Chapter Seven
First things first, Harry Apparated back to the Dursley's house. His Invisibility Cloak would likely come in handy.
"Where the fuck have you been?"
Harry glanced up in shock, seeing Draco on the stairs and glaring at him. After a second, he realized that Draco looked a combination of relieved and agitated, but he didn't actually look angry.
"Potter, where the fuck are you when people need you?" Draco shouted, rephrasing his question.
Harry winced, deciding that Draco was maybe a little angry after all. He didn't really have time to deal with Draco, though, and pushed past him on his way up the stairs.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" he asked impatiently.
"There's going to be an attack," Draco burst out.
Harry stiffened before grabbing Draco's arm and yanking him into his room. He knew there was going to be an attack, but he'd been under the impression that Draco didn't know.
"What are you on about?" Harry asked harshly.
He didn't realize his fingers were biting into Draco's biceps until Draco wrenched his arm free. "Sorry," Harry muttered automatically, earning him an odd look.
Harry ignored the look and asked directly, "What kind of attack and where?"
He listened intently as Draco rattled off the information Snape had told him not long before. The difference being that Draco named the small village.
"How do you know the attack will happen there?" Harry asked quickly. "Where'd you get this information?"
"I'm a Death Eater, Potter!" Draco exclaimed, and Harry was worried that he was sounding a little hysterical. "It tends to make me privy to inside information!"
Harry rolled his eyes impatiently. "Did you hear this from Voldemort himself?"
Draco shifted. "Well, no," he admitted, although he still sounded agitated. "But I know it's going to happen!"
"How do you know?" Harry asked, glaring intently.
Draco didn't look like he wanted to answer, but then he suddenly blurted it out. "Snape, all right! He warned me to be careful because I'm going to get called on this bloody attack!"
"Do you know for sure it's this town?" Harry asked in a rush. That was the information he needed and he needed to know if it was reliable. He knew damned well that that little piece of information hadn't come from Snape.
"Yes, I'm bloody sure!" Draco shouted.
"Fuck it all!" Harry shouted back. "How are you so sure?"
Draco started shifting nervously again. "I got the name of the village from Wormtail," he blurted out. "So, all right, I got my information from two of your least favourite Death Eaters, but I know it's accurate."
Harry bit his lip, debating whether information from Wormtail could be trusted or not. "Malfoy, if you're wrong . . . ," he trailed off.
"I'm not wrong, Potter!" Draco snapped. "I'm not risking my bloody life to bring you inaccurate information. I got my information from Snape and double checked it. Wormtail's a scummy creature but he's always under the Dark Lord's nose. He was able to confirm Snape's information for me and . . . with a little persuasion . . . he was stupid enough to give me a little more information."
Now, that Harry could believe. He could easily picture Wormtail spluttering out whatever he could so that he wouldn't be punished. "Did you hurt him?" Harry asked, maybe a little too hopefully considering Draco responded with a gleeful smirk.
"Not bad enough to raise questions, but he'll be feeling a might uncomfortable the rest of the day," Draco answered.
"Good," Harry said with a returning smirk, before he focused again on the situation at hand. He noticed Draco's face quickly fell into anxiety again.
"Are you all right?" Harry asked.
"No, I'm not bloody all right!" Draco exclaimed. "I'm supposed to go out tonight and do my best to take down anybody in my path for the sole purpose that it hopefully crushes you! I don't want to do this!"
His voice was rising to a worrying pitch. "Malfoy, calm down!" Harry commanded firmly.
To his surprise, Draco stopped his ranting immediately and attempted to catch his breath. Harry unceremoniously pushed him back to sit on the desk chair and crouched in front of him. Draco's eyes were shut tight and he seriously looked like he was falling apart at the seams.
"I don't want to do this," Draco choked out. "I didn't have to do the raids before. This will be the first time I've been expected to actually . . . do this. Even when I went on the attack of Victoria's home, I didn't have to do anything. I was there to watch and learn," he said, sounding ill.
Harry took a deep breath. "Look, calm down," he said firmly, but keeping his voice as calm and soothing as he could at the same time. "You can do this."
Draco's eyes snapped open. "You want me to hurt people?" he asked incredulously.
