Chapter 3
Sirius sighed wearily as he sank into one of the chairs in the sitting room, tired from the week long Wizengamot trials. He was glad that all the Death Eaters had been sentenced to Azkaban, and not one of them had been able to buy their way out. With the Ministry in much more capable hands this time around, there was less of a chance of that happening, but Sirius had still been worried. There were a lot of things that could happen to disrupt the flow of justice.
But thankfully, nothing had happened, and the Death Eaters had been transferred to the prison, which was now under the control of wizard guards, since the Dementors had joined Voldemort earlier that year.
There was still a risk, but Amelia had increased the number of guards, and was working with several people to find a more suitable location to house the prisoners, since Azkaban wasn't as safe as it used to be.
A gong sounded throughout the Castle, and Sirius sat up quickly, turning towards the fireplace. That noise indicated that someone who was not keyed into the wards was calling.
Sure enough, Snape's head was floating in the fireplace as he looked over. Sirius stood up and walked over. "Severus," he greeted courteously. "Has something happened?"
Snape hid his uncertainty behind his stoic mask. "Black, may I come through?" He attempted not to show any contempt in his voice. Even though they had called a truce, of sorts, he still found himself remembering those hellish school years, when Black had pranked him mercilessly.
Sirius nodded. "Go ahead," he replied, stepping back as the Potions master's head disappeared for a moment, before the man himself appeared, brushing ash off his robes.
Once he had cleaned himself up a bit, he looked back at Sirius. "Is Minerva around?" he asked.
Sirius shook his head slightly. "She took Harry and his friends to get their school supplies today. They should be back soon, though."
Snape nodded his understanding.
Sirius frowned. "What's going on, Snape? Is something wrong?"
Snape bit his lip, his expression glazing over slightly. "I'm not sure," he answered the question. "It's certainly something… surprising. But it may be nothing."
The Floo flared to life, and the two men turned to watch as Harry and Minerva stepped through.
Minerva appeared momentarily startled to see her fellow professor standing there, but immediately composed herself. "Severus, to what do we owe the pleasure?"
Snape shrugged with one shoulder. "I wished to speak with you two about something, if you have the time?"
Minerva nodded, and turned to Harry. "Why don't you go put your school supplies away, Harry. And then can you check in with Tippy about supper?"
Harry nodded, smiling a greeting at the Potions Master as he left the room.
Once the adults were alone, Sirius gestured for them all to sit down as he pulled out his wand, enacting some of the privacy wards that were sown into several rooms in the Castle. Every sitting room and office, along with a couple of the bedrooms, all had dormant wards set up, which made it much easier to raise them, rather than cast new wards each time.
"What's happened, Severus?" Minerva asked, worry seeping through in her tone and her expression.
Snape sighed. "I received a visit from Bellatrix and Narcissa a few days ago," he admitted.
Sirius furrowed his brow. "Do you think your cover's blown?" he asked, trying to ignore the slight twinge of worry that crept up at the thought.
Snape shook his head. "Bellatrix suspects, but then, she suspects everyone of duplicity. That's not what I wished to talk about." He paused, momentarily doubting what he had come here to do. He wasn't used to trusting people; Albus had said he'd help, but Snape knew he was more of a pawn than a valued human being to the headmaster. But Minerva and Sirius were different. They had to be.
Sirius shifted slightly. "What's going on, Snape? If there's an issue, maybe we can help."
Snape looked at Sirius, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I got the feeling Narcissa is finally learning the same lessons I did towards the end of the first war."
Minerva frowned. "What do you mean?"
Snape sighed again. "I believe the incarceration of her husband, along with Draco's… issues at the end of the year, have opened her eyes to the truth of the Dark Lord's power. I'm not sure it would be wise to approach her yet, but if I have some time to work on her, she may become a valuable addition."
Minerva and Sirius shared a look, before Minerva spoke. "How certain are you?" she asked brusquely. "To be blunt, we cannot afford mistakes. We can't afford for you to be wrong. I will not risk Harry's life for anything."
