Unexpected events

By Zakairen

Disclaimer: You people know the works: I don't own them, I don't make money with it, only the plot's mine.

Warning: English is not my mother language. There may be some spelling and grammar errors. Please point it out if something is seriously wrong.

AN: I want to thank all the people how have written me an encouraging review part because of the flamer. I have to tell you though that I was really angry about it and not so much hurt. Thanks again.

"blah" - talking, 'blah' - thinking, italics - incantations, quotations and writing, "blah" - parseltongue

Chapter 7

When Harry dumped the dirty plates in the sink, the afternoon was well underway. He had talked to Tonks for almost her entire 4 hour shift. But it had been well worth it. At first she hadn't wanted to talk or even accept his invitation, but her rumbling stomach had in the end proven more convincing then Harrys words. They had begun eating in silence and Tonks had sneaked a look at him every few seconds. Then she had congratulated him on his cooking and deemed it better than Molly Weasleys.

flashback

"You know, Harry, I never knew you could cook, let alone this good. This is better than Mollys cooking, 'cause she never does foreign food; always plain, old English dishes."

She had nearly shoveled the food into her mouth.

"And she doesn't go and mixes things to create something new. How did you learn?"

Then she had suddenly choked as she seemed to remember something.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I shou…"

Harry chuckled. The Dursleys and their treatment of him had always been a sore point. But now, secure in the knowledge that he wouldn't have to see them again anytime soon, he was able to just wave it of.

"Don't worry, Tonks. No harm done. I learned to cook early on, at about four or five. They made me do breakfast first, later on lunch and dinner were added to that list. Uncle Vernon was much too lazy to learn how to cook – and he thought it was work for women – and Aunt Petunia isn't even able to boil water properly. Thank haven baby food can be heated in a microwave, otherwise…. Well, after some time I began to enjoy cooking and I took to experimenting. They had to eat what I made, after all. Mostly I didn't get more than scrapes and some leftovers from meals, though."

Tonks looked aghast.

"They made you cook, but didn't let you eat with them? Unbelievable. Say, why aren't you better with potions? If you can cook like this, it should be easy for you. Ummm, may I have seconds, or would that get you in trouble?"

Harry managed to calm her down.

"'s no problem. Because of Dudleys enormous appetite, the amount I cook is enough to feed an army. I'll get some more for us. After you threatened them, they literally begged me to cook for them, even if they had to give me a decent amount of the meal for it."

He stood up and took her plate. When he reached the door, he turned back for a moment. She seemed much less nervous and fidgety now. She was stretched in the shade when he came back out. He gave her the full plate.

"About potions. There are two, no three reasons. One is Snape. He decided even before my sorting to hate me. He terrorizes me in every lesson. The second reason are the Slytherins. They delight in throwing unnecessary and volatile ingredients into our cauldrons, especially Nevilles and mine. And we get blamed while they get of without so much as a scolding for endangering everyone. The third - and probably most important - is that I just haven't tried. I didn't want any more attention than I already had, and after having to endure his treatment, I did even less than what I deemed necessary in any other subject."

"Isn't that a bit counterproductive?" Her voice was incredulous. "And what about… I mean…"

"In a way you are right of course. If I had know back than what I know now, if Dumbledore had just been honest with me, beginning when I first asked, then the whole situation would be a different one. But I could have learned my lungs out, that still wouldn't have prevented the situation we are in now. Not with him acting like he did."

Tonks looked at Harry. Really looked. He looked better than she would have thought. His whole demeanor was not as she had expected. But in his eyes she could see shadows. Lingering pain, grief and sorrow. But she also saw determination and icy anger in their depth. Some kind of happiness was layered all over everything else.

"You are coping with… Sirius death? Harry, how do you truly feel? Under all those masks."

Harry was startled.

"You can see through me that easily, Tonks? Hmmm, I should have expected that. It hurts. Terribly. I had nightmares every night in Hogwarts, seeing him fall again and again. The first night here I couldn't sleep and decided to really think about it - well more like I couldn't think about anything else. I realized that he wouldn't want me to mope. I realized, I wouldn't have done anything differently, couldn't have. I tried to call him, but Kreacher told me he wasn't there. Snape just looked on in hidden glee and the toad wanted to curse me good. Dumbledore and McGonagall weren't there and I didn't have the slightest notion that HE was able to manipulate my visions. I did the best I could under those circumstances. I would have died for Sirius, as he would and did for me. In a reversed situation the actions would have been the same. I miss him, Tonks. Every minute of every hour of every day. But I want to make him proud. I don't want his death to be in vain. Can you understand that?"

