Chapter 67

From the trees she watched the house. It had been years since she had been inside this house. It had never felt like home to her. A home was where you always felt welcome. Where you always felt safe. She didn't have a home anymore. Her home had been stolen from her. That was why she was here. It was the last place in the world she had wanted to come. She knew this mission was futile, but Dumbledore had insisted. She glanced overhead and saw the dark shapes in the clouds that could only be wizards and witches on broomsticks. So the mission to retrieve Harry from his relatives' house had been successful. As much as she hated riding brooms she would much rather have been on that mission than the one she had been sent to accomplish. She watched as the married couple left for the night. Once she was sure they were gone and were not going to come back for a while she approached the house. Calm, she told her racing heart. You have to keep calm. Focus on the goal. Your personal feelings are irrelevant. Funny, she thought. It was the same thing she told herself when operating on a patient. Standing on the porch she took a deep breath. She had a calming potion in her pocket. She didn't want to have to resort to medication not for this. If she couldn't handle a simple conversation she wasn't going to be much good to the Order. She rang the doorbell and stepped back. She rolled her eyes as a muggle tune played out. For being magical the couple had liked their muggle toys. After a few minutes the door opened. Her heart jumped as the pale face of a woman she'd once called friend appeared.

"Hello?" she called out. Meredith stepped forward and pulled back the hood of her cloak.

"Hello Patricia." The other woman's eyes widened when she saw her. For a long moment they studied each other. Almost two years since they'd spoken to each other. Their last words had been filled with anger, hatred, and rage. Pure rage. She was almost certain that the door was going to be slammed in her face. After a long moment of silence Patricia stepped back and allowed her to come in. She stepped into the hall and let Patricia take her cloak. She couldn't help but smile as Patricia draped the cloak over the bannister. If her mother were present she would be throwing a fit. She followed the blonde to the kitchen. She took a chair as the other woman made tea. Basic civilities should always be observed, Meredith could hear Mrs. Patterson's voice say in her head. As the other girl made tea, Meredith studied her. The last two years had not been kind to her. She'd put on weight, particularly in the hips and thighs and there was a slight yellowish tinge to her eyes. She looked much older than her nineteen years. Meredith pushed back the sympathy she felt as she watched Patricia add a more than generous dollop of fire whiskey to her own tea. It was clear her old friend had not known much happiness since they'd left Hogwarts. She took the other cup offered to her and sipped gingerly. No sugar like she preferred but she wasn't here for the tea. Patricia sat across from her and took a large gulp of the laced tea.

"You've cut your hair," Patricia noted. Meredith subconsciously ran a hand over her hair which now fell just below her ears. It felt so strange to feel the short strands.

"Less time in the morning," She said by way of explanation.

"Yeah," Patricia said. "I guess you're pretty busy these days. Second year healer in training and all." Meredith sipped the tea rather than answer.

"I'm sure you are too. Being the personal assistant of the Head of the Magical Transport Department must keep you hopping." Patricia blushed. Yeah, Meredith thought feeling just a bit smug. I know all about you too.

"Just a paper pusher really," she said. Meredith took another sip of tea and tried to keep her expression neutral. Revealing what she knew, that Patricia's mother had taken her on as a personal assistant when Patricia had been unable to find a job elsewhere, would not aid her mission. The side of her that still held bitterness toward the woman she thought was her friend wanted nothing more than to rub the blonde's nose in it. But the side of her that could see the unhappiness in Patricia's eyes held her tongue. Instead she focused her mind elsewhere.

"That's a beautiful ring," Meredith said. Patricia looked down at her hand at the large diamond surrounded by rubies and sapphires.

"Yeah," she said sheepishly. "Paul is just terrific. He works in Daddy's office. We uh, haven't set a date yet but…"

"Congratulations." Meredith said. Daddy's office hmm…that was telling.

"Thank you," she said. "And um…what about you? Are you um, seeing anyone these days?"

"I was for a while," Meredith said. "Didn't work out."

"Sorry," Patricia said. Meredith shrugged.

"So," Meredith said. "Do you hear from Oliver these days?" At this Patricia actually smiled.

"Sure," she said "Post cards. Every 43 days like clockwork." Meredith managed to chuckle.

"What about you?"

"Gifts on Christmas and my birthday. Postcard every now and then."

"He still sends you presents?"

"Yep."

"I knew he liked you more than me."

"You're the one he asked to Hogsmeade." Patricia nodded, looking sad.

"And Percy?" Patricia looked embarrassed.

"Not as much these days," Patricia said rising to refill her cup. "He used to join me for lunch sometimes but ever since he was promoted…"

"Did you hear he moved out of the Burrow?" Patricia sighed.

