Chapter 3 (Lockets and B.A.T.s)
Harry sat hunched forward, his elbows on the table and his hands propping his exhausted head up as he retold the story to Lupin, Tonks, and Kingsley Shacklebolt in the grimy kitchen of Number 12, Grimmauld place. The clock on the wall was missing it's arms, but Harry could tell by the way that Tonks kept yawning that it was quite late. He wanted to sleep... to forget the night... but he also knew that Dumbledore would have insisted he stay up and tell it while it was fresh in his mind. This gave him a little comfort, and he was able to continue.
"So tell me more about these mysterious notes Harry - you are certain that you wouldn't have a clue as to who would have sent them?" Remus asked, handing out large mugs of fresh coffee to everyone but Tonks, who was now kneeling at the hearth of the fire and had her head stuck in, talking to someone.
"No, not a clue. Whoever it was had been worried that I would recognize their writing though, they had chopped up newspapers to write the first."
"Either that, or..." Kingsley mused, "they might have feared Interception, and being recognized that way. It may not necessarily be someone you know, or - know well enough to recognize their writing."
"What about Severus?" Remus said, giving Harry a quick look as if to tell him to hear him out. "I mean, I know it's hard to think he would do anything to help us right now but... we still don't know his side of the story."
"No Remus," Kingsley muttered, shaking his head. "The longer he is silent, the more he proves his guilt. We have gone over this several times, and..."
At that moment, Tonks pulled herself back from the fire, coughing and sputtering, a halo of soot around her head. As she shook it off, she muttered, "Damn Floo, gets me every time. Ok... I was just speaking to Rufus, and apparently a few of the Premium Aurors managed to apprehend some of the Death Eaters."
She was wearing an expression that told Harry there was a bit more to the story, and Remus reached over to brush a bit of the excess soot from her shoulder.
"Bellatrix Lestrange, Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy were three of the six there tonight, unfortunately the three that weren't caught had summoned up some help - Dementors -and they overtook the Premium." Tonks' eyes were filled with tears, but she managed to continue. "Proudfoot is gone. He was kissed. The Death Eaters escaped within ten minutes of their capture."
Kingsley had jumped from the table with a mingled look of anguish and rage, while Remus bowed his head and put his arm around Tonks.
"I'm all right Remus, I'm just in shock... he was my guide during my training on the field." Tonks took a deep breath and looked at Harry with an expression that looked more mature than Harry was used to seeing on her. "I'm sorry for your loss Harry, I know you didn't have a good relationship, but... they're still your family."
Harry noticed that Tonks had looked around the kitchen apprehensively and remembered that she was a member of the Black family.
"So..." Remus looked awkward at trying to bring them back to the subject, but Kingsley nodded in agreement.
"So it looks like Snape wouldn't likely have been the one to send the notes. As a matter of fact... I think, if anything, Snape was the reason the Dursleys were attacked in the first place."
"How on earth would you come to that conclusion?" Remus asked as Tonks spun to look at Kingsley, clearly confused.
"We all knew, in the Order - what protects Harry for the next few weeks. Dumbledore had told us in that meeting before last summer when Molly tried to insist he come straight to the Burrow after school. Snape was there. Dumbledore said that there were protections on Harry, protections that would last until he became of age, providing he lived in the home where his mother's blood relation dwelled. It wouldn't have taken a genius to figure out what sort of protection that is, and much as I hate the man... Snape has always been too keen for his own good."
"But... Harry will be of age at the end of the month!" Remus said, a hint of skepticism in his voice, as though he wasn't sure of his own argument anymore. "Why wouldn't they wait until then?"
"Because... Death Eaters aren't exactly known for their patience, are they?" Tonks said delicately. "Perhaps they had a larger plan. They probably didn't expect Harry to Apparate, he's not old enough. You're thinking like a optimist, Remus, but we're thinking like Aurors. You have to look at things more negatively."
