Chapter 24: Grimmauld Place
August 7, 2002 – Wednesday
#12 Grimmauld Place, Islington, London
'What's the Order of the —?' Dawn began, her curiosity bubbling like a pot about to boil over.
"Not here!" Tonks said, her voice a mix of caution and excitement. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Wait till we're inside!"
Dawn's face was a canvas of questions, her eyes darting around as if she could somehow uncover the secrets hidden in the very air.
"But where's —?" Dawn began again, her impatience manifesting in her restless gestures.
"Think about what you've just memorized," said Tonks, her tone hushed, as though they were about to embark on the greatest adventure of their lives.
Buffy, Dawn and Hermione thought, and no sooner had they reached the part about #12 Grimmauld Place, it happened. A battered door emerged out of nowhere between numbers eleven and thirteen, followed swiftly by dirty walls and grimy windows. It was as though an extra house had inflated, pushing those on either side out of its way.
"Wow," Dawn whispered, her eyes wide with wonder and disbelief. "You've managed to hide an entire house."
Tonks couldn't help but smile, a sense of accomplishment and secret knowledge dancing in her eyes. "Yes."
Dawn looked to Buffy, "That would be useful in Sunnydale. Make it harder for the vampires and demons to know where we live."
Buffy nods, "I agree. I will have to have someone show me how to do that spell."
"Come on." Tonks said as she led the sisters inside.
Mrs. Weasley came out of a door at the other end of the hall as Tonks shut the door behind her and the sisters. "Oh I thought it was Harry." She looked at Tonks. "Weren't you part of the guard that went to get him?"
Tonks nods, "I was but there was a change of plans at the last minute. Harry had left his stuff at the Grangers while he was visiting Hermione and her sisters. So when the group left on brooms we took the Floo to the Grangers and picked up Harry's things."
"Floo? I thought that wasn't safe." Mrs. Weasley asked.
Buffy smiled, "Dumbledore set it up for Hermione, Dawn and I… a special connection. It's only open between our two houses and not connected to the network. That way Hermione can see her adopted parents or Dawn and I anytime she wished. Moody didn't want to take the risk it wasn't as secure as possible for Harry's safety so they left on brooms. It'll be a little bit before they get here."
Just then, Dumbledore made his entrance through the front door, his presence casting an aura of wisdom and gravitas that commanded attention.
"Ah, good, Buffy. I thought you might insist on coming," he began, his eyes twinkling with familiarity. "Hermione, why don't you take Dawn and head on upstairs so I can talk to your sister."
Hermione obediently nodded, and with a hint of reluctance, she guided a protesting Dawn up the stairs, leaving Buffy alone with the formidable headmaster.
"Now, Buffy," Dumbledore continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "I am going to offer you membership in the Order of the Phoenix. With Voldemort's return, we need every capable person we have. On our side."
As the name of Voldemort was uttered, a collective shudder passed through the room, a stark reminder of the dark forces at play in their world.
Buffy paused, her mind processing the weight of the offer. She looked straight into Dumbledore's eyes, her resolve unwavering. "Remember, though, I don't believe in killing humans. I will, however, offer my expertise and help to defend the Order, of course."
Dumbledore smiled, a knowing look in his eyes. "Actually, I had something else in mind for you, Buffy. I am being forced to hire Dolores Umbridge; she's the Under-secretary for the Minister. I'm to place her as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Instead of you teaching alone this year as we originally planned, she will be your co-professor. I want you to keep an eye on her. I don't trust her. I fear that she intends to discredit myself and Harry because we are the two individuals that say Voldemort is back."
"But it's true," Buffy asserted with conviction. "Even I know that he is back since it was Voldemort that took Dawn and gave her to Glory."
"Of course it's true, but without proof beyond our word," Dumbledore explained, his tone laced with frustration. "No one will believe us, and the Ministry would rather discredit Harry and myself than admit what we say is true. It's why you are to spy for me on Ms. Umbridge."
Buffy nodded, her determination unwavering. "Sure, I can do that. Which means I probably need to go along with anything she wants, to avoid suspicion. Even if it meant outing you."
Dumbledore's eyes reflected a profound gratitude as he nodded in agreement. "Yes, even if it does mean outing me."
Four hours later, the door creaked open, and Harry stepped over the threshold into the almost total darkness of the hall. Tension hung thick in the air, and the weight of their mission bore down on him.
"Here — " Moody said, his voice low and full of purpose, as he rapped Harry hard over the head with his wand. "Now stay still, everyone, while I give us a bit of light in here," Moody whispered.
