Pretty Boy

Chapter 16

Remus' Finds A Backbone

Remus was getting beyond exasperated, every time he tried to open his mouth, someone else began speaking. Mostly about how Harry seemed to have faded of the face of the earth. That each person they asked, didn't know anyone resembling James Potter. In fact Shacklebolt had begun asking Albus for a recent picture of Harry, they needed to know what he looked like. The Headmaster just insisted that Harry didn't like getting his picture taken, blew a lot of people's preconceived notions that's with that one too. That he had been there to learn not have parties and take his picture.

"Does Harry even have a friend?" asked Molly tearfully; she couldn't stand the thought of someone so alone and getting taught all the time. Children should always be allowed to be children in Molly's book. Whether they were the last hope for the wizarding world or not. Although Dumbledore didn't put it quite that way, no instead it was 'he could help us win this war' was how he often referred to it.

"Of course he does," said Albus, he did not want to get into an argument with Molly Weasley regarding child rearing again. The first time had been the absolute last time, the woman was scary and coming from him it was saying a lot.

"Then write to them, see if Harry has kept in touch." said Molly.

"Of course," said Albus lying through his teeth. Anything to get Molly of his case, she was a good fighter, brilliant mother but by Merlin she had a loud vicious mouth and perfect aim.

"We've canvassed all of London; I think we should spread the net further. He might not even be in the country. We need more people to search for him, I think it should be made public." said Shacklebolt, always the outspoken one.

"No!" boomed Dumbledore immediately with harshness he didn't normally display. "No, nobody can know." he said a little calmer.

"The Dark Lord already knows there is no reason to keep it from the public." said Severus regarding Dumbledore shrewdly, wondering at the real reason.

"The panic that would ensure would quite possibly unveil our world; everyone would try and find him, leave trails and be seen by the Muggles. We cannot afford such a thing to happen, you know this as well as I. Especially in mist of war, people are desperate, they are looking to me to us to keep them safe. We must do so by any means necessarily. The public cannot know." repeated Dumbledore.

"While it's true it might happen, it also may help find Harry sooner." said Shacklebolt.

"It would happen," grunted Moody glaring at the room, daring them to refute his claim.

Shacklebolt remained silent under the glare from Moody. Despite the fact he was retired, one didn't forgot the one who trained them. Moody was a scary son of a bitch when he wanted to be. He knew no matter what he said, it would be kept quiet everything he suggested was shot down. So he remained quiet, deciding it just wasn't worth it, crossing his arms he relaxed back into his seat and impassively watched the rest of the meeting, his brown eyes shielded.

"I assume the Dark Lord hasn't been successful? Is he still just using the Lestrange's?" asked Tonks, knowing Severus didn't like people using 'Voldemort'.

"As far as I know," said Severus dipping his head in respect to her, "He keeps his cards close to his chest, always has done. If he's drafted others in I do not know about it."

"Well hopefully he won't," said Tonks disturbed, who wouldn't be? Bellatrix Lestrange was insane; the thought of her getting her hands on Harry was enough to make them all furious. Surprisingly it was because he was a young man; apposed to the hero they needed to win. It would surprise Dumbledore at the majority of his Order members cared deeply about Harry. For the single fact that he was James and Lily's son, fellow order members and someone who had brought peace to their world for however brief a time. When everyone had celebrated, they'd mourned the loss of their friends.

"Indeed," said Severus gravely. Which was why he was taking matters into his own hands, he would ensure Harry was safe and happy. He'd already brewed it; it was lying in his cloak pocket safe for when it was needed. He wasn't going to let the order or Death Eaters accidentally stumble on Harry. His flat was near where he usually stood at night, many people would remember him. He certainly would have remembered him, Harry was gorgeous and stunning.

"Albus I'd like to take a break and go on holiday." said Remus finding an opening, sitting straight backed and at Dumbledore. He wasn't going to take no for an answer, he had to get Sirius away from here and explain. Most certainly before the school year started, according to Snape - they were putting a plan into motion now. What that plan was he did not know, he would have liked to but this was beside the point.

"A Holiday?" echoed Albus staring at the wizard completely baffled, as though he was speaking in a language he did not understand. Coming from Albus that meant a lot, since he could speak gobblygook, mermish and could understand a few words in parseltongue.

"Yes, Albus, I am leaving, I will be taking Sirius and myself of one of the Black properties. I have to get Sirius back to normal, I need to - I cannot stand to see him like this anymore." said Remus pained, Sirius didn't get up unless Remus dragged him up. He practically had to force feed the wizard, he could take it no longer.

"Leaving?" asked Albus, shocked, he'd never thought he'd hear those words from Remus' mouth.

"That's a good idea, it might help him." said Tonks, since Sirius was family she cared. Poor Remus was stuck trying to help Sirius, unable to do so since the man seemed broken. Dispirited and just plain depressed, it wasn't a sight any of them liked to see.

"I understand why you would want to Remus, I truly do. I however, fear it may be a wasted one." said Dumbledore regarding Remus sadly, his blue eyes searching Remus for underlying agendas.

