Chapter Thirty-Eight
Confronting the Faceless 💀 CompleteApril 2, 1998
"The things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end"
Theo wakes up to far more noise than he's used to, and for the split second where he hovers between dreams and the waking world he thinks that maybe the Order HQ has been compromised.
Then he fully wakes up and remembers that no, the HQ is fine, it's just housing a lot more people than it had been before, and that means a whole lot more noise than when it was just him, Paulo, and Ryuu.
Not that he necessarily minds that the Weasleys have moved in since having to flee from their own home the week before, but he does wish maybe they'd sleep past seven in the morning. Particularly the twins, who are their own brand of overly loud chaos that frankly should be illegal before the afternoon.
He hears other voices though, which remind him that there's a meeting today, so he might as well get used to the noise because it will be continuing all day long. He also might as well get up since meetings means that Mrs. Weasley will be going slightly spare cooking today and he should grab breakfast before it's cleared away to make room for lunch.
He gets dressed quickly but still a bit sleepily and then heads down to the first floor.
"Morning Theo!" Lee calls cheerfully as he slides down the stairway banister, flying past Theo as he does. Theo grins and waves but the younger man is already off, sprinting past the kitchen and into the bowels of the house.
Lee is also a new occupant of the HQ, having moved in the day after the Weasleys with the excuse that Potterwatch broadcasts from the HQ anyway so it makes no sense for him to be anywhere else. The argument is a bit flawed considering Zoe Wentworth is still in her own flat and just drops by with her information, but Theo doesn't ever point that out. Lee is one of the few people who trusts him unequivocally and Theo clings to those people a bit tighter than he probably should.
Honestly Theo completely understands why most of the Order still look at him uncertainly, why they stop whispering to one another when he walks past. It's part of the reason he opted to live here instead of at Kent's flat back in March - he has the urge to prove himself by himself, without someone else to hide behind.
He also admittedly felt bad about the negative association Kent was getting from Theo's presence, and didn't want to be the reason he and Willow didn't work out.
"Oh, good morning Theodore." Mrs. Wealsey says when he steps into the room, busy at the stove as expected. She smiles at him but it's just a touch strained - for all she tries to be welcoming and open minded Theo knows she still worries that he's going to turn on them, which is fair. She has her children to think of, after all. "Breakfast is on the table, so help yourself."
"Thank you very much Mrs. Weasley." He replies with what he hopes is a genuine smile. Even being away from Zara and the Unit for nearly two months now he still sometimes finds himself slapping on his old, fake grins without realizing it, and he knows it's not helping with his reputation in the Order.
"Do we know who all is coming to the meeting today?" He asks politely as he helps himself to the offered meal, which is already half-eaten (and there are no sausages left, much to his disappointment).
Mrs. Weasley hums, and he knows the question has successfully distracted her from her wariness of him. "Well Kingsley, obviously, and Remus and Tonks are making the trip as well, though I personally don't think Tonks should be moving so much when she's less than a month from her due date." She titters, and Theo smiles at his plate.
"Maybe they should just move in here - Kent and Eric could set up one of the unused rooms as a delivery ward so she can have Teddy safely here instead of risking St. Mungo's or a home birth." He suggests, uncertain if his opinion will be accepted but wanting to reach out. The whole point of him living here is to make his own way in all of this after all, and making friends with one of the leaders who isn't a school friend is a good start.
Mrs. Weasley doesn't say anything for a long moment, and Theo internally cringes, but then she turns with the bright smile he's so far only ever seen directed at other people. "What a wonderful idea! You simply must bring it up in the meeting this afternoon!"
Theo beams back, and he's confident that this one is genuine.
They chat a bit more about the goings-on among the Order - Theo participates in meetings but hasn't been allowed out to do any field work as of yet, so he's not always up to date on the latest raid outcomes - and Mrs. Weasley even makes him some fresh sausage, so all in all he thinks he's wearing her down. Hopefully he can get her onto his side soon so he can start working on her husband as well.
