The Fidelius Charm
–I visited the Weasleys on the pretense of needing to speak to their oldest son. A team of Aurors had to allow me entry. I wasn’t there long, but it’s apparent that the Order of the Phoenix has substantially increased the protections on the Burrow.â€
–That's not unexpected.â€
–All the Order's homes are protected, but not so heavily as the Burrow. They've either moved headquarters there, or they intend to hide Harry Potter there.â€
–The second seems more likely.â€
–Mr. Potter won’t stay there. Given his history, he'll start fighting on the front line, against the Order’s wishes if necessary.â€
–When he decides to make a move, though, we must be aware of it. We must be able to find him. And most importantly of all, we must be the first to find him.â€
–In that case, I have an idea.â€
Because she was able to do so without bringing the Ministry of Magic’s wrath upon herself, Hermione Disapparated out of Privet Drive the morning Harry received Ginny’s letter to run some errand, though she did not say what. That became clear, however, when she returned an hour later heaving a huge stack of books to Harry’s room, where she found Harry at the desk scribbling in a small notebook, and Ron curiously examining some of the old broken Muggle stuff that Harry had stacked in a corner. Harry looked up as she entered, and handed her the notebook.
–I’ve written what I know about the Horcruxes,†he told her, –and I’m about finished with what I remember about Dumbledore’s visit to the orphanage.â€
Hermione opened the notebook and looked over a page of Harry’s notes:
Item/Location
Locket --- R.A.B. (?) / Unknown
Hufflepuff’s Cup --- Unknown
Snake --- with Vdmt, probably
(?) --- Unknown
Last item likely something belonging to Gryffindor or Ravenclaw; sword is safe; Ravenclaw’s items?
–We’ll have to do a bit of research on Gryffindor and Ravenclaw,†Hermione said as she scanned the list. –That won’t be easy, though. There’s so much that’s unaccounted for. And I don’t suppose you have any leads on R.A.B.?â€
Harry shook his head.
–You sure this R.A.B. is a Death Eater?†asked Ron, as he bent over Dudley’s old computer.
–He talks like one,†Harry pointed out, –and he’d have to be close to Voldemort to do this.â€
Hermione sighed. –I probably should find a biography of the Founders.â€
–Especially one with some emphasis on any relics,†Harry added. He then looked over the pile of books Hermione had put on his bed. –What are those?â€
–Books on methods of magical transportation, and a few on protective enchantments or on curses,†Hermione explained.
–Good call,†Harry told her, nodding.
Ron picked up a computer mouse. –What’s this thing?â€
–A mouse,†Hermione informed him, and Ron looked at her blankly.
Harry sniggered.
–It’s not the animal,†Hermione added, exasperated. –That’s what Muggles call it. It helps them operate computers. Here, let me show you…â€
–That computer’s been broken for years,†Harry told them. –I’ve meant to throw it out for ages.â€
Hermione rolled her eyes, and pointed her wand at the computer. –Reparo!†She then plugged it into an outlet on her wall, and flipped the switch in the back. The computer hummed happily. As Hermione then proceeded to give Ron a short lesson about Muggle technology, he watched in fascination.
–Suddenly I can see why Dad is so interested,†he said in wonder. –Muggles are really amazing.â€
Harry shook his head, still laughing at Ron's bemusement. He then picked up the notebook, which Hermione had left on the corner of his desk, and returned to his notes.
It took Harry that entire afternoon to write out his notes, but eventually he put his pen down and announced that he had put in everything he could remember. Hermione then read through his notes carefully, and asked Ron to do the same. The next day Hermione returned to Flourish and Blott’s and came back with a few books about the Hogwarts founders, which she immediately began reading.
After Ron finished reading Harry’s notes, the latter took the notebook back and began writing thoughts on the back pages, starting with places he knew Voldemort had visited, but he didn’t get far before they heard something tapping on the window, and Harry looked up to see a screech owl standing there, an official-looking letter clamped in its beak.
–I thought the Order wasn’t sending mail via owl anymore,†Ron said.
Harry opened the window and took the letter from the owl, but instead of leaving, it fluttered down to Harry’s desk and waited there expectantly. Harry turned the envelope over, and stared at the seal.
–It’s not from the Order,†he told Ron. –It’s from Gringotts.â€
–Explains why it wasn’t intercepted,†Hermione said. –The goblins have ways of protecting their correspondence. Wonder what they want, though?â€
Ron snorted. –They want to go over your finances, since you’re about to turn seventeen. They did the same with me, not that there’s much in my vault.â€
Harry broke the seal and opened the letter.
Dear Mr. Potter,
We congratulate you on your coming of age next July, and since you will be coming of age, authorized access to your inheritance will be transferred to you. To complete authorization, we have arranged an appointment with an accountant on the 24th of July at 11:00. Please be present at Rok Grimrook’s office at that time.
If this does not meet with your convenience, please let us know immediately. Return our owl with a reply.
