Grimmauld Place
"Ron!" Ginny shouted in Ron's ear. Ron started and looked at his sister.
"What?" Ron asked. His fiery red hair was messy and sticking in all directions. He was quite tall and slightly on the skinny side. He glared at Ginny. Ginny had long red hair, just as bright as his own. She had sparkling blue eyes that showed a spark of cheekiness. She was quite pretty though Ron didn't think so, she was his baby sister. Well, no, she was only a year younger then him but still!
"Dinner is ready." Ginny said.
"Oh, why didn't you say." Ron said getting up. Ginny pushed him back onto his bed.
"But we're not eating it now, cause Harry and Hermione and that lot are late and there's an Order meeting." Ginny said. Ron looked at her slightly annoyed.
"What?" Ron asked.
"Harry and-"
"No, about the food?" Ginny laughed.
"We can't have it yet" Ron asked.
"Order meeting and mum doesn't want us to eat up here and without the Potters, Blacks, Lupins, Grangers and whoever else she's invited for dinner." Ginny said tiredly. She sat down on the spare bed in the room, it was usually reserved for Harry. "It's so boring here." Ginny sighed, "I can't even send an owl to Dean" She said with a scowl. Ron glowered at her.
"I hope he's treating you ok. If he does anything wrong just tell me" Ron said. Ginny laughed.
"He's ok Ron." Ron's eyes narrowed as there was a crashing noise from downstairs.
"ORION!" came April Black's voice.
"Sorry mum!" Orion shouted. He sounded like he was right outside the room. The door opened and Orion stood in the doorway. "Ginny!" He shouted.
"Orion!" Ginny shouted back. Ron rolled his eyes. "How are you doing?" Ginny asked.
"Hiding from mum. I just accidentally...pushed...Hermione...into...Kreacher's little den thing" He said innocently. Ron's eyes widened.
"Is she ok?" He asked.
"Yeah, she's fine. It's just she might kill me when she sees me...so, Ginny, your hair please" Orion said holding out his hand. Ginny put a hand to her hair.
"No, why?" Ginny asked. Orion shrugged.
"Is Bo around?" He asked.
"No but-"
"Orion!" Harry shouted. Kaylee and Jessie appeared in the doorway. Orion turned around and pulled Ginny in front of him.
"Hey!" Ginny said. Jessie and Kaylee sighed.
"Mum wants you, Orion." Kaylee said with a cheeky smile. Ron gave Orion a smirk.
"Of you go. Go and face the big bad Auror mum." Ron said.
"Go away." Orion said. Ron gave him a smile and Orion trudged out of the room to his death. Harry and Hermione entered a few minutes later.
"Hi." Hermione said with a smile. Ron grinned and Ginny smiled slightly.
"Hi." Ron replied.
"How has your summer been?" Hermione asked, sitting next to Ginny.
"Rubbish." Ginny complained. Hermione gave Ginny a sympathetic look. Harry was wondering around the room. Every inch of this house...he hated it. He wanted to go back to Godric's Hollow. If not Hogwarts. Ron watched his best friend as he appeared to be searching for something. Ron opened his mouth when Hermione got his attention and shook her head. Ron looked at her and frowned. Ginny saw Hermione as well and stood up.
"I'm going to go and say hi to Emma and Rhia."
"Kara's here as well." Harry muttered. He went to the space that Ginny had vacated and sat down. Ginny nodded and left the room and closed the door behind her.
"Harry, you all right mate?" Ron asked Harry. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Not bad I suppose." Harry muttered. "I feel slightly annoyed" He said in a forced voice. He glanced over at Hermione as he said it. She gave him an encouraging smile. Ron frowned slightly.
"What-"
"Hermione's trying to make me...'express my feelings'" Harry said, taking the mickey out of Hermione slightly.
"And how do you feel about that Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Annoyed." Harry said, "I have a right to keep what I feel inside."
