Chapter 20: Chapter 20
Harry and Hermione breathed a sigh of relief as they walked down to the School after seeing off Ron and the others at Hogsmeade station. They had been accompanied by McGonagall and taking her permission, they took a detour to The Three Broomsticks first to have some butterbeer and discuss a few things that Harry wanted to do these holidays.
Voldemort had been quiet until now and Snape had told Harry that there was a meeting scheduled for later. Now McGonagall discreetly cast a notice me not charm and a privacy spell around them and they started discussing.
"Professor, can we get away these holidays for a few hours to meet with Arran, Ria and the others? I have not seen Arran since School started." Harry asked her wistfully.
McGonagall shook her head and looked at him a little sympathetically. "Harry it would be better if we do not give any grounds for doubt to the Headmaster at all. You must utilize this time for learning about your gifts."
Harry nodded glumly. He had anticipated this answer, though to hear it made it kind of final. How did Arran say they would divide their attacking period into three times in a year if Harry was never able to get out of Dumbledore's control?
They finished their butterbeer and paying Rosemerta, they walked slowly to the castle. On the way, Harry cast a privacy spell around them and turned to McGonagall. "What if Dumbledore were incapacitated? We could do something then?" he asked her with hope in his eyes.
McGonagall thought about it and slowly nodded her head making Harry's sprits lift a little. "We can legitimately get out to Diagon Alley under the pretext of shopping for presents one day. After that maybe we could make sure Albus is under the weather for a few days. It is very cold after all. Let us see Harry. I will speak to Severus and try to come up with something."
Harry nodded and smiled at her. "What do you want to do Harry apart from visiting with Arran and the others that you need to get out of Hogwarts so desperately?" Hermione asked him.
"I have a few ideas that I have been thinking about and reading upon the last three months. I want to talk about them. And I will say what they are when we are all together." Harry refused to say a word more.
They reached the School by then and McGonagall removed the privacy spell and briskly walked inside nodding formally to Harry and Hermione just in case Dumbledore was looking down from any of the windows.
Harry and Hermione ambled around the grounds discussing loudly about their studies, especially Runes. Harry was taking his OWLS in that subject that year and Hermione was asking him all kinds of questions to check his preparation. Harry saw Dumbledore's aura once as it came within hearing range and then it walked away.
They walked to the Great Hall and went inside in time for lunch. They found only one table set in the center and most of the professors were already sitting down and chatting casually. They looked up and smiled at Harry and Hermione before they resumed their conversations. Snape scowled at them before turning off to speak softly with McGonagall.
Harry ate his food silently and then went off to the Room of Requirement to begin his study on ancient magic. Hermione joined him, though she studied the Dark Arts and advanced potions.
They worked hard for the whole day and they were not disturbed at all. At dinner Harry amused him self by seeing the various auras around him and trying to decipher their meanings and by that trying to come on to a on the spot analysis about their characters. As dinner slowly came to an end, Harry turned to McGonagall with a small smile.
"Professor, may Hermione and I be excused to go shopping tomorrow to Diagon Alley?"
She smiled back. "Of course Harry. I will accompany you there my self as I too have some shopping to do. We could split it up two days. Do one half tomorrow and the other the day after. What do you say?"
"Great professor." Harry beamed and turned to Hermione, "Come on I have to make lists."
Both of them excused themselves and talking normally about various gifts and presents that they would give to various people, left the room.
"Severus, will you come with me tomorrow as additional protection for Harry? What do you say Albus, or will you come?" she asked the Headmaster
who smiled at her?
"I have some work to finish Minerva. If Severus is free he may accompany you. Else I will request Alastor to come along."
Snape grumbled, "That would be best Albus. Moody would be the best guard for the Golden Boy."
"For that I demand you come with me. Guard indeed Severus. That boy needs protection and you of all people know it." she said coldly.