Sincerely,
Menger Gadlak
Assistant Manager
–Ron, when is Bill’s wedding?†asked Harry.
–July 26th.â€
Harry nodded. He didn’t have anything else planned, so he pulled a fresh sheet of paper from his desk and wrote out a reply, which the owl snatched up before fluttering out the window.
–Thing number two is getting the Order off my back long enough for me to get to Gringotts at that time,†Harry grumbled.
Ron immediately suggested that he ask Bill to escort him to the bank on that day. It was a sensible solution that would get the rest of the Order to relax, particularly Mrs. Weasley, and Bill knew the goblins.
Over the next few days without a word from the Order about his departing, Harry became increasingly restless. Though Hermione and sometimes Ron went out to bring back research materials or other items for their use, they couldn’t do much at Privet Drive, not while Harry was effectively imprisoned there. Lupin had said that they might be able to move him to the Burrow on Monday, but Monday came and went, much to Harry’s annoyance. He began to consider having Hermione Disapparate him and Ron to Ottery St. Catchpole and then walk to the Burrow, and face the consequences later, although he knew that Hermione wouldn’t likely agree with this idea, especially after she caught a glimpse of a hooded man down the next street as she returned from the grocery store.
Harry was only relieved that there were, so far, only a couple of Death Eaters stationed in Little Whinging, but he had a nasty feeling that their numbers would increase as Harry’s birthday drew closer. Again he wondered what the Order was planning for the Dursleys’ protection, and finally he decided to warn his aunt about the impending situation.
On Tuesday Harry went downstairs to find his aunt on the phone with a neighbor. As he approached, she turned around and saw him standing there. Her brow furrowed as Harry mouthed to her, –A word!†and pointed at the lounge where he’d wait for her. She made no reply, but continued talking, and Harry, knowing that his point had been made, stepped into the adjacent room and lowered himself onto one of the armchairs, waiting.
A couple of minutes later, Petunia finally stepped into the lounge. –What is it?â€
–We’ll probably be leaving in the next couple of days or so,†Harry told her, –but there’s something you ought to know before we leave. You’re aware of the danger I’m in, right?â€
She said nothing, but Harry understood that she knew what he referred to.
–The protective enchantments around this house will break as soon as I come of age,†Harry informed her, deciding to come to the point immediately.
Petunia paled, but her expression didn’t change otherwise.
–I’ve already had a letter informing me that a couple of Voldemort’s followers have been wandering around Little Whinging,†Harry continued quietly. –They can’t touch you while the enchantments are in place, but that will change in August.â€
–Let me guess,†Petunia snapped. –They’ll come here and kill us or torture us for your whereabouts.â€
Harry nodded, somewhat relieved that Petunia was quicker on the uptake than Vernon or Dudley.
–Then you have a responsibility to make sure they can’t do so,†she told him tersely.
–Dumbledore’s people are going to arrange something for your safety,†Harry informed her. –I don’t know the details yet, but someone will come here discuss it.â€
–Can’t they put up new protections?†she asked.
Harry was somewhat amused that Petunia so readily accepted magic for once. –I suppose they might,†he said thoughtfully, –but I should be honest; I think it’s more likely that they might relocate your family.â€
–They want us to move away?â€
–It’s a better alternative than staying here,†Harry pointed out as he stood up. –But as I said, I don’t know the details. Somebody will come here to discuss this, probably after Dudley comes home so that he’ll be here for it too. I’m just letting you know, although I think it better if you tell Uncle Vernon yourself, and not me. He’s already unhappy enough with me as it is.â€
His aunt nodded grudgingly.
–When exactly will they be here?†she asked as he made to leave the room.
Harry shrugged. –Not sure. I think in the next couple of days.â€
He didn’t remain for his aunt’s reply, but returned to his room, where Ron and Hermione waited for him. He felt slightly relieved. On the whole, it went better than he expected.
The Order finally came on Wednesday, the day Dudley was due to come home from Smeltings. Harry didn’t pay much attention to the sharp rap he heard downstairs, but Ron, who was at his window, glanced outside, and grinned.
–Mad-Eye’s here.â€
Hermione immediately stood, and flicked her wand, so that all her things packed themselves into her rucksack. Harry had already packed his school trunk with all his belongings, so after stuffing his notebook into his own rucksack, he pulled it on and picked up Hedwig’s cage. Just as Ron finished repacking his own rucksack, Aunt Petunia appeared in his doorway.
–The man with the horrible eye is here,†she told him. –I assume he’s taking you away?â€
Harry nodded. –Thanks for letting us stay here,†he said politely. Aunt Petunia pursed her lips, but didn’t reply.
Mad-Eye was leaning over the counter examining the toaster, when Harry and Ron lugged the trunk into the kitchen, Hermione trailing behind them.
