Chapter 7: The Imperius Curse

"I can't believe you told them," whispered Hermione.

The DA huddled in the backyard of Neville Longbottom, near tall swaying cornstalks against the radiant afternoon sun. A silent funeral passed by quickly for Trevor the toad. Only Luna spoke, reciting a poem about conquering death and patted Neville on the back.

"It was stupid, I know," replied Harry. "But they had to find out about the Horcruxes sooner or later when following the Order around."

"I just don't understand, mate," Ron said, "why would the Order hide something from us?"

Hermione smirked. "Not like we're not hiding anything from them? Maybe they're acting on Dumbledore's orders too? We shouldn't spy on them, Harry! We need to find the Horcruxes and destroy them."

Ginny, who had apparated along side Hermione, being underage, could barely look at Harry from across the plot of funeral dirt. They had spoken briefly at Bill and Fleur's wedding, but the relationship seemed to officially over. The arrival of Cho at the DA meeting only further strained the awkwardness. Ginny, avoiding eye contact with Harry, spoke up to the crowd at the end of the funeral.

"If we're going to become spies for Harry, I really think we should know why."

Several nods of approval put Harry on the spot. He shot a glare of annoyance in her direction and replied reluctantly,

"The Order is hiding something about," he hesitated to mention the incident with his cousin. "Voldemort and we need to know what if we are going to defeat him now."

Hermione gave a growl at his lie, whispering to Ron, "I honestly don't think Harry really knows why… He's just upset with Remus."

"Yeah," Ron whispered back. "And well, we shouldn't let them know more than what we've already told them about the Horcruxes…"

"Agreed."

Just as Harry was about to continue his response to Ginny, and to the crowd of anxious DA members, a loud thunder stopped him in his tracks. It was unlike any thunderstorm he had heard before but definitely seemed to be coming from the skies above.

The sunny afternoon became clouded with dark, thick blotches. Chunks of hard rain crumbled to the ground, pellets pinching those below. Several DA members hissed in pain and within minutes, the storm only increasing its wrath, they started uses their wands to produce protective charms.

But the storm grew, its anger finding a way to penetrate the charms and only lashed out stronger with sharp hail stones. The DA members soon found themselves racing into Neville's grandmother's house rather quickly.

"I dunno about you guys, but that's definitely not normal," said Ron.

Harry looked around at the maimed members, holding their bleeding cuts on their arms and faces as if someone had just freshly scratched their faces. He was afraid of the worse, that this was a sign that Voldemort was coming for them, and he had not found any of the Horcruxes yet, let alone destroy them.

"Those of you who can Apparate back home, do it now!" Harry ordered.

Neville then said, "If you can't or feel like staying though, I'm sure grandma won't mind some guests…"

Harry shot him a look of disapproval. "No, everyone leave now! Use protective charms on your houses and stay there."

"We can protect this house," said Seamus Finnigan, stepping forward from the crowd. "I agree with Ginny. If we're going to follow out your orders, you better explain yourself more!"

Ginny smiled as several more DA members nodded their hands and held out their wands, ready to make Neville's house impenetrable. But to her surprise, Hermione shook her head and yelled feircly,

"Harry is right! You must leave now. The last thing we want is for Vol, Voldemort to capture all of us at once. The Order can protect us with better charms than we can, and," she had an idea, "you can spy on them while asking for protection. Don't lie-" she shot a look at Harry who had suggested it earlier if necessary, "But just be aware of anything suspicious. Fred and George," she looked at Weasley twins who had been rather quiet the whole time. Fred had been discussing the newest invention of his during the funeral and only now seemed to pay attention. "you can supply everyone with extendable ears?"

"It'll cost us some, and," they started, but realizing it was a greater purpose, they complied.

"Good. Remember, use the coins if something unusual happens, if they refuse to speak to you about something important. Understood?"

Everyone nodded and seemed to approve of Hermione's leadership more than Harry's. Within half a hour, the living of Neville was empty except for Hermione, Ron, Harry, Neville and wads of mud on the hideous shag carpet.

