Chapter Five: Revealing
That night, Harry sat in his study, under the portrait of his parents, surrounded by a group of friends. Harry had called them together to discuss Dumbledore's offers, and the possibility of developing some sort of group, with proper training, to keep their world a little safer.
In addition to himself and the other remaining members of the Dirty Dozen, Arthur, Remus, Dumbledore, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Nymphadora Tonks were in attendance. Ginny sat next to Harry in the large chair, curled into his side.
"We have to all be absolutely certain," Harry said quietly. "This isn't like before, where backing out meant leaving Hogwarts."
"Harry?" Seamus looked oddly at him.
"This is worse. This is... if anyone backs out of this, the assumption will be that they have broken ranks, and turned to the Dark. If that is the case... I would have no choice. You would know things... even being at this meeting, seeing these faces..."
"Harry," Seamus faced him. Seamus had changed in the months since the final battle, his face was more mature, lines were there that hadn't been before, and there a look in his eyes that said he'd seen things that no one should be forced to be witness to. Seamus Finnegan had grown up, and become a strong, determined, and perhaps even mildly bitter man. "If I throw my lot in, I'm in. I'm a man of my word, Harry, you know that."
"I know that. That's why I'm telling you this, Seamus. This isn't... this isn't Malfoy and his lot causing trouble at Hogwarts. This is... these are people who..."
"Harry," Dumbledore began, a warning note in his voice.
"Someone is leading them," Harry said after a moment. "Someone has taken up Voldemort's cause... someone has stepped into his shoes. They must have a leader, of some sort. But it goes much, much further than that. When you know... when you understand... you'll understand why. I must be absolutely honest with all of you about this. Anyone who joins this, if I am ever given reason to doubt you, if you turn on this group... well, I won't allow anyone to endanger the lives of those I care about. No one."
"I'm in," Ron said without hesitating.
"Ron, the Cannons?" Harry asked.
"Screw the Cannons," Ron said firmly, only a slight shadow in his eyes. "They've managed this far with the lot they've got. They'll manage without me."
"Harry, you know I'm with you," Neville smiled nervously. "My gran would pop a string if she knew, but I'm in."
"I have a position for you, as well, Mr Longbottom. One your grandmother will be most pleased with, I'm sure," Dumbledore said.
"I've been stuck with you lot since first year," Seamus said. "Not likely to back out just now, am I? Besides which, if I don't do this, me da'll have me pledging to the church... can't have that, now can we? Think of all the ladies..."
"Alright, Finnegan," Tonks stood. "I'm sure you think you're irresistible, but let others have their turn, hmm? Harry."
Harry was surprised when Tonks turned to him, kneeling in front of him. She had a saucy grin playing about her mouth as she did, but she continued.
"I hereby give a Witches' vow..." she said solemnly, controlling her grin for the moment. There were gasps around the room, Ginny sat up straight, a look of surprise on her face. "If my skills, my honor, my life are of use to you, can be of service to attain that for which you reach, they are yours to use. I swear this by my name, my life, my honor, my death."
"Tonks?" Harry looked at her, then glanced around the room uncertainly. What was she doing? Apparently, something remarkable, because everyone else in the room, including Hermione, was looking on with varying degrees of surprise and shock. Except Remus, who calmly watched as Tonks continued.
"I pledge my allegiance to Harry James Potter, and will stand next to him, at his side, and between danger and that which he holds dear, at his bidding. My life is his to direct."
There was silence in the room as Tonks rose, her head bowed, silent.
"Tonks?" Harry said, "what did you just do?"
"Nymphadora has bound her life purpose to yours, Harry," Dumbledore said softly. "It is now beyond her to not do your bidding. She is incapable of refusing you... anything."
"Nymph!" Harry stared at her, shocked.
"My life is my own to pledge, Harry," the pretty auror smiled. "I choose to pledge it to the cause for which you... for which we fight."
"But..." Harry glanced at Remus, who nodded.
"It doesn't mean that Nymph can't have a life of her own, Harry. Simply that you can have full confidence that, should you give her any direction, any instruction at all, it will be carried out, or she will die trying. She is bound to follow you."
"What happens if..." Harry gulped. "If something should happen to me?"
"Then, Nymphadora would be presented with a choice," Dumbledore smiled. " She could either follow you into death, or she could choose a new... liege."
"What?"
"I'm sure that you will have many children, Harry, whom I would be honored to serve after you," Nymphadora said cheekily. "Now you'll have a bit of motivation to get on that, don't you?"
"But you... and Remus..."
"Remus and I have discussed this. It is no hardship to have our family bound to yours," she assured him.
"But..."
"No more buts," Dumbledore said gruffly. "What is done is done. Nymphadora has made her choice, you must accept it."
Harry looked at the woman in front of him and stood, uncertainly, pulling her into his arms. Harry had tears in his eyes.
"I wish you hadn't... but not because I'm not grateful, Nymph. I..."
"It was my choice, Harry, and there is nothing I wouldn't do for you... and yours... in any case. You know that!"
Harry nodded, burying his face against her bubble-gum pink hair.
"Aw, don't go all soft on me now!" Tonks grinned.
"Fine," Harry stood back. "We'll talk... later."
"As you wish, my liege," she grinned smartly back at him, flouncing away to sit down next to Remus.