In response to his command, old-fashioned gas lamps sputtered into life all along the walls, casting a flickering, insubstantial light that danced eerily in the shadows.
There were hurried footsteps, and from a door at the far end of the hall, Mrs. Weasley and Buffy emerged like guardian figures in the dimly lit space.
"Oh, Harry, it's lovely to see you!" Mrs. Weasley whispered, her motherly concern evident as she pulled him into a rib-cracking hug. "You're looking peaky; you need feeding up, but you'll have to wait a bit for dinner, I'm afraid."
Buffy, with a hint of playful exasperation, interjected, "He's been fed fine, Molly. Well, at least for the last week, anyway, since the party."
Mrs. Weasley nodded, her gaze moving to the wizards surrounding Harry. "He arrived a few hours ago, but the meeting has just started."
The wizards all entered the room that Mrs. Weasley and Buffy exited, and Harry attempted to follow, only to be stopped by Buffy. Her eyes held both apology and resolve as she spoke, "Sorry, Harry. I'd let you in if I could, you know that. But they say the meeting's only for members of the Order. Dawn, Ron, and Hermione are upstairs; you can wait with them until the meeting's over, and then we'll have dinner."
Mrs. Weasley, in an urgent whisper, chimed in, "And keep your voice down in the hall."
Harry, feeling perplexed, inquired, "Why?"
"I don't want anything to wake up," Mrs. Weasley replied, her voice filled with an unspoken worry.
Harry's curiosity was piqued, and he began to ask, "What d'you —?"
But Mrs. Weasley, her motherly instincts in full swing, cut him off, saying, "I'll explain later. Buffy and I have got to hurry; we're supposed to be at the meeting. I'll just show you where you're sleeping. Buffy, Dawn, and Hermione already brought your trunk, and Hedwig is upstairs in her cage."
Buffy turned and re-entered the room, her posture resolute and her heart filled with a sense of duty, as Mrs. Weasley led Harry upstairs.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Hermione, Ron, and Dawn were sitting in a room upstairs, their youthful faces etched with a mix of curiosity and unease. For Dawn, being left out of meetings was nothing new. She understood that, before she learned she was the Key, Buffy had not included her in Scooby meetings. It was all in the name of protection, a chance to give her a taste of a normal life, or as much normalcy as possible. But for Hermione and Ron, this was new territory, and she could empathize with their feelings of exclusion.
"I know eventually we will be in this war. But you guys should be thankful you're not in the meetings," Dawn said, her voice carrying the weight of her experience. "You need to enjoy being a teenager while you can. Believe me, I know that better than anyone."
Hermione gazed at her sister and recognized the sincerity in her eyes, as well as the wisdom behind them. "The same happened to you, didn't it?"
Dawn nodded, her gaze distant with memories. "Before I found out that I used to be the Key, Buffy kept me out of Scooby meetings. At the time, I hated it. Looking back now, it was nice not having to worry about stuff. It was nice just being a normal teenager."
Hermione couldn't help but smile at her sister's wisdom. Just then, the door to the room swung open, and Harry walked in, his presence a source of comfort and reassurance. Hermione, unable to contain her excitement, threw herself at Harry, enveloping him in a tight hug. "Harry! We didn't hear you arrive! Are you all right? How was the flight?"
"Let him breathe, Hermione," Ron interjected, grinning, as he closed the door behind Harry.
Dawn nodded, her concern for Harry evident. "We were a little worried, Harry. Hermione, Buffy, and I've been here for four hours. We stopped by Hermione's parents and got your trunk as well as ours and Buffy's."
Hedwig, in all her regal glory, soared from the top of a dark wardrobe and landed gently on Harry's shoulder, a symbol of loyalty and connection.
"Hedwig!" Harry exclaimed, his voice filled with both relief and affection.
The snowy owl clicked her beak and nibbled his ear affectionately as Harry stroked her feathers, a silent exchange of reassurance and understanding between them.
Ron chimed in, "She's been in a right state. Pecked me half to death when she brought your last letters, look at this —" He showed Harry the index finger of his right hand, which sported a half-healed but clearly deep cut.
Harry chuckled, a mix of apology and understanding in his voice. "Oh, yeah. Sorry about that. At the time, I wanted answers, you know —"
"We wanted to give them to you, mate," said Ron, his tone reflecting his sincerity. "Then you left with Buffy, Hermione, and Dawn after the party. And then I couldn't really answer because Dad said it would tire an owl out going that far. But Dumbledore made us —"
"—swear not to tell me," Harry finished, a knowing look in his eyes. "Yeah, I figured."
