Interlude I - July 27th, 1995
Grimmauld Place was on a somewhat isolated street in London in a quiet neighborhood. In this upscale suburban district, all the only slightly different three story townhouses had well-kept lawns and street lamps turn on. And on a weekday night like tonight, it was not atypical for all of the houses on the lane to have their lights off by ten. Therefore, at a quarter to midnight when a regular passerby walked down the lane on his own way home he was unconcerned as nothing was out of the ordinary.
Now, he was a little surprised by the heavy foot traffic that seemed to disappear between houses eleven and thirteen. Of course, if he could have seen the home between numbers eleven and thirteen Grimmauld Place, he'd hardly be surprised; because at number twelve Grimmauld Place at a quarter to midnight, the lights were not out and unlikely to go out any time soon. And he'd have no way of knowing that the odd foot traffic was the Order of the Phoenix in complete chaos.
"I told Dumbledore Harry needed a guard, Moony! I told him Voldemort was back! There's just no reason for Harry to lie about something this big!" Sirius was almost pulling his hair out as he walked with Professor Lupin toward the dining room.
"I know Padfoot, and I'm sure Dumbledore believes Voldemort has returned. It's just how much Harry was involved with it." Professor Lupin paused at the door to talk with Sirius directly. He was clearly trying to calm his friend down, but not having that much success. "At the time, you didn't really fight that hard about the guard either."
"Well at the time, my bloody cousin was still in Azkaban! There wasn't a reason to believe Voldemort would come after Harry this soon!"
"I thought so too. If Voldemort was going to do anything it would have been to recruit him, but an attack? Padfoot, we don't even know that's what this is. Harry could just be with one of his friends."
"Moony, I want to believe that so badly. I was sure that we would have more problems with getting him to stay at Privet Drive, but?" Sirius continued walking into the dining room, "This doesn't feel right, Moony. It just doesn't feel right."
The conversation trailed off as Sirius and Remus entered the dining room, too far for the youngest Weasley to hear.
'Oh no, Harry's in trouble.' Ginny thought as she stared after the pair.
"Ginny, you shouldn't still be awake."
Nearly jumping from her semi-hiding place on the stairs at the sound of the voice behind her, she turned sharply to Hermione to reprimand her. "Hermione!" She whispered furiously before turning back around at the sound of falling objects. It looked like Tonks was back again. This was her third such appearance. 'And that accounts for all of the Order members. She thought to herself. This is definitely bad.
"Ginny, come back to bed, please, before Mrs. Weasley finds you out here." Hermione spoke softly.
Ginny was currently eavesdropping from her 'hiding place', a concealed shadowy area on the stairwell overlooking the dining room. She was unsurprised that Hermione had found her, as it wasn't actually a very good place to stay hidden. The only reason no one else had found her yet was entirely due to them all been too busy to notice the little red-head on the stairwell. Even her mother hadn't even notice her, which was saying something since she had her red-headed child second sense honed to perfection well before Ginny was even born.
Hermione cleared her throat loudly to remind Ginny of her presence, causing her to wish that this wasn't simply a one-way kinda-sorta hiding place.
"Ginny…"
"I couldn't sleep," She glanced behind her at Hermione as she continued, "and it seems neither could you."
"The noise has been going on for some time now." Hermione gave her explanation. "Besides, the only person who could sleep through this is Ron. Even so, the noise doesn't give us a reason to be down here." Hermione got back to the topic at hand, "So come back up to our room. If you can't sleep, then we can talk about b…, ah, anything you like."
Ginny wasn't stupid, and clearly neither was Hermione, "Really, Hermione?" She turned back to observe the doorway and the dining room. She couldn't hear anything in either direction. She'd have to change that soon if this was really going to be an Order meeting about Harry. "Order members have been coming and going for more than an hour now. Tonks has tripped over that umbrella stand twice waking up Mrs. Black each time before they just moved it out of the way. What makes matters worse is that all they're talking about is Harry." Ginny paused here for a minute in part to catch her breath and to calm her anger. "And you expect me to go back up stairs and ignore all this?! What do you think I want to talk about? Boys?" Hermione looked down in embarrassment. "He's missing, Hermione. Harry is missing!"
