"Ginny." Mark said.
"I heard him." Ginny replied, "How are you Kingsley."
"I'll be fine. Where's Minerva?"
"I'm sorry but she's dead. Flitwick and Hagrid are the only living members of the order and both are too injured to do anything. So it seems that I am Acting Headmistress and Interim Minister for Magic." Ginny said, "So what do you have for me?"
"Alright then Ms. Minister." Kingsley grinned, "It seems as though all who had the Dark Mark are dead."
"We know that." Ginny said, "When Voldemort died he took them with him."
"Who told you?"
"Cookie." when he looked confused Ginny said, "The only Hogwarts house elf still living. She's the one that said I was Headmistress and could operate the school gates and stuff. So far she's been right about everything. I've even had to set a password for the Headmaster's office."
"Ok, well then, there are still thugs running around looting and harassing people. The number of Aurors are very low. The majority were sent here. I was with the Muggle Prime Minister and we have an additional twenty at Azkaban and ten who were sleeping and never got notified about the battle. We have three in St. Mungo's that were injured last week so we should have thirty four with me."
"Unless they got out of the hospital before last night I wouldn't count on them." Ginny said.
"She's right." Mark said, "St. Mungo's was one of the places hit last night. Everyone who didn't get away is dead. Including patients."
"Have you checked on Azkaban?" Ginny asked.
"Yes, I was afraid they would break out some friends so I went there first." Kingsley said, "They were attacked but the attackers died five minutes into the fight. It was around midnight."
"That's about the time Voldemort was killed." Ginny said.
"Where were you?"
"Locked in Gryffindor tower for my protection. Harry even made the door disappear so I couldn't sneak out." Ginny looked a bit put out.
"Did he…"
"Harry killed him but it took that spell and he only lived for maybe ten minutes after." Ginny let one tear fall down her cheek, then she ruthlessly wiped it away, "Where are the ten who are rested?"
"Working the streets to stop the thugs. I told them to get help if they found any. Preferably Ministry employees in good standing. We don't want to have old snatcher groups trying to act as Aurors and start harassing people." Kingsley said.
"Good news." Ginny said, "Thanks for the update. Now go rest up, I'll be needing my Head of the DMLE as soon as you're fit."
"Yes Ms. Minister."
"Shut up and call me Ginny or you'll see that hex I'm famous for." Ginny grinned and walked away.
"Ms. Weasley." a woman called from down the hall and Ginny started towards her.
As the two men walked to the hospital wing Mark said, "Such an amazing young woman. Not even seventeen and she's leading a nation to recovery."
"But she's doing it to hide the hurt." Kingsley said, "I'm afraid she'll work herself to death."
"Don't worry. She has a personal house elf that will take anyone down who tries to mess with her." Mark said, "Earlier when a man wanted to talk to the person in charge I went to get her. I thought the elf was going to hurt me when Ginny woke up while I was there. "
"Is that the one named Cookie that she was talking about?" Kingsley asked.
"It is." Mark said.
"Well hurry up and patch me up. I need to be helping." Kingsley stated, "I need to find someone to start the floo system back up."
"She has that under control." Mark laughed, Kingsley looked at him wanting to know so he said, "Fudge tried to come in and take over. Wanted to be Minister again. She sent him off with his tail tucked between his legs and a mission to get the floo and portkey offices going again. And she wants him to get the Knight bus to pick up orphans or anyone else needing help and bring them here."
Kingsley couldn't help it he started laughing, "I would have loved to see that happen."
"What's so funny?" a voice asked, "I could use some good humor right now."
"Professor Flitwick." Mark said, "Good to see you awake. I'm Healer Mark Hills."
"What's funny?"
"He was just relating a story about Ginny Weasley. Mr. Fudge came in trying to be minister and she sent him off to fix the transportation systems." Kingsley continued to chuckle.
"Told him she was naming him Head of Magical Transportation and then asked if he could handle that." Mark chuckled, "That was right after she called for a vote and no one wanted to replace her with Fudge."
"Oh I would have liked to have seen that." Flitwick said after a few moments, "Why is Ginny…" His confusion wouldn't let him finish the sentence.
"I am the first order member here that was conscious." Kingsley said, "The battle was last night and only a few survived. You're the first to wake up. Harry stopped him but died."
