The Stress of Being Harry Potter

Chapter 4

The next morning Amelia confronted Susan about her state of undress the previous evening. "I trust I won't find you in his room again this evening only half clothed."

At this pronouncement, Susan blushed, and then protested, "Auntie, it wasn't anything like that. I just heard Harry cry out in pain, and rushed across the hall. I didn't even notice that I forgot to put on my dressing gown."

Amelia snorted as the two women walked down the hall, "Susan, dear, I wasn't born yesterday. I know a ploy to get a young man's attention when I see one."

Slightly later that morning, a house elf came into Harry's room, and said, "Master Potter, sir. Twinky is being sent to tell you Mistress Bones wishes to see you in her office."

Harry nodded, "Tell her that I will be there in a few minutes. Thank you, Twinky."

The house elf curtseyed, and smiled, "Twinky is telling Mistress Bones that Master Potter is on his way." Then, she popped from the room.

Harry grinned to himself and said aloud, "I don't know if I'll ever get used to having elves."

A few minutes later, Harry knocked on the door to Madam Bones' office. A voice from inside called out, "Come in, Harry."

Harry walked into the room, and smiled, "You wanted to see me?"

Madam Bones nodded, "Yes, I did. I've arranged for you to go and visit with the Weasleys today if you would like."

Harry nodded eagerly, "Very much. I'd like to spend some time with Ron and his family."

"Good, then I have an Auror ready to begin training you in Occlumency and dueling."

Harry's expression changed instantly, while his body stiffened, "Which one is it?"

Madam Bones noted the sudden difference in Harry's posture and facial expression and asked cautiously, "Why does that matter?"

Harry replied, "Because I don't want to give any more members of Dumbledore's bird club access to my mind."

Madam Bones eyes narrowed, "I know that Tonks and Alastor are members, but are there others?"

"Moody, Tonks, Hestia Jones, and Kingsley Shacklebolt that I know of. There could be more, but those are the only ones that I've seen."

Amelia rubbed her temples, "I had no idea about Hestia and Kingsley. Those two will bear watching."

"No kidding, I don't trust anybody that follows Dumbledore that blindly."

"Do you really not trust Dumbledore?"

Harry shook his head, "About as far as I can throw Hagrid. He only reveals things that he believes people should know, and he uses their lack of information to get them to dance to the tune that he has orchestrated. He's played this game for far too long, and people have continued to let him get away with it. Now, he's become so accustomed to everyone doing exactly what he expects them to do, that he doesn't know how to react when something actually thinks for themselves, and events don't go exactly as he planned them, and that is going to get a lot of people killed, with me being at the top of the list."

"I can see how that would damage any chance of you placing your trust in him."

"The thing that really threw me over the edge with the old man was Sirius's death. If he had just told me what was going on last year, or not trusted Snape to do his job, then I might not be so fed up with him."

"Sirius? Do you mean Sirius Black?" asked Madam Bones incredulously.

Harry nodded, "Of course. He was my godfather. I thought you knew."

"I knew he was your godfather. I had no idea that you knew, or that he was dead. I guess we can call off the man-hunt for him now. What I don't understand is why you would be upset about his death? He did betray your parents." She paused for a moment in thought, and then continued, "Although, I recall you mentioning his death at the Dursley's, but I was so focused on watching Dumbledore that I didn't pick up on it until now."

Harry looked confused, "Did you not read the article in the Quibbler last year? I thought that explained everything."

Madam Bones shrugged, "I skimmed it last year. Most people don't take anything the Quibbler says seriously. I just thought it was something that they had made up."

Harry shook his head, "I gave that interview and they published the complete truth."

"So, that would mean that Sirius was innocent, and that Peter Pettigrew is alive?"

"Of course. I told you that Voldemort was giving him instructions last night."

Amelia replied, "You told me that he was giving instructions to someone called Wormtail."

"Wormtail is Peter Pettigrew's Marauder name. It comes from his Animagus form," explained Harry.

"Marauder name?" echoed Madam Bones. "Peter Pettigrew wasn't an Animagus. It would have been on record."

Harry sighed, "This is going to be a long story. Madam Bones, are you naïve enough to believe that everyone who masters Animagus skills actually registers their forms?"

Amelia spluttered indignantly, "It's the law."

Harry chuckled, "We're dealing with an organization that runs around torturing people with a curse that can earn you a lifetime in Azkaban for its use, and you think everyone follows the law. I can say with absolute certainty that I know of at least five unregistered Animagi this century."