"Not if it's going to make you snap and get angry all the time." Hermione snapped back. Harry looked like he wanted to snap back at her but waved a hand,
"It's not worth it." Harry muttered. Hermione's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So what's been happening here lately Ron?" Hermione asked, turning to Ron. "You were a bit vague in your letters" Hermione said.
"Yeah, I was wondering that too." Harry muttered. He put his chin in the palm of his hand and looked at Ron. Ron sighed.
"Well, nothing much has happened really." Ron said. "The Order's been really active recently though. Ginny and I managed to get some information out of Jenny-"
"Jenny was here?" Harry asked. Ron nodded. "How is she?" Harry asked. Ron scowled.
"Thin. A bit too thin really and she looked rather pale." Ron said. "She doesn't look good-ow" Hermione stamped on Ron's leg to shut him up.
"Harry doesn't need to be reminded of that right now." Hermione said.
"Oh yeah, sorry" Ron said. "But anyway-"
"I know it's my fault." Harry said.
"It's not your fault" Ron and Hermione said at the same time. Harry looked at both of them with a frown.
"Anyway, as I was saying. Apparently, you mum, Harry, has been complaining of headaches recently and Dumbledore doesn't seem to think they're normal headaches." Ron said. Harry scowled again.
"What does that mean then?" Harry asked.
"Well, we didn't get much but Jenny also said that April's been really worked up recently as well."
"Well obviously she's going to be worked up." Hermione said. "She's a rank II auror!"
"No, I mean like, she's really anxious and slightly twitchy. You should have seen her yesterday. April was all over the place. She nearly curse the hell out of Ginny. Sirius had to clamp her arms down and James had to disarm her. There's something wrong with her" Ron said seriously. Harry sat up straight while Hermione put a hand over her mouth.
"You're joking." Harry said.
"No, seriously, She's like a female Moody. She's suspicious of everything." Ron said. "It's like she expects something really big to happen."
"Big like what?" Hermione asked. Ron shrugged.
"How am I supposed to know. That's all we managed to get out of Jenny before she fainted." Hermione gasped.
"She fainted?" Ron nodded. "Is she ok?"
"Yeah, Lily is looking after her." Ron said with a scowl.
"Merlin, it is my fault. If I wasn't so st-" Hermione got up as Harry stood up.
"You say that again Harry and I swear, the moment we get on the school train, I will kill you." Hermione said.
"That's a bit harsh isn't it?" Ron asked.
"It's driving me crazy!" Hermione said. "Harry, it's not your fault. Voldemort tricked you, you're only human!" Harry looked at Hermione for a moment then at Ron.
"I'm going to go and find dad." Harry said leaving the room.
"Well done Hermione." Ron muttered.
"Well it's true." Hermione said crossing her arms across her chest. "He is only human."
Dinner was quite in interesting affair. They had Emma and Kara singing quietly some lyrics that they were making up with Rhia scribbling it down. They weren't actually eating at all. Harry and Ron were discussing quidditch with Hermione looking rather fed up with the conversation. So she'd started talking to Lily about future Career possibilities.
"I have considered being a Healer but the training seems so hard-" Hermione said as Lily smiled slightly. Orion was sitting with Ginny, they were also talking about quidditch and were soon pulled into a conversation that involved Harry, Ron, James and Sirius. And as usual, Kaylee was pretty much talking to herself as Jessie stayed silent and laughed occasionally at something that Kaylee said. April, as usual was feeling rather trapped. She didn't know why, but recently she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was going to happen. At first, when Voldemort had attacked the ministry, she'd thought it'd go but it remained. After a while she began to think that something was going to happen to her. After what had happened to Remus, April had been incredibly cautious.
April. Hissed a voice in her head.
"Did you say something Sirius?" April asked Sirius. Sirius looked at her slightly confused and amused.
"No." Sirius said. April nodded and rubbed her head. "Are you ok?" He asked, taking her hand.