Sirius nodded, agreeing, and Snape grimaced. "If you give me some time to sound her out, I may be able to give you an answer in a few months. I wouldn't recommend telling her everything, but if she's willing to separate herself from the Dark Lord, then I think it would be worth it."
Sirius bit his lip. "Why us?" he asked curiously. When Snape looked confused, he elaborated. "Why come to us, rather than Albus?"
Snape raised an eyebrow. He thought it should be obvious. "For all his great speeches about second chances and the greater good, the man is too manipulative to trust. His second chances come with far too many strings attached." His eyes softened slightly. "I do care about Narcissa, and I don't want her forced into spying on the Dark Lord, for the promise of a free pass when his downfall comes." The same way I was. Though he didn't say it, both Sirius and Minerva understood.
Minerva nodded sharply. "Continue working on her, and tell us if you think she's willing to defect. We won't make her do anything she doesn't want to, and if she is unsafe in Malfoy Manor, we can certainly relocate her somewhere safe."
Sirius agreed. "My cousin may be cold, but she's got a good head on her shoulders. I hope that she is opening her eyes, Severus. I don't want to see her fall with Voldemort." He hesitated, and then sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm still debating about what to do with her in regards to the Black Family." Snape raised an eyebrow in silent question. Sirius shook his head slightly. "I cast out Bellatrix immediately after I took control, as well as reinstated Andromeda. But I don't know what to do with Narcissa. I thought I'd have a better idea if Lucius was ever unmasked as a Death Eater, but now that he has been… I still don't know."
"What did Andromeda say?" Minerva asked curiously. "Have you spoken with her about it?"
Sirius nodded, looking at his former professor. "She thought that if her sister proved deserving, I should give her a chance." He turned back to Snape. "If she renounces the Dark Lord and is willing to help us, I will dissolve her marriage to Lucius and take her back into the Black Family."
Snape frowned. "Help how? I won't let you use her as a spy."
Sirius shook his head quickly. "I won't force her to do anything. But if I remember correctly, my cousin is quite adept at potions and healing. There are many ways she could be useful that don't involve her putting herself in danger."
Snape nodded his head slowly. "I believe that would be acceptable," he replied. "We shall see what happens."
Sirius sighed and nodded once. "So it's basically wait and see, for now. Sounds good."
Snape inclined his head, standing up. "I will see you both tomorrow at the meeting, then."
Sirius and Minerva nodded, also standing, and said their farewells as the Potions Master left through the Floo.
Once they were alone, Sirius almost collapsed back into the comfortable chair.
Minerva watched him sympathetically as he let out a long sigh. "How did it go today?" she asked compassionately, taking down the wards on the room.
Sirius groaned. "I'm glad it's over with, and they're all locked up now," he replied, his eyes closed.
Minerva sat back down as well. "Were you worried?" she asked curiously. "If Fudge were still in office, I could understand, but Amelia wouldn't let those people go free."
Sirius shrugged and opened his eyes. "I don't think there was a chance of them getting off, but most of them did it once before, so I guess anything's possible."
"It's much harder to pull off the Imperius excuse the second time around," Harry commented from the doorway.
The two adults turned quickly at his entrance, and Sirius nodded ruefully. "You're right, of course. I'm just a worrier, I guess."
Harry shrugged. "I think it's better to prepare of the worst and hope for the best," he commented. "So maybe it's a good thing you were waiting for something to go wrong. What did Professor Snape want?"
Sirius and Minerva shared a look, before Minerva replied carefully. "He wanted to speak with us about a potential new ally. I don't think we should discuss this now, but if his suggestion bares fruit, we will, of course, tell you."
Harry nodded, trusting his guardians, and not asking anymore. "Tippy says dinner's ready when we are."
Minerva smiled, and, the two followed the teenager to the dining room.
