Sidhe Rising ch 12 NaNo 2007

well I have the day off and the characters are screaming to be heard, have their stories told


so hold onto your hats with this one folks as I break the charector molds in this one


no warning in this chapter



Molly was besides herself with worry, Arthur had explained that the boys had gone with Remus to help with the search for young Harry and they thought they had a lead, she was more worried for the fact they refused to come home after finding him until he had a chance to more to a new location they did not know once Remus had joined up with him. That day at Privet drive had worried her, the things she learned about the way those awful Muggles treated young Harry enraged her, and her anger worried her something fierce.


It was a very conflicted woman who was brought out of her musings when the fire place flashed to life as the floo network connected and out stepped the three boys she had been thinking about, looking at them sternly she held her gaze on them and was surprised and pleased when they did not flinch or back down, she decided to wait until after finding out everything before making a decision, it seems they grew up without her noticing.


“Boys why don’t you take your things upstairs and get cleaned up, dinner will be ready in an hour, after supper your dad and I would like to sit down and talk with you, and find out anything you are willing to tell us about what you found out.” Molly said gently making her way to the stove to check on the roast and start the vegetables.


Ron eyed his mother warily for before fallowing his brothers out of the kitchen and up the steps to his room.


XXX


“Gran I’m home,” Neville called out as he exited the floo and walked into the receiving room and walked into the foyer. Not seeing his Gran around he looked around and found her I nth small sitting room off to one side. Careful not to disturb her as she was writing a letter Neville clutching the book he had been loaned sat down near her on one of the small chairs.


Frowning Augusta set the quill aside and looked at her grandson, he looked different somehow, “Is there something you needed Neville?” wanting to get back to working on her plans for the Yule guest list.


Not cowed in the slightest from her tone “yes Gran I wish to go to St. Mungos and talk to the healers there about mum and dad’s treatment, and their findings during the initial exam.”


Shocked Neville’s Grandmother sat upright, “what? Why in Merlin’s name do you want to do that? It is not your job to question…” she stopped as another shock hit her as her grandson interrupted her, he had been taught better manners than that.


“Gran, it is my right to know what happened to my parents. In a few short years I will be the head of the Longbottom family, and up until now you have not really done much to prepare me for taking control of the family.”


“Neville Longbottom,” his Gran shrieked, the nerve of that boy.


“NO GRAN,” Neville told her loudly as he stood up from the chair and paced back and forth around the little room, glaring at his Gran every so often. “I have had my eyes opened and find that I know next to nothing in the areas that truly matter.” Picking up the text he tossed it on the desk in front of his Gran the page open to the anatomy of the brain, “I find that even the simplest questions about what happened to my parents I had no answer for…and I found that I did not like feeling so ignorant of something very dear to me.”


Looking down at the book Neville had tossed her way she blanched, she had seen enough healer texts to know this one was far above anything the healers used to train with today,” w…where did you get this?”


Frustration paced off for the moment Neville pulled a chair over near the desk and sat down, “from one of the healers where Harry is staying this summer,” tapping the book with his finger, “this is not even one of the texts their healers use to learn out of, this is one every person uses to learn the basics while in school.” Neville spat out ashamed at how backward wizards were, maybe just maybe his parents would not be in the condition they were if they were not so hide bound.


Reading the words under the picture Augusta paled as she found it explained in detail exactly how the brain worked and memory was formed, looking back up to see her Neville place his father’s wand on the desk she raised an eyebrow wondering what next?


“Did you know what happens to a person’s magical core if they use a wand that is not an exact match for them?” Neville pulled his new wand out of the holster Harry had given him, “It tears and corrupts a person’s core so that after a while it is permanently damaged, never allowing a person to reach their full potential.” Neville held onto his anger that had building towards his Gran and her stubborn streak and pointed his new wand at the chair in the corner and with a circular motion ending in a motion drawing upwards the chair transformed into a floor harp.


“I am beyond lucky that Harry considers me a friend, and his cousin is royalty and made it a point to make sure I was looked at by the best healer available and had a new wand that would not damage my magic,” Neville returned the wand to the holster to his Gran’s wide eyed look as she glanced back and forth between the new harp and her grandson.


