Chapter 3

Plans, Plans and Thoughts of More Plans

He stood, putting down a crystal dagger on the desk and moved to a serving table to the right. As he poured himself a drink of blue liquid, the Minister of Magic surveyed his office. Fudge may have made some serious mistakes, but you had to admit, he had good judgment in art and a fine decorator. On the wall hung a painting of a mansion set on a small hill overlooking a village. Next to it stood a trophy case with some of the most exquisite and exotic pieces of work from throughout the world. The ceiling was bathed in a continuous light reminding you of a sunset. His desk was old mahogany and held some priceless desk items on it. On the opposing wall, was a large fireplace with clocks and framed pictures of famous events and people sitting on the mantle. In the middle sat a leather couch with two sitting chairs facing it but separated by a small table. The room smelled rich and spoke of power. Yes, Fudge may have been dumb in many ways but he did have good taste. He turned and sat behind the desk. Yes, this was what power felt like and Rufus Scrimgeour liked it. There was a knock on the door as it opened.

"Minister, I've just received an owl from Harry Potter. He has agreed to meet with you here at your office. He will come in 3 days and asks that no press be in the area." Percy Weasley stated while closing the door to the Minister of Magic's office. "I have it on good authority he is staying at my parents house." Standing a little straighter and speaking with false sureness to the man behind the desk. "Rumor has it that…"

Standing and slamming his hands on the desk and speaking very clearly with authority "I don't want rumors, only facts. Do I make myself clear on that Mr. Weasley? No rumors." Standing and walking around the desk to the fireplace, he continued "Potter is a very important person to the Wizarding World right now. He is supposed to be a hope of a better life, of peace in the world. They believe he will be the downfall of He-who-must-not-be-named. Because of that, he will be treated with every form of royalty we can muster. If he is at your parents, I want a security detail to watch over him."

He didn't speak for a moment, as though in thought. He knew that Potter could be his downfall if he didn't play his cards right. That was Fudge's mistake; not listening and playing it safe, even with the truth hit him upside the head. Turning to his assistant, "Make the arrangements, no press, give him everything he wants. Is he coming with anyone, if so who? Find out what he likes, make sure we have the right refreshments on hand. No one is to know he is coming. Top Secret, Hush-Hush and all that. After we meet, I want a meeting with all Department Heads. We are going to give Potter everything he wants, needs an then some if we can, in turn he will give us what we want. Go on now, you've got a lot of work ahead of you. Oh, and one more thing, I want a portrait of Albus Dumbledore put over the fireplace, in a spot he can see it." Percy left closing the door, scratching frantically on a parchment pad, as the Minister return to staring at the fire.

The sun was shining upon the Burrow. Mr. and Mrs. Grangers had left earlier that day with several members of the Order as guards. Security wards were already installed on their home.

Ron and Hermione were bringing drinks to the table setup in the back yard. Luna and Neville had recently walked from her house to meet with Harry. They were waving their hands in the air in excitement, explaining to Ginny and Harry with how they were treated when they arrived. The security detail of about 20 Aurors had arrived earlier in the day. They had set up a welcoming station at the end of the driveway. Although Mrs. Weasley felt comforted by their presents, Harry was a little irritated. Ginny had talked him down from going into rage over the incident. Was he ever going to have a time in his life when he wasn't being watched under a microscope? Although no one said, he knew there was security just within reaching distance in the yard.

Once everyone was seated, Harry explained the Horcruxes then decided now was the time to explain his plans. "I have decided to meet with the Minister of Magic the day after tomorrow. We need to decide what we need from them. Think about this good and hard. Will meet again tomorrow after supper. Ron, I am going to ask that your dad, Tonks or Mad-Eye be assigned as our escort. I am thinking that Mad-Eye might be best. He is very intimidating and can keep a good lookout for us. Luna, I need to make a list of all the departments and what they do, who's in charge, who works for them. Any special projects you can find that they may be working on no matter how strange they may be. Neville, contact the members of the DA. School might be out, but we are going to set up a school of our own. We may have the Minister provide us with Aurors as instructors. "

Hermione didn't look happy with this prospect. Standing she started walking around the table, like she was nervous and not sure how to say something. I knew she thought I was going to get mad or yell if she said something that didn't agree, it was written all over her face.

"Harry, I'm not so sure that is going to go over very well." twisting her hands as she spoke timidly and trying to find the right words. "I mean, you know they are not going to take too kindly to you giving them orders, setting up your own personal army and stuff. What are you going to do next, ask for your own office? I mean, really, just how far do you think they will go?"

"Hmm, our own office, and I could run it. That's a great idea." Ron smiled. "Can I get my own pretty secretary and all?" he exclaimed while ducking Hermione's punch. Neville snickered, and Luna just looked around dreamily, while Ginny and I shook our heads.

