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Author: melkior Story: Meddle Rating: Teens Setting: AU Status: WIP Warning: None Reviews: 8 Words: 24,182
Author's Notes: Thanks to Ilovecats and Comet Moon. A special thanks to The Seeker. It is not in the human nature to trust someone you just met. Especially if you know that this same person has wronged you in some way. But still, sometimes it is necessary to fight these instincts for the greater good. The only problems are that the negative impulses are hard to fight, and then 'greater good' is not a concept on which people tend to agree. There are different types of trust. You trust your best friend and at the same you trust the shopkeeper at the local grocer. But you do not trust them in the same way, unless they are the same person of course. Then there is that term we find ourselves using - 'complete trust'. But what does that mean actually? Does a child completely trust his or her parents? In a way, that could be said to be true. Yet children also write in diaries they keep hidden from their parents. Could not those thoughts be shared if there is complete trust? Trust has to be earned, and complete trust is non-existent. Yet to every rule there is an exception. After all, how could you not trust someone who is a part of you? Consider this for a moment: do you trust someone you hate? In a way you do; you trust them to hurt you if nothing else.
Harry felt a rush of happiness as Ginny said 'Hogwarts letter'. After all, both of them were feeling extremely sad that they could not attend Hogwarts at the same time and go to classes together. Their five-year connection was not enough for them any more. They both felt like they needed real, physical closeness. To top it all, Harry was still getting used to things working out for him, so after his first feeling of happiness, he took this newfound blessing with a grain of salt. Ginny, if that is for real it would be wonderful. Even more than that! But are you sure it isn't a prank by the twins or a mistake? he asked, not wanting to get his hopes up too soon. That's what Mum thought at first. She checked the letter herself and the twins are as bewildered as she is. Dad is still at work so Mum is trying to contact the Headmaster, but his Floo is currently in use. Harry was going to ask her more about the letter when he felt a twinge of sadness coming from the redhead. Hey, why are you feeling sad after getting the letter? I thought you'd be happy. It's not that, Ginny said. I'm happy if I can go to school with you and my brothers, but I'm not sure if my parents have enough money this year. They planned it for next year. You know that I could pay your tuition, he replied seriously. I know, but you don't need to do that. You're my best and only friend. And I really don't want to be apart from you anymore. Ginny wanted to protest, to tell him he had better things to spend money on, but she could feel his exuberance at the idea of helping her. He had never had a way to help anyone before. In fact, he had never had someone, except her, and there is a limit to what you can do through thoughts and dreams. She knew that accepting his offer would make both of them happy, so she bit back the protest. I'm not really happy about agreeing to that, but if there is no other way I'll accept. But, we'll have to convince my parents somehow. Let me worry about that, said Harry. I'll think of something. Whatever he was going to say next was interrupted by shouting coming from the living room. With a shared thought of 'later', Harry followed the voices to find the cause of the disturbance. As he entered the hallway that led to the living room, he distinctly heard Remus, his voice loud and angry. "-and no! What do you think of me Albus? I listened to you even though I thought it was against my better judgment. It IS a binding magical contract! Harry initiated it and I am delighted that he did! I still don't know why you forced him to live with those people." Harry was now looking behind the large door to see his guardian kneeling in front of the fireplace talking to someone hidden behind his crouched body. "You know that he needs to be protected! Even if there were still no Death Eaters there is a reason why I wanted him behind the blood wards. Now that they are broken we need to find another way to keep him safe," said a strict voice Harry did not know. "He is safe here. You know where we are. The Manor is well protected against unwanted intruders and now that the Heir is living here again, the protections have grown even more." "Remus, why won't you see reason?" the voice of Albus asked. "The Fidelius Charm would surely protect him." "And who would be the Secret