"Oh yeah," she said. "I heard about that. I couldn't believe it. I know Percy's always been ambitious but to disown his own family. It's just terrible. Penelope broke up with him because of it. Made quite a scene in the Leaky Cauldron. Even tossed a drink in his face. From what I've heard Percy was lucky she didn't hex him, mad as she was."

"I hadn't heard that," Meredith said. "Though I can't say I'm surprised considering what Percy said about his father's fascination with muggles." She had wanted to strangle Percy with her own hands when she'd heard of it. She and her Dad had spent hours consoling Molly. Arthur had been rather tight lipped over the whole thing, but Meredith could tell the man was hurting over his son's betrayal.

"Yeah," she said. "I passed Arthur at the office the other day. Percy was there and acted like he didn't even see him." Meredith shook her head. She pushed down her emotions and focused on what she was here for.

"I think you know I didn't come here to talk about old times," she said firmly. She saw Patricia's spine tense. Meredith let the silence continue.

"Dumbledore is convinced You Know Who is back and is trying to recruit ministry employees," Patricia finally spoke her tone harsh. "And he sent you to recruit my parents. Figured our past would get you in the door. Well, you can go right out again because my parents have made their loyalties clear. They stand with the Ministry. They'd kill me for even talking to you about this."

"Very close," Meredith said standing. "And yet you missed the mark." Some things never changed, she stopped herself from saying. Old hostility would not help the situation. Patricia turned slowly and stared at her with her mouth wide.

"Oh," she said. "Oh I see."

"Voldemort is back Patricia," Meredith said. Patricia shuddered.

"Don't say his name!" she shouted. Patricia grabbed the bottle of firewhiskey and took a long swig. Meredith couldn't help the sadness that clawed at her. What happened to you, Patricia? She pushed down her emotions.

"I was there when Harry came out of the maze," she said. "He's back. He's already killed. He killed Cedric Diggory. We knew him Patricia!"

"You have no idea what you're asking me," Patricia said.

"I'm asking you to do the right thing. To fight back against the most evil wizard that ever lived."

"You actually believe he's back?"

"I do. So does Dumbledore, and so do a lot of other people."

"All we have is Potter's word."

"You honestly think Harry would lie about something like this?"

"I don't know Potter like you did," Patricia said. "You were the one who took him on as a little brother." Her grip tightened around the bottle.

"Look," Meredith said. "Whether you want to believe it or not, he is back. His death eaters came after me. This…" she pulled away the collar of her sweater to reveal the scar on her neck, "this was from one of his followers. They burned down my house Patricia!"

"Oh Merlin," Patricia said. "I heard about that. I am so sorry Mere."

"Are you?" Meredith said, bitterness choking her.

"Yes I am," Patricia said indignantly. "I spent almost as much time in that house as you did when we were in school."

'Till you betrayed me!' Meredith thought angrily.

"They burned down the house because Dad and I wouldn't join them. Your parents are Muggleborns! What do you think he has planned for them?" Meredith saw the change in Patricia's expression. There was no anger. Not really. She'd seen anger in this woman's face before. No, this was something else. This was fear.

"You believe it too," she said in realization. "You believe Harry's telling the truth." Patricia turned away.

"I didn't say that."

"Your face says it," Meredith said. "Join us! Fight back."

"What could I possibly do? I'm not a fighter."

"You work for the Ministry," Meredith said. "You have access to information. You have contact with important people. The same people Voldemort will be looking to put under the Imperious Curse."

"Dumbledore wants me to spy on the Ministry? The people I work with? My parents? My fiancée? No, no I won't do that. Fudge made it very clear that anyone in league with Dumbledore can clear out their desks. My parents would never forgive me. Paul would be furious."

"Because their loyalties are with the Minister?"

"You don't get it," Patricia snapped. "We're not old money like the Malfoys. All we have is due to my Dad's friendship with Cornelius Fudge."

"So you choose your big house and fancy clothes over fighting for what's right?"

"My loyalty is to my parents," Patricia snapped. "You more than anyone should understand that." Meredith gritted her teeth together. There was no argument to make. Patricia's mind was made up. She pulled a card from her pocket and held it out.

"Read it," she ordered. Patricia glared at her and then glanced at the card.

"Head Quarters of the Order of the Phoenix can be found at Number 12 Grimmauld place." Once she'd read the words Meredith tapped the card and set it ablaze.