"No!" Harry said impatiently. "But you're going to do what you have to do. You're a fucking Slytherin, Malfoy! For Merlin's sake, you can figure out how to do this without actually doing real damage. You've just got to be sneaky about it."
He ignored Draco's stunned expression and continued. "It's a Death Eater attack and with this type of situation you'll be spread out everywhere trying to cause the most damage to the town. The others won't likely be watching you too closely."
"Snape'll be watching," Draco interjected. "He's always watching out for me."
"Fine," Harry said. "Then make it look like you're doing what you're supposed to be doing while making it difficult for anyone watching to tell."
Draco frowned in confusion. He was still highly agitated and it seemed to be taking him longer to comprehend.
"Malfoy, think!" Harry snapped. "Hasn't anyone ever taught you defensive strategies?"
"No, I'm taught offence," Draco retorted.
"Merlin," Harry muttered. "I could've sworn you were in Snape's class this past year."
"I've never been as good at Defence as you," Draco sulked.
Harry really wanted to just scream out his frustration, but he didn't have time for that. He also didn't have time to dwell on the fact that he was trying to soothe Draco's fears about participating in a Death Eater attack. He cursed the fact that Draco really didn't seem to be any good in a crisis.
Taking a deep breath, Harry started again. "Malfoy, you're lean and swift. Keep moving! Don't give anyone watching you time to really focus on you. Keep firing spells! But use less damaging spells. Stupefy should help because it will down people in your path, but not actually hurt them badly. The other Death Eaters aren't likely to stop at a downed victim and check what damage has actually been done to them. They'll keep moving, just like you need to keep moving."
Harry closed his eyes, cursing the fact that Snape would be a far better choice at helping Draco deflect attention while doing the least amount of damage. "Stick to your shadows, and make damned sure you keep your hood up," he added, opening his eyes to glare at Draco again. "If anyone recognizes you, there are a lot of people that'll target you immediately."
"Oh, gods," Draco moaned. "I can't do this."
"You have to for the moment," Harry said firmly.
"Potter, do you realize what you're saying?" Draco asked plaintively.
Harry ran a hand through his hair. "Yes, I do," he snapped.
"Why?" Draco asked in a small voice. "Why are you helping me with . . . this?"
"Because I don't really want to see you dead!" Harry exclaimed.
Draco blinked at him in astonishment. "You don't?"
Harry was flustered for a moment. "No, I don't. But, um," he paused and took a deep breath, hoping to ward off any more floundering. "Look, you're Victoria's father. She needs you. You've said yourself that you can't leave the Death Eaters. I know Voldemort would track you down and have you killed, not to mention your mother. I know you have to do this right now, whether I like it or not."
He gave Draco a speculative glance. "Whether youlike it or not."
Draco looked down to the floor, sighing heavily. "I got myself into this, I have to deal with it," he said in resignation.
"You are not going to just sit down and admit defeat," Harry snapped. "Already you're trying to do something to change the situation. That's a good thing, Malfoy."
"I'm not cut out for this, Potter! I can't do it!" Draco exclaimed.
"You will do it until we can figure out a way to get you and your family out of it alive!" Harry shouted. "You're going to put your damnable Malfoy mask back in place and you're going to get your aristocratic arse out there tonight. You're going to ignore everything that you can't do anything about. You're going to do the best that you can, and you're going to do what Slytherins do best and save your own arse!"
Harry only paused for breath as he continued his rant, shouting at the gobsmacked blond. "On top of all that, you're going to hope like hell that I can get things worked out so that this will all get thwarted and you won't actually have to do anything anyway! You'll hope like hell that Voldemort doesn't decide you're one of the ones deserving the Cruciatus Curse tonight for a failed mission! And if you are one of the unfortunates that does get the lovely privilege of that curse tonight, then you're going to deal with it and be thankful you've got Snape protecting you because he'll help make sure you get healed up properly with all his damned potions!"
Harry heaved in another breath. "You're right that you got yourself into this mess, now you're going to have to fucking deal with it until we can figure out how to get you out of it safely. Now, pull yourself fucking together!"
Draco gazed at him dazedly for several long seconds before he visibly began pulling himself together as Harry ordered. Harry breathed a sigh of relief, watching Draco's spine straighten and his expression morph into his trademark smirk. The bloodshot eyes, the dark smudges under them and the gaunt cheeks were still there and not exactly encouraging, but overall Draco didn't look as if he was going to fall apart any longer.
