Chapter 4
A Meeting with Dumbledore
Harry woke up to a light voice saying "Good morning, are you Harry Potter?" and blinked. He thought someone was sitting at the end of his bed, but he couldn't see who without his glasses. Grabbing them, he put them on and sat up.
There was indeed someone sitting at the end of his bed, a very small someone. He (It?) looked to be roughly three feet tall and was sitting cross-legged at the end of his bed.
"Are you a hobbit?" He asked, remembering Ron's description.
"I asked first. But yes I am."
Harry blinked. He supposed this one had to be either Peregin or Samwise, because of the blond curls. Sirius had given him a pretty good description but he hadn't told him the eye color. This one's eyes were light brown, almost gold, and were sparkling with mischief. He had lightly tanned skin and was wearing a red-gold robe and slippers.
"I'm Pippen. We came in last night about one in the morning. You were asleep."
"I thought there was a Peregin, not a Pippin."
"Peregin is my full name, Pippin's a nickname. Peregin Took is a bit of a mouthful for everyday use, so now its Pippin or Pip."
"Yes, I'm Harry, How did you get in? Arwen said that no on could get in but me."
"Arwen doesn't know that I have a set of magic lock picks. I just wanted to talk to you before breakfast. Padfoot speaks very highly of you, and I wanted to see who you were."
"Should I tell Arwen that you have magic lock picks?"
"Yes you most certainly should! Hello, Peregin. What are you doing sitting on my godson's bed at eight o' clock in the morning?" Sirius was leaning on Harry's open door. "'Morning to you too, Harry."
As soon as Pippin heard Sirius's voice, He scrambled off Harry's bed and ran into Sirius's arms. Sirius scooped him up and threw him in the air, before catching him and holding him. Then Pippin started chattering in another language, an innocent look on his face. Sirius grinned and put him down, scooting him down the hall.
"Sirius?"
"Yeah?"
"Why do they call you Padfoot?"
"Because when Arwen heard that I was in trouble (or dead- as the case may be) she would receive a message saying 'Padfoot's in trouble' so they got used to calling me Padfoot."
"Oh."
"They're sweet little guys. Pippins the most mischievous one of the four, Frodo's the quietist. Now get up for breakfast, Arwen wants your help and you need to be there to meet everybody."
"'Kay."
Harry smiled as he got out of bed and grabbed his stuff before heading to the bathroom. It had been three glorious days since he had arrived here, and he had enjoyed every minute of it. While everyone was in meetings, he and Ron and Hermione and Evy, Pasco, and the twins (Jory and Nia) would work on 'decontaminating' a room. They scrubbed hallways, dusted, mopped, cooked, and did everything else needed to make this house livable. They were sometimes joined by Briar, Tris, Sandry and Daja, but they spent most of their times in meetings. There was a glorious library that they discovered one day, behind a revolving bookcase. Hermione attacked it with a dust cloth, soon joined by Tris. Evy was a stone mage, had black hair and eyes, and light brown skin, and was as stubborn as anyone could imagine. Pasco was a dance mage, also had black hair but had amber eyes, and paler skin. The twins both had crinkly gold-brown hair and eyes to match, they had tan skin too. Briar was a plant mage, and had dark brown hair and jade eyes, and brownish skin. Daja had her black hair in eleven braids and dark brown skin, paired with even darker eyes. Sandry had hair that was such a light brown that it could have been blond, blue eyes, and a slightly sun-kissed look about her. Tris had flaming ginger hair that was put in many tiny braids, coiled around and around her head, all but two which she let hang down by her face. She had grey eyes and also was slightly tanned. Tris was a lightning and weather mage, Sandry was a thread mage.
After dressing he went down to the now crowded kitchen and took a seat between Briar and Ron, facing Hermione and Ginny. Then Evy leaned over.
"I was listing to them talk last night 'fore bed." She said in her light, husky voice. "They said something about weird things are gonna happen at Hogwarts. What's Hogwarts?"