Snape sneered at her and was about to say something rude when Dumbledore interrupted him, "Come on Severus. You must have some shopping to do as well. Accompany Minerva and I will send for Alastor as well." And got up and excusing him self left with a smile and a twinkle before Snape could protest.
After Dumbledore had left, McGonagall and Snape too, excused themselves and kept up the charade until they parted ways. Then Snape went to his rooms and activating the earring told Harry what had happened. Harry was very disappointed about Moody accompanying them.
"Why did McGonagall ask Dumbledore at all Sev? And why did you grumble?" he asked very down. "If you had accepted maybe Moody would not have come."
"Harry has all that you have gone through with our beloved Headmaster taught you nothing?" Snape asked him patiently.
"What do you mean Sev?" Harry was puzzled.
"Albus would never let you go off alone without Ron, Ginny, Moody or himself accompanying you Harry. They are the ones in the 'other' plan, remember? If I had not protested as I usually do Albus would have become suspicious and please do not underestimate Albus or the Dark Lord, Harry. Both are very powerful, intelligent and very clever wizards. We have been lucky so far, but give them a small clue and we are finished."
Harry sighed. What Snape was saying was so very truthful. They had been incredibly lucky this far and they must tread carefully lest Dumbledore suspected something.
"I am so sorry Sev. I shouldn't have taken it on you." Harry was cut off by Snape who spoke softly, "Idiot Gryffindor. Who else would you take it on? Now," briskly Snape continued, "even if we do not meet with Arran and the others it is of little consequence. What is most important is you studying hard and keeping everything we know under cover and to that effect I have disagreed with Minerva as it would be better if I don't slip any potions to Albus.
"He knows I am behind the pranking of the Weasley brother and sister and he has kept quiet as he was in the wrong about reducing their punishments. We cannot take a risk and make him suspicious about why he should fall ill suddenly and then find out through the wards that all of us, especially you have been outside the castle."
Harry agreed and in a better frame of mind after talking a bit more to Snape, he and Hermione discussed the various gifts and other purchases they wanted to make.
The next morning Harry, Hermione McGonagall and a scowling Snape flood off from the Headmaster's office into Diagon Alley. They met Moody there and walked through the barrier and went straight to Gringotts. Harry had already written to the goblins and told them he did not want to be recognized when he came in.
Though Harry did not need to visit his vault to withdraw money, he had a money pouch that would enable to access money directly after all, he had to keep appearances and so he went inside with Moody and not with Snape or McGonagall who had to visit their vaults as did Hermione. Harry withdrew large sums of money saying he wanted to spend lavishly and spurge as Moody lifted his non-magical eyebrow at him.
Then they went shopping buying various things for everyone. Harry went straight to the Weasley Wizarding Wheezes first. For Ron, Harry got a huge box of the Weasley pranks and he added a lot of pranks for his own use and spent a little time chatting with them about Ron's misfortune.
The Twins noted that Harry had not bothered about Ginny's misfortune as well and nor had he shown the anger he would have last year at the way Ron had been treated. They put it away to talk about it later and went about their jobs as cheerfully as ever.
For Mrs. Weasley Harry got a nice scarf and for Mr. Weasley he had already ordered a small mp3 player with cds both modern and classical. He had also got a lot of batteries and a manual that would tell Mr. Weasley how to use it.
The twins would receive a few muggle joke books that would make them think of converting those jokes into magical pranks. The books he had already ordered from Barnes & Nobles. He had not got Ginny anything as he never got her anything usually and he kept up with that.
In Flourish and Blotts Harry got rare books on Runes and Charms for Hermione, he knew she would enjoy and he added some books on Transfiguration for McGonagall and him, though he did not gift wrap any of the books. As they walked around Flourish & Blotts, Moody left McGonagall in charge to walk across for some purchase of his own.
"I will be back in ten minutes Minerva." He told her gruffly. "If anyone attacks, use the portkey and take Potter to safety okay." McGonagall rolled her eyes and smiled at him as he nodded. "Constant vigilance Minerva. Do not mock at that." He told her darkly and left.