"Funny," Lupin snapped in a way that Harry had never heard from him before. "See, Dumbledore was always ready to give Snape the benefit of the doubt, and I don't think there is any Auror who could have taken Dumbledore in a battle of wits." Lupin had slammed his coffee cup down on the table as he stood abruptly. "Goodnight. I'll talk to you in the morning, Harry."
And with that, Remus had kicked back his chair and stormed out of the room. Harry watched Tonks shudder as a door slammed somewhere within the house, followed by the mad screaming of Mrs. Black's portrait.
"I'm sorry you had to see that Harry," Tonks smiled weakly at him. "He... hasn't been taking Dumbledore's death too well, among other things."
Harry nodded in understanding, but was mystified that Remus seemed to be taking it harder than he had when they lost Sirius.
"Would either of you mind if I excused myself and went to bed? I'm exhausted, and I'm sure the rest of the Order will be wanting to know everything tomorrow, too." Harry yawned. He felt almost as though he was ready to collapse again.
"Not a problem, Harry, and don't worry about the others, we'll handle them," Kingsley said gently. "Molly will likely demand that you go to the Burrow, but I think it's better you stay here for the time being."
Harry nodded and stood quickly, feeling a bit relieved at Kingsley's words. The last thing he needed at the moment was to be in the middle of wedding preparations, and to see Ginny.
After a long and restless sleep in the large bedroom he had shared with Ron previously, Harry had woken early to the sound of shuffling and grunting. He quietly rolled onto his side and noticed his things were all there by his bed; his trunk, Hedwig's cage, his broom - and Kreacher the House Elf rummaging through it all, oblivious to the fact that Harry was reaching for the alarm clock to toss at the beastly elf's head.
"GAHH! Stupid b- I mean..." Kreacher quickly straightened up and put on a sarcastic, simpering voice. "Master had frightened Kreacher. Kreacher was only trying to put Master's clothes out for the day..."
He then resumed to his usual under-the-breath ranting.
"Filthy Potter boy probably wouldn't know how to do it on his own, son of vermin... has no rights to my Mistress's house, no! Should have gone to Bellatrix..."
"SHUT UP!"
Harry swore loudly and tried to jumped out of the bed, but the sheets had been tightly wrapped around his ankles and he fell face-first onto the hardwood floor. Kreacher made a gargling sound that might have been laughter and stared up at Harry with his large yet sunken eyes.
"Kreacher saw his Master's feet looked cold..."
"Don't lie to me Kreacher! That is a direct order - why are you out of Hogwarts?" Harry had just remembered that he had ordered the aging elf to remain there last year, and wondered how else he may have been disobeying him.
"Kreacher serves the Potter boy now, yes... but he serves in the House of Black. If Master comes to the house, then Kreacher is obliged to follow."
Harry couldn't think of anything more to say to this, so he sent Kreacher off to the kitchen and began riffling through his own things, checking to make sure that Kreacher hadn't pilfered anything. As he shifted a stack of socks to the side of his trunk he heard something metal clang to the bottom, and noticed it was the locket he and Dumbledore had retrieved from the cave. He held it up by the chain and dangled it in front of his face, staring curiously at it.
Who was this mysterious R.A.B.? How in Merlin would he find out, without the guidance of Dumbledore? The sound of someone snickering made Harry straighten his back and glare towards the portrait of Phineas Nigellus, who was peering down at Harry from the frame.
"Well... well... not only is my house being run by a half-blood boy who is not family, but by one who wears women's jewelry! You know... there's a closet full of antique lacy frocks in the master suite..."
Harry gave the portrait a look of pure loathing and stuffed the pendant into his jeans pocket, making sure to slam the door behind him before making his way downstairs, wondering if there was a way to silence old portraits.
The kitchen's atmosphere was much as it had been the night before; Remus and Tonks were glowering at each other while Kingsley mulled over the morning Daily Prophet, but all managed to attempt to smile at him and wish him a 'Good morning'. Harry nodded at them and helped himself to a couple slices of burnt toast, which he guessed was Tonks' attempt at making them breakfast.
"Minerva will be coming shortly to discuss the future of Hogwarts," Tonks murmured towards Kingsley. "It's not looking well at all."