"'r shooll" said Ron through a mouthful of eggs and potatoes. He swallowed "It's our school, I mean. What weird things?"
"I dunno- they didn't say."
"Hmmmm..." mused Hermione.
" 'xtenables" said Ron, chewing again. Evy looked at him, raising her eyebrows. "Extendable ears. My brothers invented them."
"That won't work," said Ginny, leaning in. "Mum's got an Impertubed charm on the door."
"Been chucking stuff at it again, have you?"
"Uh-huh. We'll have to get them in before the meeting."
"Have you ever wondered if there's another reason you're not allowed in the meetings?" asked Briar. Evy glared at him, but Hermione looked excited.
"Not really. Why? Is there?"
"Yup. See this?" he pulled a gold chain with a small opal shield on it out from under his shirt. Looking closely, Harry saw that it had a small gold phoenix on it.
"Wuzzat?"
"This is the symbol of the order of the phoenix. If you're wearing this- no one can get any information from you. Even if the hack into your mind. It also enables us to send mind- messages if we really need to."
"So that's why we're not allowed to know? Because someone might find us and get information?'
"Yup. That's why."
"So we ent allowed to know anything?" asked Evy, frowning.
"Nope. Sorry, Ev."
"Oh well."
The rest of the day went by without much event, except Evy getting stuck in a secret cabinet that would not let her out and eventually Nia had to rip the thing off its hinges. It wasn't until later, when Harry and Ron were playing chess that something else exciting happened.
"Harry," Arwen said, sticking her head in the room, "Dumbledore and Sirius are down in the kitchen and they'd like to talk to you."
Harry, who was in the middle of a violent battle between his queen and Ron's remaining castle, didn't quite register what she said. "Squash him, go on... You're a queen, he's a castle, you can beat him, OH COME ON!!! Sorry, Arwen what di-"
"Where're you going?" cut in Ron, eyes falling on the gigantic basket of laundry that Arwen was holding.
"I'm of to do laundry, Harry, Dumbledore and Sirius, Kitchen, Now. And while your down there, tell my reckless husband I will meet him in the next world," she said, rolling her eyes and strode down the hall.
Harry and Ron sniggered over this for a bit while they cleared up.
"Wonder what they want?"
"Probably that I'll be taking occlumacy with Dumbledore instead of Snape- I HOPE!!"
Ron laughed. "Whatever- tell me what they wanted when you're done. Good luck!"
Harry walked down the stairs, chuckling. When he entered the kitchen, Sirius was in one chair, leaning it back on two legs, with a big grin on his face.
"Er.Sirius?"
"Yeah?"
"Arwen went to do laundry and said to tell you she'll meet you in the next world."
Sirius and Dumbledore both laughed.
"Harry, sit down."
Harry sat. "What is it, Professor?"
"Well, as you probably know, I have been having some trouble finding a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"Why?" asked Sirius.
"Well," said Harry, "Look at what's happened to them. One's dead, one's memory modified, one resigned, one locked in a trunk for nine months, and one carried off by centaurs."
"I think I see what you mean. Continue, Professor."
"And as I couldn't find one this year."
"And as I'm now cleared."
"Your godfather kindly decided to take the post."
"WHAT!!!!!!"
Sirius grinned. "Yeah, I'm teaching."
"Sirius that's great!"
"I know. I'll be able to keep an eye on you."
"Do I need it?'
"YES."
"Oh. But really, wait'll I tell Ron and Hermione!"
"So it's okay with you?"
"Duh. Can I go? Oh wait.Professor?"
Dumbledore looked at him through half-moon glasses. "Yes Harry?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Certainly."
"Why won't you let Snape-"
"Professor Snape, Harry."
"Yeah.Him. Why won't you let him have the Defence Against the Dark Arts post?"
"Because it is a lot harder to find an adept potions master than it is to find an DADA teacher. Anything else?"
"No."
"Well..Here's you're letter, and theirs."
"Okay..Can I go now?"
"And tell them we're going to Diagon Ally, tomorrow."
