Disclaimer: See chapter 1…of course I don't own Harry Potter and all that jazz
A/N: Here's Chapter 14. I thought about including this along with the previous chapter…but almost 12000 words is rather large for a chapter. Sorry again about the lateness of the update, but hopefully two at once makes up for it.
As a final note…a few recent reviews have complained about the lack of scenes of physical intimacy between Harry and Ginny and noted that in Europe views of sex are more liberal. First, one of the reasons for a lack of such scenes is that I find them rather difficult to write…but the story will definitely call for more of them over the next year and beyond. Second, the note about European views of sex, while true, do not necessarily transfer over to the British Wizarding World as it broke from the muggle world some time ago. As far as what Mrs. Weasley thinks…I believe that in GOF Ron was the one to mention Mrs. Weasley talking about 'scarlet women.' The very use of the term signifies a rather traditional view from my perspective. That said, I think Mrs. Weasley's concerns stem more from the worry that she is or already has lost her 14 year old daughter.
Chapter 13: Forgiveness
After breakfast and forcing Remus and Sirius to watch over her children, Mrs. Weasley left for the day. Hermione left the table without a word and went in the direction of the library. Ron looked like he was going to say something, but seemed to reconsider it. The tense atmosphere at the table did not go unnoticed by the adults nor did the fact that Harry and Ginny were steadfastly refusing to look at Hermione, much less talk to her. Yet, they did not say anything deciding that it would be better if the children settled it amongst themselves.
Looking like he was ready to explode from contained excitement, Sirius asked, "Ready to go?" Ron's eyes got brighter and the trace amounts of sleep he still had vanished. He was obviously excited. Even Remus looked on with anticipation.
"I'll take Ron," volunteered Ginny. Harry did his best not to laugh…Ginny could be positively evil sometimes.
"Alright, Sirius, Prof…Moony," Harry stumbled over the name, "grab on to my tail feathers." Harry transformed and flew to the two men. Each took a tail feather gingerly. If Harry had been human he would have sighed in frustration. He wiggled his tail and they got the message to hold on tighter. Harry flapped his wings, lifted them into the air and flamed. Ginny did not give her brother a chance to grab her tail feathers, but used her talons to grab his shoulders and flamed immediately to the Manor.
Harry looked up, he had just transformed and was waiting for Ginny to flame in with Ron, and smiled Ginny had appeared fifty feet in the air. He could hear Ron screaming at Ginny, but he was too far up for any words to be heard distinctly.
"What is she going to do with him," asked Remus.
"You're not going to want to miss this – come on," Harry started to jog gingerly toward the forest. Sirius and Remus exchanged a glance and ran after him.
They caught up to him just inside the forest surround the Manor. Harry pointed south and smiled, "It gets rather deep there." In front of them was a small creek, but as it wound its way south it met up another creek. Just beyond the convergence, was a large pool. "The pool is spring fed too so it's not just deep, but cold." Remus laughed at the implications. Sirius grinned like a maniac. Above them, Ginny dropped Ron. As he fell through the air he could be heard yelling, "GINNY." Further noise was cutoff when he submerged beneath the water.
Ron spluttered as his head emerged from the water and then yelled, "GINNY!" Harry and Sirius joined Remus laughing. Ginny flew down to the pools edge and calmly watched Ron swim back to shore. She wisely retreated when he got close so that she would not be splashed. "Whatcha do that for?" said Ron now shaking and running his hands over his body trying to dry himself off. Remus took pity on him and cast a drying spell.
"What did you do that for?" demanded Ron.
Ginny walked up to Ron, hugged him, and then said, "You're forgiven."
"What?" asked a mystified Ron.
"You're forgiven," repeated Ginny, "for being a prat."
"Oh…" said Ron still unsure what he had been a prat about then realization hit him, "Oh…yeah."
They soon found themselves inside the Manor and introducing Ron to the house elves, who seemed delighted to meet Ginny's brother and to see Remus and Sirius again. Harry and Ginny offered to give Ron a tour, but he was insistent. Ron wanted to get started on the animagus revealer potion. Remus and Sirius left the trio to go explore some of their childhood memories, but said they would all have lunch together.