Harry nodded in understanding, his eyes reflecting a sense of longing and uncertainty. "Right."
Ron continued, "I think he thought you were safest with the Muggles and later with Buffy since she's the Slayer." His words were filled with genuine worry.
Harry's brow furrowed in concern, his voice laced with fear. "Yeah? Have you been attacked by Dementors this summer?"
"Well, no — but that's why he's had people from the Order of the Phoenix tailing you all the time—" Ron said, his tone filled with frustration.
'Didn't work that well, though, did it?' said Harry, his voice now tinged with a touch of bitterness and resentment. "Had to look after myself after all, didn't I?"
"He was so angry," said Ron, his voice tinged with anxiety. "Dumbledore. I saw him. When he found out Mundungus had left before his shift had ended. He was scary."
"Well, I'm glad he left," Harry said coldly, his words dripping with resentment. "If he hadn't, I wouldn't have done magic and Dumbledore would probably have left me at Privet Drive all summer."
"Hey!" Dawn said, her tone defensive. "The double party was Buffy's idea. The invitation to stay with us was ours together. Dumbledore had nothing to do with that."
Harry smiled, a faint glimmer of gratitude in his eyes. "And I am thankful that you, Hermione and Buffy did invite me."
"Aren't you... aren't you worried about the Ministry of Magic hearing?" said Hermione quietly, her voice barely more than a whisper.
"No," Harry lied defiantly, his words masking the unease and fear that lurked beneath the surface.
Dawn rolled her eyes, a knowing look in her gaze. She knew Harry better than that. She had been the only one he had confided in about his worries about Voldemort, and the pretense didn't fool her.
"So why's Dumbledore been so keen to keep me in the dark?" Harry asked, a mixture of frustration and curiosity lacing his voice. "Did you — er — bother to ask him at all?"
"We told Dumbledore we wanted to tell you what was going on," said Ron, his tone earnest. "We did, mate. But he's really busy now, I've only seen him twice since I came here and he didn't have much time, he just made me swear not to tell you important stuff when I wrote, he said the owls might be intercepted."
"He said the same thing to Dawn and I one time he stopped by the house before the party," Hermione added, her voice carrying a hint of disappointment.
"And after the party he even included Buffy, Hermione and Dawn in that order to me not to write anything important," Ron said, his shoulders slumping with resignation. "Just in case, I guess."
Hermione sighed, her voice reflecting a touch of frustration. "That explains why Buffy didn't know about the group coming to get Harry. She actually switched into Slayer mode, thinking they might be vampires."
"He could still've kept me informed if he'd wanted to," Harry said shortly, his frustration evident in his tone. "You're not telling me he doesn't know ways to send messages without owls."
Hermione glanced at Ron and then said, "I thought that, too. But he didn't want you to know anything. That's why after you came to stay with Buffy, Dawn, and me, even we were no longer privileged to get any information."
"Maybe he thinks I can't be trusted," said Harry, watching their expressions closely. "Or even you guys." He looked at Hermione and Dawn, his eyes searching for answers. "Since he gave the order to exclude you the moment I was with you."
"Don't be thick," said Ron, looking highly disconcerted, his voice reflecting a hint of annoyance.
"Or that I can't take care of myself," Harry said, his words revealing a vulnerability that he rarely exposed.
"Of course he doesn't think that!" said Hermione anxiously, her voice filled with concern and reassurance.
"So how come I have to stay at the Dursleys' or Buffy's while Ron gets to join in everything that's going on here?" said Harry, his voice filled with frustration and a hint of resentment. "How come before the party, all three of you are allowed to know everything that's going on? And after the party, only Ron is allowed."
"We're not!" Ron interrupted, his words rushed and defensive. "Mum won't let us near the meetings, she said we're too young—"
"So you haven't been in the meetings, big deal! You've still been here, haven't you? Me, I was stuck at the Dursley's for a month! And then I was only at Buffy's for a week, and I've handled more than you three've ever managed, and Dumbledore knows it — who saved the Philospher's stone? Who got rid of Riddle? Who save both your skins from the Dementors?" Harry yelled, his emotions running high.
"Who saved me from Glory?" Dawn yelled back, her voice filled with frustration and a sense of abandonment. "Definitely not you, Harry! It was Hermione! My own sister! If anyone knows what you've been through, it would be us."
