Chapter 1: Only the Beginning
"The ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."
These words had barely echoed off the walls before chaos erupted. There was barely any time to scream before people were disappearing left and right, Disapparating by those who could, those who couldn't hung on to those that could. Only a moment had passed before shadows of black robes and masks appeared, taking on any opponent in their path.
There was no time for Molly Weasley to be scared. There was a battle to be won, and it would be won on her own terms. Her faceless opponents all had a common goal: to find Harry Potter. Molly hadn't seen him in over an hour; the last time she spotted the red-headed Harry was during his conversation with Viktor Krum. This battle didn't last any more than five minutes; after it was decided that Harry wasn't here, the Death Eaters left just as quickly as they came.
Walking quickly from behind a row of bushes was an angry-looking Minerva McGonagall. She hadn't been able to come to the wedding or reception, but the appearance of Death Eaters around members of the Order of the Phoenix—and especially Harry Potter—worried her greatly and she Apparated immediately to the Burrow on Kingsley's say-so.
"Where is he?" Minerva demanded, her wand clenched tightly in her right hand. Molly had only remembered Minerva this combination of worried and angry once before, during the First War when Lily and James Potter were killed.
"We don't know," Molly said. "Ron and Hermione are gone as well."
Remus Lupin was making fast strides towards the two women. His dress robes were tattered and he was sporting a large gash on his left arm. "They left-Disapparated."
Minerva turned towards Remus. "I'm calling a meeting. I want the Order alerted and here within the hour. We have some serious news to discuss."
With that, Minerva McGonagall turned on her heel and headed straight into the Burrow. Remus sent out his Patronus, and without a second thought, headed into the house.
The Burrow was completely untouched by the outside events. The house was immaculately clean, if not overcrowded, but still the only piece of in-tact building within the vicinity of what were once the Ministry's powerful defensive spells. Remus placed his wand back in his pocket and allowed his mind to wonder to Harry. Where was he? What was he doing? Was he safe? His face had a distorted look of pain and worry.
Minerva sensed Remus's worry, but didn't allow her emotions to show. She had to act quickly. Since the Ministry had now fallen, Hogwarts would surely now be under Lord Voldemort's control. She would no longer be Headmistress, and her power to protect her students would be out of her hands.
Fred and George Weasley were the first of the Order to come inside. Without the looks of mischief on their faces, both Fred and George looked downright depressed. They sat silent on the couch, looking towards their former professor for any hint of instruction. Minerva felt her heart skip a beat as she saw the gaping hole on the side of George's head. Arthur had mentioned the incident and Minerva was immediately appalled by her former colleague's behavior, especially as it was aimed at one of her students.
Minerva was immensely protective over her Gryffindors. The sight of George made her cringe—and then realize that the war was all to near. She had moved on from Albus's death long ago, but having to look at the oddly-sewn skin was an another unfriendly reminder of the significance of the destruction.
"Cat got your tongue, Professor?" Fred finally asked. Minerva snapped back to reality, only to realize she had been staring at George.
George snickered. "Its two sickles to stare, and ten if you want to touch."
Leave it to the twins to make a joke at a time like this, Minerva thought to herself. She gave her famous glare to both of the twins and then put her focus back on the accumulating members in the room. To her left, Ginny was examining the bruises on her body while Molly and Arthur looked on. Remus and Tonks were to her right, both in a deep conversation Minerva was sure she didn't want to hear. Kingsley had just walked through the door and was approaching her—
"We don't have much time, Minerva. We need to mobilize and they could be back any second," Kinsley said.
"They're not going to come back if Harry's not here, and since he is currently traveling," Molly nodded to her clock, "they won't come back for a while."
Minerva and Kingsley had operated as co-heads of the Order since Albus's death. Kingsley had many more Ministry contacts than Minerva did, and so he operated as the Ministry arm. Hogwarts was always a vital part of Lord Voldemort's life and plan, and so Minerva tended to make decisions that pertained to the school. She also tended to make decisions regarding Harry. She and Remus both had his best interests at heart and tended to agree on many fronts.
Once Minerva saw that a majority of the Order was assembled- plus a few extras- Minerva cleared her throat and the room quieted down.
"There is no doubt in my mind that You-Know-Who will be taking control of Hogwarts. I will surely be removed as Headmistress and I can only imagine who will be taking my spot." Minerva felt herself shudder. Her eyes moved to Ginny, the only one in the room who would be back at Hogwarts.
"I don't think it is wise for Harry to return," Minerva began. In her entire teaching career, Minerva had never told a student not to return.
Molly looked on the verge of tears. "He's not coming back, Minerva. Neither or Ron or Hermione."
Minerva nodded. "Probably for the best."
"How much can we do until You-Know-Who makes a move?" Tonks asked, her hair changing to a fiery red.
"Not a lot, I'm afraid," Kingsley stepped in. "The Death Eaters don't know Harry isn't coming back. We'd best keep that to ourselves. We're going to need to step-up the protection at King's Cross anyway. Molly, I think the entire Weasley family should accompany Ginny this year. We'll do our best to get some of the Order there—Tonks, Remus?"
Remus looked at Tonks. He squeezed her hand and smiled. "We'll do it."
"What about Harry?" Ginny spoke up. Her eyes darted between Remus and Minerva.
"He's a grown wizard now. We can't go running after him, as much as we might want to. That puts him in much more danger than he already is now," Kingsley said. His words were harsher than Ginny wanted to hear.
"Do we have any idea of who's going to be running the school?" Arthur asked.
