Minders Keeper
Chapter 3
Harry closed the door to the library after meeting with Professor Dumbledore. Stumbling slightly as his legs seemed to have walked to the kitchen on their own accord, he opened the door to see that dinner was ready and waiting, and so were his friends.
“Good, you’re just in time!” Mrs. Weasley was guiding him to an empty setting next to Ron and across from Ginny.
“Should I go and get the Professor?” Harry asked, realizing that Dumbledore was still here.
“Oh... No, that’s okay Harry. He said he wasn’t staying for dinner tonight.” Mrs. Weasley said as she piled Harry’s plate high with roasted potatoes and chipped beef.
“So, did you have a nice chat?” Ron said eyeing Harry.
“Uh-huh.” Harry didn’t want to divulge anything, at least not yet. He quickly tucked in so he wouldn’t have to say anything else.
“Good! I’m glad everything went well.” Hermione chimed in; at least she could take a hint.
Mr. Weasley arrived shortly after Harry and was happily greeted by his wife. Arthur was spending so much time away that Molly kept him to herself as long as possible, it was another sign the second war was well underway, families were being tested.
At the other end of the table, Harry, Ron, and Ginny were trying to keep the discussion light. They were arguing over the prospects of revamping the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Harry mentioned how good a Seeker Ginny had been in his absence and encouraged Ron to try for Keeper again.
With dinner finished, Ron and Harry got up and left the table leaving the girls to chat with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Harry thought it was the perfect time to discuss with Ron his earlier conversation with Dumbledore. As they climbed the stairs making their way up to the room, they continued to talk loudly about their Quidditch plans. It was a diversionary tactic, a feint if you will. Hermione would have to be informed later as she was keeping Ginny and her parents at bay so they wouldn’t be interrupted.
“Spill it Harry, what did he say?” Ron said as he sat leaning against his headboard, not looking at Harry.
Doing the same Harry replied lightly, “Well, it’s me. I’m the one torturing your sister.”
“What?!” Ron sat up and swung his legs to the edge of the bed. “You’re kidding, Voldemort is making you do it, right?”
“Nope,” Harry shook his head in disbelief himself, “It’s all me.”
“How? Why?” Ron was doing his best to keep his cool, Harry was his best mate and deep down he knew he wouldn’t hurt anyone he cared about, let alone his sister.
“I didn’t know that I was,” Harry sighed and mirrored Ron. “I didn’t mean to.”
“Okay, start from the beginning. Where’s Hermione when you need her? She would have figured it out already!”
Harry was slightly afraid that she would’ve figured it out a little too quickly given the revelation that it was his entire fault. Harry was glad it was just him and Ron.
“Ron, I’m just going to say it. Don’t stop me until I’m through. I think it will make more sense to the both of us if I just keep going. Okay?”
Ron leaned down on his knees as if preparing for a brisk scolding. He then gave a grunt of acceptance and Harry started.
He told Ron almost everything - that Fawkes has been keeping tabs on him for Dumbledore, how this dream had been different that the other visions that he’d had, how he unintentionally forced his dreams on Ginny.
Harry chose not to divulge the prophecy or the reason why it was Ginny on the receiving end of his dream, he had to work that one out himself. When he had finished there was a long pause. After five years of being best mates, Harry knew it would take a moment for Ron wrap around it.
“Well, that sums up a lot now, doesn’t it?” Ron lay back across his bed and sighed, “So, you’ve been in my little sister’s head, right?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t mean to do it. You’ve got to believe me.” His words were rushed, almost begging for forgiveness.
“I know that you have “er powers other wizards don’t have thanks to that scar on your head. Just try not to do it again. You gave us -her- a real scare. By the way, don’t dream that way about me!” Ron said with a chuckle, always trying to find the brighter spot of dark situations.
Harry nodded, afraid that if he opened his mouth he would say something that he’d regret.
“Don’t worry, Harry. I know that you wouldn’t hurt Ginny. Whatever Hermione says, I’m not that thick. I could see it in your eyes when you looked at her on the settee. I saw it again when you were questioning us about her. And it was even more evident the night you stayed by her side and I had to pry you away. If I had visions or dreams or whatever about Voldemort torturing my sister, I’d be worried too.”