Before Hermione could reply to Ginny's angry monologue, Professor Dumbledore came from the basement, clearly having just flooed in. The Headmaster's and Ginny's eyes locked briefly. There was no twinkle, just a cold calculated stare. She felt a cold sweat begin to form at her brow. Her head began to ache, but she held her focus. As soon as she thought she might be sick, it was over. What felt like minutes was only seconds as Professor Dumbledore continued into the dining room. Closing the door behind him.
'Was that everyone?' Ginny count the members in her head again to be sure.
"Yes," She spoke aloud while getting out from her 'hiding place' and moving up the stairs around Hermione. The bushy haired girl looked confused but triumphed as she followed Ginny ready to go back to their room. But Ginny had no intention of going to bed.
"Where are you going, Ginny? Our room's back this way?" Hermione trailed off as Ginny walked passed their shared bedroom.
"Yes, and this is the twins' room." She replied mockingly as she knocked briefly on the door before opening it. "Fred, give me one of your Extendable Ears." She demanded with little fanfare.
"Oi, Ginny, what if we had been sleeping?" Fred replied.
"Or starkers?" George added.
"Extendable Ears, now." Ginny completely ignored the twins' protest.
"Woo, settle down there pipsqueak." Fred replied with his hands held up in surrender.
"We'll give you a pair." George added.
"You don't have to snap." Fred continued as he handed over one of their Extendable Ears.
"What do you need this for anyway?" George asked.
However, Ginny was already out the door and walking down the stairs by the end of his question. Seeing no other options, the twins followed their sister to hear her reply, "The Order is having a meeting."
"Oh, well of course that explains it all." Fred replied sarcastically.
"Since it's so rare for the Order to host meetings at their headquarters," George added.
Ginny didn't both to reply. Instead Hermione explained. "Potter's location is currently unknown, and Ginny believes this meeting is about him."
The twins exchanged an understanding look, before they went over to help Ginny set up by the dining room door.
"I still don't think we should be doing this, whether or not Potter's missing." Hermione replied as she too crept down the stairs after Fred and George.
"Oi, what's with all this racket?" Ron replied as he took in the scene before him by the dining room door. "If you guys were going to spy on the Order, why didn't anybody wake me up too?" Ron asked in a loud voice as he stormed down the stairs. The sounds of everyone going up and down the stairs having finally woken him.
"Quiet Ron!" Ginny whispered furiously before she turned back to the dining room door and put an Extendable Ear under the gap in the floor. While she completely ignored the others presence, Fred and George disentangled the fleshy string and separated four more Extendable Ears to hand out to the others.
The Weasley children and Hermione watched as each of their strings went under the door easily. "I guess Mrs. Weasley forgot to put an Imperturbable Charm on the door." Hermione said with a thoughtful expression on her face.
The twins looked to each other briefly, "Whatever it is they're talking about most be serious." George spoke.
"If mum didn't have time." Fred continued.
"… Or forgot." George quickly added.
"To put an Imperturbable Charm on the door." Fred finished.
"I'm sure Potter's fine. He probably ran off to Nott's place. A completely reasonable explanation since he normally spends his holidays with him." Hermione responded.
Ginny sighed, "I'd like to believe that, but something about the look Professor Dumbledore gave me? I don't think this will be good news." Looking back at Hermione for a second to gauge her reaction, she continued. "I overheard Sirius talking to Professor Lupin." Ginny paused again as if she didn't know what to say, or maybe because she just didn't want to say anything. "He mentioned Death Eaters could be involved. Even if it's the worst case scenario, I can't shake this feeling that something very wrong has happened." With that she pulled her focus back on the door in front of her as if she could see right thought it just by wishing.
"Is that all this meeting's about? Potter?" Ron waited for Hermione's nod before continuing, "If that's all, then why are we wasting precious night here? Who cares what happened to Potter?" Ron continued to mutter under his breath, but Ginny only caught the end, "I could be sleeping right now…"
"No one's making you stay!" Ginny whispered fiercely.