"I'm fine." April said. "I just thought I heard something, that's all." April said. Sirius nodded and kissed April's cheek. He went back into his debate with Ron, Harry, Orion and Ginny. April looked across the table to Lily. Lily was looking at her with a concerned look. April could read the thoughts going through her head. She had heard voices to, so it wasn't just April.
"Um, Hermione, sorry, but I need to talk to April quickly. I suggest that you carry on with S.P.E.W. It sounds like a good idea. I'll tell some people at work about it." Lily said with a smile. Hermione grinned and then turned back to the boys. Lily nodded to the door and April got up.
"Are you ok?" Lily asked April in a hushed voice when they were in the hall. April shrugged.
"I have no idea." April said, "You're hearing voices as well?" Lily scowled.
"You read me?" Lily asked
"Sorry, I couldn't help it." April said.
"Yes, I am hearing voices. It's like-"
"When we took our NEWTs" April finished for Lily. Lily nodded.
"You don't think its that thing-"
"It can't be. That was nearly twenty years ago," April said. "And it stopped after Voldemort's first attack on us." Lily scowled and ran a hand nervously over a lock of her hair.
"I know but it can't hurt to think about it can it?" Lily asked.
"What do you think?" April asked worriedly, "You think it's happening again?" She asked.
"I don't know. I'm just a healer, you the Auror." Lily said. April gave Lily a long look.
"But you're still smar-ah!" April put her hands to her skull as it felt like it was being shattered open with an axe. She fell to her knees as she felt the once familiar sensation. Her head felt like it was being cleaved in two. There were ants crawling inside her head. It was so itchy, something was scratching her skull.
"Lily!" April said through gritted teeth. Lily dropped to the floor and tried to look into April's eyes. April seemed to be clawing at her own head. "Get them out!" She nearly screamed. There was a bustling in the kitchen.
"April, ignore it. Fight it like last time." Lily said urgently. April closed her eyes tightly as the kitchen door opened. Sirius and James came out. They were being followed by the curious children but James forced them all back into the kitchen and shut the door.
"April." Sirius said. "What's happened?"
"Get him out!" April said through gritted teeth. She closed her eyes as tightly as she could but it didn't seem enough. Her eyes were throbbing with pain, but it was nothing compared to what was happening to her head.
You can't stop me this time Black. Call off your forces and give me the boy. Tears appeared at the corners of April's eyes.
"Sirius" April said. Sirius held onto her hand.
"Shit, it's happening again isn't it?" April just heard James say. Suddenly the pain was gone and April just felt the dull throb of a distant headache. She opened her eyes slowly, they still hurt slightly.
"Sirius?" April asked.
"I'm here." Sirius said. He pulled April into a tight embrace. James looked at Lily worriedly. Lily didn't look at James but she got to her feet and helped April up.
"I'll make you up a quick headache potion." Lily said,
"I'll go and tell Dumbledore." James said.
"It's happening again. He's got all his power back now." April said, "He wants Harry." James looked at her then went into the kitchen. He was met by a barrage of questions.
"What's happening?" "Is mum alright?" "What's going on?"
"Be quiet all of you." James said. "Nothing's happened. Finish off your dinner." He said. He went to the fire place and got a pot of floo powder. "Dumbledore's office." He said. Harry, Hermione and Ron all looked at each other. They went to the door and pushed it open slightly. April had her head buried against Sirius' shoulder while Sirius and Lily talked in hushed voices.
"There's got to be a way of getting rid of it." Sirius said quietly
"Don't you think I've tried it?" Lily asked him. "I hear it too but I don't get affected like April. I've heard it for months, since that night at the triwizard tournament!" Lily said quietly.
"And you didn't tell us?" Sirius snapped.
"Oh, I'm sorry Sirius but I have been a little distracted. Hearing voices every few months wasn't exactly high on my importance list and I thought it was just me, how was I supposed to know April could hear it as well?" Lily said angrily.
