Chapter 1259: Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Chapter 1259: Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place
"Is the training over?"
Sirius Black discreetly tucked the letter back into his robe pocket, his expressionless face giving away nothing as he looked up towards Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who had just returned to the living room to rest. He casually picked up a butter beer keg from the table and poured each of them a glass.
"It's over," Harry confirmed.
"They all did splendidly," Moody added, hobbling over to the nearby sofa and pulling out a metal flask from his robe pocket. He took a swig and then praised generously, "I have no doubt they will make fine Aurors one day."
Moody had been training the trio according to the standards of apprentice Aurors, and it was safe to say that they were already outperforming most of the new recruits at the Ministry.
"Harry has always been exceptional," Sirius said proudly, "just like his father, James."
"However..." Moody hesitated, shaking his head, "if they are to go into battle, they will need more systematic training. A few months of rushed instruction won't cut it."
He was actually quite skeptical about the trio's upcoming actions and couldn't fathom what Dumbledore was thinking.
"Be fair, Mad-Eye," Sirius countered, "Harry is still underage, and he's already performing remarkably."
"Harry is indeed impressive, more so than most, but he has more crucial tasks ahead of him," Moody stated bluntly, "To be frank, I doubt they would survive past September if they were to go into battle without proper experience."
Moody hadn't forgotten Dumbledore's final words—that Harry was their most precious hope and that they must trust him.
And it was this hope that made Moody worry about Harry's safety.
Harry was still too young and inexperienced.
If Dumbledore had told them that Albert was their hope, every member of the Order would probably be strategizing on how to defeat Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
"We'll continue with Concealment and Anti-Detection this afternoon. You'd better buck up because this lesson is crucial for your survival," Moody advised, looking directly at Harry. "Unless, of course, you want to spend most of your time running for your lives."
"Don't mind Mad-Eye, Harry," Sirius said, patting Harry's shoulder reassuringly, "You're doing just fine."
"Don't worry, I'm not that fragile," Harry replied.
"Molly should have dinner ready by now," Sirius said with a smile.
"Yeah, I'm starving," Harry agreed.
After the trio had left, Sirius turned to Moody with a somber expression. "You shouldn't put too much pressure on Harry."
"You know what they're up against," Moody frowned, "They need to be prepared for what lies ahead."
"Trust me, Harry knows better than anyone what he's facing, and your words only add to the pressure they feel," Sirius countered, his eyes boring into Moody's, "What has you so on edge?"
"I doubt the Ministry can hold out for much longer," Mad-Eye took another swig from his flask, "Time is running out for Harry."
"We've anticipated this, haven't we?" Sirius remained calm, "Believe me, it's not as dire as you think."
"Albert Anderson may not be reliable," Moody knew what Sirius was referring to, "Relying on him is like hoping Harry can defeat Voldemort."
"No, you're wrong about that. Albert is the most reliable person for this, I assure you, I know him better than you," Sirius said, his eyes fixed on the doorway through which Harry had just exited, "He won't tolerate Voldemort's antics, especially now that Voldemort wants him dead."
In the corridor, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were chatting softly about their recent training. As they entered the dining room, they saw Ginny carrying a pot of stew towards the table.
"Let me help you with that," Harry offered, drawing his wand and gently waving it at the pot, causing it to float smoothly onto the table.
"Thanks," Ginny said, and after Harry had taken a seat, she served him a bowl, "By the way, I just heard from Mum that Lupin is going to marry Tonks."
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Harry exclaimed between mouthfuls of stew.
"Do you know when they're getting married?" Harry inquired.
Hermione and Ron exchanged glances, shaking their heads in unison.
"It should be soon," Ginny hesitated.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked, sensing something amiss. She felt that Lupin and Tonks' marriage should be a joyous occasion, but the atmosphere seemed to suggest otherwise.
"Lupin doesn't want their union to attract too much attention, so he plans to keep the wedding low-key, but Mum thinks they deserve to be celebrated properly," Ginny said, lowering her voice as she glanced towards the kitchen.
"What's going on?" Harry asked, perplexed by Lupin and Tonks' decision. Although he hadn't attended a wedding before, he knew that they weren't meant to be so casual.
"Does Sirius know about this?" Hermione furrowed her brows, having guessed the reason behind Lupin's choice.
The situation for werewolves in the wizarding world was indeed worrisome, and Lupin was likely concerned that marrying him would bring unnecessary trouble to Tonks.
"Sirius knows, and Fred and George suggested they have a simple ceremony here at headquarters. I think they deserve to be celebrated, too," Ginny whispered, "I wonder why Sirius hasn't mentioned it to you, Harry."
"He must be in a real bind!" Ron suddenly blurted out, leaving everyone confused.
"What do you mean?" they asked, looking at Ron quizzically.