Arthur Weasley is a strong-willed and principled man, which is why he's one of the Order's staunchest supporters. It's also why he so far has refused to even try and speak with Theo, or mask his suspicion of the younger man. Arthur Weasley is about as stubborn as they come and Theo has very quickly realized he'll need to get the rest of the Weasleys on his side before Arthur budges on his opinion.
So far the wooing of Molly Weasley is going well, and the twins already have some exposure to him due to Potterwatch, plus Lee likes him which helps on that front. Bill seems relatively at ease with him as well after they'd gotten to know each other during the actually planning and building of the HQ, and he gets on with Fleur too boot which definitely helps out.
He's a bit nervous about Ginevra - he hasn't met the young woman yet but he knows that she'll be moving in with them when she comes home for Easter break in two weeks. Theo knows at least part of today's meeting will involve how to get her away from King's Cross and safely to HQ when the Deatheaters will inevitably be watching her every move in hopes of finding her family.
She's also the Weasley's only girl, and he's relatively sure that if he can earn her trust, the rest will warm up much quicker, but if he instead makes her angry? He shudders and decides he'll just have to make sure she likes him.
He finishes up breakfast, cleans his plates and offers his help ("Oh that's so sweet of you dear but I"m alright. I think Kent arrived a few minutes ago, you go see him!") before leaving the kitchen and setting out to see who else has already arrived for the meeting. May as well start gauging how welcome he'll be in the room, as well as who he should sit beside.
He spots the Weasley twins and Lee inside the room that's been set up for Potterwatch broadcasts, and he returns the enthusiastic wave Lee gives him. George glances up and gives a small smile as well though Fred remains firmly focused on his work, apparently not even noticing Theo's presence. Not wanting to interrupt their work he quickly moves on.
Kent has indeed already arrived, along with Willow and Jemma Tremlett (and isn't she a rare sight these days) and the three are chatting with Bill and Fleur, who must have apparated over from Shell Cottage early.
Fleur smiles brightly when she spots him, and waves him over. "Theo! So good to see you, how have you been?" She asks as he takes the offer and takes the open spot beside Willow.
The two of them still have a bit of a cool relationship, but he can tell that Willow is trying, so he tries as well. And he does like her - she and Kent work well together and he think if anyone deserves to find happiness during this awful war it's definitely Kent.
She nods to him as he sits, and he returns the gesture. "I've been alright." He replies to Fleur's inquiry. "Same as always I suppose. Though the HQ is definitely a lot louder than it used to be so that's something I need to get used to."
Bill laughs. "Yeah, that's the Weasley's for you - you'll get used to it, and if not I still remember some strong silencing spells I used to use when I was younger." He offers.
It's a comfortable conversation, though Theo doesn't contribute much, opting to listen to the two couples and only inserting his thoughts when prompted. They're joined by Laurel and Eric Hobbes, as well as their daughter Victoria, maybe an hour later, and Theo willingly changes seats so the sisters can be next to each other.
He excuses himself entirely shortly afterwards, when he hears the doorbell, waving off Kent when the other tries to go for it himself. "I'm on it, I need to get used to answering it anyway." He points out, and it's true - usually Paulo or Ryuu would do it, even when it was only the three of them in the HQ. If Theo wants people to get used to him being around, he needs to be more proactive about, well, being around.
A small brunette is standing in the doorway, hair dripping, and a quick glance shows Theo that it's started pouring outside.
"Who're you?" The girl (woman? She looks young but her wariness would fit better on someone older) asks suspiciously. "Where're the twins?"
"Oh, you must be Leona." He says, the information clicking together in his head rapidly. He knows that Zoe has been having a harder time collecting information, so Lee had recruited a friend from the Wizarding Wireless Network who was already part-timing with the Order. She'd been around a lot when Potterwatch was first setting up, but Theo wasn't being very social at that point and hadn't actually met her. "Come on in, I can show you where the Potterwatch setup is. They moved everything when the Weasleys moved in to make room." He steps back to let her in. "I'm Theo, by the way. I live here."