"Okay. And Sirius?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
Harry woke up to a light voice saying "Good morning, are you Harry Potter?" and blinked. He thought someone was sitting at the end of his bed, but he couldn't see who without his glasses. Grabbing them, he put them on and sat up.
There was indeed someone sitting at the end of his bed, a very small someone. He (It?) looked to be roughly three feet tall and was sitting cross-legged at the end of his bed.
"Are you a hobbit?" He asked, remembering Ron's description.
"I asked first. But yes I am."
Harry blinked. He supposed this one had to be either Peregin or Samwise, because of the blond curls. Sirius had given him a pretty good description but he hadn't told him the eye color. This one's eyes were light brown, almost gold, and were sparkling with mischief. He had lightly tanned skin and was wearing a red-gold robe and slippers.
"I'm Pippen. We came in last night about one in the morning. You were asleep."
"I thought there was a Peregin, not a Pippin."
"Peregin is my full name, Pippin's a nickname. Peregin Took is a bit of a mouthful for everyday use, so now its Pippin or Pip."
"Yes, I'm Harry, How did you get in? Arwen said that no on could get in but me."
"Arwen doesn't know that I have a set of magic lock picks. I just wanted to talk to you before breakfast. Padfoot speaks very highly of you, and I wanted to see who you were."
"Should I tell Arwen that you have magic lock picks?"
"Yes you most certainly should! Hello, Peregin. What are you doing sitting on my godson's bed at eight o' clock in the morning?" Sirius was leaning on Harry's open door. "'Morning to you too, Harry."
As soon as Pippin heard Sirius's voice, He scrambled off Harry's bed and ran into Sirius's arms. Sirius scooped him up and threw him in the air, before catching him and holding him. Then Pippin started chattering in another language, an innocent look on his face. Sirius grinned and put him down, scooting him down the hall.
"Sirius?"
"Yeah?"
"Why do they call you Padfoot?"
"Because when Arwen heard that I was in trouble (or dead- as the case may be) she would receive a message saying 'Padfoot's in trouble' so they got used to calling me Padfoot."
"Oh."
"They're sweet little guys. Pippins the most mischievous one of the four, Frodo's the quietist. Now get up for breakfast, Arwen wants your help and you need to be there to meet everybody."
"'Kay."
Harry smiled as he got out of bed and grabbed his stuff before heading to the bathroom. It had been three glorious days since he had arrived here, and he had enjoyed every minute of it. While everyone was in meetings, he and Ron and Hermione and Evy, Pasco, and the twins (Jory and Nia) would work on 'decontaminating' a room. They scrubbed hallways, dusted, mopped, cooked, and did everything else needed to make this house livable. They were sometimes joined by Briar, Tris, Sandry and Daja, but they spent most of their times in meetings. There was a glorious library that they discovered one day, behind a revolving bookcase. Hermione attacked it with a dust cloth, soon joined by Tris. Evy was a stone mage, had black hair and eyes, and light brown skin, and was as stubborn as anyone could imagine. Pasco was a dance mage, also had black hair but had amber eyes, and paler skin. The twins both had crinkly gold-brown hair and eyes to match, they had tan skin too. Briar was a plant mage, and had dark brown hair and jade eyes, and brownish skin. Daja had her black hair in eleven braids and dark brown skin, paired with even darker eyes. Sandry had hair that was such a light brown that it could have been blond, blue eyes, and a slightly sun-kissed look about her. Tris had flaming ginger hair that was put in many tiny braids, coiled around and around her head, all but two which she let hang down by her face. She had grey eyes and also was slightly tanned. Tris was a lightning and weather mage, Sandry was a thread mage.
After dressing he went down to the now crowded kitchen and took a seat between Briar and Ron, facing Hermione and Ginny. Then Evy leaned over.
"I was listing to them talk last night 'fore bed." She said in her light, husky voice. "They said something about weird things are gonna happen at Hogwarts. What's Hogwarts?"