When the reached the potions lab Harry and Ginny quickly began assembling the ingredients and materials needed for the complicated potion. Harry opened one of the cabinets looking for powdered newt when he saw something that made him groan and laugh at the same time. Ron looked at him like he had gone crazy, but on the other side of the room Ginny giggled and then said, "That would have saved us a lot of time and effort."
"Yeah, not to mention Snape wouldn't be accusing me of breaking into his private potion stores," answered Harry. Ron gave him a quizzical look. He knew that Snape had accused Harry of breaking into his stores and that the slimy professor had actually threatened to give Harry a truth serum, but he was not sure what the two were talking about. Seeing Ron's confusion, Harry pointed at one particular ingredient, "Gillyweed. It was here all the time."
An hour later Ron was getting bored and impatient, "How long until it's ready?" he whined.
Harry and Ginny shared a look, "Well, so long as we don't mess anything up, it should be ready just before we go back to Hogwarts."
An appalled look formed on Ron's face and his tone was indignant, "I have to wait until almost two months? You're kidding right?"
Harry shook his head, "Nope." Ron sighed in disappointment.
Lunch was an uproarious affair. Sirius and Remus spent most of the time regaling the group about their adventures at the Manor and Hogwarts. It did not seem possible, but Ron had become even more excited at the thought of becoming an animagus. Eventually, the conversation was brought around to a more serious topic when Remus asked, "Does anyone have an idea how we are going to be able to keep coming back here?"
"Mom's going to want us to clean…" said Ron, "Too bad we can't have the house elves here clean Grimmauld Place."
Harry looked at Ginny to find she was already looking at him; she cocked an eyebrow, "What about Dobby?"
"Dobby?" said Remus and Sirius in unison.
"That might work…" mused Sirius, "I'll talk to Dumbledore tomorrow."
"What about the potion?" inquired Ron.
Harry looked up, "I guess Ginny or me will have to come by and tend to it," Remus frowned at the idea of them being by themselves, "…just until we can figure a way for all of us to come at the same time."
………………………….
It was a week before they could approach Dumbledore with the idea of Dobby helping clean out Grimmauld Place. Only Harry and Ginny had been able to return to the Manor at intervals to attend to the animagus revealer potion.
Dumbledore nodded and said, "I dare say Dobby would like to help," Dumbledore cut his eyes at Hermione, who was hiding in the back of the room with a frown on her face, "Shall I also say you are offering him pay?"
"Of course, sir," answered Harry. He was becoming increasingly disconcerted by the fact that Dumbledore refused to meet his eyes. Harry was beginning to wonder if Dumbledore was mad at him – after all he was the reason that Dumbledore was being attacked so ruthlessly in the papers and lost his spot on the Wizengamot.
At the same time, Harry was annoyed. So far he had not been able to find out anything that the Order had been doing to fight Voldemort or why there had not been any further deaths. Dumbledore avoided the topic diligently and trying to ask questions around Mrs. Weasley was asking for trouble. Harry thought he would try again anyway.
"Sir, what is Voldemort doing?" Harry stopped himself from rolling his eyes as Ron flinched at the name.
"Now is not the time, Harry, soon though. When you are ready," Dumbledore said still avoiding looking at Harry's face and then quickly bade everyone goodbye.
It was not ten minutes later when two cracks announced someone's arrival. A high voice from the kitchen asked, "Where's Harry Potter sir?"
"Dobby?" ventured Harry. The kitchen door was flung open as the small house elf covered the distance at a run toward Harry. "Oh no…" was the last thing Harry got out before Dobby made a running jump into Harry's stomach.
"Winky? Is that you?" came Ginny's voice. She was using a very gentle tone. Harry looked over Dobby's head and saw Winky walking very slowly and embarrassedly toward them.
"Yes, Miss" was all Winky said.
Dobby ears twitched and he looked nervous, "Dobby thought that it would be good for Winky to come too. Did Dobby do right?" The elf looked like he was on the verge of punishing himself.
"Yes, Dobby, you did right," the look of relief that passed over Dobby's features was unmistakable and even the morose Winky looked a little better. "Let me find Sirius – it's his house." Harry left and began walking up to Sirius' mother's room suspecting that his godfather was feeding Buckbeak.
Harry did indeed find Sirius feeding Buckbeat and they made their way back downstairs, Harry preparing Sirius for Dobby's enthusiastic character and Winky's depression. As they approached the door they could hear a low crackly voice and Sirius muttered, "Kreacher," under his breath.
