Harry Potter and The Third Party

Chapter 4: The Burrow

"Harry. Harry, wake up, dear. Harry, wake up," said a gentle voice.

"Wh - where am I?" he replied groggily, his vision blurry from sleep.

"You're at the Burrow, dear," added the voice he now recognized as belonging to Mrs. Weasley.

"Oh, I... what happened?" he replied.

"You fainted, dear. You've been passed out since we left the funeral home," said Mrs. Weasley softly.

Harry's eyes and mind were now coming into focus. "Oh! I remember. Oh my god! They burned him! They burned Sirius!" Harry said in horror, his face contorting again.

Mrs. Weasley hugged Harry to console him. "Shhh, calm down. It was all in accordance with his wishes, Harry. It was apparently laid out in his will. Sirius wanted it that way," she told Harry, rocking him back and forth in her arms.

Harry was now fully aware of everything. "But will... his will. Why wasn't I at the reading? He was my godfather! Surely he had to mention me." Harry could not believe he had not been summoned to the reading.

Mrs. Weasley looked at him as if searching for the right words. "Well, Dumbledore thought that after everything you went through last school year, that you would be safer at Privet Drive. He..."

Harry shot up in bed, anger twisting his face. "Dumbledore thought! Dumbledore thought! I couldn't give a toss what that heartless bastard tho-"

"Harry! Shut your dirty mouth!" Mrs. Weasley shouted enraged.

"Oh Harry! I'm so sorry, I...it's just that I often think of you as my own son, and I can't allow you to say those things about Dumbledore. I'm so sorry!" she gasped.

The outburst had sobered Harry up as to how badly he had hurt Mrs. Weasley. No matter what his problem with Dumbledore, Mrs. Weasley had always been so kind to him, and here she was telling him he was just like one of her own sons to her.

"It's... its okay. I'm sorry, really. I should never have used that type of language. I apologize," Harry said, ashamed of himself.

"Harry, I... Dumbledore really does care about your well being. He really does want you to be safe, and feels that if you don't know certain things, it will protect you. I know it seems hard to understand now, but one day you will see." Mrs. Weasley was not lecturing Harry, but was trying to make him understand in a civil voice.

Harry didn't want to cause Mrs. Weasley any more stress. He would deal with Dumbledore on his own. "All right. I'm sorry," he said.

Mrs. Weasley smiled gently. "All right. Now come along. Dinner is ready, and we have steak and kidney pudding, baked potatoes, and fish and chips."

"Sounds great!" said Harry. "How long have I been out of it?" he asked curiously.

"Hours, dear--we wanted to let you rest. It's been a hard day for you," Mrs. Weasley said sympathetically.

"I just didn't expect them to do that with his body. I didn't know they were going to...to..." Harry stammered.

Mrs. Weasley gave him another hug. "It's fine, dear, everyone understands. Now, let's go. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny are waiting to see you downstairs."

Harry followed Mrs. Weasley downstairs into the kitchen, where his friends were waiting for him, wearing worried looks.

"Are you all right, Harry?" asked Ron nervously, obviously expecting an explosion.

"Yeah, I'm better. I'm really good." Harry looked around the kitchen, and into the living room. "Where's everyone else?" Harry asked as he sat down at the table to cut up his steak.

"Well, Lupin, Tonks, and Mundungus had to do some work for the Order, and Dad had to go into work at the Ministry. He could only get half the day off. Bill went to visit Fleur. Charlie was only here for the funeral. He had to catch a Muggle flight to the Czech Republic to do some work with dragons," Ron explained.

"Dad'll be writing to him every day about that!" Ginny chimed in.

"Yeah, I guess everyone's really busy," Harry said, and dug into his steak. "Well, what's been going on with the Order? No one tells me anything. Dumbledore's orders, I suppose." Harry had said his headmaster's name with a note of disgust that everyone ignored.

