Rating:
PG-13
House:
Schnoogle
Genres:
Action Drama
Era:
Multiple Eras
Spoilers:
Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets Prizoner of Azkaban Goblet of Fire Order of the Phoenix Quidditch Through the Ages Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Stats:
Published: 01/08/2005
Updated: 06/29/2005
Words: 244,306
Chapters: 66
Hits: 89,703

The War of Shades

quintaped

Story Summary:
Seventh year - The scar connection becomes wide open, giving both Harry and Voldemort ever more detailed views into each other's mind. Harry works on practicing the message he gained in Egypt (Harry Potter and the Goblin Rebellion), but Voldemort launches the Second War to fill Harry with hatred and anger and to strip him of all who are loyal to him. Ever more desperately Harry trains himself and others to fight, but something is making all of his friends fight each other. Harry must find a way to stop the internal warfare or Voldemort will be able to launch an attack on Hogwarts that will destroy all who are capable of resisting him, including Harry. Through all this, Harry must learn for himself how he will finally vanquish Voldemort.

Chapter 24

Chapter Summary:
Harry is taken to see the new Fountain of Magical Brethren and then has lunch with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, after noting a particular coldness of Mrs. Weasley toward Tonks.
Posted:
02/16/2005
Hits:
1,357


Chapter 24 - New Worries for Molly Weasley

After Harry and Arthur had composed themselves Arthur unsealed the door and let Tonks in.

"Your coffee and tea," said Tonks, "and Minister, you wanted to see Harry's paperwork?"

"Tonks," said Arthur with a half-smile, "call me Arthur when we're not in public, you should know that. Hmm, that makes me realize that we haven't even been in the same room since I took this position. Still, I'm Arthur, right?"

She nodded and smiled. "Gotcha, Arthur."

"Oh, and there will be a meeting tonight after dinner, assuming you have seen that Harry is safely back to training camp."

"Yes, Arthur. I'll help get the word out. Erm, you look a little pale - are you alright?"

"Mmm, ah, yes, Tonks, just terribly concerned about youngsters risking death so readily."

"I guess that's the parent in you. The auror in me thinks the ones taking the risk are those picking fights with Ron and Harry."

Arthur read through the papers, asked Harry a few questions, made a few changes, and then gave them back to Tonks.

"If there's one thing I was good at in the Muggle Artifacts office, it was producing a report that was both accurate and would keep others from asking any more questions. So Harry, Molly was going to come for lunch. She had the impression that Ron was anxious to have her go and let Hermione take care of him. Would you care to join us?"

"That'd be great. I've really missed Mrs. Weasley."

"Harry, you're an adult now. You can call us Arthur and Molly."

"Hmm, 'Arthur and Molly,' let's see. No, that doesn't fit. I mean, I know those are your names, but it doesn't feel right."

"In due time, Harry, you'll be ready to call us something more familiar. Would you like to see the new statue for the lobby fountain while we wait for her?"

"Uh, sure, can Tonks come with us?"

"Of course. Tonks has been reassigned for the day from training and attack response to being your escort and bodyguard."

"Since when?" said Tonks.

"Since I said so," said Arthur with a playful grin. "Actually, I already had word from training camp for you to stick with him until he was back at camp."

"I don't know if I like having to play nursemaid to a little boy," said Tonks, with an impish grin.

"The other girls at training don't think you think of me as a little boy," said Harry.

"Huh? What's that supposed to mean? What have you heard?" asked Tonks.

"I'll tell you later," said Harry, "It's not something I would want to get back to Mrs. Weasley."

"Well, I know when I'd better let something pass. Right then, to the lobby," said Arthur. On the way, he explained that the Ministry had not gotten around to replacing the old fountain with anything. Then the new goblin members of the Wizengamot had seen the wrecked foundation of the old fountain and upon hearing the story of how it came to be destroyed, offered to create a new statue. The Wizengamot agreed, reserving approval rights on the design. The plan was to create a new Magical Brethren theme which better reflected the relationship than the old statue did. The goblins proposed a design with the magical brethren standing shoulder to shoulder - as near as possible - in a ring facing outward. The initial figures were to be a wizard, a witch, a goblin, and an elf, but the figures are charmed and animate, so that if other beings join with them, like the mermaids or the centaurs, the existing figures will admit the statuary representative of that race to join the circle. They also respond to some extent to the viewers.

