Chap 6 – Afternoon and Bedtime Tea

Harry was in the kitchen preparing tea. It was nearly four in the afternoon, but Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon weren't due back until seven - though that wasn't much assurance for Harry. They could arrive back at any moment hoping to have an excuse to punish him for being in the wrong.

POP.

He turned from the table to the sound of someone apparating. There was silence followed by a short knock to the kitchen door.

"Come in, Moody," Harry greeted the old auror as he opened the door.

Moody walked in, leaning heavily on his cane. His scared face looked tired and haggard; his robes were hanging loosely and his magical eye wasn't whirling around as it usually did.

Harry sighed at his observations. 'The war's beginning to take its toll. All the more reason for my training to be successful.' "Why don't you have a seat?"

"I know you didn't bring me here for tea and biscuits," Mad-Eye grumbled as he eased down into a chair. "So, what's all this about?"

"Well," Harry started to feel a flutter of nervousness in his stomach. "You know that I'm going to be moving into Grimmauld Place later this week, right?" Moody nodded and Harry continued on more confidently now. "I'm going to start my training to defeat Voldemort and was wondering if you had any tips or information that would be of any use."

Mad-Eye was quiet as he stared into his cup, as though it held all the answers. "You're leaving this off a bit late, aren't you? I'll be honest. I don't think there's any way you could hope to be ready to fight within the next year. Hell, it would probably take closer to ten to learn everything you'd need and even then. . . . Who knows?" he paused for a moment studying Harry.

The boy looked as though he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, which he did. Everything depended on this young man and his ability to overcome the evil of the world. Not many would have had the courage to stand up and accept this fate, but accept it Harry had and he was determined to succeed.

"However, if you're really serious about this-"

"I am, sir," Harry answered and listened intently.

"Then you should consider purchasing an Auror's Trunk. It comes fully equipped with practice areas and equipment; there are also living quarters with a security system, and nearly unlimited space. That could give you a jumping off place. Said you were going to clean out number twelve?"

"Yes. I know Mrs. Weasley has already done most of the hard work, but I'm curious to see what else is hidden there."

"Well," Moody's voice took on a hard edge. "Knowing the old Black Family, there'll be some powerful dark magic books and what-not. Those could prove useful."

"Thanks, Moody. You've really given me some good ideas. So, what time is my escape set for?"

Mad-Eye chuckled at Harry's attempt at a joke; little did he know how much organization was going on behind the scenes. "We need you to be waiting, ready to go by 9 a.m. We'll portkey to the carpark nearby," Harry cringed inwardly. Portkey was his least favorite method of travel (for obvious reasons). "And walk to Number Twelve using Disillusionment Charms."

"How many guards?"

"Three posted around the perimeter of each drop site and another two en route."

Harry nodded. That'd make twelve guards, including Moody. "That seems an awful lot of people. Shouldn't' we try for so something a little more low-key?"

"That had been my idea at first, but no. The Death Eaters have become bolder in their attacks. Not much in the Wizarding World recently, but surely you must've heard about the Muggle attacks?"

Harry nodded sadly. He knew only too well about the recent attacks. There had been one last week in Reading, only blocks away from Hermione's home. Most of the other attacks had proven to be near misses for other Muggleborn students. Now, every precaution, short of lifting the ban on underage magic, was being used to protect the students while they were away from school.

"I guess I can see why we need so many. Will Lupin be involved?"

"Yes. He and Tonks insisted on being the en route guards. He's been working with those Ministry fools over creature controls and regulations or some other such rubbish."

'That explains why he hasn't written back.'

"I'll be going onto duty now," Moody drained the last of his tea and pocketed a biscuit. "Remember, Harry," he said as he rose and began to walk towards the door. "Constant vigilance."

The door closed and Harry sat in silence going over everything he'd just heard. The clock in the sitting room announced the hour. Five o'clock.

As though on cue, the front door opened. Any light wishing to enter the house was blocked by the monstrous size of Vernon Dursley.

"Oh, damn," Harry muttered. For unknown reasons, he had managed not to hear his uncle's thunderous approach from the driveway. Quickly, the remains of the tea were magicked away, the dishes cleaned and put back in place. Now, how to get upstairs?

