Secrets and Consequences

Chapter Two

Hitting the Fan

News and Sentences

Grimmauld Place was silent, except for the occasional snore as dawn broke on the horizon. Harry glanced around the dim room, his eyes adjusting blurrily as his heart pounded out a staccato rhythm in his chest. The dream he'd awoken form had been worse, and the stark terror it inspired lingered as the images faded from his mind. Beside him in the next bed over, Ron snored heartily in defiance of any kind of night terrors that might approach him. It seemed the rest of the house was all sleeping peacefully. Only Harry was awake. Sighing he slipped out of bed and wandered toward the kitchen desperately seeking a nice cold glass of water.

A dim glow seemed to suffuse the dingy interior of the house with a weak rose ash color. Emerging from the dark gloom of his room into the light seemed to chase the remainder of the fear hovering over him away. A little light always seemed to brighten his soul.

Smiling, he walked toward the kitchen, stopping outside the door, when he heard two distinct voices conversing within. Knowing it was wrong, but unable to help himself, he leaned forward to listen.

"It's too dangerous Severus," Dumbledore spoke softly yet urgently. "You take too may risks as it is. Tom is not as oblivious as you may think he is."

"So has my position been compromised then?" Snape's low velvet voice seemed to waiver slightly.

"Not as of yet," Dumbledore reassured the potion's master. "From all reports it seems you are still trusted."

"Yet you have placed another spy within the fold. And your not going to tell me who," Snape accused. "I thought you trusted me."

"I do, Severus." He sighed. "Obviously this new contact cannot get the information that you can. However, they can tell me whether or not Tom still trusts you." Dumbledore's voice seemed old and tired. "You're like a son to me and I couldn't bear to lose you too. I've lost so much already."

The room grew silent for a moment. "I understand," Snape said softly. "I shall endeavor to keep myself alive for you." Snape's voice resumed its normal disdain. "You avoided the question. You won't tell me who this new ally is, will you."

"I'm afraid not." Dumbledore sounded truly regretful. "Plausible deniability, my boy."

"Excuse me?" Snape's frosty tone seemed to chill the house.

"If anything was to happen and Tom caught on..." Dumbledore trailed off uneasily.

"Albus..." Snape's voice dropped in concern. "You shouldn't dwell so. You can't save everyone."

Albus chuckled wearily. "Shouldn't you take your own advice?"

"I have a lot to atone for," Snape's voice filled with self loathing. Dumbledore sighed.

Harry felt a flush creep up his neck as the guilt from eavesdropping caught up with him. At this point in time he was extremely angry with both of the men in the next room, yet he couldn't condone his own behavior. Sighing he tapped gently at the door. The room became abruptly quiet.

"Come in Harry." Dumbledore sighed.

Harry walked into the kitchen with trepidation. Seeing Snape first thing in the morning wasn't exactly his idea of fun, but he was really thirsty by then and anxious to speak to Dumbledore. He entered the kitchen slowly and cautiously, not needing to see the repugnant look on Snape's sallow face. "Good morning, Professor," Harry nodded to Dumbledore, not quite ignoring Snape.

"Good morning, Harry," Dumbledore searched Harry's eyes. "Trouble sleeping?"

Harry grimaced slightly. "Just a little sir. Nothing I can't handle."

Snape snorted is disdain. "If that were true, Potter, you'd be in your bed asleep right now. Not butting into business that doesn't concern you."

Harry could feel his skin grow hot with anger. Tightly gritting his teeth he replied as evenly as possible. "I am sure you are correct Professor, but I will handle it." He proceeded to fill a tall glass full of water, turning his back on the two men as he regained his composure. "Any news on Privet Drive?" He asked the headmaster, turning to face him. "The Dursley's are going to pitch a fit as soon as they wake up."

"I am sure you are correct," Dumbledore sighed. "Unfortunately, the house was pretty much demolished. Even with some of the best men rebuilding it will take at least two weeks to repair."

Harry face contorted into a grimace of horror. "You mean the Dursley's are going to be here, in this house, surrounded by wizards, for two weeks!"

"I am afraid so." The answer was definitely not what Harry wanted to hear. "Though surrounded might be a harsh word. The Weasleys will be going home soon. I am sure Molly will check up on you every now and then."

"Can you really be so cruel as to leave me alone, with them, in this house?" Harry's jade eyes darkened to emerald as he struggled to hold his emotions under control. "You would do that to me? Do you hate me that much...?" He trailed off under his breath.

"Why do you assume it has anything to do with you? Can't you just accept the decision of your better without fighting it?" Snape glared at Harry's back. "No doubt you will be oohed and aahed over by those disgusting relatives of yours when they find out that poor little Potter is homeless. You dare to whine over your accommodations? Are you really so full of yourself that you miss the fact that this is a war and that there are very few safe places."