“Things are going to change around here Gran, I no longer can afford to be kept ignorant and told ‘later Neville’ when an uncomfortable subject comes up that you think I am too young to deal with,” Neville glared at his Gran and surprisingly she was the first to back down. “I learned more from Harry and his cousin in one day than I have in all the time I have spent in Hogwarts so far.”


Standing up to go to his rooms to unpack he stopped when his Gran called out harshly, “Neville do not turn your back on me and walk out without an explanation for your bad behavior.”


Stopping at the doorframe Neville looked over his shoulder, “Things have changed Gran, I will be traveling to Harry’s cousin’s house every Monday, Wednesday and Friday though on Friday’s I will spend the night and come back on Saturday as where Harry is staying they do not have those stupid underage laws and I can be taught the things I should have been.”


Slamming the book shut on her desk Augusta Longbottom stood up furious and being talked to like this, “How dare you young man!”


Turing around so he was facing his Gran Neville bellowed, “NO…How dare you, you knew I had trouble using dad’s wand, you knew that one day I would have to take over as head of the family, let’s not mention all the times uncle Algi almost killed me trying to prove I was not a squib and you looked the other way.”


All the built up frustration was manifesting itself in anger, anger that was directed straight towards his Grandmother, “I am not asking your permission…I am telling you out of a courtesy what will be happening this summer. I may be your grandson, but do not forget that shortly I shall be the head of the family and you will have to take my direction as I lead the family.” Neville turned around and calmly walked out of the room and towards the stairs to cool down, he had not meant to lose his temper, but sometimes his Gran could be so closed minded.


Augusta sat heavily back in her chair stunned beyond belief, Neville had changed he was acting just like her late husband when he was riled. Not knowing if that was a good thing or not she picked up her sons wand and stared at it as she examined her attitude and really listened for the first time to what her grandson had told her.


XXX


The Weasley kitchen was a quiet and subdued affair as the family gathered for supper, Ron noticed the side looks from both his parents from time to times as the family discussed trivial things, as if by unspoken agreement they were avoiding the questions they wanted to ask while eating. Sneaking a glance at the twins he saw that they both had noticed the way everyone was acting and slightly nodded their heads to his questioning look.


Arthur seeing that they family had finished eating stood up and motioned to the others to go into the living, “let’s take this into the family room, we can discuss the past week there, as I know I have some questions.”


Ron and the twins chose to sit on the couch while Ginny and Percy chose chairs on either end while their parents brought chairs over and sat down across from them. Showing how serious they were taking things the twins decided not to fall back into the jovial banter of ending each other’s sentences, “We will tell you some of what you want to know, the rest…well we will keep Harry’s secrets.” Fred stated as he sat back and waited for the opening salvo.


Arthur sensing Percy was about to say something placed his hand on his knee and squeezed it in a warning to be quiet. “Understandable and a commendable attitude we just want to make sure Harry is ok and is not in any danger.”


Sighing Ron started hoping that maybe it would derail a lot of the questions, “Harry is staying with a cousin, a cousin he was supposed to go to after his parents died I think,” Ron was assuming this as Harry never really touched on the subject and it sounded better, “he was never meant to go to those blasted Muggles. Harry is happier than I have ever seen him, even after finding out everything the headmaster has done to him he is having a grand time, and he is safer than he is when at Hogwarts.”


“He looks healthier too, I have never seen him looking like a normal person his age should be, I mean you would catch a glimpse of him every now and then as he returned from the showers wrapped in a towel and you could always see how skinny he is by the bones clearly being seen, now he has been to a top notch healer and you can’t see his ribs anymore.” George stated the fact, hoping to derail his mother’s fears of Harry not eating properly by telling her that Harry was being cared for.


After several more questions and partial answers Ginny looked at her older brother, “Why are you avoiding telling us where Harry is?


Looking directly at Ginny, “because you do not need to know,” Fred spoke to her calmly looking at her directly.


“There are a total of six people that know how to get to harry and only four them are not under impenetrable wards in a hidden location, and of those four three are sitting here right now.” George stared at her.