There was only one way into the kitchen that would lead upstairs, and that was through the sitting room.

"Where is that boy? Lazing about or causing trouble, I'd wager," Uncle Vernon's voice resonated through the house. His slow, ponderous progress toward the kitchen could be heard, as well as felt.

Harry moved stealthily behind the hall-kitchen door. "Disillusio," he whispered and with a tap of his wand he was invisible. Uncle Vernon walked in and took a quick inventory of the room. Satisfied that everything was as it was supposed to be, he sat down at the table and began to read the evening post.

Sidestepping out from the door, Harry began to head for the stairs.

"Petunia, what time is Dudder's supposed to be getting home?"

Aunt Petunia came through the hall. Harry immediately flattened himself against the wall. She paused; her thin, horse-like face was drawn in suspicion as she looked around the hall. "I know you're still here," she whispered before entering the kitchen.

"Seven, Vernon. That's why we're home, so I can cook my little Diddums his favorites tonight. I'm sure he's nearly starved after being away all week."

Harry had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing aloud. The thought of his whale-sized cousin starving was inconceivable. "Silencio," he whispered to the staircase and was soon back in his own room.

The sun was beginning to set in the western sky. The houses of Privet Drive seemed to scream out their suburban normalities even louder than usual. A small flock of birds set off and moved through the dusty orange light.

"Only one more day," he said aloud as he watched the aerial formations. "And then I'll be free, too."

Ron groaned as he pushed away from the dinner table. "I think you outdid yourself, Mum," he commented finishing his last bit of strawberry trifle. 'She must be feeling guilty about this morning. Nearly all of my favorites in one m-' Ron never did finish his thought as he slumped forward onto the table.

"Quick! Bill, George, get him up into his room." Both jumped up and supported their gently snoring brother between them.

"Cor, really goes out doesn' he?" George laughed as they headed for the stairs.

"What'd you do, Mum?" Ginny asked curiously.

"Oh that. I slipped a sleeping potion into his pudding. You didn't want him to be around when your father starts his family meeting in a few minutes, did you?" She said slyly as she began to bustle about the kitchen. "Fred, Charlie, clear the table so we can get started soon."

Both brothers grumbled about having to do "girls' work" but did it anyway out of fear of their mother's unpredictable temper. Soon the kitchen was back to rights.

Mrs. Weasley started to make tea while everyone else began to filter into the living room. Mr. Weasley was already sitting in one of the overstuffed (well, at one time, overstuffed) armchairs; Fred and George were seated on the extra long sofa facing the fire, while Bill and Charlie sat on the settee opposite their father.

Knowing she would end up being the center of attention no matter what, Ginny sat between Fred and George. The family clock chimed half-past seven and Mrs. Weasley came in with a tray full of teacups and biscuits and began pouring out.

Noticing that Arthur was eager to get this over with, Molly left the tray on the centralized coffee table and went to sit next to her husband.

"Now," Mr. Weasley paused to clear his throat. "I want all of you to understand what I'm about to tell you and remember that in times like these it is essential for us to stick together and offer each other our support.

"This Monday, Ginny received a letter."

"That hardly seems like news," Fred whispered loudly causing his twin to chuckle. Mrs. Weasley quelled the outburst with her hard stare.

"As I was about to say, this letter was from Harry. As you all know from the emergency meeting that same night, the Dark Lord is preparing for a big push. What wasn't mentioned was who is an integral piece to brining about His defeat." He paused and looked over at Ginny, causing her brothers' eyes to look that way as well.

"There's no way - "

"Not our little Gin-Gin - "

"We won't let that happen - "

Mr. Weasley raised his hand for silence. "I know that all of you want to protect your sister. But, as I was told this morning, we all have a duty to fulfill. Even though we may not like what we have to do, we have to face it with purpose and courage."

"That still doesn't explain why it has to be Ginny. Why her?" Charlie asked and the others nodded and muttered in agreement.

"Perhaps you should ask her. I'm still not sure myself."

Ginny could feel six pairs of eyes boring into her, waiting for some kind of explanation.