The voice soon became loud enough for words to be made out, "Bad house elf, soiled your name. Betrayed your master."
A higher pitched voice answered back with a strong dose of anger, "Malfoy's are bad…dark wizards. They is not worthy to be served." Harry raised his eyebrows in surprise and figured Hermione must have been lecturing in Hogwarts' kitchen. "You's the bad elf. You are not serving your good master."
Kreacher's voice answered back with venom, "Kreacher serves his mistress. His mistress says serve Narcissa Black Malfoy, Kreacher serves." Kreacher had barely finished his sentence when a loud bang issued from the room and the door opened toward Sirius and Harry. Kreacher came flying out, landing on his backside. When Kreacher looked up and saw Sirius his eyes widened in fear.
"Kreacher, have you been talking to Narcissa?" Kreacher backed away trying to find an avenue of escape. "Answer me, that's an order!"
The old house elf seemed to deflate under Sirius' gaze, "Yes, master," which was soon followed in an undertone, "filthy blood traitor that you are."
"What have you told her?" Sirius asked, Harry noticed a bit of trepidation in his voice and decided he needed to ask Sirius and Remus what has been going on.
Kreacher's eyes gained a maniacal gleam as he realized he was going to have to tell everything, "Kreacher has been a good house elf, Kreacher tells the real Blacks everything about the prophecy and all the blood traitors, half bloods, and mudbloods befouling Kreacher's mistress home." The mad house elf looked immensely pleased with his betrayal.
Sirius' face flushed in anger and he belted Kreacher back through the swinging door, "YOU ARE NEVER TO LEAVE THIS HOUSE AGAIN KREACHER! YOU ARE NEVER TO TALK TO ANYONE WHO MEANS ME OR THE ORDER HARM! I AM YOUR MASTER AND THESE ARE YOUR ORDERS. Now, leave my sight." Kreacher scurried from the room with Sirius staring daggers at him. "I should have killed him when we first came back. I told Dumbledore we could not trust him."
"Kreacher is just old and senile – if you had been nicer to him then he would not have…" Hermione began from her corner after Sirius and Harry had entered the room where Winky and Dobby were still waiting. Dobby's ears twitched guiltily, but his eyes shown with pride.
Sirius glared at Hermione and then said, "Kreacher knows full well what he is doing. He has always been an evil, malicious thing." Sirius turned to Dobby and Winky and he smiled down at them, "Albus says that you two are willing to help clean this filthy house; he says payment has already been arranged – is this true?"
Dobby nodded enthusiastically, but Winky raised her head for the first time and said, "Winky is not yet low enough to take wages, Master. Winky is properly ashamed at being a free elf."
Sirius lowered himself to his haunches and gently placed his hand on Winky's shoulders, "Winky, you have nothing to be ashamed of," Sirius looked in the direction Kreacher had left, "you have more honor than some bound elves." Winky perked up at that, but did not say anything.
"Where do you wish us to start, Master?" asked Dobby.
"You don't need to call me 'Master,' why don't you two start with the kitchen and then the bedrooms. Once you finish with those begin with the rest of the house…actually, there's this portrait in the main room could you two remove it?"
"We can try," Dobby said confidently and he and Winky left the room making for Sirius' mother's portrait. For the rest of the day the house was filled with the screams of Mrs. Black. Dobby and Winky tried everything they could think of, but the portrait remained stubbornly on the wall.
For the next few days Mrs. Weasley tried unsuccessfully to keep all four of them busy. Finally, she gave up and told them all to do their homework. She now spent most of her time supervising Winky and Dobby. She had also sat Ginny down for "The Talk."
Ginny rolled her eyes as her mum finished explaining about controlling desires and being safe, "Don't roll your eyes at me. If you insist on behaving like a scarlet woman then…"
Ginny had had enough, "I AM NOT BEHAVING LIKE A SCARLET WOMAN!"
"OH then what was that you were doing with Harry when he arrived – your hands were all over each other," Mrs. Weasley retorted.
"What's wrong with that?" Ginny asked rhetorically.
"It's what scarlet women do, Ginny, you can't do stuff like that…not until you're married or at least engaged and…"
"MUM!" Ginny screamed. Mrs. Weasley looked up at her daughter wondering what the problem was now, "Harry and I are married."