Harry looked at Dawn with sympathy, his eyes softening in recognition. He hadn't been there to help because he had been injured fighting Voldemort. She was right; Hermione had sacrificed herself for Dawn, much as he had for Hermione and Ron over the years.
"Harry, we're really sorry!" said Hermione desperately, her voice now trembling with tears, her regret for their actions evident in her eyes.
"What is this place, anyway?" Harry asked, his voice laced with curiosity as he scanned the room, his eyes wide with wonder.
Dawn and Hermione exchanged uncertain glances, their faces reflecting their shared confusion. Their collective shrug was a silent admission that they had no answers to Harry's question. "Dumbledore arrived just after we did," Hermione finally explained, her voice tinged with a touch of bewilderment, "and sent us straight up here so he could talk to Buffy."
"Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix," said Ron, his tone carrying a sense of assurance and pride in his knowledge.
Harry's eyes darted to Ron, his face a mix of intrigue and anticipation. "The Order of the Phoenix? Is anyone going to bother telling me what the Order of the Phoenix—?"
But Ron didn't give Harry a chance to finish his question. He interjected with enthusiasm, his voice eager to share the secret he held. "It's a secret society," Ron explained, his words carrying a sense of hushed awe, "Dumbledore's in charge, he founded it. It's the people who fought against You-Know-Who last time."
Dawn, not entirely convinced, furrowed her brows, her emotions in turmoil. "But Buffy didn't fight Voldemort last time. Why is she in the meeting?"
Ron offered a nonchalant shrug in response to Dawn's questioning gaze, his shoulders rising and falling as if he were simply along for the ride. "Maybe because she's the Slayer?" he mused, a hint of uncertainty underlying his words.
Hermione, however, couldn't suppress her concern, her head shaking with a touch of disapproval. "But it's one of her rules that she doesn't hurt humans."
Ron shrugged again, his expression caught between curiosity and resignation. "Don't know," he admitted, his words hanging in the air, heavy with mystery.
Harry, not one to be kept in the dark, leaned in, his eyes intent on Ron. "Who else is in it?" he demanded, the urgency in his voice reflecting his desire for information.
Ron scratched his head, a touch of embarrassment coloring his features. "Quite a few people… I've met about twenty of them," he began, "but I think there are more."
Harry's impatience showed as he pressed on. "Well?" he demanded, his tone insistent.
Ron blinked, caught off guard by Harry's urgency. "Er," he hesitated, his mind racing to catch up. "Well what?"
"Voldemort!" Harry's anger flared, and his questions tumbled out, his words laden with frustration and fear. "What's happening? What's he up to? Where is he? What are we doing to stop him?"
Dawn's smile was warm and reassuring, her voice soothing as she replied, "The same thing we did for Glory. We have each other's backs. Just as you had mine." Her words carried a profound sense of camaraderie and loyalty, which seemed to resonate with Harry.
Harry met Dawn's gaze, his nod acknowledging the trust between them.
Ron, ever the pragmatist, chimed in, "I've told you, the Order don't let us in on their meetings," his words tinged with a hint of frustration. "So I don't know the details—but I've got a general idea. Fred and George have invented Extendable Ears, see. They're really useful."
Hermione, still trying to grasp the concept, inquired, "Extendable—?"
"Ears, yeah," Ron explained, his voice animated. "Only we've had to stop using them lately because Mum found out and went berserk. Fred and George had to hide them all to stop Mum from binning them. But we got a good bit of use out of them before Mum realized what was going on. We know some of the Order are following known Death Eaters, keeping tabs on them, you know. Some of them are working on recruiting more people to the Order."
Dawn nodded, her understanding of the situation evident in her eyes. "Which explains Buffy being in the meeting. Whatever she's needed for, she was recruited," she mused, a hint of concern coloring her voice as she looked at Hermione. "I hope she doesn't go back to keeping secrets again."
Hermione nodded in agreement, her expression mirroring Dawn's apprehension.
Ron continued to share what he knew, his voice filled with a mix of pride and responsibility. "And some of them are standing guard over something," he mentioned. "They're always talking about guard duty."
Harry's sarcasm couldn't go unnoticed, and Ron responded with a smirk, his words tinged with humor. "Oh, yeah."
Harry snorted, clearly not expecting that response. "So, what have you been doing, if you're not allowed in meetings? You said you'd been busy."
Ron's response was quick and eager. "I have," he confirmed. "Fred, George, and I've been decontaminating this house. It's been empty for ages, and stuff's been breeding in here. We've managed to clean out the kitchen, most of the bedrooms, and I think we're doing the drawing room tomorrow."