"If I could get to sleep, trust me I'd be goal keeping for the Cannon's right now." The twins gave Ron a warning look that he completely missed. "But with all this bloody moving about over Potter. I can barely stay a sleep for a couple of minutes." He continued under his breath, but not soft enough that he was unheard, "Didn't even get to get on the broom."
The mood darkened further at Ron's muttering, Ginny was about to hex him, when the twins saved his bits.
"Ickle Ronniekins," George began.
"Dear brother of ours." Fred added.
"Now is not the time to get your knickers in a bunch."
"Not over the details of this meeting." Fred continued as he put his left arm around Ron.
"For those details could lead to unfortunate results for said knickers." George added as he put his right arm around Ron.
"So, settle down." Fred patted Ron gentle as he let go.
"Or go to bed." George squeezed Ron's shoulder roughly before letting go.
"Otherwise, you won't be getting much sleep for a while to come."
"You know how these older houses are."
"Older houses?" Ron questioned.
"Just can't seem to get rid of the spiders." George replied before Fred could get the chance.
"Spiders!?" Ron's voice went up an octave in fright.
Hermione looked disapprovingly at the twins, but turned to Ron to speak, "Ron, it doesn't matter if Potter's a Slytherin. He's still the boy-who-lived so his safety is important to the Order." Hermione changed her tactic at Ron's uncaring look, "And his parents were Gryffindors, so he can't be all bad."
"Quiet!" Ginny whispers, "They're starting the meeting."
"All right Albus, we're here so tell us about the boy," it was Moody's voice that broke the uncomfortable silence first.
"Mr. Potter is alright," Ginny let out the breath that she had unconsciously been holding. The twins also looked relieved.
Ron looked like he was about to say something, but George cut him off with a stern look.
A small murmur erupted from the group inside the dining room. "If he's alright, then where is he? Why isn't he here? Why didn't you bring him with you? Harry should be here, where it's safe with the people who love him. I've told you that from the beginning, Professor. He should have been here with me all of the time not just the weekend, which you didn't even give us this summer!" Sirius voice interrogated the old wizard.
"I said he was alright, at the moment anyway. I did not say that everything would be fine." Professor Dumbledore countered. This realization quieted the murmuring voices in the background.
Sirius must have been rendered speechless, as it was her father's voice who replied. "What's happened Albus?"
"Arthur," Professor Dumbledore took a moment to continue, "Mr. Potter is in a highly secure Ministry holding cell."
"That's where Potter is, not what's happened." Moody rough voice didn't sound any different than the impostor who'd taught her DADA last year.
As soon as he spoke, commotion broke out. "Does it matter!? Why aren't we on our way to break him out!?" Sirius yelled. Ginny could hear the scrapping of a chair that sounded like Sirius had stood up quickly.
"Mr. Potter is in a holding cell, because he was arrested." Professor Dumbledore raised his voice over the chatter.
"Why is our Boy-Who-Lived behind bars in a Ministry holding cell and not at his relative's house? Nothing he could have done would warrant an overnight stay." Moody inquired.
"Mr. Potter was arrested, because of the use of the dark arts in a muggle area," a collective gasp came from the group sitting around the table, "and the use of the Killing Curse, twice, along with the use of the Cruciatus Curse." There was a pause for which Ginny could only assume the professor was staring down the room, "Under these circumstances, I believe an overnight stay was the very least the Ministry could have done."
The silence that followed was deafening, and long lasting. Giving the children outside the door time for their own meeting.
"I knew that snake couldn't be trusted," Ron growled out in anger. "It was just a matter of time before everyone else saw what I've been saying from the start!"
"Ron quiet," Fred said as he looked at Ginny. Her head still facing down, making it impossible for either of the twins to read her.
A soft murmur could be heard from Ginny as she began to shake her head, "No. There must be some mistake. Some explanation. Harry would never. It's impossible. Not the killing curse. Not unless he had no other choice to survive." She paused briefly as if she was thinking out loud, "Harry must have been attack. And there's…"
Ron interrupted Ginny mid-thought, "What's wrong with you Ginny? Why are you defending that snake? You can't possible still like that bloke after he got sorted into Slytherin," Ron question her tactlessly. "I thought you got over that silly little crush years ago?" As Ron finished, the meeting in the dining room continued. Saving Ron from the nasty hex Ginny had been prepared to cast.