–There you three are,†he said without turning to look at them, and Harry couldn’t help but laugh at the startled expression on his aunt’s face as she too entered the kitchen. Mad-Eye straightened and turned to look at them properly. –You’re all ready to go then? Good.†Looking at Harry’s aunt, Mad-Eye told her, –Your son will arrive home today, correct?â€
She nodded, avoiding looking at his scarred face. –At five o’ clock.â€
–One of us will come here at about seven to discuss your safety,†he told her. –That will give you time to inform your husband and son. The bloke who’s coming will be a tall man, name of Kingsley Shacklebolt.â€
Petunia nodded, still looking everywhere but at Moody’s eye. The ex-Auror then turned back into the kitchen, tugged the dustbin out from the counter, and promptly began rummaging through it.
–What are you doing?†Petunia demanded, but Moody ignored her until he pulled out a tin can, and placing it on the counter, he pointed his wand at it. –Portus.â€
The can glowed blue for a moment.
–Do you have authorization to do that?†Hermione asked.
–Of course I do,†Mad-Eye told her. –But even if I didn't there are ways of creating Portkeys without the Ministry detecting it. The Death Eaters have been doing so for years, you know, and lately we’ve worked out how they do it. Just ask Fred and George.â€
Hermione had an interested look on her face, which told Harry that she would do just that as soon as she got the opportunity. Mad-Eye placed his finger on the can, and the others did the same.
–Fifteen seconds,†Mad-Eye said.
Harry looked at his aunt. –Well, good-bye,†he offered awkwardly.
Her eyes met his, and Harry was surprised by the smallest trace of sadness. –Good luck,†she said, just as Harry felt the tug behind his navel, and his aunt vanished.
The Portkey brought them to the backyard of the Burrow, and Harry, who had landed a bit hard, stumbled forward a foot. Hedwig batted her wings against the bars of her cage and hooted indignantly. Beside Harry, Ron grunted and extracted his foot from a gnome hole; two gnomes were shaking their tiny fists at him from a rock nearby.
–Oh, you’re all here!†someone cried from the back door. Harry looked up to see Mrs. Weasley running to greet them.
–Morning, Molly,†Mad-Eye said, nodding to her as she pulled Ron into a hug, and then Harry. –We got here easily enough.â€
–I hope your relatives weren’t too bad,†Mrs. Weasley told Harry as she pulled Hermione into a hug as well.
–It could have been worse,†Harry said. –Uncle Vernon wasn’t there when we left, and that made departing easier.â€
–I don’t envy Kingsley, though, when he goes over there tonight,†Ron added, smirking.
–What’s going to happen to them, anyway?†Harry asked Mad-Eye.
–The North American Magical Confederation has started a new program protecting Muggle or Muggle-born families fleeing Britain, so we’re making arrangements for the Dursleys to move to a quiet corner of Saskatchewan,†Mad-Eye grunted, but he was smirking.
–Uncle Vernon’s going to flip,†Harry said gleefully.
–I ought to get back to headquarters,†Mad-Eye said. –I’ll see you tomorrow, when we put in the new Fidelius, Molly.â€
Mrs. Weasley nodded, and Mad-Eye limped over to the gate and began making his way across the grassy field toward what Harry assumed to be the anti-Apparition border Ginny had mentioned.
–Come on in, then!†Mrs. Weasley said, ushering the four of them inside. –I’ve already got some breakfast started.â€
Ron lowered himself onto a chair at the kitchen table. –Cheers, Mum.â€
–So, how are the wedding plans going?†asked Hermione.
Mrs. Weasley sighed. –All the invitations are made and sent, but soon we’ll have to tidy the house up for the guests’ arrival in a couple of weeks.â€
–But the wedding’s not until the twenty-sixth!†Ron said, bewildered.
–Yes, but Fleur’s parents will be here before that,†Mrs. Weasley pointed out.
At that moment, an owl flew through the window and dropped a letter with the Hogwarts seal onto the table. Mrs. Weasley picked it up, and as she did, Harry saw Ginny suddenly appear in the kitchen door. Their eyes instantly met, but before either of them could say or do anything, Mrs. Weasley caught sight of her.
–There you are.†She held up the letter. –This is for you. I expect it’s your O.W.L. results.â€
Ginny took the envelope and sat down next to Harry and Hermione. –Hello, Harry,†she said cheerfully.
–Erm, hi,†he replied feebly.
–Glad to see you lot got here in one piece,†she added, glancing at Ron and Hermione. –No trouble from the Muggles, I take it?â€
Harry smiled inwardly. Trust Ginny to pretend that nothing had happened between them before or after Dumbledore’s funeral. At least she’d renew normal friendship with him, though that thought was wrenching to him.
–Nope,†sniggered Ron. –Though I’m glad I won’t be there when Kingsley visits them today.â€
The conversation continued normally from there, moving from wedding plans to the eight O.W.L.s Ginny had received (to her mother’s delight), and soon Harry found himself able to speak to Ginny with less embarrassment.
