CHAPTER 15 – THE NIGHT BEFORE

After dinner that night, Lupin arrived to spend some time with Harry before he left. They sat and talked about the day's events in the library. Soon after Lupin brought up a subject that Harry knew would arise.

"You said that you had a theory about what happened at the Burrow," Lupin said. "What is that theory Harry?" Harry hadn't really thought about it too much but he had thought about it.

"Well," he started, "they tell us that our magic comes from inside but they don't really explain how. A wand is supposed to harness the power that we have so that we can use it. I've seen Dumbledore and Voldemort use magic without a wand and obviously speaking the words doesn't hold too much weight because you can use spells nonverbally. So I was wondering, what are the limitations of magic? How does one know what is impossible or not?"

"The wand is supposed to be used as a sort of guide," Lupin said. He seemed to be thinking as he was talking. "It's a tool to help use your magic. As far as limitations, I guess no one really knows. I mean, the magical world thought a lot of things were impossible and then powerful wizards, like Dumbledore and Voldemort, did things that no one had seen before."

"Exactly," Harry said. "I was thinking, what if the limitation is not in the magic, but in the mind." Lupin seemed to be confused by what Harry was getting at.

"What do you mean 'in the mind'?"

"What about the children who do surprisingly strong magic without knowing it? What if it's just that no one has told them it was impossible? As the saying goes, 'you can do anything you set your mind to'. I mean, if we think something is impossible then we won't have the power to do it."

Lupin understood what Harry was trying to say but he shook his head. "Harry, what you did at the Burrow was impossible. You took a spell and changed it against its nature. Wizards aren't supposed to be able to do that."

"But that's my point entirely. I never thought if I could do it. I just did it. I knew we were outnumbered and there was no way we could block everything so I just extended the shield." Harry had gotten excited without realizing it. He was sitting at the edge of his chair and he was tapping his foot rapidly on the carpeted floor.

"I don't know Harry," Lupin said looking unconvinced. "The theory is nice but how can you apply it to your magic. How do you open your mind to things that you thought were impossible your entire life?"

Harry shook his head. He didn't know the answer. He didn't even know if his theory was anywhere near true, but he did know something happened when he altered the Protego spell.

Not knowing what else could be said they quickly change the subject back to less intellectually taxing topics. They spoke about everything from Fred and George's tent to the current situation of Harry and Ginny's relationship. Here was where Harry really needed help. He had never had a girlfriend before and didn't really know what to make of the situation. Lupin laughed about it all and told Harry his father was the same way with his mother. He told Harry to just follow his heart, "it will know better than you."

The rest of the night was spent in different ways. Hermione was locked in her room reading through every page of Harry's book. Fred and George were in their room presumably working on new products for their joke shop, when it reopened. Harry and Ron spent a while playing wizard's chess. Ginny sat next to Harry and helped him out.

Harry's head was filled with so many thoughts from recent events that he couldn't concentrate fully on the game. After a while, Ginny ended up pushing him out of the way and playing heads up with Ron. Harry was glad because he could mull over the situation in his head under the pretense that he was watching the game.

Hermione had come downstairs just as night had fallen outside. She seemed exhausted, complaining that she had only got through half the book and, although interesting, hadn't found anything useful. Harry knew that now was the time to tell them what he felt in his heart was true.

"Tonight's the last night I'm going to spend here," he told them. "If you really want to come with me I suggest spending time with your families and then packing up." They looked at each other knowing that all four were going on this trip, yet there was a somber mood in the room. "Tomorrow we start the journey to rid the world of Voldemort and his followers. Tonight may be a good time to say your goodbyes. We are going on the offensive and attacking the most powerful dark wizard of our time and, although I wish with every fiber in my body that it doesn't happen, we might not all walk away from this." He stood up and looked at each of them in the eyes before turning and heading for the kitchen. He stopped at the door. "We leave at daybreak," he said over his shoulder and then walked out of the library.