"Oh, you're on the run then?" She guesses as she magically dries herself off and strides into the HQ like she owns it. "That ." She eyes him quietly after that as he leads her towards where Lee and the twins are probably still setting up, but just before they reach their destination she abruptly stops and snaps her fingers. "I knew I recognized you! You're Theodore Yaxley! That was big news you know, you running off after supposedly betraying your uncle and the Minstry. You're Undesirable number ten at the moment." She starts walking again, keeping up with her feet. "You were higher but then the stuff with Ron Weasley and his friends happened and the Weasleys all got bumped up, like, twenty spots and knocked you down. Did you know the middle one's gone missing? Never showed up to work yesterday - his girlfriend - former girlfriend now, maybe? - has his job now. It's all quite scandalous."
They've reached the Potterwatch room at this point, and it's clear the trio inside had heard the last bit. "Who's gone missing now?" Lee asks, half-curious and half-concerned. "Someone we know?"
"Percy Weasley." Leona supplies, and Theo doesn't miss the way her eyes flicker immediately over to the twins, clearly gauging their reactions. "Vanished on Friday, no one's heard from him since."
George frowns, brow creasing, but says nothing. Fred, on the other hand, snorts and rolls his eyes, finally looking up from whatever he'd been working on previously.
"He's probably off leading the troops." He spits angrily, ears flushing slightly. "Ruddy traitor."
Leona raises an eyebrow but moves on. "Alright then. Anyhow I've got more relevant news for the broadcast if you'd like to hear it."
Theo leaves them to it, honestly feeling a little sick at the show. Sure he knows vaguely that the Weasleys and Percy aren't on speaking terms, but he'd also vaguely known the Minister's Junior Undersecretary and Percy had never struck him as anything but hardworking and honest - not the type to be 'leading the troops' as Fred had said.
Apparently even on the "good" side families are messy and complicated. Who'd've thought?
He ends up wandering back to his room, suddenly not in the mood for small talk. His own mind is reluctantly being dragged towards thoughts of his own family, from his mother long buried to his father to his uncle - and who knows how they're feeling or where they're at now? Theo hadn't seen his father in weeks when he'd escaped to Kent's house - for all he knows the man could be dead.
Well, Uncle Corban would be pretty happy if that were the case - he'd always hated being the younger son. Theo can remember arguments between his father and Corban during the first war, when they'd been competing for importance among the Deatheater ranks. His mother had often interfered when those arguments had gotten too heated, after sending Theo to his room where he was supposed to not listen but did anyway.
They aren't particularly happy memories, but they have a haze of nostalgia blanketing them, and beyond that they make him miss his mother despite her having died when he was only eleven. Most of his memories don't include her at all.
But he spends an hour or so reflecting on the ones he does have, and he's startled when someone knocks loudly on his door.
"Hey Theo, lunch is ready and then we're starting the meeting so, like, come down if you want?" Paulo calls through the door. "Or not but I'm gonna eat your food in that case."
"Be down in a minute." Theo shouts back, reluctantly pulling himself off his bed as he listens to Paulo's, footsteps retreating to the stairs. He takes a moment to fully shake of his thoughts and then gets up and follows.
Mrs. Weasley has outdone herself, which is good because the kitchen is stuffed full of people. Several people are eating while standing up, and he opts to do the same once he's filled his plate, not wanting to try and fight for one of the few seats left available.
He finds an open wall next to Kent, who offers a grin.
"You sort of vanished on us earlier - everything alright?" He asks, and Theo shrugs.
"Yeah, all good. Went to show Leona to the Potterwatch room then took some me-time." He says, honest but not completely open, which seems to be the norm with Kent these days. It's not comfortable, but he doesn't feel ready to fully open up yet (or rather, doesn't think Kent needs that on top of everything else).
Kent nods. "Cool. Kingsley wants to talk with you before the meeting though, so probably go find him? When you're done eating, obviously."
Theo hums, wondering what Kingsley could possibly want. The other man had been in the year above Theo in school and they'd had a cordial relationship - perhaps even a friendly one - which has resulted in Kingsley being one of the Order members who had done the most to make Theo feel welcome. As such Theo knows he'll be more than happy to do whatever it is Kingsley will ask him to.