"Well," she began tentatively. "I don't know anything for certain, mind you, but I think I know why it has to be me that helps Harry." Ginny paused to bring both of her legs up to sit cross legged on the sofa. "Harry was the one to save me from the Chamber during my first year. From that ordeal, a bond was created between us. During my fourth and fifth years, Harry and I began to talk a lot more," she decided to leave out the part about actually dating Harry, Ron was the only person in her family who knew about that.

"I was the only person who could understand how it felt to be controlled and manipulated by Riddle. So, I think that Harry needs me now because we both understand how Riddle's mind operates. Together we have a better chance of finding a way to defeat him."

"And explain how two underage wizards can hope to bring down one of the most evil wizards ever, where so may others have failed before," George commented wrapping his arm around Ginny's shoulders, protectively.

"Yes, I'm not too sure of that myself. Harry wrote about some kind of training, but beyond that. . . . " She shrugged her shoulders.

The room became still as everyone began to think through their predicament. Mrs. Weasley sat sipping her tea with Arthur staring blindly into his hands; Fred and George were staring at Ginny, still trying to absorb her newly acquired importance, while Ginny leaned back on the sofa to stare at the ceiling. Only Bill and Charlie seemed to be attempting to find a solution.

"We'll have to train you," Bill said shattering the silence.

"What are you talking about?" Ginny asked, puzzled.

"Well, each of us are good at something. I've already been assigned to check the wards protecting Grimmauld Place and Harry's other estates and to help him with his charm work. I could easily teach you at the same time, maybe some curses too.

"Charlie could work with you guys on magical creatures and some dueling; and those two. . . . Well, I'm sure they'd be good for target practice." Charlie and Ginny broke out into deep laughter while the twins fumed resentfully.

"HEY! We know stuff too," George huffed.

"Yeah, we've been inventing potions and transfiguring things long before our days at Hogwarts. Who better to learn from?"

"None better, I suspect," Ginny said placatingly and patted each on the leg.

"This gives us a very good place to start from," Mr. Weasley beamed. "I'm surprised that you're all taking this so well."

"I think by now we've learned that once Ginny's got her teeth into something there is no stopping her," said Charlie, relaxing into his seat.

Ginny felt her cheeks growing warm. "Stop."

"Besides, if you and mum have accepted this, it doesn't leave us much right to be upset about it," George remarked.

Mrs. Weasley laughed. 'How well they know their sister. I can't believe - '

Suddenly there was a screeching and a scrape of wingtips upon stone coming from the fireplace.

WHOOSH!

A giant cloud of black poured out of the fire and quickly covered everything in its path. The Weasleys were all smudged in soot and coughing trying to find fresh air to breath and didn't notice that an equally ragged owl had appeared and had landed on the arm of Mrs. Weasley's chair.

"Who's it from?" Bill asked pointing to his mother.

Mr. Weasley quickly untied the letter and expected the owl to fly off, but it stayed with its large yellow eyes staring at him.

"It's to your mother and me. From Hermione?" his voice was quizzical as thought he didn't' quite understand.

"For you -" Fred asked.

"Not Ron?" his twin finished.

"It must be important," Ginny quipped. "Read it, Dad."

Mr. Weasley's eyes were already running down the page. "Oh dear. . . . Oh dear. . . . Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear."

"But what does it say, Arthur?" asked Mrs. Weasley, now thoroughly worried.

"Here," Arthur said handing her the paper.

Molly took it and began to read aloud:

"Dear Mr. and Mrs. Weasley –

I was wondering if it would be convenient for me to spend the remainder of the holidays with you at the Burrow. I don't wish to go into detail, but suffice it to say that I am no longer welcome in my parents' home. If you could pick me up sometime between nine and four this Friday, I would be very grateful. Love, Hermione." Mrs. Weasley paused to wipe away a tear.

"Wait there's a post script. 'Please don't tell Ron about this yet. I couldn't bear it if he were upset about my coming.' Oh, the poor dear."

"But what does all that mean?" Ginny asked, shaking her head slightly. "What could've happened, do you think?"