"Oh dear. What of the rest of the Weasley's." Flitwick asked.
"Only twenty seven people survived the fight." Mark said, "None of the Weasley's are in that group."
"Who's running… is Ginny running the school?" Flitwick asked surprised.
"And the Ministry." Kinsley said, "She's made Hogwarts the center of activity and they are all looking to her as leader, even though there are many adults here."
"She also said only one house elf survived." Mark said, "Her name is Cookie and I think she's taken Ginny as her own personal project. She's not even wearing a Hogwarts crest anymore."
"Yes Mrs…" Ginny started.
"Williams. Connie Williams." the woman said, "We have something you're going to have to see. We've been working in the kitchens and had come down to start dinner." The woman led her to the kitchens as they talked. "You just won't believe what happened."
There was a group of women at the door staring in when Ginny walked up. Looking in she was shocked to see many house elves working in the kitchen. All of them had Hogwarts crests on their towels. Ginny raised her eyebrows until she saw a familiar house elf giving orders to others.
"Cookie, where did they come from?" Ginny asked approaching the elf.
"Theys all without families." Cookie said, "Theys be knowing about Winky and Dobby that came here so they came when they didn't have anyone else. But don't be mentioning paying them. Theys all proper house elves and won't like it."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Ginny said, "How can I ever thank them for coming?"
"No needing that." Cookie said, "Having a family to work for is all the thanks theys being needing."
"But…" Ginny started.
"Attention." Cookie said, "This is Ms. Weasy Headmistress. We's being doing what she says."
Several house elves approached, "Thanks you for giving us a home again. Can we's be getting you anything? What would you want us to be fixing for dinner?"
"Thank you for coming." Ginny said, "This is our biggest hour of need and knowing we have such wonderful elves helping us takes much worry from me. Thank you. No I don't need anything right now. Cookie can you help with the menu, anything's fine with me."
Ginny left and the other women followed, "Now what do we do?"
"We'll have more people coming soon." Ginny said, "Split up between the hospital, children's rooms and potion makers. Or you can just get some rest and spend time with your families."
Ginny made her way to the hospital and was very relieved to see Professor Flitwick awake, "Good news professor. We're back up to around one hundred house elves. As far as I can tell every house elf that lost their family came here to help."
"Wonderful." Flitwick said, "I understand you're doing a great job running the nation."
"I don't think I'd say great." Ginny chuckled, "I'll be glad to give it up to you when you're feeling better."
"Sorry, I can't let him up just yet." Mark said, "Maybe in a couple days. One day of healing isn't enough."
"Only one day?"Ginny said, "I feel like it's been weeks since the battle."
"It started less than twenty four hours ago." Kingsley said.
"Ms. Weasley." Fudge called, "Good news."
"Yes Mr. Fudge?" Ginny asked.
"The floo network is operational again. The Knight bus is running and will be dropping off the first wave soon."
"Excellent. I told you that you would make a good Head of Transportation." Ginny said.
"Yes, we still need to talk with the Muggle Prime Minister. Like I offered before I would be glad to talk with him." Fudge said.
"No need." Kingsley said, "I was there until three hours ago. I was assigned as his protection during the battle. He is well aware of our desperate situation at the moment. They offered financial help if we need it. I'm to let him know when I can."
"Good, one less thing to worry about I guess." Fudge said.
"How many do you have staffing the floo network?" Ginny asked.
"One for now, but that's all we'll need." Fudge said.
"Really." Ginny said, "And what do we do when that person needs to sleep or go to the loo? I think you need to get back and make sure you get enough people to handle the place well. We're likely to have a lot of traffic over the next couple of weeks and we don't need anyone getting exhausted."
"Yes. Yes, I can do that." Fudge said and began to back out of the room, "Just reporting progress and all."
"Portkey office needs a full staff to. We have people here that may be willing to help so ask around." Ginny pointed out.
Fudge left and the silence lasted about thirty seconds after the door closed. The three men she had been talking to all started laughing.
"Priceless." Flitwick said gasping for air from his laughing, "I would have paid money to see that happen."
"Me too." Kingsley was still chuckling, "I heard about the first time and was sorry I missed it. I'm glad I didn't miss it this time."
"What are you two on about?" Ginny asked.