"Who?" she asked.

"Peter Pettigrew is a rat. Sirius Black was a big black dog. Voldemort can transform into a snake. Rita Skeeter has a beetle form, and my father was a stag. I'm certain you won't find any of that in your records."

Amelia blinked in surprise, "Your father, Sirius, and Peter were unregistered Animagi? Why?"

Harry continued from there to tell Amelia the stories of the Marauders exploits at Hogwarts. She laughed at times, and frowned at others, but listened attentively through the whole story. Once, Harry was through, she leaned back in her chair, "Well, Harry, you've given me quite the tale to digest. Why don't we continue this conversation after you return from the Weasleys tomorrow? Until then, enjoy exploring the Manor with Susan. I have work to attend to at the Ministry."

Harry nodded and got up from the plush, padded chair that he had been reclining in, "Of course, ma'am. If you ever want to hear it, I can tell you about the things that I have gotten up to at Hogwarts. Someone should know, so that maybe we can make that school safe for its students." With that ominous statement, Harry walked from the room, and left the Head of the Department for Magical Law Enforcement to ponder the dilemmas that she now had before her.

The next morning, Harry awoke early to get ready for his trip to the Weasley house. He went downstairs and ate breakfast with Susan, and then waited to see how he would be arriving at the Burrow. A few minutes later, Dawlish walked into the room. He pulled out a small disk, and said, "Harry, Madam Bones has instructed me to take you to the Weasley residence with this portkey. I've also been ordered to begin your training in Occlumency and dueling tomorrow. So, let's go."

Harry took two steps backward as Dawlish stepped towards him. "How exactly do I know if you are who you say you are?"

Dawlish raised an eyebrow, "Interesting response, Mr. Potter. I'm impressed. What would you like me to do to prove that I'm here to help?"

"Give me your wand," said Harry.

Dawlish shook his head, "I'm afraid that I can't do that, Mr. Potter. It is against regulations for an Auror to yield his wand to a civilian."

"Then, I believe that we are at an impasse. Fortunately, for you, I've looked up a way to test a Portkey's destination. The only problem is the underage magic issue."

Dawlish replied, "That's not a problem. Minors can perform magic under the supervision of a licensed Auror, even in the summer time."

Harry turned to Susan, "Is that true, Susan?"

She smiled and nodded, "Yes, Harry. Auntie has me practice during the summer with her. It's legal in that case."

Harry whipped his wand out and rattled off an incantation. The Portkey glowed silver, and a picture of the Burrow appeared in a shadowy globe above the portkey. Harry nodded in satisfaction as he put his wand away, "Okay, let's go."

Dawlish grinned, "That was some impressive speed. I think I'm going to enjoy working with you on dueling skills."

Susan laughed, "I don't know about that, Dawlish. Harry's good. You might have your hands full."

"We'll see about that tomorrow, Susan. Come along, Mr. Potter. Let's get you to the Weasleys. I'll leave you with a return Portkey, that you can activate with the password Bones Manor."

"Excellent. I'll be ready for lessons tomorrow."

Then, the two activated the portkey and arrived at the Burrow. Harry looked around and took in the scene. The Burrow was sitting just the same as always. Ron was in the garden throwing gnomes over the fence into the field beyond the house. Ginny was sitting in a swing underneath the tree in the front yard. Arthur was obviously tinkering in the shed judging from the sounds emitting from within. From his vantage point, Harry could see through the kitchen window to view Mrs. Weasley puttering around inside.

Dawlish nodded to Harry, "Well, you've arrived." He paused and handed Harry another disk. "This is your return portkey. You know how to activate it. I'll take my leave of you here."

Harry flicked a half salute, "Thanks, and I'll see you tomorrow."

With a pop, Dawlish Apparated away. Then, Harry began walking down the hill toward the Burrow. As he got closer, Ginny noticed him, and yelled out, "Harry's here."

Ron looked up at Ginny's shout, and then began running towards Harry. Ginny was sprinting up the hill as well. Harry smiled at his friends as they came towards him, "Hi, guys. How are you?"

Ginny grabbed him in a hug, and Harry wrapped his arms around her. Ron slapped him on the back, and asked, "So, what's up, mate? We heard that you left the Dursleys."

"You could say that. I'm living with Amelia and Susan Bones."

Ginny quirked an eyebrow up at Harry from where she was still standing in his arms, "Susan Bones, huh? Should I be jealous?"

Harry turned to look down at her, and shrugged, "Maybe. I think both of you are extremely beautiful."

