Chapter 9: Dinner at Potter Manor

When they got back to the sitting room, Harry opened the jewelry box again. He smiled when he saw a ring in there.

"Your mother's engagement ring," Remus said, sitting next to Harry. "I went with James to pick it out."

Harry nodded. He looked at Hermione, who examined it closely.

"Do you think she placed more charms on this stuff?"

"More than likely," Remus said. "She placed protective charms on a lot of stuff. And the bracelet you wear, the necklace Ginny wears have a protective charm. They'll protect the both of you from most minor and mid-level jinxes and hexes."

Harry nodded.

After going through the jewelry again, he called Jinks.

"Jinks, can you place this in my bedroom?"

"Yes Master Harry."

Soon, the items were in his bedroom, and he looked at his friends.

He found a piece of parchment and a quill, so he wrote a message on them. He handed it to each of them. They read it silently, knowing what it was.

"What about Ginny?"

"She's the lady of the house," Harry replied, quietly. "The elves know it. But I'll give it to her to read, just in case."

Remus nodded.

"Do you think you should tell everyone?"

"No," Harry said. "The fewer people the better. Each of you can bring others, and we can use the portkeys to call them in here, right?"

"Yes," Remus said. "And the Fidelius Charm will hold if you do that. That's what I suggest you do."

A few minutes later, Ginny arrived back.

"Harry, he wants to talk to you alone."

"Ok," Harry said, looking at Ginny. He could tell something was bothering her.

But when they got to the study, he was shocked to find out why.

"Mr. Weasley? Mrs. Weasley?"

"Yes, Harry," Mr. Weasley asked.

"Could we talk to you for a moment? Remus? Tonks?"

"Why me," Tonks asked.

"It's just that Godric recommended you and Remus," Harry said. "For this task."

"Ok," Tonks said, getting up to follow Harry and Ginny to the study.

"What's going on," McGonagall asked.

"You've got me," Ronald said. "Harry and Ginny have been a in a right fit since they started talking to that portrait."

Hermione nodded her agreement.

McGonagall thought a moment and smiled.

"Oh, it's an issue that will be worked out," she said. "I can feel it."

"You have an idea of what it is?"

"I sure do," the woman said. "But it's not my story, so I'll let Ginny and Harry tell you."

In the study, Tonks looked at the young couple as they held hands, speaking to them.

"So," Mr. Weasley said. "You're telling me that Harry and Ginny must wed soon and then consummate their marriage in order for this to work properly?"

"Yes, Arthur," Godric said. "And as the heir of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, they must marry for that to work for Harry as well. It's imperative that they both be considered heirs for this evil affecting you today is defeated. And they must unite Hogwarts against this evil."

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley shared a look. Remus and Tonks were equally as shocked, but that was due more to the fact that Ginny was the heir of two Hogwarts' founders, and upon her marriage, of a third and Merlin. The opposite was true of Harry.

Mrs. Weasley spoke first.

"Well, I think we have a wedding to plan."

"Mum, really?"

"Really, Ginny. There's nothing else we can do. From what we understand, you two are already bonded. We'll just have a small, private ceremony to keep it close to us for now. Then you can reveal the marriage at a later time."

Harry nodded.

"Yes. I think that's the wise choice," he said. "If the papers get the news, then that will give Voldemort another weapon."

"One that will cause his downfall," Ginny reminded Harry. "He'll hear about us taking down ten aurors. He may even know by now. And I think that'll be in the paper tomorrow."

"I agree," Tonks said. "Remus and I will teach Harry how to set the wards on the house here to give you protection. I think he needs to set the wards after I hear all this. But until then, Grandfather, do you think that these wards are safe?"

"Yes I do," Godric said. "For now. When Harry and Ginny marry, together, they can set powerful wards that none but the most powerful wizards and witches can break. I seriously doubt that even Lord Voldemort will be able to break them if he gets past the Fidelius Charm."

"And Ginny's wand is untraceable now," Remus asked.

"Yes. It needs to be that way for them to accomplish their mission. Harry's wand is untraceable if he ever has to use an Unforgivable, but I do think we want to refrain from that. There are better ways to capture or kill evil wizards and witches. With the two working in tandem, just the both of them hitting someone with simple stunners can cause a lot of damage to a person."

"What about when they work alone?"

"With one wand, the stunner will be most effective. With two, it may kill. When combining with the wands of Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger, they will undoubtedly kill. I understand Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger will be the best man and maid of honor?"

Ginny nodded.

"Yes. We do not even have to discuss this, Grandfather," Ginny said.

"That tells me that you two are a wise choice as the heirs of the founders. You have close friends. And I presume that Mr. Longbottom and Miss Lovegood will be there as well?"

Harry nodded.

"Yes Grandfather," he said. "They were there with us at the Department of Mysteries and they helped defend Hogwarts last year when the Death Eaters entered."