"AARGH!" Hermione and Dawn both exclaimed in unison, jumping in surprise as Fred and George materialized out of thin air in the middle of the room.
Ron, unimpressed by their sudden appearance, rolled his eyes and remarked, "They've been doing that repeatedly since they got their license."
George, with a mischievous grin, greeted Harry, "Hello, Harry. We thought we heard your dulcet tones."
Fred, always one to inject humor into any situation, added, "You two don't want to bottle up your anger like that, Harry, Dawn, let it all out. There might be a couple of people fifty miles away who didn't hear you two."
Dawn, her cheeks flushed, gulped, "Please tell me you didn't hear what I said."
Fred couldn't help but smile. "Yes," he replied, his voice teasing.
George chimed in, "We did. Who's Glory?"
Fred leaned in with exaggerated curiosity. "And why did Hermione have to save you from her?"
Dawn let out a weary sigh, acknowledging the complexity of the story they were asking about. "It's a long complicated story," she explained, her voice carrying the weight of unspoken experiences.
Harry, ever considerate of his friend's feelings, swiftly changed the subject. "You two passed your Apparition tests, then?" he inquired, offering a way to steer the conversation away from sensitive topics.
Fred beamed with pride at the question. "With distinction," he proclaimed, clearly pleased with their achievement.
Ron couldn't resist teasing, "It would have taken you about thirty seconds longer to walk down the stairs."
Fred, undeterred, responded with a sly grin, "Time is Galleons, little brother."
As they discussed their accomplishments, Fred and George shifted their attention back to their current task. "Anyway, Harry, Dawn, you're interfering with reception. Extendable Ears. We're trying to hear what's going on downstairs," George explained, their commitment to gathering information evident in their actions.
Ron, on the other hand, voiced a note of caution. "You want to be careful," he warned, his gaze fixed on the Extendable Ear, "if Mum sees one of them again..." His unspoken words carried the implication of trouble.
"It's worth the risk, that's a major meeting they're having," Fred insisted, his determination to eavesdrop evident.
Just as they were discussing their plans, the door swung open, revealing a familiar face framed by a long mane of red hair.
"Oh, hello, Harry!" Ginny greeted with a warm smile. "I thought I heard your voice." She then turned her attention to Fred and George, her expression carrying a sense of finality. "It's no-go with the Extendable Ears, she's gone and put an Imperturbable Charm on the kitchen door."
George looked crestfallen, disappointment etched on his face. "How d'you know?" he asked, seeking confirmation.
Ginny didn't waste a moment in answering. "Tonks told me how to find out," she explained. "You just chuck stuff at the door, and if it can't make contact, the door's been Imperturbed. I've been flicking Dungbombs at it from the top of the stairs, and they just soar away from it, so there's no way the Extendable Ears will be able to get under the gap."
Fred, though disappointed, sighed deeply. "Shame. I really fancied finding out what old Snape's been up to," he mused, his curiosity still very much intact.
"Snape!" Harry's voice quickened with surprise. "Is he here?"
George confirmed, "Yeah, giving a report. Top secret."
"Git," Fred muttered idly, displaying his ongoing disdain for the Potions Master.
Hermione, ever the voice of reason, interjected with a hint of reproof, "He's on our side now."
Ron, however, snorted in disbelief. "Doesn't stop him from being a git. The way he looks at us when he sees us."
Dawn wholeheartedly agreed with Ron, nodding in Hermione's direction. "I have to agree, Hermione. He is an idiot. The way he treated you when Malfoy cursed you..."
Hermione couldn't help but nod in acknowledgment, her mind briefly returning to that unfortunate incident. "I know, don't remind me," she replied, her words laced with the frustration she had felt when Snape had failed to come to her aid after the curse had temporarily elongated her teeth. If it weren't for Dawn's intervention, she might have had to endure the entire class with an embarrassing and uncomfortable transformation.
"Bill doesn't like him, either," Ginny chimed in, her voice filled with a hint of agreement.
Harry's curiosity piqued. "Is Bill here?" he inquired, his eyes widening with genuine surprise. "I thought he was working in Egypt."
Fred shared the update with a hint of pride, his voice tinged with a sense of admiration for his older brother. "He applied for a desk job so he could come home and work for the Order," he explained. The way he spoke, there was a note of respect and pride in Bill's choice. "He said he misses the tombs, but there are compensations."
Harry, not quite catching the implication, asked, his voice laced with curiosity, "What d'you mean?" He seemed genuinely puzzled, eager to understand the hidden meaning behind Fred's words.
