Training and Confrontations

Chapter V

Wednesday, July 3, 1997 continued

Whatever else Harry and Luna might have been up to that morning, by the time Mr. Lovegood arrived for lunch, everything was well-organized and clean.

"Harry, these might not be your style, but they should be your size. Go try these on." He handed Harry a large stack of Muggle clothes: shirts; slacks; underwear; socks; and a pair of boots.

Harry came back fifteen minutes later, wearing some of his new clothes and full of thanks for Mr. Lovegood, who accepted the thanks but refused any money.

"You're going to need your ready money, and you'll be paying me back in a different way," Lovegood said as they sat down to lunch. "Harry, the more I've dug into this, the more I've decided that you need time away from everyone who's had power over you. Now, there's risk involved, but the attack on your late guardians shows that there's plenty of risk already."

"True," Harry had to admit.

"I take it you're fairly functional in the Muggle world, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Now, my maternal grandfather married a second time, to a Muggle. They had one daughter, a Squib. She died last year of some Muggle disease." Seeing Harry's look, Lovegood explained, "I forgot. You were raised by Muggles. We get very few terminal diseases, Harry. Most magical-born, even one of somewhat mixed heritage such as yourself, should live to between 165 and 200. Pure Muggle-borns generally live until between 120 and 150. A true half-blood would be somewhere in between. Of course, we do seem to have at least as many accidents as Muggles, just different kinds."

Lovegood shrugged. "No matter. What is important is she never married and that I inherited her little house, which her father had given her. It may seem a bit dated to you; I don't know how fast the Muggle world has been changing lately. Still, we got her all new Muggle appliances in the mid-1980s, so you should feel pretty much at home."

"I'm going there?"

"We're going there," Luna insisted.

"Perhaps," Lovegood told his daughter. He turned to Harry. "Yes, you may go there. It's a fair sized town just outside of Greater London, place called Great Pagford. The house is a few blocks off the High Street. It's actually nicely isolated. To the south is some Muggle motorway. To the west is an old canal, and beyond that is some sort of factory. There's some monstrous parking thingy a few dozen yards to the north, and beyond that is a huge Muggle hospital. There are trees between the house and the road, the canal, and the parking thing."

"What's on the other side?" Harry asked.

"A large Methodist chapel, parking, and medical offices up the street. Now, after that there is yet more parking, and then the High Street. So, you'll be fairly isolated. So far as I know, there aren't any magical families in Pagford, and they certainly wouldn't be going to the hospital and they wouldn't be likely to go to the chapel, unless they're Muggle-born. There is an optometrist on the High street. I suggest you get your self some new glasses, and either cut your hair or wear a hat."

"Yes, sir."

"If you don't use any magic, you both should be safe there, there are lots of wards. Well, I supposed if you can do any wandless magic at all, that would also be safe, but don't use your wands unless it's as a last resort. It will likely be spotted on the property, and certainly would be off. Now, the house is on the floo network in theory, but it only connects to my office. The rest is fire calls only. Understand?"

The pair nodded.

"you know those can be traced, correct?"

"Oh, yes," Harry agreed, remembering the previous year.

"Now, after lunch, I need to get Luna's potion supply. I ordered it through late August, since we're supposed to go to Sweden."

"Daddy!" Luna pleaded.

"What other magical supplies do you need, Potter, for between now and the middle of August?"

"Do you think I can stay hidden that long?" Harry asked.

"Yes, if we can get you out of here by the tenth." Harry and Luna looked puzzled.

"The magic quill that addresses letters to students only works between July eleventh and August thirtieth," Lovegood said. "You can't be traced to the house in Pagford while you're there. My grandfather did some very classified work, and worked in a small hut near where that parking thing is. He insured that anyone on the property can not be traced, and those wards still work. I imagine as soon as the quill becomes operational, that is at one second after midnight the morning of the eleventh, they'll try to use it to find you. You need to have everything in place by the evening of the tenth and then not leave the house for a week or so. Once you're under the wards for a full week, you should stay untraceable if you're not out more than four hours a day, or stray much further than a mile away."

"Won't they get suspicious if they can't find Luna either, when she's supposed to be in Sweden?" Harry asked.

"No. I had arranged with Flitwick months ago to send things to my camp in Sweden, since that's out of range. Is that your owl?"

"Yes, sir."

"She's your familiar?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then she alone can find you. You can only write to me, understand? If you sent her to anyone else, they shouldn't be able to trace her back, but you never know for certain."

"I understand."

