MetaFic

The four teens returned to their dorm rooms to find fresh school uniforms robes set out for them. They showered and changed.

Ron peppered Harry with questions. First about the attack at Privet Drive, then about Ginny. Harry reassured Ron that nothing inappropriate had happened over the summer. Ron had simply nodded his head, accepting Harry at his word, and then he had smiled slyly at Harry before asking him about his intentions toward his sister. Harry had smiled back shyly and informed Ron that he was indeed interested in the youngest Weasley. Ron had grinned widely at the information. Harry countered that he wanted to know exactly when Ron and Hermione had become a couple. Ron stopped smiling immediately, worried about what his friend would think of his and Hermione's new relationship. Once Harry assured Ron that he was happy for them both, Ron relaxed and promised Harry he would explain everything that evening.

In the girls’ dorm things were much tenser. It was obvious that Hermione did not approve of what she perceived as Ginny's causal attitude concerning the dangers of her Animagus ability. They both showered and changed in silence, until, while changing into their robes, Hermione gasped at the sight of Ginny's back covered in Animagus formula symbols. Ginny had looked over her shoulder and given Hermione a small, sad smile. When Hermione covered her mouth in shock at the sight of her friend's magically marked form, Ginny had asked in a low voice if Hermione still thought that she didn't understand what she had done. Hermione had almost burst into tears at the thought of the cost Ginny had been willing to pay to help their mutual black-haired friend. The tension dissolved from the room like an ice cube in a hot skillet, and the two girls hooked arms as they left the room, all anger between them gone.

Remus Lupin watched as the four teenagers unconsciously divided themselves into couples as soon as they returned to the common room. He stood and smiled, setting aside his curiosity about the obvious change between Harry and Ginny in order to hustle them to the meeting Dumbledore had called. There would be time to question Harry later. And Remus, with a small internal chuckle, could hardly wait to do so.

"Professor," Hermione spoke up, "can you tell us what happen after we left Grimmauld Place?"

"I'm sure Dumbledore plans to bring you up to date," Lupin said.

"Are you?" Harry asked quietly, a hard edge in his voice.

"I'm sure that whatever Dumbledore doesn't tell you, you'll be able to find out quickly enough."

Harry nodded his head slightly, as Hermione look back and forth between Harry and Lupin, her mind analyzing their exchange.

The five turned a corner and Harry realized they were heading for the Room of Requirement. As they entered the room the conversation stopped.

Several members of the Order were sitting at a long table, with Dumbledore at the head. Scones, tea, and other light breakfast foods were available and everyone seemed to have a plate in front of them. The five newcomers entered the room and took seats, with Lupin sitting at the foot of the table, while Ginny and Harry sat next to each other, with Ron and Hermione opposite them.

"So, Potter," Snape's voice slithered down from the front of the table where he sat, "having a lovely summer, are we?"

Harry decided to try a different approach with Snape. "Yes professor, best summer ever," Harry deadpanned.

Snape narrowed his eyes at Harry. "Well, it seems that the extra-- companionship -- has relieved some of your -- tension -- from last term."

There was a moment of extremely tense silence as the implication of Snape's words came to rest firmly on everyone. Harry started to reach into his robes for his wand at the same time was Molly and Arthur Weasley opened their mouths to have words with the Potions Master.

"Indeed, professor," Ginny spoke in a clear, cheerful voice while reaching for a scone, "There's nothing quite like good -- companionship -- to make one's disposition more -- pleasant.”

Professor Snape scowled at the young Gryffindor and Mrs. Weasley looked at her daughter is if she were again considering sending her off to a nunnery.

A soft chuckle from Professor Dumbledore broke the ensuing silence. "Indeed, one should never underestimate the power of companionship. Now, if we could please settle down, there is much to address this morning. Alastor, if you will begin."

"Professor," Mrs. Weasley spoke up sharply, "I still think it’s a bad idea for the children to be here. They're too young–"

Dumbledore held up his hand, "Molly, please, we've discussed this at length already."