George was quick to elaborate with a sly grin, his voice exuding mischievous delight. "Remember old Fleur Delacour?" he began, his words carrying a suggestive playfulness. "She's got a job at Gringotts to eemprove 'er Eeenglish—"
"And Bill's been giving her a lot of private lessons," Fred added with a mischievous snigger. The brothers' laughter was infectious, leaving no doubt as to the nature of those "lessons."
George chimed in with another tidbit, his voice laced with an air of intrigue. "Charlie's in the Order, too, but he's still in Romania. Dumbledore wants as many foreign wizards brought in as possible, so Charlie's trying to make contacts on his days off." His words conveyed the excitement of his brother's involvement in such important work.
Harry, inquiring about Percy's involvement, asked, his voice tinged with curiosity, "Couldn't Percy do that?" There was a genuine wonder in his tone, as if he was exploring the possibilities of involving another family member.
Ron, however, offered a word of caution, and his voice carried a sense of concern. "Whatever you do, don't mention Percy in front of Mum and Dad." He spoke with a solemnity that hinted at the deep family rift.
Dawn, curious, sought an explanation, her voice marked by a sense of intrigue. "Why not?"
"Because every time Percy's name's mentioned, Dad breaks whatever he's holding, and Mum starts crying," Fred explained, underscoring the emotional turmoil that lingered within the Weasley family due to Percy's estrangement. Their voices held a sense of sorrow and tension.
"It's been awful," Ginny remarked with a hint of sadness, her expression betraying the lingering pain within the family. Her voice was filled with a palpable sense of melancholy.
George seemed to share a different perspective. "I think we're well shot of him," he said, his tone carrying a note of relief.
Harry, concerned about the tension within the family, asked, his voice tinged with worry, "What's happened?"
Fred shared the unsettling details, his tone conveying the seriousness of the situation. "Percy and Dad had a row," he explained. "I've never seen Dad row with anyone like that. It's normally Mum who shouts." The tension in the room was palpable, and Fred's words painted a vivid picture of the heated exchange.
Ron added context to the situation, saying, his voice marked by a sense of frustration, "It was the first week back after term ended. We were about to come and join the Order. Percy came home and told us he'd been promoted." The disbelief in Ron's voice was clear.
Harry, clearly surprised, couldn't help but exclaim, his voice filled with shock, "You're kidding?"
"Yeah, we were all surprised," said George, his words tinged with a mix of amusement and confusion, "because Percy got into a load of trouble about Crouch, there was an inquiry and everything. They said Percy ought to have realised Crouch was off his rocker and informed a superior. But you know Percy, Crouch left him in charge, he wasn't going to complain."
"So how come they promoted him?" Dawn asked, her voice reflecting genuine curiosity, as if she couldn't fathom the logic behind Percy's unexpected promotion.
"That's exactly what we wondered," Ron said, his voice tinged with a hint of confusion and concern. His brows furrowed as he recalled the events, and a touch of sadness crept into his tone. "He came home really pleased with himself — even more pleased than usual, if you can imagine that — and told Dad he'd been offered a position in Fudge's own office. A really good one for someone only a year out of Hogwarts: Junior Assistant to the Minister. He expected Dad to be all impressed, I think."
"Only Dad wasn't," said Fred grimly, his words laced with frustration and disappointment. His eyes bore a fiery determination that hinted at the seriousness of the situation.
"Why not?" said Harry, his voice echoing a sense of genuine curiosity and concern for Ron's family.
"Well, apparently Fudge has been storming round the Ministry checking that nobody's having any contact with Dumbledore," said George, his words carrying a weight of unease. He paused for a moment, letting the gravity of the situation sink in.
"Dumbledore's name is mud with the Ministry these days, see," said Fred, his voice heavy with bitterness. "They all think he's just making trouble saying You-Know-Who's back."
"Dad said Fudge has made it clear that anyone who's in league with Dumbledore can clear out their desks," said George, a touch of anger simmering beneath his words.
Dawn's jaw dropped, her voice trembling with a mixture of disbelief and frustration. "But we know Voldemort is back." Her words hung in the air like a damning truth, and the Weasley family collectively flinched, their expressions a mix of anxiety and fear.
"But what's that got to do with Percy?" asked Harry, his voice filled with genuine curiosity, his concern for the Weasley family evident.
"I'm coming to that," Ron said, his tone heavy with anticipation. He continued with a hint of bitterness in his voice. "Dad reckons Fudge only wants Percy in his office because he wants to use him to spy on the family — and Dumbledore."