XXX
The next day, Saturday, Harry and his friends spent the morning in the practice room, with Blaise, Luna, Cedric, Fred, George, and Daphne working on their animagus transformation, while the others had separated to various tasks. Harry and Hermione were talking about the Wolfsbane Potion, and the ideas Harry had for working on a cure; nothing was really formed into anything close to a possibility that might work, and both teenagers knew that the chances of actually succeeding were slim; Ron and Neville were dueling; and Susan and Ginny were helping the newer additions on their transformation.
As noontime drew closer, Harry called them all together to talk. Normally, the teenagers would all go home after lunch, since Saturday afternoons were when the adults would meet to discuss the war and any updates, and they didn't want to be overheard. Harry was always present for those meetings, and the adults listened to his ideas.
When they were all seated in a circle, Harry spoke. "So, Jason said that you all have developed your Occlumency shields enough that you'll be able to hold off an attack long enough, which means I'd like to tell you a little more about the… situation. Not everything, until we feel you can hold out Dumbledore, but I think you should know some of it before this afternoon." He glanced at Ginny, and on her encouraging nod, he told Blaise, Luna, Cedric, and Daphne about the prophecy. Fred and George already knew it existed, but he would wait until their shields were better before he told them what it said. Once he was done, he took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. "So… yeah. That's pretty much what we're dealing with. When your shields get a little stronger, I'll tell you what the prophecy says. I know I told you about meetings going on every Saturday afternoon, which is why you all had to leave after lunch. If you like, this week, you can stay." He looked around at the group. "All of you. Sirius and Aunt Minerva said it was all right." He let out a half snort. "Seems some of them have convinced the rest that we're going to be on the front lines in this war whether they like it or not, and we deserve to be involved."
Ginny smirked. "Meaning, they managed to convince my mother, and she hates the idea, but my dad put in his two knuts and said we should be allowed to attend, so she's going along with it."
Harry chuckled. "Pretty much," he agreed.
Blaise smiled slightly. "You know I'm in," he said. He glanced at Daphne, and the two shared a knowing look. "Let's show the wizarding world what Slytherin is capable of."
Daphne nodded, her own grin widening. "They won't know what hit them."
Cedric laughed. "I'm glad you guys are on our side." He looked at Harry. "I'm totally in, Harry. Thank you for trusting me with this."
Harry shrugged, a little embarrassed. "I do trust you all. I just needed to make sure no one could take the information from you without your consent."
Luna shifted in her seat. "It was a logical plan," she put in dreamily. "You should not apologize."
Harry shrugged. "Sorry."
Ginny mock-glared at him. "What did she just say about apologizing?"
Harry grimaced. "Sorry."
Ginny growled lightly, then sighed and shook her head.
Harry glanced at her, and smiled slightly. "Sorry."
Everyone chuckled, and Harry led them upstairs to get something to eat.
XXX
Everyone was at the meeting that afternoon. They had taken to congregating in the library, so that they could accommodate the entire group. Arthur and Molly sat on one loveseat, while Bill and Fleur occupied another. Ted, Andromeda, Tonks, and Remus shared a sofa, as did Sirius, Amelia, Kingsley, and Minerva. Fred and George took up two chairs next to the loveseat their parents were using, and Snape sat off to one side, while Augusta took up another armchair next to Minerva. When Harry and his friends entered, they just sat on the floor and waited for the meeting to start.
It was pretty standard for the most part. Fred and George told the rest about their defense line, which was praised by the group as a whole; Tonks and Kingsley gave a report on what was going on inside the DMLE – mainly talking about Death Eater activity and raids they had participated in; the last person to speak that afternoon was Snape.
He stood up and faced the group, his face an expression of neutrality, as he reported on Voldemort's actions. "The Dark Lord is becoming more active," he informed them. "He's staying behind the lines, but I'm sure you've noticed the increase in Death Eater attacks."
They all nodded. Over the last month, they had responded to Death Eater raids in several muggle towns, unfortunately not always arriving in time to save all of the victims. In addition to almost thirty muggles that had been killed, four wizarding families had also been attacked, with five deaths reported.