Keeper? You know that I can't be because of my condition. We can't ask Harry to do it," Remus paused for only a second. "I can see where you're getting at. You want to be the Secret Keeper." "It only seems logical." "I'm not letting you control the poor boy's life more than necessary Albus. I will talk to Harry and explain to him what you feel needs to be done. If he agrees, you can perform the charm but only on two conditions. Firstly, I choose the Secret Keeper, and it won't be you, and secondly you will tell me your reason for this. The real reason." Harry could hear the other voice sighing almost tiredly. "Very well Remus. I am not happy about this, but if that's what it takes to keep the boy safe then I agree to your conditions." As the green flames in the fireplace flickered and disappeared, Remus got up and turned around to see Harry standing behind him at the entrance to the room. "So, you heard the conversation," said Remus. Harry's prior life experiences taught him that listening on someone's conversation results in a serious punishment, so he hung his head. Remus continued in a kind voice. "There's no need to be ashamed, it happens to all of us. Besides, the conversation was about you and I really don't believe in talking about someone if that person isn't present." The boy lifted his head to see the older man smiling at him. "You won't punish me?" he asked in a meek voice. Remus had a joke retort on the tip of his tongue, but hearing the wonder in Harry's voice, he bit it back. "Of course not. But we do need to talk. And before you start feeling guilty about anything, you need to know that you have done nothing wrong. Remember that. Now come here, sit down." Harry did as he was told. Despite his guardian's reassurance, he still felt bad. After all if Uncle Vernon had caught him in a similar situation... He shuddered at the thought and pushed it back. That part of his life was behind him now. The werewolf waited for Harry to settle before he continued. "How much did you hear?" Seeing the boy cringe at his question he quickly added, "I was going to tell you all of this anyway so you've saved me some time actually." "Er, something about blood wards and needing to protect me." Remus took a deep breath and started explaining everything from the attack on that wretched Halloween to the finer aspects of the Fidelius Charm. It was not easy reliving the past again, but it needed to be done. He needed to show Harry somehow that he was still in danger from the Death Eaters who got away under false pretence of being placed under the Imperius Curse. The older man was surprised at Harry's reaction over this, or the lack of it, and decided the boy was overwhelmed by all of the information he needed to absorb. Harry listened intently to what his guardian was saying. Although he had learnt a great deal from Ginny, he still found out new things and some conversations Ginny overheard from her parents now made more sense. The fact that there were people out there who would want to harm him scared him. But he remained calm after Remus explained to him the security at Hogwarts and the Fidelius Charm that was supposed to be cast upon Potter Manor. "So, we should trust the Headmaster?" the boy asked after hearing the explanations. "Trust is a relative thing Harry. I cannot say I've been impressed by his actions where you are concerned. Yet, I trusted the man with my life. As a matter of fact, I still do. In the end it's your decision. I feel you can decide this for yourself." "After hearing everything... I'm not sure." Harry paused and then lifted his head to look at Remus. "I trust you. What do you think we should do?" "Honestly Harry? I don't know. I doubt Death Eaters could breach the wards at the Manor, yet Albus seemed most adamant. I am quite sure he has his reasons, and as you overheard he will share them with me if we agree to his proposition." "Then we'll do it. It doesn't change anything really. It's not like anyone can visit me right now," he said in a small voice. Remus was surprised a bit at the boy's choice of words, but decided against asking anything. "Who would be the Secret Keeper if you won't do it?" Harry asked. "It's not that I won't, Harry. I can't. Imagine if someone needed to know where you live on a full moon," Remus told him patiently. "I don't really have any friends, but during the war I got along with one man. He's honourable and I’ve always felt I could trust him. His name is Arthur Weasley and he works at the Ministry. I'm sure he will agree if we ask him." Harry had to swallow his grin at hearing the name of his best friend's father. It was great to hear Remus had such a high opinion of him and trusted the man so much.
