed about seven feet from the pin. "Wow," remarked Harry. "You did that really well." Dan smiled, knowing that Harry was being sincere.
Harry took his first put. His goal was to get close to the pin. His stroke was sure. He ended up about two feet away, and marked his ball with a knut. Dan took aim and lipped the cup ending up about two feet away. They each made their last shot, and felt very pleased with themselves. "Good game," remarked Dan.
"You too. Thanks for the great day. Lets go get Hermione and Emma. I'll buy dinner."
"You're on," remarked Dan.
Tonks looked on in wonderment as she followed behind them. She couldn't believe the change in Harry. Gone was the smart mouthed little kid that she had helped escort to Grimmauld place a summer ago. In his place was a young man with a quick wit and a truly charming smile. His eyes could win the heart of any witch that he wanted, yet she was certain that his heart was spoken for. There was no doubt in her mind that every young woman in the French Riviera could parade in front of him naked and he would only be thinking of Hermione.
Equally important he had found a parent and a friend in Dr. Granger. She respectfully disagreed with Dumbledore. Harry may have been safer locked away in the castle for the summer, but he was having the opportunity to live a life with the Grangers. If what Dr. Granger had let slip was true and the Prophecy did concern Harry, he deserved a shot at life before facing that monster again. He also deserved all of the help that she and the rest of the light side could give him.
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When the got back to the villa, Hermione was beside herself, holding up two parchment envelopes. "They're finally here" she squeaked excitedly.
"Open yours first," said Harry. Hermione didn't need to be asked twice. Harry heard a squeak of joy. "I did it," she cried.
"Huh?" asked Harry, guessing the answer, but wanting to give his love the pleasure of saying it.
"Straight Os. Fourteen. I'm so happy."
"You deserve it. You worked so hard. I'm very proud of you."
"Thanks," she said wrapping herself around him, and kissing every part she could see. After a minute she untangled herself from him and said, "Go ahead. Open yours."
Harry did, and to his surprise had also done rather well. He got twelve in total including an extra third owl in Defense! He said "I got 3 Os in Defense and 2 in Charms, 2 Es each in Transfiguration and Potions and an E in Magical Creatures. I also passed Astronomy and Herbology."
Hermione replied, "That's fantastic. What does your second sheet say?"
"Dunno. Take a look." He handed the envelope to her. Hermione carefully scanned the sheet.
Dear Mr. Potter
Congratulations on your exceptional OWL results. You have received the highest score ever recorded in Defense. You are eligible to take the following classes:
NEWT level
Defense
Transfiguration
Charms
Potions
Herbology
Practical level
Runes
Arithmancy
Healing
Muggle Studies
Home Management
Best wishes,
Griselda Marchbanks
Director Magical Examinations Board
Hermione said, "There's also a third sheet."
Dear Mr. Potter
Congratulations on your fine examination results. In addition the topics listed, I would like to offer you the opportunity to be tutored in the following topics:
Occlumency
Asset Management
Auror level dueling
Apparition
Specialized transfiguration
The additional fees for the other topics will be quite manageable. As such, I would recommend that you consider the following topics and activities:
Newt level
Transfiguration
Charms
Asset Management
Occlumency
Apparition
Auror Level Dueling
Elective – Up to one other class of your choosing.
I would also ask you to consider leading your wonderful Defense practice group, under the sanction of an authorized school club.
Sincerely
Albus Dumbledore
"What does yours say?" asked Harry.
"Will you read them for me?" asked Hermione. She handed Harry the pages.
Dear Miss Granger,
Congratulations on your outstanding test results. They are reflective of the hard work that each of your professors indicated that you put forth.
You are eligible to take any course that Hogwarts offers including:
NEWT Level
Transfiguration
Charms
Defense
Potions
Runes
Arithmancy
Practical level
Runes
Arithmancy
Healing
Muggle Studies
Home Management
Best wishes,
Griselda Marchbanks
Director Magical Examinations Board
"There's also a third sheet inviting you to be a sixth year prefect and a prefect badge. Congratulations. You should go show Dan and Emma."
"Show us what?" asked Emma.
"Your brilliant, beautiful daughter's fantastic test results," remarked Harry with obvious love and admiration.
Emma looked at them first then handed them to Dan. She said, "Hermione, that is really fantastic. Professor McGonagall indicated that on average not more than one student in fifty years runs the table like you did with all Os. Congratulations. Dan and I know how hard you have worked for this, and how much it means to you. We'd hug and kiss you, but it would probably mean more coming from Harry." She smiled at Harry and asked, "How did you do, dear?"
"Brilliant," replied Hermione. "Harry got twelve Os including the highest score ever recorded on one of the subjects."
In it's own light, Dan thought that Harry's result was equivalent to Hermione's. He asked, "How long have they been keeping the scores?"
"Over six hundred years," replied Hermione. That's the best score of over twenty thousand students.
Harry hoped it would be good enough.