Mrs. Weasley paled, "You…you know about that?"
Ginny's eyes narrowed, "Of course I know. Did you think Harry and I wouldn't research about the bond? Give us some credit mum. Let me make this clear – what I do with Harry is not wrong in any way whatsoever. Harry is my husband."
"Oh, honey, but you are both so young. You don't know…"
"Don't know what mum? What love is? How can you even think that? Didn't Dumbledore explain what a soul bond is to you – Harry and I…" Ginny stopped and tried to figure out how to explain, "Look, Harry and I are together….we are always going to be together. There is nothing wrong with us being together…urgh…how do I say this." Ginny racked her brain for something that might help her and finally came up with something that sounded right, "Harry and I already share something that is far more intimate than anything you can imagine."
Mrs. Weasley looked like she had been slapped. She knew what her daughter was trying to say and she understood, but she still did not like it. Her daughter had skipped from being a ten year old to being a married woman in one step. Of course she should have known the same talk her mother had given her would not work; she supposed that she was going have to settle on just one thing, "Ginny, just be safe – you don't need any more responsibility than you already have."
Ginny smiled at her mum's uncomfortable expression. It felt good to make her mother squirm. "Don't worry mum, we'll be safe." Mrs. Weasley closed her eyes at her daughter's obvious attempt to provoke her.
Hermione, after protesting the situation with the house elves to no avail, retreated to the library where she was now studying for her O.W.L.s. Ron was still the only speaking to her and he followed her to the library.
"Hermione?"
She turned in surprise, "Ron, what are you doing here?" Ever since The Argument, as she had come to think of it, she had rarely spoke to anyone except Mr. and Mrs. Weasley; she was missing talking to Ron, Harry, and Ginny.
Ron took a deep breath and said, "I know you don't approve of what they did, but…"
"I'll apologize," Hermione said quickly, interrupting Ron mid-sentence.
Ron gaped in astonishment, "You…you'll apologize? Why?" he said before he could stop himself.
"I may have been wrong to say some of what I said. I still think they shouldn't have become animagus so young, but I should not have said that I would have turned them in or forced Harry to stay at the Dursleys."
Ron walked to the couch Hermione was sitting on and collapsed next to her, "I know and I've tried telling them that, but they won't listen." Hermione looked at him in surprise, Ron had never been good with words and she was curious as to exactly what he had said. Ron apparently understood, "Well…I said you didn't mean it." Hermione smiled at him.
"The Dursleys must be really bad," she said absently, "I don't think I've ever asked Harry about them. He's always said they were horrible muggles, but…" Hermione trailed off as she thought of the possibilities of why Harry hated the Durlseys so much.
"Ginny says they're bad. You should have heard her after our first year. She convinced the twins to steal the car and get Harry. I think she hates them more than Harry does," said Ron.
Hermione made a groaning noise as he finished. She knew that if Ginny hated the Dursleys as much as Ron suggested she did then they were truly horrible. She wondered, for the first time, if Dumbledore had been wrong to place him with them.
By unspoken agreement they both rose and began walking to Ginny's room where Harry and Ginny spent most of their time when Mrs. Weasley was not giving out chores. Hermione knocked when they reached the door.
Ginny answered the door, "Hi Ron, how are you?" she said.
Hermione shuffled uncomfortably at being completely ignored, "Can I speak to you and Harry?" she asked nervously. Ginny's eyebrow rose in her trademark gesture and she opened the door wider so that Harry could be seen at the desk. He was already looking at her.
Hermione looked her lips, which had gone dry out of nervousness, "I'm sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn't have said that I would have turned you in," she looked down at her feet ashamed, "I wouldn't have…I was just mad and…"
"You told Ron," Harry said coldly.
"You said you wouldn't tell anyone," supplied Ginny at Hermione's confused face.
Hermione's face shifted from confusion to shame as she realized what they were talking about. Her stomach plummeted; Harry and Ginny were not going to forgive her now. "I didn't mean to…I was, I was ranting and it slipped out…I…I'm so sorry," she said truthfully and tearfully. She wiped the tears from hers and said again, "I'm sorry."
Harry only turned away to continue working on whatever he had been doing before. Ginny frowned at Hermione, "You're going to have to do better than that..." she closed the door in Hermione's face.
