AN: Well, I'm definitely out of sync with my normal posting cycle, but we'll see if I can't find some way of getting back on track over this holiday weekend (for me). Work has kept me busy, and I got a new puppy (who is adorable, but also keeps me busy), so writing has been a bit harder to do. I'll admit I struggled to put this chapter to paper as well, even if I'd thought it out quite a bit. Hopefully you all enjoy.
Lekka -Thank you very much!
Nightwing2013 -I'll head back and figure out exactly what to do to remove that plothole. I generally intended for Sirius's escape to still be after the Weasleys had left, but I'll just have to possibly rearrange that chapter a bit.
I guess you'll just have to wait and see how the Scamanders will get invovled.
madamos -Thank you! Glad you appreciated the slight shift for the attack.
GreengrassRebel -Glad you enjoyed my change to the intervention. Theseus really did give them hell, and a fierce Wizengamot meeting is definitely coming up. Umbridge will definitely be hoping he doesn't make it, and the Scamanders are going to take the attack very personally. Ha, I honestly didn't think about Ron being Fire and Ice like that, but that is very amusing.
Kalvin Ellis 80 -Thanks for pointing out that plot hole. I'll have to go back and fix it when I have some time. Thanks!
Mando-Vet -Oh no is correct.
mwinter1 -Always appreciate the reviews. Thanks!
Alix33 -Glad you appreciate the Wizengamot not wanting to take Fudge's crap anymore, and your opinion is well noted and approved of. It's the least of what they all deserve.
Fireblade974 - Thanks! Your curiosity will be filled this chapter! Hope you like my explanation. I do agree that you make very fair points on why it would be worth removing the prophecy from the playing board.
Acoustic Ghost -Yeah, Umbridge would definitely be a poisoned toad. Get sick eating her grilled. I have seen a couple fics with the sleeping together, and it does fit . . . even if it's a horrible mental image that cannot be seared away (I've tried). Thanks! I'm honored at the review. Least I can do is reply!
stars90 -Theseus is still fighting. He's not out yet! And the other Scamanders are just getting started.
Chapter 61
Dora woke up to Dumbledore's patronus. Groggily she jumped out of bed, wand at the ready. Remus was copying her actions on the other side of the bed, when they finally took a good look at the patronus.
"Harry has had a vision from Voldemort. Arthur Weasley has been attacked," Dumbledore said. "I'm sending Harry and the Weasley children to Grimmauld Place."
"Why would he send them to Grimmauld?" Dora complained. "Now we have to go there and stay, or bring them back here!"
"He probably made an unauthorized portkey," Remus said tiredly. "He can't make one of those to get here. The wards don't allow it."
"He could have sent us a patronus, like he did, and then we could have opened the floo," Dora said petulantly
"Might not have had time," Remus responded dryly. "Plus, the floo is being watched. Might not have wanted to advertise where they were going and when."
"Remus, I'm trying to be unreasonable here, and you're not helping me," Dora whined, and Remus chuckled.
"We can't have both of us being crazy here."
"You really were a Gryffindor, saying that to the woman you sleep next to," Dora said, eyes narrowed.
"You've said worse to me!"
"And I'm sure it was well deserved," Dora said with a sniff, using her wand to summon some robes to throw on.
Remus snorted in amusement, throwing his own robes on before sighing and he frowned. "I didn't think Harry would receive vision from Voldemort anymore," he said. "With the horcrux destroyed, the connection should be broken."
"With how busy we've all been, Dumbledore included, we haven't had an Order meeting or any other meeting with him since Harry became a mage," Dora said. "Depending on how rushed Harry was to explain and help Arthur, he might have just said he had a vision and Dumbledore made an assumption."
"So you think Harry's vision might have been from Astra," Remus said in understanding.
"He did say that he could see what Astra saw at times," Dora said. "Their bond has gotten so strong."
"Well, let's get over there," Remus said. "Harry will fill us in, and I'm sure whatever he saw has shaken him."
Dora nodded and she and Remus made their way down to where the fireplace was. They found Sirius and Alexis already there, likely having received the same Patronus. Both nodded groggily as Dora grabbed floo powder.
"Number 12 Grimmauld Place!" Dora called out, throwing the floo powder into the fireplace and then walking into the green flames.
Dora appeared in the still quite dingy House of Black, giving a slight grimace of distaste until she saw Harry, Angelina, and all the Weasley kids.
"Dora!" Harry and Angelina exclaimed in relief.