"Well, Harry, there's really not much to tell. It seems Voldermort's been lying pretty low after the defeat of his Death Eaters at the Ministry. A lot of the Order members are scouring the country looking for him. A few Order members are guards at Azkaban, now that the Dementors left to join You-Know-Who." Ginny said.

"Tomorrow, we'll go to Diagon Alley to get your school supplies. I've got the list of books you'll need," Mrs. Weasley said, changing the subject and handing the list to Harry, who looked over it.

List of titles that 6^th year students will need to purchase

Potions, the Ultimate Guide, by Azeri Loki

Charms, Accelerated Edition, by Inchatia Valourom

The Ultimate Pre-N.E.W.T. Study Guide to Transfiguration, by Minerva McGonagall

Care of Magical Creatures: Walking in the Land of Giants, by Vincent Peterzoon

Hogwarts: A History, by various contributors (see credits)

*The Complete Guide to Muggle Studies and Relations, by Jane Bromhead and Thaddeus Bogs

*Seeing Tomorrow, by Glades Stargazer

Herbology through the Ages, by Stanley Swampland

All books indicated with an asterisk are optional classes for 6^th years.

"Hang on! Professor McGonagall wrote a book? When did she have time to do that with all that's been going on?" Harry asked in amazement.

"Oh Harry, Minerva's been trying to get that book approved for ages. I've talked to her about it. She wrote it during your first two years in school--it was just approved by the Ministry this year," replied Mrs. Weasley happily.

"Is it safe for us to go to Diagon Alley with everything going on, mum?" Ginny asked.

"Well, You-Know-Who's lost a lot of his Death Eaters, but the Order is sending a bodyguard for us in the morning. I don't know who, though," replied Mrs. Weasley.

After everyone finished their meal, Ron suggested that they go into the den and play a few games of Wizard Trivia, a game that he had bought over the summer.

"Great!" Harry said. He began to follow everyone into the living room.

"Harry, just a minute. I need a word with you in private." Mrs. Weasley's tone was serious.

"Okay, Mrs. Weasley. Be with you in a minute," Harry called to the other three.

"Harry, please sit down." Mrs. Weasley motioned to the chair across from where she sat. She rubbed her eyes, and it looked to Harry that she couldn't decide where to begin. Finally, she found the words. "Harry, I - you've been through a lot in your short life. More than any adult I know. More than anyone should have to endure. And this latest tragedy... well, Arthur and I were talking to Hermione's parents the other day when they dropped her off, and...well, you know how I don't approve of most Muggle ways of dealing with people who hurt. But the Grangers were talking about-" Mrs. Weasley looked at a piece of paper she had taken out and put on the table, and read it herself, then looked up at Harry. "The Grangers were talking about these physic - psychiatrists that they have, and they - they go to school to study how people think. They are supposed to be able to help people who have suffered a great loss. To help you feel better. Like a Cheering Charm, only more permanent. And after - how upset you were after the funeral, I wanted to ask... Harry, would you like to see a psychiatrist?"

Harry was really surprised that Mrs. Weasley would even consider Muggle science could help. She must be really worried.

"Mrs. Weasley, I'm fine. Really, I am. Dumbledore-" The name left a sour taste in his mouth, but he managed to say it, and sound casual, with an effort, "-said it was my destiny to kill Voldemort." Harry paused as Mrs. Weasley started at the sound of the name. "I've accepted that, and I just got a little emotional today. But really, I don't need a psychiatrist. But I appreciate your concern." Harry smiled at her reassuringly.

"All right, dear. Just let me know if you want to talk," she said.

Harry nodded. "I will," said Harry, and he started to leave. But halfway to the living room, something stopped him, and he turned back to face Mrs. Weasley.

"Mrs. Weasley, about what you said in the bedroom. About me being like a son to you... Thanks."

A wide smile came across her face. "I meant it. Now go and join your friends, dear."

After the tenth session of Wizard Trivia, in which Hermione won with over one hundred points more than anyone else, it was time for Harry to ask about the events of the summer.

"So, Ron, what have you been up to this summer?" Harry asked.