Molly Weasley was always proud of her children. Even the pranks Fred and George pulled were a delight in creativity, although she would never admit that to them. She had always been proud of her youngest but this was the first time in her life that her pride was mixed with sheer terror. Her baby girl was accepted to Hogwarts a year early. It was a wonderful opportunity, yet she would have to let go of her earlier than she planned. It was not easy to know that the house would be empty in a couple of weeks. She took a deep breath to calm herself and tried to call Albus Dumbledore for what seemed the thousandth time. "Hogwarts, Headmaster's office," she said as she threw the powder into the fire. "Ah, Molly. What a wonderful surprise. Tell me, what can I do for you?" the Headmaster asked, his composure a complete opposite of the man that talked to Remus Lupin only minutes earlier. "Albus, I have been trying to contact you the whole afternoon." "I had some complications to attend to," the old man said. Though Molly could not see it via Floo, his eyes flashed as he said that. "Now, tell me. To what do I owe this pleasure?" "Well, it must be a mistake. I mean she's only ten. I just..." "Calm yourself Molly and tell me what the problem is. I assume there is one and you aren't making any sense," Dumbledore told her kindly. "Yes... Ginny, my Ginny got her Hogwarts letter," Molly replied, collecting herself. "Then she is to attend Hogwarts. You should be proud, not worried." "But Albus, she's only just had her tenth birthday! She isn't old enough!" the red-headed woman said almost hysterically. "I am aware of that, as I have seen the school register. And it is indeed a curious development. Yet if the Quill chose so, then it cannot be undone," the Headmaster said simply. "What Quill? How can she attend?" "It is very simple. I may be the Headmaster but the decision on who attends school and when, isn't mine to make. For almost a thousand years we have relied on a system that doesn't make errors. If the Quill finds her ready then she really is," Dumbledore explained. "So, my little girl is going to Hogwarts this year?" "Yes Molly, she is. Be proud of her. I have never heard of anything like this, but things do happen for a reason. I shall be watching her; I feel that she will be exceptional." Molly forced a smile. "Thank you, Albus. I guess I need to have a talk with Arthur. Goodbye!" The old man just smiled and disappeared from the fire.
Being the youngest of seven and the only girl had both good and bad sides. One of the good sides was that you learned how to listen in on conversations. After all, learning to sneak from Fred and George meant really learning from the masters. So Ginny did just that. She snuck in and listened to the conversation her mother had with the Headmaster. She had mixed feelings about the whole situation. On one hand she was happy to go to Hogwarts, as she would get some kind of freedom from her mother, who though she loved dearly, still sometimes went overboard on her protectiveness. Most of all she was happy to finally be with Harry. On the other hand she could see that this was troubling her mother, and her father’s reaction was yet to be seen. Ginny knew he would be supportive, but with her family, money has always been a problem. Most ten-year-old girls don't worry themselves with such problems, but she understood enough to see that the situation was not really bright. Yet the only thing she could do was hope everything would work itself out. Ginny? Hey Harry! What happened there? Well, it seems the Headmaster of Hogwarts thought I wasn't protected enough. Ginny snorted. I think that having a werewolf as a guardian is protection enough. Why does he care anyway? He was the one who left me with the Dursleys- Ginny cut him off furiously. What!?! That... man! He left you with those horrible Muggles! She was in a full-fledged rage now. He isn't sending you back, is he? No! He can't. Whatever was protecting me there... expired or something, and Remus said that because of the will he can't do anything. Then what does he want? she demanded. He wants to put my house under a Fidelius Charm. What is that? What does that mean? Well, I think it means that no one will be able to know where I live unless they are told by the Secret Keeper. Even I won't know where the house is until he tells me, Harry explained. And I guess he wants to be the Secret Keeper. He did, but Remus didn't agree. And Remus can't be the Secret Keeper because he's a werewolf. But he thought of someone else. Who then? Ginny asked. Your dad! My... What? My dad? Remus said he knows him from the war and that he trusts him. He's going to ask your dad to be the Secret Keeper. I can't believe this! My dad! Well… good. Daddy will keep you safe! she stated matter-of-factly. I know, he replied grinning. He's your dad. He must be great! Ginny beamed. Her reply was a rush of a feeling that Harry had learned was affection. It was accompanied with something else he still could not recognize. After a few moments Ginny felt that something was still bothering him. Harry, why does Dumbledore think you need to be protected? Well, some of Voldemort's supporters are apparently still free; he thinks they might try to do something to me. Then you should do it, she said. It was rather simple for her. If the Fidelius Charm would keep Harry safe, then it needed to be done. Well, we're going to do it. Remus just went over to speak with Dumbledore to arrange everything. He said that if we can, we'll do it tomorrow. Good. I wish I could come to visit you with my dad. I know. Me too. But we'll see each other soon enough. Harry, you really feel happy. I am. I have something to look forward to now. She knew he was not talking about school and she could feel the heat rising on her cheeks. I'm glad.