Ginny was still next to him, and quiet. Harry took her hand, and she held it, but she didn't squeeze it as she normally would have done.
It worried him.
The meeting ended with an agreement being made between them all. Everyone agreed to be part of this new group, despite Harry's warnings of what would happen should they pull out past this point. All stood firm.
It was decided that Harry and Ron would see the train off at Kings Cross the following week, then return to Potter Manor to floo directly to the school. Neville had gladly accepted an apprenticeship with Professor Sprout, and Ron was thrilled to be offered the position formerly occupied by Madame Hooch. Teaching the students to fly, overseeing Quidditch, and seeing to the physical activity of the students interested him greatly, and Harry saw a light in Ron's eyes that he hadn't seen in months.
Ginny seemed rather quiet, but Harry dismissed this as a side effect of having watched her home be destroyed and been in fear of her life that day. He put his concern aside while he watched the others leave, and asked Seamus to stay for a moment.
"Harry? Problem?" Seamus asked after the door closed behind the last of the others to leave.
"No. None at all. I wanted to discuss something with you."
"What is it?" Seamus looked worried.
"Seamus, Dumbledore has asked me to discuss your... provision... with you."
"My what?"
"The arrangements we'd like to make to have you in the area."
"I thought I'd floo up..."
"Actually, we have something else planned, if you're agreeable."
"What is it, then, Harry?"
"You remember the Three Broomsticks?"
"Remember it, mate? I practically lived there from fourth year on."
"Yes," Harry tried not to smile. "Well, Madame Rosmerta has decided to take an extended vacation, and..."
"Harry?"
"I've rather thought to buy the place. I'm going to need someone to run it for me."
"Are you serious, man?"
"There would be a condition, of course..."
"Who do I have to kill, besides the obvious, of course?" Seamus grinned.
"I'd have to be considered a silent partner, Seamus," Harry continued. "I'd fund it, and take a share of the profits, but essentially, it would be yours. No one could know that I provided the money behind it."
"You're telling me that you want to buy that little gold mine, put up the nick for it, but no one is to know about it, and I'd be in sole charge?"
"That's... about it."
"Harry, did Tom Riddle knock you on the head in that last?"
"No," Harry laughed. "It's the same arrangement I have... elsewhere, Seamus. I would need to know that the agreement was just between us."
"Bloody hell, mate, I'd have to be daft to say no. And no one ever accused me of being daft!"
"Good, I'll see to the money. Dumbledore is willing to negotiate with Madame Rosmerta for us."
"Are you sure about this?" Seamus looked at him like he'd grown an extra head in the last ten minutes.
"Absolutely," Harry agreed.
"Why?"
"My reasons are my own," Harry said with a smile. "But you're a friend, Seamus, and honestly, you'd make a bloody awful priest."
I know, I know. Odd chapter. Not to mention short. Trust me... it'll all come together in the end. Which will be by the 16th of July, I promise! Because AFTER the 16th, who is going to want to be reading fanfiction?
CQ
LarnaMandrea: Of course I tackle the complicated elements as main plotlines... you've been reading me long enough to see through that in a minute!
IndiaInk: I like the interweaving of different plotlines... and the dialogue flows out of that. I actually wrote for about five hours yesterday, which is unheard of for me lately.
RyougaZell: Petunia and Dudley are off living in the muggle world after losing Vernon to a DE attack. The Grangers are still living at PM (in the guest house that Hermione has claimed as her own) until they find an appropriate "situation" in the muggle world. Colin, Susan, Terry, Ernie, and Blaise all died in the final battle. Malfoy is dead (killed by Pansy during the final confrontation). Lupin lives at Grimmauld Place, but stays at Potter Manor when Harry is there, Tonks often stays, as well. Charlie, Bill and Percy are all alive and well (Percy has made his peace with his family and is married to Penelope). Percy and Bill are both working at the Ministry, Charlie is working full time for the Order. Neville and Luna are dating, Neville was considering a stint in the muggle military, and Luna is returning to Hogwarts for her final year. The twins are running their shop in Diagon Alley, and they live in the flat above. Seamus is trying to resist his father's pressure to join the clergy and Dean is dead (killed during their final year during a DE attack). Seamus and Lavender broke up shortly before Christmas in their final year. There. Say that three times fast!
JapaneseJew: That would be the question, wouldn't it?
Kazziedal: Aaarrrghhh! Tell me, TELL ME! Where would one find said article if one wished to read it?
Starnat: You know, I love the way you all speculate about how things happen in my stories.
Wolf'sScream: Of course it's critiquing... but again, the darned omissions weren't mine! The site would appear to be eating some letters.
Manatheron: I don't read much other than HP, although I will admit a rather embarrassing preoccupation with LOTR, namely Legolas...
Sarah: Oh, my grocery list is very boring. At least, according to my non-vegetarian children, who would love me to buy things like hot dogs and doritos.
Shotgunn: I heard you're having a bit of a heat wave there. Frankly, I'd trade you. Southern Alberta is experiencing the worst flooding it's had in 200 years.
Gerie: It's frightening, actually, because that's not the first time I've heard that.
Weselan: I loved the BBC P&P adaptation. My husband actually bought me the DVD's some time ago – but I generally end up watching them alone!
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