CHAPTER EIGHT: LIFE ANEW

The next few days swept by in a blur and Saturday morning dawned bright and beautifully. Everyone was awake early today. Harry walked into the yard and fields to find them full of activity, happy voices and lots of laugher. Jillian and Tonks were waving wands around like mad. Decorations, candles, flowers and linens were popping up all over the place. The Burrow was being transformed into an outdoor wonderland.

"Watcher, Harry," Tonks called when she spotted him.

Her trademark bubblegum pink hair was strawberry blond today and curled in a soft halo about her head. She looked very pretty. If it were possible, Jillian looked even more beautiful than the night Harry first met her. He hadn't seen her around the Burrow since then, but had heard Ginny inquiring after her to Kingsley.

"Good morning, Tonks. Good morning, Jillian," he said as he joined them. "Everything looks great. Can I do anything to help? "

"As a matter of fact, you can," answered Tonks. "We need to string the fairy lights in and out among the trees. Would you mind flying up and doing it for us? We can direct you from down here."

Tonks grinned when she saw the hesitation cross his face.

"It's okay," she explained. "We've cleared it with Mad-Eye and Remus. Your Firebolt is over there," she said, pointing to a table teaming with supplies.

Harry's face lit up as he quickly went to retrieve his racing broom. He mounted it and was airborne in seconds. He streamed above the tree lines, darting in and out among the boughs as if through an obstacle course, the wind ripping through his hair and coloring his cheeks. Harry hadn't felt this free in the longest time.

Tonks and Jillian were watching him from below.

"Wow," Jillian said to Tonks. "Kingsley said he was an incredible flyer."

"You haven't seen anything, yet," Tonks replied.

And as if he'd somehow heard them, Harry streaked higher and higher and then leaned flat into a near impossible dive, turning blurred spirals and loops until he was inches from the ground and pulling up effortlessly to hover in front of them.

"So," he said with his face flushed, his grin coy and his green eyes sparkling like jewels, "hand over the fairy lights and tell me what you need."

They all laughed. Two hours later, every tree within range was filled with countless fairy lights.

The rest of the day raced by in a blink, as well. By seven that evening, all the guests had passed through Moody's stringent security measures and everyone was assembled in rows of white chairs facing an elaborate bridal arch. It was covered in layers of iridescent chiffon and adorned with the most exotic mix of flowers Harry had ever seen.

Bill was already standing beneath the arch with Charlie, whom he'd selected as his best man. Enchanting harp music floated through the air as Ginny and Gabrielle gracefully made their way down the isle. They both looked lovely in pale gold dresses that seemed to float against their skin. Bill winked at his baby sister as she reached the arch. He looked fit and strong, and not even the angry scars on his face could hide his pure joy as he watched Fleur, escorted by her father, walking delicately down the aisle towards him. She was an absolute vision in white lace.

Mrs. Weasley and Hermione were already crying. Mr. Weasley and the other siblings were ready to burst with pride. Bill had invited Percy, but he'd declined and made up some nonsense about having to work a lot of overtime at the Ministry. In the end it did not matter, for even his absence couldn't detract from their happiness. With the sun setting low behind the trees, Bill and Fleur pledged their lives to each other in front of their families, friends and dozens of Order members. When they turned and faced their guests, every single fairy light suddenly glistened and twinkled. Fleur shrieked with surprised delight. Harry looked to see Jillian and Tonks wink and wave at him. He smiled and winked back.

Harry was drinking a glass of mead when McGonagall, who'd been happily talking all evening with almost every guest present, made her way to him and said, "Good evening, Potter. Please come along with me," and led the way into the house.

With a flick of her wand, McGonagall sealed and sound proofed the kitchen.

"Harry, it's good to see you," she said kindly. "How have you been?"

"I'm okay, Professor," he said. "How are things?"

"Well, it hasn't been officially announced, but the governors have decided to reopen Hogwarts in the fall. Letters will be going out to students shortly, but I have brought yours, the Weasleys' and Ms. Granger's with me."

She pulled four envelopes from her dress robes and placed them in the center of the table.

Harry was silent for a moment. He'd decided last June that he wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts. He'd told no one but Ron and Hermione, and now he was at a temporary loss about how to tell Professor McGonagall. She looked as if she were reading his mind.

"Potter, I know you well enough to believe your first instinct tells you not to return to school."

Harry's eyes widened as he looked at McGonagall, but he remained silent.

"It is your nature to put everyone else's needs before your own. It's a noble quality, even if it is a bit annoying at times," she added in cheek. "Seriously, given last year's events, I can understand why you'd be concerned. I can assure you though, Potter, no one will be entering Hogwarts through any magic cabinets or any other means. Security is tighter than ever. Order members and Ministry Aurors will be on premise at all times."