The Headmaster's office was just as Remus remembered it. He had spent enough time in it, either as a prefect, or getting a detention for some of the more creative pranks the Marauders pulled. In the past when he had stepped into this office he had felt respect and awe, even fear. But now things were different. He was not a child any more. The respect was still there but awe and fear were nowhere to be seen. Instead they were replaced by a tinge of anger, and even some pity. "Ah Remus, so good to see you again," Dumbledore said as he entered the office. "Albus," the younger man nodded. The Headmaster approached the empty perch in the corner. "Phoenixes. Wonderful creatures, although somewhat mysterious. He comes and goes as he wishes, yet I'm not privy to the information of his current whereabouts." "I came here about the Fidelius Charm," Remus interrupted him. "Ah yes. Well, don't let an old man like me detain you. I sometimes get carried away. Please continue," Dumbledore said as he sat behind his desk. "Yes. Well, I have talked to Harry, and after explaining to him what I could, we both agreed that you should cast the Fidelius Charm." "That is good news," the older man said with a smile, twinkle visible in his eyes. "Have you decided on the Secret Keeper?" "You know as well as I do that I don't have any friends here. But I thought I would ask Arthur Weasley to do it." "Ah yes, Arthur. I just had an interesting talk with his wife, Molly." After a polite cough from Remus, Dumbledore continued. "A fine choice. When shall we perform the charm?" "Albus, you still haven't fulfilled all of my conditions." "Very well," Dumbledore said with a sigh. "You wish to know why I feel such a high level of protection is needed for young Harry. It is rather simple. I wish to protect him from the same thing that happened to him ten years ago." Remus half raised from his chair. "Surely you don't think Voldemort is back from the dead?" "Alas, he was never dead to begin with. Merely… detained, shall we say." "But how?" the werewolf asked, trying to keep his voice calm. "I wish I knew dear boy. Then I might have prevented it, even if it wasn't my place to do so." "I've never really cared for your riddles, Albus." "Ah yes, but this is the ultimate Riddle," Dumbledore replied mystically. "Albus!" Remus said warningly. "Yes, well, it has come to my attention that when the Killing Curse rebounded back onto Lord Voldemort, he didn't respond… appropriately." "And what does that mean exactly?" "You are familiar with the mechanics of the Avada Kedavra?" Remus nodded his affirmation. "Then you know once the victim is hit, its soul is ripped from the body, thus allowing the spirit to leave this plane of existence. When Voldemort was hit by the rebounded curse his body disappeared and his spirit was left to run free. He is recovering and his return is only a matter of time." "You realise that this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard?" "Your reaction doesn't surprise me; in fact I have expected it. This is why I chose not to divulge this information to anyone before. If you wish I will swear on my magic." Dumbledore's eyes flashed with challenge but Remus really did not want to play this game. Like many things the old man did, this was a test. It was a test of loyalty and trust, the same trust Remus still had for him, although he sometimes could not fathom why. "It won't be necessary, Albus. Unfortunately, I believe you. We'll do the Fidelius tomorrow. I'll send an owl to Arthur." "Good. I'm sorry this meeting wasn't under better circumstances." "So am I. Most of all I'm sorry for Harry and his childhood," Remus said as he left the office. It is hard not to trust an old teacher, especially if they were good and kind. We might grow up and begin our own lives, earn trust from other people. Yet when we meet persons who taught us, it is hard not to feel inferior, even if it is only subconscious and we try to bury it. The question is do we really feel trust? It is sometimes hard to differ trust from inferiority mixed with respect. As feelings and emotions go, these are quite close. This day was getting more unusual by the second for Arthur Weasley. First, Molly informed him that Ginny had been accepted to Hogwarts a year early. It came as a surprise, but he quickly warmed to the idea. If his little girl was special enough to go to school a year early, then he was going to do everything in his power to allow her to do so. It was a good thing they started saving money for her schooling when she was born; otherwise he wasn't sure how it would have worked out. The hardest part had been battling Molly's over-protectiveness. But with some persuasion, he succeeded. But the biggest surprise of the day was the letter he was holding in his hand at the moment. It arrived just after dinner, carried by a beautiful white owl. The owl was also acting unusual. Instead of leaving straight away, it set itself on his daughter's shoulder and stayed there for half an hour gently nuzzling the girl's neck with her head. He mentally shook himself to look