It was sobering, but the truth was, the Aurors were spread too thin, and Dumbledore's Order was just too reactive to help much. They were fighting defense, and against Voldemort, that type of strategy just wouldn't work.
"There has to be some way to counter these attacks," Neville commented, looking around.
Snape glared at him. "Despite my position, the Dark Lord does not share all his plans with me, and I am not privy to every conversation he has. Further more, to divulge every plan for attack I know of would put my position in jeopardy."
Harry leaned forward, trying to pacify him. "Neville wasn't suggesting you put yourself in danger, Professor. But he is right that there has to be some way to at least try and learn of attacks in enough time to help." He furrowed his brow, and looked over at the twins. "Fred, George, you invented Extendable Ears. Is there any way you can create a listening device small enough that Professor Snape could plant it wherever Voldemort is using as a base?"
The twins immediately nodded, intrigued. "We'll see what we can do," George replied, already writing down a few notes on a piece of parchment he had in his hands. Next to him, Fred leaned over and pointed at something on the parchment. George frowned, and added another few words. Fred immediately grinned and nodded eagerly.
Harry smiled and looked back at the adults. They were all looking at him with varying degrees of surprise, fascination, or confusion. He shrugged. "Listening spells can be discovered, and the spell signature can be traced back to a specific person. But if the twins can come up with something small that can be stuck somewhere out of the way, it shouldn't show up on a scan of the room, as long as it's done right. Right?"
Hermione nodded eagerly. "Just like the muggle technology," she put in excitedly. "They have listening devices that they can use to get information."
Harry chuckled a little and nodded. "That's where I got the idea," he admitted. "We might not be able to use the same technology as them, but we can adapt their ideas to fit our needs."
"An excellent idea," Minerva complimented. "I'm sure Messr's Weasley will rise to the challenge."
The twins gave mock salutes to their former professor, and then went back to their planning.
"There's one thing I don't understand," Ted commented, looking around. Of this group, only he, his wife, Augusta, Amelia, and the teenagers were not a part of The Order of the Phoenix. When everyone looked at him, he shrugged. "Why isn't Dumbledore being more…" He struggled to find a word, but Sirius beat him to it.
"Active?" Sirius supplied.
Ted nodded. "That works. Surely Dumbledore has the ability to counteract some of this. I mean, he's the only one You-Know-Who fears, right?"
"Well, I think Voldemort's pretty wary of some others, but you're right, Albus should be doing more." Sirius shook his head, sharing a knowing look with Minerva, before he turned back to the group and sighed. "We've speculated a bit, but what it comes down to is that damn prophecy." They had all been informed of the existence of the prophecy, even if only Harry, Ginny, Minerva, and Sirius knew what it said. Sirius looked sympathetically at Harry. "Albus believes in it, so I think he's taking a back seat to the war, because he thinks that Harry will be the one to defeat Voldemort. And…" he shook his head, annoyed. "Albus has this idea of leniency, and second chances. He thinks that all Death Eaters can be redeemed. And that's just not the case. Can you see Bellatrix, or Rodolphus ever coming to the light side?" Augusta and Neville growled at the mention of the Lestranges. "Or Avery, or Macnair… these Death Eaters have murdered countless times, but Dumbledore would still try to integrate them back into society. He just doesn't understand that sometimes, the best thing to do is put the rabid dog down."
"A crude way of putting it, but accurate," Augusta nodded regally. "Albus may be a leader in the wizarding world, but that just makes him all the more dangerous. Particularly since so many people still look to him for everything."
Minerva sighed. "Albus used to be someone I trusted completely. I never thought he was capable of such duplicity, but everything I've seen and observed over the last couple of years just convinces me that I can't trust him anymore."
