"But…" Molly protested as the kids and Minerva disappeared.
Arthur glanced at the note Bill continued to hold and blanched. "I'll raise the rest of the wards." He hurried inside.
Remus had already sent a patronus message off to the Aurors by the time Tonks asked to see the note.
Andy cleared her throat. "Molly, why don't we box everything up so we can take it to the Manor?"
Sirius was grateful to his cousin as she managed Molly through the work and into the house to deal with the rest of the food and Harry's presents. Ted followed along with his wife after Tonks refused to leave on the basis that she was an Auror in training.
Remus nudged Sirius. "Take the others to the Manor and reassure Harry. We've got this. Bill and I can deal with the Aurors."
Sirius grabbed a plate and turned it into a portkey. He stepped into the Burrow and headed for Molly who had just finished packing.
"This is just terrible!" Molly wailed. "Who would do such a thing? And on his birthday?"
"I don't know but when I find out they're not going to be fully attached to their limbs for very long." Sirius growled.
Molly's eyes met his and for once it seemed that they agreed fully with each other.
Sirius offered her the plate. "It's a portkey to the Manor. Andy, Ted?"
They hurried over carrying a box each. A second later, the whirl of the portkey deposited them in the reception room of Black Manor.
Penelope hurried in. "The kids are in the Summer room with Minerva."
Sirius nodded. "Thanks. Get Kreacher to set up the remains of the meal in the dining room, please. Molly, if you could come with me, Andy and Ted; we may have to calm the kids down."
Molly nodded. "What are you intending to tell the children?"
"The truth." Sirius said bluntly.
"It's too much for them!" Molly immediately argued.
"Molly, they already know." Ted said firmly. "Sirius telling them a pack of lies to try and cover up what happened will not help matters."
"You can't tell me that it's right that a thirteen year old boy finds out that someone wants him dead!" Molly said furiously.
"He's fourteen," Sirius corrected tersely, "and Harry is already very aware that there are people in this world who are out there and ready to do him harm – he knows Peter's still at large for one thing!"
Molly bristled.
Andy moved forward and placed a comforting hand on her arm. "Molly, Sirius is right. Harry's situation isn't the same as another boy his age. Harry is too famous in our world and the Boy Who Lived is a target. His last three years at Hogwarts have already shown him that. To deny that there's a problem will only make him chafe against the protective restrictions I'm sure Sirius is about to place on Harry for the rest of the summer. If he understands the issue, he is likely to take better care not to sneak out or leave his guards behind."
For a long moment, Molly seemed to struggle with Andy's point of view but she suddenly subsided, nodding unhappily.
Sirius bit back words of anger and sarcasm that she was finally allowing him to do what he wanted with his son. He whirled away and headed for the Summer room.
Minerva had them all sitting down on the floor in a circle but they got up hurriedly as Sirius entered, Molly, Andy and Ted trailing in his wake.
"Where's Dad?" Ron demanded. "And my brothers?"
Fred and George nodded anxiously.
"They stayed behind to help guard the Burrow until the Aurors turned up." Sirius informed him briskly. He held up a hand. "Before you ask any more questions, let me explain."
They all gathered in front of him quietly, Minerva bringing up the rear.
"The letter that was sent made a rather nasty if implicit threat towards Harry – and no, Hermione, you don't need to know exactly what it said." Sirius said gravely, motioning for Hermione to put her arm down. "Obviously we have to take it seriously especially as it was obliquely addressed to Harry but specified the Burrow."
"So it was from somebody who knew Harry would be there today." Hermione surmised.
"Exactly." Sirius said. "Now, while it is more than likely today's note was a warning spell across a shield rather than notice of an imminent attack, better to be safe than sorry which is why we've moved venues. This place, while not being as cheery or as welcoming as the Burrow, is a veritable fortress and nobody need worry about being safe here."
Susan raised a hand and Sirius nodded for her to speak. "Have the Aurors been called?"
"Yes, and the rest of our missing party stayed behind to speak with them." Sirius said. "In the meantime, I think we should get on and celebrate Harry's birthday and show whoever it was who sent that note that they can't spoil our fun! What do you all say?"
A round of cheers, even if some of them were a little muted, agreed with him.
Molly attempted a smile. "The food is out in the dining room so why don't you all go finish up your meal?"
Ron led the way and the others followed at a more subdued rate, Molly, Ted and Andy chivvying them along.
Harry lagged behind. "What did it say?" He demanded when the rest of the party were out of the room.
Sirius sighed, debating inwardly about whether Harry needed to know the exact message. "Do you really want to know?"
"Yes!" said Harry. "I should know! It was addressed to me! Bill shouldn't have read it first!"
"I acknowledge that someone else reading your mail is an invasion but it was warranted in this case," Sirius shot back, "and what use is knowing the exact words of the threat going to be to you, hmmm?"
Harry glared at him but eventually his shoulders slumped as he forced himself to think past his immediate want to know. "I just…was it bad?"
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