At The Heart Of The Matter

Authors Note: Edited 8/12/06. Thanks again to ALL my reviewers! Harry Potter is still not mine!

Who’s In!

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Reaching the Ministry conference room, Blaise and his father entered while Harry, Tony, Cornelius and Amelia went over their notes to be sure they had everything ready, and at 3pm, they entered. Harry looked around and to his great pleasure, saw that Remus and Poppy were in attendance, and giving them a small smile he thought, ‘Must have been Tony’s doing.’ He went over the invitee list to confirm who was present. Those on the list were:

Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Susan Bones, Hannah Abbot, Ernie Macmillen, Oliver Woods, Angelina Johnson, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Alicia Spinnet, Lee Jordan, Pavarti Patil, Padma Patil, Katie Bell, Seamus Finnegan, Dean Thomas, Terry Boot, Lavender Brown, Blaise Zabini, Tracey Davis, Daphne Greengrass, Adrian Pucey, Lisa Turpin, Michael Corner, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Su-Li, Roger Davies, and Zacharias Smith

Noticing everyone seemed to be in attendance, along with at least one parent, the four made their way up to the podium to begin the meeting. Minister Fudge started out, “Good afternoon, I am the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge and standing with me are Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Anthony Rooks, Law Wizard, and Harry Potter. Before we get into the details of why you are all here, we would like you to know that there is a spell on this room that will prevent you from talking to anyone who is not also in attendance. It’s sad that we need these spells, but we are at war and I refuse to let our enemies learn of what we are planning. In these dark times, we are continuing to do all we can to prepare ourselves and the rest of society to fight the evil that plagues our world. Its been brought to my attention, many of you are also in an added danger do to your association with Mr. Potter. We are here today, by his request, to offer a bold solution to this problem. What we are offering, to help prepare you all for this inevitable fight, is to train you in our Advanced Auror Training Program. Most of you know each other already, as you were involved in the DA last year. The initials will stay the same, but they will from here on out stand for the Defense Association. I’m going to turn the podium over to Madame Bones and she will give you the details of what we are planning.”

Amelia picked up from there by saying, “Thank you, Minister Fudge. Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. What we have lined up is, as the Minister said a few minutes ago, bold. What this offer entails, well, its never been done before….” and over the next 45 minutes she outlined everything involved, from the concept of the time warp, the areas of study covering NEWT‘s and beyond, the physical training planned, who they thought would make good instructors, the side effects of going into the time warp, who would be incurring the cost of this plan, and that everyone would be certified to use the Grey Arts. She also singled out Ginny and Luna with the details on how to get them threw their OWL’s and into time warp. When she was rapping up, she said, “Listen, I know this sounds unorthodox and somewhat crazy, but we feel this is truly the best way. I will now turn this over to Harry, as he has a few personal things to say.”

“Thank you, Madame Bones. Hello everyone. Most of you know me and some of you think you know me, but let me explain who the REAL Harry Potter is. He is a boy, who after his parents were murdered by an insane Dark Lord, was sent to live in the loveless home of his aunt, uncle and cousin. Here, he was abused both mentally and physically and lived in a cupboard under the stairs. Then , after 10 years, the most amazing thing happened…he received a letter informing him that he was a wizard. Imagine his surprise and wonderment upon entering this new and fascinating world. This boy was sorted into Gryffindor but could have easily been in Slytherin according to the Sorting Hat. He made many friends, some good, some not, throughout his time at Hogwarts, but then this new world slowly began falling apart on him. Year after year, he suffered through many trials and adventures at the hand of two very sick men….Voldemort and Dumbledore. Both of these men felt it their primary goal to either kill him or control him. This summer, he shattered the lies that held him bound to the glass house that Dumbledore built. After suffering the loss of his godfather, a possession by Voldemort, and receiving the burden of a prophecy the Headmaster laid upon just minutes after watching the man he considered a father…die. This boy, distraught and confused, thought about giving up entirely. It was another boy, who has suffered greatly at the hands of Voldemort and his Death Eaters, that actually prevented Harry from exiting this plane for the one with his parents and godfather. They sat that day for hours, in silence, staring out at the lake at Hogwarts. It was that day that Harry Potter decided to fight for what his parents had given their very lives for….his right to live…” he paused, ending in almost a whisper.