……………………………
The day before Harry's birthday was the first day that Remus had returned since Dobby and Winky's arrival. He, Sirius, and Ron were waiting for Harry and Ginny once they had finished breakfast. "Ready to go?" he asked.
"It's about time," muttered Sirius. Lupin had made them all promise that, aside from tending to the potion, everyone would remain at Grimmauld Place until he could go with them again. Sirius was as eager as the others to leave as he had been cooped up as well.
Lupin smiled at his old friend, "What's the matter Padfoot? Getting antsy?" Sirius growled at him and then motioned to Harry and Ginny to transform. A few moments later found the five of them back at the Manor.
Sirius smiled mischievously, "Harry, we've got an early birthday present for you. Do you want to tell him Moony or should I?" Moony waved his hand, "Harry, do you know how the Ministry tracks underage magic?"
"It's got something to do with wands I think because they couldn't track our magic when Ginny and I were training to become animagi," Harry answered, his pulse had increased from what he thought Sirius was suggesting.
Sirius shook his head, "No, my misguided godson, a common, but wrong, belief. In reality, the Ministry's ability to track magic is rather crude and imprecise. You see they track magic not the wand or the user."
"Oh, I'm going to kill Fred and George – they said it was about internal and external or something like that," blurted out Ginny. "No wonder they got so few warnings – the Ministry can't distinguish between them and Mom and Dad."
"Right," said Lupin taking over for Sirius, "But the twins weren't completely wrong – the Ministry can't track most magic that is self-contained like your animagus transformations. Nor can they track the results of most potions with any reliability…although the effects can sometimes be tracked," he said the last part almost to himself and Sirius snickered.
All eyes turned to Remus who sighed at the inevitable, "It was one of our pranks over the summer. We weren't here for a change, but at my parents place…it was only a few days before the start of term and we were preparing for our first prank or at least part of it. The potion was supposed to change anyone who took it into clowns. I accidentally took some," Sirius guffawed, "Oh all right; Sirius put some in a muffin, which I was foolish enough to eat. Needless to say, since I'm a registered werewolf the Ministry kept close tabs on my home and they noticed the activity. By the time the Hogwarts Express arrived at the school the story had already passed up and down the train several times…evidently several of our classmates had parents that worked for the Ministry. For days people referred to me by 'Bozo.'"
The den was filled with laughter as Remus blushed, "But…that's…not…all," Sirius managed to get out. "He didn't tell you that the potion had lingering effects…" Sirius dissolved into laughter again, "During the next full moon…the werewolf had a large red nose…didn't look scary at all."
Remus frowned at Sirius, "Before we got sidetracked, I was saying how the Ministry's ability to track magic was crude. Not only do they find it nearly impossible to distinguish between users, but it can also be easily shielded against. Of course, most of the time they would detect the shield spell, which is probably why your brothers never attempted it, but some places are already shielded like Grimmauld Place or the Manor," as he said "Manor," he spread his arms wide.
"We can do magic at the Manor?" asked a shocked Ron "You mean we didn't have to do all that cleaning without magic? How come no one told us?"
"Not many people know. Arthur might so your mother probably knows then too, but somehow," Sirius smiled at Ron, "I doubt that Molly would want her children…especially her sons to know."
"We can use magic here too?" asked Ginny, voicing Harry's own question.
"Oh yes, the Manor, even without its concealment charms is warded enough to conceal the magic taking place," replied Sirius.
"Why didn't Daniel ever say anything?" asked Harry more to himself. He would have asked Daniel the question, but question probably would have entailed a three hour conversation with the portrait.
"Because that would have been useful to know…" grumbled Ginny darkly.
"Anyhow," interrupted Remus, "We thought that we might give you some lessons," Ron groaned at the thought of work, "Relax Ron, not those type of lessons, although we could prepare you for O.W.L.'s, we thought we would focus more on defense. Dumbledore's having a lot of trouble finding a competent professor – evidently the word is out that the job is jinxed."
"That's because the job is jinxed," said Sirius.
"Add that and the trouble with the Ministry and your defense professor might be a tad under qualified," finished Remus.
Harry, Ginny, and Ron all perked up. "Dueling?" inquired Harry
"Yes, and a few other tricks," said Sirius mysteriously.
"Are you going to tell us what Voldemort has been doing?" asked Harry figuring that this might be a good time to ask.
