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(How long has this chapter been in the making? Two? Three years? Either way get ready for a chapter chock full of reveals and payoffs.)

Chapter Six: The Will of Albus Dumbledore

He was walking along a mountain road in the cool blue light of dawn. Far below, swathed in mist, was the shadow of a small town. Was the man he sought down there, the man he needed so badly he could think of little else, the man who held the answer, the answer to his problem..?

‘Oi, wake up.’

‘Harry! HARRY!’

Harry opened his eyes. He was lying again on the camp bed in Ron’s dingy attic room. The sun had not yet risen and the room was still shadowy. Ron’s owl Pigwidgeon was asleep with his head under his tiny wing. The scar on Harry’s forehead was prickling.

‘Does he do that often?’ asked Ron in a quiet voice.

‘Not now,’ warned Theodore before turning his attention back to Harry. ‘You were calling out in the dream you were having.’

‘Was I?’

‘Yes. “Gregorovitch.” You were repeatedly saying “Gregorovitch.” What is it, it sounds Croatian.’

Harry was not wearing his glasses; Theodore and Ron’s faces appeared slightly blurred.

‘Who’s Gregorovitch?’

‘Not sure, I’ve never heard the name before. How were you saying a name you don’t know,’ asked Theodore.

Harry rubbed his forehead, thinking. He had a vague idea that he had in fact heard the name before, but he could not think where.

Harry made a quick glance at Ron, then chose his words carefully as he told his idea to Theodore.

‘I think You-Know-Who is looking for him.’

‘That can’t be good,’ answered Theodore.

‘How could you know that, Harry?’ asked Ron. ‘Is this…like the Snake and my dad?’

‘Yeah, sort of, maybe,’ answered Harry, sitting up, still rubbing his scar, now wide awake.

He tried to remember exactly what he had seen in the dream, but all that came back was a mountainous horizon and the outline of the little village cradled in a deep valley.

‘I think he’s abroad.’

'Who is? Gregorovitch?' asked Theodore.

'Voldemort. I think he’s somewhere abroad, looking for Gregorovitch. It didn’t look like anywhere in Britain.'

In a near imperceptible whisper, Theodore said, 'Were you seeing through his eyes again?'

There was worry in Theodore's voice.

'Do me a favour and don’t tell Tracey, I don't want her being mad at me,' said Harry. 'She has my best interest at heart, but she seems under the impression I can control it, but I can't.'

He then lied back down and gazed up at little Pigwidgeon’s cage, thinking...Why was the name “Gregorovitch” familiar?

‘I think,’ he said slowly, ‘he’s got something to do with Quidditch. There’s some connection, but I can’t—I can’t think what it is.’

‘Quidditch?’ said Ron. ‘Mate, I know the name of just about every major Quidditch player currently living and I don’t now him. You sure you’re not thinking of Gorgovitch?’

‘Who?’ asked Theodore and Harry simultaneously.

‘Dragomir Gorgovitch, Chaser, transferred to the Chudley Cannons for a record fee two years ago. Record holder for most Quaffle drops in a season.’

‘No,’ said Harry, ‘I’m definitely not think of Gorgovitch.’

'Well, if we've hit a dead end, I want to be the first to say Happy Birthday Harry,' said Theodore.

'Oh yeah, happy birthday,' also said Ron.

'Wow—that’s right, I forgot! I’m seventeen.'

Harry seized the wand lying beside his camp bed, pointed it at the cluttered desk where he had left his glasses, and said 'Accio Glasses!' Although they were only around a foot away, there was something immensely satisfying about seeing them zoom toward him, or at least until they poked him in the eye.

'Nice,' said Theodore, he then reached into his bag and handed Harry a box. 'This is from Canini and I, we had to get Fred and George to fetch them as we weren't supposed to leave home.'

The box contained four Chocolate Cauldrons, they looked great but just in case Harry sent Theodore a look.

'There's no love potion in them, I promise,' said Theodore with a laugh.

When they arrived in the kitchen they found a pile of presents waiting on the table. Bill, Monsieur Delacour, and Canini were finishing their breakfasts, while Mrs Weasley stood chatting to them over the frying pan.

'Arthur told me to wish you a happy seventeenth, Harry,' said Mrs Weasley, beaming at him. 'He had to leave early for work, but he’ll be back for dinner. That’s our present on top.'

'Happy birthday Harry,' said Canini while giving him a quick hug.

'Thanks, and thank you for the chocolate.'