"Have you heard about dad?!" Ron asked with a hint of panic.
"What's happening with him?!" Ginny demanded
"Why can't we go to St. Mungos?!" Fred and George demanded
"Hold up! Hold up!" Dora said, as Remus flooed in behind her. "We don't know much. We just got a patronus from Dumbledore saying that your father had been attacked, Harry had a vision, and that you all were coming here. I don't know anything else."
Sirius and Alexis flooed in right behind Remus.
"Let's start from the beginning," Remus said calmly. "Harry, what did you see?"
"I was having a dream and then it shifted to seeing things from Astra's point of view," Harry said.
"So, it was Astra, not a vision from Voldemort," Dora muttered, and Remus nodded, while Sirius and Alexis frowned for a moment before they understood.
"Anyway, Astra sensed that Mr. Weasley was in danger and went to where he was, which was the place I'd been dreaming about, when getting vision from Voldemort. Astra saw Mr. Weasley getting attacked by Voldemort's snake . . . and she attacked the snake."
"What happened next?" Dora asked, worried.
"Astra killed the snake, or at least I hope she killed it, and took Mr. Weasley to St. Mungo's," Harry said. "I know she's still there, and it took a while to get to Dumbledore and I wanted him to confirm the snake was dead, since Astra's focus was on saving Mr. Weasley's life."
"As it should be," Dora agreed.
"The snake is one of his horcruxes," Harry said softly, and all around the room there were gasps or widened eyes.
"Well, hopefully she killed it then," Remus said finally.
"Especially if it hurt Arthur," Sirius agreed.
"So, that's all well and good, but why can't we go see dad?" Fred asked.
"We can't blow your father's cover," Alexis said. "He was pulling guard duty tonight."
"On the stupid prophecy," Harry said darkly. "I don't want anyone dying for that stupid thing!"
"Harry, part of it is about protecting it and you," Remus said, "but a large part of it is about laying a trap."
"Laying a trap?" Angelina asked with a frown.
"Only Harry and Voldemort can remove the prophecy," Sirius said. "Eventually Voldemort was going to send people in force to clear the way for him, if he couldn't get Harry to remove it. If we have a guard ready, we can attempt to ambush Voldemort and his followers and end this war, or at the very least expose him to the Ministry."
"I don't care about that!" George said hotly. "Who cares about the Order's plans! That's our dad!"
"Listen, your dad's been hurt while on duty for the Order. Your father knew what he was getting into and he won't thank you for messing things up for the Order!" Sirius replied. "This is why you're not in the Order – you don't understand."
"Listen, we just need to stay put for a little bit," Dora said, in what she hoped was a conciliatory tone. "Your mother is likely being notified. She'll get to St. Mungos and then she'll come back and tell us what's going on."
"Astra got to him as soon as he was attacked," Remus said. "That's a very good thing."
The Weasley siblings all shot Harry a thankful gaze, which was a split second change from the glowering expressions they all had. Finally though, Ginny moved over to a chair and took a seat. Ron gave Harry a shrug and then sank into a couch too.
The twins glared before finally they took seats on either side of Ginny, still glowering. The four adults grabbed some refreshments and snack food for the teenagers, and silence reigned supreme as they all drank butterbeer, ate light food, and waited.
Finally, a burst of fire left a scroll of parchment along with a single golden phoenix tail feather.
"Fawkes," Sirius muttered, snatching the parchment. "That's Molly's handwriting. Here you go." He handed the parchment to George who ripped it open and read aloud.
"Dad is still alive. I am setting out for St. Mungo's now. Stay where you are. I will send news as soon as I can. Mum."
"Still alive . . ." George croaked. "That makes it seem like . . ."
"Blimey, think if Astra hadn't gotten there so soon," Fred murmured, and all four Weasley children shot Harry another thankful glance.
The night passed fretfully, with them all waiting for news. Sirius tried to get them to go to bed, but the Weasleys' looks of disgust threw that plan out the window. So, they all sat there, mostly in silence, waiting, watching the candles burn down, drinking butterbeer and thinking dark thoughts.
Finally, some of them started to drift off, unable to help it. Fred dozed, his head resting on his own shoulder. Ginny was curled up like a cat, leaning into Harry's side, having moved next to him partway through the night. Her eyes were open, but unseeing. Harry had his arms wrapped around her in a comforting manner. Ron had his head in his hands, so it was impossible to tell whether he was asleep or not. George was leaning on Angelina's shoulder, as she rested her head on his, both of them sleeping.