Just then there was a tap at the door, it was Hermione with Ginny at her heels.
“So, are you boys finished with all things Quidditch? Ginny and I thought we’d do something together.”
“Yep, just finished up.” Ron said as he patted the space next to him and sat back up, “Harry said that I needed to practice up a bit and I’d be ready for the Chudley Cannons by this fall.”
Hermione settled in the empty spot next to Ron as he instructed and laughed, “Let’s just keep you with Gryffindor right now!”
Ron scoffed incredulously as Hermione swatted at his shoulder. They had started their own conversation.
Ginny, unsure of where her place was within the trio, sat on the end of Harry’s bed and played with a loose thread on the duvet.
“Hey, that reminds me,” Harry said as he was trying to clear the air of Ron and Hermione’s obvious affections. “Ginny, how would you like to go back to the Burrow?”
“What? I thought that we had to stay here, you know, for safety reasons.” Ginny’s voice fluctuated as she was trying not to get her hopes up.
“The Burrow, that’d be a nice change of scenery.” Ron’s attention left Hermione.
“Yep, I asked Dumbledore. It would only be for a week and he said that there were precautions that needed to be in place.”
“But Harry, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are busy here with Order business. They can’t take time out to chaperone us.” Hermione replied.
Harry fired back, waving his finger between them. “Maybe just you two need chaperones!”
No sooner had the words reached their ears and Ron and Hermione simultaneously flushed.
“We don’t need a chaperone Harry.” Ron’s voice had a hint of hurt in it. Harry looked down in an apology to his friends. He realized that it wasn’t the right thing to say.
“Ginny, would you like to go?” Harry asked as he turned to face her.
“Of course, but Mum and Dad would have a fit. You know them, they’ll think the Death Eaters and Voldemort himself would have us for dinner.”
“I know, but Dumbledore said that he’d talk with them. He seemed to think they’d okay it.” He tried to shed some hope for Ginny before he continued on. “Whatever happened to ‘anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve[1]’. We’ll be fine. I just thought we all could use the break before school starts up again.”
“Really Harry?” a grin broke across Ginny’s face.
“Really.”
Before he knew what was happening, Ginny had flung herself around his neck giving him a quick hug before running to the door. That was something she’d never done before and Harry decided that he quite liked it.
“Ginny wait!” Harry called after her.
“What?” She turned around so fast all Harry saw was a blur of her red hair.
“Ginny, Mum and Dad don’t know yet.” Ron replied, “So we need to keep it to ourselves.”
“Ron’s right, Ginny. We’d have a better chance of going if Dumbledore talks with your parents first.” Hermione said in agreement.
“Oh....” she walked back to sit on the end of Harry’s bed. “Did he say when we could go, Harry?”
“No, but I’m sure once the details are worked out he’ll ask your parents. I’m hoping to be there for my birthday.” A smile spread across his face, that would be a great birthday present.
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Over the next two days, the four of them helped Mrs. Weasley and any other Order members out as much as they could. It was a bit of brown-nosing before Dumbledore delivered the news. They were busy scrubbing the floor of a spare room upstairs when Lupin entered.
“Harry, could I have a word with you?” Lupin nudged his head towards the door and Harry followed suit.
“See you in a bit, don’t have too much fun without me!” Harry called over his shoulder.
“Yeah, we’ll save the extra-tough spots for you!” Ginny mumbled under her breath as she tossed a scrubbing brush at the closing door. All three had a good laugh.
Harry was waiting for Lupin at the bottom of the staircase. “So, what’s up?”
“Dumbledore and I need to talk with you about certain arrangements, Harry.”
Lupin said as he raised his eyebrows, letting Harry know exactly what he was talking about.
“Oh, is he in the library?” Harry started down the hall.
“Yes, along with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Fred and George.” Lupin reached out to stop Harry from moving further down the hall. “I wanted to speak with you privately first.”
Not sure of what was coming next, Harry agreed and they slipped into a nearby room.