"They just like to see Fudge sufferin." Hagrid said from his bed, "After what he did ter Harry he deserves to be sent off with his tail tucked."
"Hagrid you're awake." Ginny exclaimed, "I'm so glad. You just rest now, I've got some things to do. See you later."
The three men caught Hagrid up on what had been happening. The next morning Ginny was back in the Hospital. Professor Flitwick was sitting up and Hagrid was about to be released, "What do you need me to do?"
"Hagrid just do what you normally do." Ginny said.
"Normally I help out where ever I'm needed." he replied.
"You know what." Ginny said, "I never thought to look in the forest for injured people and animals. Maybe you should take a few people with you and check it out. Make sure they'd be able to handle anything you might run across. And make sure they know the Centaurs are to be treated like… well better than the Ministry used to treat them. We may make some headway in relations if we handle this right. Also if the Centaurs have any injured offer our help."
"You've got my vote for Minister." Hagrid grinned.
"No thanks." she replied with a grin herself, "I'll be glad to give it up when someone comes to take over."
"As long as it isn't Fudge." Flitwick said.
"Yes exactly." Ginny said. Hagrid chuckled as he left the hospital. Ginny turned to her Professor, "When do you think you'll be up to taking your job back?"
"Not yet." Mark stopped her, "I want to make sure he's in good shape. You're doing a fine job."
"If I'm doing so well why did I just now think of the forest?" Ginny asked.
"I didn't think of it either." Mark retorted, "Neither did anyone else. No one is expecting you to be perfect. If they do then I'll have a word with them."
"Here, here." Flitwick said then yawned hugely, "I'm afraid I need some more sleep. Sorry to be burdening you with this."
"Think nothing of it Professor." Ginny said, "I just don't want you think I want to keep the job."
"By the way, you're Head Girl next year." the professor rolled over and went to sleep before she could respond.
"Great, just what I wanted." Ginny said sarcastically, she then asked, "Where's Kingsley?"
"Our esteemed Head Auror went to check his staff. He didn't want a dressing down like Fudge got." Mark said with mock seriousness.
"Did you release him or did he release himself?" she asked.
"He's fine." Mark said.
By the end of the first week Ginny was finally relieved of all her duties. Kingsley had been made Minister and was busy reestablishing the Ministry and all its offices. Professor Flitwick had taken over as Headmaster. His first act was to give Cookie the house elf to Ginny. It was just a formality though as Cookie had been wearing a towel with the Weasley crest on it for almost a week.
Ginny sat in the Great Hall poking at her breakfast. Flitwick approached her, "Do you want company today?"
"No. I mean Cookie is going with me." Ginny said, "I can't stay there though. Can I just gather some things and come back to my dorm room?"
"Yes that's fine." Flitwick said, "What are you going to do with the place?"
"I offered it to that couple that wanted to take in those two families." Ginny said, "Their house was destroyed but they were willing to take care of six kids. I just want some personal things then I'll leave the rest for them." Later that day Ginny was back. She put all her mementos in her dorm and made her way down to dinner. After she had finished poking it to death she addressed her Headmaster, "I'm going to start sorting out the Library. It's a mess; Hermione would be having a fit that I didn't get to it before now."
She walked into the library and immediately put her hands over her ears. An unearthly screeching was coming from the restricted section, "I think I'll start with the restricted section." she said aloud to herself. While wondering why no one heard that before today.
After grabbing the key and opening the section she grabbed the noisy book and slammed it shut. She worked for hours placing the books into the correct spot. It would have been faster if she could have just used magic but not knowing much about the restricted section she had to hunt for the spots for each book.
"You would think that she would have just put them in alphabetical order but no that would be way too easy. They have to be grouped by degree of nastiness or something." The section she was currently working on disgusted her. Every book seemed to have stuff on the cover. Everything from what looked like old vomit to dried blood adorned these books. Ginny had saved this section for last because she knew she would want a hot shower after touching them. After putting the last book on the shelf she decided to call it a night. She gave one more sweeping glance of the room looking for anything out of place. He eye caught on something glittering from a dark corner. "Great one more book." She looked for a title and then looked for its place. There wasn't an open spot on any shelf. She put the book in her pocket and decided to find its spot tomorrow.