Hermione was looking through various books on Defense and Harry was soon wandering to the back of the huge shop and was browsing along when he came to a door that said 'Used Books'. Curious he walked inside and found rows and rows of old and used books, sorted by subject.
Harry came out and seeing McGonagall searching for him, called out to her and saying he would be inside browsing and waited for her to nod and smile before he took off.
The room smelled dusty and old and Harry went row by row looking at the books which though were old and used, were neatly bound and had their name written on the binding.
Harry walked through the subjects like Charms, Transfiguration, Defense and the like and soon came to the back of the used books room to two rows that said 'Assorted and Misc. Books'.
Harry slowed down and started looking for any book that caught his fancy. He had walked through half a row, when the words Ancient Magic leaped out of a huge book. Harry carefully pulled it out and found the book to be charmed feather light and in a very good condition. He was very excited as he looked through the book and saw it had the basics of the ancient magic, its working and its theories.
Harry placed it in the basket that he had with the other books and walked along. Soon he had four more books on ancient magic and then he came to a book that said. 'Potions' and the author was some one called Morgana. He opened the book and found it in excellent condition and the date inside said 'Samhain 568'.
Harry gaped at that book as the date meant that it was over a thousand five hundred years old and still was in a condition that was pretty good. The paper was very thick and stiff, but probably had a lot of spells woven into it for preservation. He put that down carefully and soon picked up a more books that looked very old and dirty on ancient magic, Potions, Runes, Wards and Parsel magic.
There were so many books on Parsel Magic that Harry was astounded. He picked up as many as he could and then he browsed a bit more and walked to the end of the row. There was nothing much of interest and Harry walked through the other row, picking a few more old books on conjuring and the Dark Arts and Blood Magic.
Then Harry came out and started walking towards the outer shop and casting a privacy spell upon him, he activated the earring, "professor, can you divert Moody. I have too many books here that I don't want him to see."
McGonagall hummed and as Harry walked he heard Moody being engaged in an argument on a book on dueling and Harry quickened his steps and casting a notice me not charm, he walked swiftly to the counter and placed his many books on it.
Waiting impatiently and a bit worriedly as the clerk rang his purchases Harry breathed a sigh of relief as he paid off the bill and the clerk packed everything and shrunk it for him. The notice me not charm helped and as soon as Harry walked away the clerk forgot all about the boy who had made such a big and a very different type of purchase.
Harry with all his purchases shrunk and held safely in his pocket that he had already cast charms for anything he may place inside them to look innocuous went outside with an apology on his lips. "I am so sorry professor," he said looking only at McGonagall making Snape scowl and glare at Harry and Moody chuckle gruffly at the intended insult, not realizing that he too had been insulted by that gesture and shrugging of Snape's glare that turned to him.
They also went to other shops where Harry bought a lot of parchment, quills, owl treats for Hedwig and potion ingredients.
"If you have finished everything Potter, then we can skip tomorrow." Moody told him as they entered Hogwarts, that afternoon totally tired. "But I have to buy a few clothes as well. I had thought we would shop for them tomorrow." Harry protested.
"Why couldn't you do all that today?" Snape snarled at him and turning to McGonagall he spoke very softly making her frown and nod her head. "Well of course you cannot come with us tomorrow Severus. I am sure Albus will understand." She said making Snape look very happy.
"Why?" Moody asked Snape suspiciously.
"Of course he cannot. In fact Harry I think we must postpone out trip for clothes for another day as You-Know-Who will attack Severus for not giving him that information. Once he can say he was called on the spur of the moment, but twice, I think not. It would be best to postpone, I am afraid."
Moody nodded as Harry agreeing completely with her, looked sulky, "Well we can go off on our own. It will be fun." The implication of a fun trip without Snape obvious, making him snarl at Harry in distaste. McGonagall placated him by murmuring to him and Snape walked swiftly to the dungeons, the moment they reached the main doors.