"I didn't know you had it in you, Potter," Draco drawled.
Harry rolled his eyes and stood finally. With that mini-breakdown apparently dealt with, he still had a lot to do. Glancing across the small room, he finally registered Winky staring back at them with her impossibly wide eyes.
"Winky, I need you to stay here with Victoria," Harry said commandingly. He didn't have time for niceties. "I don't know when I'll be back."
"Does Master Harry need Winky for anything else?" she asked.
Harry's brow furrowed, thinking hard about all the things that needed to be taken care of before nightfall. "No," he said, shaking his head decisively. He was already digging through his trunk and slammed the lid closed after he'd pulled out his Invisibility Cloak.
"Is that an Invisibility Cloak?" Draco asked incredulously.
"Yes," Harry said shortly, already stuffing it into a rucksack which he promptly threw over his shoulder. He wasn't wearing robes and it wasn't exactly going to be hidden if he tried stuffing it under his shirt. This would keep it out of sight and safe for the moment. His eyes swept his room again, trying to determine if there was anything else he needed. Not seeing anything, he strode to the door.
"Potter, wait!"
"What, Malfoy?" Harry questioned, continuing his way down the stairs.
"What are you planning on doing?" Draco asked.
"I'm going to set up a counter-attack," Harry said calmly.
"That's not what I meant, Potter," Draco snapped. "I meant, where are you planning on being tonight?"
Harry rounded on Draco. "I plan on doing what I can to save as many bloody people as possible," he ground out. "You tell me where I'll be tonight."
"Potter, you can't be there!" Draco exclaimed.
"Why not?" Harry asked incredulously.
"You can't get hurt!" Draco snapped.
Harry blinked at him in amazement.
"Well, what am I supposed to do if you end up dead?" Draco said, flushing a little.
Harry shook his head. "I don't plan on dying tonight, Malfoy," he said coldly.
"Potter!"
"No, this isn't up for debate," Harry said, his eyes flashing dangerously. "You have your job to do tonight and I have my job."
"Why do you have to be a bloody Gryffindor?" Draco muttered even as he backed off.
Harry rolled his eyes before spinning on his heel and heading for the back door, Draco still following him.
Harry made it to the narrow alleyway behind the house and turned to face Draco. He realized Draco was again looking nervous. "Malfoy, just do the best you can," he said softly.
Draco shook his head, indicating that wasn't what he was worried about now. "Can I come back tomorrow?" he asked quietly. "Will you be here?"
Harry quirked a lopsided grin. "Sure, Malfoy. I'll be here."
Draco offered Harry a small smile. Harry took the smile with him as he Apparated to the Burrow.
* * * * *
Harry pushed open the back door and didn't even have a chance to register who all was there before he was engulfed in a huge hug.
"Harry, we were so worried about you!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. She pushed him back so she could get a good look at him. "Hmmm, you actually look like you've been eating more this summer."
He grinned. "I've been eating fine, Mrs. Weasley."
"Harry!"
Harry turned in time to be slammed by Hermione. He hugged her back, then wrapped Ginny in a warm embrace. A round of back-slapping with Ron and the twins and Harry was allowed to step back and breathe again.
"Harry, we didn't expect you yet," Hermione said excitedly. "I thought you said you weren't coming until your birthday."
Harry immediately sobered. "I'm not here to stay," he said flatly before turning to Mrs. Weasley. "I need to call an Order meeting, but, um, I don't know how," he admitted.
He rubbed his temples at the chorus of exclamations. This was turning into a bloody long day, with no end in sight.
"Stop!" he shouted, bringing blessed silence down upon the room.
Harry gazed calmly at Mrs. Weasley. "Do you know how to contact the Order?"
"Is it urgent?" she questioned nervously.
Frowning, Harry debated what urgent actually meant. "We've got until nightfall," he answered with a shrug. It wasn't like the Death Eaters were invading the town in ten minutes or something.
Her eyes widened, but she nodded decisively. "Then that'll be time enough to set the Floo network in motion," Mrs. Weasley said, already moving to the fireplace. Harry stepped forward as she contacted McGonagall.
