"What is it to her?" Arthur asked. "Doesn't sound like something Magical Cooperation should be concerned with."
"She said it's because the Deputy Minister of France will probably be with him and wants to make sure he's comfortable and if we need to provide for his security or will he have his own," Percy stood. "I mentioned to her that security would be a concern for the DMLE but she turned nasty and told me to do what she instructed me to do."
"Hmm..." Arthur started. "I agree that it's an LE issue, but you better do what she says. I'll make sure we save some for food for you."
"Thanks Father."
Arthur watched his son leave his office. He shook his head knowing what it must be like to work for Dolores Umbridge. He'd crossed paths with her a few times and he found her very vindictive and petty. "I'll see if I can help him by running the security thing past Amelia," That forced his thoughts toward Harry and of course that led to Molly and her issues with Veela.
"The only person I've ever know to dislike Veela more is Umbri..." Arthur suddenly stopped as he thought of his son. then he shook his head. "Now I'm becoming paranoid," He thought. He never could quite shake the feeling of uneasiness that had settled in his stomach though.
*** July 9th 1996****
Friday morning came quickly for the bondmates. They hadn't been bothered by Vernon or Dudley the last two days. Though they had seen Dudley with his friends smoking near the playpark on a couple of occasions, he always made sure he was looking the other way when they came around. They had even caught him breaking the swings and the roundabout to try and prevent Harry from enjoying himself with the ladies. They had smiled when they noticed Dudley seemed angry when he'd looked back only to find the swings repaired by magic and the girls swinging happily on them.
"She's looking again," Fleur said to Harry.
"Who, my aunt?" Harry asked. They had caught her staring out toward the tent several times since Harry had confronted her about the letter she'd sent to Dumbledore as a child.
"Oui."
"Wonder what she wants?" Harry asked.
"I don't know but we need to get ready for our run so we're back in time to recover before ze trial," Fleur replied.
They were just walking out of the back garden to go for the run when a familiar face appeared. A middle aged but greying man and his large black dog walked into the driveway.
"Moony!" Harry yelled. "Padfoot," He rushed to greet them. Padfoot started bounding around him happily.
"Down boy," Remus said to the dog. "Bad doggie."
The dog turned and looked at Remus with a cocked head.
"And don't you even think about peeing on me," Moony said. He turned to Harry. "We're here to escort you to the Ministry, but for now, do you think we could go to your tent?"
"Sure, but the trial isn't until three right?"
"Right, but we thought we'd stop somewhere else first," Moony replied mysteriously as he winked at the dog.
As they turned and started back toward the tent, Harry remembered what he needed to tell someone. "Oh, Hedwig isn't back yet and I didn't want to use Dobby as a messenger, we need to leave tomorrow. Dudley and I got into a row when he tried to ambush me and Gabrielle."
"Alain will be at the Ministry and I'm sure he can make the arrangements though I'm not sure how Dumbledore will take it," Moony replied. "Been that bad?"
"Zose idiots 'ave been after 'Arry ever since we've been 'ere," Fleur replied as they arrived at the tent. Upon entering Sirius immediately transformed out of his dog animagus form.
"How are you pup?" He asked his godson. "Want me to go hex the Dursleys for you?"
"No, I just want to get out of here," Harry replied truthfully. "If the wards fail, I truly don't care. I did my best. I didn't use magic when I took on Dudley but he went spouted lies of course," He then realized Sirius was back. "What are you doing back in town? Have they cleared you?"
"Not quite, but Dumbledore is going to push it as soon as Pettigrew is convicted," Harry's godfather replied. "But Dumbledore needed a place for the Order to have a Headquarters and I offered my old home. I had to come back to get him inside the wards."
"Where is it?"
"I can't tell you," Sirius replied with a grin. "Not until Dumbledore tells you anyway."
"It's under a Fidelius?" Hermione asked with her eyes open wide.
"Right in one," Sirius replied. "Maybe we'll get a chance to stop by there before you head to France. Molly, Arthur and their gang are taking up residence there this weekend."
"Ginny too?" Gabrielle asked hopefully.
"Yep, all the redheads are planning on being there except Bill who's got his own place."
"I'm not sure I'm ready to see Mrs. Weasley yet," Harry commented. "But I'd like to see your place."
"Then we shall make it happen."
"What's been going on with Voldemort?" Harry asked. "I thought he'd have tried something by now but nothing has been reported in the Daily Prophet."
"He's laying low it seems," Remus replied. "The Ministry is watching the known Death Eaters and they are getting arrested if they even spit on the wrong side of the street. Based on the information that Macnair gave, the German Aurors were able to prevent a couple of Death Eaters from recruiting the giants, though Dumbledore is positive Voldemort will try again."
"I guess it's to be expected," Hermione said. "Voldemort thinks he's immortal. Why would he rush things? If he were to start an all out war before he's ready, he risks the entire magical society rising against him."
"I think 'e definitely is zat type of person," Fleur added "E spent a year trying to get to ze philosopher's stone and another year trying to get 'Arry to a graveyard. Eet seems 'e acts with methodical long range plans."
"Exactly," Sirius said. He then looked at Remus, "Shall we give Harry his early birthday present? It was your idea."
"I think so," Moony replied. He looked around at the group of young people with Harry at the center. "We just need to get out of the Anti-apparition wards..."
"Are there portkey prevention wards as well?" Harry asked suddenly as he remembered Marl's letter.
Remus shrugged. "Definitely. About every type of wards available is erected around this place."
"Told you Dumbledore wouldn't miss those," Hermione said.
"What?" Remus asked.
....
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