"I don't know, dear. I guess we'll just have to wait to find out until she's ready to tell us."

"Fred, George, what are you doing Friday morning?" Mr. Weasley asked.

"Rescuing Hermione, now," Fred said forcefully. "Not welcome by your own parents? It's unthinkable."

"Just because we haven't been smart enough to throw the pair of you out on your ears," Mrs. Weasley chipped, "Doesn't mean that there aren't those who do."

"You'd miss us too much to wish us gone, mum," George said sweetly before becoming all business. "What time should we get her, do you think, Dad?"

Mr. Weasley leaned back and ran a hand through his disappearing hair. "I would say shortly after nine. We will be moving Harry at that time. Perhaps you could . . . That gives me an idea!"

That said, Mr. Weasley jumped from his seat and headed for the writing desk in the corner and quickly scribbled a note. "This could be just the distraction that Moody and Dumbledore could use to lure the Death Eaters away. Where's Pig?"

No sooner had he asked than the tiny owl zoomed into the room, clipping Bill's earring along the way. "Since when does he come when called?" Mr. Weasley asked disbelieving. He shrugged and tied the note to the small bird's outstretched leg. As soon as he had secured the note, Pig was out of sight through the kitchen.

"If the kitchen window is open then why did you have to cause such a stir with the fire?" Mrs. Weasley asked the stately owl, who was still trying to shake off the soot.

"Pig probably went out through the door flap," commented Charlie.

"Remember, it was cool during dinner so you had Fred shut it," Bill said.

"Oh yes, I remember now."

"Um, Dad, what are we going to tell Ron?" Ginny asked while fidgeting with the cuffs on her jumper.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I had thought to tell him that I was going to spend a few weeks with Hermione, but now that she'll be coming here. . . ."

"Ah yes," Mr. Weasley steepled his hands under his chin. "This does make it all more complex."

"Wait. Why wasn't Harry worried about the rest of us finding out about the two of you?" Bill asked in mock indignation.

"Oh. I don't doubt that he is, or was, scared for his very life," Ginny gasped mischievously. "But, I guess he figured since you were all in the Order anyway – and nowhere near as thick about these things – you would have found out regardless.

"Plus, there's Ron's temper. Harry knew Ron'd go spar if he found out about our being together."

"Too true. Ruddy prat-"

"Watch your language!" Mrs. Weasley warned.

"Sorry, Mum, but he doesn't know how to hold in his mad," George finished remembering the outburst over the morning's breakfast.

"Exactly. That's why Harry wanted to make sure I had a good line to feed 'im. I'm sure even Ron would notice me missing for more than a month."

"Dear, I'm afraid you'll have to tell him about all this eventually. Why not do it now before anyone can get hurt?" Molly asked quietly.

"Mum, can't you see-" Ginny's plea was interrupted by Charlie's booming laugh.

"Oh that would burn him up!"

"Care to share with the rest of the class?" asked Fred, dryly.

"I think I know of a way we could keep Ron out of the loop, for awhile."

"Go on then," Mr. Weasley said leaning forward in his chair.

"Remember Leila Buchanan? She and I were in the same year; now she's a Chaser for the Holyhead Harpies. We could say that I called up a favor and Ginny's off at some training camp for the summer."

"Wow! Now I wish I really could be doing that."

"And since the Harpies are and all-girls team, there's no way that Ron could try to sneak off and check out the story."

"Oh Charlie, you're the greatest!" Ginny leapt from her seat and into Charlie's lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and placed a loud kiss on his cheek.

"Yeah, well," blushing a violent shade of pink, Charlie shifted uncomfortably. "What else are older brothers for than to keep their baby sister out of trouble?"

Not knowing exactly what to say, Ginny just smiled and made herself more comfortable in her brother's arms. The quiet family moment, however, was disturbed by the chiming of the family clock.

"Nine o'clock," Mrs. Weasley announced. "Shouldn't you boys be getting back to your flats?"

"Yeah, in a minute, mum," Bill said inclining his had towards Ginny and then to the stairs.

"Alright then. Arthur, let's head on up. You have to be in early tomorrow and I need to look in on Ron. Sleep well."