It was when Mrs. Weasley began discussing plans for the week preceding Bill’s wedding that Harry remembered his appointment at the bank, and interrupted.
–Mrs. Weasley, if it’s all right with you, I might have to miss at least part of the day you’ve planned with the Delacours on the twenty-fourth.â€
Mrs. Weasley and Ginny looked at Harry in surprise. –Why?†the former asked suspiciously.
–I got a letter from Gringotts,†Harry told her. –They want me to meet with an accountant that morning.â€
Mrs. Weasley shook her head. –Harry, it’s too dangerous for you to go to Diagon Alley these days.â€
–Mum, I hardly think that one trip to Gringotts will be…†Ginny started, but Mrs. Weasley cut across her.
–You’ll have to cancel your appointment,†she said sharply.
–Until when?†Harry asked, annoyed. –They said there were matters they needed to go over with me before I turn seventeen. I don’t care how dangerous it is outside, I’d like access to my vault at Gringotts, no matter who’s trying to kill me!â€
–Mum, why can’t somebody escort Harry there?†asked Ron. –The goblins won’t be too happy if he postpones this.â€
–And frankly,†Harry told Mrs. Weasley, –these are my finances we’re talking about. I’m going to Gringotts that day, whether you like it or not.â€
Mrs. Weasley huffed. –Very well,†she snapped, –but not without Arthur or Mad-Eye with you.â€
–Fair enough,†Harry said, as she began scooping scrambled eggs onto their plates.
–You’ll have to forgive Mum,†Ginny told him half an hour later as she flung a gnome over the garden hedge. After breakfast, Mrs. Weasley had given her, Harry, and Ron the task of cleaning out the gnomes while she and Hermione changed the sheets in the twins’ old room for Harry’s use. –Since Dumbledore’s death, she’s been unwilling to let any of us out of her sight.â€
Ron scowled. –She can’t keep protecting us like this. We’re not children anymore!â€
–I wish it were as simple as that,†Ginny sighed, –but the Order’s being ridiculous too. They haven’t taken well to Dumbledore’s death. They try to hide it, but it’s plain to me that they don’t know what to do.†She looked at Harry. –They’ve made it a priority to keep you protected; it makes them feel like they’re doing something useful.â€
–Yes, thanks for warning us about that,†Harry said sincerely. –I take it we’re not supposed to know about Hogwarts closing yet?â€
Ginny shook her head. –I found out eavesdropping on Mum and Hestia Jones,†she said resentfully. –They haven’t seen fit to actually tell me yet. That’s why Mum got all excited about me getting my O.W.L.s, even though they’re indefinitely meaningless.†She then asked Harry curiously, –When are you leaving, anyway?â€
Harry hesitated, and glanced at Ron, who said, –You know we can’t tell you what we’re doing, Ginny.â€
–I never asked what you’re doing,†she replied evenly. –I know there are things you can’t tell me, but I’d like to be forewarned, in case you three decide to disappear in the middle of the night.â€
Harry finally relented. –As soon as I have my Apparation license.â€
Ginny nodded. –I figured as much. Hopefully the Order won’t have finished sealing you in before then. You’d better not tell Mum, though. If she finds out, she’ll have your wands sealed in her Gringotts vault in two seconds flat.â€
Harry growled, but didn’t’ answer.
Ron looked between them for a moment, then said, –I’d better go see if Hermione’s finished yet.â€
As he hurried away, Ginny asked Harry, –You got my letter, then?â€
He nodded, and she exhaled. –Don’t tell anyone I said this, but thanks to Fred and George and their Extendable Ears, I think that the Death Eaters have more influence in the Ministry than the Order wants you to know at present.â€
–Big surprise,†Harry muttered.
–From what I’ve heard, Death Eater sympathizers haven’t reached any of the really important positions,†she added, –but from what I've heard, it won't be long.â€
–Undoubtedly that’s the reason the Order’s gone all over-protective,†Harry surmised, feeling even more resentful.
–Among other reasons,†Ginny said. She then looked at him, her face expressionless, but Harry could see the sadness and insecurity in her eyes, the same fears he himself felt. They then spoke at the same time.
–Harryâ€---
–Ginny, Iâ€---
They stared at each other, and Harry felt a sudden wave of longing as he realized that this was the first time they had been alone together since those hours he’d spent with Ginny at Hogwarts only a few weeks before. Harry nodded to Ginny nervously, allowing her to speak first.
–I just want you to know,†she said quietly, her eyes fixed on his, –that even if we don’t see each other again for months or years after this, you’ll always have my support. If you ever need me at your side, fighting with you, I’ll be there.â€
Harry nodded. –You said as much in your letter, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from you.â€
She took his hand and held it tightly, as though afraid he’d pull away, but Harry, in spite of the fact that they split up, felt no inclination to do so, preferring to take this small offering of comfort before his departure. She then stepped a bit closer, and kissed his cheek. Harry thought he could see the smallest hint of a tear threatening to fall from her eyes, and he felt his own eyes water too.