The adults were all wide awake, all having pulled 24 hour or longer shifts in their lives, and sadly familiar with the aching wait of learning the fate of a friend or loved one.
At ten past five in the morning, the kitchen door finally swung open and an exhausted Molly Weasley entered the kitchen, Astra at her feet. She was pale, with red eyes, but she gave a wan smile when they all rose from their chairs.
"He's going to be alright," she said tiredly. "He's sleeping now, so we can all get some rest and then go see him later. Bill and Fleur are with him now. They took the morning off."
There were sighs of relief. Ginny got up to hug her mother, while George hugged Angelina with relish. Fred sat back down, his hands over his face, and Ron gave a shaky laugh. Astra hurried over to Harry who gave the dog some attention.
"Alright!" Sirius said with a wide grin. "This house isn't properly maintained, food-wise, so let's take this back to Shadow Hold, where we were all going to stay anyway. We can eat some breakfast and get some sleep before flooring to St. Mungos, since we don't have to keep Shadow Hold secret."
Harry hopped up, eager to get back to his real home, even if they'd be staying in the lake house he'd never seen before. The land itself, and that lake were part of his home, and he was ready to be there, not here, and not at Hogwarts.
Before he could move anywhere though, Molly pulled him into a hug. Dora smiled at that.
"I already thanked Astra, but thank you, Harry," she said, her face muffled in Harry's shoulder. "If it wasn't for you and Astra, I don't know what would have happened. He might not have been found for hours, and even if he survived, he might have gotten in a lot of trouble."
"Well, Astra deserves the credit," Harry said sheepishly, "but I'm glad Mr. Weasley is going to be alright."
She smiled and patted his cheek before turning to the four adults.
"Sirius, Tonks, Remus, Alexis, I'm so grateful you were all here for my children, and I'm grateful we'll be able to see Arthur easily . . . you don't mind do you?"
"Of course not," Sirius said. "We're happy to have you. Now, let's get to our real home."
"Are you sure?" Molly asked nervously.
"Molly, trust us," Dora said softly. "Our home is very safe, and we'll be in the new lake house, more of a mansion really, that Sirius built for us all and our guests. Plenty of room for everyone."
Molly nodded. "Ok. I trust you all."
"Good, then follow me!" Sirius said cheerfully.
Sirius led them all to the fireplace, and he grabbed some floo powder.
"Shadow Hold Lake!" Sirius disappeared in the green flames, and Dora nodded for everyone to follow suit.
Dora went last, and appeared seeing everyone gazing about with interest. None of the Weasleys, Angelina, or Harry had seen the home.
"Alright, a quick tour, and we can assign bedrooms and then we'll get some breakfast before turning in," Sirius said, and he started guiding them around.
It was an impressive home. Sirius had done his best to make it seem cozy and relaxed, but it was still a very large home, mostly meant for entertaining groups of people. There was a large living room, with couches spread out all around so multiple groups could talk as they would, with large windows facing out on the lake. There was a large dining room, built to hold even more guests, and a nice kitchen. The place had been sprawled out with a dozen bedrooms spread out between two floors
Bedrooms were soon picked out and then they made their way down to the kitchen for a quick breakfast, before they all turned in to sleep for the rest of the morning. After they slept until lunch time, they all got up and found Mad-Eye having arrived with all of their trunks. They had a quick lunch before the Weasleys were anxious to get to St. Mungos, so they quickly used the floo to travel to the hospital.
It was a quick journey once to the receptionist's desk once they had all made it through, and then a quick conversation before they were on their way, eyeing the other people who'd shown up to request care with interest.
They made their way to the first floor, where creature induced injuries were kept, through a set of double doors, along a narrow corridor, and then finally to the Dai Llewellyn Ward, where serious bites were treated.
"I'll leave you guys here," Dora said, once they arrived to Arthur's room. "It should be just family first. Don't want to crowd him too much. Besides, I can go visit Chiara. She should be getting out pretty soon."
Mad-Eye growled his approval of the idea, and set his back against the wall to keep a lookout. Harry and Angelina both pulled back as well, but Molly reached and grabbed Harry's hand.
"Don't be silly, Harry. Arthur wants to thank you."
Dora gave Harry a smile before she turned and walked in the direction of the spell damage floor, Alexis accompanying her. They quickly found Chiara, who was looking much better, but still hadn't quite been released. Some of the nastier spells that Greyback and his entourage had used were quite dark and had effects that were slow to go away. Some things also didn't work on werewolves, so the treatment was just slower.