"Minerva, Harry is here and wishes to call an Order meeting immediately," Mrs. Weasley said.
Harry wondered if his professor looked as alarmed at the news as everyone else had. Her voice sounded as stern as it usually did as she requested to speak to Harry directly. Mrs. Weasley eased back out of the fire and gestured Harry into it with her. Harry knelt down before the fireplace and stuck his head into the green flames.
"Mr. Potter?" McGonagall questioned.
"Professor, there will be an attack in one of the small towns near Little Whinging tonight," he said bluntly, and wasn't surprised to be surrounded by a chorus of gasps. "I need to get the Order gathered and prepare for the counter-attack."
"How do you know? Are you certain?"
"Yes, I'm certain," Harry said firmly, nodding to her. "I had a vision where I overheard this information," he lied smoothly. He'd prepared himself for this. He snorted inwardly. Or rather, Snape had prepared him for this.
McGonagall stared at him for a few seconds longer, before facing Mrs. Weasley. "Molly, you know who to call. I'll start on my end," she said, waiting for the affirmative response from Mrs. Weasley. "One hour," she said firmly before she disappeared.
Harry backed away from the fireplace so Mrs. Weasley could start making her Floo calls. He quickly learned that the Order had some kind of network in place so that everyone could be contacted as quickly as possible. After listening to her inform Tonks and Mrs. Figg, Harry turned back towards his friends who were all watching with worried expressions.
"Oh, Harry!" Hermione exclaimed softly. "You're having visions again?"
"Yeah," Harry answered wearily, flopping down in one of the chairs at the table.
"How do you know it's true?" Ron blurted out.
Harry flinched, despite having known this issue would come up. "Can we afford to take the risk of it not being true?" he snapped.
"But Harry," Hermione began warily. "You know the history."
Harry glared at her. "Yes, I do know," he said sharply. "This felt different, though, and you're just going to have to trust me."
"I do trust you," Hermione said. "But, Harry, you can't just know it's different."
Harry's nostrils flared. "When Voldemort starts invading your head, then we'll get into a discussion about how it feels. Then you can lecture me about the subtle differences a person learns to notice regarding visions that help determine whether it's planted or whether Voldemort even knows you're seeing anything. Until that time, you're just going to have to trust that I've learned the bloody difference myself," he said angrily.
Hermione was pale and looked incredibly hurt by Harry's outburst, but Harry refused to feel too guilty about it. She was just going to have to believe that this was a vision about Voldemort's plans, because he knew that she'd never believe him if he actually told the truth.
"All right, Harry," Hermione said quietly.
Harry nodded his acknowledgement.
They all started when Mrs. Weasley rounded on them. "All right," she said sternly. "We'll be having have an Order meeting in a short time. I need tables and chairs set up on the back lawn immediately. Fred and George, you know the routine."
Trooping out to the backyard, everyone remained sober as they quickly got the backyard arranged to accommodate the influx of people that would be there soon. In fact, as they worked, people began arriving. Harry wasn't a whole lot of help as he was soon being greeted by half the members of the Order. He was thankful when no one questioned him, though.
It finally hit him that no one probably knew why exactly they were being called there. He looked around and recognized the confused and wary expressions. Professor McGonagall led him to the sitting room when she arrived, casting Privacy wards on the room before speaking.
"Mr. Potter, everyone is particularly concerned and a little . . . nervous because this is the first Order meeting that has been called since," she swallowed hard. "Since the Headmaster passed away."
Harry blinked at her in amazement. "Why haven't there been any Order meetings?" he demanded. "There's still a war going on!"
She pursed her lips in disapproval. "I know you are aware that we lost our connection to You Know Who," she said. "In the past month, we have had no information to work with."
"Surely there are things the Order could still be doing!" Harry exclaimed.
"Mr. Potter, we have lost our leader in these dark times," McGonagall said sternly. "People are grieving. People have lost their sense of direction."
"Well, they had best get it back," Harry retorted. "We don't bloody have time for people to get lost now."
Her eyes widened marginally. "Perhaps you are correct," she said slowly. "But you should be aware that people are understandably not trusting at the moment."
"They had best get over it," Harry said grimly, speaking more to himself than her as his gaze went to the window. "I've got enough to deal with. I don't need a bunch of squabbling adults as well."