"Now, what else might you need?" He turned to Luna. "We'll talk about where you'll be spending July when I come back."

"Yes, Daddy."

It didn't take Luna long to wrap her father around her own wishes. Therefore, at little before 3:00, the three slid out of the tiny fireplace at the cottage in Great Pagford.

It was a very small house. The small fireplace took up almost half of the wall space on the southern side wall of the parlor. This room took up the entire front of the house, and was only 12 x 24 feet. Behind the parlor on the south side was a tiny dining room (9 x 8 feet), a kitchen (12 x 8 feet), and a set of stairs down into the cellar. There was a small back hall, off the cellar entrance, leading to a small screened in back porch and the small hall going back to the parlor, with a large bathroom (9 x 12 feet) and bedroom (15 x 12 feet). There was also an enclosed porch off the north side of the parlor. A larger room (20 x 15) had been added on to the back. This was a study, and had a desk and some book shelves, empty except for some standard reference books.

Harry was pleasantly surprised to see a nice stove, a dishwasher, and a large fridge in the kitchen, and there was even an older microwave and some other appliances. The cellar had a freezer, a washer, and even a dryer. Mr. Lovegood had picked Harry up some weights to train with, and restored them in the cellar, along with some exercise mats.

Most surprising, however, was what had looked like a closet near the front door turned out to have a fold out bed in it instead. "This is your bed," Lovegood reminded Harry sternly. Harry merely nodded his head. Mr. Lovegood then unpacked a large amount of tinned goods, and other groceries.

After Harry and Luna had put all the supplies away, Mr. Lovegood took the pair over to the High Street. Harry saw that the optometrist was still open, and had an exam. He ordered several pairs of glasses, but decided against contacts. Since Harry's were very common prescriptions, he would be able to pick everything up in two days. After picking up some more clothes, Muggle supplies (such as laundry and dishwasher soaps), and some fresh dairy products, the trio went back.

Mr. Lovegood had already made the necessary changes to Harry's school and debit cards. Mr. Lovegood was moderately well-known in the town, and Luna was far from unknown. Harry's cover story was that he was a cousin of Luna's late mother, and the pair of them were getting the house into shape. Since it was badly in need of painting outside, and needed to have the grass cut and the fruit trees pruned, this was believable. No one could have known that the inside was in much better shape than the slightly run-down outside.

Harry and Luna spent most of the next week (except for two days when it rained) mostly settling in and doing their primary outside chores. Luna scrapped the paint on the outside of the small house. Harry mowed the large lot with the old push mower (it took him a while to get it to work, as Mr. Lovegood had obviously used magic in some way to get it to work). Harry also pruned and cleaned up the many apple and pear trees.

The pair spent every nice morning working outside, and then showered and ate lunch down by the canal. There was still the odd barge going through the canal, especially in connection with the factory across the canal. Still, their side was very pleasant, and the side directly facing them was also grassy and had some trees, although further up was a loading area. After lunch, they would stroll down to the High Street, sometimes making purchases and sometimes just looking. In the late afternoons, Harry would help Luna revise for her O.W.L.s, and just before they went to bed, Harry would spend time reading the books on defense and Occlumency that Mr. Lovegood had gotten him or had loaned him (from his own auror training). Harry had also discovered a cache of books under the extension behind the house. Luna could not see through the charm, but Harry could, and was pleased to find a number of useful books on the Dark Arts (although he was mostly interested in fighting them, he figured it wouldn't hurt to know some of the curses and hexes).

The days it rained, Harry worked out in the cellar, and Luna helped him learn to meditate, which he found helped him with his Occlumency exercises. They also experimented with wandless magic, and found they both rather had something of a knack for it, especially Harry.

Harry also bought a VCR their third day. Luna was fascinated by Muggle ideas of magic, and they would see many of the classics of fantasy and science fiction. They split the household chores, and they found their affection growing by the day, although they slept separately at first, as Mr. Lovegood was not leaving until the morning of July 6.

The morning of July 10, however, they changed their routine. They took a bus over to the next town, Paggleham. Harry knew he had put off making a phone call too long as it was.

Early July was a time of growing stress for the Order of the Phoenix as well as for the Weasleys and Hermione. Tempers were not improved when Minister Fudge made Percy Weasley the Ministry liaison to the Order. The Weasleys had moved back to the Burrow, and had found Percy there waiting for them. Fred and Ginny had both lost their tempers with him quickly and threatened him with physical violence. George had also lost his temper, and actually pulled his wand on his older brother.