"What about the vanishing cabinet? You need to make sure it is destroyed, Harry. I will teach you a spell that will destroy it before you go back to Hogwarts."

"I will do so," Harry said.

"Good. Now, I believe that other guests are arriving. Please keep this to yourselves for the time being. Now's a good time as any to announce an engagement, however," Godric said, looking at Ginny and Harry.

Ginny nodded, and looked over at Harry.

After a few minute, Harry and Ginny joined her parents, and the others. Remus and Tonks were serving as his advisers and surrogate parents in the discussion about his future, so Remus was absolutely beaming when Harry told him the reason. And Tonks was there due to her relationship with Remus, as a surrogate mother.

But Tonks was old enough to be a surrogate sister instead of mother, and Harry respected that, as it was Tonks' wish.

When they got to the large dinner table, which was large enough for all of them to eat at once, Ginny looked at Harry, who stood.

"Thank you all for coming," Harry said. "I'd like to welcome all of you to the home I've never known I had until today. You are all welcome back anytime. However, there are a few things I want to remind people. This house is underneath a very powerful Fidelius Charm, with me and Ginny as Secret Keepers. We will always listen to requests, but until this war is over, a select few will be knowledgeable of the house, just for security purposes."

Mad Eye, who'd come over, nodded.

"I agree with you, Harry," the man said. "At least we know a few of us can get to here in an emergency."

Harry nodded.

"Anyway, there is one announcement I must make this evening. Ginny and I are engaged to be married."

The surprise washed over the face of a lot of the people in the room, especially the Weasley brothers.

"Ginny, are you pregnant," Ron asked, his fingers twitching.

"No," Ginny said. "And if any of you reach for your wand, I just learned a good hex today that will make my Bat Bogey hex look like a tickling jinx."

She saw her brothers flinch.

"Good," Harry said. "Now that's out of the way, I want each of you to raise your right hands."

"Why?"

"You're about to take a secrecy vow," Harry said. "You must take this if you want me to tell you more good news."

After a few moments thought, everyone had their hands up.

Harry took Ginny by the hand, and the two of them muttered an incantation Godric taught them.

Beams of light came from their wands and wrapped around the raised hands.

Harry looked around, and saw everyone had the light on them.

"Ok. You can lower them for now. This vow will not allow you to talk about anything said between the times I started it until I finish. You can remember it, but even a Legilimens will be unable to get this information."

There were several thoughtful people.

"What I want to tell you is the reason Ginny and I are getting married," Harry said. "It's not pregnancy. We'd rather wait until we've graduated from Hogwarts. But due to Lord Voldemort, we have to marry soon in order to take full advantage of our ancestry."

"What ancestry, Harry," Hermione asked. "You mean Gryffindor and Merlin?"

Harry nodded.

"Those two, among others. I am the heir of Godric Gryffindor and Merlin. Ginny is the heir of Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff."

There were gasps at the table.

"You see, the Weasley family knew their next girl would be heir to Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw," Harry said. "And that person is Ginny. When Ginny and I marry, she and I will each become the heirs of Merlin, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. That will allow us to access much knowledge that we can pass on to only those close friends of ours who are fighting for good and to defeat Lord Voldemort."

Harry paused.

"And," Ginny said. "Our wands were modified today. Now, Harry and I share our cores of our previous wands, and the cores of Merlin, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. That's why we were able to defeat ten aurors today in the span of five seconds."

Mad Eye looked at the two of them.

"Glad you learned something," he growled, with what passed as a smile on his face.

Harry nodded.

"Me too. Tonks, Kingsley, I'm sorry I had to stun you. But I wanted to make sure that I hit every auror there, just in case."

"It was a good choice too, Harry," Kingsley said. "They would have suspected we were involved if you hadn't done that. Though I might add that you need to lesson the stun a bit. It hurt like hell."

"Sorry," Harry said, blushing. "Are there any other questions I can answer about this matter before I seal the vow?"

"Harry," Hermione said. "When will this become public knowledge?"

"It will be released upon a time where we can draw Voldemort to his demise," Harry said. "He is sure to take the challenge of the heir of the other three founders. But he won't know Ginny is also an heir. And that will be his downfall, as she will be able to help. With Ron and Hermione, Ginny and I can kill Voldemort with a simple stunning spell."

"Aye," Mad Eye said. "If that bastard didn't have those things, we could do it today."

Harry nodded.

"What things?"

Harry sighed. This was the inner circle of the Order of the Phoenix, including Bill and Fleur.

"This is part of the oath, but this part will not expire until Voldemort is defeated," Harry said.

There were nods.

"What do you know about Horcruxes?"

Mad Eye looked mutinous.

"Why, Harry? Want to create one?"

"No. Voldemort did."

"One? Can you destroy it?"

"He's created six horcruxes and split his soul into seven pieces."