Chiara seemed rather bored and ready to go, but with her better health, she'd been able to study and do homeworks. She'd been reading stuff for her classes and books for fun that Chiara, Penny, Skye, or Erika brought by. They didn't speak for too long, with Dora and Alexis just updating Chiara on some comings and goings, and letting her know about Arthur. Chiara of course wanted them to pass on her condolences for the incident and well wishes for a speedy recovery. They couldn't talk about much more since a healer came in to run a few tests, ending their visit.
Dora and Alexis made their way back to Arthur's room, where they found the situation a little tense. As they learned, the conversation had started out innocent enough, talking about how Arthur was doing, how well he was recovering and the challenges. Apparently the snake's venoms had a unique venom that made healing difficult. They talked about some of the other occupants in his room, with Remus talking to one who was bitten by a werewolf. That's when the conversation turned a bit more tense.
Fred and George had been adamant in talking to their dad about what happened, getting the real details, and then basically attempting to badger their father into his opinion on whether it was worth protecting some prophecy they knew nothing about, especially when Voldemort himself might come looking for it. Arthur did his best to keep the topic away from it, with Molly firmly telling them to let it go, at least at the hospital, though she had also looked horrified about how much the twins knew.
The glare Dora got told her she was going to hear about what they'd told Harry and what he'd passed on to the Weasley children. Harry shot her a somewhat sheepish look, seeing it, but she rolled her eyes and gave him a look that told him she would handle it.
It was when they were making their way back to the St. Mungo's floo entryway when Dora felt her pendant, from Dumbledore, warm up, telling her that a message had been sent. She saw Sirius and Remus frown slightly as well, and nod at her. Mad-Eye glanced at them, as did Alexis, and gave slight nods.
One by one, they used the floo to return to the Shadow Hold lake house, and once there, Sirius, Dora, and Remus checked their messages to see that Dumbledore was requesting a meeting with them. Alexis and Mad-Eye stayed nearby to see what was up, while Molly took care of herding the teenagers away.
"This has to be about Harry," Sirius said.
"I think this is long overdue," Remus said with a sigh, and Dora nodded.
"A lot has changed," she said. "Dumbledore's method needs to change to reflect that change."
"Aye," Mad-Eye agreed. "I don't think it would be out of turn to have me come to Hogwarts a time or two a week to start training Harry again. Hell, if we time it properly, you four, Kingsley, Rick, or the Longbottoms could all set up a rotation where at least one of us works with Harry and his closest friends a couple times a week."
"Those dreams we're all getting are surely helping them as much as they've even helped me, and I'm sure all of you," Alexis said, "but those dreams just help to start understanding something. A proper teacher who can help them practice is definitely needed."
"Would you two like to come with us?" Dora asked, and Mad-Eye nodded, while Alexis looked surprised.
"You want me there?" she asked.
Dora smiled wryly. "You've been dating Sirius long enough, Harry adores you, and you've been nothing but good to us, so yes, I want you there."
Alexis beamed.
"I'm honored, and yes, I'll go."
"Very well," Mad-Eye growled. "Let's get this over with."
They all promptly turned back to the fireplace and Dora went first, throwing the powder and naming Hogwarts, Headmaster's office, before disappearing.
Dora appeared in Dumbledore's office, and saw the man in question gazing out his window out onto the Hogwarts grounds. He turned as she appeared, giving a tired smile, and he gave a slight look of surprise when Alexis and Mad-Eye came in with Sirius and Remus, but didn't say anything, merely continuing his tired smile.
"A lot has happened," Albus said.
"That's an understatement," Dora agreed. "We have a lot to bring up to you as well, but we'll hear what you want to say first."
Albus nodded, giving her a curious look, but he didn't push for her to go first.
"Clearly Voldemort's bond with Harry is growing, more than I had hoped," Albus said, and the five of them blinked in shock. "It's imperative that Harry starts Occlumency lessons."
"Harry already knows Occlumency," Sirius said with a frown.
Albus's eyes did widen slightly, before frowning. "Well, then he needs to be tested. I'm sure his shields are adequate for most, but they need refinement to keep out Voldemort. I have set up some times for Severus to –"
"Snape?!" Dora interjected in shock and horror. "You want Harry to learn Occlumency from him?"
"That seems a rather poor decision," Remus agreed.