back at the letter. August 11th, 1991 Dear Arthur, I know this letter comes as a bit of a shock to you, and I hope you don't mind But there is a slight complication. Albus believes that Harry isn't protected As you know I have no one left I would trust with the boy's life, and due to We've always gotten along, Arthur, and I have trusted you more than once. If you agree, send us a reply or Floo-call Potter Manor, whatever suits you Thank you either way! Yours truly, Remus Lupin Arthur had always liked Remus Lupin. He felt sorry for the man, as it was hard for him with the lifelong curse he carried. And Harry Potter! Molly had never been happy the boy ended up with Muggles. It was a good thing he had Remus now. Just as he started to think about the reply, he realized he had already made up his mind and went over to the fireplace to contact Potter Manor. Seldom we find ourselves in situations where we need to place our trust in someone else to survive. We should be thankful for that. Yet when it does happen how do we find the necessary thrust in the right direction? How do we learn to live without worries once our life has been placed in the hands of another human being? It is hard, and such situations will surely leave a mark in our life. Imagine lying in a bed at night and wondering if the person you trusted with your life is breaking it at the same moment, betraying you. In the end it really does not matter if that happened of his own will or not, the result is ultimately the same. Imagine questioning the depth of your trust, the weight on your mind getting heavier every moment. Every second brings you closer to your breaking point. Fear is not easily avoided. Not really understanding the situation in this case can be a blessing and a curse. While you may let your guard down rather foolishly, your life does not feel the pressure of constant fear and worry. That is one of the joys of being an eleven-year-old boy. Love is a romantic and a perfectionist. Fate is hard to avoid and Death is jealous. Ultimately our own fears, wishes, and thoughts created the very same Adults that govern our lives silently. The world is not perfect, yet it is a perfect system, and in a perfect system, balance must exist. So how is the balance kept? In every model, balance is kept by opposites. In this case there is no need for the opposites of the Adults as the humans ease out the balance without further complications. There is no need for Hate as the humans create their own hate. There is no need for Choice as humans have their own and there is really no need for Life since the very same humans create it on their own. The Adults appeared out of human fears of not finding love, not finding a greater purpose. Lastly, Death appeared out of human fear of crossing over into the unknown. After all, it is easier to embark on an adventure if there is someone to welcome us. Thus it is easy to conclude that the balance of the world is kept by the Adults on one side and the humans on the other. Balance of the system is easily disturbed if someone or something chooses to meddle, and restoring it is not easy, although it needs to be done. One way or another. And when one side disturbs it, it is upon the other to restore it. "Your owl is beautiful!" Ginny said when she saw Harry approaching. "Yes, she is pretty," Harry replied. "I think she knows about us or something. She played with me before she left," she said as she hugged her best friend. "Or maybe she just noticed how great you are," Harry mumbled into her hair. "Maybe," she smiled impishly. "So how great am I?" Harry flushed red faster than any time before. "Well... Um... You're..." Ginny put him out of his misery happily. "I'll let you answer that one later." She winked at him, which only added to his tomato impersonation. "Your dad agreed to be the Secret Keeper," Harry said, wanting to change the subject. "I knew he would. You'll like him once you meet him." "I'm more concerned about him liking me." "Oh, he will!" she said with a sureness that left no place for argument. "Just don't let anything slip!" "You don't want to tell them about us?" he asked with hurt in his voice. She took a step back and looked at him. "Not yet. I want to break it to them gently," she said, willing him to understand. "OK," he said, letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "For a moment I thought you were ashamed of... Well us." Ginny jumped at him hugging him tight. "Never!" she said fiercely. "It's just that they wouldn't understand." "It's not like we understand it either," he replied kissing the top of her head. She beamed on the inside. "We don't, but we like it. They probably won't. The later we tell them, the easier it will be for them to accept it." "I guess..." he said uncertainly. "Now, I have something special for you tonight," she said as she willed a pack of cards to appear in her hand. "It's time you learned how to play Exploding Snap." "I never played cards before." "We'll fix that right now," she said and proceeded just to do so.
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