"Now you know where to find me if you ever decide to stop being a coward and think for yourself. I'll let myself out." She stormed down the hall and seized her cloak from the bannister. Throwing it over her shoulders a tugging the hood over her head she left the house. She had walked about ten yards from the house when she finally slowed her pace and took a breath. What a phenomenal waste of time. She knew it was pointless. Nothing changed! She groaned as a rumble of thunder was heard above her. She glanced at her watch. The meeting would be starting soon. Grimmauld Place was a least four miles away. She was going to be late. The first drops that hit her face were just the beginning as she began the journey to headquarters.

By the time she made it to Grimmauld Place she was soaked. Her flimsy cloak had done nothing to repel the soaking deluge that had descended on her. She stepped inside and peeled off the wet cloak, hanging it to dry in the parlor. She slid out of her boots and did a quick drying spell on her sweater and jeans. She did not bother with her hair. The one nice thing about her shorter hair was that it dried a lot quicker. She noted with relief that her grandmother's portrait was covered. The last thing she needed right now was that old bat screeching at her. She and her Dad had come to stay here at Grimmauld a month ago after the house had burned down. She'd hated it from the first moment she'd stepped inside. The place was so dark, and depressing, not to mention filthy. The Weasley kids had been drafted by their mother into cleaning and scrubbing and making the place livable, but so far they hadn't made much of a dent. Sirius had explained that he'd left home when he was sixteen because he couldn't stand his parents pureblood mania. That first night here had been hell. Between her grandmother's screeching at Sirius about letting traitorous filth and half breeds into her home, and the creepy house elf Kreacher lurking about she had not gotten a wink of sleep that night. The very next morning she had announced that she was not going to sleep here another night and was going to find her own place. Thank Merlin she'd put the key to both her Gringotts vaults in the duffle she'd managed to rescue from the flames. She'd had to dip into the trust fund that Sirius had set up for her but she'd managed to put a down payment on a little flat not far from here and close to St. Mungoes, as well as replace her clothes. She kept some things here at Grimmauld in a room that Sirius had made up for her, but she refused to sleep here. Remus and Sirius had both objected to this strenuously. She knew that the attack on her had shaken both men who she called father. She had had to appeal to Dumbledore to speak for her. Her old headmaster had supported her decision, stating that because of Meredith's job she would need a reachable address. But he had also understood her fathers' concerns and had personally placed every protective charm and shield on her flat that he could. Her flat wasn't much but at least it was quiet.

"Filthy blood traitor, sullying up my beloved mistress's floor with her slimy boots," she heard the soft growl from the corner. She rolled her eyes. She had always tried to be kind to house elves, but Kreacher was a different story. The little rodent was a menace, always appearing out of nowhere with his poisonous words, when he wasn't trying to sneak off with a precious Black heirloom . Sirius had made his disgust for the elf known on more than one occasion. He had wanted to give the elf clothes and set him free, but Dumbledore warned that that would be too dangerous as Kreacher had been privy to Order business and could tell their enemies were he to be released from his vow of secrecy to Sirius. Dumbledore had also warned her never to give Kreacher a direct order, as she was Sirius's heir, Kreacher would have to obey her which would reveal her as Sirius's biological daughter. Dumbledore felt, and both Sirius and Remus had agreed, that this knowledge was best kept secret as Sirius had too many enemies both in the Ministry and the Death Eaters, and would not put it past them to use Meredith to get to Sirius. As it was very few people knew who Meredith's biological father was. Outside the Order there was only Harry and Oliver, and Meredith trusted both of them not to reveal this to a soul. Inside the order there was only Sirius, Remus, Dumbledore, the Tonks', and Professor McGonagall. Not even the Weasley's knew. Snape, she thought, may have figured it out, but if he had he never said. This concerned Sirius, who despite all of Dumbledore's reassurance's, did not truly trust that Snape was on their side. She turned her head to look up the stairs as the sound of yelling was heard.

"SO YOU HAVEN'T BEEN IN THE MEETINGS, BIG DEAL!" Harry, she thought. She'd expected the kid to be angry at all the secrecy Dumbledore was enforcing. And now with the Dementors attacking Little Whinging, and his expulsion and trial… She shook her head and moved from the parlor to the dining room. Much to her amusement she saw Ginny trying to hide in a corner while flicking butterbeer corks at the dining room door. The younger Weasley's had been trying to find a weakness in the charms that Dumbledore placed on the door since they'd gotten here.

"Won't work," she said to the small red head. Ginny looked up guiltily and tried to make an excuse.

"Relax," Meredith said. "I'm too tired to scold you. Might not be the case if I catch you again. Scram!" Ginny hopped up and dashed up the stairs. Meredith rolled her eyes and nudged the corks away before tapping her wand against the door with the secret combination that would allow Order members entrance.

"Ah Meredith," Dumbledore said as she entered. "So glad you could join us my dear."