"As loath as I am to admit it sir," Snape's said, "I must agree with Mrs. Weasley. Mr. Potter's miserable performance at Occlumency leaves his mind open to the Dark Lord. Anything we say here can easily be plucked from him."

"And whose fault is that Severus?" Lupin stood and leaned on the table.

"Just because the boy lacked the ability to learn the something so subtle–"

"They're children, Professor, they can't possibly understand. They need to be protected," Molly Weasley's voice rose above the din as her husband tried to calm her. Other voices were joining the arguments.

Harry Potter looked down the table at Professor Dumbledore. The aged Headmaster had taken his glasses off and was rubbing his forehead. It struck Harry how tired Albus Dumbledore looked, and Harry suddenly realized that if the weight of the world and the fate of wizard kind was on his shoulders now, they had rested on this man for decades.

Harry took a deep breath. It was time to do the thing he had promised himself at the start of summer. It was time to be an adult. He gave Ginny's hand a small squeeze and stood. He took his wand out of his pocket and, holding it firmly, slammed it down on the table.

The table bucked and heaved. Plates, cups, goblets, and silverware were sent flying. Several items simply shattered under the magical force. Every face turned in silence to look at Harry.

"I've had quite enough of my fate being decided from behind closed doors. I've faced Voldemort more than almost any of you in this room. I've watched him kill an innocent young man. I've seen him suck the blood from a unicorn. I've had the wretched creature in my mind. How many of you can say that?" Harry looked pointedly at Molly Weasley, who's eyes were wide as saucers.

"Yes, Potter, and that possession proves how weak your mind is," Snape sneered.

Harry turned on the Potions Master. "Would you care to try me Professor?"

Snape stood and drew his wand. "As you wish, Potter. Defend yourself. Legilimens!"

Harry had worked out over the summer what he planned to do in just this situation. He did not even bother trying to raise an Occlumency shield. He simply allowed Snape entry.

Then pulled Snape in farther.

He showed Snape his earliest memories. Memories of being locked in dark places and forgotten. He showed Snape all the neglect, all the abuse, all the horror that was Harry's childhood. Then he showed Snape what he saw when the Dementors came. He showed him Cedric Diggory's death, Ginny's near death, the destruction of Professor Quirrell. Then Harry forced Snape to feel his possession by Voldemort. He forced Snape to experience the love Harry felt for Sirius, and made him feel Voldemort's reaction to it. As Harry held Snape's mind close, images not his own began to appear in his head. Images of Snape's own lonely childhood, his tortured relationship with his demanding father, his difficult years at Hogwarts, and the evil he had done in the Dark Lord's service and his subsequent attempts to atone. These images stood next to Harry's and Harry coldly compared their lives.

We're not so different, you and I, Harry's mind said to Snape.

"Get out of my head, Potter," Snape growled, breaking the contact. Snape took several deep breaths and glared at Harry.

"I was never in your head professor, you were in mine," Harry whispered.

Harry turned and surveyed the room. "For better or worse we're all in this. All sheltering us does is force us to make bad choices when evil does come. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm tired of making poor choices."

Harry turned to Mrs. Weasley and his heart went out to her. He had seen her Boggart last summer, "I know you want to protect us, hide us away, let us be children. I know you're afraid for us, but I think that last night shows you can't hide us, you can't shelter us from the evil out there trying to destroy our lives." Harry smiled sadly at her. "You can't stop what's coming Mrs. Weasley. I'm sorry I ever got your family involved in my mess, but all any of us can do now is prepare."

"Well said, Harry," Lupin spoke up quietly.

Harry looked down to find a wide-eyed Ginny Weasley tugging on his sleeve. "Who are you and what have you done with the cute clueless boy named Harry?"

It was sufficient to release the tension in the room. With an audible sigh, everyone seemed to relax. Harry looked around at the mess he had caused, including the juice splattered on Dumbledore's fine robes. He looked a bit sheepish. "Um, sorry about all that."

"That's quite all right, Harry," Dumbledore said, considering the entire matter settled. "Now, Alastor, if you please.