"Blood asinine," Mad-Eye said with a snort. "I barely trust Snape to give us intel, let alone root through Harry's mind."
Albus sighed. "I know you all have your doubts, but I trust Severus, and he has some of the best Occlumency shields I have ever seen. He is one of the few who has the skill enough to lie to Voldemort and survive."
"I don't doubt that Snape is an accomplished Occlumens," Dora said with a snort. "I doubt his ability to keep the peace and properly treat Harry. I doubt his ability to show the trust and respect that is needed for the Mind Arts. I doubt his ability to not do his best to find every bitter memory of Harry's and throw it back in his face."
"Severus is a professional and –"
"The hell he is," Sirius cut him off. "He hates James, and he hates Harry. He has never shown professionalism as a professor to Harry in Potions class. Why would this be any different?"
"Albus, there is no way in hell I'm letting Harry go anywhere near private lessons with that man," Dora said fiercely. "He's one of the reasons I've considered pulling Harry out of Hogwarts."
Albus's eyes widened in shock. "Pull Harry out? Surely it's not as bad as –"
"That's your problem, Albus," Mad-Eye said with a shake of his head. "You focus to much on the greater picture and ignore people. Everyone knows that Snape has been out of bounds against Harry. You just know that Snape is valuable to you, and you needed him at your school. You've overlooked it, but we aren't going to."
"Besides, he doesn't have a bond to Voldemort," Dora said.
"My dear, I wish that was true," Albus said, "but his visions –"
"His vision wasn't from Voldemort," Sirius said. "His vision was seeing through Astra's eyes."
"Harry hasn't had a vision from Voldemort since the connection was destroyed when he became a mage."
"Destroyed . . . how was it destroyed?" Albus asked quickly, looking a mixture of relieved, alarmed, and concerned.
The five other adults all narrowed their eyes.
"You knew what it was!" Dora accused. "You knew that Harry was a horcrux!"
Now Dumbledore looked truly scared and horrified.
"How do you know what a horcrux is?"
"Ha, I'll tell you that when you answer my question," Dora responded sharply. "Did you know?"
Albus's shoulders slumped. "I suspected, but I wasn't sure."
"What made you suspect?" Mad-Eye asked with a growl. "Cards on the table, Albus. All of them."
"The diary that Harry gave me in his second year," Albus said, and they all blinked in surprise. "I'd never heard of such magic before. I thought it might have been a horcrux. I wasn't completely sure, but then Harry told me of Voldemort's speech at his revival, and it made me certain he'd made a horcrux, and was another key to my theory that the diary served as a horcrux, but was also a weapon."
"Which meant he had to have more, if he was willing to possibly sacrifice one," Remus said, and Albus nodded.
"It wasn't until Harry's visions started growing stronger, till he started seeing into Voldemort's mind that I suspected that he might have a piece of Voldemort's soul in him. It was why I wanted him isolated. It was for his safety. If Voldemort wasn't tempted to enter his mind, Harry could remain safe."
Dora shut her eyes, and clenched her jaw.
"It's always for his safety," she muttered bitterly, and Albus stared at her. "Albus, with all due respect, I'm really tired of hearing that your actions are for his safety. Harry suffers every fucking year and the fact he does is largely due to your inability to protect him. Many of the other reasons he jumps into circumstances he has no business being in is also largely your fault! What if he'd died?"
"I'm sorry if you disagree, but I never intended for –"
"It's not just that I disagree, but I do so wholeheartedly," Dora interjected. "You care about his physical safety, but you don't give a damn about his mental, emotional, or social health. You are determined to keep him physically healthy at the expense of everything else."
"That makes it worse with you suspecting he was a horcrux," Sirius muttered darkly. "If you knew that, and you didn't know how to remove it, then you knew he would have to die . . . sacrifice all he has to live for so he dies nicely, is that it?"
"Yes . . . and no," Albus said softly, sorrowfully. "I know of no way to remove that horcux. I have scoured journals, done my research to try and find a way to get it out, and even prayed to my patrons and matrons. None could help me. I even thought about trying to use a dementor, but we saw how well Harry reacted to them in his third year, and I don't trust them to not go for Harry's soul instead of Voldemorts. Better Harry die with his soul than lose it to a dementor. Still, I do have a theory that Harry would survive, if the right path is taken."
"Explain," Alexis said with a frown.