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After lunch they went to the beach in front of the Promenade. Rather than use towels on the pebble beach, they rented loungers. It was fantastic. The sky was cloudless, and the water was so blue.
Hermione and Tonks took Harry up to the edge of the water. Harry was amazed. He had never seen the ocean before that week. The immensity was almost overwhelming. Hermione had previously explained that the water in the Mediterranean was typically warmer than the Atlantic. He walked into the water a few feet. Not as warm as the Granger's heated pool, he felt the water rushing against his shins then back again with the waves. It felt remarkable.
"We don't have to go out any farther than you want to," said Hermione, knowing that Harry was still new to swimming.
Tonks was confused. She had seen Harry dive into a lake two years ago, swim with the merpeople and bring his friend Ron and a little girl out of a deep lake. Was Hermione implying that he barely knew how to swim?
They waded out farther until the water was chest high. Harry felt strangely buoyant in the water. The specific gravity of salt water had not been covered in the primary school that he had attended, but he knew that he could easily float in this water, whereas he always had to keep moving in the pool. He looked over at the two women, smiled and said, "This is great!"
Sensing that things were OK, Tonks paddled a bit away to give them some space together. Like little seals, they swam around each other, first a bit apart, then back together again holding each other's arm for support.
After they had swum and clung and floated and nuzzled, they found Tonks and kept her company for a bit before going back in.
"How's the water?" asked Emma, who'd had fun watching them together.
"Brilliant!" replied Harry. "It was easier to float than the pool and I could feel the power of the sea."
"See any mermaids?" quipped Dan.
Harry looked over at him with a confused look on his face. "Are there merpeople around here?" he asked.
This time it was Dan who had a confused look. Hermione smiled at the situation and replied, "Dad, there really are mermaids and mermen. Harry has swum with them."
Dan nodded and muttered, "This is like dragons. Isn't it? Everybody gets to see them but me."
Emma patted his shoulder and replied, "Sorry, dear."
Harry smiled, and said, "I'll ask the goblins to show you the dragons next time we go to Gringotts. You wouldn't want to meet one out in the wild."
Dan smiled at the teen that he had come to love and replied, "Thanks." He thought about the comment that Harry had made, and realized that he was right. Perhaps I should be careful what I wish for, he thought to himself.
After they left the beach, they changed clothing and walked around the walkway for a while and had a quiet dinner. Jamie had met up with them they told her about their day.
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When they had got back to the Villa, Hermione found Harry and they sat out by the pool together in the fading light. Hermione said, "When mum and I were out shopping, I found a wizarding shop. I bought us something that we can try."
"What's that?" asked Harry, hoping that she hadn't found the French version of the Weasley joke shop.
With a wicked smile on her face, she replied, "Gillyweed. The water is so warm and clear here, I bet it would be fantastic to try. Maybe you could rescue me again."
Harry smiled back, and said, "I'd be very willing to try. What did you have in mind?"
"There's the Neptune beach few miles away. It's supposed to be less crowded and we could go there tomorrow if you'd like. It has a reef so we would probably see some fish."
"It sounds like you've done your homework. Should we go early or sleep in?"
Having anticipated his question, Hermione replied, "Early I think."
Harry thought the whole idea sounded great. He asked, "Do you think Tonks would come with us?"
Hermione nodded and replied, "We could get mum to take us about eight. I think she'd appreciate being asked."
"Did you get enough for everyone?"
Hermione nodded an affirmation, and said, "It was very reasonably priced. How much did you take in the lake?"
"Dobby gave me a hunk about the size of a golf ball. It lasted about an hour. It hurt for about a minute at the beginning and end, but I could see better and swim much easier in addition to breathing under water. It took about a minute to work."
Comparing Harry's answer to what she had purchased, Hermione declared, "I probably have enough for six uses."
Harry replied, "You'll like it. The Hogwarts lake was really deep, dark and cold. I went in February. You must have froze being at the bottom of the lake that long. Could you see anything?"
Hermione shook her head and replied, "Not a thing. We were asleep the entire time. I don't even remember going into the water. This will be great."
With a darker look on his face, Harry asked, "Did anyone in the shop recognize you?"
Sure of herself on this issue, Hermione replied, "No. I just showed the shopkeeper my wand. He didn't ask my name or anything. I paid him two Galleons, and left right after."
"Good. That was a great idea to get some. We'll have a lot of fun. Maybe I'll see a mermaid like the one in the prefect bathroom."
She kissed him on the cheek. "Who knows what you'll see under the water, Mr. Potter. She gave him another hug and whispered, "Good night, Harry. Thanks for a wonderful day."
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Back at number 12 Grimmauld Place, Dumbledore called the meeting to order. "Good evening. Thank you for coming on short notice. I have a few announcements to make."
.-.-
A/N
Things are starting to unravel for Dumbledore.
Could Gillyweed work on Dan or Emma?
Could the court impound all of the Malfoy money? Would Gringotts honor the court order, if issued?
ColorofAngles' story Life happens is interesting. 2375816