"G'night Mum. Dad."

Bill watched as his parents climbed the stairs and were soon out of sight. "Right, now we can really get started."

"What's all this about?" asked Ginny.

"We're merely fulfilling a fundamental clause in our brotherly contract," Fred said, trying to look serious.

"And what, exactly, does this particular clause entail?" Each of her brothers began to turn a warm pink and looked intently into the carpet.

"Well, Gin," began Charlie. "You see, there comes a time-"

"In every person's life," Bill continued. "When certain-"

"Situations need to be discussed," Fred finished.

"Oh no. I am not going to have this conversation with the four of you." 'How had they managed to get out that much and not die of embarrassment?' Not that Ginny was a prude or an innocent, but to be talking about these types of things with her brothers was a different matter

Ginny started to rise from the settee, but George walked over and sat on the edge of the coffee table. "Look. We don't want to have to talk about this anymore than you do. Believe me."

"Mum'd probably just talk 'bout all the lovely things," said Fred, sitting next to his twin. "And I doubt Dad would be able to get out two words on the subject."

"So, it's left to us to make sure that you understand what can happen," Charlie ended, seriously.

"Fine. If it'll make the lot of you feel better to tell me about all of this, I'll listen. Just remember, I'm no shrinking violet, and I'm not as naïve as I know you'd all like to think I am."

"No Weasley is ever innocent," chuckled Bill. "But I do doubt how much you know; so, let's start at the beginning. When was your first kiss?"

'Ugh! Who do they think they are, anyway? Even Mum doesn't as about this stuff.' During my fourth year to Michael Corner."

Four pairs of eyes instantly hardened and committed the name to memory, fully intending to extract some brotherly justice. "And . . . ?" Fred said, encouragingly.

"And nothing. It was just a few kisses. Nothing you could qualify as earth shattering."

"Precisely. Now, do you know why it didn't feel like that?"

"Not really. I just thought he was a bad kisser."

Bill winced a little at her non-pulsed answer, but carried on. "The reason that you didn't feel that earth shattering feeling, as you called it, was because he wasn't your soulmate."

"Oh please," Ginny rolled her eyes. "You're kidding me, right?"

"No, he's not," commented George. "Haven't you ever wondered why there are so many old curses that could only be broken by true love or its kiss? Or why marriage is so important to wizards, even the muggleborns who've grown up knowing about divorce?"

Ginny shook her head.

"Ah, our poor little sister," sniffed Fred as he made to wipe away a tear.

"What?" Ginny shrugged her voice hardening. "I still don't see where you're trying to go with this!"

"Let me try and put this a simpler way," Charlie said softly. "We know that you and Harry are going to be alone, together, at Grimmauld, and there are certain . . . things that are bound to happen."

"So you think that I. . . . That Harry would?" While Ginny had wondered what it would be like to be with Harry, especially once he began to sign his letters with "love", she hadn't thought to actually take the idea as far as her brothers were implying.

"Gin-Gin," interrupted Fred. "We all know what it's like to be a teenage boy – filled with hormones and stuff – and it's just that . . . there's always a chance."

"Look, this is getting us nowhere, so I'll just say it," Bill said frustratedly and turned two shades redder. "The reason we're trying to protect you is that when two people have . . . relations, they become linked, forever. If they're not soulmates, then their lives will be very difficult and cut short."

"But, if they are soulmates, then whatever life dishes out they'll be able to get through. Basically what we're trying to say in a rather drawn out way," Charlie paused to take a breath. "Is don't do anything until you're absolutely positive. We wouldn't be able to forgive ourselves if you, or Harry for that matter, got hurt."

They sat in silence; the four brothers kept their eyes, full of love and concern, upon their sister. Ginny, now sitting wedged between Bill and Charlie, could feel her brothers' anxiety over the unknown pulsating through the room.

"I appreciate what you guys are doing, but there's really no reason to worry. There's nothing going on between Harry and me. Even if there were, you can rest assured that I wouldn't be doing that. Not yet, anyway," she said with a wink.

"We know that Gin," said George. "We just had to make sure you knew about this serious stuff."