The next few days went quietly with Harry and Hermione deep in studies. Harry had taken out the books on ancient magic and found them to be a mine of information about a power that only Snape and Arran seemed to know today. The ancient tome about the equally ancient magic was very interesting. Harry asked Snape and Arran about any doubt he may have as he read along, and he had many of them. They were only too happy to help and Harry was learning and learning fast.
On Midwinter Harry and Hermione were invited to The Burrow for lunch. Harry could not give his gifts to Snape and McGonagall at the School directly and he just left the two books on their desks in the morning, the Potions by Morgana for Snape and the detailed Transfiguration book that he knew McGonagall did not have and would enjoy, for her.
Snape noticed the book and was so thrilled with it that he activated his earring and thanked Harry repeatedly. Harry laughed at Snape's thrill and he thanked Snape and McGonagall for the books they had given him on Blood Magic and the Dark Arts.
Soon it was time to go to The Burrow and Harry and Hermione flood apprehensively along with the others to be enveloped in a bear hug from Molly Weasley. Mr. Weasley beamed at them and shook their hands welcoming all of them into The Burrow.
Molly Weasley was thrilled to have them and after hugging both of them she took them aside and told them not to speak a word about the horrible pranking as that topic put Ron and Ginny into a state of panic. Harry only too gladly agreed.
"Really it was too bad. The pranking I mean Harry. Both Ron and Ginny are very frazzled and the word prank puts them into a state of panic." Molly was unhappy about the state of her last two children and Harry tried his best to look as affected as her but he was sure he did not succeed. Thankfully Molly was thinking about the state they had come home with a frown on her forehead and she did not notice Harry's failure in looking enraged on Ron's and Ginny's behalf.
All the Weasley children were there and the whole atmosphere was very loud and boisterous and happy. Harry greeted Ron cheerfully and turned to Bill and Charlie who had also come there. Percy as usual was missing. Soon all of them were chatting very happily and only two pairs of eyes noticed that Harry and Hermione were not talking as they would have to Ron.
Harry was sitting with Bill and asking him something about curse breaking and Hermione was helping Molly Weasley in the kitchen. Ron was sitting with Bill and Harry but was contributing very little to the conversation. Ginny was totally ignored and the Twins after greeting Harry and Hermione in their usual way sat back and observed.
They had tackled Harry at once and it was George who was the more observant of the two who noticed that Harry was not all that happy to be there. So after their initial welcome, he had dragged Fred back and they had watched, and they were very puzzled.
"Well if it isn't," George had greeted Harry and had grinned at him as Fred continued,
"Our partner,"
"You mean our partner in crime Gred,"
"No Forge, I mean,"
Harry started laughing, "Guys stop it, How are you?
"Fine,"
"But ickle Ronniekins and ickle sweet Ginny are not."
"What happened to them?" Fred asked Harry suddenly seriously and Harry blinked.
Harry told them what happened. Fred laughed saying it was a point for Ron and Ginny to hit out at the Slytherin death eaters and Snape at The Three Broomsticks, and it was at that time George noticed the strain in Harry's face as he struggled to act normal.
The Twins decided to get Harry and Hermione alone and ask them what had happened, when they saw Ginny literally throw herself at Harry and Harry just smiling at her and not saying a word more. They frowned when another voice spoke behind them, "So you two noticed as well hmm?"
The Twins whirled around to see Charlie Weasley there lounging casually on the wall and looking at Harry, who was still determinedly talking only to Bill, though he included Ron in to their conversations every two minutes. Ron seemed to not notice anything, but Charlie could see the wheels moving in Bill's brains as he spoke to Harry.
"Did you know Harry did not want to come over to The Burrow?" George told Charlie.
"What?" Charlie exclaimed softly, "Why? I thought Harry thought of this as his home and that Ron and Hermione had a thing for each other and why is Ginny throwing herself at Harry? Has she no shame, Harry is ignoring her quite deliberately."