“Harry has invited us to come by and join in on his training three days a week, as his cousin’s home is not around here and they do not have underage magic laws there,” Ron looked to his parents before settling his gaze on his father’s face. “We have agreed to join in as the things he is being taught may one day help save our life now that Voldemort is back.”


“I’m going with you then,” Ginny announced not about to be left behind again.


Placing his hand to stop Ron from starting an argument Fred glared at his sister, “you will do no such thing, as you have a lot to apologize for with your behavior at the end of term. Right now Harry does not want anything to do with either Hermione or you.”


Molly who had been listening up until this point as she was finding out a lot more information after Arthur held her back spoke up sternly “what did you do to Harry last term that would cause Harry to not trust you young lady?”


Thinking and not thinking of anything she could have done that was that bad she shook her head clueless, “nothing I swear mum. I didn’t do anything.”


“And it will take a lot to get his trust back, and if you ever barge in on Harry while he is undressed again I can guarantee he will hex you,” Ron glared at his red faced sister reminding her of their last morning at school.


“GINNY,” Molly screeched out, “We will be having a long talk about this later young lady!”


Arthur who had been silent during the exchange until now, “Ginny consider yourself on restriction until I decide you are mature enough to appear in public again,” he was aghast at his youngest behavior and added the ultimate punishment, “your mother will be going through your room and removing anything that deals with boys and you are banned from having anything, including Witch Weekly until such time as you learn to control your impulses young lady.”


Ginny jumped up screaming, “You can’t do that!” and abruptly stopped when she finally realized she crossed a line with her father when he slowly stood up radiating anger.


“I have never advocated hitting any of my children but one more word out of your mouth young lady I wall slap you and you will not be allowed out of your room and I will take your wand and place wards around your room so you cannot get out…have I made myself clear.” Arthur gritted his teeth with the last.


Molly not having seen this side of her husband since her brothers were killed during the war briefly had thoughts that she was about to lose a daughter ordered, “up to your room right now young lady and do not leave it until I get there.”


Percy stunned by his parents actions sat there as he watched his sister storm up the stairs and shaking his head looked at his brothers and not really understanding how serious they considered this put his foot in it, “I expect you will be letting the headmaster I none the secret of Harry’s location,” wondering if he should write to him anyway to let him know how to find Harry so he could stop worrying about his safety.


“No,” Ron told him not even giving him a glance as he thought the idea unacceptable.


Percy not about to let his brother talk to him this way, being older he knew that those adults in authority should be respected and obeyed bristled at the simple one word answer. “Headmaster Dumbledore is a great man and he has a right to know where Harry is and to make sure he is safe and being cared for. How dare you presume to know better than those older and wiser than you, you will tell him what he needs to know or I will!” he demanded, giving them an ultimatum that was unwise to say the least.


All those still in the room looked at the smug and self assured Percy sitting primly in his seat and Arthur had to wonder if he had been to free with not correcting the lads behavior over the years and snapped back to Ron’s ace when he heard his reply.


“You will do no such thing you bloody pompous fool, have you not been listening to the same conversation that we have. Dumbledore is the cause of most of Harry’s heartaches and pain,” Ron glared at his brother thinking that he must be touched in the head.


Sneering at his youngest brother Percy made another blunder, “He is an adult, and he knows what is best to keep that reckless boy under control,” standing up to leave the room he threw over his shoulder, “it is clear that someone in this family has to do the right thing.”


Molly sat there stunned at the actions of her third born she tried to open her mouth but was stopped by words that froze her very heart.


“Do so Percival Ignatius Weasley and I will stand up and publicly disown you as my brother,” Ron told his retreating back calmer than the anger he was feeling would make one think.


“And we will join him,” the twins told him coldly, “While not having the same effect that it would if father disowned you but I bet we could convince Bill and Charlie to agree with us.”


“Any thoughts to a career in the ministry will be dashed if this happens you know that it would be like branding you an oath breaker to the minds of most.” Fred’s voice still cold was watching his father’s face when he said this.


Stumbling from turning around so fast Percy’s face crumpled in disbelief, “You would do something so horrendous to me, your own brother. Just because I am doing the right thing?”


