The story is moving ahead, all aboard!

A few laughs – I wish-, fluff, drama and mystery are coming your way.


Chapter 9

Secrets and Confessions

Holding her tightly against him, knowing each time he was downright irrational about the fear of never been able to kiss her again if he let her go,

She could change her mind

Harry tried to convince Ginny that they should keep their new – ahem – liking for each other from Ron's knowledge. «But he already knows I like you, » mildly protested Ginny, mellowing as Harry wrapped a red lock around his finger.

I know he knows but he doesn't know this

Harry had to admit he had no idea how to break this to Ron, who had lost his marbles countless times at the idea of a boy fancying Ginny. There was also the nagging question surrounding Mr. and Mrs Weasley that hit Harry like a Bludger: could they think he was an ungrateful brat, snogging their only daughter in a broom cupboard in their house?

«I have no idea why I was sure you would react in such a way about Ron,» sighed Ginny. Harry saw the dimple in her cheek as she drew away from him and he realized she was going to tease him senseless now. At that precise moment, his Patronus would have blinded the United Kingdom's entire Muggle population.

Ginny drew out from her trousers' back pocket the Extendable Ear but also a small object which looked like a flattened ball, with a thumb-sizedindention in the middle. She continued, encircling him with her arms and slipping it in the back pocket of Harry's jeans, «It's a Buzz-o-Sphere.» She shoved her hand back in her pocket and Harry saw she had another one, «I have one too. If you want to see me, or talk to me, or…» she grinned, «just press here, and-» Ginny pressed her thumb against the indention and chuckled at Harry's expression when he jolted from the vibrations of the Buzz-o-Sphere.

«Believe it or not, there are advantages of having been Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes unwilling guinea pig all those years,» shrugged Ginny, as Harry hastily retrieved his Buzz-o-Sphere and watched it in amazement. He pressed it and the one that Ginny was holding vibrated in silence, almost falling on the floor. «New product, top seller! Easy to enchant, easy to manufacture » Ginny announced with glee, «I'm getting a small percentage on it because I pitched the idea. Dad gave one to Mum to call him for lunch when he works in the garden. Oh, don't worry, Harry, the Buzz-o-Spheres work in pair, » she added, now laughing softly at Harry's apprehensive face, «Mum or Dad will not come running.»

Harry put the magical device back in his pocket and looked at her, grinning with a half mocking, half serious face, «What do you have else in your pockets, Ginny? You seem to have loads of good ideas this summer. You're quite resourceful, I'm truly impressed.» Ginny's smile faded and Harry thought for a second he might have said something wrong but then he saw her bright eyes and the gravity of her expression.

He lowered his head towards her as she whispered to his ear, «I'm glad you havefinally realized it.»


Time flew much faster at the Burrow than at 4, Privet Drive.

Harry shared his time between the outdoors and the narrow broom cupboard. Outside, Harry and Ginny were fine-tuning their acting skills by relating to each other in a not-too-friendly-but-believable way as they played Quidditch with Ron and sometimes the twins, who were enjoying downtime from their invention frenzy. Hermione, on good days, joined them for half an hour or so, but only if they would agree not to use the Bludger. «The girl has a head over her shoulders, Ron, she doesn't want to risk her life again » muttered Fred while Ron's face menaced to ignite.

Hermione sat most of her time under the shadow of a huge tree, reading and cheering them, stubbornly refusing to look Harry in the eye whenever he asked her how she was doing. «Fine, Harry, fine,» she said, turning a page of her book. Harry felt somehow comforted to see her with a little more colour on her cheeks and her hair seemed to be recovering its original personality.

Playing Quidditch against Ginny was asking a lot from him. Harry had to berate himself to concentrate because not only was she blazing with her hair tailing her like a comet and her eyes glowing with the fierce desire to win him the Quaffle, but she was also an elegant player, sly and aggressive. As he was dripping with sweat underthe scorching sun, Harry soon understood that he may have snogged the girl but that did not buy him any mercy from the Chaser in her.

