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Weapon (Possession Chapter LXXVII)
Chapter XXVI - What Do We Do?
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Sirius stroked back black hair as emerald eyes blinked sleepily at him. He'd escorted Harry from the Great Hall after his duel with the Aurors, Order and Examiners and his Godson had made it to the stairs before he'd collapsed and had to be carried.

He should have been expecting it. His godson was eager to prove himself and had possibly revealed too much of his abilities. The animagus could almost hear the Aurors... discussing things with Albus through the bond of the Order. Those Aurors who were still conscious were not taking well to being beaten up by a fifteen-year-old boy. But... they could work with this situation, and it would only strengthen the position of the Order and in the long run, the more dependant on the Order the Ministry was, the easier it would be to destroy them utterly. For now though, they would have to play to Harry's obvious exhaustion from the battle.

While he had won, he was tired and that could be used to sooth the Aurors since most of them, when they woke up would be fully rested. They, the Aurors would be comforted by the fact that victory had taken everything Harry had to give.

This time.

Black eyes glittered with mirth. It might have exhausted Harry to wield that much power this time, but he was not yet of age. His power was great but it had not matured and his body couldn't handle extended usage of it. That would come with practice and maturity - of his body, and his power. Sirius doubted that many of the Aurors would truly understand what that would mean.

They had been defeated by a boy who couldn't fully utilise his abilities simply because he was too young, but once he gained the maturity, and it was maturity the Order would be rushing upon him, Harry would be able to use his full abilities, at full power almost indefinitely, and then...

Well... Sirius smiled softly down at his Godson who had fallen asleep during his brief introspection. As he had told Remus, they - the Order, and he suspected soon the Ministry - had put Harry into the position where his will would decide it all, but yet they had not checked what his will truly was. They deserved what they were going to get. It would be an interesting time.

He knew he should feel some urge to warn them or to protect the Order but somehow he couldn't do it. Every time he tried to speak about it he would remember wide green eyes clouded with pain, the way he had seen them in the memories of Harry's time with the Dursley's, or he'd see them mirrored with fear, the way they had been when they had rescued Harry from the Dark Lord, although rescued was a relative term, and his heart contracted sympathetically. He had no idea of the pain his Godson had endured, he didn't want to know, but he knew that if this would make Harry happy then he would support it. It wasn't the Order or the Ministry's fault but every time he remembered those eyes he was reminded that his Godson was his life and he owed it to the memory of Lily and James to make sure that their child was happy, even if that meant destroying everything they had held dear, everything they had died for. They would understand.

Harry wouldn't be able to sleep as peacefully as he did if they didn't understand.

And so he remained silent.

Sirius rose from the bed, making sure the covers were snug around Harry before he flipped the curtains closed on the canopy. He should go help Albus argue that Harry's abilities were appropriate for one who was expected to go against the Dark Lord. After all, how did they expect Harry to win against a man who could destroy any of them with a mere flick of his hand, who's abilities they all recognised as overwhelming, if his own abilities were not overwhelming to the ordinary wizard?

Logic had never been the Ministry's or the Auror's strong point, not as organisations. The canine animagus hoped the individuals here would see the point. He wasn't sure what they would do, or even what could be done if they didn't acknowledge it but if they didn't see logic, or at least see Harry as a weapon they could use to fight then things were going to get messy.

Just before he pulled the door closed he cast black eyes around the room looking deep into the shadows. They seemed to blink back at him and Sirius smiled, closing the door and casting a minor security charm on it before he turned to exit his quarters. It was comforting to know that Harry was never alone.

Right now he wasn't sure he wanted to leave Harry alone.

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Albus forced himself to remain calm as several Aurors shouted at him together. They were not happy with this afternoon's proceedings and were demanding 'answers'. Although what answers he could give them beyond what they already knew was anyone's guess. His office seemed crowded with so many people in it, and some of the paintings had made themselves scarce, preferring to find somewhere quieter to spend their evening, or more likely, preferring to watch from a place that was not so obvious. Albus could see some inconspicuous clusters of watchers on one or two of the paintings that were shadowed. Other's had chosen to remain in full view, glaring down at the rooms occupants as the conversation shifted around them.