"Well, a lot really. We got to visit Dad at the Ministry. He's not really happy with the new Minister for Magic, Albert Jefferson. Worse than Fudge ever was, Dad says. He's got a particular dislike for Muggle Relations. The new Minister says that we wouldn't have problems like You-Know-Who if we'd keep the wrong people out of our schools and offices. He says letting too many Muggleborn kids into our schools is what's upsetting all the purebloods, and, as he put it, causing fine, decent citizens like Lucius Malfoy to join terrorist groups like the Death Eaters."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Since when was Lucius Malfoy ever 'a fine, decent' citizen? Doesn't this Minister know that Malfoy was a Death Eater before Voldermort's return? I mean, what's he ever done to deserve a title like 'a fine, decent citizen'?"

Ron nodded his head but gave an explanation for Jefferson's comments.

"Officially, Malfoy's still listed as being innocent, because he was under the Imperious Curse back then. And they checked his public history. He's given loads of money to popular charities. People who support him are arguing he fell in with a bad crowd, and should get off, or he was under the Imperious Curse again. He's the only Death Eater popular with people. Everyone's calling for the rest of the lot to be hanged. I guess when their trials start we'll be called in to testify against them. But anyway, a lot more people are turning to the fact that You-Know-Who is coming back, and despite his dumb ideas, the new Minister for Magic is raising an army to fight You-Know-Who."

Harry was a bit confused. "But, Ron, why would anyone vote for someone like this to be Minister for Magic? I mean, are there not more half-blood and Muggleborn wizards and witches to vote for a better candidate?"

Ginny cut in before Ron could say anything. "Dad says that Fudge had just been re-elected before the Triwizard Tournament, and his suicide caught everyone off guard. So the new Minister wasn't voted in. He was appointed. I guess we can get him out when the next elections occur, but we're stuck with him until then."

Harry's face was red. Just great, he thought. Another git sitting in the highest post in the magical world, and worse than Fudge.

But Harry was still holding out for some good news. "What else has been going on?" he asked.

Ginny answered, eager to fill him in on missed events. "Dad took us to London to see the Muggle sights. But he got a bit confused with some of the things like computers and fax machines. We practically had to drag him out of every shop to give the storekeepers some relief from all the questions. He did seem really sad every time we passed a car dealership. I think he really misses our car, but we can't afford another one right now."

Harry and Ron looked at each other, full of guilt. It had been their rash, irresponsible actions that had caused the loss of Mr. Weasley's car in their second year, but Harry never realized that Mr. Weasley missed it so much.

"Bill is really into Fleur Delacour. I think he's in love. Also Charlie's met a Czech girl that he fancies who also works with dragons. So I think he's going to stay in Eastern Europe for a while. I overheard mum say that he asked Dumbledore for a permanent assignment there. And I..."

Ginny was interrupted by a tapping on the window, and everyone looked to see Pigwidgeon flying around outside the living room window.

"Blimey! Already?" Ron said he got up and opened the window. Pigwidgeon flew onto Ron's shoulder and held out his leg. "I can't believe it," he said as he took the parchment off the owl's leg, and read the name of the sender.

"Who's it from, Ron?" Harry asked, genuinely curious.

"Loony Luna Lovegood! She writes to me every week, sometimes every day, and usually sends me a free copy of the Quibbler."

Harry heard a giggle from Ginny and he thought a "Hmph!" of disgust from Hermione, who looked none too pleased at the announcement of the writer.

"Really? She's been writing to you? What did she say?" Harry asked with anticipation.

Luna Lovegood was the one student at Hogwarts he felt he was going to be able to talk with about his godfather's death. She had seen her mother die when she was very young, and Harry needed someone who understood what he was going through when Lupin couldn't be with him.

Ron began to read the letter aloud to everyone.