She didn't respond, just stared into space.

"Tonks? You okay?"

"Yeah. You know what? Until now I hadn't really thought about it that way. He was so happy when we met. He was the only magical relative that accepted me, apart from my mum. His death hit me really hard. Probably not as hard as you, as I still have other loving family, but hard enough. The others at HQ don't seem to understand and Molly is ranting about him. How rash he was, how he was such a bad influence on you children and so on. I can't hear it any more. She just makes it hurt more. I'm just glad she hasn't had the gall to say that it is good that he is dead."

As she looked up she saw Harrys enraged face.

"I shouldn't have said that, huh? But she makes me so angry. He can't defend himself anymore, why can't she drop it already?"

His eyes were spitting fire as he replied.

"It is good that you told me. At least now I know what I will eventually be facing. Don't worry about it. She always seemed to dislike him. Though, I really would have thought that she had more decorum than that."

end flashback

They had talked after that for quite some time and before she had gone back to the front to meet the next guard, she had told him that she was feeling a good deal better after their talk. He had managed to make her remember his godfather in life instead of death. Harry had asked her, if she knew if Remus was on guard duty any time soon. To hear that he would be there in three days time had shaken him a bit. Tonks had also told him that he wasn't really himself lately, but much more temperamental than his usual calm self. Harry wanted desperately to talk to the man. He was, however, not sure if he was ready yet.

After he took a look at the den, he transfigured some of the old clothes into cream colored curtains and covered the windows with them. Then he went upstairs and began to sort through the old CDs and DVDs Dudley had left. There were quite a few that he found interesting. More than half of them were broken though. Harry cast a quick reparo on every single one of those. He levitated the ones he liked downstairs after he packed the others up. He decided to sell them on the next flee market. There would be other things to be sold, he was sure of it. He changed the shelves for the CDs and DVDs a bit, to a more rack like quality, and began to sort the discs onto them. Then he went upstairs again to look for a DVD-player and was a bit surprised to find not only 3 players but also one that doubled as recorder. Harry shook his head.

'I knew Dudley was spoiled. But this is a bit much even for him. I wonder just how much money did Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon spend on him? Not even Malfoy could be this doted upon. His father would skin him alive if he ever threw a tantrum like Dudleys or destroyed his things like this. Then again, all it would need is a simple repairing charm.'

"Reparo. Reparo. Reparo. Reparo."

The recorder was promptly brought down and set up. Relaxing into one of the armchairs, Harry began to think about the actions he should take next. It was necessary to first change the house and finish the remodeling and furnishing. But he had done more magic on this day than on a whole day in school and he felt it. He was tired, even though his new wand had made it easier to draw up and direct his power, he felt he had his magic better under control and was not putting too much or too little in every spell. He needed to consult his list and set up a plan for the furthering of his plans with the house. But he also needed a plan for the study he intended to do. The continued use of his magic would tire him out and probably help enlarge his stamina and reserves. That was entirely in his favor. He felt the urge to dive into the more interesting books he had found, but first, he knew, he had to relearn the basics and magical theory. It would help later on and it would give him some rest between his bouts of changing his home.

'Should I use the time-turner again tomorrow morning? It would be better, I think. It'll give me a chance to think a bit before I meet Remus again. Strange to call him that in my mind and aloud. But it changed quickly, after Sirius death. Maybe because he is the only one left. I'll furnish the bedroom of the trunk as well as the livingroom and the laboratory. Then I'll sort the rest of the books, put the ones from Hogwarts into the library and put the potion ingredients away. Just as well that I haven't been in there for more than the initial creation of the library. I'll also begin with the revision of my first year texts and see how much I get done. I wonder if there is a way to make sure that I won't forget anything I'll learn? And I really need to look for a reference to the mind immersion I have done. Maybe I should do that right about now. It's still quite early and there is no need to go to sleep this soon.'