As Harry sat down Mrs Weasley emptied a pan of fried eggs onto Harry's plate. As he ate he opened his presents that were on the table. Mr and Mrs Weasley's present to him was a handmade green and silver quilt that was enchanted to always help the wearer reach a comfortable body temperature. Tracey got him two occlumency books called Protection Charm Your Mind: A Practical Guide to Counter Legilimensy and Guide to Advanced Occlumency, which he thanked her for but planned to never read. He received chocolates from the Delacours, including some bonbon's picked out by Fleur herself in some fancy Confiserie in Paris. Harry also gained an enormous box of the latest Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes merchandise from Fred and George, including a brand new sneakoscope to replace his broken one. Harry thanked everyone for their thoughtful gifts.

Just as Harry, Theodore, and Tracey were standing up after finishing breakfast, Remus entered the doorway of the kitchen. He had a soft smile.

'Harry, may I speak to you for a moment?' he asked. Harry nodded and followed him out of the room. Behind him Tracey said, 'I'll bring your stuff up to your room.'

Harry and Remus went up a couple floors to Bill's bedroom where Remus had been staying. With Bill busy doing the last preparations for the wedding it allowed for Remus to talk to Harry in private.

'Happy birthday my boy, I can remember the day I first held you in my arms and sometimes I find it hard to believe how much time has past since then, but here we are and you are now an adult,' said Remus quite proudly. He handed Harry a small box. 'This is for you.'

Harry opened the box and found a small golden pocket watch with a detailed silver edge and double-albert chain. It took Harry a moment to realize the pocket watch had belonged to Sirius, he nearly dropped it in shock.

'Its tradition for parents to give a pocket watch upon their child's seventeenth birthday, and this—'

'I can't accept this,' said Harry suddenly.

Remus was taken off-guard, 'Er-why not?'

'Shouldn't you have it, or what about Canini. What if Sirius wanted her to have it when she turns seventeen?'

'I have plenty to remember Sirius by, and I plan to give Canini my own watch when she comes of age as it was a gift from my own father,' began Remus. 'As for this watch, while Sirius and I never got much of a chanse to discuss your seventeenth birthday, we did discuss what watch you would receive, and he wanted you to have his, Harry. Not just because you were his child in all ways but blood, but because of who had given it to him. Turn it over.'

Harry did as he was told, and when he did so he found a small engraving on the back.

"To our son Sirius on his seventeenth birthday

with love, Fleamont and Euphemia."

'This is from my grandparents!' said Harry in surprise.

'Yes, from the couple years Sirius stayed with James and your grandparents he became family, and since his own parents would never give him a coming of age present they decided to cement Sirius' status as part of the family by being the ones to give him a watch. I gave Theodore a watch for a similar reason. Anyway this pocket watch was originally from the Potters and now I return it to you.'

Harry had little more than a couple photographs of his paternal grandparents, so to have something that was meaningful to Sirius but also used to belong to Harry's family was very meaningful to him. Harry finally accepted the gift.

'Th-thank you Moony. This really means a lot,' and with that Harry gave him a hug. After a moment Harry tried to pull away, but Remus continued to squeezed him tight. 'Remus, you can let me go now.'

'I don't want to though, I know you are leaving, possibly today,' said Remus, there was a slight sob in his voice. 'I know you have to do what you are planning, I know it is vitally important, but I can't stand that you'll be in constant danger out in our world and I won't be there to protect you.'

'You already have protected me though, Moony,' said Harry trying to reason with him. 'You have given me probably the most powerful and useful defensive teachings out of any of my Professors. Anytime past and future I need to protect myself I am able to because of you. I have to go, Dumbledore needs me to do this job, but I'll be alright.'

This convinced Remus to let Harry out of the hug.

'I know,' said Remus, wiping a tear from his eye. 'It's just hard.'

Before Harry could say anything in response, Theodore popped his head in.

'Harry, there you are. I need your help in the living room with something.'

Harry looked to Remus to see if he still needed him, but he gestured for Harry to go, and so he descended the staircase with his foster brother.

'Theo, did you know about wizards getting pocket watches for their seventeenth birthday?' he asked as they went to what Harry assumed to be a task from Mrs Weasley.

'Not until December, but then I received a package from Remus on my birthday with an exquisite silver one inside engraved with blue topazes. Why? Did you just get one.'

'Yeah, Sirius', but it also used to belong to my grandparents.'

'That's great, now can you just walk through that door?'

'Why? What is going on in—'

'Hi,' said a pleasantly familiar voice coyly as Theodore turned on the spot to go to the kitchen instead.