"Well, I didn't, not really, but I get it now."

The clock chimed out the ten o'clock hour. "Guess we should all be heading home. Tell mum I won't be here for breakfast," Bill added as he rose from the seat. "Fleur's making crepes."

"Wait, I still have one question. How did you guys know about all this stuff?"

"Comes from being in love," Fred remarked. Touching his bruised cheek, he apparated with a loud crash.

"Don't worry. It'll all make sense soon enough," George and Bill left together with two small pops.

All too soon Charlie and Ginny were alone in the living room with only the clock and the creakings of the house settling into the night to disturb the stillness.

"Some night, huh?"

Ginny gave a breathy laugh. "You could say that again."

"You're not angry with us, are you?" Charlie asked to his fingers.

"For what? Being a bunch of overprotective, worrisome twits? No."

"Good, because we've been waiting for this to happen for some time now."

"Waiting for what?"

"Well, we've always known you had a crush on Harry. That was just hero worship, I think. Then he became friends with Ron and especially after what happened your first year, we - Bill and I, actually – knew you two would end up together."

Ginny slumped into the settee. "Charlie," she said exasperated. "I'm getting really tired of all this double talk. If you're going to say something, just say it. Please."

"Alright," Charlie leaned back into his seat. "When Bill was in his third year he took Divinations."

"I didn't know that!"

"Just that one year. Anyway, he had stayed after one lesson and Trelawney, batty old bird that she is, had a vision."

"About . . . ?"

"She said. . . . Damn, I hope I'm remembering this right. She said, 'The scars of the Boy Who Lived can only be healed by the first female child in the Weasley tree in over a millennia, born after him in the month of Augustus. Twice he will rescue her without thought and twice more with thoughts of only her.' Bill said there was something else after that, but he refused to tell me the rest. You'll have to pry that out of him yourself."

How could this be possible? Ginny could feel her whole body trembling. 'How could there be this enormous prediction about me and I not know a thing about it? Dumb question; most things involving Harry or Riddle are kept shrouded in mystery.'

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes," Charlie looked at her, a gleam of conviction in his eye. "Someone mentions something like that you're not likely to forget it. I'm sure Bill could describe the whole scene down to what socks he was wearing that day if you asked him."

"But if you've known about this, why didn't one of you tell me?"

"And make you a target? Or worse, make you into a self-fulfilling prophecy? No. If it happened it was going to happen. Bill and I agreed not to do anything to hasten its arrival."

"I guess I can see your point."

"Thanks for that," chuckled Charlie. "Now, let's get to bed. I have to teach some rookies how to convince a dragon to let them ride it tomorrow."

"Sounds like fun."

They were nearly to the second floor land when Ginny gasped. "Dammit."

"What?"

"I wanted to ask Dad why Harry's already received his Underage Waiver and I haven't."

"Don't worry. It'll all work out in the end," he leaned over and kissed Ginny on her forehead. "Good night, Gin."

"Night, Charlie. Oh, by the way. . . . "

Charlie was already down the hall, the door already opened before him. "What is it?"

"When are you going to let the rest of us meet your fiancée?"

"How - How did you know about that? We haven't told anyone yet."

Ginny sighed and leaned against the doorjamb. "Back when the Championship final was going on, one of the commentators said that she had become engaged to a dragon tamer working in Romania. And not even an hour ago you mention Leila by name and your eyes took on this kind of sparkle that I've only seen twice before: once was between mum and dad when dad got attacked and ended up in St. Mungo's, the other time was when Bill got attacked by that damned werewolf and Fleur stood her ground and refused to leave him. I think it only happens when you love a person that deeply."

"It's a good thing no one else is as clever as you are," Charlie laughed. "Otherwise Mum would either be demanding to meet her or looking up new curses. Don't worry you'll get to meet her soon enough. She'll be coming to the wedding with me, but until then can you promise to just keep this between the two of us?"

"Deal, but it's going to cost you."

"Imp. How much?"

"I'll let you know later," Ginny laughed evilly and quickly retreated into her room.

"Ugh. . . . Girls are the root of all the troubles of the world, I'd swear it!"