"You remember what it was like last time, April passed out how many times?" Sirius asked.
"Oh be quiet you two." April snapped. She backed away and looked at them. "It'll be alright. We'll figure it out this time before it's too late. You three, get back in the kitchen" April snapped turning to look at Harry, Hermione and Ron.
"Sorry." Harry said quickly. They closed the door and looked at each other. "it wasn't just me who didn't understand what they were talking about was it?" He asked.
"No." Ron said.
"No idea." Hermione said to Harry.
James walked out of the fireplace in Dumbledore's office. It was how it looked when he had come here at the end of June. A few of the things that he was aware that Harry had broken, hadn't been replaced. James never wanted his son to have the burden he now carried. It was why himself, Lily and Dumbledore had agreed not to tell Harry. He hadn't spoken to any of them until recently.
"Dumbledore!" James called. There was a bird call and James turned to see Fawkes flying to his perch. "Hey Fawkes." James said. James started for the Phoenix, it was still as magnificent as ever. A few of the portraits of past headmasters and headmistresses watched James curiously.
"What are you doing here?" asked a portrait of a wizard with a long pointed nose and narrow eyes. His mouth was thin and he just gave James the impression of being a hawk.
"Oh be quiet, you know the Potters are always welcome here" Snapped an old witch with a tall dark green hat and bushy white hair. James smiled at the witch.
"Maria, you wouldn't happen to know where Dumbledore is would you?" He said politely. He gave the portrait of the witch one of his most charming smiles. They still held their charm and effect, even at his grand old age of thirty six.
"Why yes, I do. He's gone to pay a visit to dear Jenny Lupin. She was here yesterday talking to Dumbledore, the poor dear." Maria said with a shake of her head.
"Oh, ok." James said with a frown. "I guess I'll go over there."
"Oh, I suggest you don't." Said another portrait of a witch. "They're talking about Order stuff."
"Now Beatrice, you know you shouldn't be telling people that." Said a portrait of a wizard. "You never know who it might be, there could be someone listening. He could be a spy."
"Oh come now Gerrad. It's James Potter. He's unlikely to be a spy." Snapped Maria.
"You were always taken by a handsome face and pretty smile." Sighed the Headmaster called Gerrad.
"Why thank you." James said. "Well, it's really very important. Voldemort is trying to contact April again." James said. The Portraits all started whispering.
"Oh, get over there immediately boy! What are you waiting around for!" Snapped Gerrad. James shook his head in amusement and went back to the fireplace. Fawkes flew over to James and gave him a quick nip on the ear before flying out of a window. James frowned slightly then said Jenny's address as he threw some Floo powder at the fire. James stumbled out of Jenny's fireplace. It was the living room and a seventeen year old boy sat on the sofa flicking through a magazine. He had fairly short brown hair. His face looked slightly Asian but his eyes were a light brown that Remus Lupin's eyes had been. He looked up at James and gave him a quick smile. His face went back to how it had been before. A sad expression seemed to have taken up permenant residence on Bo Lupin's handsome face.
"Hey Bo. How you doing?" James asked going up to the boy. Bo looked at the magazine. James sat next to him and looked at Bo.
"Last week was my first ever full moon without my dad nearby." Bo said dully. His voice was deeper then anyone would expect from a boy with his face.
"It must have been hard." James said. "I know Remus was always nearby for your full moons at school" Bo nodded and threw his magazine on the floor. Bo swallowed down a sob.
"It was different. Mum wanted to come and join me but I'm not like Dad. If mum comes anywhere near me I'd kill her." Bo said, "I think she wanted me to kill her. I know she can't look at me."
"That's not true Bo." James said.
"Then why doesn't she look at me anymore?" Bo asked, "When I asked her about the wolfsbane potion she told me to get lost." Bo said. James sighed.
