"I only wished to speak to Harry and Hermione in private," Dumbledore said in his best grandfatherly voice. "Auror Tonks knew that the two would be safe in my care."
"Auror Tonks still had no reason to remove herself from this room," Amelia replied coldly. She strolled past the Headmaster and took the seat at her desk. When she was seated she looked up at Dumbledore. "Now I have work to do myself which includes Mister Potter and his friends. If there is nothing else then I bid you a good day Albus," The last part was said in a tone that guaranteed there was nothing else.
"Amelia..." Dumbledore started but the head of the DMLE held up her hand.
"Dumbledore, Mr. Potter will remain here and you will go," Amelia said sharply.
"Very well," Dumbledore replied. "If you will let me know when your interview is complete, I'll make sure he's safely returned to where he is staying."
"If Mr. Potter or his guardian wishes to contact you, they are more than welcome to do so," Madam Bones said. "I have no legal reason to inform you of Mr. Potter's movements."
"Are you so unconcerned about Mr. Potter's safety as that?" Dumbledore asked. "I think this morning proves how dangerous it is for him."
"If Mr. Black wishes an Auror escort, I will authorize it. Again you have NO legal reason to be concerned about the movements of Mr. Potter or his friends."
"Sir," Harry spoke up, "before you leave, could you tell Luna and Neville where I'm staying. I'd like them to visit this summer."
"I don't think that is a good idea," Dumbledore replied.
"Fine," Harry's eyes flashed in frustration, "then I'll be going to their houses this summer."
"Harry, I thought we had come to an understanding," Dumbledore said.
"We had sir," Harry replied. "I said I'd work with you, not that you could continue to control me. Unlike last summer when you kept me locked away all summer, I will see my friends this summer. Your choice where," He didn't bother mentioning that he'd be going to at least Luna's house this summer. They weren't sure if going to the Longbottoms would be a good idea. Neville's grandmother was too big of a Dumbledore supporter.
"I'm only trying to protect you."
"And failing miserably sir," Harry replied. "Shall I list each and every time my life has been in jeopardy? MOST of which have been in your castle sir or in a place where you were responsible for me being. So either you tell my friends what they need to know or..." He shrugged as he left the demand dangling.
Blue and green eyes met over the short distance between them. Once again it was Dumbledore who broke contact first. "Very well. Miss Lovegood, Mr. Longbottom would you join me over here for a short time."
"Thank you," Harry said.
Dumbledore took the teens aside and within a minute they were back smiling and Dumbledore had left the office.
"Now Mr. Potter…"
"Uh…Ma'am," Harry said. "Before we start, I'd like to say that I wanted to hear what the Headmaster had to say. I asked Sirius to leave and implied that Tonks should go as well, so I'm responsible for her leaving her post. She shouldn't get into any trouble because of me."
"That's all well and good Mr. Potter," Amelia replied, "but she had an assignment that she failed to accomplish," She sighed as she looked at the young Auror who sat nervously in her chair. The stern look left her face as a more concerned one emerged. "Auror Tonks, I know you're a member of Dumbledore's Order," At the look on Tonks' face she explained. "Yes I am very familiar with the Order of the Phoenix. Did you not know my brother was a member the last time? He was killed along with his family by Death Eaters."
"I didn't know ma'am," Tonks replied.
Harry looked at Amelia as a voice from three years previous came back. Mad-eye showing him a photo. "Thatʹs Edgar Bones… brother of Amelia Bones, they got him and his family, too."
"Don't forget the newspaper article back then when all the Death Eaters escaped. They mentioned the brother of Madam Bones being killed by...I think it was Dolohov."
"I remember," Harry replied as he recalled Susan mentioning people staring at her because of it.
"Not many people do," Amelia replied. "It was a long time ago and many people died in that war. I don't blame the Order or Dumbledore for their deaths, but I wanted you to know how I knew about the Order and how it works. What I need from you soon is a decision though. You must decide what is more important; being an Auror or being an Order member. I'm not saying you have to choose, but I need to know that if I give you an order, Dumbledore can't go behind my back and tell you something different. If I tell you not to tell Albus or the Order something, I need to know you won't," Amelia sat back in her chair. "You're an excellent Auror and I'd hate to lose you, especially now with our department going to be in turmoil because of Yaxley, but I can't have you being more loyal to Dumbledore than to me."
"Y...yes ma'am," Tonks replied nervously. "I understand."
"Talk it over with Shacklebolt if you want, I'm going to be telling him the same thing. Though you will need to hurry about that, he's going on another assignment soon," Amelia said. "You can even tell Dumbledore. Understand if you tell me Auror and you go behind my back I will fire you without hesitation. If you tell me Order, then I'll just suspend you until such time as you can return to your duties with a clear conscience."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now I have a lot to do and need to move on to Mr. Potter," She turned to Harry. "You mentioned Dumbledore locking you away and not letting you see your friends, what did you mean by that?"
"My relatives ma'am, but it's a non-issue now that Sirius is my guardian."
"Those memories?" Bones asked referring to the memories that Harry had given to the Minister.
"Yes ma'am but I'd prefer the matter was dropped unless Professor Dumbledore insists on making it an issue."
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