Ginny blushed prettily, "Thank you."

Ron goggled at Harry, "When did you get so outspoken with girls?"

Harry wrapped an arm around Ginny's shoulders, and started walking toward the Burrow, "I decided that I wasn't going to let being afraid or nervous keep me from speaking my mind anymore. I think its what Sirius and my Dad would have wanted. So, I'm going to become a better man. It's the least I can do for them."

Ginny smiled, "Well, I'm not going to complain."

At that moment, Molly Weasley came storming out of the Burrow, and yelled, "Harry James Potter, get over here this instant."

Harry looked mildly startled at her tone and complied, "What can I do for you, Mrs. Weasley?"

She began her rant, "Do you have any idea what you did? You can't talk to Albus Dumbledore that way, you could seriously jeopardize the entire fight…"

She trailed off as Harry held up his hand with a hard look on his face, "Mrs. Weasley, I will keep my own counsel as to how I deal with that meddlesome old man. If that isn't to your liking, then I will leave your home. Good day."

Harry pulled out his Portkey over the protests of Ron and Ginny, until Arthur's voice cut through the confusion, "Harry, don't. Please stay and visit with Ron and Ginny. They've missed you. I will deal with Molly."

The three teenagers looked at each other in amazement as they saw something in Arthur's face that they never expected, anger. Molly quailed before his steady gaze, as he motioned for her to precede him into the house. As he passed the trio, he smiled down at Harry and patted him on the back, "Go have some fun. There may be precious little time to have it in the immediate future."

Harry nodded gravely, "I understand, Mr. Weasley."

Then, the two adults walked into the house.

"Molly, I can't believe that you even tried that. I have never been so disgusted with you in my life."

Molly stepped back in surprise at the words issuing from her husband's mouth, "What could I have done to make you this angry, Arthur?'

"You can not treat Harry the way you do your own children, Molly. He didn't grow up in a loving environment the way they did. Yelling at him the way you do the children will only accomplish one of two things. It will either damage his self-esteem farther, or he will come to distrust you and I the way he now distrusts Dumbledore. The two of us and Remus, and maybe Moody are the only adults, Harry would even dream of confiding in at this moment, and I will be damned if I let you ruin that because of your temper. You will control yourself in Harry's presence, or I will ensure that you stay away from him. Do I make myself clear, Molly?"

Molly looked down at her feet in shame as she thought about the damage she could have done to the boy, "I'm sorry, Arthur. I just felt that he needed reprimanding for the way he spoke to Albus.."

Arthur cut her off, "That's between Harry and the Headmaster, and is none of our business. To voice my own opinion, though, I think Harry was perfectly justified in telling Albus off. Harry has lived a difficult life, and Albus hasn't done very much to make it easier on him."

The twins showed up shortly after Molly and Arthur entered the house. The two of them were up to their usual antics as they Apparated in. Fred began, "So, Harry, we were.."

George picked up, "wondering just how long it was going to take you to come.."

"check out the shop," finished Fred.

Harry laughed, "I don't know. I'm sure I will get to Diagon Alley at some point this summer, but I have a bunch of things to do. I'm not even sure how much time I'm going to get to spend with anybody."

Ron asked, "What's so important?"

Harry shook his head, "I wish I could tell you, Ron. Trust me on this, though. You don't want to know."

The twins perked up and chimed in, "Is it dangerous?"

Harry replied seriously, "Deadly."

Ginny asked hesitantly, "For whom?"

"Me. Unfortunately."

"You'll be careful won't you?"

Harry smiled and winked, "I'll have a security detail, so don't worry. I'm sure Dumbledork will have the Order watching me as well."

The twins gaped at Harry's insult of the Headmaster, but Ron chuckled at them, "Hey, if you think that's bad, you should have seen the row he set off with Mum and Dad. Mum tried to yell at him for the way he spoke to Professor Dumbledore, and Dad went off on her."

"Are you serious?" asked Fred

"Dad never gets mad!" exclaimed George.

Ginny shuddered, "He did this time. I don't think I've ever seen him like that. He and Mum went inside, and we could hear Dad yelling. We couldn't tell what he was saying, but it didn't sound like a pleasant tone."

Harry broke in, "Well, that's enough talk. I came to have some fun, and that's what your Dad told us to do. So, let's play some Quidditch."

The five of them set off for the orchard, and proceeded to have a great deal of fun. Little did they know, that this was the last day of relaxation they would have for the rest of the summer, as Voldemort was bringing the war to the wizarding world in force.