During those golden days of summer, Harry often found himself escaping behind a tree, pretending to catch his breath but in fact urgently pressing the Buzz-o-Sphere. Seeing Ginny slowly turn around with her cheeks flushed and a conniving smile on her lips was enough to feel victorious, even if she was trashing him on the Quidditch pit.

One particular afternoon in the privacy of the cupboard, Harry was trying to catch his breath after reciprocating a kiss to the birthday girl when Ginny whispered, « I think you're going to have to talk to him.»

Harry swallowed hard, «Him

Ginny gently adjusted his glasses on his nose and said in a nonchalant manner, « Our secret spot has been discovered. I heard Ron asking Mum to cast a Silencing spell on the wall of his room this morning. He said he was tired to hear my snoring. He looked at me with a really disgusted look, you know. He must have heard us.»

Harry leaned against the cupboard's wall. He had forgotten that it was contiguous to Ron's room.

I wonder how Ron will try to murder me

Harry stroke his forehead as he winced to Ginny, trying to hide his nervousness, « You're right. I'll think about something.»


Late that evening, lying on his bed, Harry was staring as the ceiling with dread. He had kept his glasses on, feeling less vulnerable even if the room was dark. Ron had looked sullen today; during diner, Harry felt Ron's eyes on his nose a couple of times and it made him nervous. The bedroom was briefly brightened by the candlelight and Ron entered.

While Ron was swearing in a low voice as he hit his toes on something, Harry considered that his friend was quite tempestuous if not sometimes Hippogriff-like stubborn, but he had a frightening warlike attitude when somebody had the foolishness to fancy his sister…or Hermione, for that matter. But Harry did not have the embarrassment to say the first word as he heard Ron utter in a dull, non-Ron voice, «Harry? Harry, you're sleeping?»

«Mmmm, no, » Harry carefully answered. Ron coughed again and Harry could hear the ruffling bed sheets as he continued, «I…I don't now how to say this, but – I learned about you fancying my sister. In fact, I heard about you fancying my sister.» Harry's face was red and he was glad the room was dark.

Ron's voice rose again, somewhere between perplexity and disgust, «I asked Mum to spell the wall this morning but she didn't want to. Harry…Please keep in mind that she's my sister. Kiss her if you have too, but try to…try to loose the little…wet sounds. Thinking of it is er-» Harry heard Ron turn in his bed, while his voice sank lower, «Mate, I don't want to become hooked on Amnesia Potions, you see? Keep it in the cupboard.» Harry felt a tremendous weight off his chest; he repressed a nervous laugh and bit his lower lip, «No problem, Ron. I'll try to be less -» «Please, shut up, I really don't want to hear about this,» growled Ron in the dark and Harry lifted a hand in a peace offering.

Silence fell in the room for a moment and Ron spoke again, his voice being reproachful, «Why didn't you tell me?» Harry thought about it and answered with honesty, «You would have killed me.» Not clearing that option out, Ron shot back, «Since when did you like her?» Harry chuckled, «Is this an inquiry, Ron? I thought you did not want details.» As Ron was keeping silence, Harry felt impish and pushing his luck but he spurted out, «Did you tell Hermione?» Ron muttered, his head in the pillow, «What – What are you talking about?» Harry whispered back, «That you care for her?»

Harry did not receive an answer to this, Ron faking an instant comatose slumber. Harry turned on his belly so he could laugh silently in his pillow and the back of his head was smashed by Ron's pillow, followed by a clear «Bloody prat. You're lucky to be my friend.»


Last week before going back to Hogwarts, Harry saw the Burrow transform into a beehive that was buzzing with arrivals and departures. Lupin brought in a faded box of personal belongings and was eluding Harry in a way that was starting to annoy him greatly. Fred and George left the family nest to take possession of their new business premises, accompanied by the tears of their mother and the glowing pride of their father. Bill was in and out the Burrow, less tired than usual but a frown creasing his forehead; Ron slipped to Harry's ear, «Less snogging with Fleur, I guess.»