"Our best guess—and this was Albus's, as well—is Severus. You-Know-Who will probably place several more Death Eaters in the school. We've heard several names mentioned, but nothing concrete." Kingsley hesitated being more specific.
"But who would He trust enough to place in Hogwarts? Certainly not Bellatrix, definitely not Lucius Malfoy. Who are Draco's two best friends?" Tonks asked.
"Crabbe and Goyle," Minerva said immediately. "If brains are inherited, then I highly doubt You-Know-Who would send those two fools to run Hogwarts!"
"Minerva has a point. I've taught Crabbe and Goyle and they're not exactly the best wands in the store," Remus added.
Minerva sighed. Since the disappearance of Charity Burbage, the Muggle Studies teacher (Kingsley confirmed she had been murdered, after all), there was no doubt in Minerva's mind that whomever Voldemort would send to run Hogwarts, everyone within the castle would be in great danger.
"Do you have a plan, Minerva?" Molly asked. She was rubbing Ginny's back.
"Truthfully, no. I've been in constant contact with Filius, but there's only so much I can put in letters and the staff isn't back from holiday. They're not to report back until another week," Minerva explained.
"Then a week it is," Molly said quietly. "Arthur, let's see if we can't track down Ron."
"We can't have them contacting us. They'll be killed if their location is revealed. I have a sneaking suspicion they're at Grimmauld Place. Arthur, send your Patronus. That should be all the contact we have with them for the time being."
Remus spoke quietly. He stood up, took Tonk's hand, and with a few quick good-byes, the two were off.
Molly approached Minerva once the crowd that had gathered in the drawing room began to disperse. Ginny was limping up to her bedroom and out of earshot.
"I'm so sorry Bill's wedding had to end like this," Minerva said quietly.
"Everyone is safe. That's all I care about," Molly replied. She smiled sadly and her voice went down to a whisper. "I'm worried about Ginny. She was a staunch supporter of Harry and Dumbledore. I shudder to think what might happen if Severus is in charge. With Ginny being Ron's sister and so close to Harry…"
"Even if I am removed as Headmistress—which I most certainly will be—I am still head of Gryffindor house. I will do everything in my power to make sure Ginny is safe. All of my students, Gryffindor or not, have the right to be protected. I will not allow anyone to come in and use unnecessary actions. You have my word, Molly." Minerva peered down at her former pupil through her glasses.
"What are you and Arthur going to do about Ron?" Kingsley asked. "They'll be after him."
This time, Fred and George stopped through Molly.
"Allow us," Fred began. He bowed low, and pointed the way for Minerva and Kingsley up the stairs.
The unusual group made their way up the rickety old stairs of the Burrow. The attic was cramped with four adult wizards bent down attempting to avoid the low ceiling. The attic was crowded and dusty, but George managed to maneuver over the piles of boxes to a small back corner.
"Come on out now, you stupid git," George yelled. Neither Fred, Minerva, nor Kingsley could see what George was doing, but they could tell he was struggling. Soon his heavy breathing subsided, and soon George led over a monstrous-looking creature.
Minerva gasped, half-tempted to pull out her wand. Once she realized Fred and George were playing with—whatever it was—she relaxed.
"What is that?" Kingsley asked. Minerva could tell he was half-tempted to pull out his wand too, but thought better.
Whatever it was, it had bright red hair and postules all over its body. It was clothed in a wretched old pair of pajama bottoms and a Chudley Cannons t-shirt.
"Professor, Kingsley, I would like to introduce you to Ronald Weasley," Fred said proudly. The ghoul moaned.
"With spattergroit," George added.
"That is the most foul thing I have ever seen," Minerva said, surveying the creature in front of her with disgust.
"Dad did the Transfiguration bit with the red hair and all. George and I got all the little postules on there. Funny how much it looks like the newest sweet we're inventing," Fred said, admiring his work.
"Does anyone else know about it?" Kingsley asked.
"Doubtful," Fred said.
"Let's keep it that way," Kingsley said. "I really must be getting back to the Ministry. They'll be suspicious if I'm gone this long."
"Cheers, Kingsley. Come 'round the joke shop sometime. We'll give you great discounts," Fred said.
With a smile, Kingsley was gone, leaving only the twins and their former professor. The awkward silence that followed them down the stairs was still present when the twins and Minerva entered the drawing room to find Ginny in a hysterical fit and Molly attempting to calm her down.
"This will only hurt for a second. I just need you to hold still!" Molly violently took Ginny's left leg.
As Minerva moved closer, she could see the distinct outline of a broken bone. Her tibia was broken in at least two visible places.
"Whoa, Gin! Nice going," Fred admired.
"It was that stupid git Yaxley," Ginny managed. "I dunno what he did, but it bloody hurts!"
With a flick of Molly's wand, Ginny's leg was repaired. The pain was still etched on Ginny's face even though the movement of her leg was regained. Taking a deep breath, Ginny removed her hands from her mother's shoulders and limped over to faded green couch before sitting down.
"I must be going Molly. Keep me updated," Minerva said.
Molly nodded. "Of course. Take care. We'll be in touch."
Before Apparating, Minerva turned to Ginny. "Miss Weasley, you did quite well on your Transfiguration O.W.L. I would encourage you to get a head start on your studies."
"Of course, Professor. Thank you," Ginny said, smiling.
"Same applies to you, Professor. Come by the shop. We'll give you the best discount we can!" George cried.
"We'll even throw in a few portable swamps," Fred chimed in.
With all the self-restraint she could manage, Minerva Disapparated back to Hogwarts.