"Yeah," Fred told him slightly angry as he watched Ginny, "She has no shame, our Ginny. Harry told mum in a letter that he and Hermione wanted to give Ron some time to recover and he had not mentioned Ginny at all. Not even to ask mum how she was. I remember Ginny asking mum about whether Harry had enquired after her and when mum said no, she was pretty irritated."
"What did he get Ron?" Charlie asked, becoming intrigued at Harry and Hermione's behavior. He was very normal to the others and he had seen the beautiful and very expensive scarf he had got his mother and the song thing for his father that had made him go into raptures. But he had been called by a friend from Romania on the floo and he had missed the other gifts.
Harry had not got him and Bill anything as he had not known they were there and anyway Harry was not very close to either of them. Fred told Charlie what Harry had given them and Ron, "But he did not get Ginny anything. Neither did Hermione. She gave Ron a book on Quidditch."
Charlie watched Harry and Hermione and saw clearly how uncomfortable he and Hermione were. He watched carefully all afternoon and then on the spur of the moment went to his mother and whispered something. She beamed and nodded and went to Harry who was now sitting on the couch and playing chess with Ron.
"Harry why don't you and Hermione stay tonight and leave tomorrow for Hogwarts? In fact you should have been here for the entire holidays but at the very least you must stay for a day. I will speak to Albus and tell him that I will send you both after breakfast tomorrow. Alright?" she asked him affectionately.
Charlie and the Twins watched Harry and Hermione carefully staying hidden and they saw the tightening of his jaw and the panic in his eyes and the distaste in Hermione's face as well, before it was covered and then he resignedly agreed, "But Mrs. Weasley we will leave tomorrow. Ron here still needs his rest." He said smiling at Ron.
What was shocking to Charlie and the Twins was the fact that Ron did not say a word but Ginny more than made up for it. "That is great Harry." She lowered her voice in what was apparently a seductive attempt, though Harry seemed only nauseated by it, "We could have such fun." Her mother frowned at the blatant way she was throwing herself at Harry and Harry was looking very uncomfortable and Hermione was looking furious.
"Well Harry was very interested in curses of all sorts today. Whew! I never knew until now that he was more interested in them rather than joke along with Ron. And when did Ginny become a seducer?" Bill said softly coming up silently behind Charlie and winking at him. Charlie and the Twins dragged him away out of the house and told him what they had observed.
Bill had also thought something was off with Harry and Hermione and had thought of it as a minor fight, but now as he looked at Harry playing yet another chess game with Ron (he was trashed in the first game), he agreed with Charlie and the Twins that something was wrong.
Hermione was sitting slightly apart and was glancing at Harry now and then in a way no one would notice unless you happened to watching her continuously as he was now and he wondered. Harry was one of the nicest persons he had met and this Harry and Hermione greatly confused him.
The Twins went to work and dosed the drinks of everyone except Harry and Hermione, Bill, Charlie and themselves of course. Soon Ron was yawning as was Ginny and Molly shooed them off to their beds and went to sleep herself.
No one noticed that Arthur Weasley had not had his drink as he had taken it into the kitchen when he went to keep something there and it had slipped from his hand and fallen down. He had repaired the glass but had not taken the sleeping potion mixed into his drink.
George for good measure cast a sleeping spell on Ron and Ginny and came back downstairs where a nervous Harry and Hermione were preparing to go to bed and wait for the next day so that they could leave for Hogwarts.
Molly Weasley had slept the moment she lay down and Arthur Weasley who was not feeling very sleepy decided to listen to some songs on his cds. He got up to fetch them from the drawing room where he had left it and came down and then stopped as he heard his sons speak to Harry. Normally he would not have listened, but they way Ginny had thrown herself at Harry and the way Harry had looked so uncomfortable with her made him pause. Maybe he would know something.
