A/n: Wow! You guys rock! I'm keeping a beautiful 15 review average (Which is far better than I've done for any fic, ever.) So, thanks to: Potter, Shadow00, When Pandas Rule The World, ThunderGod, MethosLover, Jbcna, Shadowed Rains, and ER Monkey Burner of Cookies. Special thanks to Ferret Bouncer, whom I forgot to mention as a reviewer for chapter one. (Sorry!) A few people may have reviewed since I wrote this note. If I forgot you, sorry. You still rock.
Also, I experienced my first flame for this fic! It's under the Chapter one reviews. Take a look. You know you want to. Also, thanks to ER Monkey Burner of cookies and Jess S1 for notifying me of my screw up earlier today. I uploaded the wrong chapter. Sorry for the inconvenience.
And here we are…
All
It Takes
Chapter Four
Dumbledore was exhausted, and he hadn't even started cleaning yet. He'd just apparated fifteen times in quick succession to gather members of the Order and other people that owed him favors. Everyone he'd been to seemed to see that he was desperate and took advantage of that as best they could. He had to promise Mundungus Fletcher a "get me out of jail free" card. Essentially, the next time he got arrested, Albus would have to put his job, reputation and possibly his life on the line to get him out.
He owed Madame Pomefrey a bigger budget… He owed Minerva some chocolates, a date and some flowers… Hagrid wanted a dragon, but he settled for a pet hippogriff and a bottle of Odgen's finest. At least the Weasley's came without asking for anything.
Dumbledore made his final apparation and saw a small crowd gathered in front of Alastor Moody's house. Roughly thirty people. Half the Hogwart's staff was present, as well as the entire Weasley household. Even Three year old Ginny had a sponge and bucket of soapy water.
"Thank you for coming. All of you. Shall we?" He asked the diverse group of witches, wizards and squibs before him. His eyes seemed to be too tired to twinkle.
"No thanks." Severus said dryly. "I thought we were all just going to have a picnic on the lawn."
There were several chuckles from the Weasley twins, and a few others. Dumbledore either didn't notice or didn't care.
"What a splendid idea, Severus. After we clean up, let's have a nice picnic lunch for Alastor, Shall we?" There were a few groans. Picnics meant more work for everyone.
Albus lead the way into the house, the others followed, but gave him a bit of distance. Everyone knew how paranoid Moody was, and were using Dumbledore as a minesweeper. There was a loud snapping sound, and suddenly Dumbledore was dangling by his ankle from the ceiling. Coins and candy fell from his pockets like a piñata. People just left him there, and started cleaning. The twins got tired of laughing at him after a few minutes and let him down.
Rooms were magically expanded, floors were swept, and all the surfaces were wiped down with a damp rag. Dumbledore expanded Moody's bookshelves along with the room so that there was space for all the books cluttering every surface. Madam Pince filed the books in their proper places, and Minerva transfigured a rock into a filing cabinet (permanently) and filed all the papers that were about. Foe glasses were repaired and mirrors were restored. They even polished the furniture.
"Does Mister Moody know all of you are here?" asked a timid Harry Potter from the top of the staircase. He hadn't anticipated the effect his words would have. Young Ginny Weasley dropped her sponge and water. Ron Weasley got a glazed look on his face and said "Wicked…" Remus tripped and fell flat on is face. Mrs. Weasley narrowly missed lopping her hand off with the cleaver she was using. Mundungus shook his head and muttered something about a "bad batch." Dedalus Diggle dropped his hat into a bucket of mop water. The Weasley Twins looked at each other and grinned like maniacs. Arabella Figg stepped on Mr. Tibbles who bolted into the closet with a yowl. Sturgis Podmore walked straight into Minerva McGonnagall, sending them both toppling onto the floor and into the puddle caused by Ginny's bucket.
All in all, only Dumbledore react oddly.
"Yes, as a matter of fact he does." Dumbledore answered "We are here at his behest."
Dumbledore would have continued, but the shocked murmurs and mutterings grew too loud and drowned out his voice.
"He's the one who…"
"…The Dark Lord…"
"Killing Curse…"
"Survived it…"
"Harry Potter…"
"-who-lived…"
"Scar…"
"…Like his father…"
Harry shook his head. These people were all crazy. Except the old guy who smelled like a candy shop.
"Okay…" Harry said. "But I hafta warn you. Mister Moody is a pirate and if you're lying, he'll make you all walk the plank. ARR!" Harry scampered back into his room, making growling noises and trying to make his voice sound like a pirate's.
The Order, and the Hogwarts staff were at least polite enough to wait until Harry had left before exploding with laughter.
"Mad-Eye… The Buccaneer." Mundungus gasped out through gales of laughter. He'd fallen on the floor and was clutching his stomach.
Everyone else was in a similar state of good humor. Dedalus was pounding the floor with his fists and shaking with mirth, and the Twins had grins as wide as the English Channel. Even McGonnagall had a chuckle or two.
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS SO FUNNY?" Mad-Eye Moody boomed. Apparently their laughter had distracted them a bit too much, and nobody had noticed him come in. Needless to say, everyone shut their mouth instantly and the room got stiflingly quiet.
After an awkward second or two, Kingsley managed to rasp out a soft "Arr!"
The room exploded with laughter once more, leaving a very baffled Moody trying to figure out why they were laughing and threatening to hex people. It was several minutes before order was restored and people got back to work.
Kingsley Shacklebolt ended up leaving early without divulging any reasons. What he actually did…well you'll find out later.
After another hour of good hard work, the house was spotless. The idea of the picnic was ditched when it started to rain, and everyone went home. Moody collapsed into a chair once they'd gone and pulled off his peg leg.
'I'm too damn old for all of this nonsense.' he thought before dozing off.
