Chapter 2

Life After the Ministry

Harry and Hagrid arrived in the drive of the burrow, and Hagrid immediately began running towards the house. "C'mon, Harry!" he yelled behind him. Harry ran to catch up, his supplies following close behind. When he got to the door, Hagrid was already knocking.

"Who's there?" a slightly weary voice said from inside.

"I's me, Molly, with Harry." The door swung open fast.

"Oh, thank goodness, Rubeus. I was worried something might have happened." She ushered them in and sat them at the table, where soup, bread, and tea were already waiting for them. "It may be cold."

"Qui' worryin', Molly. I ain't been gone tha' long," Hagrid said, sipping his tea. Harry's head was spinning. He had so many questions to ask, he didn't know where to begin. Deciding to keep it simple, he asked the most obvious one first.

"Hagrid, why did I just perform magic in my front lawn and not have to worry about what would happen to me? Underage magic is only allowed if I am in mortal danger."

"Oh, dear. He doesn't know, does he?" Molly said, looking worriedly from Hagrid to Harry.

"Harry, have yeh been getting' the Prophet, lately?"

"Can't have. Vernon caged and locked all my windows, leaving me with no contact to the outside. Why?"

"Harry, dear," Molly cut in, "the Ministry is gone. The death eaters stormed it and took over the day after Dumbledore-" she trailed off.

"We had ta get yeh out of yer uncle's place, Harry. Dumbledore's portrait told us tha' his spells to protect yeh wore off when he passed." Harry felt knots forming in his stomach. He could never understand why he, someone who had already dealt with more death than any 16-year-old should have to bear, always became squeamish at the thought of a loved one not being there anymore.

"So, with the Ministry gone, who's fighting off Voldemort?" Harry asked.

"Well, it's primarily been the Order, but other groups like us have been popping up all over the world."

"I've missed a lot, haven't I?"

"Yes, Harry. With Dumbledore gone, it seems like nothing is stopping You-know-who and his followers. But you need to be getting to bed, we'll discuss this in the morning." Harry started to say no, but Molly cut him off. "No arguing. Go straight up there. You'll be in Ron's room."

When Harry woke the next morning, there were others waiting in his room to greet him. Ronald Weasly, Harry's best mate from school, and his twin brothers, Fred and George, were sitting in the corner of the room whispering. At the sight of Harry, they immediately stopped talking.

"What's it, Harry?" Ron asked after Harry's long yawn signaled him fully awake.

"How've ya been, mate?" Harry asked, deciding to let them keep their conversation to themselves.

"Pretty well, all things considered. Mum's a mess, and dad's hardly home. After the Ministry went under, he took up a post in the United Coalition."

"The what?"

"Oh, God, Harry. A lot's happened in the past few days. Although most of what Voldemort's--"

"Voldemort? Since when did you start saying his name?" Harry asked, shocked.

"I decided you're finally right. If I'm going to help destroy something, I figure I should be able to talkl about it without being a quivering buffoon," Ron said. "Anyhow, he's mainly affected Great Britain, but wizards all over the world remember the destruction of his last reign and have decided to help. We still have the Order, and a few small groups from some European countries, but the main defensive is made up of nearly 25,000 wizards from around the globe. We're called the United Coalition. I'm a member, so are Fred and George. Dad's a Colonel. I'm Lieutenant Colonel, as are Fred and George."

"Boys!" Mrs. Weasley called from downstairs. "Is Harry awake? Ready to come down for some breakfast?"

"We'll be right there, mum. Harry, we have to get you caught up fast.

When they got downstairs for breakfast, Harry was shocked to see so many people there. Tonks was sitting with Lupin, holding hands, Moody, Kingsley, Bill and Charlie Weasley, and many other Order members were there as well. Harry noticed that nearly half of them were wearing uniform robes, including Ron, Fred, George, and, amazingly, Ginny. Harry sat down across at the only empty seat at the table, next to Ginny. He could only suppose this was not done by accident, and Ginny would not even look over at him. They were in the middle of their conversation when Harry realized they wanted him to join in.

"-What do you say, Harry?" Lupin asked, as everyone looked towards Harry.