It was Allison, his heart leapt as he saw her, she was wearing plain red robes but as she smiled when she saw him she looked like the most beautiful woman in the world.

‘Happy seventeenth, Harry,’ she said happily.

Suddenly feeling nervous he pushed the butterflies down and went up to her and took her hands in his.

‘I missed you,’ he managed to say, she let out a little chortle.

‘Missed me? I’ve only been gone four days.’

‘Yes but Mrs Weasley has been giving me and the others so many chores I feel like I’m going mad. It all would have been much more tolerable if you were there though,’ he said truthfully. A small amount of blush rose in her cheeks.

Without another word they kissed, and it was a kiss like he had never experienced before, it was more exhilarating than even firewhisky; she was the only real thing in the world, Allison, the feel of her, one hand at her back and one in her short, wavy hair.

When they pulled away from each other it was the first time Harry noticed a decent sized travel bag next to her. She reached inside of it and pulled out a brand new looking book and handed it to him.

‘I got this for you from Tomes and Scrolls, I hope you like it.’

The book was titled A Snitch in Time and the back description told Harry that it was not only about the history of the Golden Snitch, but also accounts of the most interesting catches in Quidditch history.

‘It looks brilliant Allison, thank yo–wait, Tomes and Scrolls? You were in Hogsmeade?’ he asked, as he had expected like the others she had been confined to where she was staying the last few days.

‘Oh, yes, I was, but that’s a story for later. Tonks is in the kitchen with Tulip and she has been dying to see you.’

'Alright then, I look forward to hearing your tale. Lets go to the kitchen,' agreed Harry.

When they entered Harry found Tonks finishing up a conversation with Canini, and Mrs Weasley was pouring Tulip, Theodore, and Remus a cup of tea. When Tonks saw him her face became even more cheerful.

'Happy birthday,' she said coming over and giving him a hug. She then handed him a biscuit tin. 'Mum and dad couldn't make it today, or tomorrow, so they wanted me to give you these.'

The tin was filled with a fresh batch of Andromeda's best assortment of biscuits.

'As for me, I got you our usual chocolate frogs, but also as the rebellious older cousin I thought this was the best present I could give you, Harry, to celebrate becoming seventeen,' and with that she handed him a large bottle of Blishen's Firewhisky. 'Just don't drink it all at once or else Remus here might just kill me.

'Harry is an adult now,' said Remus slowly, 'but yes, please drink responsibly.'

'Thanks Tonks, these are great. Let’s all have a sip to celebrate,' said Harry, now getting quite excited.

'Oh, I can't have any,' said Tonks firmly. Tulip let out a quick uncontrollable giggle.

'Why's that?' asked Harry, now confused. 'You had some the other night.'

'I had just a sip out of respect for Mad-Eye, I gave the rest to Tulip,' said Tonks, now with a wide smile. 'No I can't have any whisky on account of the baby...'

'Baby?' said Allison in a near choke.

'What baby?!' asked Canini in such a high-pitched voice it was nearly a squeal.

Tulip stood up and she and Tonks put both their hands over Tonks' belly.

'We'd like to announce that Tonks and I are having a baby. Tonks is due sometime early April,' said Tulip cheerfully.

Instantly the whole room was full of cheers.

'Bloody hell! A baby, this is amazing! Congrats Tonks!' said Harry, now completely overwhelmed with joy.

'A baby! A baby! I am so happy right now!' said Canini hugging Tonks.

'This is what you two have been whispering about in Winterton, congrats,' said Allison with a smirk.

'Congratulations you two, you must be very excited,' said Mrs Weasley.

'We are,' said Tonks. 'We had our friend Penny make a potion to help us conceive together, and just under a week ago a Healer at St. Mungo's confirmed I am pregnant.'

'Well then it really is time to celebrate. Harry crack open that bottle,' said Remus joyously, and soon everyone was drinking and making toasts to Harry, to the baby, and to Bill and Fleur's union. Harry could hardly remember ever seeming the kitchen so packed.

The party had just started to die down when Bill returned escorting Terence Higgs to the Burrow, he was holding a bouquet of Bells-of-Ireland.

'Terence,' said Tracey happily as she spotted him and he handed her the flowers. 'I'm so glad you're here...but I have to make sure you're you.'

'Oh, alright go ahead,' he said with a playful shrug.

'What nickname do I call you when we're alone.'

'Tere-bear,' said Terence confidently, and with her question satisfied Tracey threw her arms around her boyfriend in a tight hug.

'I'm happy you could make it.'