Dear Ron,

Dad and I are now back from Sweden, and we managed to catch an actual Crumple Horned Snorkack. We'll have pictures in the next issue of the Quibbler, and my father's going to loan it to Hogwarts for our Care of Magical Creatures class this year. He had to go to St. Mungo's for frostbite from it. Did you know that when we hosted the Triwizard tournament that the Yule Ball was such a success that myself and most of the other girls at Hogwarts started a committee to have an annual ball at the school? This year, the staff finally agreed. I can't wait! Anyway, how are you? What have you been up to since your last letter? Tell Ginny I said hello, and tell Harry to write my friend Cho Chang when you see him.

Miss You,

Luna

Ron raised his head to look at everyone. "What does she mean, what's been going on since my last letter? I wrote to her a week ago telling her what I would be doing. I didn't even think she and I talked all that much last year, and now it's like I'm her best friend. And since when is there a committee to bring back the ball? No one told me," he said, exasperated.

"Oh, Ron, wake up! It's obvious she fancies you. And Hermione and I told you and Harry about the committee to make the ball a yearly event a week after we had the first one. Don't you remember?" asked Ginny.

Ron and Harry both shook their heads.

"Well, obviously it's not as important to boys, but Hermione and I remember," she finished.

"Loony Luna fancies me?" asked Ron, genuinely surprised.

"Yes! Are you so thick that you didn't notice the way she looked at you all last year? And don't call her 'Loony'. She's very nice," Ginny scolded.

"Well yeah... it's just that she acts like she's a bit..."

"Brainless!" Hermione shouted more loudly than she had intended, and she clapped her hands to her mouth to suppress her own gasp. Everyone looked at her, rather shocked. She set a more calm tone. "I mean, she really doesn't seem that bright, especially considering she's in Ravenclaw. I just think Ron could find someone who's more, more of a match for you, that's all. Maybe you should let her down nicely, Ron."

"Let her down nicely? I'm not even going out with her," said Ron blankly.

Hermione looked pleased. "Good! I think you've made the right decision, Ron. Well done."

"What was that part about me writing to Cho?" asked Harry.

Ron read back over the parchment. "Oh Harry, you should write to Cho Chang," Ron replied obviously.

"Why?" he asked, confused.

"I don't know. She didn't say." Ron shrugged.

Mrs. Weasley then entered the room. "Okay, you lot, it's getting late. Off to bed you go. Harry, you'll be up in Ron's room."

Ron and Harry lay in their respective beds in the darkness with their eyes closed, but not yet asleep.

After a long silence, Ron said, "Harry?"

"Yeah?" came the reply from the darkness beside him.

"Do you think Luna Lovegood's good looking?"

Harry thought for a moment, picturing her face. "I guess, why?"

Ron hesitated, and then spoke. "Well, what do you think of her otherwise?" he asked.

"She seems nice. I plan to talk to her about... you know, about Sirius. She saw her mother die when she was nine, and I think that maybe she'll be able to help me talk about it, right? I think she's a really good person. She also showed a lot of courage last year against Voldemort's Death Eaters."

"I wish you wouldn't say his name," Ron pleaded.

"Ron, you can't keep being afraid of a name," Harry replied.

"Who's afraid? I just don't like hearing it," Ron replied defensively.

"Glad to hear," Harry said.

Ron was silent for a moment. "Do you think I should ask her to the Yule ball?" he asked.

Harry thought about it for a minute. "Before then," he replied. "That way the ball wouldn't be such an awkward occasion for you."

Ron nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

After a few minutes, Harry turned to Ron. "Why would Luna want me to write to Cho?" he asked.

"I dunno. Weren't you two dating last year?"

Harry reflected. "Not exactly. We had one date and it was a disaster. She brought up Cedric, and seemed upset that I wanted to meet Hermione. I mean, I told her that she could come if she wanted to. She was always crying, too, and brought that sneak of a friend of hers to my DA class, and got Dum - and got the class broken up. And then the silly git tried to make excuses for her friend, and looked like she was going to turn on the water works again, so I bit her head off!" Harry finished with an air of disgust.

"Yeah, well you spent a lot of time last year biting Hermione's and my head off too, ever since you arrived at Grimmauld Place."