"It'll be difficult for Lupin and Tonks's wedding to receive the blessing of Tonks's family." Ron lowered his voice and said, "Believe me, no one would want their daughter to marry a werewolf."
"Ron!" Hermione glared at him, displeased.
"I'm just speaking the truth." Ron shook his head and smiled bitterly, "It's truly cruel. If it were me, I would never allow my daughter to be with a werewolf."
"But..."
"You should know what werewolves represent in the wizarding world." Ron smiled bitterly.
"When Bill was bitten by Fenrir, Mom also thought that his wedding with Fleur would be called off." Ginny suddenly interjected.
It was from that incident that her family officially accepted Fleur.
"I think Sirius should support them." Harry remained silent for a moment before saying.
"Sirius is Lupin's good friend. He definitely hopes for Lupin's happiness, but Harry, don't forget that Tonks is Sirius's niece..."
"I'll go talk to Sirius."
Harry stood up and walked outside, running into Sirius who was chatting casually with Moody in the corridor.
"Sirius." Harry said.
Noticing Harry's suggestive gaze, Sirius asked in confusion, "Harry, is something the matter?"
"Yes, there's something I'd like to discuss with you." Harry walked towards the room beside them.
"Oh."
Sirius looked perplexed, but after greeting Mad-Eye Moody, he followed Harry into the adjacent room.
"I just heard that Lupin is getting married." Harry asked bluntly.
Sirius's expression stiffened, and he nodded, "Yes, they're getting married."
"What's going on?" Harry asked. "This doesn't seem like something you would do."
"My cousin, Andromeda, opposes this marriage." Sirius sighed and smiled bitterly, "What can I do?"
"But Lupin and Tonks should..." Harry didn't get to finish his sentence before Sirius interrupted him.
"Harry, I know what you mean, but sometimes, this is just how things are..." Sirius looked at his godson and murmured, "Of course, I hope for Lupin's happiness, but I can also understand why Andromeda would object. It's a very cruel situation."
"Because of Lupin being a werewolf?"
"Yes."
"As friends, we don't mind Lupin's identity because I know what kind of person he is. But my cousin, Andromeda, can't do the same. Most wizards in the wizarding world shun werewolves because they are considered dark creatures." Sirius' tone carried a sense of helplessness, "This means that Lupin and Tonks's union is destined to receive little blessing. Once they are married, Tonks will likely face repercussions and the ostracism of the wizarding community."
"I think Tonks doesn't mind." Harry said confidently, "She must be aware of the consequences."
"Yes, Tonks doesn't mind, but her family does." Sirius' expression turned bitter, "What parent would willingly let their only daughter marry a werewolf?"
"They want you to stop them?" Harry understood.
If Sirius didn't have to consider both sides and hadn't received that letter from his cousin, Andromeda, he would definitely be happy for Lupin and Tonks's union.
Alas, there were no 'what ifs'.
"So, what are you going to do?" Harry asked.
"I choose to respect Lupin and Tonks's decision." Sirius said softly, "Whether they get married or not, I respect their choice."
"I think the situation isn't as bad as you think." Harry tried to comfort him.
"I hope so!"
Sirius knew why Harry could say such words.
It was because Harry was an outsider, but Sirius wasn't, so he didn't intend to continue this conversation any further as it was pointless.
"What did Sirius say?"
After lunch, as they returned to rest, Hermione suddenly asked about the matter.
"Sirius said he respects Lupin and Tonks's choice." Harry shook his head, "But I could tell that Sirius is actually very hesitant. He should wholeheartedly bless Lupin and Tonks, but..."
"This kind of thing is actually quite normal, Harry. Think about it, if one day your daughter wants to marry a werewolf, you'd probably oppose the wedding just like Tonks's family." Fred and George walked in, interrupting their conversation.
"What are you two doing here?" Ron looked at the twins in surprise.
"We came to take over the Wizarding Watch station. We're planning to rename it to Potter Watch." Fred explained.
"I think Wizarding Watch is just fine." Harry said dryly.
"Potter Watch will let everyone know that this station supports you." George smiled and patted Harry's shoulder, "You're the savior now."
"So, do you think Sirius should stop Lupin and Tonks as well?" Hermione steered the topic back to the previous conversation.
"No, I support their relationship because we stand with Lupin." George shook his head and explained, "Actually, Tonks's mother might not truly dislike Lupin, but as a mother, she definitely doesn't want to see her daughter suffer or be ostracized by the wizarding world for marrying a werewolf."
George saw the situation clearly, and if he were in their shoes, he might oppose it as well.
Reality could be cruel sometimes.
However, as Lupin's friends, the Weasley brothers hoped for him to attain the happiness he deserved.
Moreover, Tonks wasn't their daughter.
(End of Chapter)
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