The grizzled Auror stood and gave his report. The news wasn't good.

Arabella Figg was dead and her home completely destroyed. Hestia Jones, Dedalus Diggle, and a half-dozen other members of the Order that Harry did not know were dead. Percy Weasley was clinging to life in the Hogwarts infirmary. Mundungus Fletcher was missing. Grimmauld Place was lost to Narcissa Malfoy. The Burrow was destroyed. Number Four Privet Drive was burned to the ground, and the Dursley's bodies had turned up in a dark alley. Azkaban was empty; the Dementors and the Death Eaters captured in the Ministry battle gone from the island. The dozen Death Eaters captured or killed in the latest battle were small consolation.

"Professor Dumbledore, was anything salvageable from the any of the houses?" Tonks asked.

"We're trying to save what we can from the remains of The Burrow and Privet Drive, but I fear everything at Grimmauld Place is beyond our reach. And Harry, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid we could not save–well, I'm sorry Harry."

Harry Potter, already near tears from the loss and destruction around him, let the tears fall freely as he realized what Dumbledore was trying to tell him.

Not only was his home destroyed and his only family dead, but his beloved Owl had perished also. And then it hit him. Everything was gone. The Dursleys and Hedwig were dead. Everything in his trunk; his photo album, his father's cloak, the marauder's maps, the Firebolt Racing Broom Sirius had given him, five years of Weasley jumpers, it was all lost.

Harry felt slim arms encircle him. He looked up through tear-blurred eyes to find Ginny Weasley, her face red and blotchy from crying, leaning into him. He held her close and let the tears fall. They had both lost everything. They let the grief have free reign.

Once the storm of grief was over, Harry looked up and around the table. Dumbledore seemed sadder than Harry could ever remember. Lupin, Tonks, Emmeline Vance, and Moody stood off to one side, talking quietly. McGonagall sat stiffly in her chair, face unreadable. Snape acted bored with the entire proceedings. Molly Weasley clung to her husband in a manner not unlike the way Ginny was nestled under Harry's arm. Ron sat with his hands on the table, his face ashen. Hermione had one hand on his back and was whispering into his ear. The older Weasley boys and Fleur Delacour had clustered around the Weasley parents, grim-faced and determined looking.

Harry Potter caught the eye of Arthur Weasley. Mr. Weasley looked closely at his daughter, still softly crying in the arms the young man who they had come to regard as one of their own. He looked at his youngest son and his girlfriend, then around at his older boys. Arthur Weasley took a deep breath and addressed his family.

"All we've lost are things. We still have each other. That's what matters," Arthur Weasley said in a calm voice.

Harry nodded at the elder Weasley. He had lost more than things, but he knew he needed to be strong for the Weasleys.

"We have each other," Harry agreed.

"Well, if this little show of familial affection is now over–"

Severus Snape failed to finish his sentence as Minerva McGonagall whipped out her wand and stunned him. "Shut up, Severus," she said in a terse voice.

"Yes, well," Dumbledore said, "Perhaps a break is in order. We'll reconvene in three hours" Dumbledore looked at Harry. "Harry, if I could have word with you in my office? Please?"

Harry locked eyes with Dumbledore and nodded his head yes.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Ginny asked Harry, sniffing back the tears.

Harry smiled down at her. "No. I'll be all right, and I think your family needs you right now."

"We're your family too, Harry. You know that, right?" She looked deep into his eyes.

"Of course. I'll come join you after I'm done talking to Dumbledore."

Ginny Weasley squeezed Harry and, giving him a last long look, walked over to join the rest of her family.

Harry walked to where the Headmaster stood waiting for him at the door. The two wizards walked in silence until they reached Dumbledore's office. Once inside, Harry looked around to discover that most of the mess he had left at the end of last term remained.

"A reminder, Harry. For myself," Dumbledore told him, settling behind his desk.

"I'm sorry about the mess, sir," Harry said, sitting in the chair across from Headmaster.