It was only when they heard Mrs. Weasley calling her daughter back inside that Ginny finally let go of his hand, giving him one final, stoic look before she returned to the house.
The death of Albus Dumbledore had put enormous strain on the Order of the Phoenix, but the betrayal of Severus Snape was a serious blow to them. Where Albus Dumbledore’s Order had been wary but trusting of their leader, the Order of the Phoenix as run by Alastor Moody had become as alert and almost as paranoid as he was. They were determined to prevent such treachery from their membership.
Renewing the Fidelius Charm was a part of this campaign. Until then security would be tighter at Grimmauld Place than that of a Muggle airport. As he wasn’t the old Secret Keeper, Snape couldn’t bring other Death Eaters into headquarters, nor could he tell them its rough location. Mad-Eye Moody had no reason to fear that. But the old Fidelius Charm would not prevent Snape from entering Grimmauld Place himself.
Harry was told all this at the breakfast table the morning after he arrived at the Burrow, but as Ginny had already told him that the Order intended to renew the Fidelius Charm, the details were the only new information he got. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Weasley either was forbidden to tell him the name of the new secret keeper, or he didn’t know himself. What surprised Harry was that Moody wanted him present when they renewed the charm.
–He doesn’t want me to be the new Secret Keeper, does he?†Harry asked, alarmed. Though he had no intention of betraying the Order to the Death Eaters, he could hardly function as a Secret Keeper if he was out hunting Horcruxes.
–Of course not,†Mr. Weasley reassured him, looking amused. –The new Secret Keeper will be a member of the Order, which you are not. No, you will just be asked to act as a witness. It’s a part of the process.â€
Mrs. Weasley huffed nearby, but said nothing. Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at her in surprised, but Mr. Weasley sighed and Ginny rolled her eyes. Mr. Weasley bravely ignored his wife’s obvious objection to this, and added, –The witnesses’ primary purpose is to seal the bond between the Secret Keeper and the secret, and also to prevent any confusion as to the identity of the Secret Keeper.â€
–That failed in my parents’ case,†Harry muttered.
Mr. Weasley nodded. –Sirius was their original Secret Keeper, as you know, but when Lily cast their new Fidelius Charm, and Sirius renounced that duty in favor of Wormtail, the old charm was void. Since nobody knew about the second charm…†His voice trailed away.
–What’s the process?†asked Hermione curiously. –I understand that the Fidelius Charm is a complicated spell.â€
–You heard right,†Mr. Weasley said, –but I’m afraid I don’t know the exact process. But you’ll see it for yourself today. Alastor invited you, Ron, and Ginny to be witnesses as well.â€
–What?†Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.
–And speaking of which,†Mr. Weasley continued, pretending there had been no interruption, –we ought to leave for Grimmauld Place in about half an hour.â€
With that, Mr. Weasley stood up and exited the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley forcefully jabbed her wand in the direction of the frying pan from which she had just served her children their eggs, and hissed, –Scourgify!†before she followed her husband out the kitchen door as well.
–And the quarrel begins,†Ron muttered. He then looked at his sister in confusion. –Surely Mum doesn’t think there will be any danger in us being present at this? It’s not like the Death Eaters are going to crash the party.â€
Ginny rolled her eyes again. –As far as Mum’s concerned, our being present might as well be our own induction into the Order. She doesn’t like any of us being involved in any of it.â€
A few minutes later, Mr. Weasley came back downstairs and told them to get ready to go. Ten minutes later, they took the Floo Network to Grimmauld Place. Harry had hardly stumbled out of the connecting fireplace, however, before he found Hestia Jones’s wandtip stationed between his eyes. In another corner of the sitting room where they stood, Harry could see Kingsley questioning Ron and Ginny.
Before Hestia could say anything, however, Harry heard Lupin’s voice calmly say, –Cast your Patronus, Harry. The Ministry won’t detect it here.â€
Harry hesitantly raised his wand, and pointed it to the side, and cast his mind about for some happy memory, eventually settling on a spring evening in the Gryffindor Common Room, as he stepped through the portrait hole to find Gryffindor celebrating the Quidditch victory they had achieved in his absence, and then Ginny ran towards him with her hard, blazing expression…
–Expecto Patronum!†Harry cried, and the silvery stag burst from his wand, cantered its way around the room, and then dissipated.
–Definitely Harry Potter,†Lupin told Hestia with a smirk, as the latter lowered her wand. –If you’ll follow me, Harry…â€
He steered Harry out of the sitting room and quietly past Mrs. Black’s portrait. As soon as they turned a corner, Lupin looked at Harry.