He does finish his food first, listening in on Kent's conversation with the Hobbes and repeatedly preventing little five-year-old Victoria from wandering off into the crowd. Once he's done he makes sure the little girl is holding her father's hand before heading into the fray himself to locate his old... friend? He isn't sure what to consider Kingsley Shacklebolt honestly, but he figures 'friend' is a close enough word to use.
The former Auror is in the middle of the mass, and Theo would have missed him if not for the fact he stuck out rather clearly as the only non-white in the room (which begged the question where Ryuu and Paulo had snuck off to). Still, it takes him some time to get Kingsley's attention. Once the other man spots him he quickly ends his conversation with Arthur Weasley and begins picking his way over to Theo.
"Mind if we move somewhere a bit quieter?" He asks with a slightly raised voice, and Theo is more than happy to agree to those terms.
They head into the hallway and end up in one of the first floor rooms that hasn't been turned into anything yet. Theo idly thinks it would be large enough for the mini operating theatre idea he'd brought up with Mrs. Weasley that morning.
"So what can I do for you?" He asks once they're both settled, and is surprised when the question seems to startle Kingsley, who blinks at him for a moment and then laughs.
"I actually didn't want to ask you to do anything." He says after a moment. "I just wanted to check in on how you're adjusting to, well, everything. I haven't been around much these past few months and Kent mentioned that you weren't speaking with him much either. I remember school, how much pressure you put on yourself to live up to your father's expectations-" He grimaces when Theo unintentionally flinches, "Sorry, but I imagine all this has been a lot for you. I just want you to know you can talk to me if you want. Slytherin to Slytherin. We snakes look out for each other, remember?"
Despite the uncomfortable knot that had twisted into his stomach at Kingsley's mention of Theo's father, Theo does crack a small smile. The prefects give that same speech to the first-year Slytherins every single year - it's drilled into all their heads by third year at the latest. "Yeah I know. I'm just... getting used to things." He finally says. "It's a lot of change all at once."
"And in the middle of a war." Kingsley adds with a sigh.
Theo glances over, hesitates, then asks, "Are you alright?"
Kingsley laughs. "Are any of us? I'm managing though, it's no worse than wrangling Tonks or Cla-" He cuts himself off, grimaces, then corrects himself "or Trainer Travers. The two of them during training about equalled the Weasley twins times two."
Theo raises an eyebrow, but doesn't push on Kingsley's slip-up. Having an ex on the opposing side can't be easy after all, and he remembers thinking that Clary Travers and Kingsley had been pretty cute, if unexpected, when they were together. "Well then it sounds like we're both doing fine." He concludes as lightly as he can. "Should probably get to the meeting room then, wouldn't want to keep people waiting."
He can feel Kingsley's frown against the back of his neck, but honestly he is doing alright, all things considered. He has a few friends, and he's settling in just fine. He has moments when he's slightly less okay, but everyone has those. His aren't somehow superior just because his are family-based.
The meeting room is already pretty full, though thankfully it's large enough that no one ever has to stand - Fleur had made sure of that during construction. Kent is already next to Willow and Minerva Seo, leaving no seats available on that end of the table, and Theo ends up finding himself in between Leona Poole and Hestia Jones, both women he's never really spoken with before, leaving him feeling generally uncomfortable.
Kingsley enters a few moments after him and promptly takes the seat at the head of the table, between the eldest Weasleys, calling the meeting to order. Everyone instantly quiets down at his presence, and Theo is once again impressed that someone only a year older than him, and a Slytherin to boot, weilds so much respect.
"Alright, a lot has happened since last month's meeting." Kingsley starts. "So I don't want to waste any time here. Leona, would you please share what you told me earlier? And Zoe, be ready to speak after her."
Zoe Wentworth nods while Leona shuffles next to Theo, standing up so people can see her clearly.