"Sorry I'm late," she said settling into the chair around the table that her dad pulled out for her between himself and Dora. "Got caught in the storm." She gratefully took the hot tea that Molly placed in front of her. As she let the warm liquid soothed her chilled insides she took stock of those present. Dumbledore sat at the head of long table as always. Several maps and charts lay across the table. Mad Eye Moody and Kingsley Shacklebolt sat on either side of Dumbledore. Mundungus Fletcher, Hestia Jones, Emmeline Vance, Sturgis Podmore, and Dedalus Diggle filled one side of the table while Snape, McGonagall, Arthur, Bill, Dora, Sirius and her Dad sat on the other.

"Not at all my dear," Dumbledore said kindly. "We were just getting started. I dare say from your expression your mission was not a successful one." Meredith bit her lip and tried to brush aside the discomfort she felt at having the other order members staring at her. She was the youngest member of the Order and right now she was very much feeling out of place. She summoned her strength and gave her report.

"The Pattersons and Fudge are old friends. They won't go against him for all the gold in Gringotts, and Patricia will not go against her parents."

"As we feared," Dumbledore said. "But in any case we had to try." Meredith stared at her lap. She felt like a failure. She felt an arm go around her shoulder and glanced up to see her Dad's encouraging smile. She leaned against his shoulder as they went around the room each member giving their latest news. It seemed Meredith had not been the only one with little success at bringing others to their side. There were many out there who though they believed Harry's story were hesitant to take actual action against Voldemort. Fear was keeping folks from fighting back. Either fear for their families at what the Death Eaters would do if they went against their master, or fear of retaliation from the Ministry. Kingsley, Tonks and Arthur had been trying to quietly recruit from within but too many were afraid to lose their jobs if Fudge found out.

"Any news from your mother, Nymphadora," Dumbledore asked Dora. Meredith held back a chuckle as Dora bristled at the use of her full name. Dumbledore was the only one who could get away with using it.

"Mum and Dad are sorry they couldn't be here tonight," Dora stated. "But they asked me to pass along some news. Fudge's grip on the Daily Prophet is getting tighter. They've been forbidden from running any articles that paint you sir, or Harry in a positive light. Any and all news regarding You Know Who is to be squashed. Mum's boss has the spine of a sea slug, and is making sure Fudge's decree is obeyed. Mum's already been written up twice for discussing it in the loo. Most of Mum's co-workers believe her, but they don't want to risk their jobs. There's been no stirrings in the Muggle world as far as Dad knows."

"There wouldn't be," Mad Eye said. "Not this soon at least. Voldemort's trying to stay under the radar and killing Muggles would send up too many red flags."

"Agreed," Dumbledore said. "Now, the most important thing right now is making sure that the Department of Mysteries is guarded while the Ministry is void of workers. If Voldemort gets his hands on what's inside he will have an advantage over us that will make defeating him nearly impossible. We'll work on a rotation, all those who have been assigned guard duty will take one night a week. The weekends will be trickier, as there are always some staff in the building, however the weapon must be guarded round the clock on these days." Meredith glanced over at Sirius who had a sour look on his face. She knew this came from his being denied being put on guard duty. Meredith hadn't been surprised Dumbledore had denied this request. As a fugitive being seen at the Ministry was far too dangerous and Dumbledore would not risk Sirius being spotted and captured. Even with an invisibility cloak or Polyjuice Potion it was too risky. Meredith felt for Sirius, in that he felt useless not being able to do more for the order than give them a refuge. At the same time she was glad Sirius was not allowed to leave Gringotts. She couldn't bear the thought of him being captured again.

"Sir," Arthur said. "What about Harry? Do you still intend to keep in the dark?"

"Yes," Dumbledore said. "I know how most of you feel about this but it is for Harry's own safety that I am keeping what I know from him."

"Albus," Sirius spoke up. "We have to tell him something! He's been trapped up with those bloody awful relatives of his all summer without so much as a word from most of us but to stay put. He's bound to feel we've abandoned him."

"I agree Albus," Remus said. "Harry deserves to know at least some of what's going on. If only to keep him from doing something foolish."

"No!" Molly said slapping her hand on the table. "If we tell him about the Order and what we're doing he'll want to join."

"That's Harry's decision!" Sirius said.

"He's too young! He's only fifteen Sirius!"

"And he's faced more in fifteen years than most have in their entire lives! He's not a little kid Molly!"

"He's not an adult either, Sirius. He's not James!"

"I know that!"

"Do you? You see him and you think you have your friend back! You'll only lead him into danger if you can't see the difference."

"You think I'd let him be harmed in any way! He's my godson!"

