Chapter 6

Headache

A week passed before it was time for Harry to attend his first Order meeting, a week that he spent running, practicing his Occlumency and Apparation, and getting beaten up by Tonks. He grinned as he thought back over all he had accomplished that week. His endurance had increased over the past few days, to the point where Tonks was able to actually work up a sweat during their morning run without leaving him in the dust. He had quickly become proficient in Apparating, quieting the sound of his disappearance from that of a large bomb to a dull pop, practicing his jumps between a few small towns surrounding London and even managing to bring Remus along with him.

His Occlumency training had progressed to the next level as well, with Tonks attempting to breach his shields. She wasn't a very talented Legilimens, but for the moment that was actually beneficial to their training as his shields were still very flimsy. He hadn't managed to keep her completely out of his head yet, but had been steadily improving, keeping her out for a little longer and throwing her out a little quicker each time. He had even managed to beat Tonks once in their hand to hand combat training, though to be fair it had been mostly by accident. He had tripped while they grappled and managed to fall on top of her and knock the wind from her long enough for him to get her into one of the many painful holds she had placed him in over the past week. He grinned as he thought back to the look of surprise she had given him as she'd been forced to tap out. She had been both angry and proud, knocking him on his ass a little harder than she usually did for the rest of their practice session before treating both him and Remus to dinner at a Chinese restaurant.

On top of his training, he and Tonks had been working on their mission to cheer up Moony and were making solid progress. He no longer had quite the worn out look he had had the first morning he had shown up at Grimmauld Place and he had begun to smile a lot more, as he told Harry stories of his parents and Sirius. Tonks joined in, telling stories of her own time at Hogwarts, where she seemed to get into almost as much trouble as his father and godfather had. If there had been any doubts that she was related to Sirius, they were squashed by the tales of some of the pranks she had committed while in school. Harry in turn told them in detail about some of his adventures, though his tales were generally much darker than any of the stories told by the other two.

It was that mission that led to him waiting in the sitting room, nodding to the Order members that he recognized as they arrived one by one and walked into the dining room. He looked at his watch, forgetting again that it was broken, before looking up at the mantle. Still more than ten minutes until the meeting was supposed to start. He rubbed his forehead as he began pacing. He was getting anxious, he wanted to get this out of the way before the meeting started. Just as he decided he would have to wait until after the meeting, the woman he had been looking for walked into the room.

"Professor McGonagall," he waved, greeting her as he hurried to stop her before she could enter the dining room, "I was hoping I could speak with you for a moment in private."

She stopped and looked at him curiously for a moment before responding, "I suppose so, Mr. Potter, though it will have to be quick."

He led her into another room, closing the door behind her, suddenly nervous. He looked away from the stern professor, struggling to decide where to begin.

"What did you wish to speak about Mr. Potter?"

Harry took a deep breath and decided to get right to the point as his scar gave another painful twinge, "I was wondering if you would teach me to become an Animagus," he said in a rush. Looking up he noticed the lack of surprise on his professors face.

The stern woman looked at him for a moment before she sighed, "I can't say I'm surprised Mr. Potter. I suppose I should be glad you asked me for aid and didn't attempt to learn the transformation on your own like your father. Are you aware of the time and effort required to complete the Animagus transformation?"

Harry nodded, surprised that she hadn't already told him no, "Yes Professor, Sirius told me about it over Christmas last year. He was going to teach me over the summer," he said, holding back the tears that came at the thought of his godfather.

The stern look on McGonagall's face faded away as she regarded her student, "You know, Mr. Potter, people generally don't become Animagi until after they obtain their NEWT's," she said, watching him closely.

"But it is possible to learn it earlier, my dad and Sirius both managed it while the are still at Hogwarts."

"Yes it is possible," she looked at him for a moment before continuing, "alright Mr. Potter, I will attempt to teach you how to become an Animagus."

"Thank you Professor," he said and grabbed her into a hug. She stiffened for a moment in shock before relaxing and returning the hug.

"You're welcome Mr. Potter," she said as he released her and wiped the unshed tears from his eyes, "I suppose I should be glad that you came to me instead of trying to learn the transformation on your own. Even now, I think the most impressive thing your father and godfather ever accomplished, was becoming Animagi on their own before they even finished their O.W.L.s. While it was without a doubt the stupidest of all the stunts they ever pulled, I have never been more proud of any of my Gryffindors than when I learned what they had done to help Mr. Lupin."

Harry smiled as he thought of all the adventures the Marauders must have had while still at school, and dreamed of what sort of reaction Sirius and his father would have to him following in their footsteps.

"Now Harry, the meeting is about to start, so I must be going. I'll let you know in a day or two when we can begin your lessons," she said before opening the door and exiting the room. Harry followed behind her and almost walked into her back as she stopped. He looked around her to see why she had stopped to find the headmaster standing in front of them. "Good evening Albus, I see we finished our discussion just in time."