"Bet Percy loved that," Dawn said, her words laced with sarcasm and a touch of anger.
Ron laughed, but it was a hollow, bitter sound. "He went completely berserk. He said — well, he said loads of terrible stuff. He said he's had to struggle against Dad's lousy reputation ever since he joined the Ministry and that Dad's got no ambition and that's why we've always been — you know — not had a lot of money, I mean—"
"What?" said Harry, his voice rising with a mixture of shock and indignation, as he grappled with the revelation of Percy's harsh words and the division it had caused within the Weasley family.
"I know," said Ron in a low voice, his tone reflective of the deep hurt and confusion that had befallen their family. He continued with a heavy heart, "And it got worse. He said Dad was an idiot to run around with Dumbledore, that Dumbledore was heading for big trouble and Dad was going to go down with him, and that he — Percy — knew where his loyalty lay and it was with the Ministry. And if Mum and Dad were going to become traitors to the Ministry, he was going to make sure everyone knew he didn't belong to our family anymore. And he packed his bags the same night and left. He's living here in London now."
"Mum's been in a right state," said Ron dully, his voice carrying a weight of sorrow. "You know — crying and stuff. She came up to London to try and talk to Percy, but he slammed the door in her face. I don't know what he does if he meets Dad at work — ignores him, I suppose."
Dawn's jaw dropped, her words tinged with disbelief and disappointment. "Slammed the door in her face?" Ron nodded in confirmation. She continued with a solemn note, "That's no way to treat your mother. You never know when she will be gone, and then you might feel guilty..."
Hermione looked to her twin with a somber expression, remembering something she had been told about Dawn's past. Shortly after Joyce's death, before she had met Buffy and Dawn, Dawn had tried to resurrect her mother. Buffy had just managed to stop her in time. "Dawn's right. If I had known just two days earlier, I could have met mom before..."
Harry and Dawn exchanged sympathetic glances, understanding the weight of losing a parent.
"But Percy must know Voldemort's back," said Harry slowly, his voice carrying a hint of frustration and bewilderment. "He's not stupid; he must know your mum and dad wouldn't risk everything without proof."
"Yeah, well, yours and Dawn's name got dragged into the row," said Ron, his words tinged with frustration and a touch of helplessness. He continued, "Percy said the only evidence was yours and Dawn's word and . . . I dunno . . . he didn't think it was good enough."
"Percy takes the Daily Prophet seriously," said Hermione tartly, her tone reflecting her irritation with the situation, and the others all nodded in agreement.
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked, his voice filled with confusion and concern.
Dawn looked at her sister, recalling that Hermione had never canceled her subscription to the paper after the article at the end of the year, which had called her delusional and spilled her secret.
"Haven't — haven't you been getting the Daily Prophet?" Hermione asked nervously.
"Yeah, I have!" said Harry, his voice reflecting a growing sense of worry and apprehension.
"Have you — er — been reading it thoroughly?" Hermione asked, her voice tinged with a sense of urgency.
"Not cover to cover," said Harry defensively. "If they were going to report anything about Voldemort, it would be headline news, wouldn't it?"
Dawn rolled her eyes, unfazed by the discomfort the mere mention of Voldemort's name brought to the Weasleys. "Guys, it's just a name."
"Well, you'd need to read it cover to cover to pick it up, but they — um — they mention you a couple of times a week," Hermione said, her tone carrying a weight of concern.
"But I'd have seen—" Harry began.
"Not if you've only been reading the front page, you wouldn't," said Hermione, shaking her head. "I'm not talking about big articles. They just slip you in, like you're a standing joke."
Dawn shook her head, her expression a mix of disbelief and disappointment. "Hermione, I really can't believe you still read that stupid thing after what they printed last year about me."
"It's quite nasty, actually," said Hermione, choosing to ignore her sister's comments. Her eyes bore a weight of worry, and her words held a subtle edge of exasperation. "They're just building on Rita's stuff."
"But she's not writing for them anymore, is she?" Harry asked, seeking clarification. His tone was laced with a hint of hope, as if he were trying to find a silver lining in this cloud of news.
"Oh, no, Buffy got her fired," Hermione added with satisfaction, a glimmer of triumph shining in her eyes. Her words held a note of righteous vindication. "But she laid the foundation for what they're trying to do now."
"Which is what?" said Harry impatiently, eager to uncover the newspaper's motives and agenda. Frustration etched his features as he pressed for more information.