"You're not his parent Sirius!"

"Neither are you!"

"Enough!" McGonagall shouted putting an end to the argument. "We all care about Potter and we all want what's best for him. This fighting is not going to get us anywhere." Meredith raised a hand to her temple. Sirius and Molly's arguments were all too familiar. Molly wanted to keep Harry wrapped up and tucked away safe from danger and Sirius wanted to tell Harry everything and let him make his own choices. Meredith was divided. She didn't agree that keeping everything from Harry was the best course of action. She knew all too well how damaging secrets could be. But at the same time she could understand Molly's point of view. She'd known Harry since he was a first year at Hogwarts. In many ways she'd watched him grow up just as the Weasleys had. She wished as much as anyone that Harry could just be a teenager. But this was not how it was.

"You are quite right Minerva," Dumbledore said. "Now, Harry's trial is in a few days. I have procured a witness who will testify on Harry's behalf. I have no doubt that Harry these ridiculous charges will be dismissed. However, this attack by the dementors has me greatly concerned. There is no logic to it."

"You don't believe You Know Who sent them?" McGonagall said.

"As I said, it makes no sense for Voldemort to send them after Harry. You remember what Harry told us Voldemort said in the graveyard. Voldemort is convinced that he alone must be the one to kill Harry. He would not send any of his followers to do it for him."

"But if Voldemort didn't send the dementors who did?" her Dad said. "You don't think their acting on their own?"

"I do not," Dumbledore said. "If they were acting on their own we would know without a doubt and the ministry would have stepped in if only to save face. No, they were acting on orders from someone."

"Surely, not…the Ministry?" Arthur said. Silence filled the room. It was a terrifying thought. It was one thing for the Minister to deny Voldemort's return and to try and smear Harry's and Dumbledore's names but to attack Harry directly?

"Could Fudge be that bold?" Dora asks.

"Five years ago I would have said no," Dumbledore said. "But…Cornelius has become so in love with his position that he may be capable of anything at this point."

"What do we do?" Kingsley asked.

"It is more vital than ever that we get eyes inside the ministry," Dumbledore said. "We need to know what Cornelius is doing." Meredith hung her head. More vital than ever and she had failed. Dumbledore ended the meeting then and they all stood.

"Anyone staying for dinner, it will be ready in about 20 minutes," Molly called. Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape left first reaching the apparition point and disappearing with a pop. Many of the others departed behind them. Meredith remained in the dining room until much of the crowd had departed before rising and moving to the parlor. As wonderful as Molly's cooking was and despite the hunger pains beginning to rumble in her stomach, she just wasn't up to eating with a big crowd tonight. She grabbed her boots which were still a bit damp and sat on the steps to tug them on. She felt a hand on her back and looked up to see her dad looking down at her.

"You're leaving?" he asked. She nodded.

"Early shift in the morning, need to get some sleep." He sat down beside her and put his arm around her. She sighed.

"I'm fine," she said.

"Did I say you weren't," he asked. She lifted her head and gave him a pointed look.

"I know it had to be tough on you," her dad said. "Seeing her again, after the way things were left between you." Meredith sighed again.

"She's been drinking," Meredith said sadly.

"Drinking?"

"I'm a healer Dad, I know the symptoms of someone who abuses firewhiskey." She leaned forward resting her elbows on her knees cupping her head in her hands.

"How bad?"

"Early stages," Meredith said. "She could bounce back from it. She's engaged to be married, I don't know. Maybe her fiancée can help her but...I get the feeling she's not really head over heels for the man. More like someone her parents fixed her up with. Same way she got her job."

"Merlin," her dad breathed.

"I don't want to feel sorry for her," she said. "She hurt me so much, Dad."

"I hate to tell you love but, you have a kind heart. You don't have it in you to hate anyone and you can't bear to see anyone suffer. Not even those you have hurt you. It's not necessarily a bad thing." Meredith smiled a little.

"Thanks," she said. She finished pulling her boots on and stood up.

"You're sure you won't stay for supper?" he asked. She shook her head. "I'm sure Harry would love to see you."

"I'll see him a later on. Tonight I just need some peace and quiet," she said. "Which I am not gonna get here." Her dad might have made an argument but at that moment there was loud crash as Dora knocked the umbrella stand over, sending the curtain over her grandmother's portrait flying open.

"FILTH!" "FILTH IN MY HOUSE!"

"Oh for heavens sake!" "Not again!" "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" "MUDBLOODS! TRAITORS! FILTH"

Meredith gave her dad a knowing look to which he could only shrug.

A/N : I just realized it's been exactly a year since I last updated. To those of you who are still reading, I thank you for your loyalty