Some of them shared his frustrations with the Ministry's representatives as evidenced by the scowls on their faces while others sat with studiedly neutral visages. Old Studenhauge looked as pleasant and as harmless as always, smiling benignly at the Aurors but Dumbledore knew that was a ruse. Studenhauge had one of the keenest minds, and sharpest tongues of all the paintings in the office, and always offered some of the best insights. Her analysis of this meeting would be interesting... if he could persuade her to speak. She was firmly of the belief that the living had to deal with their own problems.

Albus blinked once, carefully as his eyes roamed over the crest of Hogwarts that was above the door. He could have sworn that the animal totems blinked at him and as he kept his attention on the Crest, without looking at it he nodded to himself, understanding. It appeared Harry's power was watching, even if the boy could not.

A particularly loud shout reminded him to pay attention to the Aurors but Dumbledore didn't really know what to do, not completely anyway.

What did they want him to say? Did they want him to say 'No, don't worry, it's just an illusion that you got defeated by a fifteen year old boy'?

It wasn't and they had to accept that and the more important point that if Harry could defeat them, then Voldemort could defeat them. They should use their experience with Harry as a learning opportunity to see the flaws in their techniques and to improve. They wouldn't though, not until he pointed out that it was essential and that nothing would change until they did.

Or perhaps they would accept it if he pointed out that Harry belonged to the Order of the Phoenix? He didn't want to do that though, didn't want to be so blatant in stating that Harry was the only weapon capable of fighting and winning against what Tom Riddle had become, and that frankly, they should be on their knees thanking the powers that be that they had been defeated today, because that meant that Harry was on the way to fully harnessing his power. And once Harry fully controlled all his power, then they, the Light could really begin to fight back. Everything now was just a pre-cursor, just waiting for the time when they could really fight.

And if Harry's demonstration today had been any indication... that time was closer than he had thought.

Albus smiled at the idea and was mildly surprised when the Aurors fell silent, most just gaping at the expression on his face. "It pleases me that you are so concerned," he said conversationally. "But I am forced to question exactly what it was you were expecting?" Perhaps he could make them reach the answers themselves. Fawkes trilled softly to confirm the question.

Before any of the Aurors could answer the gargoyle moved and Sirius entered his already crowded office. The animagus cast a dark look towards the black robed Ministry servants before he turned towards Dumbledore. "He's asleep," Sirius said quietly, moving across the office and taking a seat next to Remus. "He won but it took everything he's got," he added, mostly for the benefit of the Aurors.

Dumbledore nodded. Harry would be as good as new in the morning and prepared to face his next OWL, Care of Magical Creatures, and he was fully expecting another Outstanding result. Marchbanks had already grumbled to him that it was not usual testing procedure to get a dragon... Hagrid would be rapt if the examiners did bring in a dragon but Albus was expecting something equally dangerous but smaller.

Although the concept... that could be examined later.

The Aurors were now questioning Sirius - Did he know of his Godson's ability? Had he taught him? What did he think of it? Was that really Harry? Would he follow orders? - and Albus braced himself for a brutally honest answer at the gleam deep in those pitch eyes. The animagus had never tolerated stupidity well.

"Yes," Sirius roared finally, getting their complete attention.

Silence fell throughout Dumbledore's office and Sirius continued softly making sure all the Aurors had to strain to hear him. "Yes, I knew. No, I did not teach him. I'm not surprised Harry has such power. The Dark Lord had to fear him for some reason after all."

Dumbledore was careful to retain his grandfatherly expression at that wondering if Sirius had truly thought of everything here and if it was wise to reveal such information. The animagus continued though, unabashed.

"Yes, that is really my Godson. Fawkes can prove that because he is a full member of the Order of the Phoenix and the question isn't if he can follow orders, rather, it's can you follow his?"

The last brought an outcry from most of the Ministry's Representatives. The few that remained quiet had speculative looks. They had taken Sirius' comments seriously and were considering what that meant for the war.

"When will he be able to fight?" One of them asked, finally, their voice and question was pitched softly and was almost lost in the rest of the random comments.

"Now," Sirius replied, ignoring the way Remus squeezed his hand worriedly. "But I will not allow you anywhere near him or him anywhere near a battle field until he comes of age. A date which I'm sure you are all aware is rapidly approaching. I owe that much to Lily and James. After that, we will see. Despite the display today he has yet to finish his schooling and I refuse to let him be used as a weapon now with no thought to his future and the skills he will need then."