Meanwhile the Twins were only waiting for their parents to go upstairs before they went up to place additional sleeping spells on Ron and Ginny. George came back not realizing that his father came a minute after him and went into the living room, "Ok brothers all set. Ron, Ginny mum and dad are sleeping." Arthur Weasley stopped at those words and waited casting a silencing charm on him and hiding in a dark corner from where he could watch all of them.
At George's words all the Weasley's nodded and Harry frowned. "What for George? I think I will go to bed as well. Coming all of you?"
"Oh no you don't Harrykins. There is a lot we want to know."
"The first being,"
"Fred's words were cut off by Bill placing a hand over his mouth. "Shut up. Do you want everyone to get up?" Bill looked up at Harry and Hermione who were looking very alarmed and smiled.
"Hey! There is no need to get scared Harry. We just want to know what is wrong?" at those words Harry froze and glanced for a second at Hermione. She was scared too. "What is wrong? Nothing Bill. Absolutely nothing. Really." Harry told him his voice shaking just a bit.
"There is no need to lie Harry. No one will come here. We have given sleeping potions to everyone mixed with their drinks and no one will disturb us." Arthur Weasley gasped at that comment. That was why Molly had slept so fast and he was awake because he had dropped his glass.
"I am not lying Bill. Why should I?" Harry was getting angry.
"You tell me." Bill told him casually not minding the anger, in fact completely ignoring it. "But remember none of us will leave here until we know what the fallout with Ron is, why is Ginny throwing herself at you and why you and Hermione are so hesitant to come here and be with us? You would have loved to stay last year. What changed and before you get angry and tell me to mind my business, I wish to know because all of us here care for you and I hope you will not take it in any other way."
"You can tell us anything Harry. Remember the Twins can spy for you at Diagon Alley and Bill can get you all sorts of information from Gringotts and I can do my bit as well. And if you are uncomfortable about mum, dad or Dumbledore knowing we won't tell anyone about what you need to know unless it is very dangerous and Ron and Ginny can help you along with Hermione at School watching your back."
"Oh! They do that already now." Harry clamped his mouth shut even as Hermione hissed, "Harry keep quiet." But the damage was done and all the five Weasleys tensed up at those words.
No body said anything and all of them sat there silently each waiting for the other to speak. Finally Bill spoke up, "Harry what is it? Should I promise on my magic that I will not tell anything you tell me to Ron and Ginny as they seem to be in the center of everything?"
"If you want that then we will but please don't shut everyone out and tell us what is happening?" Fred told him as serious as Harry had ever seen him.
Harry despaired and he really did not know how he could speak against two of their own to them. But when it looked they would be there all night, he cleared his throat and looked at Hermione's frightened face for a second and spoke softly, "Yes there is something and no, Ron is not aware of it. Please don't tell him."
"Well what is it?" Bill asked him looking at his brothers in confusion.
"I really cannot tell you Bill. Please don't force me, you will not like it." Harry told him.
Now the Weasleys were worried, "Like what Harry? Is it something that Ron and Ginny did?" spot on thought Bill as Harry flushed and Hermione gasped. Bill stopped and looked around at the others for a second only. Then he turned to Harry, "I Bill Weasley will not reveal what ever you say here without your consent." The others also said the same and a golden swirl of magic came out of them and hovered near Harry waiting for him to accept it.
Harry stood up, "Really this is ridiculous Bill. You don't have to do all this."
"But I already have and none of us are leaving until we have got to the bottom of the issue. You see Harry you are family. This is what we would do for any of the others. Now come on accept that oath and tell us what is troubling you. We only want to help."
Well you can't." cried Harry frustrated as he realized they were pressurizing him emotionally. "Tell me can you go against your brother and sister? For that is what you will be doing if you listen to me and get to the bottom of the issue. Please let us go to bed forgetting this conversation and my only request to you are please don't tell your parents or Ron and Ginny."
There was a shocked silence as the Weasleys took this in. Arthur was totally shaken as he stood there listening to Harry and his children. What had happened?