McGonagall's lips twitched as she studied him. "I think perhaps it is time for this meeting to start." With a flick of her wand she dropped the Privacy wards and briskly left the room, Harry trailing along in her wake.
Harry hadn't even stepped outside before he heard the yelling.
"You are not old enough to be attending these meetings," Mrs. Weasley screeched at her children and Hermione. "Now, I will hear no more of this."
Ignoring them, Harry watched in amazement as Professor McGonagall took a seat just to the left of the head of the long table, and gestured for Harry to take that spot. Remus was sitting across from her and smiled at Harry in welcome, although it was a bit strained under the circumstances.
Dazedly, Harry made his way over and stared down the length of the makeshift conference table that had been created from several smaller tables being pushed together.
McGonagall gave him a sharp look of approval, and Harry took a deep breath before tuning back in to the argument amongst the Weasleys.
"Mrs. Weasley," he said firmly, gaining her attention. "I know you don't want to have them listen in on this meeting, but it would save me a lot of time if I could tell them at the same time as I tell everyone else."
Harry met her stern gaze steadily, not backing down. "You know that the second this meeting is over that I will just have to start all over with explaining to them."
Harry's friends wisely remained silent, but were wide-eyed at the battle of wills taking place before them.
Finally, Mrs. Weasley pursed her lips in disapproval, but nodded. Without another word, they all quickly found seats at the table.
The entire table had gone quiet and everyone was staring at Harry. He glanced at McGonagall again, but she simply nodded for him to go ahead. He hadn't been prepared for this. He'd expected her to be in charge now that Dumbledore was gone.
"Go ahead, Harry," Remus said quietly, giving him a reassuring smile.
Harry returned the smile gratefully, finding his confidence returning. "Okay, I called this Order meeting because there's going to be an attack tonight."
He felt unprepared again as chaos immediately broke out around the table. Some people looked panicked, some looked disbelieving, some looked angry, and some simply looked sad.
"You called this Order meeting?" Shacklebolt asked in amazement, his deep voice carrying over the cacophony surrounding him.
"Yes," Harry answered simply. "We have a job that needs to be done tonight."
"But you can't be in charge," someone shouted out that Harry didn't recognize.
Harry shrugged. "Someone has to."
"You are not even seventeen yet," someone else exclaimed. "You cannot possibly presume to take Dumbledore's place."
Harry's face hardened. "You're right," he said coldly. "I'm not going to take Dumbledore's place. He was an amazing man, deeply respected, and looked up to by many. All of us here grieve his absence, but what you seem to be forgetting is that he has never truly left us alone."
Harry was just as shocked as everyone else when a sudden trilling filled the air. "Fawkes," he breathed.
Looking up into the blue sky he saw the flash of red and gold circling towards them. He went cross-eyed as the beautiful bird landed heavily on his shoulder. Blinking and refocusing, he reached up to pet the phoenix, filled with awe at the sight. "Hello, Fawkes," Harry whispered.
Fawkes trilled a cheerful greeting, warming Harry's soul.
"He will always be here for those of us who believe," Harry breathed in wonder. Taking courage from the phoenix, he gazed back to the group of Order members. He realized all of them were looking as awed as he felt.
"Professor Dumbledore will always be here with us in our hearts," Harry said softly. "He will remain with us as we heed his words and advice. I don't believe he will ever truly be gone," he said, pausing and gazing at Fawkes again briefly. "I do not presume to take his place."
Taking a deep breath, his tone was stronger when he spoke again. "However, I will not do him a disservice by ignoring the tasks that need to be done. He would consider it a great dishonour for us to be sitting here grieving while he's off on his next great adventure, anyway."
McGonagall caught his eye and gave him an understanding smile. Harry smiled back, willing to bet she'd heard Dumbledore talk about it many times. He watched as she retrieved her wand from her pocket and conjured a perch for Fawkes. With another trill, the phoenix left Harry's shoulder and settled in comfortably, looking for all the world like he was overseeing the meeting alongside Harry.
"So, are we ready to try this again?" Harry asked with a cheeky grin. He received some dazed laughter in response.
Harry sobered and gazed solemnly at the gathered Order members. "I'm here and called this meeting because there is a job that needs to be done tonight."