The afternoon of that first Saturday, however, it was Percy who was driven to an outburst of temper. Harry and Mr. Lovegood had had a few talks, and out of this came an article and a 'Letter from Harry Potter.' The Quibbler was a weekly, and appeared Saturday afternoons.

Harry's 'letter' gave some details of his life with the Dursleys. While he made it very clear he had nothing against Muggles as such, he did make it clear that the magical authorities and 'others' (he did not complain about Dumbledore by name) had failed him in the name of protecting him.

The rest of Harry's letter was a complaint against the Ministry, against Fudge (Harry told the full story of Sirius, and in the matter of Sirius before and after the incident of the Shrieking Shack, Harry made certain to blame Snape by name as much as he did Fudge), and especially against Umbridge. Harry made certain he mentioned that it was she (without Fudge's knowledge) who had set the dementors on him the previous summer, and he also talked about her punishment quill.

Lovegood had made clear that the letter had arrived by Hedwig. In his accompanying article, Lovegood reminded his readers of the many close connections Fudge had had with people, such as Lucius Malfoy, who had been accused of being Death Eaters 15 years before but had gotten off and who were now shown to have been Death Eaters after all. He also showed how, at each stage of his career after the death of the Potters, Fudge had been at a key place, and at each event, he had made the wrong decision. It had been Fudge who had turned Sirius Black over to Barty Crouch without a thorough investigation. It had been Fudge who had consistently worked to cut the funding for the aurors (including his own position as auror, although he hadn't mentioned that), for Muggle out-reach programs, and for international cooperation, and used the 'savings' to lower tax rates for the wealthiest magical families.

Neither Harry nor Lovegood had called for Fudge's resignation. They had both asked that he seriously consider his policy options.

When Percy read the Weasley family's copy (Mrs. Weasley had subscribed after Harry's first interview), he threw a tantrum that, had the subject been something other than an anti-Harry diatribe, would have impressed his siblings. Molly Weasley had fled the kitchen in tears, and Bill, Fred, George, and Ron had again thrown Percy out of the kitchen, but only after Hermione had slapped his face and Ginny had launched a very accurate kick right to his genitals. Percy met with Order members at Hogwarts or the Ministry after that.

The next morning, a very hurt-looking Dumbledore mentioned to the collected Weasleys that Snape had also thrown a tantrum, and that the staff rather believed that Harry should skip Potions, no matter what his O.W.L. score. "I regret to say," he concluded sadly, "that I must agree. I am very disappointed with Harry."

Ginny stood up at that point, and said, "Yes, an awful shame that people only take so much manipulation, isn't it? An awful shame that Harry wouldn't stay your toy forever!"

"Ginny!" Molly exclaimed, horrified.

"Good day, Headmaster," Ginny snapped, and left the room.

Ron silently stood up and left as well. Fred and George looked at each other. "Headmaster, you can count on us to help out with any of the devices and projects we've been contacted about," Fred said.

"However," George added, "we withdraw our request for formal admission into the Order of the Phoenix." They also stood and started to leave the room.

"Boys!" Molly protested.

"You shouldn't be bothered, Mum," Fred replied.

"You were the primary person trying to keep us out," George agreed. "You are a great and powerful wizard," he went on to Dumbledore, "but you have also said it's better to do what's right than what's easy. Don't think choosing Harry over you is easy."

"And don't think our choice isn't right, either," Fred went on. "You might be the strategist, but Harry is likely to be a field commander. Tell me I'm wrong about that."

Dumbledore hung his head.

"We thought so," George went on. "Make amends with the field commander." The twins left.

"I do apologize for my children," Molly said, nearly in tears from anger and embarrassment.

"I fear they are at least partially correct in their attitudes," Dumbledore replied.

"Are you ever going to tell us why Harry is so important to all this?" Bill asked.

"I had hoped to remove Harry from Privet Drive and have him installed at Grimmauld Place by his birthday," Dumbledore answered. "At that point, we could begin giving him some intensive training, and I would have asked him for permission to share that secret with some of you at least. I would prefer not to say more without his permission."

Talk then went on to other subjects. The four younger Weasleys put away their extendable ears (except for George, who continued monitoring things). "You'll tell Hermione?" Fred asked Ron. Hermione was coming over by floo almost every weekday morning.

Ron nodded his agreement.

Wednesday, July 10, 1997

Hermione Granger tumbled out of her family's fireplace a little before noon. She really disliked traveling via the floo, but she had to admit it was fairly quick. After giving herself a quick brush-down, she made her way towards the kitchen, to make herself a light lunch.