Harry shifted, drawing their attention when he began to speak. "They're right, Dumbledore trusts the prophecy. He believes that it's going to come down to me and Voldemort. The real clincher though is that he wasn't planning on giving me any training. He was just content to sit back and watch, and I know he's let some questionable things slide, in the name of his 'greater good'." He clenched his teeth. "But who gets to decide what the greater good is? Why Dumbledore. What gives him the right to interfere with my life? He's not my guardian, so why did he have the authority to place me with my aunt and uncle? And why does he care so much what I do outside of school? Legally, as far as I'm concerned, he's just my headmaster. So why is he so interested?"
Several of them nodded, and everyone certainly agreed. Albus' motives were muddled at best. What was the old man planning?
One thing was for sure, whatever his plan had been, Harry being removed from Privet Drive had not been a part of it. They all felt a sense of satisfaction in knowing that his plans had been shot to hell.
The meeting broke up shortly after that, and most of the adults left. Molly and Arthur returned home so that Molly could get a start on supper, followed quickly by Kingsley, the Tonkses with Remus, Amelia and Susan, Augusta and Neville, Blaise, Daphne, and Cedric, all returning to their own homes. Fred and George left as well, headed back to their flat to continue developing their listening device, as well as a few more ideas for their Defense line. Hermione had to go home as well, so it was just Harry, Ron, and Ginny left with Minerva and Sirius.
Harry glanced over at Ginny, and she looked back, knowing what he was thinking, even without sharing thoughts. She nodded, sighing slightly. We have to tell them, Harry. We've put it off for far too long as it is. We might not get an opening like this again. And you know they'll react better than my mum will.
Harry agreed, and turned to Ron. "Ron, Ginny and I need to talk to Aunt Minerva and Sirius about something. Do you mind going home?"
Ron frowned, looking between his best mate and his sister. Something was going on, and he wanted to know what it was. But he trusted them, and if they said they needed to talk to the adults alone, he would let them be. If they wanted to tell him, they would. He nodded. "I'll see you later," he said, before leaving the library and making his way towards the Floo.
Sirius and Minerva shared a confused look, before they sat back down on one of the loveseats.
Harry and Ginny followed their lead, and took the other loveseat. The two teenagers grasped hands tightly, looking very nervous.
Minerva frowned slightly. "Harry? Ginny? What's going on?"
Sirius groaned. "Oh Merlin, please don't tell me Ginny's pregnant."
Both teenagers turned bright red. "No!" they exclaimed in unison, utterly embarrassed.
Minerva let out a sigh of relief. Thank Merlin. "Then what is the matter?"
Harry bit his lip and swallowed harshly. "What do you know about soul bonds?" he asked tentatively.
Minerva frowned, but it was Sirius who replied. "There are many different types of bonds, some of the weaker ones being used in wedding ceremonies. They give spouses a deeper insight to their partner, and sometimes even an emotional connection. There are also life bonds, formed when someone saves another person, risking their own life in the process…" he trailed off, and looked, wide-eyed, at Harry. "The Chamber," he whispered.
Harry grimaced and shook his head. "Close, Padfoot, but not exactly. We thought that may have something to do with it, but there's one major difference between life bonds and true soul bonds. With a true soul bond, the couple is able to speak mentally. And life bonds don't necessarily mean the pair will be a couple. They'll just always be in the each other's lives." The two adults looked at him, and raised their eyebrows. Harry shrugged. "We looked up all the information we could, to try and figure out what was going on."
Sirius leaned forward. "So the two of you are soul bonded." He was amazed, and his voice reflected it.
Harry and Ginny nodded. "In my fourth year, Ginny's third," Harry explained, shifting slightly as his grip on Ginny's hand tightened. "It was the night I was chosen as a champion. Early the next morning, technically, I guess." He and Ginny shared a secretive look, remembering how it felt to have that bond snap into place. "We kissed for the first time, and I could just… feel her. like she was always a part of me, but I just had to realize it."
Ginny smiled and nodded. "That's an accurate description. It took another couple of months before we could communicate silently, and that's when we knew that it was a true soul bond, not a life bond."