As Harry got up, he noticed the warm atmosphere around him. The room had been totally changed from the look and feeling it had while the Dursleys had still been there. It was more welcoming now and not so stiff. He concentrated on the blood protection around the house. It was stronger than it had ever been and he knew without a doubt, that it could now properly shield his mind and would hold every overly dark creature with evil intent at a suitable safe distance, due to the overlapping of strength to the outer wards. In Dudley's old room he opened the second compartment and looked inside. It seemed his other self had been busy. He took the catalogue out and opened it in his search for a good Occlumency book. He found a searching system similar to the search engine of a computer. In the end he called forth all the books he thought could hold interesting information and went back into the den. After that, he fetched himself a notebook, a pen and some ink from his old cupboard, where he had stored everything none perishable. It was cramped, but at the moment he wasn't in the mood to enlarge it.

For a moment Harry was lost in thought, then he decided to forego an armchair and conjured up a beanbag. He had become very familiar with that spell over the course of the last year. His round table was lowered and the books spread about. He began with a book called 'Your mind and you' to which the author was not known. It was one of the books he had found at 'Ciels' and it was relatively old. After a short time he was seething. He had been lucky to chose this book first, as it was most informative and he was suddenly sure he would find what he was searching for. But it also gave a detailed description of the learn process of Occlumency. As it was written there, he should have first been taught how to meditate, then the first subtle probing in form of Legilimency, mostly for happy thoughts, should have been done, for him to be able to recognize the feeling of an invasion. After that he should have been instructed on the construction of a imagined mind shield and only then should a real, but low power Legilimency attack be tried. Otherwise the new 'shield' would simply be crushed and more harm than good would be done. And Snape had attacked his untrained mind full force.

Harry magic began to crackle around him and he knew instinctively that this time he would not be able to calm down. Carefully he set the book down and stood up. Then he went into the basement, where he put up a strong silencing charm and several strong shield charms. He couldn't just let his magic free however, if the events in the old goats office were any indication. Briefly he wished he was in the Room of Requirement and then transfigured some wood into a slew of porcelain plates, which he threw at the walls accompanied by his screams. It took him about three quarters of an hour to blow all his anger of. Afterwards he returned to his books and continued to read through 'Your mind and you'. He didn't try any of the mentioned techniques because he wanted to be sure of his own status before he began experimenting. In the second to last chapter he finally found his answer.

An Occlumency user that has advanced to master level should after some time be able to access his or her own mind like a room or building. This level has not been reached for more than a hundred years now, simply because nobody invests the time and work anymore, as it normally isn't needed. The level to stave of even a master legilimencer is that of advanced and as it is normally viewed as mastery of Occlumency, the process for the achievement of true mastery is not found in any of the common books I perused. To give my readers a full account I searched tirelessly, found and included the information in this book. The process is tedious at best and is normally not finished in under at least a decade. There is however an exception, as I found out by chance. In case the mind of the person in question is strong and is ruthlessly attacked by a master legilimencer continuously in short intervals, the mind is first weakened a great deal and more accessible for manipulation. Normally, if the attacks are discontinued, the strength will build up again.

But in the totally unlikely case of an emotion overload shortly after the discontinuation because of overwhelming past memories and present events as well as suppressed emotions concerning both, a very rare effect can come into play. In this case the person in question will find themselves bodily in the recesses of their mind, to be confronted with the memories of the events responsible for the overload. It will not be possible to leave the mindscape before sorting everything out. This process will automatically sort the rest of the memories said person has into categories. From this point onwards the mind is accessible to the person at any given time, assuming the relevant techniques are available to the person. A feeble mind shield will also be set up. This shield needs to be strengthened, otherwise it will fall at the first attack of a legilimencer. In case the shield is strengthened, the person learns in the process how to construct such a shield in the first place and can be called a true master of Occlumency because of the mastery they have over their own mind. More often the shield is destroyed or simply fades after a time and the person finds themselves on an advanced intermediate level.

This effect has been noted to have happened only eight known times in the last 1.500 years, and only one person ever advanced to mastery through this effect. To my knowledge this is not mentioned in any other book, as I found the information in the old diary of an Occlumency master and I didn't make it common knowledge. There won't be many copies of my book, therefore the knowledge will be restricted to my readers in the future also.

'Now that is what I call shocking. So, if I strengthen the weak shield around my mind now, I can count myself as a master at Occlumency? On a level not even Snape, Tom and Dumbles are? I think I need a stiff drink. Could that have been Dumbledore intention? But it says practically nobody knows. I would have been told how to build a mind shield and what to expect. And if Snape had known, I bet he wouldn't have attacked as he did. He knows that I know about his spying. He would have been in severe danger if Tommy boy ever found out. So, Dumbles intention was to weaken me? But why?'