–Sorry about that. It’s been like this since Albus died.â€
–I was forewarned,†Harry told him, shrugging. –Glad you know what to ask me, though.†As they began to climb the stairs, he asked, –Am I allowed to know who the new Secret Keeper is yet?â€
Lupin nodded. –Aberforth Dumbledore.â€
–Professor Dumbledore’s brother?â€
–You’ve heard of him then?†asked Lupin. –But then again, you’ve been to the Hog’s Head, so you’ve met him. He’s the bartender there.â€
This surprised Harry. –Nobody ever told me that.â€
–Not a lot of people know that,†Lupin told him, smirking. –Most of Hogsmeade and the Hogwarts students just know him as ‘Abe,’ and not many people would expect a relation of Dumbledore’s to have such a job. Strange bloke. But he’s been in the Order longer than anyone, except perhaps Elphias Doge.â€
They then stepped into the drawing room. Harry blinked as soon as he stepped inside, surprised at the change in décor. The last time he had been here, he and the Weasleys had spent three days decontaminating the room of hexed items and doxies, but the olive-green walls had been changed to a deep vermilion not unlike the scarlet of the Gryffindor Common Room, and the dusty furniture had been replaced with new, more modern furnishings, though the red armchairs and other items had been swept aside to clear a space in the center of the room. In fact, the only thing about the drawing room that looked at all the same was the Black family tapestry. Harry supposed that the Order still had been unable to get rid of it, though he noticed with satisfaction that someone had managed to change "The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black: Toujours Pur" to "The Noble and Most Ancient House of Inbreeding: No Wonder They’re All Psychotic."
–Whoa!†Ron exclaimed as he, Ginny, and Hermione also stepped into the room, Kingsley and Mr. Weasley just behind them.
–Brilliant, isn’t it?†asked Lupin, grinning. –You’d be surprised what Andromeda Tonks can do when she puts her mind to it.â€
–She’s certainly got better taste than Sirius’s mum,†Ginny said, grinning.
–Well, now that you’re here, you might as well make yourselves at home,†Kingsley told them as he sidestepped Ron and Ginny. –Aberforth and Mad-Eye aren’t here yet, nor any of the other witnesses.â€
Harry lowered himself into one of the two new sofas, and Lupin, Ginny, and Hermione joined him there.
–So,†Harry said slowly, –What’ve you been up to, apart from putting up additional security measures?â€
–This and that,†Lupin said quietly. –I’ve been trying to obtain information about the Death Eaters’ movements from the other werewolves, but it’s not much. The werewolves think they’d have a better life under Voldemort, but the Death Eaters look down on them as much as anyone else ever did, and certainly don’t give them much information.â€
–And the werewolves still follow him?†Hermione asked, surprised.
–Bit hard to back out once they’re in,†Lupin said, shrugging. –If Greyback doesn’t kill a defector first, Voldemort will. Werewolves, however, aren’t the only concern, however. Kingsley told me yesterday that the Ministry got wind of several attacks on Muggle settlements in which Inferi were involved. It’s the first confirmed incident since Voldemort’s return. I expect it will be in the papers today.â€
All the others shuddered.
–Did the Aurors get there in time?†asked Harry, feeling nauseous as he remembered the Inferi in the cave where Voldemort had hidden the locket.
Lupin shook his head. –By the time they got there, the Inferi were gone. I expect it will be in the papers today. I just hope that the Daily Prophet doesn’t learn that some eyewitnesses swear that they saw Inferi doing magic. People will be panicked enough as it is.â€
–Inferi can’t do magic,†Hermione protested. –They haven’t got a magical core.â€
–I never said that the rumor was true,†Lupin replied quietly. –Only that it’s started circulating.â€
At that moment, Mad-Eye entered the room, followed closely by the Hog's Head bartender, Aberforth Dumbledore. Harry watched him with interest, noticing that he only vaguely resembled Albus, but had the same eyes. He had dressed in brown robes for the occasion, but otherwise looked as gruff as he ever had at the Hog’s Head.
Fred, George, and Tonks followed Moody and Aberforth inside. The twins saluted Harry and their siblings, but Mad-Eye cut across them before they could say anything.
–Right,†he said loudly as Hestia and Elphias Doge entered the room as well. –Now that you’re all here, we might as well begin. Everyone stand up and stand in a circle, please.â€
The others did as requested.
–All of you,†Mad-Eye told them, –are here as witnesses. As such, all you have to do is watch the proceedings, which cements the magical bind as I cast it. That’s the first step.â€
With that, he pointed his wand up in the air, and moved it slowly in a circular motion. –Convenemus,†he uttered.
A beam of silvery light burst from Mad-Eye’s wand and struck the ceiling, from which it splintered, and encircled the entire group in cage of light. Energy seemed to emanate from it, and it made Harry shiver slightly. But the cage of light was only visible for a second; it vanished suddenly, but Harry could still feel the energy pulsating around them, and knew it was still there.