“That’s just it Perce, you are not doing the right thing, you are doing the political thing that will get you the most recognition and aid you on your climb up the ladder,” George told him, “At the expense of your family by the looks of things.”


“Dumbledore is not Harry’s legal guardian, and he was family that will make the decisions for him that are needed. You forget Dumbledore is the headmaster of his school, a school he is having serious misgivings about attending any further, just like us.” Ron pointed to his self and the twins.


Quietly Arthur looked at his son and pointed to the chair he had moments ago left, “Sit down Percy. I have long thought that showing you that I loved you and cared about the decisions that all my children walked in life was how to be the best father…it seems I may have been wrong.”


Sighing he looked over at his wife of these past years and smiled at her telling her it would be alright, turning back he stared at his son, “you are becoming a pompous ass Percy, one that most of your brothers despise. I think you forgot somewhere along the way that family looks out for one another and cares for each other. You are not any better than your brothers, just different.”


Making a decision that was hard for him he pierced his sons eyes, “If you betray this family in such a way that your brothers feel they have to publicly disown you, I shall do the same…I shall disown you in name…blood…and magic. Have I made myself clear on this matter son?” Arthur clearly hurt but unmoving on this issue asked.


Nodding his head in fright Percy sat there bowing his head wanting to weep, he never thought his own father would ever be ashamed of him. “May I be accused to my room?” he asked in a very quiet voice.


Smiling “yes dear you go on up and we will talk about this more later one after tempers have cooled somewhat,” Molly told her son, knowing that Arthur would not budge on this, but hopefully she would make him see reason as it was breaking her heart to see him like this.


Dumbledore who had been standing in the kitchen for a part of the exchange walked through the doorway once young Percy had walked up the steps, “Excuse me for not knocking Molly but I was told that the boys had returned and I wished to find out where young Harry is so I can get him to safety,” Albus beamed in his best grandfatherly manor.


“Harry is safe, there is now one from this world that can get to him if he does not want them to,” Ron glared at the old man refusing to meet the man’s eyes.


Shaking her head Molly stood up, “I am sorry headmaster this is not a very good time for a visit I am afraid, maybe I can floo you later and set your mind at ease.”


Not seeing any way from finding what he needed to know Albus peaking into Molly’s mind and found out about the conversation that he missed and picked up on the fact that the three boys on the couch not only knew where Harry was, but knew how to get to him as they were planning on visiting him often during the summer. “I’m afraid this is to important Molly, young Harry is in danger and I need to collect him and place in somewhere safe, Voldemort will stop at nothing in getting his hands on the boy I am afraid.”


Looking over at the twins he noticed Fred was looking his way and met the boys eyes “Fred I need you to stop playing around and tell me how to get to young Harry, he needs protected after all.”


Coldly as if hell had frozen over Fred glared at the old man, “Protections he only needs from you it seems headmaster,” spitting out the last word as if it was a vile swear word.


Seeing no other recourse he probed the young man and feeling the resistance of a barrier muttered a spell partially under his breath, “Legi…” putting all his power behind breaking through the shields, only to clutch his head and scream in pain and wobble towards the floor as the shield around the boys mind attacked him back with an unknown power.


Knowing the spell the headmaster was attempting to use a infuriated Weasley father picked up the paper and turned it into a port key before slapping it against the weakened man thus removing him from their home.


“Molly use the kitchen fire and get Charlie back home as fast as you can, I will get Bill. After start scanning for listening charm and the like,” Arthur ordered as he went to the fireplace andf picked up some of the floo powder off themantle.


“Harry’s cousin got us new wands, no tracking charms on these,” Fred started but was interrupted by his father.


“GO, start in the attic and work your way down.” Arthur ordered as he threw the pinch of powder in the fire and called out, “Bill Weasley Cairo house.”


A moment later Bill’s face appeared in the fire, “hi dad is something wrong, you look…” Bill trailed off seeing his father expression.


“Bill get home immediately! We need to reinforce the wards surrounding the Burrow and add new ones.” Arthur interrupted his son, “we don’t have much time so as quick as you can…Oh bring any notes about some of the more lethal wards you have encountered, we can add those in also.” Arthur closed the connection with his shocked first born, “Family emergency son, get over here all our lives may depend on this soon.”