Harry stood up and began to pace.

'Maybe, I became too attached to Sirius? I didn't listen to the old goat so closely anymore, and he managed to drive a wedge between me and my friends last summer. Isolated, I would have been fixated on him. But why did he ignore me then? Wouldn't it have been more beneficial to him if my trust in him wasn't shattered? I always knew he wasn't totally sane, but maybe I overlooked it like every other person, because of his grandfather façade? As obsessed as he is, it makes him a good deal more dangerous then I ever thought possible. Wait a moment! How did Tommy boy know that the image of him torturing my godfather would lure me to the ministry? Wormtail couldn't have been responsible, because then it would have happened sooner and I know he didn't get it out of my mind. He shouldn't have known that there was any closer connection, as Sirius was on the run. Could Dumbledore… No, even he couldn't be so cruel?'

Harry sighed. If what he thought was true, then the old wizard was even more directly responsible for Sirius death. He must have known what would happen. But he really didn't want to believe it. The only chance to know the truth would be to question him under Veritaserum. To do so legally, it would have to happen in a trial under heavy accusation. Impossible at the moment. He sat down again.

Looking through the book, Harry memorized the section about making a mind shield, then he studied the techniques for mind immersion. Lying down on the sofa he calmed his breathing and directed his thoughts inward. It took him four tries, but in the end he found himself in the familiar environment of his own mind and noticed the changes from before. It was much neater and welcoming in there. He took another look around and then marched towards the balcony he could see. He had to laugh at the scene outside. He was on a tropical island and in a fortress disguised as bungalow. And all around the island he could see the weakening shield that had been created on his first day back. He sat down and began the long process of strengthening the shield. He would have to spend a considerable amount of time on it every day to get it up to his preferred strength. Not even Dumbledore would be able to violate his mind then.

The sun was already setting when Harry woke up from the trip into his mindscape and his stomach made it known that food would be a good idea. He decided to make himself some fruit salad and went into the kitchen, switching on the lights on the way. He was startled out of his thoughts a while later when something knocked on the kitchen window. Hedwig was out, but he had left the window in his old room open for her. Curious he opened the window and let a pompous looking black owl in. It settled on the back of a chair and stared imperiously at him, holding out a letter to him.

"Would you wait a moment? I have some bacon for you if you do."

The owl blinked. Then a friendly hoot could be heard and the pompous manner faded to leave a regal owl behind. Harry had to chuckle as he rummaged through the fridge.

"Most people do not welcome you, huh? Doesn't matter to me. Here you are."

He put the bacon on the table and liberated the owl of the letter. The ministry seal on it intrigued him, as the OWL results should only be sent out in three weeks time at the earliest. He broke the seal.

Dear Mr. Potter,

It has come to our attention that the OWL tests for several students were interrupted. This concerns mostly the Astronomy exam. For you it would also concern your History exam. As both exams have not been finished by you, through circumstances out of your control, this letter is sent to inform you of the chance to redo these exams. Home schooled children also have to take the OWLs, which is done the second and third week of the summer holidays. For students of a magical school it is possible to redo their exams then. On the second sheet of parchment you will find a list of subjects, exam times and dates as well as places. The list doubles as special portkey to and from the rooms of the Department of Education in which the tests are held. It will activate ten minutes before and after the exams take place and will be keyed to your magical signature only, as soon as you touch the list. If you want to take an OWL in a subject you haven't taken at school, it is permitted to do so if you can show the examiner that you possess at least a basic knowledge in the subject. If you want to redo one of the other exams that is also possible, but most likely you will be asked why you wish to do so and not be permitted if your reasons are inane.

Best wishes,

Sinaia Taur,

Head of the Department of Education

Ministry of Magic

This information is restricted and protected by a specialized secrecy charm. You will not be able to talk or write about it.

Harry was stumped. There was a chance to redo his OWLs? Absolutely ingenious. He felt a tingle when he touched the list to look it over. The exams would begin on Monday. If he took into consideration the time and date the letter had been sent, it did not leave enough time for a student to learn enough if he or she had simply failed an exam because of a lack of knowledge. But for someone who had been hindered by the circumstances it was ideal, because the knowledge was still fresh in their heads.

