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Preventative Measures	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 151588 -:- Recommendations : 8 -:- Currently Reading : 30
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money off this work in perversion

Chapter List
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Chapter 23

Beta'd by the amazing Tenchi. Thanks, woman, you're the best!

Just a reminder of what's on my profile; reviews complaining or whinging about the lack 'o sex in stories will get deleted. If you want a smut-filled romp, you need to find another story to read.

Sipping at his tea, Remus looked across the table at Molly and Arthur then sighed. Folding his hands on the table, he said, “First, Harry's made it clear that the day of the emancipation hearing he'd prefer that the event go unnoticed. It's a situation that's bound to cause stress anyway, so he doesn't want to come home to a mass of people in the house. We all understand that this is something to celebrate for him, and we plan to have a special dinner or such, but it's probably best that it is left alone so he can have time to calm down.”
“I don't think we thought about the situation that way,” Arthur said with a sigh and shake of his head. “Our plan was to come over for a celebratory lunch. We'll take your suggestion though and not do that.”
“I can send over something for you that I’ve cooked. That can be our contribution to the celebration,” Molly offered softly.
“That would be appreciated,” Remus told her with a nod and smile. “We'll make sure Harry knows it came from you.” Pressing on, he said, “Severus and I discussed it and decided to come with you to the alley to get supplies.”
“If you like, we can pick up whatever you need so Harry doesn't have to go out,” Molly told him. “That may make it easier.”
“While it would, I believe getting Harry out and among people, especially those he knows, is best here. I believe his strategy for working with this is to avoid most everyone unless he's forced to have contact. That's not the best way to handle the situation, as I'm sure you know. We thought it better to come along so that he does have contact. However, I'll add here, and you may want to mention to the younger set, that Severus plans to stick to Harry like there's a charm on both of them. Any foolishness or questions on the topic of what's going on will be handled by him or me. Probably him. We're hoping that the fact that he'll be the one to handle such things will be enough to hold off the worst, what with his reputation.” Stopping, he shook his head then said, quietly, “Harry's having enough problems as it is now that he doesn't need a multitude of questions over just what's going on and the why behind it to add to the whole issue.”
“We'll pass that along as well,” Arthur told him with a firm nod. “I'll make it very clear that any trying in that direction will cause the person doing it to deal with Severus. With his reputation, and their past dealings with him in school, that should be enough to curtail any of it.”
Looking between the two, Remus added, softly, “Harry made it clear to all of us that he just doesn't want to deal with anyone, save Fred and George. I understand why. He's having his own problems in this area, understandably. And, frankly, it will come, we all know it. Please, a word to all of them not to bring it up. When the time comes that he's willing to talk about it, I'm sure he'll make it clear. Until then, we need to leave it alone. For now, he'll talk about it, at least a little, to the three of us dealing with him every day. Mostly it's Sirius. We want that to continue. The more he talks, the more he's apt to open up then start to deal with so much. That can only help in the future.” Seeing nods of understanding, he pressed on.
Lowering his voice and looking at the kitchen door, knowing it was warded against people listening in, he said, “Harry brought up something none of us thought of and is right about it.” Before they could ask, he pressed on, “Hermione. We know you plan to lay out the most basic of facts on this without giving details. However, with how she is, she's going to figure out a large chunk of it on her own then pass on what she knows to the others. Those wards being allowed to fall, Harry getting emancipation, all of it is going to lean almost everyone to realizing what happened was big and something drastic. Add on the fact how she's Muggle-born, and she's going to piece much of it together.” Stopping, he looked between the two.
Rubbing a hand over his mouth, Arthur gave a dejected sigh and nodded. “You're right. Merlin! This is one she doesn't need to figure out.”
“We have no way to hold that off,” Remus said with a sad shake of his head. “We know this. I'm going to ask, as a personal favor, that one of you talk to her privately and get her to curtail what she normally does on the topic. I'm not sure how to put it to where she might see sense and not dig into this. As personal as this is, frankly, it’s none of her business. As we've seen in the past, though, that doesn't seem to deter her from doing so. I know she's not your child and you don't have the pull you would with one of your own, but, please, for Harry's sake, see what you can do here.”
“We will,” Molly told him with a firm nod, looking determined. “Harry doesn't need some of this coming to light among those that he was friends with. When that happens, it tends to get passed around to others, though you might not mean that to happen. Let's see what we can do on our end to curb that.”
“While, most times, we all should encourage someone's pursuit of knowledge, Hermione has yet to learn that there are some areas that just needs left alone and aren't your business,” Arthur sighed, shaking his head. “I think that it’s time she learned that, and this is the time to teach that lesson. We'll do what we can there. I'll sit down with her and see what I can get across. Hopefully, that is enough. If not, I'm going to contact Severus and have him do it. It won't be pleasant if he steps in, but it may drive the point home in a way I can't.”
Pleased with that, Remus nodded. “I'll say something to him when I get back. I do believe it won't be something he would balk at taking it on. We all know that most see Severus one way, and it's not always in the nicest of lights. Harry doesn't. He sees him in an entirely different one and Severus is much the same way about Harry. This mess—it's brought that more to the forefront with Severus. You don't want to know how distressed and upset he was when it came out.”