"Enough! Severus!" Dumbledore's voice commanded instant attention. "I am sure that Harry is quite aware of the situation. That was completely uncalled for and I expect to speak to you about this later."

"Don't bother, Professor Dumbledore, sir," Harry's voice shook in rage. "Professor Snape is correct of course. He is always correct. I apologize for my arrogance and will endeavor to control my impulsive nature for your sake," the bitter sarcasm rolled off his tongue with stilted formality. He rinsed out his water glass and walked back towards the kitchen door before pausing one last time. "Please have a pleasant stay. I am sure Mrs. Weasley will be up in a short while. I am going to attempt to go back to sleep." He left the room, his breath hitched and holding tightly in his upper chest. He wanted to scream. He wanted to cry. He wanted Sirius back. Instead, he squared his shoulders and headed for his shared room.

Still within the kitchen, Dumbledore regarded the cynical man before him. "He isn't James, Severus. I don't believe you have even an inkling of who Harry Potter truly is. For that matter, I don't believe I do. There is more to him that meets the eye, and all you are seeing is the appearance."

"Albus, I..." Snape began an apology, not in the least repentant.

"No, Severus," Dumbledore gazed wearily at the younger man. "Harry is correct. He shouldn't be left alone here. This house is dark with the taint of death." He hesitated as Snape mumbled disgustededly under his breath. "You will check in on him periodically. I want full reports every time you leave here. Make the visits random."

Snape rolled his eyes but acquiesced to his mentor. "As you wish Albus." He sighed in disgust. "Bloody Potter!" he mumbled as he turned to leave.

"Oh, and Severus..." Albus stopped him. "Do try to keep your temper around the muggles, hmmm."

Snape inclined his head in acknowledgement and beat a hasty retreat to the door. Dumbledore turned a twinkling gaze to the departing Snape's back. "You'll forgive me for this someday," Dumbledore muttered before setting to work on the house wards. With Harry, Severus, and the Dursley's here, the house was going to need some major reinforcements.

Nudity, Muggles, and a Bloody Nose

Harry felt as though he had just fallen asleep when the air raid siren went off, startling him wide awak. Well actually it was just Petunia. Close enough for comparison though. Harry was not looking forward to the next couple of weeks. In the next bed over, Ron still snored obliviously. Harry just rolled his eyes at his friend and readied himself to meet the day. He was halfway through his shower when he realized he didn't have any clothes. Mortified, he wrapped his towel around himself tightly and carefully attempted to sneak toward the room that the twins were occupying. He had made it within two doors of their room, but wasn't quite quick enough.

Ginny, hearing the commotion downstairs had bravely attempted to go downstairs to offer her mother emotional support, unfortunately not quite reaching that far. She almost fainted in shock to see the sight that met her eyes as she opened the door from her bedroom. There in the hallway, half naked, was Harry. Poor, sweet, still somewhat damp, Harry. Right across from her bedroom door. Here she was not even a week into a new relationship with Dean Thomas and she never thought she'd be able to get the thoughts of Harry, naked, and wet out of her mind ever again. Gaping, she could merely stare at him in shock as he turned a brilliant shade of burgundy under her gaze.

"Ummm... Morning Gin." Harry stammered. "Sorry, no clothes, need to see Gred and Forge, um, Fred and George. Need clothes... Ummm..." He dashed down the remainder of the hallway and pounded with frenzied need on the twin's door, leaving a bug-eyed Ginny behind staring at a scandalously slipping towel.

The twins took there time getting to the door, and merely gave Harry a strange look as he stammered about his lack of clothes and Ginny in the hall. It was the mention of Ginny that spurred the twins into action, roughly pulling Harry into their room. Unofficial brother or not, giving Ginny an eyeful wasn't a good idea. Fred started laughing as the situation finally hit him, especially the look on Harry's face. George, catching the bug, began laughing too.

"Oi, Harry," Fred laughed fitfully. "You can face death eaters, dementors, and You-Know-Who without a backward glance, but our baby sister terrifies you."

"Very funny!" Harry snapped weakly. "Could I please, please, borrow some clothes? It's getting a little drafty here!"

George chuckled and began digging in a monstrous pile of assorted stuff that trailed dangerously out of the trunk. He pulled out a t-shirt and a pair of patched corduroy pants and handed them to a mystified Harry. "These will probably be a little big for you, but I'm sure Mum can shrink em' up a bit."

Harry smiled and began pulling on the t-shirt, grateful for the coverage it provided. "Why do you have so much stuff here? You only got here last night."

Fred smiled hugely. "We're moving out! We've rented a space in Diagon Alley."

George continued. "It has a nice size flat over the storefront."

"We got the word about you during one of our trips to the Burrow for more stuff." Fred finished.

Harry smiled at their obvious joy. "That's wicked guys. Sorry to interrupt the move."