"Get your things ready Bo. You come to Grimmauld Place with me after. I know some people are there waiting to see you." James said. Bo looked at James, he couldn't know.
"Who?" Bo asked.
"Well firstly, your girlfriend is at Grimmauld place."
"Kara?" Bo asked. James nodded.
"And my daughter." James said with a smile.
"Oh, yeah. Well she would be." Bo said.
"She has been asking about how you are all holiday. I think she'd rather see you face to face." James said. Bo nodded and got up.
"Oh, um, Cho wanted me to pass on a message to you." Bo said.
"What's that?" James asked.
"Um, I can't remember now" Bo said with a slight smile. "She's still rather bitter about Harry." James grinned.
"Well he's got a new girlfriend, I think." James said. "Go and get your stuff. I need to talk to Dumbledore. Where is he?"
"In the kitchen with mum." Bo said. "I'll be ready in a few minutes. I can apparate there."
"Alright. See you soon Bo. I know you've just lost your dad but smile." James said with a forced smile. It was painful to think of Remus but James didn't want to push the thoughts of Remus to one side. He couldn't imagine what it would be like for Jenny or Bo. Remus was like his brother but if Lily had fallen through, or Emma or Harry. James shook his head and left the room and went to the kitchen of the bungalow.
"Jenny, you know that this assignment is dangerous." Dumbledore said.
"I know but I don't care" Came Jenny's voice through the door. James heard Dumbledore sigh. James knocked on the door and went into the kitchen.
"James." Dumbledore said.
"Hi." James said. He glanced at Jenny. Her usually shiny sleek black hair looked limp and uncared for. Her face was thin and pale making her dark brown eyes look thin and cat like. James wanted to frown but didn't. She really was taking Remus' death hard. He hadn't actually seen her for about a month. Lily had said that Jenny wasn't very well. She was right, what happened to the beautiful and full face that was usually full of happiness, the Chinese mystique that usually clung to Jenny like a Limpet to a rock, the beauty that usually rivalled April's and Lily's beauty.
"What brings us the pleasure of your company?" Dumbledore asked, trying to sound light hearted but even Dumbledore seemed to be failing.
"April's hearing voices again." James said. Jenny looked up at this. "And Lily. But you know how it effects April a lot more then Lily." James said seriously. Dumbledore looked at James slightly alarmed, well no, very alarmed.
"How long has this been going on?" Dumbledore asked.
"I don't know I got the Children out of the way then came straight here" James said.
"Have the Children been effected?" Dumbledore asked urgently.
"Um, no. I don't think so." James said uncertainly. Dumbledore gave them a look of relief.
"Would they have been effected?" Jenny asked quietly.
"I'm afraid I don't know." Dumbledore said. "James, are they all at Grimmauld Place?" James nodded.
"Oh, Bo's coming to Grimmauld Place, that's alright isn't it?" James asked, looking at Jenny. Jenny nodded and rubbed her forehead with her palms. James had never seen her look so bad. Dumbledore looked at Jenny.
"Jenny I suggest you come with us." Dumbledore said.
"No, I want to stay here" Jenny said.
"No, I won't have you sulking over a man who died trying to protect the ones you love. Remus would not want you to sit here and cry for months on end. Bo's looking at things that way." Dumbledore said.
"Bo is different to me." Jenny said.
"Jenny, please" Dumbledore said, pleading to Jenny. Jenny sighed and stood up slowly. She picked up a pile of parchment and put them into her pocket. James watched her and then gave her a curious look. Jenny just stared blankly back at him before picking up her wand.
"Lets go then." Jenny said dully.
Orion looked down at Jessie. She held up some extendable ears and passed them to Orion, who passed them on up to Kaylee, who was sitting on his shoulders.
"Merlin, you're heavy!" He said to Kaylee. "Mei is so much lighter then you" Kaylee made a face and mimicked Orion silently.