Sirius and Remus exchanged a look and the both nodded, "He's actually been rather quiet. His main has been on acquiring followers, willingly or by imperious curse, but his main focus has been on acquiring something that he can only get by stealth."
"Is that what you've been guarding?" asked Ron intrigued.
Sirius and Remus exchanged another look, "I see some of Fred and George's extended ears survived the purge, but yes that is what the Order has been guarding. Lord Voldemort wants this before he starts the war in the open."
"What is it?" asked Harry wondering what Voldemort could want so badly.
"It's a weapon of a sort," said Sirius vaguely.
"A weapon?" pressed Harry.
"We aren't sure. Dumbledore has only told us that he must not get it and that it's kept down in the Department of Mysteries."
Harry suddenly had a vision of his recurring dream whenever he slept apart from Ginny, "Place with a long dark corridor and lots of doors?"
Remus looked at him funny, while Sirius shrugged. "Yes, that's right – how do you know?"
"I've been or I guess Voldemort has been dreaming about it," Harry tried to explain answering Remus' question. He looked at Sirius, "It was like my dream last summer; I knew it wasn't mine – he's obsessed with whatever it is."
……………………………
Harry's birthday past without too much fanfare and Ginny's soon followed. Mrs. Weasley prepared fantastic cakes, but she still seemed rather miffed at them for becoming animagi.
Their lessons with Sirius and Remus occurred whenever one of the two had free time. Most of the time this meant Sirius. Sirius turned out to be an excellent dueler. It turned out that defense was not the only topic they were covering. Sirius insisted the further along with their studies they were the more time they would have to be proper marauders. Sirius excelled at transfiguration and he was not bad at charms either, although he said that Harry's mother had been the best at charms. Indeed, the only core subject Sirius seemed lost with was herbology. He was also absolutely useless with Ancient Runes as he had taken Divination and Care of Magical Creatures instead. It turned out that Ron had the right strategy with Diviniation: make it up.
While Sirius was knowledgeable, it came as no surprise that Remus was the better teacher. It quickly became apparent that Ginny and Harry should not duel each other. They knew what the other was going to do before they did it and the duel would dissolve into a contest of power not skill. When Remus informed them that they would no longer be dueling each other because of the bond Harry only felt a momentary jolt of surprise that Remus knew about the bond. Harry realized that Sirius must have told him. Strangely, was not irritated or mad.
That night found him curled up with Ginny in on of the rooms newly renovated by Dobby and Winky.
"Do you think we've been too hard on Hermione? I mean, Sirius told Remus and…" Harry started.
Ginny turned so that they were facing each other, "No, Hermione thinks everything is her business and that she's always right. You didn't hear her while you were in the kitchen. She was prattling off about how it was her right to listen in and know what was going on." Ginny snuggled closer to Harry so that her head rested just under his chin. She breathed against his skin and was happy that Harry shivered in response, "Let's go to bed, I'm tired."
"You're mom is going to kill us in the morning," complained Harry, but not really meaning it.
Ginny giggled a little, "She'll probably think I've been having my wanton ways with you."
Mrs. Weasley opened the door the next morning to find Harry in bed with his arm around her and Ginny's head resting on his chest. She started to open her mouth, but stopped. Instead, she sat down in an armchair close to the door. Ginny chose that moment to move slightly causing Harry's grasp on her to tighten reflexively. Mrs. Weasley sadly smiled; she was witnessing something that was strangely both horrifying and beautiful to her. Standing up, she quietly left the room and closed the door.
Harry and Ginny, however, did not have too much more time to sleep as Ron had run into the room none too quietly and then started to yell for good measure, "Harry, Ginny! Wake up!" He was so excited that it did not bother him that his sister was sleeping in the same bed as Harry. He was happy that he did not have to perform two wakeup calls.
"What do you want Ron?" asked Harry as he slowly woke and squinted at the redhead. Ginny only tried to bury her head under a pillow.
Ron groaned, "The potion. It's done today."
"Okay…I'm up Ron," Harry said as he put on his glasses. He took in Ron's appearance. His red hair was sticking out in every direction and he was still in his wrinkled pajamas, but he was practically bouncing in anticipation, "Excited much?" The comment earned him a soft punch from Ron. Finally, Ginny emerged from under the pillow.