'I'm happy I could to. I've been looking forward to being your date to my first wizarding wedding,' said Terence. He then spotted Harry and put a hand out, Harry took it. 'Harry, happy birthday mate. Been a good day?'

'Yes, especially with nearly all my friends and family being here. How have you been.'

Terence's smile faltered for a moment, but then continued to be as bright as before.

'It’s been great, I applied to tryout for Seeker for the Kenmare Kestrels and Ballycastle Bats, and I've gotten to spend time with my folks.'

He and Tracey continued to catch-up, and Terence had some light conversations with Harry and Allison as well. When Charlie arrived at the Burrow and Mrs Weasley was fusing over his hair, Tracey offered to help take his and Allison's luggage up stairs. The second she left the room Terence's face dropped and he leaned towards Harry, Allison, and Theodore and spoke in a whisper only they could hear.

'This can't reach her ears, she's already worried enough about leaving me behind while you all go on your mission,' started Terence. 'I've been receiving owls from former Slytherins who are a few years ahead of me, ones whose families are into shady things and almost certainly are Death Eaters or connected to them. At first they were asking me if I wanted to meet up with them at different locations to "hang out" and I just ignored them and never responded. Yesterday I received an anonymous owl with no letter, just a very old Daily Prophet clipping containing an interview with Bertie Higgs where he mentions he's an only child.'

'So you think they know?' asked Harry, now worried about the first friend he made at Hogwarts.

'I can't be sure, but sending an anonymous message showing that the man I claim to be my uncle can't be related to me by blood isn't a good sign. If Death Eaters know a fellow Slytherin is a Muggleborn they'll try to kill me and my family for sure. Even "Proud to be a Prewett" Mafalda has had to go underground for the same reason. I've convinced my parents to grab everything they can and go to a hotel, and when I return after the wedding we're going full muggle and moving.'

'Where will you go?' asked Theodore.

Terence looked hesitant.

'I trust you guys with my life, but I have my mum and dad to worry about.'

'It's ok Terence, we understand,' said Harry.

Soon Tracey returned and they all went back to casual chit-chats, and whenever she and Terence got up for a drink or a snack Harry and Theodore filled Allison in on Harry’s most recent vision about Gregorovitch. Sadly she knew nothing about him.

Before Harry knew it dinner time had arrived. As Harry’s birthday dinner would have stretched the Burrow’s kitchen to breaking point even before the arrival of Allison, Charlie, Tonks, Tulip, Terence, and Hagrid, several tables were placed end to end in the garden. Fred and George bewitched a number of purple lanterns, all emblazoned with a large number seventeen, to hang in midair over the guests. Tracey had dressed up a bit and clutched her emerald purse. Thanks to Chiara's healing magic, George’s wound was neat and clean, but Harry was not yet used to the dark hole in the side of his head, despite the twins’ many jokes about it.

Hermione Granger made purple and gold streamers erupt from the end of her wand and drape themselves artistically over the trees and bushes.

'They're great Hermione, thank you,' said Harry gratefully.

'You're welcome Harry, happy birthday.'

'Out of the way, out of the way!' sang Mrs Weasley, coming through the gate with what appeared to be a giant, beach-ball-sized Snitch floating in front of her. Seconds later Harry realized that it was his birthday cake, which Mrs Weasley was suspending with her wand, rather than risk carrying it over the uneven ground. When the cake had finally landed in the middle of the table, Harry said, 'That looks amazing, Mrs Weasley.'

'Oh, it’s nothing, dear,' she said fondly. 'Remus helped out.'

By seven o’clock all the guests had arrived, led into the house by Fred and George, who had waited for them at the end of the lane. Hagrid had honored the occasion by wearing his best, and horrible, hairy brow suit.

'Happy birthday Harry. Seventeen, eh!' said Hagrid as he accepted a bucket-sized glass of wine from Fred. 'Six years ter the day we met, Harry, d’yeh remember it?'

'Vaguely,' said Harry, grinning up at him. 'It was at the Leaky Cauldron, right. You complimented Sirius' beard, wished me Happy birthday, and you gave me one of the biggest handshakes I've ever had.'

'I forge’ the details,' Hagrid Chortled. 'All righ’, Canini, Tracey, Theo, Allison?'

'We are ok,' said Tracey. 'How have you been?'

'Ar, not bad. Bin busy, we got some newborn unicorns. I’ll show yeh when yeh get back—' Harry avoided his friend’s gazes and Hagrid rummaged in his pocket. 'Here, Harry—couldn’ think what ter get yeh, but then I remembered this.' He pulled out a small, slightly furry drawstring pouch with a long string, evidently intended to be worn around the neck. 'Mokeskin. Hide anythin’ in there an’ no one but the owner can get it out. They’re rare, them.'