Mad-Eye then pointed his wand at Aberforth. –Tibi mandamus arcanum nostrum, Aberforth Dumbledore, es custodem arcani.â€
The energy seemed to strengthen for a moment, and immediately after Mad-Eye finished chanting, he said loudly and clearly, –Aberforth Dumbledore is the Secret Keeper of the Order of the Phoenix, and the headquarters thereof may be found at Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, in Islington, London. Fidelius.â€
As he said the last word, Mad-Eye pointed his wand upward again. The cage of light immediately reappeared, flashing a fiery red, and then just as suddenly, it dissipated.
Mad-Eye lowered his wand. Kingsley, Tonks, and Lupin stepped out of the circle, and Harry realized that he must have finished casting the charm.
–That was quicker than I expected,†he said to Lupin, twenty minutes later, after Mrs. Weasley and the twins shifted the furniture back into place, and at Hestia’s invitation, those still at Grimmauld Place remained for tea. Mr. Weasley and Kingsley had left for work at the Ministry.
–Quick,†Lupin replied, –but difficult to cast. Still, hopefully we can lessen the security here now.â€
–I’m sure that’s a relief.â€
At that moment, there was a loud crash, and Harry and Lupin both looked around to see Tonks scrambling to clear up a smashed teacup and the stain on the carpet. Lupin promptly stood and repaired the cup with a wave of his wand, and then, as Harry watched in some bemusement, he Summoned the teapot and poured Tonks a fresh cup. On the other side of the room, he saw Ginny and Hermione watching, looking amused.
–How’s it going with Tonks?†Harry asked Lupin as he returned to his seat. –Heard you’re together now.â€
He nodded, grinning. –I’m glad Molly knocked sense into me. Reminded me of Lily. If she’d known about my behavior last year, she probably would have hexed me into the Dark Ages.â€
Harry stared at Lupin, at first unable to comprehend this of his mother, who’d always been described as a remarkably kind woman, but then he remembered Snape’s memory of Lily shouting at James in their fifth year. For the first time upon reflection of that uncomfortable memory, Harry smirked.
Then Lupin’s expression grew more serious, and he said in a low voice, –I hear you had your own fair share of romance last year too.â€
Harry’s smile faded, and he felt his face grow hot. –Ginny and I aren’t going out anymore.â€
Lupin nodded thoughtfully. –Not unlike myself last year, though I think your reasoning is better than mine was.†He glanced across the room, where Ginny was in conversation with Hermione and Tonks. –Just bear in mind, Harry, that you may need her before the end.â€
Harry stared at Lupin, but the latter then stood up and crossed the room to join Tonks in conversation with Ginny and Hermione. Harry watched them for some time, trying so hard to comprehend Lupin’s statement that he started when a gnarly hand rested on his shoulder. It was Aberforth.
–Potter,†he greeted quietly. –I believe we’ve met in Hogsmeade, but I’ve never introduced myself to you.â€
Harry nodded solemnly, and shook Aberforth’s hand. –Pleased to meet you.â€
–I’m glad you’re here,†Aberforth continued. –Mad-Eye invited you and your friends on my request.â€
Harry frowned. –How come? We’re not in the Order.â€
Aberforth glanced around the room, and then he said in an undertone, –I spoke to Albus before he died. Whatever you’re planning, Potter, do it quickly. That’s all I came here to say.â€
Stunned, Harry simply nodded, unable to think of a reply. Aberforth returned the nod and then promptly quitted the room, but Harry watched him go, wondering just how much Aberforth knew about his task.
–No! No, please!â€
–Begging for mercy? You shall have none. You do not deserve to live, Ginny, not after all you have done, all I have made you do.â€
A girl with red hair was hissing silently in a corridor, late at night, as a boy with mousy hair, carrying a camera and a bunch of grapes, turned a corner.
–Ginny?†he gasped, staring at the girl’s pale face and steely eyes. The girl made no response, she just continued hissing, and the boy turned and raised his camera just as something huge and serpentine stirred from the shadows. The boy fell, his face frozen in shock, stiff as a board.
Tom laughed mercilessly.
–I trusted you!†Ginny cried.
–Then you are a weak, powerless fool, and you are mine!â€
Ginny gasped and sat up abruptly, frantically looking around in the darkness for the pale, sneering face of Tom Riddle, but a light snore nearby her brought her back to the present. The room seemed very dark initially, but as she caught her breath, she was better able to see around her room, which was dimly lit by the half-moon outside. Hermione slept on a mattress on the floor nearby, thankfully undisturbed by Ginny’s fitful sleep.
Ginny sighed and wiped some of the cold sweat from her brow, wishing her hands would stop shaking, but then she slid out of bed, afraid to return to sleep only to return to her nightmares. There was a time, between her third and fourth years at school, when she would sometimes go weeks without the nighttime visions of the Chamber of Secrets. After Dumbledore had died, she began experiencing them almost every night.
She slipped past Hermione and out into the hall, trudging into the bathroom, where she turned on the sink and splashed cold water into her face, washing away the sweat and tears, and avoiding looking in the mirror, because it was at these times that she felt acute self-loathing. There had been some summer days where she had woken Hermione up after crying out at night, but Ginny felt as though she had no right to confide in her friend. Hermione had almost died because of her.