Harry turned to Ron in the dark. "Well, I'm sorry about that, but you two were keeping things that I needed to know from me. You were also trying to keep me from rescuing Sirius."

Ron let out a sigh. "But Harry, Hermione and I were right about not going to the Ministry."

Harry was getting a little upset at being lectured to this late at night. "Look, Ron, the point is that I didn't know that then, so it's understandable that I was yelling at you two last year. I mean, I had a lot on my mind, and you two are my friends and should understand that."

Ron turned toward the ceiling. "Have you thought about Cho at all this summer?" he asked.

Harry gave a disgusted sound. "I wouldn't waste my time on a sobbing girl that's obsessed with her dead ex boyfriend, so much that she brings him up on our first date. I've got bigger problems than her. I've got bigger problems than anyone," he said resentfully.

"Harry, that sounds really harsh! I think she really liked you," said Ron.

Harry closed his eyes again. "Yeah well, she never did anything for me. Now get some sleep. Good night, Ron," Harry finished.

"Good night, Harry." And Ron drifted off to sleep with dreams of playing for England in the Quidditch World Cup.

But Harry was not so fortunate. He had the same dream that he always had. The dream that kept waking him up throughout the night. The dream that kept him deprived of badly needed sleep, the nightmare that he was being tortured and killed by Voldemort.

In the nightmare, Voldemort would finish him off with the Avada Kedavra curse. Harry would remain asleep for the torture, and feel every minute of it, but when Voldemort hit him with the Avada Kedavra curse, Harry would always wake up in a pool of his own sweat. Was it such a wonder that he was always so cranky?

Everyone should be more understanding towards him. No one had it as bad as him; no one had suffered the losses he had.

That morning Harry did wake up in a pool of sweat. Fortunately, he was the first one up, and was able to hit the showers before anyone else.

After breakfast, everyone was finally ready for the trip to Diagon Alley. At around eight, Mad-Eye Moody limped into the Burrow to escort all of them there. They would all be going through the Floo Network.

As they got ready to step into the fireplace, Moody asked Mrs. Weasley if he could talk to Harry in private for a minute before they left. "Molly, I need a word with Harry, in private, before we go," said Moody.

"All right, Alastor. Try to hurry," Mrs. Weasley replied.

"Right, how about the kitchen?" Harry gestured behind him.

After they had left everyone in the living room, Harry and Moody sat down at the kitchen table.

"Harry, I've just come from the Dursleys and getting your things. At the beginning of summer, I had a talk with your uncle. I warned him to treat you well, or I'd come and have a chat with him. I think I came on a little too strong. When I came through the fireplace, the Dursleys were terrified, and Mr. Dursley begged me to spare him and his family. I think I came on too strongly that day at King's Cross. It really wasn't my intention to scare him that badly. I tried to calm him, but he was almost hysterical. You haven't been making more out of my warning than it was ment, have you? Because, though I certainly have no love for the Dursleys, I only told them not to mistreat you. I didn't intend to have you switch roles and become their tormenter." Moody finished.

Harry shook his head at the picture of the Dursleys cowering and sobbing.

"Look, sir, I think the Dursleys needed a good scare. I only wish I could have been there to watch them squirm," he said.

"Harry, don't bother the Dursley's without provocation, do you understand?" Moody said with an air of sternness in his voice. "You don't want to be like them, do you?" Moody asked.

"I'm not like them. I'm better than them. I'm better than all of them put together. Haven't you been reading the Daily Prophet? I'm The Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived," Harry said proudly of his titles.

"Well, The Harry Potter, try not to get too big a head, lose your focus, and you might lose it. Also needlessly tormenting others alienates you from them," Mad-Eye finished.

"Right," said Harry. He was humoured at the thought that Mad-Eye Moody was giving him advice about alienating himself from anyone with his record of being a recluse.

"Well, chat's over Harry. Let's go to Diagon Alley. I'll have Arthur try and calm the Dursleys in a few weeks," Moody said as they returned to the fireplace.

Everyone reached into the black kettle to grab some Floo Powder.