'Hagrid, thanks!'

'S’nothin’,' said Hagrid with a wave of a dustbin-lid-sized hand, 'An’ there’s Charlie! Always liked him—hey! Charlie!'

Charlie approached, running his hand slightly ruefully over his new, brutally short haircut. It had been many years since Harry saw Charlie, and it was just now for the first time he realized he was shorter than Ron, and now had a number of burns and scratches up his muscly arms.

'Hi, Hagrid, how’s it going?'

'Bin meanin’ ter write fer ages. How’s Norbert doin’'

'Norbert?' Charlie laughed. 'The Norwegian Ridgeback? We call her Norberta now.'

'Wha—Norbert’s a girl?'

'Oh yeah,' said Charlie.

'How do you know?' asked Canini.

'There are a few ways, but the main way is they’re a lot more vicious,' said Charlie. He looked over his shoulder and dropped his voice. 'Wish Dad would hurry up and get here. Mum’s getting edgy.'

They all looked over at Mrs Weasley. She was trying to talk to Madame Delacour while glancing repeatedly at the gate.

'I think we’d better start without Arthur,' she called to the garden at large after a moment or two. 'He must have been held up at—oh!'

They all saw it at the same time: a streak of light that came flying across the yard and onto the table, where it resolved itself into a bright silver weasel, which stood on its hind legs and spoke with Mr Weasley’s voice.

'Minister of Magic coming with me.'

The Patronus dissolved into thin air, leaving Fleur’s family peering in astonishment where it had vanished.

'This can't be good, Harry be prepared for anything,' warned Remus at once.

Mrs Weasley looked bewildered.

'The Minister—but why—? I don’t understand—'

But there was no time to discuss the matter; a second later, Mr Weasley had appeared out of thin air at the gate, accompanied by Rufus Scrimgeour, instantly recognizable by his mane of grizzled hair.

The two newcomers marched across the yard toward the garden and the lantern-lit table, where everybody sat in silence, watching them draw closer. As Scrimgeour came within range of the lantern light, Harry saw that he looked much older than the last time they had met, scraggy and grim.

'Sorry to intrude,' said Scrimgeour, as he limped to a halt before the table. 'Especially as I can see that I am gate crashing a party.'

His eyes lingered for a moment on the giant Snitch cake. 'Many happy returns.'

'Thanks,' said Harry.

'I require a private word with you,' Scrimgeour went on. 'Also with Mr Theodore Nott, Miss Tracey Davis, and Miss Allison Runcorn.'

'What?' said Theodore, sounding surprised, 'Why us?'

'I shall tell you that when we are somewhere more private,' said Scrimgeour. 'Is there such a place?' he demanded of Mr Weasley.

'Yes, of course,' said Mr Weasley, who looked nervous. 'The, er, sitting room, why don’t you use that?'

'You can lead the way,' Scrimgeour said to Harry. 'There will be no need for you to accompany us, Arthur.'

Harry saw Mr Weasley exchange a worried look with Mrs Weasley as he, Tracey, Theodore, and Allison stood up. Tracey suddenly looked very nervous and looked to Terence, who tried his best to give her a seemingly knowing reassuring nod. As they led the way back to the house in silence, Harry knew that the other three were thinking the same as he was: Scrimgeour must, somehow, have learned that the four of them were planning to drop out of Hogwarts.

Scrimgeour did not speak as they all passed through the messy kitchen and into the Burrow’s sitting room. Although the garden had been full of soft golden evening light, it was already dark in here. Harry flicked his wand at the oil lamps as he entered and they illuminated the shabby but cozy room. Scrimgeour sat himself in the sagging armchair that Mr Weasley normally occupied, leaving Harry, Allison, Theodore, and Tracey to squeeze side by side onto the sofa. Once they had done so, Scrimgeour spoke, 'I have some questions for the four of you and I think it will be best if we do it individually. If you three'—he pointed at Harry, Tracey, and Allison—' can wait upstairs, I will start with Allison.'

'We’re not going anywhere,' said Harry, while the others nodded vigorously. 'You can speak to us together, or not at all.'

Scrimgeour gave Harry a cold, appraising look. Harry had the impression that the Minister was wondering it was worthwhile opening hostilities this early.

'Very well then, together,' he said, shrugging. He cleared his throat. 'I am here, as I’m sure you know, because of Albus Dumbledore’s will.'

The four of them looked at one another.

31 July

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