Undying Devotion: A Weasley Love Story.

Chapter 25: Dumbledore's Decision:

When Dumbledore arrives, Fred, George, Ginny, and Ron are shooed from the room. I watch Fred depart wishing more than anything he could stay. It is so unfair for mom to dictate our lives with her selfish worrying. My anger suppresses as I hear Dumbledore speak.

“Ahh, everybody is here.” He says warmly as he crosses the room and takes his seat at the foot of the table. The room breaks out in loud greetings.

“Harry’s trial has been moved back a few hours by Fudge in hopes to make Harry miss his hearing.” I say over the crowd. Everyone in the room is momentarily stunned, including me. I didn’t even realize I had a vision.

“As I suspected.” Dumbledore tells me. “Is Harry here yet?” Dumbledore asks looking over to dad. He nods. “We barely got him away from those muggles. He’s upstairs with Ron and Hermione right now.”

I, of course, hadn’t even realized he was here. But I had been in my own little world for the past week or so. I shrug it off and continue to listen to ongoing conversations.

“So what do we do?” Dad asks Dumbledore, worry etched across his brow. Dumbledore rubs his temples and closes his eyes tightly. “You will do as we discussed. I will show up a few hours early. We cannot let on that we know more than we should. Fudge will get suspicious and nose around more than he already is. We cannot risk Guinevere being caught supplying us information.”

“What does it matter if the ministry knows about, Guin? It’s not like they can cage her and torture her for information—although I would not hold it past him with all his paranoia.” Sirius questions the rest of the Order, in an almost alarming tone.

“Tabetha was forced to register within the ministry as being a Seer. The ministry traces their whereabouts even after they become of age. They claim it is their right to use them when needed for the ‘success of the ministry.’ Of course you know Tabetha’s father is a devoted Death Eater, you all have been briefed on him prior to this meeting, but what you may not know is that the trace is what eventually led to the downfall of Tabetha. She had gone in hiding to America with Guin and her muggle husband. Her father looked everywhere for them but was unable to find them due to the protective enchantments placed. After Voldemort’s downfall Gunter broke into the ministry and found the trace that led him right to Tabetha. He didn’t expose himself to her for years. He wanted to wait until the time was ripe. When he saw fit, he interrogated Tabetha and relentless tortured her while her husband was away on business. Once Guin’s father returned, he was imperiused to kill Tabetha before she could run away or tell anyone.” The unmistakable voice of Severus Snape informs the silent room. Every face is looking at me to check my reaction. I will myself to remain impassive. I am successful.

Dumbledore breaks the tension by taking a sip of coffee offered to him by mom. She looks nervous and is wringing her hands.

“What did you want to discuss with me, Molly?” Dumbledore asks politely, placing his cup back down on the table.

“Well,” she glances sympathetically at me, “It’s just that I don’t think it’s a good idea for Guinevere to go back to school. And I don’t think she’s ready to be in the Order either.”

The room fills with groans. It seems as though this has been a long, ongoing argument. I am both shocked and outraged at moms comment.

“Why wouldn’t I join?” I ask the room hotly. “I have every right to be in the Order. Not only am I of age, I have just as much reason to fight as the rest of you do!”

Dumbledore peers over his glasses at me. I swallow the lump in my throat waiting for him to say something, anything. “What do the rest of you think? Severus?”

“I say no to school but yes to the Order. She could stay here at headquarters so she’s in close contact with the rest of us. The school is too risky with the ministry sticking their noses in. I also think her—gift—is obvious and will attract the attention of her peers, some of which who have parents that are Death Eaters or will become a Death Eater here in the next few months.” Snape tells Dumbledore ignoring the jeers from Sirius.

“It seems you have a different opinion Sirius. Care to share?” Dumbledore asks lightly.

“Yes, I do. I think it’s her decision and she is more than capable enough to decide what she wants to do.” He replies simply. I give him a ‘thank you’ smile as he gestures to Lupin.

“I agree with Sirius.” Lupin states.

“So do I.” Tonks replies.

Dad looks up at mom fearfully, but says, “I agree with Severus.”

“I do too,” Bill says firmly. Mom throws her hands up in exasperation.

“Now, what do you think, Guinevere?” Dumbledore asks me. I stare blankly at him. Surprise is etched all across my face. He smiles encouragingly.

“I want to go to school and be in the Order. I know who to go to should I need to convey something to the Order. As for my ‘gift’ being obvious, let’s just spread a rumor that I have an extremely rare disease that causes certain symptoms. I can excuse myself from class should I need too.” I tell him with as much conviction as I can muster.

“But what happens if you lose control again?” Dad asks attracting total attention from the Order. I had been expecting this question.

“I won’t.” I say firmly. “There cannot be any more surprises worse than the ones I have seen so far.”

“What about when you saw Cedric die? You nearly lost it. You still barely touch your food. What if you see one of us die? You won’t be able to contain your emotions.” Mom says speaking out again. I look her calmly in the eye and say, “if I can’t handle it, than I will come home at Christmas. We can tell everyone that my illness got the best of me.”

Mom seems satisfied by my answer, or at least she knows this is one battle she will not win. “Albus, do you think she can take her NEWTS before Christmas in case she needs to come home?”

Dumbledore nods. “I will arrange everything. So it’s settled. Guinevere, you will be a part of this Order. You are not to tell anyone about anything said in this room--“I see him wink slyly at me and smile at mom just as she looks over—“Fred and George may find out should they choose to join when their schooling is finished.”

“Oh they will.” I say happily.

“That I know,” Dumbledore chuckles. “Please do not tell Harry anything. Leave Harry to me. I want to keep him sheltered for as long as I can. Now, are you okay with taking your NEWTS before Christmas?”

“Yes, as long as I can continue to stay after as long as I’m holding up my end of the bargain.” I state brushing my wild hair from my face.

“Of course.” Dumbledore tells me. “Now to other matters. I have found out why Voldemort has been having his followers sneak into the ministry.”

“He wants the prophecy that tells him about his relationship with Harry. He wants to know what Sn—someone had started to tell him all those years ago.” I say tonelessly, amazed at my own knowledge.

“Exactly.” Dumbledore says. “Now I want us all to take turns on guard duty. They must not seize this.”

The rest of the meeting is a blur. I go in and out of consciousness until mom shoos me upstairs for some sleep.