"Well," said Harry sincerely, "that's great news. I'd hate for the school to have been shut down. But Professor, there are other reasons why I can't return this term."

"Yes, I'm sure you believe that to be the case, and I know you won't divulge those reasons, so maybe this will help change your mind," she replied, pulling one other envelope from her robes and handing it to directly to Harry. "I'll be outside awaiting your decision. Please see me before you retire."

She rose from the table, patted Harry lightly on the shoulder and exited the kitchen door.

Harry turned the envelope over and stared at it. He recognized the narrow, slanted writing immediately; it was Dumbledore's. He hesitated a few moments, finally sliding a finger under the wax seal and removing the folded parchment within. Dumbledore's voice filled his head as he read:

Dearest Harry,

If you are reading this letter then I know not everything worked out as I had hoped, and that I have left you sooner than intended. For that, I am truly, truly sorry.

Our time spent together last year was invaluable. Do not forget or dismiss anything we did or discussed. All of it is important. You know what you must do first. The tasks I outlined for you must be completed. Harry, you can do this – yes, even without me. I know you've shared the full truth with no one but Ron and Hermione. I've no doubt they will prove useful in these pursuits. Please allow them to help you.

Of course, there are many other things I had intended to teach you. Do not worry, though. I have entrusted those duties to some of the brightest and most talented witches and wizards of our time. You will find most of them at your disposal at Hogwarts. You cannot possibly hope to finish this, yet. Your time will come soon, Harry, and I want you as prepared as possible. That preparation begins at Hogwarts.

If I know Minerva at all, then the school will be under the highest security measures. Should you need to exit the premises in certain pursuits, I ask that you first contact Alastor or Kingsley. You will be taught the methods by which the Order communicate with each other. Please do not leave the grounds through your usual means unless absolutely unavoidable. The Marauders were amazingly crafty, weren't they?

Now, if Minerva has delivered this in the timeframe I outlined, then your seventeenth birthday is only days away. You and I both know what that means. Voldemort also knows what that means. Therefore, you will need to return to Hogwarts sooner than the others. The Order will arrange your transport. While most students would dread the mere idea of returning to school early, I somehow do not think you will mind very much. Hermione and Ron will be allowed to return early, as well. I dare say, you might find four extra weeks with near limitless access to the school most helpful.

Harry, please remember that you are not alone. You carry the love of so many people within you. Do not be afraid of it. Do not be ashamed of it. It is not your weakness, but the very foundation of your strength. When you are afraid, call on it. When you are angry, call on it. When you are lonely, call on it. It has saved you before and I believe, will do so again. You are far stronger than you can possibly imagine. Trust me on this, please.

Know this, as well. There are not words adequate enough to express how very proud I am of you and the young man you have become. It has been an absolute pleasure and my ultimate honor to know you, Harry James Potter.

Feel free to visit my portrait whenever you have the need.

With you always,

Albus Dumbledore

Harry read through the letter again and again, until he had it memorized. Finally, he went to stand in the doorway leading to the yard. He scanned the grounds until he found Ron and Hermione at a nearby table with Fred and George. Fireworks were going off in an amazing display of color and design. The twins had been expanding their store inventory. Ron seemed to sense him and turned. Harry waved them over to him.

"We need to talk. Let's go to your room," he said quickly.

Ron and Hermione followed Harry to the top of the winding, crooked staircase. Once the door was closed, Harry filled them in on his conversation with Professor McGonagall. He placed their Hogwarts letters on the desk and then handed Dumbledore's letter to Hermione. She and Ron sat side by side on his bed and read the letter together in silence. When they'd finished, they looked at each other, and then to Harry.

"Harry," said Ron, "do you know what all of this is about?"

"Not exactly," he answered as he sat on the camp bed and faced his friends. He relayed what he'd learned last week from Lupin to them. They looked as stunned as he had.

"I guess the only way I will know all of it is if I agree to return to Hogwarts," he said.

"And blimey, when did Dumbledore find out about the One-Eyed Witch?" asked Ron.

"I don't know. Dumbledore once told me he'd watched me more closely than I could have imagined. I suspect he knew most things."

"Harry," began Hermione, "you know we will do whatever you decide, but it really does sound like Hogwarts is the best place to start. I mean it doesn't sound like Dumbledore was just trying to keep you hidden."

"I know. I was thinking the same thing. I just wanted to run it by you two."

"Well, that's settled then," said Ron. We're going back to Hogwarts."

Harry stood and walked to Ron's small, round window and looked out on the dwindling crowd in the yard. McGonagall was just below, talking to Lupin. Harry called to her and she looked up. He nodded once. She smiled warmly and nodded back.