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Chapter Fifty‑Eight: Protect Harry
After spending a few quiet, uneventful days at the old house, Lockhart felt increasingly uneasy.
Even with Ron around, Hermione's days were mostly spent either helping clean the old house or running over to Lockhart's place. She often snuck into his room, dressed haphazardly, and sat on his bed to chat — Hermione explained this was normal behaviour for her at home. The most common occurrence was her deliberate—or sometimes unintentional—affectionate gestures. Even a simple arm‑hug seemed minimal compared to her usual antics.
Since the two were already close at school, and now both insiders of the Order of the Phoenix, Lockhart couldn't very well adopt a professorial tone and reprimand her.
Lockhart, however, wondered whether he had gone too far in winning Hermione's trust, possibly causing her to favour him over Ron. Would there be consequences if Hermione and Ron didn't end up together? He concluded it probably wouldn't matter much. After all, he had already decided to take the lead with the Order of the Phoenix — these kids shouldn't be involved in the bigger plot anyway.
Well, never mind. I can't exactly tell Hermione to date Ron. Ron didn't try hard enough, so it's not my fault.
On this day, Severus Snape arrived at headquarters and immediately summoned all the members to the conference room.
"The Dark Lord is after the prophecy orb," Snape announced. "The one that predicted Harry would defeat him. It's currently kept in the Department of Mysteries."
"What?" Molly Weasley asked, confused.
"The prophecy was made by that foolish woman," Snape continued, his voice tinged with pain.
"Trelawney?"
"Yes. Professor Sybill Trelawney was the one who made the prophecy," Snape said, thinking of Lily, a wave of sorrow washing over him. Tears welled in his eyes.
"It was that prophecy — that Harry would be the saviour — that brought James and Lily to their deaths," Sirius Black said, frowning as he finished speaking for Snape.
"Oh my god…" Molly felt sympathy for him. "What does he need it for?"
"He doesn't know the full prophecy," Snape said dejectedly.
"Severus, pull yourself together. We have to avenge those people," Lockhart said, placing a reassuring hand on Snape's shoulder.
"So what should we do?" Sirius asked.
"Find someone to watch that orb, and notify us immediately if anything happens," Mad‑Eye Moody said. "Arthur, this is your job. You and a few others in the Ministry of Magic will organise a schedule for teams to take turns guarding the Department of Mysteries."
"Understood," Arthur replied.
"Arthur, could you use your position to secretly set up a fireplace connection from headquarters to the Ministry of Magic?" Lockhart asked. "I don't know much about this."
"There's no need to install anything new. The Floo Network is already connected everywhere," Arthur explained. "We just need to tamper with the relevant departments — maybe a Confusion Charm — so the system mistakenly recognises the fireplace at our headquarters as belonging to a high‑ranking Ministry official. That's all it takes."
"Yes, this needs to be done immediately," Moody said after a moment's thought. "Let Nymphadora Tonks keep an eye on it for the next few days. Arthur, you take care of the fireplace tampering."
"Oh, okay." Tonks seemed a bit distant, still thoughtful after returning from her trip with Lupin — though it seemed there hadn't been much progress in their relationship.
"What does Headmaster Dumbledore think of all this?" Remus Lupin asked.
"He told us to figure it out ourselves, but we have to make sure at least one person is secretly protecting Harry," Snape replied.
"Who's been protecting Harry with Arabella Figg lately?" Tonks asked, her brow furrowed.
"That lazy bum Mundungus Fletcher," Moody growled. "He volunteered, seemingly thinking that protecting Harry was easier than any other task."
"It is indeed simple, like making a third glass of water from two glasses," Snape said somberly, recovering from his painful memories. "But I still think it's irresponsible to put such a scoundrel in this position."
"I don't think he'll mess things up in something this important," Sirius said, always ready to contradict Snape.
"I told him," Moody said fiercely, "if anything happens to Harry, I'll kill him."
"Severus, you go back first. We'll handle this. Don't let Voldemort become suspicious," Lockhart reminded him.
"Okay," Snape agreed expressionlessly, then left.
"Gilderoy, you've got some free time. Go to the street where Harry lives and help Mundungus protect him," Moody said.
"Okay… and then?"
"That's it! Although the Death Eaters were severely damaged, there are still quite a few formidable figures around. Everyone be careful!" Moody looked around. "Gilderoy, go over there now. I have a bad feeling."
"You're making it sound so dramatic," Lockhart stood up. "Then I'll go."
Lockhart pushed open the door and noticed something dangling in the doorway, rising rapidly. He immediately drew his wand, and his hand speed, honed from years of ambushing others, came in handy. He knocked the object down and it thudded to the floor.
Lockhart picked it up and glanced at it, his tense expression easing for a moment, but then he called out, "George! Fred! Get down here — both of you!"
Molly Weasley popped her head out of the conference room. "What's wrong, Gilderoy? What mischief have they gotten into this time?"
Lockhart handed the object he'd found to Molly, then looked down at the children coming downstairs — Fred and George, Ginny, Hermione, and Ron.
"How many times have I told you not to eavesdrop on meetings?" Molly scolded as she reached for Fred and George's ears, but they dodged her. "If you're so curious, why don't you go find the Dark Lord instead?!"
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