'I wonder if Hermione knows of this. Somehow I don't think so, she finished her exams. The same goes for Ron. This information is restricted, so… This is the absolute best thing that could have happened. The only subjects I took seriously for the past few years are Defense and Charms. I answered everything on the test sheets, even the extra credit and I performed to my absolute best in the practical. If I take the exams in all other subjects I should be able to ace them. The Occlumency book said that everything I learn I will never forget again, if the mind immersion stage was reached. It also said that I would be able to absorb the knowledge faster, more completely and with increased reading tempo. Almost like eidetic memory. If I add to that the time-turner, then I have ample time to study even Runes and Arithmancy, as those exams are at the end of the third week. Muggle studies I could pass with my eyes closed. I just wonder a bit about the exams they have in magical theory, mind arts and laws. Those aren't subjects on Hogwarts curriculum. But according to the letter I should be able to take them.'

It was just as well that Harry had already decided to study a lot. Now he would have to make a detailed plan, because if he didn't, complete chaos would break out if went back in time for all three days. He would have to be extra careful. The first day he could go back all three days would be Monday – evening that is. He had after all only purchased everything on Friday. Thankfully – or not, depending how you looked at it - the use of a time-turner wouldn't age his body, even if all the changes would be carried over. He searched for a notepad to write his plans down. Theoretically he could have repeated the same day over and over again, but were was the use in that? If he was replicated too often in one time period, it would weaken him, that much he knew. First he would have to take a look at the book about ministry regulations. He needed to know which possible subjects would be tested. That was something the teachers had never clearly stated and some of the normal as well as the extra credit questions had concerned a topic which had never been touched in lessons. He also needed them for the subjects he hadn't taken.

The first repetition of Saturday was planned already and he would live each normal day first, before going back. It provided more freedom for his future self as he could plan around the events he had already witnessed. The first exam was Herbology, so he would need to concentrate on that. Just as well that he had to sort through his potion ingredients and do some yard work. The subjects that needed the most work were the ones he had no prior experience with and History. All they had ever done were goblin rebellions. There should be so much more. Harry remembered hearing Hermione moan about the History exam, because there were so much things asked even she had never heard of, as they had never even been mentioned in class. The History exam was together with the other main classes before the exams for the extra classes. He would have to sit down and get through it if he really wanted to do his best.

As he collected his things and food to go upstairs, he was surprised to note that the ministry owl was still there. The bacon had been consumed and now the bird was watching him serenely.

"Aren't you awaited back at the ministry?"

A blink and a slow head shake.

"No? Well, how about you come up with me then? My owl, Hedwig should be back soon. Maybe you'll like her? She is a bit picky with other owls, though. I also have some owl treats up there, if you want some."

The bird flapped its wings and landed on Harrys shoulder, softly nipping his ear. A chuckle escaped him.

"Just like Hedwig. I have to warn you that she is extremely possessive and watches jealously over me."

Harry shut the kitchen window and switched out the light before he went upstairs. He would sort through a bit of Dudleys junk while letting the day draw to a close.

Meanwhile, there was some commotion in a gloomy house. Order members were coming for the meeting tonight and when Nymphadora Tonks had stumbled in, she had woken the painting of Mrs. Black.

"Half-breed scum! Mudblood lovers! Get out of my house! You'll all die by the hands of the Dark Lord! Get you dirty hides off of my property!"

A thumping noise could be heard as Alastor Moody walked up to the painting and silenced it, only to draw the curtains in front of it shut after that. Then he fixed the junior auror with a stare, eliciting a squeak from her. He narrowed his eye and began to talk.

"Where were you yesterday evening, girl? I had promised you a talk."

He had walked towards her, while she took a step back every time he made one in her direction.

"Doesn't matter, you are here now. Now, my girl, tell me: what does your superior say to your behavior? To think that you have the gall to call yourself an auror and do not even suspect a glamourie on a man, when he comes up to you with your charge? Especially as your predecessor should still be guarding your charge? And on top of that you faint, when confronted with the truth? Now, answer me, girl."

The two had gathered quiet an audience, but luckily for Tonks, Remus had had the decency to throw up a privacy charm around them. He and Kingsley Shacklebolt had come in halfway through the portraits rant. They were the only ones to hear the tongue lashing she received. Both had a look of surprise on their faces as they heard what the ex-auror had to say, and their eyebrows had arched up all the way.

"You did what, Tonks? You fainted?"

The elder auror was incredulous.

"I… well… he was… Harry…"

She took a deep breath to calm herself.