"Glad that's over," said Hermione.

"You didn't have to do that," Harry replied in a surprisingly unhappy tone. "I was doing fine."

Ron laughed. "They weren't responding, Harry. You saw that. Hermione just, well-"

"Took charge? Yeah, I saw." Harry sulked back into Neville's brown threaded couch. Hermione didn't bother to response but simply rolled her eyes and walked off into the kitchen. Ron soon followed, leaving Neville and Harry alone.

"AH!"

A scream pierced their ears. Both Harry and Neville jumped off the couch toward the kitchen where Ron stood with a frying pan in his right hand. Hermione was kneeling on the ground, trying to calm down a funny looking house-elf.

"You nearly killed her, Ron!" Hermione said angrily.

"She snuck up behind me!" he yelped back. "Wasn't my fault."

Ella started to sob and just as Hermione tried to hug her, she disappeared.

"She'll be ok," reassured Neville.

Although normally Hermione would rant about the protection and freedom of house elves, she instead composed herself, stood up and looked over to Harry and Ron. "We need to get a move on with finding them."

"Yeah. Sorry to leave you, Neville, but well-"

"I can help," he said. "Just tell me where one of those Horkrex things are."

Hermione replied, "Its Horcrux, and well, that's the thing, we don't know exactly where they are."

"Oh," said Neville. "Then, how are you supposed to find them?"

There was silence.

XXX

Remus Lupin and Tonks sat in a small, pink café, drinking warm butterbeer and eating chocolate croissants. He leaned forward, holding her hand, and shook his head.

"I don't like doing this."

"You're not the only one," said Tonks. "I nearly slipped speaking in front of Ginny the other day." She sipped on her butterbeer and placed with the delicate tea cup.

"I presume she heard nothing about the incident?"

"Not a word."

Remus nodded. He looked around, making sure his Muffling charm had not been broken. No one seem distracted by their conversation and he continued. "Good. We don't want Harry to find out that his cousin had been attacked by Death Eaters."

"And that he was placed under an Unforgivable Curse."

"How could Goyle place him under the Imperius? Even for him… What was he thinking?" Remus started up. "Dudley's not only a Muggle, but just a boy!"

"Goyle, like the rest of the lot, is a Death Eater- he does think or care," Tonks reminded him as he already knew. "Harry's home is no longer safe. That is all he needs to know for now."

"And he does know that. I just hope he stays at Hogwarts," said Remus. "If he's anything like James or Sirius, he'll be off on some unneeded adventure. If only I had disciplined those two… Maybe Harry would be a bit more, discrete… We can protect him easily at Hogwarts, but not if he goes running off… Harry's been muttering to himself rather a lot recently and with Ron and Hermione as well. I hope he doesn't do anything- well stupid."

Tonks giggled. The foam of her butterbeer tickled her nose that changed into a more button shape. "Oh, he's almost of age, so the Ministry won't be able to detect him doing underage magic much longer. We can't always be there for him. He's not a child anymore…"

Remus nodded. "Yes, he's almost of age. And that's why he cannot find out about his poor cousin, Dudley. I'm doubtful he cares very much about the boy, but nonetheless, he would want to take revenge. One against several Death Eaters is no match, even for Harry."

"He has friends, Remus," reminded Tonks. "He's not as alone as you may think… And neither are you." She attempted to change the subject but he ignored her. "But I agree, we must to tell Harry about cousin. It would only give him an incentive that he doesn't need right now." She changed her hair color from magenta to periwinkle.

"Did you see that?" Remus asked, looking over his shoulder.

Outside the brightly lit window were two Hogwarts students, clearly wearing robes. He could only make out the backs of them as they ran off into a pawn shop across the way.

"I'm sure it was nothing. Drink you butterbeer," pushed Tonks.

"Yes," mumbled Remus, still peering off into the distance.

XXX

"I'm sorry, but he's dead, Ron."