By the time Arthur had explained it, they had arrived and Arthur said the incantation for the three of them to enter. Harry first noticed the elf: it was Dobby. Arthur explained that the goblin sculptor couldn't bring himself to sculpt a real elf, but that since Dobby was indistinguishable by looks from an elf, and he was a true hero to the goblins, he was chosen as the model for that figure. Harry recognized the goblin figure across from Dobby's figure as one of the goblin tribal leaders at Hogwarts who had been killed the year before in the Battle of Gringott's.

"I like that handsome fella," said Tonks, as they stepped around the statue, pointing to the figure of the wizard coming into view.

Harry looked and groaned - it was Harry himself, from toe to tousled hair, scar included.

"They are very fond of you, too," said Arthur, "We couldn't get them to budge on this, even though I told them you wouldn't be too keen about it."

"Oh, well, I guess it's not the worst that could happen. I wonder if I'll recognize the witch."

Harry circled the statue and looked up at the witch and began shaking his head sadly. It was Marietta.

"I don't think I could bear to see this very often."

"That's what I said at first," Harry heard from a different voice behind him.

"Oh, Madame Edgecombe, I didn't know you had come into the enclosure."

"I was speaking with someone in the lobby when I saw you three head over here. Once I got free I had to come over. I'm guessing, Mr. Potter, that you and she were more fond of each other than either of you had let on to me before."

"Yes, Maam."

"The pain of losing someone you love never really goes away, but it can dull with time. Last week when it first went up, I spent several hours daily looking at the statue. It is a lovely likeness. The goblins wanted to pay honor to her since she gave her life in defending them. And it smiles at me just the way Marietta used to when we would do things together. But look at her now, the way she beams at you. There must have been some special magic that went into this statue."

"I think rather," said Harry, "that love is the most special magic of all."

"You're definitely onto something there, Potter. If we could only all remember it."

Not long after, they heard Mrs. Weasley checking in at the front desk. They shook hands and said goodbye to Madame Edgecombe and then exited the curtain to greet her.

It was a joy to Harry to see Mrs. Weasley again. She was her energetic self, but Harry could see that the worry of the war was taking its toll on her. She had dropped considerable weight. Nonetheless she had just come from seeing her youngest son recovering nicely from the wound he had received in a highly successful rescue, so despite her worry, she was in a fine mood. Harry was very glad that he did not have to tell her about the offer he had made to Mr. Weasley barely an hour earlier. He felt quite certain that Mr. Weasley would not be discussing it either.

Mrs. Weasley enveloped Harry when she saw him. It felt glorious. She made a point of asking him about any possible injuries and made him demonstrate that all his limbs were complete and functional. After she got her fill of gushing over Harry, Tonks greeted her.

"Hello, Molly, Ron and Hermione coming along, then?"

Molly's demeanor became reserved, almost cold. "Hmm, Tonks. Yes, yes, they're doing very well. Ron is up and about already."

"Did Hermione get checked out for the stunner used on her?" Harry asked.

"She wouldn't let them at first, until I arrived to stay with Ron. Then she eased up a bit. She was doting on him quite affectionately. Is that gratitude from the rescue or have they been getting together?"

"Well, she's been more demonstrative since the rescue, but it's not just that. They've been openly a couple since we've been at the Longbottoms. Well, more or less open - Ron just used the term 'girlfriend' this morning. But it was amusing to see that after we rescued her, Hermione was gushing."

"Really? Hermione gushing?"

"Well, as much as she is capable of."

"They seemed more familiar and affectionate with each other than would be explained only by the rescue, even though they were trying to hide it. But every time I tried to ask anything Ron would change the subject to, mmm, other things."

As she said this last phrase she glanced darkly at Tonks.

"Tonks," said Arthur, "you are more than welcome to join us. I think we'll have lunch brought into my office - a perquisite of the position, allowing us to speak freely."

"I appreciate that, Minister Weasley," said Tonks, with a stiffness that showed she recognized the cold shoulder Molly had given her, "but I have to fill out several more forms before Harry and I will be free to return to training."

"Right, then," said Arthur, "come around when you've completed that and had your own lunch and we should be ready to hand him over."