There were gasps.

"Two of them have been destroyed, and the third has been found. Hermione and Ron found it at the old headquarters before coming here this evening. We must examine it before trying to destroy it."

There were nods.

"What about the others?"

"We presume that one is Hufflepuff's cup, another is an item from either Gryffindor of Ravenclaw, and the final one is Nagini, his snake."

There were nods.

"So, what about finding the two other than the snake?"

"That's what Hermione, Ron, and Ginny will help me with. Along and along, I may request help from any of you sitting at the table this evening, as there are curses and such protecting these dark magic items."

Bill nodded.

"Can I examine the locket?"

"Sure, Bill."

Bill nodded.

"Good. I want to see what kind of curses there may be on it to help you if you come across another. What were the ones that were destroyed and how were they destroyed?"

Harry looked at Ginny, who grabbed his hand and nodded.

"The first was the diary that possessed Ginny in her first year," Harry said. "It was created when Tom Riddle was at Hogwarts and sixteen, soon after he framed Hagrid for opening the Chamber of Secrets. The second was a ring that Dumbledore found and destroyed. The curse on the ring caused the damage to his hand. And, I might add, he wasn't going to live much longer than the night on the Astronomy Tower."

"How do you know this?"

"I've been conversing with his portrait in my study," Harry said. "And Professor Snape is still on our side."

"But he killed Dumbledore," Mad Eye said. "He should pay."

"And he may pay for that," Harry said. "But Dumbledore told me something that I can't relate to you, but proves to me that he is on our side and is to be trusted. He's working on finding the locations of other horcruxes as we speak. But he must do so with a lot of thought lest he reveal his true nature to Voldemort."

There were nods.

"Will he come to Order meetings?"

"No," Harry said. "Not that I know of. If he does, he will have our protection from anyone who attempts to harm him. There is no compromise on that. If I can trust him, then I think each of you will be able to trust him."

There were nods.

"Is there anything else we should discuss before we seal the vow?"

There were none.

"Raise your left hands."

Soon, more beams of light surrounded their left arms, and then, there were flashes of light around each person as the vow was sealed.

"Who's ready for dinner," Harry asked.

There were several raised hands, including Ron.

"Jinks," Ginny said.

"Yes Miss Ginny?"

"I believe we're ready for the wonderful dinner you have prepared for us."

"Yes Miss Ginny."

Soon, the three house elves magically produced the dinner on the table in front of everyone. Harry smiled when Ron's eyes bugged out at the food.

"Why so much food?"

"Today is Master Harry's birthday," Jinks explained. "We are very pleased he has come back to his home for his birthday."

Hermione saw the glee on the elf's face and sighed.

"Harry?"

"Yes Hermione?"

"Am I right in working on S.P.E.W.?"

"Most elves are happy with the places they're in," Harry said. "But you can work on getting them better treatment from their owners. Maybe work with the Wizengamot to pass laws that prevent the mistreatment of house elves and provide for prison time."

Hermione nodded.

"I guess that'll work."

Harry nodded.

"Yes it will. Speaking of house elves, Professor McGonagall, do I need to leave Kreacher at Hogwarts?"

"I think so," the woman said.

After dinner, Harry was brought into a central place where he could open the gifts from everyone.

Hermione, of course, had gotten him a book on curses and counter-curses. Ron got him a book about Quidditch. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley gave him some candy and then a watch. The twins gave him some items from their joke shop.

As they got through with that, Harry smiled. He always enjoyed the birthdays he spent with the Weasleys. They were his family.

"Remus?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think the Death Eaters will attack Privet Drive?"

Remus nodded after a moment of thought.

"Yes. You want to protect them even after how they treated you?"

Harry thought for a moment and nodded.

"Yes. What else should I do? They're family."

There were several nods.

"I'll go fetch them," Mad Eye said, as he, Remus, Tonks, and Kingsley stood. "Harry, I need you to activate the portkey to here when we give you the word."

Harry nodded.

"And the portkeys will allow you to bring them with you?"

"If you allow it," Mad Eye said.

"I will," Harry said. "Ron, Hermione, Ginny?"

"Yes?"

"Can I expect you to help me set up a secure area for them to stay? One that won't let them out until we figure out where to put them on a more permanent basis?"

"Of course," Hermione said. "Where?"

"Jinks?"

"Yes Master Harry?"

"Is there a secure room where we can place someone to stay for a while?"

"One where they can't leave and explore the rest of the house?"

"Correct," Harry said.

"Yes Master Harry. We can make one soon."

"Could you do that, please?"

"Yes Master Harry."

The elf disappeared and returned ten minutes later.

"It is done, Master Harry. You can enter by using your wand on this staircase."

Harry nodded and touched the wand. Ginny followed him into the door, which closed as soon as they were finished.

About five minutes later, he got the signal from Moody, and activated the portkeys for the four Order members.