"Why wait this long to tell us?" Minerva asked, a little shakily. There hadn't been a reported soul bond in at least six hundred years.
Harry shrugged, and Ginny tensed slightly. "We weren't quite sure what it meant, at first, and then…" He looked at Ginny. "It's sort of private. We didn't really feel comfortable sharing."
"So what changed?" Sirius asked curiously.
Harry looked at his godfather. "I can feel the bond getting stronger. Sharptooth told us last year that it hadn't been completed yet." He and Ginny both blushed, recalling the circumstances that would lead to their bond being completed. They had made a promise that it wouldn't happen for another year, and they would stick to that deal.
"You talked to Sharptooth about this?"
Harry nodded ruefully. "Apparently Goblins can sense the bond. As can other magical races. He told me that in the eyes of the Goblins, we were emancipated the moment the bond snapped into place. I'm entitled to my full inheritance, and…" he gulped and looked at Ginny. "Technically, we're married."
Ginny reached under her collar to pull out the necklace she never took off. With a whispered word, she dispelled the Disillusionment charm Harry had put on the chain.
Sirius and Minerva could only look on in astonishment as Ginny showed them the engagement ring Harry had given her the year before. "Harry gave me this on my birthday last summer. We decided that it wouldn't be practical for me to wear it on my finger, so I wear it on this chain. It's spelled so that only Harry and I can see it." She looked over at her husband, and her expression turned fiery, as she continued, "When the time is right, I'll wear it openly, but for now, this is enough."
The two continued to stare at each other for a few more moments, before Minerva cleared her throat, interrupting the moment.
Harry coughed, embarrassed, as he turned his attention back to the adults. "We know we should have told you before, but like we said, it's personal. But we figured, you guys are my guardians, and Ginny's parents… well I'm trusting her to not let Mrs. Weasley kill me when we do talk to them. But you all deserve to know."
Minerva's eyes narrowed slightly. "You've been using your abilities to mind-speak in dueling practice, haven't you."
It wasn't a question. Harry winced and nodded. "It does come in handy," he admitted.
Minerva shook her head. No wonder they had beaten her and Sirius in that duel. Well, she had to admit, the two were pretty talented even without any special skills. "Anything else you'd like to tell us?" she asked sardonically, hoping that that was it.
The two teenagers shared a look, and Sirius sighed. "What else could there be?" he asked incredulously.
Harry and Ginny stood up and stepped back so that they could have some room, before they transformed into their phoenix forms simultaneously.
Sirius and Minerva were both gaping a minute later, when the teenagers changed back.
"Yeah," Harry rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "There's that."
"How…" Minerva's voice seemed to fail her.
Harry shrugged. "We don't know. When we went into the animagus trance, we saw two forms. We managed to complete the phoenix transformation a few months ago, and now we can turn into both."
"What about the abilities?" Sirius asked eagerly, getting over his shock.
Harry bit his lip. "I've been experimenting with the flame traveling, but haven't managed to make it work yet. I'm not sure about the healing tears, but I did manage to lift a sofa while in the form."
"Wicked," Sirius grinned. "I'm glad you told us, though of course, I wish you had done so earlier. But I understand why you didn't. I do agree that it might be best to keep this a secret, gives you an extra advantage."
"Not to mention, if you do get that flame traveling ability to work, it could give you a way out of a sticky situation, even if wards have been put up," Minerva added. "Phoenixes are known for their capability of traveling through anti-apparation and anti-portkey wards."
Harry and Ginny nodded. "We were thinking that as well," Ginny said.
Minerva nodded sharply. "Very well. We will all go to the Burrow tomorrow and speak with Molly and Arthur about your bond. This is a conversation we should all have together."
"You know, since apparently, we're already family," Sirius winked. "You going to ask them if you can call them mum and dad?"
Harry winced and shook his head forcefully.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "I should get home, it's nearly suppertime."
She gave Harry a kiss before leaving the library, and Sirius, Minerva, and Harry went in search of their own dinner.