Chapter 34 - End of the free day

When the inhabitant of the house gathered at the table for diner, Harry took out a package from his pocket.

"It's a little late, but here" he said, tossing it to Ginny, who deftly caught it. "Happy birthday" he finished with a small grin.

She looked at him in shock, then at the gift in her hands. She wasn't the only one surprised, the other were as well. A brilliant smile appeared on her face.

"Thank you."

She couldn't wait and opened it on the spot. Her eyes lit up when she saw the perfumes. She checked the scent and grinned broadly. She thanked him again for the gift. At that time, the head of the Weasley family arrived through the floo. Harry was pleased to see the man. While somewhat passive, he felt that he was one of the more understanding a.d.u.l.ts around him. His arrival and Ginny's gift did a lot to alleviate the mood at the table.

Shortly after the end of the meal, people started to arrive at the Headquaters. Since it was for an Order meeting, Molly sent Hermione and her children to their room. Usually, they would have tried to protest, give some token resistance, but with Harry's changes they decided to not push their luck.

The first to arrive were old associates of Dumbledore: Dedalus Diggle, Elphias Doge and the oldest, Sturgis Podmore. Next were the aurors: the senior auror Kingsley Shacklebolt, and the young ladies, Nymphadora Tonks and Hestia Jones. Thus, Harry had the chance to meet Tonks before the meeting. Both him and his ladies got a positive impression of the bubblegum haired young woman. She also seemed to click with her fellow pink haired female.

Then, Minerva McGonagal accompanied by another formidable looking witch of her generation, Emmeline Vance. Dumbledore was of course last to come. Along with Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Alastor Moody, Arthur Weasley, Molly Weasley and Mundungus Fletcher, they were all the members of the Order of the Phoenix present. The last few others were unavailable.

It soon became apparent that Dumbledore had 2 main goals with the meeting.

First, presenting the Order to Harry as allies and protectors he should trust and listen to. He even tried some emotional blackmail by mentionning how his parents were members as well. Second, he tried to extract informations from him. Mainly who were his ladies, how he met them, and where he was staying. That didn't go well.

The first part was to soften him for the second part, but it did the opposite.

Harry rememered Deadalus Diggle. He had recognised him when Hagrid had taken him to the Leaky Cauldron for the first time. Seeing him in the Order, he guessed that the man had been sent to check on him during his childhood, and should have known it wasn't good, yet no help came. Added with how they had him under close surveillance this summer, it instead killed the chances of him ever trusting the order.

"Unlike you, who are supposed to care about me, when I was crying for help, they answered and came to me."

Harry had said it in a calm voice, but they could feel weight of the emotions behind. That silenced them, preventing any further objections they might have. Those were the words that put an end to the discussion.

Dumbledore also didn't have the support of Sirius (which wasn't surprising to them), and surprisingly for the Order, Arthur and Moody. It was very rare for Arthur to downright disagree with his wife (or Dumbledore). More often than not, he would let her have her way (follow his instructions), or seek a small compromise. More so when it concerned children. It was even more surprising for Moody to chose to tolarate unknowns. Unknowns who were with someone who was clearly an important element in the coming war against Voldemort.

With those 3 siding with Harry, some people left Dumbledore side to be on the fence, the other aurors and Emmeline Vance. While they aknowledged at least to tehmselves that they failed Harry, they still had too much faith and trust in Dumbledore to completly disagree with him.

Despite being a hothead who would rather hit first and talk later, Vi was neither stupid or unobservant. She had been a thief, then worked for law enforcement. Tonks posture, who until then showed she was willing to follow Dumbledore's lead despite having some doubts, shifted. She didn't express it, but Vi could tell she had sided with them. She smiled, because there wouldn't be a conflict between Tonks and Sirius over Harry's choices. Harry would have been distressed if his actions had caused Sirius and his niece to be at odds.

Harry didn't stay long after that. That little meeting had annoyed him much. If not for his beginner's mind arts, Xuanzang's comforting hand on his l.a.p, and having lashed out once earlier in the day, he wouldn't have been able to stay calm, and would have possibly revealed some things he shouldn't in his anger. Anger that he had trouble keeping in check in Dumbledore's presence.

After a few more words with Sirius, and some thanks to Arthur and Moody, he left. He may not be able to work with the Order as a whole, but he could still work with individuals. Vi also had a quick talk of her own with Tonks.

Several apparitions later, a few of them to throw of possible trackers, they were back to the Potter lands.

They met with the rest of the girls to give them a summary of the evening. At that time, Harry got nervous again, nearly scared. The look she gave him when he arrived was more intense than usual. He had no doubt that Scathach would have told them what happened during the day, and was worried about how much details she gave. Thankfully, the others didn't seem to be acting any differently than they should. Still, he couldn't help but grow cautious.

They separated for the night. Harry changed into his night clothes, and started to read a novel. Less than 30 minutes after entering his room, Scathach showed up. She was wearing a mid-t.h.i.g.ht lenght, dark red, lace nightgown. She wasn't wearing a bra, so the movement of her b.r.e.a.s.ts with each steps she took was hypnotising. The book he had in hands was totally forgotten.

"H-hey, Scathach" he said, barely keeping his calm, both because of the sight in front of his eyes, and the possible subject of her presence. "What can I do for you?"

She sat down on the bed next to him, her beautiful red eyes never leaving his.

"I came to talk to you about what happened in the car today."

"Ah, that..." he said while losing some color.

"You seem to be quite troubled about it. I know you didn't have any intention to cause me discomfort. And I also know that it was a natural reaction for you. I am not angry or displeased with you. I tried to ease your worries about that during our time in the city, but it didn't work."

Having heard that, he was both quite embarrassed, but also relieved. He slowly relaxed.

"I didn't mind you know" she added, making him freeze. "I was surprised, yes, but I didn't dislike it. So, the next time that happen, don't feel bad about it, okay?"

"Ah... Sure..."

"Good" she said with a small smile.

She leaned forward, her c.h.e.s.t pressing against his, and placed a lingering kiss on his cheek.

"Goodnight" she said as she stood up and left, her swaying h.i.p.s capturing his gaze.