They arrived with the Dursleys, who looked shocked.

"Welcome to Potter Manor," Harry said to them.

"Where is this place?"

"We're in England," Harry said. "But you know why you were brought here?"

"They told us that those cloaked people were coming for you."

"They were," Harry said. "And this is my home. So I am inviting you to stay in my home until we can find another place to your liking."

Dudley looked around, as did Aunt Petunia.

"Boy!" Uncle Vernon said, approaching Harry with a menacing look.

Before Harry could react, seven wands were pointed at Uncle Vernon.

"Don't," Ginny said.

"Who's she?"

"This is the lady of my house, and my fiancé, Ginny Weasley. We will be leaving for school soon, but we'll be back to check on you."

"How will we get food?"

"Easy," Harry said. "Jinks?"

Aunt Petunia screamed when she saw the house elf appear.

"Yes Master Harry?"

"This is my Uncle Vernon, my Aunt Petunia, and cousin Dudley. Aunt Petunia is my mum's sister."

The elf nodded.

"Jinks, I request that you keep them fed, but do not feed them at all times of the day. Three meals a day, and afternoon tea will be sufficient. Dudley and Uncle Vernon need to go on a diet. Make sure they eat a healthy diet."

"Yes Master Harry."

"And, Jinks," Ginny said. "They are not to leave their suite unless there is an emergency requiring medical treatment or someone attacks the house."

"Who would attack the house?"

"The same people who would have killed you if my friends hadn't gone to get you."

"At Harry's request," Mad Eye said. "You should be thankful that he's willing to partially forgive what you've done to him to save your lives."

"When will we move out," Uncle Vernon asked.

"As soon as we can find a place for you to stay," Harry said. "Remus and Tonks will be by later to explain to you the options you have for getting released."

"But they're…"

"Yes, we're all witches and wizards," Harry said. "My father's family was a rich family. I inherited over a million pounds from them."

He saw Uncle Vernon's eyes go wide.

"Why didn't you…"

"Because you didn't need to know," Harry said. "And now that I'm of age in the wizarding world, I can use magic anytime I wish."

To make his point, Harry conjured up a chair for him and Ginny to sit in.

"Please, have a seat."

Everyone sat down.

"I want to explain the rules. You can't leave here for your safety. And should you get outside, the house will become invisible to you because you do not know where it is."

"But…"

"That's for my safety and the safety of my close friends," Harry said. "I would tell you the location, but I don't want you coming back if you get out. I'm going to let you stay, and I'll help you find another house so you can go back to work where you've been working, Uncle Vernon. I sent a message to your boss explaining that a family emergency will keep you out of work for a couple of weeks until we can find out what's going on."

"Why are you doing this for us," Aunt Petunia asked. "I know we treated you bad."

"That's an understatement," Ginny said, angrily. "Making him sleep in a cupboard when he was a child and only giving him a bedroom when the owls kept coming."

Aunt Petunia gasped at Ginny's anger.

"You see," Harry said. "I do have friends that love me. And they wouldn't think twice about getting you back for my treatment. But I don't think revenge is the best thing for anyone. It just turns us as evil as what we're fighting against right now. I'll be back to check on you tomorrow, and I'll come back before I leave for school."

"What if we're still here?"

"Tonks and I will come for you," Remus said. "Oh, but not on a full moon. I'm a werewolf you see."

The comment had the desired effect.

Harry nodded and smiled.

"Oh, Uncle Vernon, do not mistreat the house elves. They will be coming in to clean and to make sure you're fed. If I hear one word about you mistreating any of the elves, I will have you returned to your house on Privet Drive, even if it was destroyed by the Death Eaters trying to get to me."

"And," Ginny said. "Hermione here will not take the bad treatment of house elves lightly."

Ginny said Hermione nod, with a serious look on her face.

"She's a bright witch and can think of good curses to use," Harry said. "She may even be able to finish the pig Hagrid started. And so you don't think she will get in trouble, she is in my year, and she is several months older than me."

Dudley almost fainted.

Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Ginny had to struggle to keep a straight face.

To demonstrate, Harry quickly transformed the chair he was sitting in into a pig and back into a chair.

Hermione gaped at Harry, as she didn't know he knew how to do that.

"Great job, Harry!" Tonks said. "I think you can handle my class."

"What class," Hermione asked, looking at Tonks.

"Oops," Tonks said. "Oh well. I'm the new Transfiguration teacher since Minerva has to perform her duties as Headmistress."

Harry nodded.

"Great!" Hermione exclaimed. "I'm sure you can teach us a lot, especially about disguising yourself."

The Metamorphagus nodded.

"And I shall," she said. "You, Harry, Ginny, Ron, and a select group of others had post- NEWT level classes with me and Minerva."

"Who are the select others?"

"I don't know," Tonks said. "Minerva hasn't told me."