"I am not. Harry, I'm terribly sorry for your loss. I wish that there had been some way to prevent it, but even I cannot anticipate every eventuality."

"I'm still mad at you Professor," Harry said in an even, almost gentle voice. "But we need to work together."

"Hopefully I can regain the trust you have lost in me."

Harry leaned forward in his chair. "You can start by telling me why you felt the need to deceive me about Ginny this summer."

Dumbledore steepled his finger together. "It was about protecting Miss Weasley's secret. If Tom Riddle were able to penetrate your mind, he would know about Miss Weasley, and I must tell you truthfully Harry, things are becoming desperate. We need to protect any asset we have, and then use it wisely at the appropriate time."

Harry leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms over his chest, "First off, if you're so worried about Voldemort being in my head, then you should never have told me about the prophecy." Harry's eyes narrowed at the Headmaster. "So, is that how you see us? Ginny's an asset, to be used like a common tool? Is that all I am, sir?"

Dumbledore chose his next words carefully. "The lives of all those who oppose Tom are precious. They are precious not because of their skills, or their abilities, but because they are living people, our friends and family. They should not be thrown away needlessly, nor used in a cavalier manner."

Harry relaxed in his chair, "Okay. What do we do now? The Order's lost its headquarters. The Weasley's are homeless. What now professor?"

"We are working on a new location to hide the Order. The Weasley family will stay there until such a time as they can rebuild their home. You, of course, will stay with them."

Harry nodded his agreement. "And afterward? I know the Weasley's can't afford to replace all of their belongings."

"No, Harry, they cannot. So, as their friends, we shall do all we can to assist them, bearing in mind the Weasley temperament about accepting anything they might perceive as charity."

Harry gave a small chuckle. "I suppose we'll just have to arrange an extra large Christmas stocking for the Weasley's this year." Harry suddenly sobered. "Assuming I get my Gringott's key back."

"I have little fear of the key being lost Harry, they are virtually indestructible." Dumbledore paused, then moved on, "Harry, about the Dursleys--"

"What about them?" Harry's voice took on a cool edge. "They sold me out. They cost Hedwig her life."

"They were your family Harry."

"Yes, they were."

Dumbledore sighed. He hoped the Dursley's betrayal was not the final straw that broke Harry. It seemed that Harry was in one piece, but if Harry closed off his emotions and began looking for betrayal from everyone around him, then they were all lost.

"Surely, Harry, you must feel something at their loss?"

"Yes, betrayed. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia knew what they were doing."

"I doubt they realized what the full consequences would be, Harry."

"No, I suppose not." Harry took a deep breath. "I'm sorry for Dudley. He was a mean-spirited bully, but he wasn't evil. He didn't deserve to die. He probably had no idea what was happening.

"And you think you aunt and uncle were evil?"

"Yes, in their way."

"And you think they deserved death?"

Harry's face remained emotionless. "I think they fell victim to their own choices."

"But did they deserve to die, Harry?" Dumbledore pressed, greatly concerned about the answer.

Harry thought carefully. "It's not for me to say who does or doesn't deserve death." Then Harry gave the Headmaster a small, vicious smile. "With one exception."

Before the Headmaster could reply the door to his office opened to reveal Professor McGonagall.

"I'm sorry to disturb you Headmaster, but here are several officials from the Ministry here demanding to speak with you."

"Please show them in, Minerva."

McGonagall nodded and walked back out of the door.

"Harry, I'm afraid I must speak with these gentlemen. If you will please make sure the Weasley's are well, we can talk again later."

"Actually," came a nasally voice from the door. "I would prefer if Mr. Potter stayed here. It will make it easier to assume custody of the boy."

Dumbledore looked mildly at the tall, thin Ministry official who walked into his study. Four grim looking Aurors flanked the man. "And who, may I ask, is trying to, as you say, assume custody of Mr. Potter."

"My name is Adrian Brunt, Head of the Department of Wizarding Child Protection Service. By Order of the Minister of Magic, I'm to take custody of the orphan, Harry Potter.”