Tonks was a frequent visitor: Harry noted she did not come anymore for diner and she looked ill at ease with Arthur Weasley, whose normally gentle face seemed to close shut each time he saw her. She always waved the teens with a smile, but her bloodshot eyes took Harry aback. She looked preoccupied and she spoke often with Mrs Weasley and Lupin, her arms crossed. Their eyes always darted at some point towards Hermione.

To Harry's increasing preoccupation, Hermione was still pretending she was fine, even if she was rail thin. She had admitted to Harry that the potions were slow to act, but she swore she felt them working. Adults seem to be reading an awful lot these days and Harry had the feeling that somewhat, something was going wrong.

Harry and Ron going upstairs caught Lupin and Tonks talking between the floors, speaking in a low but urgent tone. Lupin had his hands on her shoulders while he rasped, «This is a serious stand, Tonks. You're playing with fire, here.» Tonks answered, pointing her chin to him, «Deal with it Remus. It's my job.» When they saw the boys, they separated with a fake smile but Harry was sure he saw Tonks wiping her eyes on her sleeve.

Three nights before going back to Hogwarts, Harry went to the kitchen for a glass of water. This late at night, the silence was unusual and deep for a house like the Burrow, which usually pulsated with life. On a corner of the massive wood table, Harry saw books, edified in four massive piles. Mrs Weasley had asked Lupin to retrieve the school necessities this year, invoking the lack of availability of members from the Order, which did not make any sense to Harry, having seen Bill, Mr Weasley, Moody and Tonks that sole day.

The books indicated to Harry that Lupin was back, and here he was, finally, alone in the kitchen. He was reading «The Daily Prophet» by the candlelight, absent-mindedly holding his spoon over his teacup. Harry saw his pallid face and dark circles under his eyes.

Lupin lifted his head, «Harry, oh my…It's late. I didn't think I'd see you tonight. How are you?» Harry wanted to say that he felt let down, but he swallowed what he knew were hurtful words and sat in front of the man, clutching his glass of water. «I'm good. How are you?» Lupin forced a smile, « As you can see.»

They stared in silence at each other and Harry's heart was beating forcefully: facing Lupin alone had the effect of a cold shower after this last month, where he had felt so alive, where he had thought more peacefully about Sirius even if he was still angry and sad.

Harry was torn between screaming his frustration towards his father's friend, his godfather's friend, a man who owed him stories, bits and pieces that could keep Sirius alive, or staying silent. There was so much about Sirius he wanted to know but now, when he had the occasion, he felt empty and barehanded.

Harry muttered, «I miss him.»

Lupin's face saddened. He laid the spoon down on the table. The candlelight wavered shadows in his face and he dropped his gaze. « I know. Me too, Harry. We lost a huge piece of our lives that night.» Harry nodded.

being ripped off , being stolen from

He knew the feeling.

Lupin continued, his hand pushing back the teacup,« It is quite strange, really. Sometimes,I havethe feeling that he is close to me. I never had this impression in the thirteen years he has been in Azkaban, when he was alive. He's dead but I feel him more alive that ever.» Harry nodded again and said quietly, «I know: at dinner sometimes I wait for him to say something stupid.» Lupin spurted a strangled chuckle, «I know, I know.»

Lupin put his elbows on the table and rubbed his forehead with the tips of his fingers. Harry sipped water, his eyes on the newspaper.

Lupin suddenly said, his voice tensing up, «I don't know if you will understand this, Harry, but I always thought I would be the first to die…because of lycanthropy. But James is dead, and Sirius is dead and…» Harry blurted out, his voice full with bitterness, « And Wormtail died the day he sold my parents to Voldemort. You're the last one.»

Lupin bowed his head again and Harry rubbed with a trembling finger a scratch on the table, his throat dry.