"Harry and Voldemort have crossed a threshold into magic that no one else has ever experienced, and tied themselves together very closely. Their souls are connected with Harry being a horcrux, and then Voldemort chose to take Harry's blood. That . . . that is the linchpin. Lily's sacrifice. I believe, should Voldemort kill Harry personally . . . should Harry sacrifice himself for someone else, Voldemort's shard will be destroyed, and Harry will have a chance to live."
"You were betting everything on that?!" Sirius demanded. "You do realize that even if Harry survived, he'd be a very broken man if it wasn't for Dora intervening."
"I'm sure you're exaggerating," Albus said. "Harry has always had a great propensity for love and draws in those who care and –"
"No, Sirius is right," Mad-Eye cut Albus off. "If it wasn't for the lass, we'd have a much different Harry Potter."
"You think we're exaggerating because you don't see him!" Dora said fiercely. "You're the one who left him with those animals who did their best to break him and make him feel worthless, and they nearly succeeded."
"I think you are overexaggerating -"
"You think that because you know nothing," Dora snapped, and Dumbledore reared back slightly. "You say you care about Harry, and how you're looking out for Harry, but at the end of the day, you're not the one who sees when he breaks down. You don't listen to his nightmares. You aren't there to provide physical comfort he was denied his whole childhood. You weren't the one who helped him get past flinching every time someone made a sudden movement or moved to hug him! You don't talk with him late into the night trying to convince him that he'll be alright and that he's not a freak, and that we do love him."
Dora glared at Dumbledore.
"No, you're the one who put him into that hell and never bothered to check on him. You're the one who let Voldemort hide in your school on the head of your teacher for a year and couldn't stop him from attacking Harry. You're the one who found out how he was being treated and immediately told him that you were going to send him back and that you'd find some way to make sure they were nice to him."
Dora snorted in derision.
"I love Harry, and taking him in was the best decision I ever made, but there is no doubt looking back that he should have gone to someone else. I was a 19 year old girl, still dealing with the death of my parents, barely able to afford supporting myself, and I was selfish to take him. The fact he was so excited to come to me after only having met me in person a handful of times and corresponded to me over one school year should tell you exactly what his family was like. Yet, just after he had hopes that he had a new home, just after he had finally started to think he was free, you crushed his dreams immediately, and if it wasn't for Mad-Eye, you would have gone through with crushing them. He has always respected you, but it took me forever to help him get past the resentment he felt towards you for that, especially as the weeks went on and he was grateful - grateful - for what little I could provide."
Dora glared at a still slightly shocked Dumbledore.
"Your inability to protect him at your school has only gotten worse over the years, and every time he comes back, he has new nightmares that Sirius, me, Remus, Mad-Eye, and now Angelina have to help him get through. I respect you as a wizard, and I respect what you bring to the fight, but every year my anger and resentment of you only grows."
Dora huffed.
"This year is even worse because you insist on not seeing Harry for who he is. You insist on doing things your way without the input of those who know him best. You insist on keeping him at arm's length, which only hurts him since you haven't even had the decency to explain why. Now, we know, but that doesn't make it better."
"I hate to imagine what he'd be like if he'd stayed with those monsters all this time, not having Dora in his life," Sirius said. "He probably wouldn't be a mage, or have any skill in shadow magic . . . which means I'd probably still be on the run or dead. He wouldn't have a family to offer Angelina, so she'd still be a friend, but nothing more, and Harry swears that Dora convincing him to open up helped him become better friends with those girls, so he might have only had the Weasleys and Hermione, all of whom could only see him at school, for the most part."
"Albus, a lot has changed," Remus said. "We have all changed. Harry has. His friends have. So much has changed . . . but you haven't. You keep things close to the chest, playing your games that perhaps only you are brilliant enough to play, but the rest of us can't watch Harry suffer for it anymore."
"We'll tell you everything, but you need to return the favor," Sirius said. "It's long past time we really joined the same team."
"We always were –" Albus tried to protest.
"Then why don't we know the prophecy?" Alexis asked. "Why don't we know about your theories of horcruxes? You don't share, Albus. You don't trust us, so we are struggling to trust you."
Dumbledore stared at them all, meeting each defiant gaze and he sighed, his weathered face looking every bit his age.
"Very well," Albus conceded. "I will be open, but I must know what you know."
"Fine," Sirius said shortly. "Harry isn't a horcrux because his patron dealt with it."