"OK, you know she wrote that you were collapsing all over the place and saying your scar was hurting and all that? And you don't want to know what they've been saying about Dawn lately. It's even worse." Hermione's voice trembled with a mixture of anger and concern. Her protective instincts flared as she continued, "They've been building on her last article where she called Dawn delusional. Saying she's now downright crazy and should be in a mental institution not at Hogwarts."
"What!" Dawn exclaimed, her voice quivering with disbelief and hurt. Her eyes filled with a mix of shock and betrayal as she turned to Hermione. "You never told me that."
Hermione sighed, her voice heavy with a mix of empathy and guilt. "Dawn, Buffy didn't want me to tell you. She didn't want you to worry. She's taking care of it. She's going to sue that paper again and either get it shut down or she's going to own it and force them to report real news." Her eyes glistened with a hint of sorrow, realizing the pain that had been kept hidden from her sister.
Dawn sighed, a complex blend of emotions coursing through her. It hurt to have been kept in the dark, but she understood Buffy's reasonings and didn't fault either sister for them. The love and concern between them were palpable, even in the midst of this troubling revelation.
"And Harry, they're writing about you as though you're this deluded, attention-seeking person who thinks he's a great tragic hero or something," said Hermione. Her voice held a note of frustration as she continued, "'They keep slipping in snide comments about you. If some far-fetched story appears, they say something like, 'A tale worthy of Harry Potter,' and if anyone has a funny accident or anything it's, 'Let's hope he hasn't got a scar on his forehead or we'll be asked to worship him next'—"
"I don't want anyone to worship—" Harry began hotly, his frustration evident as he interrupted.
"I know you don't," said Hermione quickly, her expression reflecting a mix of fear and concern. Her eyes pleaded for understanding. "I know, Harry. But you see what they're doing? They want to turn you and Dawn into someone nobody will believe. Fudge is behind it, I'll bet anything. They want wizards on the street to think you're just some stupid boy who's a bit of a joke, who tells ridiculous tall stories because he loves being famous and wants to keep it going. And that my sister is a crazy person who's only at Hogwarts because of me and Buffy."
"I didn't ask — I didn't want — Voldemort killed my parents!" Harry spluttered, his voice quaking with a mix of anger and pain. "I got famous because he murdered my family but couldn't kill me! Who wants to be famous for that? Don't I hey think I'd rather it'd never—"
"We know, Harry," said Ginny earnestly, her voice soft and reassuring. She reached out and gave his hand a comforting squeeze, letting him know that she stood by him.
"And of course, they didn't report a word about the Dementors attacking you," said Hermione, her voice tinged with frustration. Her words carried a weight of injustice. "Someone's told them to keep that quiet. That should've been a really big story, out-of-control Dementors. They haven't even reported that you broke the International Statute of Secrecy. We thought they would, it would be in so well with this image of you as some stupid show-off. We think they're biding their time until you're expelled, then they're really going to go to town — I mean, if you're expelled, obviously. You really shouldn't be, not if they abide by their own laws, there's no case against you. But if they do, they will go after Dawn next, of that I'm sure. Then probably Buffy and I next because we would stand beside Dawn." Hermione's determination shone through her words, her unwavering support for her sister and friends evident.
"Uh oh." Fred gave the Extendable Ear a hearty tug; there was another loud crack, and he and George vanished.
Seconds later, Mrs. Weasley appeared in the bedroom doorway. Her voice held a mix of warmth and exasperation. "The meeting's over; you can come down and have dinner now. Everyone's dying to see you, Harry. And who's left all those Dungbombs outside the kitchen door?"
"Crookshanks," said Ginny unblushingly, her eyes dancing mischievously. "He loves playing with them."
Dawn and Hermione exchanged a disapproving glance. Hermione had emphasized that Buffy and Dawn should consider Crookshanks a family pet, not just her own, and they had readily agreed, coming to love the cat as part of their little family.
"Oh," said Mrs. Weasley, her expression shifting to mild surprise. "I thought it might have been Kreacher; he keeps doing odd things like that. Now don't forget to keep your voices down in the hall. Ginny, your hands are filthy, what have you been doing? Go and wash them before dinner, please."
Ginny grimaced at the others and started to follow her mother out of the room when Dawn grabbed her by the arm, pulling her back in, and closing the door. Her voice held a mix of frustration and concern as she spoke, "Really, Ginny, saying it was our cat. That was not funny."
"Sorry, Dawn, Hermione," Ginny said, her tone apologetic, before slipping out of the room.
