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CHAPTER NINE: No-One Is Neutral
Sat in the headmaster's office with Neville and Ernie in front of him reminded James uncomfortably of his own school days. It felt worryingly like being summoned. Neville looked at him hard for a long time before speaking. "Professor Potter. Do you know anything about where your father is?"
"As much as you do,"James answered simply.
Neville smiled slightly at the comment before his manner became serious again. "Most of your family have disappeared since the attack on the Ministry. So have most of mine. Ron thinks they're all supporting Harry's attack and I think he's right. Ernie and I have both pledged our loyalty to the Ministry. Will you?"
"No."
The answer threw them. "So you're intending to go and join the Order?"Ernie asked.
"No. I'm here for my own children and for the students, as a teacher at Hogwarts. But I'm not going to say that Dad's right or Uncle Ron's right, or who's right but going about it the wrong way, or wrong but going about it the right way…I'm neutral."
"We're looking at a civil war,"Ernie pointed out. "It's hard to be neutral in one of those."
"But we're not going to object to you trying,"Neville continued. "Which brings me to the next point of order. I suddenly find myself short of two teachers. Would you be willing to take over as Head of Gryffindor?"
The turnaround was more than a little surprising but James did his best to take it in his stride. "Yes, of course. What about the Charms and DADA posts?"
"Silas Souvren has agreed to come back as Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher on an interim basis."
James nodded. Professor Souvren had been the DADA teacher during his time as a student. "What about Charms? Is Professor Flitwick going to come back?"
"He's getting on a bit,"Ernie pointed out.
"Lisa Weasley has agreed to take on the job,"Neville explained.
James raised an eyebrow. "You really are determined to take the Ministry's side, aren't you?"
The Order of the Phoenix and allies were currently squeezed into the large main room of the Greengrass mansion. A few people had joined them since Harry had first sent out the feelers; he noticed Lee and Angelina chatting with their son Malcolm and his wife Gill, Maxwell's parents. He coughed loudly to draw their attention. "We're too exposed here,"he told them. "If we all congregate here, then one raid by the Ministry could bring everything down. That's why we're going to split up into four cells. Hermione and I will be in charge of one group based here, with Lily, Teddy and Victoire." He turned his attention to Melissa, who was standing nursing baby Albus, a poignant reminder of just how much he was asking people to sacrifice. "Melissa…I don't want to put you in any danger."
Melissa shrugged. "All I'm doing is having some old friends to stay. Dennis and Demelza aren't on any lists, and if a few fugitives happen to be scattered around the empty flats in my block…well, I didn't know anything about that, did I?"
Harry smiled fondly at her. "Thank you, Melissa. Rose, you and Owen will be in charge of that group. And remember, everyone, you'll be living in the muggle world, which is why I'm sending the people who know most about that. It might get you off the Ministry's radar but you have to be extra careful not to do anything that will attract attention. Luna…this place you've suggested, your base for naturalist trips. Are you sure Neville doesn't know about it?"
Luna became slightly misty-eyed. "Dear Neville. He knew there were things that I needed to be kept private. He never asked anything. I do miss him, you know?"
"Then you'll take a party there,"Harry continued, hoping to avoid any more distress,"with Emily, Martin and Susannah. Kingsley?"
Kingsley nodded. "I was in hiding for nearly a year during Voldemort's reign. There are some old Order hiding places that we never shared with you younger ones, that Ron doesn't know about."
"Then you and Hagrid will take the other cell there."
"I'd rather stay wi' you, Harry!"Hagrid protested.
"I know, Hagrid, but you'll be needed more out there than here. They need someone who understands nature."
Hagrid sniffed and nodded. "As you say, Harry."
"We'll tell you which group you're in in a moment,"Hermione continued.
Cho raised a hand. "Excuse me, but…how will the groups stay in contact? The Ministry's bound to be monitoring the owls and the floo network."
Hermione held up a bag of coins and began passing them out. "Through these. They're charmed so we can use them to pass on messages."
Katie gave a nostalgic smile. "Old habits, eh?"
Ron was pacing in his office in a way that was causing Parvati, Scorpius and Hugo to look at him with some concern. He only stopped when Neville came in. "I've spoken to James,"Neville explained. "I don't think he knows where Harry is and I don't think he's planning to join him. He says he's going to stay neutral."
"Who'd have thought James would be the sensible one?"Hugo commented.
"Have you heard anything more about Harry?"Neville asked.
There was a pause as everyone waited for Ron to answer. When he didn't, Parvati spoke. "The Aurors have been doing raids all day. No sign."
Scorpius spoke up. "Ron…I know you wanted this kept quiet but we're going to have to announce it."
Ron sighed. "The minute I announce that Harry Potter is a wanted fugitive, half the country's going to turn on him and the other half's going to want to join him."
"But that's what he is,"Scorpius pressed. "The sooner Harry and the others are stopped, the sooner we can move on."
"Yes, I know. I'll sort it soon."
James arrived home and put down his bag. "Anyone home?"he called out.
He was greeted by a shout of "Uncle James!" and a six-year-old flinging herself into his arms. James smiled down at his niece, Amy. "Is your dad here?"
James' brother-in-law Gordon appeared and gave him a nod of greeting. "Have you heard anything about Lily?"
James shook his head. "No word about her or the others."
"I've told work we need to take an indefinite leave of absence. Not sure how long I can stall them." Lily worked for the muggle government, which was where she had met Gordon.
"How are you doing with the courier business?"
"Well, it's not like I can apparate or anything…"
"We've got staff for that. You just need to do Emily's work, keep an eye on the admin…and look after Tracey and Joshua, of course."
Gordon sighed. "Well, I can do all that. You're sure no-one minds me being in Hogsmeade? It is meant to be a wizarding community…"
"You're an accredited spouse, you're fine. I spoke to Scorpius about Balthasar but he says he's okay with him. And Gemini's at Hogwarts, of course."
"What about Teddy and Victoire's younger children? And Martin and Susannah's?"
"Being looked after by family apparently." James sighed. "I don't know. I want to put all these families back together, but at the moment it's getting harder and harder."
Nymphadora and Beverley were sitting in the stands at the Quidditch pitch. It was the Gryffindor try-outs and the other houses were being quietly kept out. "When are you on?"Beverley asked.
Nymphadora hesitated. "I'm not sure if I'm going to try out."
"What? But you've got to! Bradley tried out for Hufflepuff."
"Did he get in?"
"Reserve keeper and chaser apparently. But it just shows that you could do the same."
"Why don't you try out?"Nymphadora returned.
"Me?"Beverley shook her head. "I can barely manage to stay on a broom. But you've been dreaming of this since last year."
"I've been dreaming of it for a lot longer than that,"Nymphadora sighed. "Playing for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Like Dad, and like James and Albus and Lily and Hugo. I thought when I made my debut they'd all be here cheering me on. Now Albus is dead and Dad and Lily…well, I don't know where they are, or Mum or Rose…"
"Maybe they'll turn up again before your first game?"Beverley suggested hopefully.
"Maybe." Nymphadora wasn't convinced.
"And even if they don't…they wouldn't want you to give up something you love."
David Barclay, the team captain, called up into the stands. "Hey, Potter! You joining us?"
Nymphadora got up and smiled. "Yeah, I'm coming."