A quick throat clear, and then she's talking, and her work with the radio definitely shows in her pattern of speaking. "Thank you Kingsley. As most of you have likely heard by now, the ranking of the Undesirables has changed since the situation at Malfoy Manor - Bill and Fleur can update on that in a moment - but with this shift there's also been some changes in the Ministry structure itself. The most directly relevant shift for us is within the Snatchers. So far as I've been able to deduce in the past few days, they are no longer focused on finding Fugitives, but rather are preparing for an attack." She momentarily looks annoyed as she continues, "I'm yet to determine what exactly this attack is, but I'll have more information at the next meeting for sure." She says firmly. "All this has occurred over the weekend so I'll keep everyone posted as more information comes up."
Kingsley nods to her and she sits back down as Zoe stands across the table. "I can confirm that there's some sort of major offensive being planned - we've got some recruitment ads going on in the Prophet - more aggressive ones than when they were expanding the Snatchers. Something big is definitely going down. But besides that, we aren't running obituaries anymore, as of yesterday."
That gets a lot of confused stares and muttering, and Lee looks furious. Theo understands the young man's frustration - Zoe was their main source of information on the fallen, and as painful as it must be for people to hear their loved one's names on the broadcasts at least they know. That tiny comfort has now been taken away.
"Do you not get lists at all?" The dark-skinned man asks, clearly expecting a negative answer but hoping regardless.
Zoe shrugs apologetically. "Sorry Lee. I'm not sure why they've stopped, if it's because they know there's a leak or they want to hide if they lose any fighters before whatever this attack is, but that information well dried up overnight." She sits shortly after and the table's attention turns back to Kingsley, who also isn't pleased at the news, though he doesn't comment on it, instead asking Minerva Seo to share her findings for the week.
The young woman announces, bitterly, that her parents are no longer staying in their home so she no longer has access to their work. She also notes after a moment that it could also connect to the apparent redistribution of personnel that Leona had alluded to.
"And you might've been compromised." Willow points out wryly. "You aren't very subtle, and with this new initiative of theirs they might finally have decided to cut off your snooping."
Minerva doesn't look pleased by the thought but Kingsley quickly reclaims control before things can devolve into an argument. "Alright, finally Bill and Fleur would you two care to share what exactly happened at Malfoy Manor? I understand you two are currently housing three survivors of that incident, and considering the timing I believe whatever happened there directly led to the changes discussed. Any information you can share could shed light on the Deatheaters' new movements."
Bill is the one who stands, though Fleur looks ready to speak whenever she's needed. Bill clears his throat uncomfortably and takes Fleur's hand before he begins to speak.
"We only have second-hand knowledge of events," He starts, "But Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all captured by Snatchers led by Fenrir Greyback on March twenty seventh and brought to Malfoy Manor to be handed over to the Dark Lord. Dean Thomas, Luna Lovegood, Mr. Ollivander, and Griphook the goblin were already in cells in the basement of the Manor. They were rescued by Dobby before the Dark Lord's arrival, though Bellatrix Lestrange killed Dobby in the process." He pauses, frowning heavily, and though Theo has absolutely no idea who 'Dobby' is he can empathize with loss.
"Are they okay?" Mrs. Weasley asks softly, like she's scared to know the answer.
Bill manages a small smile at her. "Yeah, they're alright Mum. A little battered, but aren't we all. Luna, Dean, and Ollivander are all staying with us to get their health back up since they were all malnourished, but Griphook and the other three headed out on Sunday."
Mrs. Weasley looks torn between being glad that they have confirmation that the three are alive and in one piece and being furious that her oldest hadn't made them stay longer. Ultimately she says nothing, just nods slightly as Bill turns to Kingsley.
"That's really all we know." He says apologetically. "Those three weren't very open about what they're up to - but I'd wager that these changes have something to do with the Dark Lord nearly having Harry only for him to get away again. He's angry."
Kingsley nods in agreement. "And angry can lead to mistakes." He says firmly. "We need to take advantage of this shift while it's still in progress. But before I open the floor, Kent, what is the status of the Ministry recovery project?"
Ah yes, the MRP, headed by Kent and Ryuu of all people, and the one thing Theo is regularly involved with (aside from dusting) with the Order. He already knows that they haven't really gotten anywhere, so he tunes out and instead focuses on how to present his operating theatre idea.