When she finished drying her face, Ginny quietly made her way down the stairs toward the kitchen, feeling a strong need for a glass of water. As she always did, she tried to force the images from the Chamber from her mind as she filled the glass.
–Ginny?â€
She almost dropped the glass. She hadn’t noticed, as she entered the kitchen absorbed in her self-incriminating thoughts, that Harry was already seated on the kitchen table.
–What are you doing up?†she asked.
–Couldn’t sleep,†Harry said, shrugging. –You?â€
She nodded. –Same.â€
They were silent for a long time. Then Harry asked hesitantly, –Do you want to take a walk outside? It helps to clear your head.â€
They wouldn’t be able to go out of sight of the house without someone in the Order immediately turning up to escort them back, but Ginny nodded after a minute, and Harry’s chair scraped on the kitchen floor as he stood up. He opened the back door up for her to allow her to step outside first, and Ginny’s eyes were immediately drawn to the dark sky, where she could see the constellation Cygnus rising in the east.
She and Harry slowly walked out into the garden, neither saying a word for a few minutes, until Ginny asked, –So what woke you up?â€
–I never went to sleep,†Harry admitted. –Had too much on my mind. What about you?â€
Ginny hesitated. –Nightmare.â€
Harry fell silent for a minute. Then he asked, –Do you want to talk about it?â€
Ginny was startled by the request, perhaps because she hadn’t talked about her dreams since she was twelve or thirteen. Every time she did, she heard Riddle taunting her for being weak, and she never wanted to seem weak.
–It’s silly, really,†she said, shaking her head.
Harry scrutinized her for a moment, and then he looked at the stars, and lowered himself onto one of the rickety garden benches.
–They never change,†he said, staring at Cygnus as well. –Peaceful, not like down here.â€
Ginny nodded sadly. –Here everything’s changed. It’s comforting to know, however, that at least the sky won’t change. Not unless Voldemort somehow finds a way to completely block out starlight.â€
–Merlin forbid,†Harry muttered.
They fell silent again. Ginny looked at Harry, who’s eyes were still fixed upon the stars, but his expression was stoic and resigned, not unlike the days before Dumbledore’s funeral, or the week or so after Sirius died.
Then something seemed to break inside her, causing her carefully guarded thoughts to come spilling out of her before she could stop herself.
–Ever since the Chamber of Secrets,†she said quietly, –I’ve had nightmares about it, about the things Riddle said and did to me, and sometimes I’ve dreamed about things that didn’t happen, but could have. It’s what woke me up tonight.â€
Harry looked concerned. –How often do you have these nightmares?â€
Ginny closed her eyes, trying to control her thoughts and emotions before she started crying again. Then she admitted, –All the time.â€
Harry nodded sympathetically, as though he understood, which, Ginny realized, was why she had suddenly found herself confiding in him, where in recent years she had confided to no one else. His own experiences with Voldemort weren’t the same as hers, but he too had a personal history with Voldemort that ran even deeper than physical torture or the threat of death.
–He made me relive the attacks,†Ginny continued, unable to meet Harry’s eyes. –In the Chamber he made me watch everything I’d been forced to do. Every time I get near a Dementor, and sometimes in these nightmares, I see myself setting that bloody Basilisk on Colin or Justin Finch-Fletchley or Hermione…†She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. –But still worse, he then forced images into my head, usually his own memories or his own sick thoughts, things he would… he would do to people…â€
It was at this point that her voice broke, and she couldn’t continue, nor could she stop the tears from streaming from her eyes. She buried her face in her hands, unable to look at Harry; she didn’t want to see his anger or his pity, because it reinforced her own humiliation and shame at the things he still didn’t know, the reason behind the bitter self-disgust she always felt when her past revisited her. But to her surprise, Harry immediately pulled her into a tight embrace. Ginny buried her face into his shoulder, but she forced down the sobs that threatened to erupt from her, instead simply sitting there in his arms, allowing herself to accept the comfort he offered.
After a few minutes, when she thought she’d completely regained control over herself, she pulled away from Harry. They sat in silence for some time, then, needing to move, to do something, Ginny looked at her watch, and was startled to see that it was almost four in the morning.
–I should go back to bed,†she muttered, wishing she didn’t sound like she had a head cold. –And you should go get some sleep.â€
Harry nodded quietly, and stood up. Together they went back toward the house, but the short walk seemed to take an age. As Harry opened the back door, however, and started to step inside, Ginny reached out and his arm, holding him back.
–Thanks for listening,†she told him quietly. –I think I needed it.â€
Harry smiled, and when she released him, he took her hand in his, and surprised her yet again when he gently tilted her chin up and then leaned forward to press a chaste kiss on her lips. Then he stepped away and went back inside, pausing only to bid her good night.
To her relief, Ginny’s nightmares didn’t return for the rest of the night.