Tonks went toward the aurors' floor and Arthur, Molly and Harry headed to Arthur's office, where he placed an order for lunch.

Mrs. Weasley insisted on Harry telling all about the kidnapping and rescue. She was fascinated with his observations on how different a person appears when legilemency is used in addition to sight.

"But they looked alike and yet you were certain enough they were not that you, erm, struck back at her. Sometimes I cannot even tell my own twins apart."

"Looking beneath appearances, they were as different as Mr. Weasley and Mundungus Fletcher."

"Well, I'm certainly relieved that you thought to use it. A mistake either way would have been tragic."

"I rather feel like using it now, Mrs. Weasley."

"Why is that, dear?"

"I'd like to see why you were so cold to Tonks."

Mrs. Weasley looked away. "It's just that ... some people ... will take advantage of ... vulnerable people."

Harry jolted back. "What does that mean? Wait a second. You think Tonks has been doing something improper? To whom? With whom?"

"Harry, dear, I know this time has been stressful for you. There's a lot placed on your shoulders. I don't know of a sorcerer your age who has carried so much. It's not surprising that you would be open to certain ... enticements."

Harry peered at her suspiciously, "What kind of 'enticements' are you talking about?"

"Oh, I heard what happened at training. Not that I blame you, Harry. You're a healthy young man in an unsettled circumstance. Temptations must abound. I just think more mature people should act ... more maturely."

"Mrs. Weasley, you think that Tonks and I ...! Well, let me assure you that no such thing happened. All I did was ...wait a second - is this the story Ron used to change the subject when you were asking him about Hermione?"

"Well, he confirmed things I had heard. Harry, I just don't want you to get too entangled before you're really ready. You know we love you like a son, and just want to see you make the right choices."

"And what would be so bad about Tonks? Not domestic enough? Not brave enough? No sense of humor? Maybe it's that she's not 'pureblood'? - well, I'm not either and I couldn't care less."

"Arthur! Are you not going to say anything?"

"Hmm!" said Arthur quietly, "Oh, yes, Sorry, dear I'm afraid my mind's in two places right now. Harry, Molly and I don't think any of those things. Tonks is an admirable woman." (His tone emphasized the sense of maturity and age in the word).

"Frankly, I think any man that can capture her heart is fantastically lucky."

"I can't argue with you, Harry," said Arthur. "Perhaps it's that we both had the hope that maybe you'd become interested in ... someone else."

"Do you mean Ginny? Is that who fed you this story, Mrs. Weasley?" Harry glared and she pursed her lips and looked down at the table. "She's a nice enough GIRL," Harry said, with a tone that emphasized the sense of youth in it, even childishness, "but when I try to talk to her she's practically hostile towards me!"

"But Harry," said Mrs. Weasley, "sometimes you have to give a girl time and show her that you're the right fellow for her."

"She's known me since she was 11. I've stayed in the same home many times, both at the burrow and Grimmauld Place, and we've shared a house at school for six years. If that's not enough time for her to get to know me, I don't know as I want to piddle around waiting for her. I understand what you mean about 'entanglements,' but I also have to keep in mind that I am in constant danger. Look what happened today - do you think the kidnapping was about getting to Ron or Hermione!?"

Arthur and Molly looked at each other before Molly answered.

"No, Harry, we know it wasn't."

"My time may well be short. There may not be enough of it for me to wait on Ginny to make up her mind. I have no intention of being a tomcat, but given my risks and the amount of work I do spending a little time pleasantly doesn't seem out of order."

Mrs. Weasley shook her head sadly. "Harry, it hurts me to hear you say these things, most of all because you're right. I certainly am not going to encourage you to go wild, but it would be cruel of me to try to make you wait for Ginny to get over her concerns. I just wish things were different."

"Oh, Mrs. Weasley, I can't begin to tell you how much I also wish that were so. My cousin tells me that most teens spend their days praying for something interesting to happen in their lives - I would love to have nothing much going on for awhile. But some things are out of my control, so I have to make the most out of what I can."

"Harry," said Mr. Weasley, "you're entitled to have enjoyment in life. Just be careful and don't burn any bridges you might later want to cross."

"Do I understand, Harry," asked Molly, "that you aren't in fact, um, involved with anyone?"