When the door was shut, Lupin continued. “I want your permission Harry.”
“Why do you need my permission?” Harry was visibly confused.
“Are you familiar with the Fidelius Charm?”
“Yeah.” Harry’s face fell. “It was the charm that was supposed to protect my parents. The one Wormtail betrayed.” He was having a hard time keeping his anger hidden.
“Yes, I’m glad you remember. Do you recall what Sirius had said in the Shrieking Shack, when Wormtail’s betrayal was learned?”
Quickly Harry went through the scene of three years ago, when he met Sirius and thought he was the one responsible for murdering his parents.
“He said that he would have rather died than to betray his friends to Voldemort.” Harry had a lump in his throat.
“Yes Harry, as would I.” Lupin’s voice was grave. “Harry, Dumbledore has asked me to be the Secret-Keeper for your trip to the Burrow. I just wanted to ask you myself, between you and me, no pressure Harry.”
Harry thought for an instant and replied, “I know that you would never betray my parents or me.”
“Are you sure, Harry? This is very serious.”
Harry nodded yes. Suddenly the implications of his request to go to the Burrow seemed to hit him like a brick. This is serious, it was a risk.
“Alright then, thank-you Harry for trusting me. It means so much.” And with that Lupin lead him back out the door and down to the library.
Bill, Fred and George were huddled around a table looking at one of the maps. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were speaking with Dumbledore in front of the fireplace. Upon entering the room, they all looked up and greeted Harry.
“Good, you’re here. Remus, would you please go and get the others as well.” asked Dumbledore.
Lupin nodded and left the room again. He returned a minute later with Ron, Ginny, and Hermione.
“Please, let’s all have a seat.” Dumbledore stood up and magiked enough chairs for everyone.
Harry looked around the room, noticing each _expression. His friends looked hopeful, the twins and Bill looked excited to be involved in what they thought was Order business. Harry didn’t dare look and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and both Dumbledore and Lupin wore expressions of calm apprehension.
Once everyone was settled, he began. “Harry, I have informed Mr. and Mrs. Weasley of your request. They have accepted as long as their terms are met.” Dumbledore glanced at Harry then back at the Weasleys.
“Professor Lupin, as your new guardian, has agreed to the terms and has been asked to participate. You have been made aware of the arrangements I presume?”
Harry nodded.
“Then, let’s get started.” Dumbledore cleared his throat. “I will be performing the Fidelius Charm on Mr. Potter, Miss Weasley, Miss Granger and Mr. Ronald Weasley. At Harry’s request, they will be returning to the Burrow for one week.”
Bill, Fred and George’s eyes popped and their jaws dropped on the floor. It was obvious that they had no idea of why they were here, but knew they needed to keep silent.
“No one will be able to see the four of you there, except of course for the Weasleys that are in this room, myself and the Secret-Keeper, Remus Lupin. It is up to the Weasley family to check in on all of you. If the Burrow is being watched, it would seem perfectly normal to have its inhabitants coming and going from the residence.”
“You will be checked up on a regular basis and a Minder will be staying overnight. Everyday Mr. Ronald Weasley and Miss Granger will be brought back here for two hours. They will be accompanied by one of us here during their travels.”
“There will be rules. You are not to leave the grounds of the Burrow, there will be no use of magic by the four of you. You will answer any questions asked by your Minders.” With a smirk Dumbledore added, “That includes Misters Fred and George Weasley.”
Christmas had come early for the Weasley twins.
“With the charm talents of myself and Mr. Bill Weasley and the unorthodox brand of magic provided by the twins, I believe that you will be safe from those who want to harm you.”
“Do any of you have any questions?” asked Dumbledore while surveying the people around him.
There was a moment of silence until Hermione raised her hand, it seemed like the natural thing to do.
“Do my parents know, Professor?”
“Yes, I asked them yesterday and they too agreed with the arrangements.”
“Is there anything else?” Dumbledore asked again.
This time it was Ginny who spoke up.
“Um, Professor, why have you agreed to this if it’s dangerous for us to be away?” her voice was a whisper.