"Harry please accept the oath all of us have given you. We may not be rich or high class but we are loyal and we stand by ours. If Ron and Ginny have done something to you, then we will talk it out and sort it out. Come on." Charlie's words frightened Harry and Hermione and both of them said, "Please don't tell them," and Hermione looked at Harry, "Accept the oath Harry. They will not be able to tell Ron and Ginny anything then."
Harry immediately accepted the oath and looked at them, "Remember you cannot tell them or your parents anything."
"Mum and dad are also involved?" Bill asked shocked.
"No, of course not, your parents are the greatest Bill. But you must not tell them all this. They still have not got over Percy."
"Percy? Then what Ron did was like Percy?" Charlie asked them.
Harry fell silent. After a minute or two Charlie continued, "We are going to sit here all night, Harry. We don't mind, but remember mum gets up early in the morning and you will have to answer her and she will simply bulldoze you."
"Harry tell them." Hermione's voice was low and clear in the silence of the room.
"Are you mad Hermione?" Harry asked her incredulously.
"They care Harry and they will not let go. Before they decide to take this to others it would be better if you tell them, in fact show them if you can." she said warning in her voice meaning if they took this to their father or Dumbledore. The Weasleys looked at each other and at Harry at the conversation he and Hermione were having.
Harry suddenly stood up and looked at the Weasleys. "Stay here, I will come with a pensieve." And he went to the fire and flood out. Arthur almost came out of his hiding place but Harry had already left and there was a tense silence as the Weasleys were beginning to understand the seriousness of their conversation with Harry.
Harry came back in less than three minutes greatly comforting Arthur. "Did you tell him or were any of the others there?" Hermione asked Harry who shook his head.
"If he knows now he will kill all of them so that they cannot speak. And it was empty." Harry told her with a small smile.
"Did you ward the fireplace again?" she asked him, a hint of the old Hermione coming out for the first time since they came to The Burrow.
Harry nodded and taking a deep breath turned to the Weasleys. "I want an oath on your magic that you will never tell anyone what you see here and you will never reveal to anyone what has happened here by any means, magical or muggle. This is for your protection as well as mine, because the oath will protect your mind from being invaded by others or tortured for information."
All the Weasleys including the hidden Weasley took that oath and in the dim light and their tension no one noticed that a swirl of magic that came from a dark corner of the room. Arthur Weasley had sworn for two reasons. One he need not tell his wife if it was very bad and the other he need not tell Dumbledore.
Harry then expertly started placing spells he should have not known including some dark spells and warding the fireplace as well. The others looked on at this Harry who seemed so competent and powerful as he cast spell after spell at the stairs and the fireplace and warded the room against eavesdroppers.
Harry removed the memories he had shown Snape and McGonagall and added the meeting with Arran and the Slytherins and placed it in the bowl. He took a deep breath and steadied himself.
"See," he said looking intently at everyone, "I am showing you memories I have no right to show, but you called me family and are willing to listen me out against your brother and sister. I really don't know why they are doing this, but I really have no choice but to keep myself away from them. I Harry Potter swear on my magic all that I am showing you is true." And all the Weasleys watched as a golden swirl came out and circled him and went into him.
He tapped the pensieve and sat back, shaking slightly. This meant a lot more to him than he thought. They were family and he hoped he had done the right thing, as the Weasleys watched shocked and totally stunned the memories that played out starting from the letter from Fawkes and the Order meeting that took place after the Order meeting and watched bits and pieces of everything until the memory of Harry meeting Arran, Draco and the others, Harry's interaction and their oaths and their pledge to fight against Voldemort.
He did not show them about the hunt of the horcruxes as Harry knew he would be chewed by Snape inside out for showing just this. If the Weasleys agreed to work with them and become a part of their team, then Snape or Arran could talk about the destroyed horcruxes.
There was a horrible silence as all the Weasleys tried to take in all that they had seen and at that time they could understood only one thing at the end of it all. Dumbledore was no better than Voldemort; Draco Malfoy was a better man than their brother and it was not Pansy who was the slut.
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