"Minerva, Harry, I'm happy to see you both. If you two would follow me," he stopped for a moment at a raised eyebrow from the transfiguration professor, "yes Minerva, I have decided that you were right to suggest that Mr. Potter be allowed to attend Order meetings. If you will both follow me, we will begin the meeting in just a moment." Harry's eyes widened in surprise at the statement.

"Don't look so surprised Mr. Potter," said his head of house as she noticed his expression, "despite your years I, unlike some of the others, believe your insight will be a welcome addition to our discussions."

"Thanks you professor," Harry said before following them in and moving towards the wall to stand between Remus and Tonks. Dumbledore moved to the head of the table with McGonagall taking the spot to his left. He looked around the room taking in all the faces. Most of the seats were filled by the older members of the Order, the only one of which that Harry recognized being Elphias Doge. Snape stood slightly behind and off to the side, hiding in the shadows. On the opposite side of the room from Harry, Hestia Jones was conversing quietly with Emmeline Vance and Sturgis Podmoore. Mundungus Fletcher stood at the far end of the table from Dumbledore, along with a few wizards that Harry didn't know by name, trying to avoid Mad-Eye's magic eye, which was following him as he spoke with Remus and Kingsley. He took another look around, searching for the flaming red hair that would signify the Weasley's, when he felt an elbow in his side.

"So, what were you and McGonagall talking about?" Tonks whispered.

Harry looked at her, surprised that she had noticed, "What do you mean?" he asked evasively.

She laughed softly, "Harry, it's rather obvious that you were planning something, you made a point of waiting out there, and then dragged her into that side room the moment she appeared. So what was it?"

He looked at her for a second, debating whether or not he should tell her. In the end he was decided by the fact that he likely wouldn't be able to keep it from her if he tried, especially not if he was also keeping it secret from Remus. He didn't want to get Remus' hopes up in case he failed. "I'll tell you later," he whispered. Turning back towards the head of the table the door opened again and four Weasley's filed in. They didn't notice him as they walked around the table to take up places on the opposite side of the table. He rubbed his forehead as the pain slowly increased. Dumbledore stood up to start the meeting, "Now that we're all here, let us begin. Alastor, if you would," he said, gesturing to Mad-Eye.

He opened his mouth to begin, but was cut off by Mrs. Weasley, who had obviously just noticed Harry standing there, "Headmaster, don't you think we should wait until after Harry leaves the room?"

Dumbledore looked over at her, "No Molly, I invited Harry to join us. Alastor, if you could begin?" Moody opened up his mouth again, but only let out a low growl as he was interrupted again.

"Why would you invite Harry to a meeting, he isn't a part of the Order, he's still a child," Harry scowled at her as a few of the older members murmured their support.

"I believe Harry is more than mature enough to be here Molly," Dumbledore said patiently, obviously expecting her to agree with him and allow the matter to drop.

"Harry dear, I think it would be best if you waited outside," she said, ignoring Dumbledore and looking over at him, "you're much too young to be hearing these things."

"No Mrs. Weasley, I want to know what is going on," he replied, annoyed by her attempts to treat him like a child.

"Harry dear, please, why don't you go read, or maybe Floo over to the Burrow. I'm sure Ron and Ginny would be happy to see you. Maybe in a few years you'll be ready to-"

He cut her off, "I said no Mrs. Weasley, I want to be here, I want to know what is going on."

Snape sneered at him, "And of course you think you are entitled to whatever you want Potter."

Dumbledore cut in before Harry could respond so he contented himself with a glare at his Potions Professor, "That is enough Severus. Molly, Harry is not joining the Order yet, or at least not as a full member. He will be joining meetings to stay apprised of what Voldemort is planning and to offer his insight."

"But Albus, he's much to young, he doesn't need to know. Maybe in a few years he can join up, but for now he should relax and enjoy his childhood."

Harry was fuming. He hated it when people talked about him like he wasn't there. He was supposed to enjoy his childhood was he? How was he supposed to do that while people that he loved about died in front of him? "Mrs. Weasley, I know you care about me, but these aren't your decisions to make."

Tonks backed him up, "Molly, Harry isn't your son, you can't stop him from being here."

"He may as well be!" Molly shouted, standing up, "I'm the closest thing to a mother he has."

"He isn't a child any more Molly, he's a young man and he's been through more than almost anyone else at this table," Remus replied evenly, refusing to get drawn into a shouting match.

"AND I'M TRYING TO MAKE SURE HE DOESN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH ANY MORE," she shouted at him.

"Keeping me in the dark isn't going to keep me out of danger," Harry replied, trying and failing to hold in his anger. "In fact not knowing was what led me into his trap in the first place. I WILL be a part of Order meetings from now on, there is nothing you can say to change that."

Tears welled up in Molly's eyes as she lowered her tone, "I'm know you're sad about what happened Harry, but I'm just trying to do what is best for you."