"We will leave for a week." said Remus stiffening his resolve. "Some sun might do him good, I will be back in time for the full moon." there was nothing there to keep him safe from others who might pass him.

"What about the work for the Order?" asked Dumbledore aghast at the fact Remus was out of no where laying the law down, so to speak. He'd always been the easiest one to manipulate, and was very easy to have him go on the more dangerous missions.

"Will be done when I get back, it's only seven days." said Remus firmly.

"I can do them if they are important." said Tonks.

"That's fine Tonks, they can wait, very well Remus." said Albus speaking to both of them.

"Thank you, I am going to get Sirius ready and leave in half a hour." said Remus, standing up and taking his leave. Despite his words, he looked exhausted, disheartened and hopeful. As if he really wanted to help Sirius but was unsure if he would be able to.

"Of course." said Albus watching the werewolf closely until he left. "How are things at the Ministry?" he then asked after the door closed.

"Fudge isn't even willing to admit that he is back, I'm not sure what else can be done." said Tonks.

"Oh he knows the Dark Lord is back," said Severus grimly, when everyone stared at him in confusion he realized that Dumbledore had not informed the rest of them of his findings. "Lucius Malfoy has convinced him to join what he no doubt calls the 'winning side'."

"Malfoy has been seen going there more regularly. Is there a chance he might be under a potion or spell?" asked Shacklebolt.

"That's not how the Dark Lord works, he blackmails them, coerces them. Potions and spells can be beaten, he wouldn't risk it." said Diggle.

"He does," said Severus, he had a good idea how Lucius had convinced Fudge, no doubt Dumbledore's name had came up plenty a time.

"Should we not do something then?" asked Hermione.

She had been very quiet during the meeting, which by the way was extremely unusual. She was always the first one to voice her opinion, no matter who was speaking. She liked to think she knew best, but truth was she was a naïve little girl. She was obviously still smarting from the talking to she'd been given for exposing them to a Muggle. Severus smirked just thinking about it. He wished the meeting would hurry; he wanted to get back to Harry and get his plan into motion.

"There is nothing that can be done," said Mundungus staring at her in scorn, she obviously didn't know anything about wizarding politics. He might take things that didn't necessarily belong to him, but he knew the rules, the regulations. He'd been in the wizarding world his entire life, and seeing her sitting there smug and superior as well as thinking she knew best irritated him.

"Why not? He's committing treason!" said Hermione shocked at their resigned looks.

"Not yet he's not," said Severus his voice dripping with distain. "All we have right now is him considering it. It wouldn't go over well in court, we have to wait until he's marked and have irrefutable proof. Someone must see his mark, he is the Minister of magic, and to arrest him is almost like starting a civil war."

Hermione quietened down once again, flushing red at the diatribe coming from Snape.

"Molly how are the children?" asked Albus, digging for information on Charlie in particular, he was an order member but hadn't been around for a while.

"They are good, thank you Albus, apart from Percy," said Molly sniffling, "I'm afraid he hasn't come home yet."

"I see," said Albus nodding amicably, he wondered if he should give Percy some money, encourage him to make amends. He nixed it, deciding not to interfere no matter how unhappy Molly Weasley was. He was giving them enough money as it is without adding Percy to the list. "And Charlie…?"

"Charlie is coming home," said Molly her emotion doing a complete flip as she radiated with excitement.

"That's good news," said Dumbledore happy to have another helper out there looking for Harry. Especially while he'd lost Lupin, for an entire week - he wasn't happy. "Severus are you brewing the Wolfsbane potion?"

"Of course, heaven forbid the idiot end up infecting someone." sneered Severus. "I will need to get started right away." not bothering to inform Dumbledore he already had some left from last month. It was perfectly fine, Lupin would suffer no ill effects, and Severus always kept them preserved.

"Good," said Albus, "We shall expand the search for Harry, since we haven't got anywhere so far."

"How about checking Scotland? He might have gone there." said Ron.

"Or around Kings Cross?" said Hermione, "He might have used the train to get back there and remained."

"The conductor would have alerted me if anyone used it." said Dumbledore flippantly.

"Why would he need to use the train?" asked Tonks baffled, looking between Dumbledore and Hermione in confusion.

"Just shouting out ideas," said Dumbledore, smiling comfortingly at Tonks, none of his anger shining through. Not many people knew Harry had left on his own years ago, and he wanted to keep it that way.

"I'd suggest getting out there and searching for the brat, the longer he is missing the harder it will be to find him." sneered Severus, his usual repugnance showing when 'Potter' was spoken about.

"True," said Tonks. "Come on then, let's get to it!" she exclaimed happily, almost tripping over in her haste to get up jubilantly.

Here we go the next chapter...Merlin I didnt realize this story was 54 chapters long :O can you believe it? its going to take me ages to get them all back up...im half way so far so yay fingers crossed i can get the next lot out soon :D sooo will Shacklebolt join their side or will he just remain unhappy with the order? R&R