The next time George got to see Harriet, it was not a happy occasion to be reunited for. Dumbledore's funeral. George sat next to Harriet. She was looking forward and listening, disturbingly calm, as though she had accepted something. George glanced at Harriet, everything had changed from when he had first met her. He never thought that the tiny ill-looking eleven-year-old girl would become one of the most determined witches he had ever known. Back when he had told her that he thought it would be herself who overpowered Voldemort he didn't think that Dumbledore would not be alive. Harriet Potter was a new beacon of hope and with one quick glance around George could tell people were thinking the very same thing. The wizarding community's fate was now in Harriet Potter's hands.

Harry did not return with the other students, once the ceremony had ended she instead walked to the water's edge, taking in her glimpse of Hogwarts. George followed her.

"You're not going to return, are you?"

"No - there's something I need to do. Something for Dumbledore."

Somehow George knew that was the only explanation he was going to receive. He also had an inkling of where this conversation was going.

"George - we need-" Harriet took a breath. "this past year and a half, things have been good-"

"Save your breath," George said, giving her a firm look. "We've got a plan, Fred and I - so there's no need for you to get all noble on me. It's not going to work. I'm not going end this with you over him, or out of some duty to keep me safe from him."

"If he finds out that we're -"

"I'd rather die," George said. "Whether we are together or not is irrelevant. I would choose death."

"I'm not going to be able to tell you what I'm doing."

"Then I can't tell him anything if he does catch up to me." George shrugged. "So I still don't see the point in ending this."

Harriet bit her lip. "I'm scared George. I don't want to lose any more people I care about - not to him."

"I can't promise you that." George said, "I have no idea what tomorrow is going to bring. I do know I will do everything I can to not be one of those people. Besides Harriet, do you think that I am not worried? Do you think that I'm not going to care about what you're doing - where you are - what you might be up to - if you're in any danger or not. We're all scared. Melin Harriet! I love you. I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you."

"I love you too," Harriet replied. "Dumbledore always said it was a power that Voldemort didn't understand. That I was protected by my ability to love. So perhaps I should trust it a little more."


"What do you mean you're not going back to school?"

"Harriet, Hermione, and I-"

"Are going back to school-"

"We've got a task to complete. We're not going back-"

"I'm not having the three of you drop out of education with no plan - the twins leaving -"

"Don't drag us into this," Fred said defensively. "it wasn't our idea."

George rolled his eyes. He knew his mother was going to be like this.

"Haven't you got anything to say on the matter?" his mother demanded

"I don't like the idea any more than you do mum," George said. "however, if Dumbledore asked them to do something -"

"Harriet misunderstood-

"She understood perfectly," Ron muttered.

"Dumbledore had the whole order at his command - he would not leave a task to three - barely of age - underqualified -"

"Actually it sounds exactly like something Dumbledore would do." Fred chuckled.

"Don't get involved, this isn't about you -" their mother scolded. "If it is so important then we as your parents have a right to know what you're doing."

"No, Dumbeldore said the three of us and that was it-" Ron said, "Look mum, Harriet is the most qualified person, she's the only person that who-know-who is going to be afraid of now. Dumbledore knew that hence why we're doing this task for him. Please drop it. You're not going to change our minds."

"Oh! I'm not having this conversation with you- wait until your father gets home. He'll be wanting a word with you, Ron, about this plan of yours."


"Harriet's not going to like this plan."

George chuckled. That was an understatement, Harriet would hate the plan. "Just as much as our mother disliking your plan to leave your education behind."

Ron eyed him skeptically. "I'm not telling you what we're doing either."

"Didn't expect you to. Mum is demined to find out though- I just need -" George paused thoughtfully, "you need to look out for the girls -"

"I'm going to be with the brightest witch of our age and Harriet."

"Who is going to be a target once a certain someone gets his hands on the ministry, - the Order is saying it's only a matter of time."

Which was true. They had a lengthy discussion on the matter. About what tomorrow could bring once the Ministry fell.

"I'll keep them safe - or as much as I can. This is Harriet and Hermione we're talking about after all."

"That's all I ask, Ron," George said softly.