Kent keeps the update brief and then Kingsley opens the table for any ideas people have. Theo lets a few other people raise their hands first before finally lifting his own.
"Theo?" Kingsley nods to him, and he nods back. He doesn't stand up - he finds it a bit silly to - but he does raise his voice so as to be heard.
"I think we should turn one of the empty first floor rooms into a makeshift hospital area." He says. Best to keep it simple. "We have the space, and with Mungo's compromised I think it's the logical next step in making this HQ fully functional."
Mrs. Weasley beams at him and he gives a small smile back, ignoring Arthur's frown at the exchange.
Eric Hobbes is nodding and looking at Jemma who's seated next to him. "That would be really helpful." He agrees. "I can see about drawing up a few diagrams of what we'd need, though we're both on shift most nights these days."
"I have Wednesday off." Jemma agrees, yawning. "And today, but that's because my patient died and they told me to take the rest of the day off. So I can help with the diagrams."
"We can see about setting up a few patrols specifically to gather what's needed." Laurel suggests, and Kingsley nods in agreement.
"We'll work that out afterwards." He says, before moving on to the next suggestion.
The meeting goes for maybe another hour, Theo doesn't really count, and then people begin saying their goodbyes and heading out. The Potterwatch team head to their studio and Theo decides to head up to his room again. However, halfway up the stairs he's stopped by someone shouting up after him to wait.
He turns and lets Kent catch up to him. "Everything alright?" He questions when the other man reaches him.
Kent raises an aumsed eyebrow. "Yeah, of course, all good. Just thought maybe we could chat for a bit, just, you know, catch up. I only really see you during meetings and stuff."
"And stuff. Very eloquent." Theo can't help the quip - Kent left himself wide open to it and he is admittedly feeling a little bit better than he was earlier.
Kent practically glows. "I'm taking that as a yes. Come on, let's sit by your window and gossip."
The phrase is, oddly enough, not an unfamiliar one - Kent used to make the same joke during their stakeouts whenever he got bored. Theo used to roll his eyes - now he just grins, quietly thankful for the unexpected offering of normalcy.
"Only if you bring snacks." He replies solemnly, and Kent takes a moment to be startled before eagerly giving an affirmative and darting back to the kitchen while Theo finishes the walk up to his room.
He leaves his door open, and Kent strides through it a few minutes later, arms laden with way more treats than Theo had actually been expecting.
"We're not eating all those." He says instantly, and Kent laughs.
"Probably not." He agrees, "But Laurel begged me to take everything so she'd have a legitimate reason to say no to Tori's request for sugar."
Theo snorts at that and grabs one of the cauldron cakes from the pile. "Well then, it's for a good cause." He agrees.
It's amazing how easy things are. They'd been easy those first few days as well, when Theo was staying in Kent's guest room, but that had quickly come crashing down when everything he'd done actually hit Theo about a week in. At that point he'd retreated into himself, trying to come to terms with things and not feeling comfortable with normal.
He's still not totally comfortable with it, and about thirty minutes and five more cauldron cakes in he blurts out a question that's been nudging at him for some time. "So I know I asked before, but why exactly are you so... trusting, of my being here?" He asks.
Kent blinks, then shrugs. "I told you, you're a good person. We're partners Theo, I think I know you pretty well at this point." He grins, then poses his own question. "Why did you switch sides then? If you'd feel better with me asking that."
Theo hesitates. Why? There were a lot of reasons, most of which he doesn't want to bring up right now when the atmosphere is so relaxed and open. So he decides to settle on an incomplete truth.
"It was the right thing to do, I guess."
Kent smiles, and for the first time in months Theo thinks the world is actually stable under his feet.
Author's Note: So things aren't perfect, but people are trying~ And isn't that what counts?
Next Time: Sometimes there's no choice but to trust in the kindness of others
So I'm thinking I might do a final 'afterwords' chapter to share my thoughts and feelings on writing this story, if that's something people would be interested in? I'm also open to answering any lingering questions people might have there as well!
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