"Why?" The female voice of Ginny recognized as Tonks' questioned. "Are we sure he wasn't framed? There was no one watching him, so anything could have happened, especial since the mass breakout."
"Why? I could only guess. I'd like to say I didn't see this coming, but," Professor Dumbledore began.
"No! Harry would never do these things unless provoked. What happen, Albus?"
"I checked the boy's wand myself," the Headmaster ignored the direct question and continued on a different line. "I found he'd used numerous dark curses. Some far darker than any of Voldemort's Death Eaters ever used and probably don't even know."
"But why? It doesn't make sense for Harry to use those curses in a muggle area." Tonks question.
"It doesn't matter what the circumstances were. The fact at hand is that Mr. Potter used the Unforgivable Curses, Nymphadora."
"Hell no it doesn't matter. They'll send him to Azkaban for sure." Ron smiled happily.
Fred took Ron's Extendable Ear from him.
"Go, we'll tell you what happens later."
"What? I don't?" Ron trying to respond when Hermione took his hand to lead him away.
"Come on Ron, let's go upstairs. We've heard enough." Hermione spoke as she started up the stairs towards Ron's room.
"That's my godson, you're talking about. I can't just let him rot in Azkaban." Sirius replied to Professor Dumbledore.
"Azkaban, humph. I doubt the Minister would put him away for this, or the Wizengamot for that matter." Moody replied.
"What are you saying, Moody? Everyone knows the use of the Unforgivable Curses is a life sentence in Azkaban." Tonks questioned.
"No, Alastor is correct. As it stands, we would not be able to do what is right. The Wizengamot will not want to be responsible for sending the Boy-Who-Lived to Azkaban. Anything I or a character witness from his class could say wouldn't get him more than an expulsion from Hogwarts." Professor Dumbledore replied.
Ginny could hear a sigh of relief before Sirius spoke again, "Thank Merlin."
"So what should we do now? With Harry out of school, he'll be an easier target for You-Know-Who." Ginny recognized Professor Lupin's voice.
"He'll need a guard now, don't you agree Kingsley?" Tonks' light voice paused as if waiting for a response. She must have gotten one since she continued, "Should we also get him a new wand? They'll destroy his, and we don't want him defenseless. Not with You-Know-Who and his top followers on the loose."
"I'll get him everything he needs." Sirius replied, "There's no more reason for him to go back to the Dursleys either." There was a short pause before Sirius continued, "We'll go away for a while. Get out of the country. It'll be a new start for the both of us, and help him get back on the right path."
Ginny's shoulders relaxed. She would get to see him again. Harry would be fine. Not all together happy about the events, but fine. She was sure he could have taken his NEWTs already and passed with twelve Outstandings, anyway. More importantly, Harry would still get to see his friends on the summer and winter holidays, and be away from the danger that Riddle represented. She would not lose him completely.
"But is that the right decision, Sirius? Do you really think you can change him so simply?" Professor Dumbledore replied.
"Well, yeah. I haven't been in his life enough for him to understand right and wrong when it comes to magic. But that's not his fault. I blame Snivellus for that."
"Sounds like a good plan to me, getting him out of the country for a little while. But, I'd hold off on a wand until we can trust him. Without it, he's not much of a wizard." Moody replied in his rough voice.
"But is taking his wand away enough? I wouldn't be surprised if he already had a spare wand." Professor Dumbledore talked over the sounds of protest coming from inside the dining room, "But even if he didn't, I ask you again. Is that enough?"
No one replied. Ginny understood their confusion. Why did it matter? Getting expelled from Hogwarts was a very severe punishment in itself.
"Mr. Potter has performed the dark arts. Spells far more advanced than any book that could be located in the restricted section at Hogwarts. Spells the majority of Voldemort's Death Eaters would never have even heard of, let alone be able to perform!"
"He made a mistake, Albus. Everyone makes mistakes. He couldn't help it being from Slytherin house. A place like that could lead anyone astray. But don't worry, I'll make sure he gets on the straight and narrow from here on out." Sirius replied.