While trying to hold back his tears, his mind wandered to Hermione and a sudden question shot through his mind. He asked, «Does the Order still exists?» Lupin raised his head with a perplex look on his face, «Of course. Why the question?»

Harry pondered for a while and he said, «We're at the Burrow, not at Grimmauld Place. Plus, I haven't seen a meeting in the last month.» Before drinking a sip of tea, Lupin retorted, «That's what you think.» But Harry felt tired of the half-truths and allusions. He insisted, «I understood that the Order had to meet about Hermione' s condition, the day she told you her dream. I saw Bill write about it, » he added hastily when Lupin's eyebrows arched. «Tonks talked about this Auror colleague and everybody went silent. Hermione is not well at all. What is the Order waiting for?»

Harry was startled to hear his voice creaking a bit. Talking about Hermione in the same conversation that began with Sirius had made him strongly uncomfortable and angry.

Lupin loudly said, startling Harry on his chair, « Well, Harry, I'm not sure you should know about this.» Harry was stunned for a second but he could not stop himself from scowling, «WHAT?»

Lupin leaned towards him over the table while doing a calming gesture with his hand. «That was for Molly, if she's listening. You know what I think, » he whispered with resentment. Harry leaned forward and he watched Lupin scratching his chin with growing impatience.

Lupin's voice was hoarse but soft and Harry was almost green eye to brown eye with him when the Marauder said, «We are welcoming new members. Some older members are reacting to those decisions.» Harry gritted his teeth, «Let me guess. Snape.»

Lupin laughed without amusement, «You're your father's son all right. No, Harry. Arthur is not happy.» Harry choked on his saliva, «Mr Weasley? Is this…is this why he is angry at Tonks? What's going on?» Lupin nodded carefully but Harry saw that he looked like he wished he had not spoke of this.

«Harry...We're in a war and sometimes we disagree. It's not the first time and I guarantee you it won't be the last. Sometimes, we have to fight more for our ideas, that all. Arthur is a very courageous man, and his older son is really active in the Order and I've heard that - » Lupin tilted his head to the left as he hesitated, «Well, you're fond of Ginny…His youngest kids are not members of the Order but they know all about it and…» « You mean, they know me,» stated bitterly Harry, slightly blushing as he slowly realized that the cupboard was not needed for hiding anymore.

I knew this was coming. They regret knowing me

Lupin nodded with insistence, «This has nothing to do with you, Harry. It has all to do with Arthur and his desire to protect everyone.» Harry pondered on this and decided to push further, « What about the Auror Tonks was talking about? How did Bill call her? A Bearer?»

Harry was not surprise at the sight of Lupin pushing himself back from him. Red went to his face as he squirmed, «This Auror…Oh Harry, you'll know soon enough. She's a new recruit. She graduated from Hogwarts the same year as Bill and Tonks know hera bit.She doesn't have a lot of political weight but she was attached to the Magical Secret Services. It's quite a catch, actually.»

Lupin drank a sip of his now cold tea as Harry was maintaining his gaze on him. Lupin clutched the teacup, «She's a potent witch, a few years of experience in covert operations and not even thirty yet. Working for the Magical Secret Services is certainly not for the faint of heart. Ever heard about the Minaguash Rebellion?» Harry nodded impatiently, «No, I haven't. But why Mr Weasley is opposing to her?» Lupin raised a finger, «I did not say Arthur was opposing, Harry. The thing is, Harry, Bearers have reputations

That did not make sense for Harry: discrimination, coming from usually mild-mannered Mr Weasley! Harry wanted to know more but a frightful scream troubled the calm silence that enfolded the Burrow, a scream that froze Harry on the spot and made his hair stand on his head.

Then, he heard another one. And another one.

He could hear, on the second floor, voices and footsteps hurrying to the girls' bedroom. Harry saw Lupin's eyes feverishly dart to the ceiling and he felt uneasy when he saw a flicker of fear in them as the tired-looking man whispered in a dreadful tone, «Hermione.»