“I believe that Mr. Potter is right, you all deserve to have happier times together before the new school year. We are in times of growing darkness as the four of you learnt first hand just a month ago. It is important to nurture your friendships. There may be a time when the friendship that each of you share is all that remains.” Dumbledore took particular note at Harry when he said this.
“Great! When do we leave?” Ron jumped up in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere.
“If you go and pack your things, we can proceed within the hour.” Dumbledore smiled at Ron’s enthusiasm.
That was all the permission they needed. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny tried not to run for the door, containing their excitement. The twins and Bill started chatting amongst themselves, probably planning out how they would put their ‘brand’ of magic to work.
Professors’ Lupin and Dumbledore stayed seated across from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Mr. Weasley was holding Mrs. Weasley’s hand in his in an effort to comfort her. Harry stood up from his chair but then sat right back down. He was looking into the fire when his voice broke.
“Mr. and Mrs. Weasley?” he spluttered, still looking down at the fire.
“Yes Harry.” It was Mr. Weasley.
“I.... I just wanted you to know that I....” He felt his courage waning as he looked up at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. “I just wanted to thank you for letting us go to the Burrow. I also want the both of you to know that I would never do anything to hurt your family, especially Ginny. She is the reason I asked if we could go. I would never do anything to destroy the love and trust that you have given me. I.... I would rather...” As hard as Harry tried to keep it in, small tears trickled down his face.
“We know you would never-” Before she could finish her sentence, Mrs. Weasley pulled him off his chair and into a heart-felt embrace.
When they pulled apart, Harry had noticed that Mr. Weasley had joined the hug. Harry took another step back and caught the proud looks from Lupin and Dumbledore.
He wiped his tear away with a smile on his face.
“Well, I guess I better start packing.” Harry left the room.
Dumbledore looked up into the somber faces of Arthur, Molly, and Remus when the latter asked, “Does he know why, does he know what he’s doing?”
“I believe that deep down he does, though he may not be aware of the significance. We need to let this happen on their own terms. It will do no good to force it or to discourage or delay it. All we can do is give them our love, our support and protect them as long as possible. Harry is an honorable young man who has proven himself again today.”
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“Well, I see that you have all packed and are ready to go.” Dumbledore said as all four returned to the library, backpacks in tow.
“Now, if you please join us over here, we will start with the Fidelius Charm. It won’t hurt, you’ll just see different colored light, that’s all. Harry, before I am finished, you will need to whisper what your secret is to Professor Lupin, understood?”
They all nodded and Dumbledore began his incantations, gliding his wand through various motions which Harry had never seen before. There was a faint orange glow surrounding them as Dumbledore continued the spell. Then the light turned blue and Harry saw Lupin step forward. Harry whispered “The Burrow” in his ear and it was followed by a blinding flash of white light. It was done.
“Now, that wasn’t so bad was it?” A tired looking Dumbledore smiled at them all.
“You’ll be traveling by Portkey.” And he held out an empty inkbottle.
“Just a few reminders, do not leave the Burrow,” he added with a smile, “that means no flying. Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger, shall we say 3 o’clock?” Seeing that they both nodded he continued,
“Mind your manners, we’ll be watching. If you feel at any time you are in danger, by all means defend yourselves if necessary. The inkbottle will continue to act as a Portkey should you ever need to return without a Minder. And last but not least, enjoy yourselves.”
“Yeah, but not too much, Fred and I are the experts when it comes to too much fun.” George winked.
“That’s right, we have a new found authority over the four of you-” Fred said seriously, there was a slight resemblance of the estranged Percy.
“-and we’re not afraid to use it!” George blustered as he had finished Fred’s sentence.
“Good, then I’ll send Misters Fred, George and Bill to accompany you on your arrival.” Dumbledore suppressed a grin. “Ready now.”
All four gave a quick wave to Lupin and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, then they all touched the inkbottle, there was barely enough room to squeeze all the fingers in.
“One, Two, Three.”
A/N: Kudos again to Beta Whizzbee and Beta/Mod. Bogus. Thanks for your review and feedback, I appreciate them all.