"KIDS! BREAKFAST IS READY," Mrs. Weasley's voice permeated the room. Ron had dashed out of the room and down the stairs at the mention of breakfast – the potion momentarily forgotten. Harry and Ginny dressed quickly before going down.
Mrs. Weasley already had plates ready for everyone. Remus, Sirius, Hermione, and Ron (of course) were already at the table. "Your Hogwarts letters arrived this morning. They're rather late this year," Mrs. Weasley said as she began handing out envelopes. Both Hermione's and Ron's made a clunking sound as they landed on the table.
Fred and George wandered in just in time to see Hermione tearing into hers. "Oh, look…Hermione made prefect," said Fred in a fake surprised voice.
George took over, "A complete and utter surprise," his voice was flat and unemotional.
Fred's voice gained a teasing tone, "Yes, George definitely a surprise. We might have to watch ourselves this year."
"That's enough!" scolded Mrs. Weasley and Fred and George quieted, although they still were making funny faces at Hermione once their mum's back was turned.
Ron finished his breakfast before opening his envelope. A red and gold badge slipped out. It clunked to the table as Ron made not attempt to grab it, but instead stared at it in shock. "I'm a…"
"Unbelievable…who would make Ron a prefect?" George asked seriously.
"Dumbledore," responded Fred deadpanned.
"Prefect? What you're a prefect Ron? Fantastic – that's all my boys…" Mrs. Weasley fluttered around and gave Ron a huge hug as Fred and George looked stunned mouthing to each other 'all my boys.'
"Ron! That's great," Hermione said as she took the hug over from Mrs. Weasley.
"We are going to have to get you something for this Ron. Percy got an owl and Bill wanted a new wand. So what do you want?" asked Mrs. Weasley excitedly. Ron looked like Christmas had come early.
"Well, I would really like a new broom," said Ron and Mrs. Weasley's face fell slightly. Ron hastily added, "Nothing like a Nimbus or Firebolt though – the cleansweeps are nice…" Mrs. Weasley perked up a little bit and she spent the next thirty minutes talking with Ron before she left for Diagon Alley with a copy of their booklists.
"Congrads Ron," said Harry who had finally been able to get close to Ron. He meant it. Ron rarely received the spotlight and Harry certainly did not want to be a prefect. "Never thought of you as the responsible one though…" Harry continued.
Ron smiled at him, "You're telling me – Dumbledore's off his rocker."
"So when do you want your other reward?" asked Ginny and Ron's eyes widened when he remembered the potion.
Fred and George meanwhile had maneuvered closer to Hermione. Harry looked at Hermione and felt a guilty a feeling.
You're too nice.
But…
Oh fine. But I'm still not telling her about being a phoenix or about Ron.
Okay.
"Congratulations, Hermione!" said Harry with a smile and Hermione looked at him with a smile on her face and her eyes began to mist.
"Thank you, Harry," Hermione managed to get out as her throat contracted. Harry had forgiven her. She was about to hug him when something in the corner of her eye caught her attention. Fred's hand slinked its way to the badge lying unprotected on the table and pocketed it. Hermione, however, spotted the theft. "Give that back George!"
"It's Fred," and with that both twins ran off with Hermione in pursuit.
Sirius and Remus had watched the scene in detached amusement, but when the others had left the kitchen they had moved closer to the table. "So, shall we?" asked Sirius. He was not as eager as Ron to find out what form Ron had, but he was excited. Remus rolled his eyes at Sirius' childish excitement, but could not hold back his own smile.
When they flamed to the manor Ron hit the ground running toward the potions lab. He was waiting for them by the cauldron when the others entered the lab. "Okay, now fill that goblet and drink up," said Remus pointing to a goblet on the table. Ron did so and put the liquid to his lips without question.
He finished draining the cup with a look of disgust on his face. "You could have told me that it tasted awful," he complained. Ron opened his mouth again to say something, but his eyes rolled back into his head. Sirius caught him before he fell to the hard floor.
It was almost forty-five minutes later when Ron stirred. He had a huge grin on his face, "I'm a lion. I look a lot like the Gryffindor lion …but I've got a red mane…" His hand, unconsciously, went up and ran through his own red hair.
Remus smiled and laughed as he slapped Ron on the back. Sirius, however, was frowning. "Another cat…" First, Remus laughed at the comment and then the others followed. Eventually, Sirius joined in.