He continued once had collected himself, “The Prophecy states that either I have to kill Voldemort or I have to be killed by him. That, my friends is why I have asked for you all to be here. I need help! That is new to me…asking for help, but I have learned that asking for it doesn’t make you weaker, it just makes you human. I know that we have Aurors and Hit Wizards out there, but they can’t be everywhere and every fiber of my being tells me this fight will come to Hogwarts, and it’s up to us to defend her. What I am going to tell you next, only 5 of you know…through my mother’s side, I am a Thurox, and by being a Thurox, means I also have Chuzzor blood in me.” There were several gasps and cries from those in the room who knew what a Chuzzor was.

Harry regained order and continued, “I know there are several myths and legends pertaining to a Chuzzor, but if you know me, you know that I am incapable of harming another human for no reason…I’ve been on the receiving end of such prejudice far to often in my life to purposefully inflict that kind of pain back on someone else. I don’t fully understand what my heritage is, from either of my parents, but I am learning. After I go through my magical maturity on July 31st, then I’ll worry about what powers of the Chuzzor I have. From what little I have been able to garner, being a Chuzzor will not alter my personality, but just give me added powers that are rare in the wizarding world. Everyone always told me what a wonderful woman my mother was, and she was a Chuzzor also. I will say this, that I will give a magical oath, much like the one I gave my two house elf friends a few days ago….I will never use any of my powers unjustly or for evil. I’m Harry Potter, and I have always, and will always fight for equality and the betterment of our world. I told all of you this, because I thought it was only fair that you know me before any of you agree or disagree to being part of this plan. Thank you.”

It was completely silent for a few moments after he finished, when Neville tentatively asked, “Harry? Were you really that close to giving up? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Yeah, Nev…I was. When I decided to stick around, I didn’t much see the point in bringing it up. You have to understand, since the age of 1 ½ years, I wasn’t allowed to show emotions or question anything. I guess I’ve just learned to keep most of my feelings in. I am sorry that I didn’t tell you and ‘Mione.” Harry quietly said.

Oliver asked, “Can you give the one’s who don’t know what a Chuzzor is, some idea of what types of powers and traits you could have?”

“Well, wandless magic, enhanced sight….that is one I am really hoping to get,” Harry said with a smile, causing some of his friends to chuckled, “enhanced hearing, a vampire/elf like grace, the use of sexuality, similar to an incubus, blood magic, something about being able to take magic from someone else, and I’m really not sure what else could happen. I know some of these abilities are labeled as dark, but I am not dark! You all know who Remus Lupin is, correct?“ receiving several nods, he continued, “He may be a werewolf, but who here KNOWS him to be evil, even thought his is classified as a dark creature?” Harry asked, then looking around and noticing no hands were up, continued, “That’s right, no one. He’s one of the kindest, most generous men in our world. Please don’t stereotype people. That makes you no better than Voldemort…for he says ALL muggles, muggleborn and half-bloods are worthless, even though he himself is a half-blood. There are good and bad in all societies.”

“Minister Fudge, Madame Bones said that our government will be picking up the cost of instructors and supplies. How much do you expect it to run and will taxes and tariffs have to be raised to cover this?” asked one of the parents.

“Very good question. With Mr. Potter picking up the 500 million galleon cost of the Time Phase Ritual, we approximate that the Ministry’s end will run around 1.5 -2 million galleons. We have a war fund coffer that the money will be taken from, so therefore no taxes will be raised.” answered Cornelius.

Manuel Zabini said next, “Minister Fudge, I would like to go before the Wizengamot and the International Confederation of Wizards to see if we could get funding so Mr. Potter would not have to incur the bulk of the expense. I may only be able to secure about 100 million galleons, but it is better than nothing.”

“I appreciate the sentiments, but I would actually prefer to pay this myself. The fewer people who know what is going on, the less chance Voldemort and his minions have of hearing about it. We would have to give these two organizations far to much information in order to convince them to help out.” replied Harry.

“Then, when all this is over, and you have defeated You-Know-Who, maybe we can get you some re-imbursement. You may have to defeat him, but you are doing us all a favor if you do…when you do.”

Giving a nod, Harry said, “Thank you Mr. Zabini. Are there any more questions?”