"I came a bit early for my shift yesterday and when Mad-eye wasn't there and I couldn't find Harrys magical signature anywhere near, I panicked. I knew he had to be inside the wards, but… When the two of you came up behind me, I was so happy that he was okay that it overrode my common sense. How the hell should I have suspected that you were right next to him, helping him to carry the shopping bags, instead of being hidden under your invisibility cloak, hmmm?"

At that comment Remus and Kingsley began to snicker.

"You… you helped… Harry… with his shopping? That's a good one, Mad-eye."

"Oh, be quiet, you two. I guarded him and it was better than having him traipsing back and forth to the supermarket another two or three times. He bought a shitload of things. And it still doesn't answer why you fainted when I lifted the glamourie."

Tonks blushed.

"Well, I had just given away some information to some random muggle, fussed over him after having sent the both of you to the floor with me, when I tripped over my feet, and then said muggle began to lecture me about my decidedly magical job. Not to mention Harry laughing his ass of and rolling on the floor because of that. When he told you to lift the glamourie, I was shocked. Then I began to suspect and when I could see it, well… What was I to do? Common sense had gone out of the proverbial window about ten minutes before that."

As she retold the event both werewolf and auror couldn't help themselves anymore. They broke down laughing. The thought of Tonks fussing over Moody in muggle glamourie and fainting afterwards was just too funny. Shaking his head the ex-auror gazed at the metamorphmagus.

"See that it doesn't happen again. You two can stop laughing now. The meeting is about to begin, we have to get into the kitchen."

Remus took down the privacy charm and the four made their way into the kitchen, reminding the crowd of the meeting. A few moments after that Dumbledore came in and the meeting started.

"Good evening to all of you. Now , I know there are a few interesting things that have happened since we last met. But first I would like to know about Harry's status. Has anything unusual happened since he is back at Privet Drive? Alastor, Arthur, Nymphadora?"

The first to speak was Arthur Weasley.

"Nothing out of the ordinary. I didn't get to see Harry and everything was peaceful."

Tonks decided to speak next.

"The entire neighborhood was quiet, but we talked for a bit and…"

Dumbledore interrupted her.

"Didn't I make it clear that he was to be left alone? He needs time to grieve Nymphadora, despite what you may think. And you know perfectly well that you are not to talk about Order business with him. What were you…"

"If you are quite finished, sir? First, he was the one to ask me if I wanted to eat with him in the backyard. He had heard me stumble and Arthur scolding me when I began my shift. He was quite insistent. His relatives were out as usual this time of the day, so he didn't get into trouble for it, especially after we warned them of. Secondly, we did not talk even remotely about the Order, he didn't even ask. And no, what we talked about is non of your business, as it doesn't concern the Order or You-know-who. But he told me to tell you that he would only send a letter three days after he last talked to one of us or if anything happened."

The kitchen was quiet. The information was not what they had expected and that she had cut Dumbledore of mid-sentence was unheard of. Molly Weasley was the first to recover. She took a deep breath and was about to begin ranting. Tonks decided to cut her of before she gave all people present a headache.

"Before you go of on a rampage, Molly, I would like to add that the Headmaster should have let me finish my report before he jumped to false conclusions. I only returned the favor to maybe preserve a little time that could be spent in a more productive way."

Mrs. Weasley sputtered.

"Good. May we continue? There was nothing else I have to add."

Dumbledore nodded congenially. Behind his mask however he was fuming. How dare that girl interrupt him? Never mind that he had done the exact same thing. Most of the order were a bit perplexed by her behavior. There were a few like Moody, McGonagall or Shacklebolt that were secretly pleased. Another one not to follow the old wizard blindly. They had to wonder if Harry had anything to do with it. It was Moody who spoke into the expectant silence.

"Well, there was nothing extraordinary I noticed on my shift. Apart from the shopping trip that is, but you already know about that. He…"

This time it was Snape who interrupted.

"That idiotic brat went shopping? He left the wards? Pray tell, what were you doing in the meantime? Somebody should go and make it clear to him that he has to stay where he is, in the house. He always has to go breaking rules, causing trouble. That spoilt, arrogant little shit can't be content to let us do our job and just do as he is told? He has to…"

"Now stop right there, young man."

Moody's bellow rattled the plates.