Everyone was listening to him intently, and Harry could feel the pressure bearing down on him. His connection to Voldemort was not something he freely talked about, and wasn't so sure he should be talking about it now. He needed these people to believe in him, though. He decided to try just skipping over that part, fairly certain that's what Dumbledore would have done.
"Voldemort will be attacking a small town near Little Whinging where my relatives live," Harry said. "I don't believe he can attack the town directly, probably because of something Dumbledore has done in the past. I'm not really sure," he admitted. "But I am sure that he's planning on this attack so that it hits literally close to home for me."
"My, uh, method of obtaining information isn't perfect, and I only know so much," he said and went on to explain what he did know, including the town, number of Death Eaters and the fact that it was supposed to happen sometime during the night, although he couldn't say precisely when.
"How do you know all this?" Moody asked suspiciously.
Harry drew in a deep breath before responding. "It's a method that you've all acted on before that Dumbledore knew about," he answered truthfully. It was just the spy method rather than the scar method that some of them knew about.
"And what method would this be?" Shacklebolt questioned.
Harry floundered, not wanting to answer directly. He didn't believe people would react well to knowing he had a direct connection to Voldemort's mind.
"It's a complex skill based on the history between Harry and Voldemort," Hermione spoke up, laying her lecture tones on thick. "It relies heavily on the magical phenomena from when Harry survived the Killing Curse as a baby, which means that it is not a skill that just anyone can master. Professor Dumbledore was a wise man learned in the art of the Old Magic and was able to help Harry develop his skills to a manageable level. It's an imprecise magic, unfortunately, but can be very useful," she added briskly.
Harry stared at her in amazement as she continued spouting off utter nonsense. With her no-nonsense voice and her reputation as a brainy bookworm, she was making her explanation sound amazingly complex and completely believable. Since he was pretty sure even Dumbledore hadn't precisely understood Harry's connection to Voldemort, he had to wonder what Hermione was actually explaining so in-depth.
His gaze landed on Ron sitting beside her and had to repress his snicker as he recognized the dazed expression Ron always got when he automatically tuned out Hermione's lectures. He risked a glance at Professor McGonagall who knew it was a load of nonsense. She kept her stern mask in place, but her eyes were sparkling with amusement.
Checking out everyone else, he recognized several more people who were looking as dazed as Ron. Tonks looked about ready to fall asleep, while Remus was gazing at Hermione as if he was gleaning valuable knowledge. He wondered if Remus actually knew what Hermione was describing. Many were just staring at her in fascination as she continued to rattle off facts. No one seemed to be disbelieving, though, which Harry was thankful for. He was going to owe Hermione for this one. He didn't think anyone would dare to question how he was coming up with this knowledge anymore.
"So, as I'm sure you can all clearly understand," Hermione said, winding down. "It's an incredible and unique method Harry has that allows us to gain access to such important information."
She sat back primly and turned her gaze back to Harry expectantly.
"Um, yeah," Harry said. "So, I believe we can discuss what our plan of attack will actually be for tonight."
Those that had become lost in a stupor with Hermione's explanation became more animated again as Harry spoke.
"Do you have any suggestions, Harry?" Remus asked.
Harry darted a small, grateful smile at him. People were already having enough trouble adjusting to a teenager running the meeting. Support from some of the adult members was both reassuring and helpful. Oddly enough, the majority of the group seemed to appreciate the direction, even coming from someone so young. He had to wonder how much of it was due to the fact that he was Harry Potter, the Chosen One.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Harry began laying out the basic strategies that Snape had gone over that morning. The main difference being the fact that Harry narrowed the counter-attack mostly down to one town. He hesitated briefly before suggesting that lookouts be posted in the two neighbouring towns, pointing out that Voldemort had considered them and could always change his mind. Someone should be on the lookout for Death Eater activity who could Apparate and alert others if need be.
Harry sighed in relief as the others began cooperating and working out who would be where. Moody and Shacklebolt seemed to take charge and Harry listened intently as everyone was assigned their posts and duties. These people had done this before.
Sinking back into his chair, Harry realized that everyone had just needed someone to get them started. Once they had some information and a little direction, like McGonagall had pointed out, the group seemed to pull together into a cohesive unit.