Seeing there were two messages on the machine, she hit the play button, figuring they were some instructions from one of her parents. After a blank message, a very familiar but different voice spoke, in somewhat sheepish and hesitating tones.

"Hi Hermione, it's Harry. First of all, let me say how sorry I am. I'm sure I've caused you and the Weasleys and Remus too much worry, and maybe even pain. After what happened at the Dursleys, I couldn't be sure what the Ministry would try to do to me. If they tried to have my wand broken last year, how could I trust them this summer? I still don't trust them, to tell the truth."

"In fact, I know quite well that I am facing prison, if not Azkaban or someplace similar, then Grimmauld Place or someplace equally depressing. Therefore, since I've found a place to imprison myself, I prefer a prison of my choice to one chosen by Dumbledore or Fudge."

"I'm sure everyone will try to keep searching for me, even though I promise you I'm as safe where I'm hiding as anyplace Dumbledore would stick me. I think what happened at the Dursleys proves that."

"Please use this as my authorization for you and Professor McGonagall to make my schedule. Get some input from Professor Lupin if you need it. If The Quibbler has printed a letter I sent them, then I would think that Potions is out. You know I wanted to be an auror. Well, I know now that I can't trust the Ministry. I would still like to train, but I know you, Lupin, and McGonagall will sort me out and send me wherever it's best for me to go, so just do the best you can."

"Tell the Weasleys and Remus I'm sorry to worry them. I'll contact you, Remus, or a Weasley in August, probably around. . . ." At that point the message was cut off for time.

Hermione stared at the machine for nearly twenty seconds. She replayed it, and then popped the tape so a future call wouldn't tape over it. Then Hermione flooed back to the Burrow.

"Hermione! Is something wrong?" Molly asked, surprised.

"Harry's left a message. Could you please ask Professors Dumbledore, Lupin and if possible Professor McGonagall to meet us at my parents'?"

"What was the message? Why didn't you bring it?"

"It wasn't written. It was a telephone message . . . oh, I can't explain the Muggle technology right now! Please! Then you and Ron and Ginny should come and hear it, too!"

Molly nodded, and she moved towards the fireplace. "Take Ron and Ginny to your house," Molly ordered. "I'll join you there."

The three Weasleys, Dumbledore, Remus, McGonagall, and Moody joined Hermione. Thirty minutes after she had returned to her house, she had replayed the message three times for them.

"Well!" McGonagall fumed.

"Professor. . . ." Hermione started, but McGonagall waved her to be quiet.

"I am not primarily angry at Mister Potter," she said. She rounded on Dumbledore. "I told you the night you left him with those uninspiring, bigoted people that it was a mistake! If Harry is hurt or killed because he ran, it will not just be his fault!"

She turned back to Hermione. "We shall work out a schedule for Mister Potter. Shall I meet with you four days after your receive your scores if we have not located Potter by then?"

"Yes, Professor."

"And you?" she asked Remus.

"Just tell me when," Remus answered.

"Good. Now, it is very likely we shall locate Mister Potter tonight. . . ."

Dumbledore tried to interrupt, "My dear Professor. . . ."

McGonagall stared him down. "As I was saying, I shall try and locate Mister Potter tonight. That is when the magical quill becomes active for this type of work. Normally, we do the N.E.W.T.s and the new First years this week. I shall, of course, start with a letter to Harry tonight. If I am successful, I shall contact you tomorrow." Her glance included Remus and the Weasleys.

Dumbledore made a movement of protest, and McGonagall glared at him. He again stood down.

Hermione looked confused, and looked at Dumbledore. "Yes, Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked sadly.

"Why do we have to wait for this quill? Couldn't you send an owl and trace it? Or send your phoenix?"

"Although they can be intercepted, owls cannot be easily traced in that manner," Dumbledore said, in such a manner as to suggest that was all he had to say.

"Tell 'em about Fawkes," Moody growled.

"I regret I have arrangements to make," Dumbledore said instead. "Thank you for informing us of Harry's message." He suddenly disapparated.

"How rude!" Molly said, shocked.

"Aye, I hit 'em in a tender spot," Moody said with chuckle. "He needs to be reminded that when you play with peoples' lives, you can be burnt."

Everyone wanted to ask, but it was Molly who broke first, "Well, don't keep us in suspense!"

"Albus asked the bird to take him to Potter. The bird squawked and refused. Albus demanded, and the bird flew up to his shoulder, crapped on it, and disappeared."

Ron started laughing first, and the others followed.