"Its no bother, really," George said slinging and arm around the now dressed Harry's shoulder. "Your family, ya know."

Harry felt a feeling of warmth spread in his stomach. It was odd to feel so comforted. "I have to go see what all the screeching was about earlier. Need to get over my fear of confrontation you know."

The twins laughed and waved Harry on his way. He left feeling very light hearted. Downstairs he watched a traumatized Petunia sip tea with an annoyed Molly Weasley.

"Good morning," He said to the plump matron happily. "Aunt Petunia," He nodded coldly, and politely.

"Good morning, Harry." Molly beamed. "Did you sleep well dear?"

Harry grimaced. "As well as possible, considering. Did you speak to the headmaster this morning?"

Molly shrugged. "Yes. He delivered the news to your aunt personally. I'm afraid it's going to be a little rough for a little while."

"Ahh, yes." Harry thought of the morning's howl of horror. "That does explain things."

Petunia sniffed haughtily. "If you hadn't shown up on the doorstep none of this would have ever happened."

Mrs. Weasley gasped at the cruel words of the thin woman. "Don't you have any tact? This boy is your family!"

"Right..." Petunia said disdainfully. "Anyway, I need someone to take me into London to do some shopping. Vernon and Dudders need some clothing and obviously, we can't just pop home for them." She threw an accusing glare at Harry.

Harry, who had planned on buying new clothes for his family, changed his mind. "When Professor Lupin wakes up I'll ask him about shopping."

"How many times do I have to ask you not to call me professor?" Lupin's voice yawned from the doorway. "It makes me feel old. Call me Remus, Harry, please. And I would be happy to take you shopping. I'll just have to arrange for an escort. Give me about an hour."

Harry grinned. "Thanks Prof... Remus."

"Thata boy." Remus chuckled. "Now Molly, if I could persuade you to pour me..."

He was interrupted by loud yelling in the hallway.

"Back off, Dursley. Don't make this difficult!" One of the twins' voices could be heard yelling angrily.

"You freak, your the one that made me choke aren't you!" Dudley Dursley screamed back

"I would suggest you stop them before the fight gets out of hand, Aunt Petunia," Harry said calmly to her.

"My Dudders can take care of them," Petunia smirked. "Boxing champ at Smeltings you know." She smirked at Mrs. Weasley unable to help bragging about her child.

"Maybe physically," Harry couldn't help but laugh internally. "But the twins are of age. They can use magic."

Petunia's face went white with terror. "Not on my Dudley they won't." She rushed out of the room, followed by an amused Harry.

Inside the living room, a full brawl was underway. Dudley was swinging wildly at the agile twins, his ham fists were whistling through the air at an unremarkable rate of speed as the twins ducked and twisted away from his flailing. "Calm down, Dursley!" Fred gasped as he ducked under a right cross. "We don't want to have to hurt you."

"You think you could without using any of your freak powers!" Dudley sniffed in an eerie imitation of his mother. "I don't think so." He punctuated this statement with a left jab at a twisting George, catching a bit of the boy's shirt.

"Boys, stop that this instant!" Mrs. Weasley yelled into the room, unheard. Above them on the stairwell, a cheering Ron and Ginny egged the combatants on.

"Duddikins!" Petunia gasped as Dudley seemed to pitch forward precariously with the weight of one of his swings.

Dudley either ignored them or didn't hear them as he continued to swing like a madman.

"Hold still and fight me like men you little pricks!" He roared.

Before that moment the twins had merely been defending themselves. Having not thrown a punch at all. "Gred, I do believe that this must end," George said dodging a weighty blow.

"I do concur, Forge," Fred said twisting behind the mountain of man before them. "You think we can manage to take down this troll?"

"Hmmm. I'd say he was more blast-ended-screwt than anything else," George said concentrating on Dudley's porky face. "Though that may be an insult to the skrewts."

Dudley roared in anger, knowing that somehow that he'd been insulted. He swung his fists with a frenzy he'd never before used, as he attempted to swat the infuriating flies.

"Would you like the pleasure, dear Gred?" George said gasping as he dodged another blow, and twisting close to his brother.

"Oh no, please dear fellow. You first," Fred twisted behind his brother. The twins stood one directly behind the other, almost seeming to meld into one person. They bobbed and weaved with synchronized movements.

Dudley lunged at them in slow motion. His fists closed in on open air as the twins moved to opposite sides of him. He roared like a wounded animal when the twin's fists connected with his nose. Petunia gasped in dismay and ran to the now floored and bawling Dudley.

"Boys! Involving yourselves in fighting!" Molly gaped. "I am appalled."

"That was wicked!" Ron crowed from the stairs. Ginny nodded enthusiastically in agreement.

Harry merely shook his head in dismay. This wasn't going to be an easy summer. He could feel it in his bones.