Things were finally flowing smoothly until it came to the question of the youngest members of the group. Fred, George, Ron, Ginny and Hermione were arguing over being left out, stating they wanted to help. Mrs. Weasley actually had backup this time from other members of the Order who didn't want the "children" involved. Harry stayed out of it as long as possible, but it wasn't really that long before he was dragged into the argument.
"Harry wants to fight as well," Ron exclaimed. "Right, Harry?"
Harry found himself suddenly in the spotlight again. "I will be where the fighting is," he admitted quietly.
"See!" Ron exclaimed triumphantly.
"That wasn't a question out of your mouth, Harry," Remus said sharply, catching what Ron hadn't. Attention quickly shifted to their end of the table. Remus didn't often take that tone of voice.
"No, it wasn't," Harry agreed calmly.
"Harry," Remus said warningly.
Harry didn't flinch under Remus' penetrating gaze. "I know my importance in this war better than any single person here," he said, ignoring the sharp looks he knew he received from Ron and Hermione, let alone everyone else. "I know and understand the risks that I am taking, and I assure you that I don't intend to be in the direct line of fire."
"However, I will be where the fighting is," Harry continued, his voice hard and filled with determination. "If there is an opportunity that I can help, then I will do so. I will not be sitting at home doing nothing when there is a war to fight."
"This is one battle, not the war," Remus said firmly.
Remus was a little surprised when Harry nodded his head in agreement. "You're right. The war will not be won by fighting these battles, but it will not stop me from doing whatever I can to thwart Voldemort in his efforts."
"Harry you've done your part by bringing this to our attention," Remus said. "Now let us do our part."
"You will be," Harry said evenly. "But this is a group effort tonight. It is foolish not to accept as much help as possible. The larger the numbers, the more likely the Death Eaters will not even stick around to fight. Placing us children as lookouts in the places needed frees up others with more experience and skills in fighting the Death Eaters."
Harry gestured to his friends. "Ron, Hermione, Ginny and myself do have some experience fighting the Death Eaters. We're not new to this and I see no point in trying to shelter us from it."
Remus sighed in defeat. "When you turn into this intelligent young man preparing for war, you make far too much sense for me to argue with you."
After that, Mrs. Weasley grudgingly allowed the others to be the lookouts in the other towns. Harry knew she was still only allowing it because Harry had said there was only a slim chance that Death Eaters would even show up there. His friends didn't look overly pleased at not being where things would likely be taking place, but they accepted the fact that they were being allowed to go at all. Ron and Hermione would be together and the twins would be in the other town keeping watch. Ginny didn't know how to Apparate yet and would be going with the twins who were capable of doing a Side-Along Apparition.
Harry refused to be anywhere else aside from where the battle was likely to take place, but readily agreed that he would be utilizing his Invisibility Cloak.
The meeting was breaking up and the majority of the people that didn't normally hang around the Weasleys had left before Madam Pomfrey spoke up. "We have a slightly different problem," she said hesitantly, not seeming to know who to direct her concerns to at first. Finally she focused on Professor McGonagall. "The hospital wing is stocked well enough for any injuries that will hopefully not be occurring tonight, but if this type of occasion occurs again, I will quickly run low on certain potions."
McGonagall's lips thinned to a tightly pressed line. "That does raise a concern," she agreed.
"What happened to Slughorn?" Harry interjected curiously.
"Mr. Potter, I believe you were there when Professor Dumbledore asked him to come teach," McGonagall said sharply.
"He went back into hiding again, didn't he?" Harry asked.
McGonagall nodded curtly. "Unfortunately, it is not just a matter of losing him," she stated.
Harry narrowed his eyes in suspicion and she nodded again. "Bloody hell!" he exclaimed.
"Mr. Potter! Control your language!" McGonagall snapped.
Harry just rolled his eyes, thinking about the problem this presented. "I gather Snape was the one who continued to make certain potions," he said bitterly.
There were a lot of gasps as Harry dared to say Snape's name. He wondered if it was going to be as bad as saying Voldemort's name. Pushing that thought out of his head, he focused again on potions.
"I'm not exactly sure what our solution is," McGonagall was saying. "Potion making is not a talent held by all. I believe we could purchase some of the more difficult-to-brew potions."
"It can be difficult to find high quality potions on the market, and if you can find them, they are very expensive," Remus said quietly.