After a 30 minute question and answer session, Cornelius ended the meeting by saying, “You have a few weeks to decide…so think this through carefully. We’re planning on going into time warp on August 10th, so if we could have your decisions by August 3rd, that would be good. The only ones on a true deadline are Ms. Weasley and Ms. Lovegood. However, even if you eventually decide not to go into the time warp, you could still take your OWL’s and just be moved up a grade. If you don’t take them, you have no option. If and when you do decide to go forth with this plan, see Mr. Rooks for the contracts and releases you and your parents need to sign. Thank you all for coming.” With that, the meeting ended and the guests started mingling around asking for other’s opinions in a more casual environment.

When Harry stepped away from the other three at the podium, he was approached by Remus and Poppy. Without any prompting, he looked into the teary eyes of his godmother and pulled her into a hug. It was several minutes later when she was able to compose herself and loosen her grip on him to say, “Harry, I am so sorry! So, so, sorry that you’ve had to endure all this pain and suffering alone. I’ve been trying for years to break free of the block Dumbledore put on me. The guarantee I’d get to see you is the only reason I stayed at Hogwarts all these years. The block also had a compulsion charm attached to it so I wouldn’t treat you any differently than any other student. Please believe, inside I was begging to get out and be the mother figure your parents asked me to be…..Please forgive me!”

“Poppy, there is nothing to forgive. You are no more to blame than anyone else. It’s Dumbledore who will be answering to the fates for his cruelties. I just hope that you and I will be able to get to know one another and go on from here. Having known you these past 5 years, I can see why my parents picked you to be my godmother.” and with another quick hug, Harry turned to Remus.

He was again enveloped in a hug, albeit more manly, and after he and Remus split apart, Remus said, “I, too, am sorry, but I will let blame fall where it belongs. I’m just glad the blocks have been removed and that Poppy and I will be able to help you through your coming of age. We were there to help your mother, so we should be able to guide you through yours.”

“Sounds good to me. I was getting a little nervous, not knowing what to expect or who I was going to ask to be there with me as the letter from my Great Grandfather suggested. Now that your free to talk, maybe we could get together later this week and you two can tell me about me parents. I really don’t know much about them.” Harry said a bit sadly. After a little more conversation, they agreed to meet on Saturday, at Thurox Manor. Spotting Susan across the room with her Aunt, he went over to them.

“Susan, looking as lovely as ever!” he said while giving her a hug, mindful that Amelia was looking on, so kept it more sedate. With a quick kiss to her cheek, he released her and said, “Sorry for not informing you two earlier about being a Chuzzor, but I just needed to adjust to it first, before revealing it to anyone, and as I said, everyone here deserved to know what they were getting into.”

“Quite understandable, Harry. I knew your mother, and she was a wonderful person, so obviously being a Chuzzor didn’t affect her any. I don’t hold it against you at all….it might just prove to be the key in defeating Voldemort. Yes, I can say his name…” Amelia said as they all chuckled, then asked, “Harry, would you like to come for dinner with Susan and I. We are going into Muggle London later to this great Japanese place I know of. It’s really neat…they cook the food right in front of you.”

“Let me just make sure Mrs. Longbottom didn’t have any special meal planned. If she doesn’t, I’d love to. Thanks!” said Harry.

“Why don’t I go over and see if they want to come too, the restaurant is great fun in larger groups.” Amelia left to seek out Augusta, Neville and Hermione, leaving Susan and Harry alone for a few minutes.

“Are you okay with everything you learned today?” Harry asked Susan, with his arm around her waist, guiding her to a more private area.

“I’m okay with it….a bit of a shock, though.” She paused for a few moments then asked, “Harry, your not looking for anything long term with us, are you?” she asked nervously.

Giving her an odd look, he said, “Umm, no, not really. I don’t want to stop seeing you, but I’m not looking for anything permanent. Are you?”

“Oh, thank Merlin! No! I don’t want a long term relationship. I like being with you though, so I, too, don’t want to stop dating. We’ll just call ourselves date buddies with benefits….wonderful, glorious benefits!” she said with a sly smile.

“Sounds like the perfect arrangement. Here comes your Aunt and the rest of our dinner party. Let’s go have some fun!” said Harry.

The group did just that, and after inviting Poppy and Remus, they all headed out to London and enjoyed a wonderful meal, entertained by an exuberant cook who tossed food, bowls, and oil vessels around then proceeded to make onion volcano’s for everyone.