"'r shooll" said Ron through a mouthful of eggs and potatoes. He swallowed "It's our school, I mean. What weird things?"
"I dunno- they didn't say."
"Hmmmm..." mused Hermione.
" 'xtenables" said Ron, chewing again. Evy looked at him, raising her eyebrows. "Extendable ears. My brothers invented them."
"That won't work," said Ginny, leaning in. "Mum's got an Impertubed charm on the door."
"Been chucking stuff at it again, have you?"
"Uh-huh. We'll have to get them in before the meeting."
"Have you ever wondered if there's another reason you're not allowed in the meetings?" asked Briar. Evy glared at him, but Hermione looked excited.
"Not really. Why? Is there?"
"Yup. See this?" he pulled a gold chain with a small opal shield on it out from under his shirt. Looking closely, Harry saw that it had a small gold phoenix on it.
"Wuzzat?"
"This is the symbol of the order of the phoenix. If you're wearing this- no one can get any information from you. Even if the hack into your mind. It also enables us to send mind- messages if we really need to."
"So that's why we're not allowed to know? Because someone might find us and get information?'
"Yup. That's why."
"So we ent allowed to know anything?" asked Evy, frowning.
"Nope. Sorry, Ev."
"Oh well."
The rest of the day went by without much event, except Evy getting stuck in a secret cabinet that would not let her out and eventually Nia had to rip the thing off its hinges. It wasn't until later, when Harry and Ron were playing chess that something else exciting happened.
"Harry," Arwen said, sticking her head in the room, "Dumbledore and Sirius are down in the kitchen and they'd like to talk to you."
Harry, who was in the middle of a violent battle between his queen and Ron's remaining castle, didn't quite register what she said. "Squash him, go on... You're a queen, he's a castle, you can beat him, OH COME ON!!! Sorry, Arwen what di-"
"Where're you going?" cut in Ron, eyes falling on the gigantic basket of laundry that Arwen was holding.
"I'm of to do laundry, Harry, Dumbledore and Sirius, Kitchen, Now. And while your down there, tell my reckless husband I will meet him in the next world," she said, rolling her eyes and strode down the hall.
Harry and Ron sniggered over this for a bit while they cleared up.
"Wonder what they want?"
"Probably that I'll be taking occlumacy with Dumbledore instead of Snape- I HOPE!!"
Ron laughed. "Whatever- tell me what they wanted when you're done. Good luck!"
Harry walked down the stairs, chuckling. When he entered the kitchen, Sirius was in one chair, leaning it back on two legs, with a big grin on his face.
"Er.Sirius?"
"Yeah?"
"Arwen went to do laundry and said to tell you she'll meet you in the next world."
Sirius and Dumbledore both laughed.
"Harry, sit down."
Harry sat. "What is it, Professor?"
"Well, as you probably know, I have been having some trouble finding a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"Why?" asked Sirius.
"Well," said Harry, "Look at what's happened to them. One's dead, one's memory modified, one resigned, one locked in a trunk for nine months, and one carried off by centaurs."
"I think I see what you mean. Continue, Professor."
"And as I couldn't find one this year."
"And as I'm now cleared."
"Your godfather kindly decided to take the post."
"WHAT!!!!!!"
Sirius grinned. "Yeah, I'm teaching."
"Sirius that's great!"
"I know. I'll be able to keep an eye on you."
"Do I need it?'
"YES."
"Oh. But really, wait'll I tell Ron and Hermione!"
"So it's okay with you?"
"Duh. Can I go? Oh wait.Professor?"
Dumbledore looked at him through half-moon glasses. "Yes Harry?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Certainly."
"Why won't you let Snape-"
"Professor Snape, Harry."
"Yeah.Him. Why won't you let him have the Defence Against the Dark Arts post?"
"Because it is a lot harder to find an adept potions master than it is to find an DADA teacher. Anything else?"
"No."
"Well..Here's you're letter, and theirs."
"Okay..Can I go now?"
"And tell them we're going to Diagon Ally, tomorrow."
"Okay. And Sirius?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."