When she reached her dorm she wanted nothing more than a hot shower and then bed. So that's what she did. But her night didn't go as planned. The funerals had all taken place the day before and she was still upset from them. Her nightmares came from all sides. Her torment was such that Cookie woke her and offered her dreamless sleep potion. Ginny declined and decided to just get up. Four in the morning was a little early to get up but she'd live.
"Why don't you read the book you brought from the library?" Cookie suggested.
"Good idea, maybe I can figure out where it's supposed to go." Ginny said. The book's title was "Time". It showed no author and no dates for printing. She flipped through the book not really reading it. Just taking in words that caught her attention. One word that caught her attention was catastrophe. She looked closer at the section and was very surprised at what she saw. The chapter's title was "Time to fix a catastrophe" just what I need she thought. She started reading the section. What she found amazed her. It talked of a potion that could send you back in time one month. It could only be used when a great catastrophe had taken place. Two people must survive the event unscathed and if they are both willing they could go back and try to fix it.
Ginny was sure that what she was reading was probably illegal. She even questioned if it could be possible. But the more she thought the more she wanted it to be true. She began to speculate in her mind, "I wonder if it has to be two people. I wonder if it could just be two magical entities. I wonder if it could work with a house elf." Ginny wouldn't force Cookie to help her but she would ask her what she thought. She was sure it would be dangerous and that they could possibly die if this didn't work right.
"Cookie."
"Yes Missy."
"I want to ask you a question. When I ask this I want you to think about it before answering. This is a very dangerous task I'm going to ask you to do but you have to be willing to do it. If you have any reservations about it we can't do it because it won't work. So please be honest with me and don't just tell me what I want to hear."
"Yes Missy, I'll listen and answer honestly."
Ginny told her about the potion. What she expected to happen, what her questions were and what could possibly go wrong. There were great risks involved including being arrested if it was illegal. Ginny was honest about what she understood and what she didn't. She wanted the elf to know that she didn't know what she was doing or exactly what would happen.
After Ginny finished Cookie left to think about what she was being asked to do and promised not to reveal it to anyone. The next night Cookie woke Ginny just before midnight, "I's be going with you. I's brought a cauldron. The book said its needing to be started at midnight, we must be hurrying."
Ginny jumped up sleep forgotten. She set up an area and started the potion. She was meticulous in all her cutting and stirring. Even Snape would have been proud if he could see her, she thought. When the potion was finished it had to sit until midnight then they would add one last ingredient and they would leave. She didn't want to destroy the dorm room so she decided to move it to the Great Hall after everyone went to bed the next evening.
"Missy." Cookie said, "I's been thinking. If we die we won't be able to fix anything."
"You're right. Maybe I should write everything down. Then they can get prepared." Ginny pulled out parchment and started writing. Once finished she packed and shrunk everything she had taken from the Burrow and her own belongings. Then she sat down to write one more letter. This one she would leave for Professor Flitwick and Minister Shacklebolt. Her day went quick enough and soon it was dinner.
"Ginny are you feeling alright?" Healer Mark had taken over for Madam Pomfrey.
"I didn't sleep well last night. I'm going to make an early evening of it."
"Ok, do you want to take a walk first?" he asked.
Ginny was shocked for a moment. Was he asking like a guy who liked her or as a healer who wanted her to get fresh air? She decided it would be as a healer because she didn't want to go where the other idea was pointing, "No thanks. I think I'm going right to bed." She then yawned for good measure.
Just after eleven Ginny got out of bed and got dressed. By the time she was ready and had levitated the cauldron to the Great Hall she had five minutes left. She set up the cauldron and prepared to add the last ingredient. It needed three drops of blood from each of the participants. As gently as she could she poked the elves finger and extracted three drops of blood. She healed it then did the same to herself. Finally she started the incantation. When she finished there was a bright flash of light and then a rumble like thunder that shook the building. But Ginny and Cookie didn't hear it because they were already gone. In another time the residents of Hogwarts heard a rumble like thunder and felt the castle shake with it.
After hearing and feeling the rumble Headmaster Flitwick raced to the Great Hall. There he met Healer Mark who was standing at the door reading a note that had been stuck to it. Ginny explained what she had done and why. She hoped they understood and would forgive her. The two men then looked at the mess in the Great Hall. Tables were toppled over and a cauldron was smoking in the middle of the room but the girl and the elf were gone.