Shaking his head, he pressed on, “There is another point I want to make here. Sirius told me, plainly, before I left that if any of them dance even close to bringing this up to Harry that one of us will remove Harry from the situation, and then either Sirius or Severus will handle the person who did that. I get that all of them are wary of Severus. That should be enough to drive it home. However, I don't think any of them realize what Sirius is like. They see his joking manner and so much else, thus not taking him seriously in many areas. In this one, they need to. He's quite firm in that stance and won't be pleasant to deal with if they go there. You both know Sirius. He was an Auror and managed to survive Azkaban. Though you didn't go to school with us, I'm sure you know by his reputation that he's not someone you wanted to trifle with. As protective as he is of Harry, especially now, this is not an area anyone wants to deal with him on.” Stopping, he looked between the two.
“We'll pass that along as well,” Arthur told him with a firm nod, looking determined.
Glancing at her husband, Molly then looked at Remus and inquired, “We were wondering if you have any suggestions on how to deal with the topic of Albus when it comes to this? It's an area we just don't know how to tackle. On one hand, we need them to understand that what Albus did was wrong and there are consequences for that. On the other, though, we do need them to trust and take his word for so much, especially at school, to keep themselves safe. We're at a loss on how to go about this.”
Sighing, Remus looked at his hands and thought it over then shook his head. “I honestly don't know, Molly. It's—I'm at a loss there as well. Something we've discussed on the matter is that at least some of this is going to come out in the papers. The DMLE is investigating several areas and will press charges, we know that. With what's going on in the papers and with Fudge, it's going to come out at some point. The three of us are almost certain that the news of Harry becoming emancipated will as well, especially with Fudge's campaign against Albus. How to broach that, though, is something I don't know. You need to say something so that when it does come they aren't blindsided by it and can prepare.” Looking up then glancing between the two, he added, “And Poppy—though I don't know much about these areas, I'm going to take a flier and say she's in trouble so it's doubtful she'll be back at school this term. St. Mungos takes these charges very seriously. We all know that. It's very obvious she didn't follow a clearly written law.”
Sighing, Arthur looked down at the table and clasped his hands around the beaker of tea. “You're right. We just don't know what to do here or how to explain some of this. Albus is such a beacon, especially to the younger set. They need warned, though. And to be told to keep them from bringing him up to Harry.”
Thinking it over, staring at the table, Remus said, “My only suggestion is this; don't phrase it as he made a mistake. None of this was a mistake. Albus knew what he was doing, and the consequences of it. He chose to ignore those. And he got caught. Not only that, the person that suffered over his actions was Harry. I would also suggest that you add, without going into detail, that Harry has every right to feel the way he does about Albus. His anger in that direction is warranted. Albus needs to accept that and move on, as does everyone else. Attempting to change Harry's mind, when he has every right to feel that way, isn't something they need to try.” Stopping, he then added, “And, beyond that, I don't know what suggestions I can give you on how to get across how bad this is or how to explain it.” Looking between the two, softening his voice, he said, “Albus—these aren't mistakes. None of them. He caused Harry a great deal of pain and trauma. I don't know what he was hoping to accomplish with some of what he pulled, as I'm not sure I believe his reasonings anymore on much of it, but he made matters so much worse. It's like the chunk with telling Ron and Hermione not to write over this past summer. We took his reason for it at the time and went with it. That backfired, in a big way. Harry needs support now, from plenty, and in pulling that stunt then not noticing just what Harry is like, cut off two areas he could get that from because Harry, rightfully so, doesn't feel he can trust people that would do that. It's a mess, a very big one, and Albus' choices in the matter made it even worse than what it was to start with. That I do think needs to come out plainly.”
Taking that in, Arthur gave a slow nod. “You're right. We'll come up with some way to get this all across, though I don't know how. I think, perhaps, coming straight out and saying that Albus is now suffering the consequences of his decisions over so much may be the way to go with this.”
“I think so as well,” Molly agreed softly, shaking her head. “Ron and Hermione are both working on a way to press on so they can get back in Harry's good graces. I think they both see this as just another argument that will blow over. This time—it's not going to happen.”
“It's not,” Remus told them firmly with a shake of his head. “Harry meant just what he said, Molly. While I know Albus' reason for asking them to do that, I also understand Harry's end, better than I did in the past. With all he was living through, those letters and knowing to protect himself, something he really did need told to do, had to be something he clung to in a way none of us understood. Taking that away from him was a bad mistake. Now Ron and Hermione are just going to have to deal with that. I'm sorry, I know that's not something you want to hear, but it is the realism of the situation with Harry. He is not forgiving, at all. And, with what we know now, I understand why.”
“As do I,” Arthur told him softly. “Harry explained part of it to me on the ride back from court. It wasn't a view I had looked at the situation from before. We'll manage this. It's just how that's the question now. It's so complicated in that we can't give up everything we know that would explain parts of it so well.”
“I think, maybe, that this is a lesson all of them need to learn; we all make errors in judgment and do the wrong thing, though we know what we're doing, or think we do, feeling it's for the best. That's what Albus did. Ron and Hermione did as well. Instead of thinking it through, they followed someone blindly. We all know that's a dangerous path to take. In this case, the result is what they now have to face with Harry. I also think it's a lesson all of us have learned from the situation. We have the right to question what we're told and not just follow blindly. There are times, yes, we need to do that. This wasn't one of those,” Remus schooled softly, looking between the two.
“Another good point,” Molly sighed. “We'll manage this, don't worry. And hold off on any stupid stunts they may try in the future. I don't know, though. When we finish, we'll keep an eye on them to make sure they don't do something to aggravate an already bad situation.”
“When we're done, we'll get a message to you so you know what we did. If we need help, we'll also contact you. That may come because this is beyond what we know how to deal with, on many levels,” Arthur sighed, slumping.
“We'll give you all the help we can,” Remus told him honestly.