"Just like Albus. He did not leave the wards, the supermarket is inside of them. And no, despite what Albus may have told all of you," he looked at the other enraged Order members, "he only told Harry to stay inside the wards – and not inside the house. The wards extend a few blocks in all directions and include the park and some other things. The blood wards on the house are weak because of the negative feelings his family has for him and his extended absence. They are gaining strength as long as he is inside the outer wards. He even asked me to accompany him to be on the safe side. And you, Snape, are going to have to abandon that childish behavior of yours and see the lad for who he is, instead of his father. Questions? No? Good."

Albus Dumbledore sighed. This did not go according to plan. He hadn't been able to depict Harry as irresponsible, rebellious, rule-breaking child. That was not good. If they began to think of him in any other way it spelled trouble. Outwardly not a thing was showing, apart from the fact that his twinkle had change from good-natured to furious. But only very few people knew the difference.

"Very well. Let us continue. Severus brought back some worrying news. It seems a new threat has shown. Severus, if you would?"

"Of course."

The potions master looked still a bit mad at being scolded like a child.

"The Dark Lord has not been happy. You should know that he has been searching for some books on Black Magic."

He ignored the shudder that went through the group.

"So far he, or rather Lucius, hasn't had any luck with that. But yesterday somebody destroyed the most powerful of those books remaining in not only in Britain, but in the whole of Europe. He was furious at being ultimately denied the knowledge, especially as nobody should have the power or knowledge to be able to pull that of. Additionally he stated that he had felt a shift in the ambient magic of Britain, one that did not bode well for him. But no one has been able to confirm that. He also has some problem with the recruiting of the dark creatures and other magical beings. The centaurs have flat out refused him."

Again it was silent in the kitchen. It was good that You-know-who wasn't getting anywhere. But a new player in the war was worrying.

"Well, at least he is on the light side. We should get who ever it may be into the Order."

The Order member was silenced with a gaze from Dumbledore.

"I disagree. It's much more possible that we have another dark wizard, maybe even a dark lord on our hands."

A low murmur developed. And again it was Mad-eye Moody who spoke up.

"No evil wizard would and could ever destroy a book on Black Magic, Albus. You know that it isn't possible to do holy magic if your soul is already that twisted. Not to speak of the fact that the needed runic magic has been lost and the few holy circles left can not be powered by anyone with evil intent, such as a dark lord or a dark wizard without conscience."

The old wizard heaved a sigh.

'Why do they seem to only disagree with me today? What am I doing wrong? If I say it is a dark wizard, than it is a dark wizard. And why distinguish between dark and evil? They are one and the same.'

Out aloud he said: "You are right of course, Alastor. I seem to be a bit under the weather lately. Forgive me. Now, if there aren't any other pressing news," here he look around, "than I would like to come to one last point before we go over your new tasks. Bill. I heard that Gringotts closed down yesterday for an hour or two. Could you please enlighten us as to what happened?"

"Certainly, Headmaster. Yesterday morning there was some commotion and about two hours after that the managers came out of their meetings with smiles on their faces. At first I couldn't get anything on the reason for that, but when the bank was closed there was a meeting for all employees. Are you familiar with the concept of muggle credit cards?"

The young redhead received some non-plussed looks and head shakes. The only ones nodding were Tonks and a few other members that had grown up in the muggle world.

"The muggles use them for business. You can simply shift the needed amount of money from one account to another and get cash from machines placed all over each village and city in almost the whole world. Different currencies don't matter anymore. It simplifies a lot of things. The concept was apparently brought to the goblins attention and promptly enacted. All around the world. The meeting informed us of the policy and the business increase the cards would bring. Judging from their expressions the close up wouldn't loose them too much, if it meant getting the concept to work immediately. Thankfully it also means that the goblins do not have any inclination of following You-know-who, as the cards are most useful for muggleborns and halfbloods."

Excited chatter broke out around the room. That was good news. Even if the real meaning was lost to most of them. Again, nobody could read the old headmasters thoughts on his face. He was stewing in his anger. Another person had gained the goblins a good business deal and gained influence over them. If he ever found out who had told them he would have them in Azkaban for this. Nothing was going to plan anymore. He was at a huge disadvantage now, because of some upstart mudblood.

"Good. Then we can continue on to your new tasks. Those of you who have permanent tasks can leave already. Now, Emeline, I need you to…"

Outside, Moody and McGonagall shared a look. Shacklebolt took Tonks arm and Remus was dragged along by Moody.

"We need to talk with you. Both of you."

Walking up the stairs they didn't see Bill Weasley following them.

upload date: 05-10-05