"I'm sorry? About what? I wasn't really listening."

"Well," Lupin said, "we got word that Voldemort is planning an attack tomorrow night at Beauxbatons. If you're up for it, we could really use your help."

Harry looked shocked. How could he be so calm about this? "Of course, I'll help. Why wouldn't I? I want to kill Voldemort for everything he's done, and I will take down any of his followers that get in my way."

"Harry," Tonks began, "I know you're angry, but you must not let emotions rule you in this. Remember that not everyone fighting for the Dark Lord is actually on his side. Most of the Death Eaters we come in contact with are merely taken prisoner. Maybe you should just stay here tomorrow."

"No! I want to help!" Harry was shouting, and the entire table looked shocked. "My family, my friends, and my mentor are dead, and I will do whatever I can to repay Voldemort for what he has done. If you do not agree with me, then you just don't understand what I've been through. I'm not going to sit here and listen to anyone tell me what I can and cannot do!" Harry's bottled up rage was being let loose on everyone around him. He looked over and noticed that Ginny was finally looking at him; but not the way he wanted. She had fear in her eyes, as if she feared Harry would lunge out and kill her any moment. A tear started to come to Harry and he stormed out of the house.

Harry was sitting on the grassy knoll that he and his friends had played quidditch on in years past. Time when they didn't have to worry about someone showing up and trying to kill them. When life was a little bit easier and all they thought about over vacation was how much they hated homework and wanted to do magic and that they were going to murder Snape for giving them a 4 scroll essay over break. Now all of that has changed, except that Harry still wanted to murder Snape but for a different reason. Hermione was right at the end of their fourth year; everything was different now. Harry sat there and hoped that days would return to normal. He wondered what he'd do now that he isn't going back to Hogwarts for his seventh year and if he'd ever be able to get over his fear of getting Ginny hurt. He missed being able to hold her in his arms and kiss her lips. His thoughts were cut off by someone coming up the hill behind him.

"Go away, Ron!" Harry said without even turning around. He did not want to be bothered right now.

"It's not Ron, Harry. It's me, Ginny." Harry whipped himself around and watched as Ginny came up and sat beside him. "Remember playing quidditch up here?" she asked. "Ron and I would team up against you and Hermione so that we actually stood a chance. This is where I come to think. Up here, you can see the entire countryside, and it's almost as if there's nothing wrong down there. It's just you and the world with no problems."

"That's absurd, Ginny. Problems will always be there and thinking they aren't doesn't make them go away. It's just a way for people to try and make themselves feel better."

"Well, don't we deserve it sometimes? Harry, life has been so hard; not just for you, but for all of us."

"What do you know about it, Ginny? Yeah, you've been through some tough times, but you still have your parents, you're not being chased relentlessly by an evil wizard, and you've never lost the ones you love."

"Yes, I have, Harry. I loved Dumbledore, I almost lost my dad, but, worst of all, I lost you, the one I loved most of all." She looked at Harry with tears in her eyes. Harry looked away.

"Ginny, I can't. Especially not right now. It's too dangerous for you. When this all blows over-"

"Harry, I am not going to wait. This could be years; it could be decades before this is all over. I want you now. It's just as dangerous being with you as when I'm not. I'm a member of the Coalition now. I'm at risk either way." She went to hold Harry's hand, but he pulled it away.

"I don't want my emotions getting in the way of what I have to do, Ginny."

"Your emotions?! Did you listen to yourself in there, Harry? You sounded crazy. You're letting hate, the worst emotion of all, run your life right now. How do you think Dumbledore would feel about that? Love is the strongest magic, Harry, you of all people should know that."

"I do, Ginny. My mind is racing, and there is nothing more that I would want than to be with you-"

"Then be with me, Harry! For Christ's sake, take me in your arms. I can't sleep since we've been apart. I think about you day and night. Just tell me that you don't feel the same for me anymore, and I'll leave."

"Ginny." Harry looked at her. He knew what he had to do. "Let me take you somewhere. Close your eyes." Ginny slowly closed her eyes as Harry grabbed her and, with a small pop, they were gone.