"I'm 'involved' with everyone, but not in the way you're concerned about. In fact it appears that because of that same rumor that seems to have gotten to you, I have an excess of opportunities to have that sort of involvement and I haven't got a clue how I would go about getting from Point A to Point B."

Mrs. Weasley smiled. "Good, Harry. As far as I'm concerned, you're still too young for Point B."

"Well, if you're worried about boys my age getting to Point B, you shouldn't have left Ron and Hermione together."

"Why!? Just how far have things gone with those two?" asked Molly in a panic.

Harry knew he was subjecting Ron to torturous treatment from his mother, but he felt it served Ron right for using the rumors about Harry to get Mrs. Weasley to leave him alone, especially when Ron knew the rumors weren't true.

"Well, I don't think they're at Point B yet, quite certain of that actually, but I know they aren't at Point A anymore either."

"Arthur," snapped Molly, "we must have a long talk with Ronald as soon as possible."

"Hmm!"

"Arthur, where is your head today? Are you not even concerned about what's happening in these children's lives!?"

"Molly, I can assure that nothing is closer to my heart right now, but often mothers and fathers worry over children in different ways."

"Of course, dear, but you're usually right up with every conversation. Are you sure it's not those awful sunglasses? I know I hate wearing them when I don't absolutely have to."

"No, dear. I'm not fond of them, but that's not leaving me distracted. I've just been dealing with some difficult issues that were dropped on me. As for Ron, I can't pull away from work until dinner time, and then Dumbledore has called an emergency meeting. After that we can go to St. Mungo's."

"I'm sorry, Arthur, I suppose I forget at times that this job is a bit more demanding than the Muggle Artifacts office."

"It's quite the change, Molly, be patient with me."

"Oh, you goose, of course," she said, kissing him tenderly, then lingering a few seconds with her head close to his to look fondly. "Well, I can't let the two of them idle away time together there without a chaperone."

Molly stood and came around the desk to Harry giving him a hug. "Harry, I must be off. You be careful, but Arthur and I will understand if you choose to do some dating. Just be careful - romance is very powerful emotionally, and we want to see you strong, happy, and healthy. And I need for you to keep me informed about Ron and Hermione - those two bear watching, I'm certain."

Harry grinned. "Of course, Mrs. Weasley."

He felt as mischievous as Fred and George setting Ron up. Mrs. Weasley waved and left the office. Harry and Arthur sat back down.

"That was a wicked thing to do, Harry," said Arthur with a knowing smile, "but I'm actually glad for it. She's been so worried about any of you children being killed, it will do her a world of good to fret about something relatively benign."

"Well, I'm not sure I'm the most reliable reporter on the personal events in my friends' lives," said Harry.

"Nor should you be. Those two have been raised to be responsible, and they are not children anymore," said Arthur. "Now let's send a message for Tonks. She should get here in time for dessert, and I think she would be more comfortable without Molly's stern glare."

When she arrived, Tonks looked around the room cautiously.

"Everything's fine, Tonks," reassured Arthur.

They had a lovely time over dessert, talking about nothing serious, which seemed to do all three of them a world of good.

"Well, Harry, I think you're clear to go back to training," said Arthur when they had finished. "If anyone raises any questions about what happened - can't imagine why they would, especially considering the parties involved - I'll be able to say I have covered the matter with you and put out any brushfires."

"Thanks, Mr. Weasley, and thanks for taking the time to talk so long with me. I can't tell you how much our conversation with Professor Dumbledore has served to clarify my thinking."

"You know what needs to be done? Excellent."

"Well, maybe not every detail, but I can be even more focused on my course. I have a lot of things to discuss with Rev. MacBoon tonight. That is, if he won't be in any meetings?"

"He's with us, Harry, but he has already accepted that he will not be involved in any strategizing, since your intense sessions with him may cause your control of your legilemency to fail. In fact, he has one assignment and one assignment only - to see you successfully on the path you've chosen."

"I normally feel a bit sheepish about all the attention swirling around me, but I have to say that in this case, I think it's a wise use of resources - if you're still unwilling to take my other suggestion."

"Not another word about that, Harry," said Arthur, smiling fondly. "The choice is made."

"The choice is made," affirmed Harry, with a slight smile and a nod. And with that, he and Tonks left the Minister's Office.