Albus frowned. "I went to the gods. Belive me, I really tried, there was nothing –"
"Nothing your patrons could do," Mad-Eye said. "Perhaps they even knew that the Lord of Darkness had his own plans because the day that Harry became a mage, Hades put seven of his ancient mages back on this realm, and they removed the horcrux."
"The God of the Underworld has sway over the God of the Dead," Remus said. "He was able to do what the rest of us could not."
"To cure Harry, three pieces of Voldemort's soul were sacrificed," Alexis said. "Harry's being one of them. There was a locket, the Locket of Slytherin, which had been in Grimmauld Place. Apparently Regulus Black died retrieving it from a cave."
"A cave . . ." Albus muttered. "The cave he tortured children in at the orphanage."
"Then, there was a diadem, the Diadem of Ravenclaw, which he hid in the Room of Requirement here at Hogwarts," Alexis continued. "The dead also revealed that Voldemort made seven pieces, with Harry being an accident. If you're saying the diary was one, and the snake died . . ."
"It did," Albus confirmed,
". . . and Astra says the snake was a horcrux as well, then five of them have been destroyed," Alexis finished.
Albus sat in his chair, looking surprised, but pleasantly so.
"Since then, Harry has been receiving more dreams from his patron and matron, and he's been able to share these dreams with those who chose, helping everyone improve in various magical disciplines."
"He can share these dreams?" Dumbledore asked in surprise.
"And he can see through Astra's eyes at time, and Astra can monitor those closest to Harry," Dora said, "which is how she saved Chiara and now Arthur."
"I see," Albus said. "I have been a fool. Well, then it's time for me to lay all the cards on the table, as you said. "I can start with the Prophecy, and then we can discuss Voldemort's hocruxes, what I suspect and what little I know."
"Then it's time to discuss training Harry, his friends, and whoever else he wants," Mad-Eye growled out. "I hope that we can kill that monster ourselves, but there's a chance it will come down to Harry. That he's survived so many encounters seems like divine intervention and Fate telling us so. So, we need to give him the best chance."
"I agree," Albus said. "You are right. It's time for me to change. I only hope Harry can forgive me . . ."
"He will if you apologize and be honest with him," Dora said firmly. "See him for who he is, not who you think he is."
"I will," Albus promised. "The future is brighter to me now. Let's work to keep it that way."
*HP*
"Harry, Professor Dumbledore is here to see you," Dora said, and Harry turned to her in surprise.
"He is?" Harry asked, not having expected this. The man had ignored him for months now.
"He is," Dora said firmly. "He's here to speak to you."
Harry glanced back at his friends, seeing surprise reflected on all their faces as well, though Angelina and Ginny both had a tightness to their features, knowing just how much Dumbledore's isolation had bothered him.
Harry walked into the floo room, Astra at his side, and saw Dumbledore standing there serenely. Sirius, Alexis, Mad-Eye, and Remus were all there. The four adults nodded at him, and then made their way out the door he'd walked through, leaving him alone.
"Good afternoon, Harry," Dumbledore said politely.
"Hello, Professor," Harry replied tersely.
"You have a very nice home, I must say," Dumbledore said, with a pleasant smile.
"Wish I could have spent more time here," Harry remarked, and Dumbledore's smile faded somewhat.
"I owe you an apology, Harry," Dumbledore said softly, and Harry's eyes widened in surprise. "Your infinitely more admirable sister, godfather, and other guardians and mentors have already reminded me of that fact." Dumbledore smiled, and Harry's surprise increased. "I'm reminded that I'm old and that I have focused too much on your physical safety, while ignoring every other part of what makes you a person. I have focused too much on who I want you to be, and not even close to enough on who you are. For that, I'm truly sorry, and I hope you will forgive me."
Harry gaped for a moment before he asked, "What brought this on, sir?"
"A proper scolding from your family," Dumbledore responded with a chuckle, "and changing circumstances. I've been forced to face the truth that while I want to keep you out of this war, you are in it regardless . . . and you're a young man who's done his best, with the support of the family he's made, to rise to the occasion. It's time I help you rather than hinder you."
"I appreciate that, sir," Harry said quietly, and Dumbledore nodded. "How is this going to work?"
"Your family brought me up to speed on the day you accomplished your magehood and everything else," Dumbledore said. "I was happy to hear that you were able to enjoy a conversation with your parents. That is a rare gift, but no one deserves it more. As it is, I understand that Sirius and Dora already inform you well enough about the Order, and after that day, they told you a bit more, so other than telling you ever everything the Order is doing, which I feel would be counterproductive, I would like to add my assistance in tracking down the remaining two horcruxes . . . and in preparing you and whoever you want to survive any confrontation you might face."