Pacing in Ron's room, face pale, Hermione was trying to put together all the clues that they had heard in the talk with Ron's parents. Already, she was piecing it together and the conclusion she was reaching made her ill.
Glancing around at the, for once, silent twins and Ginny, Ron then looked at Hermione. Quietly, he asked, “Any idea at all of what this means and what they aren't telling us? Even I get that there's plenty they aren't saying.”
Stopping, arms folded over her chest, Hermione looked at Ron then gave a slow nod. “Maybe. Parts anyway.” Sighing and slumping a little, she then flopped on the edge of the spare bed by Ginny. Wringing her hands, she said, quietly, “It's big and not nice.”
“Well, fill us in. They left a lot out and refused to answer some of it,” Ginny prodded, curious about this.
“I think you should leave it be,” Fred said quietly, looking around.
“Just like mum and dad said,” George added, tone firmer than his brother's.
“Look, they made it clear that Harry doesn't want to discuss this and it's private. You lot speculating about it isn't going to help matters,” Fred told him, taking on a similar tone to his brother, glancing at the other three.
“He's our friend and I'm worried about him,” Hermione said, looking at the two.
“He's made it clear he wants nothing to do with you,” George shot back, shaking his head. “Leave it, Hermione! Mum and dad left things out for a reason. If it is something they think you need to know, they'll tell you. They didn't and told you it was personal. I don't think it's any of our business.”
“I think we have a right to know,” Ron told them firmly. “We're close to Harry.”
“No, you don't have a right to know anything,” Fred said, voice taking on a heavy bite. “They didn't have to tell you anything.”
“Leave it, all three of you,” George added, glaring. “He's already plenty pissed at both you and Hermione. You keep this up and it's never going to get better. You'll just make it worse!”
“Harry has problems, from the sound of it,” Ginny said quietly, looking around. “I mean, those wards being allowed to fall, emancipation, all of it, whatever is going on is huge. Which means he's got problems. We can help.”
“Bloody hell,” George sighed, rolling his eyes.
“Look,” Fred snarled, “leave it! Harry doesn't want you to know. It's not your right to know! Accept that!”
“From the sound of what they said, if you don't, you're going to deal with Snape. I doubt any of you want that,” George added, looking between them.
Sniffing, Hermione shot back, “And this from the two that invented Extendable Ears to eavesdrop on people! Pardon me if I don't think you have any moral ground to stand on! Or have any right to lecture any of us on the topic!”
“We know what not to listen in on,” Fred told her pointedly, glaring. “This is one of them.”
“It's not something that affects us in any way,” George added. “And if it's that private, we'll leave it. I suggest you do the same!” Lifting his chin, he looked at Hermione then said, “Like the chunk with dad talking to you alone afterwards. We knew that was big and didn't try.”
“What was that about anyway?” Ron asked, curious. “He never does that.”
Sighing, Hermione shook her head, “Just—about leaving it alone and not to pass on speculation about it, that it's private.”
“And, as dad never does that, you need to listen,” Fred shot at her, shaking his head. “Hermione, leave it.” Glancing around, he added, “All of you leave it! Let Harry deal with whatever it is.”