Harry stared at Remus, comprehension dawning on him. "You haven't had your Wolfsbane."
Remus simply shook his head.
Harry wanted to curse and scream that it bloody wasn't fair. He knew where the Potions Master was and knew he was still on the Light side.
His eyes slowly widened. He supposedly didn't have access to the Potions Master, but he did have access to the Potions Master's notes. He could fake his way through an entire year of Potions and brew them better than even Hermione. He could use it as a cover to fake his way through this now—with a little help from the Potions Master himself if he was lucky. Plus, he had access to Draco as well.
Harry glanced down the table and met Hermione's gaze. She was glaring at him and he realized that she understood at least part of what he was thinking.
"No, Harry," she said. "It's dangerous."
"It is not!" Harry retorted.
The discussion that had continued amongst the adults while Harry's thoughts turned inward, now halted as they listened to Harry and Hermione.
"How can you say that?" Hermione snapped angrily.
"Because it could help," Harry said. "And we need all the help we can get."
"Not from him," she said, sounding even more furious.
"Hermione, it's a book," Harry said evenly. "No more, no less."
"You know that's not true," Hermione said, pursing her lips.
Harry was growing impatient with this conversation fast, especially since they'd been having this argument for months. "This isn't about grades this time, Hermione. This is about being able to help save people's lives."
"Exactly," she snapped, acting like Harry had proved her point for her. "And we're not going to risk any lives that way."
"I can't believe you'd even suggest it!" Ron yelled, looking both angry and confused as he found his voice.
"It's just a bloody book!" Harry shouted.
"It's not and you know it, Harry!" Hermione's voice rising as well.
"Enough!" McGonagall interjected into the fray. She turned her piercing gaze on Harry. "What is this about, Mr. Potter?"
"I have a way that I could probably get some of the potions that Madam Pomfrey will be needing," Harry said, his voice firm but much calmer.
"But it's dangerous!" Hermione said. "It was Snape's book."
Harry shot her a dangerous glare, evil thoughts about tattle-tales going through his head.
"Mr. Potter," McGonagall said in a warning tone.
Harry sighed heavily and briefly explained the book, mainly just mentioning the fact that it had Snape's extra notes about the different potions within.
He wasn't pleased when Hermione quickly pointed out that it also had dangerous spells that Harry had been learning from it, but at least she didn't mention the one Harry had actually used on Draco.
McGonagall looked grim as she mulled over everything that had been said. "Professor Snape knew his potions," she said finally. "Harry, do you believe you could successfully brew some of the potions Madam Pomfrey will need?"
"Yes," Harry said quickly, thankful some of the healing potions had been on the curriculum for sixth year. "And what I can't brew, I will find and buy," he added.
"That is not necessary, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said stiffly. "In this instance, it is the Order's responsibility, or that of Hogwarts."
"I am a part of the Order," Harry said firmly. "I've also got the means to brew or purchase the potions needed." He didn't dare look over at Hermione and Ron, knowing that neither would be happy with him.
"This should not be your responsibility," Professor McGonagall said, not looking happy with the situation either.
Harry shrugged. "It's got to be somebody's and I'm somebody that can do something about it."
She studied him for several long moments before she sighed heavily. It was a reaction Harry was getting used to. "Very well, then," she said.
"Um, I'll need to stop by Hogwarts," Harry said.
She gave him another sharp look. "I don't think I want to know."
Harry finally grinned. "No, I don't think you do."
McGonagall smiled slightly in return. "Hogwarts is always open," she said, rising to leave. "I expect I will see you tomorrow."
Harry nodded, but her words had given him new questions. He didn't voice them as she walked away, though. He was curious as to how Hogwarts was protected when everyone was obviously away. He figured Filch and Mrs. Norris were likely the only ones who had actually been there that afternoon, but maybe there were a few others. The wards probably were a big protection, even without anyone around, he figured.
The bigger question, was whether anyone had decided if Hogwarts would be open the next year, and Harry wasn't sure if he actually wanted to know the answer or not yet. If Hogwarts wasn't going to be open, then he would have a different set of problems to deal with, and at the moment, he didn't have the will to think about it.
All of the adults disappeared and Harry was left with his friends moving to sit closer to him. He knew he was about to be pelted with questions and wasn't looking forward to it.