"Well, I'm sorry I'm not as light as Mei-Ling!" She said. "Stay still Orion!"
"Then hurry up and put those ears up!" Orion snapped.
"I would if you stayed still!" Kaylee said. Orion grumbled and tried to stay still but he was balanced rather precariously on the arms of a chair. Jessie was giving them an uncertain look like she thought they were going to fall over.
"Don't look so worried." Orion said.
"Done!" Kaylee said throwing her arms in the air, and causing them to go off balance. Orion fell backwards and onto the floor. Kaylee landed on top of him while Jessie was laughing manically.
"Oh shut up!" Kaylee muttered as she rubbed her head. "Your elbow hurts!" She said to Orion.
"You threw us off balance." Orion said.
"You're supposed to have brilliant balance, you're a skateboarder" Kaylee said.
"Yeah, so?" Orion asked, not understanding.
"Harry, Ron and Hermione are coming." Jessie said quickly. Orion and Kaylee got to their feet quickly. Orion ruffled up his hair slightly while Kaylee ran her fingers through her hair but got them stuck in a knot half way down.
"Damn it!" Kaylee muttered. Kaylee turned to help her untangle her fingers from her hair when Ron came in through the door.
"We're in sixth year now! They should tell us stuff" Ron said.
"I know, but the adults seem to like their secrets." Harry said, "They aren't even telling me anything and I'm their son!"
"I wonder why Dumbledore's here though. That thing with April can't be that bad can it?" Hermione asked. Ron shrugged. They stopped when they saw Orion, Kaylee and Jessie wrestling with Kaylee's hair. "What are you three doing?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing." Kaylee squeaked. "OW! ORION!!" Orion sniggered and let go of Kaylee.
"Fine you do it yourself." Orion said. Kaylee grumbled and left the kitchen with Jessie.
"I'm telling mum on you." Kaylee said. Jessie looked at Kaylee curiously. "Oh yeah, mum won't tell Orion off...I'm telling Aunt Lily on you." Jessie giggled as they left. Harry, Ron and Hermione turned to Orion, who grinned and picked up his skateboard.
"See you guys." He said with a cheesy smile before dashing off.
"That kid is really weird." Ron said.
"He's Sirius' son, what do you expect." Harry said with a smile. Hermione laughed with Harry and sat down at the table.
"You know, I've thought of a way we might be able to find out what the adults are up to." Hermione said. The boys looked at her.
"What?" Ron asked.
"The twins." Hermione said simply with a smile. Ron looked at her with a frown and nodded.
"Oh why didn't I think of it! It explains everything! We should just use the twins!" Ron said sarcastically. Hermione looked at him rather annoyed. "How would we use the twins?" He said to Hermione seriously.
"Well, you know that Jessie can read people's minds." Hermione said
"She can?" Ron said in shock. "How long has she been able to do that?" He asked in alarm.
"Since she was born." Harry said slowly. Ron nodded.
"So that's how she knew where my stash of Chocolate Frog cards were." Ron said. Hermione gave him a weird look. "When I was eight. She stole all my chocolate Frog cards" Hermione nodded slowly. "Anyway, What were you saying?" Ron asked.
"We get Jessie to read the minds of the adults!" Hermione said simply.
A/N:-Sorry aint updated, this has been the fist time in ages that i've had enough time really and haven't been so pissed off that I decide not to update. Had a rather good day but as soon as I do this i gotta go and do my chemistry. I'm really really busy, and unlike last year, I have a lot less time but i'll try my best. I'm going away for the weekend so not much progress on the whole Writing front....though i have been mainly concentrating on my other series, the Next Generation...which will be up soon hopefully (they continue the Old and The New series). I'm hoping not to continue this story past Harry's 7th year. Anyway, just to Hiba...hello. Did get everything, sent you an email, hopefully you got it. Kaylee, Rhia...silence on the whats gonna happen front (They've read the final scenes of this entire series)....ssshhhhh