The Aurors who had almost, despite their beating today and the outright hypocrisy of the thought, to a man fallen in love with the idea of Harry fighting seemed taken a back by Sirius' absolute tone.

"You can't do that!" One of the younger ones objected.

Sirius turned flat black eyes towards them. "Want to bet?" he asked, the question a joke but his voice anything but. "I am Harry's legal guarding because that was the wish of his parents, and until he comes of age, that means you speak to me before you speak to him. And once he does come of age you may speak with him but there is a Ministry Law, one which I'm sure you are all familiar with that prevents Ministry employees from speaking with those still in school in an official capacity without at least notifying their guardians. I'll be expecting your owl, gentlemen.

"And finally there is a dual Ministry stipulation that firstly ensures that all wizarding children must complete their schooling except when they so choose to leave but it further stipulates that even in desperate times the Ministry may not pull school age wizards away from their studies without first providing for their future in a world where they will be disadvantaged for not completing their basic education. So, should you make any effort to coerce Harry into heaving his schooling of his own will I will be asking for the proof of this second clause." Black eyes surveyed the room, daring anyone to dissent.

Most of the Aurors shifted uncomfortably sensing the anger Sirius contained. He had for the most part fully divested them of their righteous anger at being defeated by a student and for a moment it seemed as if the meeting would degenerated into silence, neither party willing to speak for the risk that their words would be taken as a threat.

Finally Dumbledore spoke. "I'm sure the Order and the Ministry can work together for the best possible outcome," he said soothingly, "for both Harry and for the ultimate defeat of the Dark Lord. I however, agree with Sirius that Harry is not to be approached until after he comes of age. After that we can speak to him about the various options that are open to him and we will use that time to develop these options. Right now, Harry is a child, we cannot forget that. His power, while impressive is also unstable and he is one who's power is unlikely to stabilise fully with a mere date."

"You mean he's going to be even more powerful?"

"Like you wouldn't believe," Sirius muttered under his breath while Dumbledore took a more conciliatory note.

"Yes, we believe young Mr Potter's abilities will only fully stabilise when his body reaches full maturity."

"But that could be years away!" One of the Aurors complained. "How are we meant to fight before then?"

At last they came to the real question and while the Auror who had asked had done so in a complaining tone he understood the problems they were facing.

Sirius shrugged and with remarkable good humour, spoke. "Harry can help you but for the moment there will be limitations on the help he gives."

"Such as?"

"If there is to be a Hogwarts Guard, Harry is to be assigned to that but will be excused from most duties to attend class. He will, of course, as a Member of the Order fight if the castle is attacked but he will not be available for every battle. If there is an absolute emergency elsewhere you may call upon him but the final decision on that will be left to Albus Dumbledore. I want to protect him from being used continuously as a weapon. There is more to life than that, and Harry like all others must be allowed to experience that."

"Why are we so concerned with one adolescent wizard?" One of the Aurors grumbled. "He's strong, sure but he's not that important."

Albus turned towards the Auror, a soft deceptive smile on his lips. "Who else is going to fight Voldemort?" he asked mildly, using the name deliberately.

The Head Auror, who had been silent until now, nodded carefully. "It's true then," he murmured, looking over at the Head Master.

"Yes, it's true," Dumbledore replied.

"I thought as much, I just did not expect it to be so plainly laid out. We will abide by Mr Black's restrictions with one alteration. Where we are planning a major battle, we reserve the right to plan Mr Potter into that battle in advance, that way any interruption in his classes can be ameliorated as much as possible. Although," the Auror sniggered slightly, "from the looks of things he could probably be teaching some of the classes."

"Probably," Dumbledore agreed amicably, before he became serious again. "The Order will provide training for Harry over summer and work on stabilising his power and finding out the limits of his abilities so that no one is expecting too much and no one is left gapping when he does strike."

"I will be expecting a full report then, and him ready for combat when the next semester starts. All information will of course be kept confidential to myself, the Minister of Magic, those members of the Order you tell, and to the Auror Battle Captains Harry is assigned to, and even then information will be on need to know basis, although I imagine Harry will be assigned in a sub-group under the command group."

Sirius nodded. "That should be acceptable. We will keep you informed of his progress," he added with a clear note of dismissal as he rose and turned back towards the door. For now, he had more important considerations.

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