"They're less safe at home than they are at Hogwarts," Lupin muttered, taking a bite into his own slice, pulling a face of disgust and dropping it down onto his plate. "Surely the Minister would know that?"
"Look Remus, I realize you dislike Scrimgeour, and you have your reasons, but he is doing his best and let's face it, he's a huge improvement from Fudge. He's just... taking on more than he can chew. He's got an ego, he wants to take everything on himself."
Lupin opened his mouth to argue with Tonks but the sound of the doorbell chiming interrupted him. Harry could have sworn he saw Kingsley sigh with relief as he jumped to answer it. They all sat in silence as they listened for Kingley's heavy footfalls down the hall, followed by the string of verbal abuse coming from Mrs. Black. He returned shortly after with Professor McGonagall, who looked weak and pale in contrast to her green tartan attire.
"Hello Harry," McGonagall smiled softly at him as she sat in one of the high backed chairs. "I am very sorry to hear what you have been through."
Harry nodded and attempted to smile, fearing what his voice might sound like if he spoke up. He was all right as long as he didn't think too much about it, and was hoping they would talk about Hogwarts.
"Well..." McGonagall shook her head sadly, "It seems that Hogwarts will indeed be closing this term. Many of the parents feel their children won't be safe there and do not wish to send them."
Remus looked appalled. Kingsley tilted his head and looked curiously at McGonagall.
"So... has there been any talk about the B.A.T.s?" Kingsley asked, raising his eyebrows. "I know that Rufus approved of them, providing it was for those entering their sixth and seventh years. It's not much, but it's something."
Harry must have had a very baffled look on his face, because McGonagall looked at him and nodded, "Basic Apprenticeship Training, Potter, it was a plan put in place years ago when You-Know-Who first began his reign of terror. Certain careers, such as those within the Ministry, St. Mungo's, and a few other places will open to recruit and train students on site, and offer them escorted transportation to and from home."
Harry felt that everyone's eyes were on him, and he gazed at McGonagall skeptically. "So are they going to do that?"
"I just had a meeting with the Minister of Magic and yes, it will be put forward to those who are willing. He agreed to allow for me to open Hogwarts to those who wish to learn specific trades not open to the Apprenticeship, and to those of course, who may wish to teach."
She paused and looked very apprehensively to Harry. "Mr. Scrimgeour knows you wished to become an Auror, Harry, and with your marks from last year... you would be a welcome addition to the Ministry- but of course, you would also be welcome to come to Hogwarts if you preferred."
Harry was dumbfounded. He didn't want to return to Hogwarts - not without Dumbledore; but he also knew he wasn't ready to take on Voldemort on his own. Aurors were trained in magical combat, which he knew he would need. It might also give him a better lead on finding out how to seek and destroy the remaining Horcruxes.
"You don't have to decide right now, Potter..." McGonagall said softly. "It's a big decision. I know your friend Ronald Weasley will likely be doing his B.A.T. at the Ministry."
"And I will personally be overseeing you when I can Harry," Kingsley added quickly, giving Harry a reassuring smile. "And Tonks, of course."
Lupin was the only one that didn't look impressed, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed. "And what of the Minister? I'm sure you remember he had begged to have Harry come to the Ministry last year, which Dumbledore was very much against?"
"Dumbledore didn't want Harry going there to pretend that all was well, no," McGonagall said coolly to Remus. "He would, however, have wanted Harry to try and work towards his dreams. He would have wanted all of the students to do this. He also believed, Lupin - that you should always try and keep your enemies close, as you can learn from them." She looked at the clock on the wall, then shook her head and looked at her watch. "I had best be leaving, then. I need to go and meet with the Grangers, I expect Miss Granger will be here this evening to tell you her decision Harry."
She was obviously put out by Lupin's strange attitude, her lips were white around the edges as they always had done when she was angry. Her expression softened and she looked at Harry again. "By the way, Potter - the two of you had made Head Boy and Head Girl, if the school were to open, I mean."
With that, McGonagall strode out of the room and left, leaving Harry to think about what he should do.