"I could believe a mistake of casting one or two dark spells, but the Unforgivables? No one mistakenly casts the killing curse!" Professor Dumbledore paused to catch his breath. Ginny imagined he was shaking his head, "Sirius, what would James think." There was another pause before the Headmaster continued. "We can do what is right, or we can do what is easy."
"There isn't any other choices. You said so yourself." A deep male voice that Ginny didn't recognize replied.
"I alone could never convict him to Azkaban, Kingsley." Professor Dumbledore paused, "But Sirius? Sirius you could."
"Me? I could never. I'm his godfather. I'm all he has left!" There was distress in Sirius voice as he spoke, "He'll be expelled. That should be enough."
"Tell me Sirius, do you believe that Hogwarts still has anything left to teach Mr. Potter?"
"He's top of his class. Harry could have taken his OWLS at the start of last year and gotten straight Outstandings." Sirius replied with pride in his voice.
"I have to concur. Harry's progress truly is remarkable. He comes to me and all of his teachers with questions. Be it before class, after class, or during, he always has some comment, some question, to pose. He is truly a pleasure to teach. I'm always amazed that he was not placed in Ravenclaw. His thirst for knowledge is that strong." Ginny recognized Professor McGonagall voice.
"If Mr. Potter's thirst was purely for knowledge's sake, then I would be happy to see him continue. But I've seen this before. A boy similar to Mr. Potter in nearly every way, who also thirsted for knowledge. However, his thirst was for the power that knowledge gave him." The Headmaster paused in thought, "I've watched Mr. Potter closely. I've seen how he interacts with his so called friends. The way Mr. Potter cultivates relationships that benefit him. Mr. Potter is extremely charismatic. To the point, where he can control older students with ease. In his own house at the beginning of this year, the fifth and sixth year students took his lead. After the tournament, even the seventh year students deferred to him."
"What are you trying to say Albus? Spit it out!" Moody interrupted the professor.
"I'm saying that if we do not do everything we can now. In ten, fifteen years, we will have another Dark Lord, possibly worst then Voldemort."
Ginny listened to muttering for several voice. She listened carefully for Sirius' protest, but he remained silent. It was Tonks' voice spoke next, "I think that's a bit extreme Professor. Harry performed dark magic. He didn't try to take over the world." Muttering of agreement could be heard as Tonks continued, "Besides, he's involved with Ginny. You-Know-Who would never do something like that."
"Yes! That's right. Harry told me he'd finally asked her out. You-Know-Who doesn't even know the meaning of love, while Harry can. He's smitten with her." Ginny blushed at Sirius' comments.
"After all of this? I wouldn't be sure Ginny would still want to date him." Ginny listened to her father reply.
"No dear, our Ginny will always care for him." Her mum responded.
"I have to agree. You should have seen them at the Yule Tide Ball. It was like watching Lily and James all over again with the roles reversed." Professor McGonagall added.
"I didn't know they'd gone together. I would have thought he'd mention it." Sirius responded.
"They didn't, which made it so much more adorable." Tonks responded. Ginny was never more aware that her brothers were listening to this as well then in this moment.
"I've seen what Mr. Potter is doing, and it is not love. He is not pursuing or even interested in Miss. Weasley like James was to Lily. It is unfortunate that Mr. Potter is nothing like his father. Severus saw to that, despite my warnings."
"Still, he is going out with Ginny now. She'll be able to save him from his path." Sirius replied.
"I'm sorry Sirius, but Mr. Potter is simple using Miss. Weasley as a cover. A powerful witch from a strong light background. His intentions were obvious from the beginning." Ginny heard movement and seconds later Professor Dumbledore continued, "You know it to be true, Sirius. You know it in your heart."
There was silence as everyone waited for Sirius' response. Ginny was sure Sirius would not change his position, because in his heart he did know the truth.
"You're right."
"No." Ginny didn't even realize she'd spoke aloud, and the twins did not comment as Sirius continued to speak.