In the kitchen Lupin and Mrs. Weasley were having a very normal conversation over evening tea. Harry felt guilty as he approached, knowing that the rest of the night would not be normal when he told them they were leaving. As he entered the room they quieted and looked at him. He felt that getting straight to the point would benefit everyone but somehow lost the nerve to tell Mrs. Weasley that he was leading her children to death. As he opened his mouth to speak no words came out. He tried twice more but to no avail. Lupin seemed to get the point and spoke the words for him.

"You're leaving tomorrow," he said. It was not a question but Harry nodded to confirm. He felt that now that the news was out he could find his voice.

"Mrs. Weasley," he started, "I think now would be a good time to spend with your children." He expected a lot more words to be shared but was shocked when she simply nodded and walked off to be with her family. Harry sat down at the table across from Lupin and gave a big sigh.

"It'll be okay Harry," Lupin told him. But even Harry could tell that he didn't have a lot of confidence in what he was saying.

"I just don't know if I'm doing the right thing," Harry said. "Do you think I should have let them come?"

"Yes," Lupin said. "You gave them a choice and you know your friends. They want to fight, Harry. They want to be by your side no matter what. And they know the danger. Besides, if you tried to force your will upon them you would be just like Voldemort."

"I know, that's what Sirius told me," Harry said absentmindedly.

"When did Sirius tell you that?" Lupin looked at him quizzically.

Harry told Lupin about the meeting he had, which almost brought Lupin to tears. "I don't even know if it was real or not," he said as he finished the story.

"I don't either but it would be wise to follow their advice, real or not."

"Listen," Harry said, "tomorrow after I leave I want you to go up to my room and sitting on my bed will be an envelope. Inside that envelope will be my will." Lupin's eyes went wide.

"Harry you can't even think like that!"

"I'd be a fool not to. I fully know the risk that I'm taking and that I could die in the process. Actually, I'm pretty much expecting it. Anyway, I named you as the executer of my estate and I need you to do whatever needs to be done to make it binding."

Lupin was at a loss of words but nodded anyway, grudgingly accepting the task Harry had set for him. They sat for a few moments in silence realizing that it could be the last time they spend time in each other's company. After a while they decided that they could intrude on the Weasley's time. This war had brought all these people together and they would spend their last night the same way: together. Many laughs were had and tears shed as they reminisced through out the night.

The next morning they assembled in the kitchen before dawn for breakfast. The mood at the table was as dark as it was outside. Not a lot of words were shared but there were more signs of affection than normal, and no one seemed to care.

As the time for departure arrived, the four adventurers stood at the door with their bags packed. Mrs. Weasley had tears streaming down her face as she hugged her two children, giving them words of wisdom. Harry purposely stood behind to let them have their time. He shook Fred and George's hand and thanked them for the tent. He pulled Lupin aside so the others wouldn't hear.

"Remember what I said," he told Lupin, who nodded an affirmative. "I don't know if you need it but Ron signed as a witness to me writing it."

"Harry, be careful," Lupin said, trying to get in some quick advice. "If you feel like you're not ready then try to escape rather than fight. Trust in yourself. You have great abilities and we all have faith in you."

"Thanks," Harry said. He didn't want to leave but he had to.

"When you get back," Lupin said with a stern voice, "I'm going to hand you that unopened envelope and we're going to burn it together okay?"

Harry nodded and shook his hand. Lupin clapped him hard on the back seeming to not want to let go. He looked down at Harry and whispered a good luck.

Harry walked to Mrs. Weasley who was completely heart broken. She could just barely control her emotions enough to speak.

"You be careful Harry," she said with a sniff.

"I will," Harry said. "I promise you Mrs. Weasley, that I will do the best I can to protect your children."

"I know," she said. She gathered him into a motherly hug and, as she watched the four of them leave the house, she lost control, sobbing horribly into Lupin's shoulder.

Harry watched Number 12 Grimmwauld Place get swallowed up by the protection charm before he turned and walked down the street. He looked at Ron, Hermione and, last, Ginny. Seeing the same feeling in them as the one in his stomach he gave them a slight nod as they continued to walk. The sun finally broke through behind them as they watched their shadows grow.

"what is right… and what is easy"