“Yeah, go about your business. We have plenty to worry about with the upcoming term. Harry isn't a concern,” George told them firmly. Looking at his brother, he then shook his head and both of them walked out, closing the door firmly behind them.
Rolling his eyes, Ron shook his head. “Idiots. They want to know too. They just don't want to say anything because they're going to get to go over and spend time with Harry. All they're going to do is wiggle to get it out of him that way.” Looking at Hermione, he asked, “Alright, what have you figured out? I mean, this is bloody huge if he's not going back to school, the wards going and becoming a legal adult.”
Wringing her hands, Hermione lowered her voice then looked between Ron and Ginny before saying, “The only thing I can think of that's big enough to cause all that is child abuse. And I don't mean just minor things either. It would have had to be bad for it to cause all this.”
Going pale, eyes widening, Ginny looked at Ron, who had a similar expression on his face then asked, tone hushed, “Are you sure?”
“It's all I can come up with,” Hermione told her with a firm nod. “I mean, it all fits if you think about it and what we know of his home life. We all know the Dursley's are bad. Most of you've seen it. This—it has to be worse than anything we knew.”
“Bloody hell,” Ron breathed, shaking his head. “What about the bit with Dumbledore? I mean, they made it clear Harry is right furious at him and that he made big mistakes.”
“I don't know there,” Hermione said with a shake of her head. “The only thing I can think of is that Professor Dumbledore knew about some of it. I can't see that he would not do something if it was that bad. You know him. And Harry—he'll eventually see that. We just have to remind him that Professor Dumbledore wants what is best for him. That's all. Well, once he starts talking to us again.”
“Harry said you're done,” Ginny told them softly, looking between the two. “I mean, he was real clear there.”
“He'll get over it,” Ron said, shaking his head. “He always does. Harry's strange, we get that. He always was, but he'll cool down. Just like we all do.”
“I don't know,” Ginny doubted, looking between the two. “He's—really mad. I mean, really mad, from what I heard.”
“He will,” Ron told her confidently. “Mum and dad are doing the same thing they always have. They wouldn't do that if he wanted to cut us out of his life forever.”
Thinking back to the party for Harry, and all the gifts he got, Hermione said, tone distracted, “Those gifts for his birthday—I think that's related here and just shores up the theory on child abuse. I mean, that was over the top, for everyone. I think that's a way to make something up to him, something big. Let me see what I can figure out and nose around to see what I can find. We'll go from there. That and we'll talk to him during the trip to get school supplies. Once we do that, I'll have a better idea of what's going on. Once we have that, we'll know how to deal with it.”
“Alright, good. A plan,” Ron nodded, pleased with that. “Let's see if we can't get our hands on one of the Extendable Ears to listen in to what's going on. If it's this big, mum and dad will talk about it alone. That can only help.”
Frowning a little, Hermione said cautiously, “While I don't like going about something that way, in this case we might have to. We'll see what happens. While getting school supplies, we'll talk to him and see what he says. Then I'll have a better feel for what we need to do.”
“I'll help all I can,” Ginny said, looking between the two. “Let's see what we can do here. At the very least, we can try to get Harry to write us over the school year. It's not the same, I know that, but we'll manage.”

Standing down the hall, each with the flesh-colored string in their ear, Fred and George looked at each other, not sure what to say. Pulling the Extendable Ears back and pocketing them then heading to their own room, they waited until the door was shut before they started talking.
“If Hermione is right on what happened, this needs left alone,” Fred said quietly, looking at his brother.
With a firm nod, George told him, “And I think, for once, we need to be the upstanding ones and say something. Maybe just to Sirius or Remus. I don't know. If it's that bad, Harry won't need this.”
“I agree,” Fred sighed, shaking his head. “I say we pass it along when we go over there and let them handle it.”
“That we can do,” George told him with a firm nod. Sitting down, he then began to discuss their plan for getting with Sirius and Remus about the Marauders then seeing what they could wiggle there.
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Preventative Measures