"I knew it in my heart the moment you told me. Harry's nothing like James, I can't treat him like a miniature Prongs. If anything Snivellus managed to turn him into mini-version of himself. In my heart I knew Harry was going to hurt her. I knew it when he told me about her. I just didn't want to believe the truth." There was a slight pause as Ginny listened on in horror. "I wish it could have been different."
"As do I, Sirius. As do I. But know this, you are doing what is right. And in doing so, helping to bring about justice." Ginny didn't know if Sirius spoke, but for whatever reason Professor Dumbledore continued. "I know this is hard Sirius, but it must be done. For the greater good."
Ginny didn't stay to hear any more of the meeting. Tears streamed down her face as she clumsily made her way to her room.
Once there she collapsed on her bed, extremely glad that Hermione was not there to see her and ask question. She wasn't sure what she would have said.
They were going to send Harry, the love of her life, to Azkaban because he defended himself? Hermione wouldn't understand. And if she'd heard that last part?
Ginny had only mentioned Harry asking her out on the train ride home to Tonks. Hermione never seemed to understood her feelings for Harry. No one really did. And they wouldn't understand how even after hearing all of that her feeling had not wavered. She knew him. Knew that he would never use the dark arts in a crowded muggle area, at least not with his own wand. Not unless he had no other choice.
Harry was too careful to get caught like this. She knew this to be true, but explaining it to anyone else would be hard. Hermione would have been stuck on the dark arts bit. No one she knew could have gotten over that truly. But she didn't care. How could she, when she'd known for a long time now that her Harry's knowledge extended to dark arts? While he'd never performed a dark spell in front of her, she'd known from his wording. A careful choice of phrasing that never excluded the use of dark magic.
She let out a dry laugh as she remembered studying from several gray books Harry had lent her. The first time, she'd been sure was a test. She remembered how surprised he had been when she mastered the spell inside them far faster than he'd anticipated. The small smile on his lips, when she'd asked questions was like a bolt of lightening. And she knew eventually, waited even for the day he'd share his knowledge of the dark arts with her as well. The smiles they would share. She'd been preparing herself mentally for the gesture. She'd known that would happen with far more certainty then the depths of Harry's feelings for her.
Sure he had a temper, but didn't everyone? He'd never hurt her even in his anger. He'd never tried to hide parts of himself from her. He didn't pretend to be someone he wasn't when they were together. And Ginny loved him for it.
Now, when they were finally going to be together in public, for real where everyone would know. He was going to be thrown into Azkaban! What was she going to do? What could she do?
"Ginny?"
Swirling around in surprise, she watched her twin brothers close the door behind them. Had she shut it when she'd come back here? She couldn't remember.
"How are you holding up?" George spoke.
Ginny loved the twins. They weren't her favorite brothers. Bill held that spot and Ron for a while when it was just the two of them, but she did love them. She was just not in the mood to entertain them. So, she turned around on her bed and hoped they got the message.
They didn't, "You didn't mention dating Pot, eh, Harry." Fred spoke into the silence.
Ginny gave the twins a sad smile at their attempt to be kind. She was sure that had to be the first time she'd heard them call him by his first name. "We're not," she began hesitantly. "Harry only just asked me out. We've not boyfriend and girlfriend. We haven't even been on a proper date yet."
"Still, this must be very hard." George replied.
"Don't. Please." She didn't want to hear that she could do better. She didn't want to know what the twins thought. Because no matter how kind or understanding they tried to be, they could never understand this.
They seemed to sense it too for Fred changed directions, "Is there anything we can do to help?"
Ginny was about to say no before she changed her mind. The twins could help. "Get them to stay away. I don't know how you can get Hermione to leave me alone, but please try. I just don't think I could control myself if Ron lorded over this."
"Alright we'll make sure they don't bother you, Gin-Gin." George replied.
Ginny looked around briefly before realizing where they were, Grimmauld Place. "And please make sure Siri, no Black, leaves me alone too."
"Okay Ginny." Fred said as he tried to put a comforting hand on her shoulder, but she flinched away.
Ginny saw the look on the twins face, and knew they wanted to say more, but she wouldn't be able to handle their pity, not now. "Please, I need some time alone."
The twins left without another word.