"I know Mrs. Weasley, but it isn't your choice to make. I'm old enough to make my own decisions," he said as Mrs. Weasley lowered herself into her seat, apparently realizing that she wasn't going to win this battle.

The meeting began and Harry listened intently as different Order members would stand and give any new intel they had gathered, but most of it seemed pointless. None of them seemed to be doing anything other than watching suspected Death Eaters or targets. Harry quickly became irritated due to the combination of the pain in his forehead and the lack of useful information and was rather relieved when the meeting ended quickly. Remus, Mad-Eye and Kingsley went over to talk to Dumbledore, erecting a privacy ward as they talked about something that was obviously for only the senior members of the Order, while the rest quickly left. Harry looked over at Tonks, "Are all these meetings as useless as that one?"

"Generally," she replied with a sigh, "for the most part we watch for anything out of the ordinary. We look for future attacks and plan on how we could stop them."

"What about capturing Death Eaters and interrogating them?" he asked.

"No, we generally just gather information and try to stop his recruiting efforts."

"What about our recruiting efforts? I didn't see anyone that wasn't here last summer," he asked her with annoyance that he was aware wasn't entirely his own.

Tonks shook her head, "No, we haven't had any new members since shortly after Fudge began his smear campaign." She looked at him as him as he grimaced and raised his hand to his forehead, "Harry are you alright?"

He shook his head, "No. He's angry," he said now holding his head in obvious pain, "I think I'm going to-" he cut off as he slumped to the ground, only stopping as Tonks caught him.

OoOoO

Voldemort stood on the hill overlooking Bones Manor, gazing down at the wards surrounding it. He watched impatiently as two of his curse breakers toiled, trying to bring down the wards without alerting the Ministry. "What is taking so long?" he hissed at them, the fury that had been building over the last hour beginning to overflow.

One of them looked up at the Dark Lord, quivering in fear, "I'm sorry my Lord, we are working as fast as we can. It seems the wards here are more complicated than we had expected."

Voldemort gazed down at the man coldly. If competent curse breakers hadn't been in such short supply he would have killed the fool already. "Well if you are incapable of the job, perhaps I will no longer require your services."

The color drained from the man's face as he tried to stammer out an apology, "Yes milord, we're almost finished," before returning to his work.

Voldemort turned and surveyed the Death Eaters that had accompanied him. They would lead the attack while he held large area anti-apparition and anti-portkey wards until his curse breakers could establish a proper warding scheme. It would only take a few minutes, but none of his followers had enough skill or power to hold the wards over such a large area for long enough to establish a ward anchor. "You will all surround the house and prevent anyone from escaping. You may kill any that attempt to fight back, except for Bones. If she tries to flee you may subdue her, but I will kill her myself." He smiled as all the masked faces in front of him cowered in fear. He would enjoy this night. It had been such a long time since he had enjoyed himself.

He turned back to the two curse breakers just as one raised his head from his work and bowed before him. "We are ready to drop the wards at your command my Lord."

He felt his irritation vanish. Perhaps he wouldn't have to kill one of his precious few ward breakers after all. He gave the command to drop the wards as his Death Eaters moved to surround the Manor. Soon he would kill one of the few that were willing to stand against him. With the death of the head of the DMLE he would weaken both the Ministry and the will of the people to oppose him.

OoOoO

Harry woke up to find Remus, Tonks and Dumbledore leaning over him, with Moody and Kingsley standing behind them.

"Bones Manor," he managed to say, as he was pulled into a sitting position, "he is about to attack Madam Bones. Voldemort himself is there, along with at least a dozen Death Eaters."

All five faces looked at him in shock. Dumbledore was the first to recover, "You're sure Harry?"

Harry nodded, "Positive, the attack should just be starting."

Dumbledore turned to the men gathered around him, "Kingsley, Remus, Alastor, come with me. Nymphadora, you will remain with Harry." He looked at the three men before asking them if they were ready, to which all three nodded before disappearing with three quick pops.

"Harry are you okay?" Tonks asked as she helped him off the ground.

"Yeah Tonks, I'm fine," he said allowing her to pull him to his feet, "come on, we should try to catch someone before they leave, they're going to need some backup," he raced into the sitting room to catch any stragglers. He looked around finding none, "Damn it," he cried, "come on, we need to help them."

Tonks stopped him, "Harry no, Dumbledore knows what he is doing."

"But Tonks, they're outnumbered. There are at least a dozen Death Eaters there, plus Voldemort himself. They're going to need help."

She looked at him uncertainly, "Harry, Dumbledore told us to stay here. He gave a direct order Harry, we can't."

Harry grimaced for a moment, trying to think of a way around Dumbledore's orders when he smiled, "No he didn't, he told you to stay with me. I'm going to help, so you're just going to have to come with me." As soon as he finished speaking he grabbed Tonks by the shoulder and they disappeared with a pop.