Presenting his case with sincerity "I don't know their Aurors, but I know the DA. I trust the DA. If I had been more proactive with them this year, you would have had an easier time with the Death Eaters. As for what I'm going to get, well I can't expect them to give me something if I don't ask. We are dealing with a lot of unknowns. After I got the letter, Remus thought I should work with them, but Dumbledore said I should have a plan."

Everyone, but Luna looked at Harry, like he had gone insane. "You talked to Dumbledore?" said Ron while running his hands through his hair. Neville had this look of awe.

Luna smiled at Harry "So, the Headmaster has graced you with being your spiritual advocate? That's interesting, but not surprising, really. You were like a son to him and you shared a great deep respect for each other. So, I guess it is only natural that he should choose you. That also means also he did not fulfill all he was destined to do before he died. I hate to sound rude, but if he died in shock, then he wasn't ready to go. Until his destiny is fulfilled, he can't leave this world. The only other reason is, he was expecting to die and was afraid or unwilling to move on. To me, Dumbledore always seem content with the idea of death. He understood so many things, we talked you know. I will miss his insight, humor and listening to his bird." She said casually looking at everyone as her eyes misted up. It was the first time we ever saw Luna shed a tear. Neville held her as she buried her head in his shoulder and softly cried.

After a moment, she stopped, and Neville wipe a tear with his finger. As he put his arm around her, she attempted to regain her composure. " I'm sorry for crying. I don't know what got over me. I haven't cried for over ten years, but you know, I feel so much better now."

Mrs. Weasley called out that supper was ready and we stood to go inside. Just then, a streak of red was seen shooting through the air. We ducked and pulled our wands, as a raven fell to the ground. A tall Auror in a baseball cap walked out of the trees, scooped it up and put it in a bag. He tipped his hat before apparating away.

Standing back up, Harry announced, "I think, I'll explain more tonight or in the morning. This just isn't the right time or place. Plus, Ron looks hungry again."

Hermione rolled her eyes, " Tell me your not Ron. We just had a snack and you ate a big lunch."

"Spies, I think we will meet in living room." Ron said shaking his head as he took Hermione by the hand, while side tracking her comment. Ginny and I looked at each other, before following the rest into the house.

After supper, we went into the living room and found Bill was out of bed, looking much better while Fleur fussed over him. He was sitting in the Mr. Weasley's cozy chair looking very embarrassed with a blanket draped over his legs, a tall dark green drink in his hands and a bowl of fresh chips at the side. The scars were clearing up fast.

"Let's see, you used to be called "the Trio", what are you now, "The Six Pack?" Bill said with a smiling but smug look on his face.

He watched as we each came in and sat as couples. We had agreed that what we really needed was just some quiet time. We had all been so busy, and there was so much going on, it was overwhelming at times. Fleur sat on the arm of Bills chair, and stoked his arms. Hermione and Luna sat on the couch with Ron and Neville on the floor in front of them. Hermione was running her hands through Ron's hair while Luna massaged Neville's neck and shoulders. Harry sat in the other big chair while Ginny sat on his lap, resting her head on his shoulder. Harry took her hands as he looked into her eyes. The room was silent but for the crackle of fire in the fireplace. Time seemed to stand still as each couple communicated the meaning of their unions to their partners.

As darkness came, Fleur took Bill by the hand and went upstairs to sleep. Ron climbed into Bills chair and Hermione sat on his lap and rested her head on his shoulder after a light kiss. Neville lay on the couch with his head resting on Luna's lap. Watching them, I realized how much we had all changed, and grown together.

Mrs. Weasley interrupted thoughts of our future. "Oh my, Cupid has been busy. Will we be hearing more then one set of wedding bells soon?" She asked with a knowing smile on her face looking at Ron and Hermione. Not wanting to look at her, Harry thought "soon" wasn't the right word, but knew whom he wanted to share those bells with. Ron looked at his mother and smiled, then reached up and pulled Hermione into a kiss. Luna and Neville seemed oblivious to everything around them. She left us soon after with Mr. Weasley in tow to retire for the night.

After an hour or more, Luna and Neville left, and the rest of us went up stairs. We had agreed to meet in the morning, but didn't specify an exact time. With a "Good Night" and a light kiss from a sleepy little redhead, Harry got undressed and climbed into bed. A three quarter moons light cast across the room, and thoughts of Bill entered his mind. 'I guess we would know for certain in a few days what effects he will have.' He said softly to no one.

Closing his eyes, he dreamt a restless sleep reliving that day and his moments with Dumbledore. In a room, not far away, Ginny cried in her sleep as she saw Dumbledore die again.