"Remaining two?" Harry asked, rather humbled by Dumbledore's forthright approach and his offer.
"As I understand, three were destroyed when the accidental one in you was cleansed," Dumbledore said. "Your remarkable familiar managed to kill Nagini, and you destroyed the diary in your second year. In fact, the little work I had accomplished in trying to discover if Voldemort had even made horcruxes is rather useless with how much you have accomplished."
"Do you know what the last two are?" Harry asked eagerly.
"I believe so," Dumbledore said with a nod, "and also have a theory on where it might be, but I'll save that for after the holidays. There will be time to talk about after we've all enjoyed the holidays. I suspect that with Nagini's death, Voldemort will get more aggressive. The war will soon escalate, I fear, so we should enjoy what time we've got."
Harry nodded reluctantly, but agreed the more he thought about it.
*HP*
They spent the rest of the day putting up Christmas decorations before the Spinnets, the Bells, and Chiara, fresh from the hospital, came over to help out, adding more chaos and joy.
"Umbridge was livid that you all disappeared," Katie said, before she frowned sadly. "Mr. Scamander was attacked last night . . . he survived, but he's still in a coma. Umbridge was practically giddy."
"Dora mentioned that," Angelina said grimly. "There's going to be a Wizengamot meeting about who is to fill Mr. Scamander's post while he's indisposed. I hope he gets better."
"Me too," Alicia said sadly.
"Only a bitch like Umbridge would revel in something so horrible," Ginny muttered darkly.
"Well, hopefully we get someone who keeps Umbridge in line," Ron said. "I've gotten used to Umbridge having to be like a normal Professor . . . mostly."
"You got to wonder about the timing," Harry said quietly. "Kingsley said that Mr. Scamander was getting tired of Umbridge. I have to imagine that her time might have been at an end at Hogwarts . . . and the winter break would be a good time."
"And now that Scamander is out of the picture," Ron said, eyes widening, "Umbridge buys herself more time."
"That's a big risk," Angelina said. "Theseus Scamander fought Grindelwald. He was Head Auror at one time, not to mention the Professor for Defense at Hogwarts. He's not easy to take on. Hell, three people died attacking him, though there isn't much word on who they were. Still, what if she failed?"
"Sounds like it only failed, if a coma can be called a failure, because Scamander managed to get out some call for aid and help arrived," George said. "I heard Mad-Eye say that the ones Scamander killed were Death Eaters . . . weird that it happened the same night as the attack on dad."
"Well, enough of this talk," Katie said. "We're here for fun!"
She was right, so have fun, they did. They went out onto the lake, which was frozen and went ice skating, having snowball fights, and playing in the snow. The adults mostly joined them, with Mad-Eye, Chiara, and Molly abstaining, but soon there was a four way slugfest with teams somewhat along family lines forming. Spinnets and Bells had come together with Alicia, Jamie, Sarah, Katie, her mother Anna, and her brother David fortifying a snow fort to hold off an assault by the Weasleys (Fred, George, Bill, Ginny, and Ron), while they also dealt with the third team composed of Clan Potter-Black (Harry, Angelina, Dora, Sirius, Remus, and Alexis).
Once the fight was over, they went in for a nice Christmas eve dinner before they all turned in, the Spinnet and Bells staying the night as well. The next morning was an enjoyable chaos with hot chocolate and eggnog being passed around as everyone opened presents and thanked whomever had given the gift.
Overall, it was mostly enjoyable, with the only sour note being that Percy returned his jumper to Mrs. Weasley, causing her to be tearful at him still cutting them off. Still, the rest of them worked together to help Mrs. Weasley to get back in the Christmas spirit, culminating in them making a trip to St. Mungos to visit Mr. Weasley.
Mr. Weasley was in good cheer, finishing off the remains of a turkey dinner on a tray, and a mixture of a sheepish and pleased expression. Mrs. Weasley was the only one who wasn't amused to find that Mr. Weasley had decided to test out a muggle remedy: stitches. Thankfully, for both Mr. Weasley and the healer trainee who'd thought it up, they'd decided to test it right when Chiara was being released and had come to visit. She, being in medical school, had been able to help them out with their attempt, making it so that it actually was successful, with Chiara having found a couple ways to adapt muggle remedies to magical wounds in her studies and experimentation.