Chapter Eight
Minister Shackebolt
Harry and Ginny snuck out of the house early in the morning just before the sun rose. Today was July 1st and she would be going back to Hogwarts for her expedited summer term. Her and Harry were going to spend their last few moments together before her departure. They went outside with their hands inseparably clasped together. Like many mornings prior, she sat with her head and his chest on the grassy hill next to the Burrow. No words were spoken as they watched another cloudless sunrise.
Ginny had already packed the night before and avoided the usual last minute Weasley rush. After a filling breakfast, they departed for King's Cross station. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley arrived at the magical wall leading to platform nine-and-three-quarters an astonishing seventeen minutes before eleven, probably the earliest they have ever been. Ginny went first with her trolley full of her trunk and personal belongings. She had Arnold, her Pygmy Puff, with her as well. Ron and Hermione went through the barrier followed by Harry and eventually Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. The platform was more crowded than Harry had ever seen it much to Harry's surprise since no new first years or seventh years were going to Hogwarts for the term. Many people were happy to be able to leave their dwellings without fear that many parents and friends came to the platform even if they didn't know anyone going back to Hogwarts. Bill, Percy, and George even came to surprise the Weasley family. Harry noticed the three laughing and wondered if they were actually laughing together or George and Bill were tormenting Percy. Mrs. Weasley was more enthusiastic to see them than anyone else and bolted over to them and individually gave them a strangling hug.
"What a surprise!" said Mrs. Weasley. Ginny followed over and greeted them with a loving hug that was much less enthusiastic than Mrs. Weasleys'.
"We wanted to see our favorite sister off," said George.
"But I'm your only sister."
"Exactly," replied George.
Ginny gave a sarcastic laugh and gave George a nudge on his side. George lunged towards Ron and put him in a headlock and rubbed the top of his head forcefully.
"How're you doing Ronnie?" said George.
"AH! Gerrof me!"
Ron wouldn't dare retaliate in fear of being scolded by either Hermione or Mrs. Weasley. While the Weasleys and Hermione were engaged in conversation, Ginny gestured her eyes away from the circle and Harry understood and started inching away. Harry and Ginny walked away towards the other side of the platform. Several people stared and pointed at Harry and others gave him a pat on the back. He followed Ginny to a secluded corner near a stairwell for a bit of privacy. She stared into Harry's eyes not knowing what to say.
"I can't wait till we can go together," said Ginny.
"Me either," replied Harry. That was all Harry could say before they started snogging. Ginny wrapped her arms around Harry who returned her embrace with enthusiasm. The two spent several minutes exploring each other's physicality before Hermione, loudly clearing her throat, broke them apart. She had a wide grin on her face.
"It's almost time," said Hermione as she fiendishly stared at Harry.
"Oh…. right," replied Ginny.
Ginny's face was red and she was fumbling with her trolley before the three left the secluded corner. It was three minutes for the train was supposed to leave. Mrs. Weasley didn't phase the disappearance of Ginny and Harry at all and screeched at Ginny for almost missing the train.
"There you are!" barked Mrs. Weasley. "and you haven't even put your trunk on the train yet!?"
Ginny glanced back at Harry with a disgruntled look on her face and Harry and to cover his mouth to hide his laugh at Ginny's scolding from her mother. She winced her eyes back at Harry and she was whisked away by Mrs. Weasley. Ginny boarded the train and Harry tried to look for her compartment window and quickly walked along the outside of the train looking for Ginny. He finally found her in an empty compartment and she opened her window as the train's whistle blew and wheels began to turn.
"Write me," said Ginny.
"I promise," replied Harry. "Every day if you want me to."
Ginny smiled and gave Harry one last kiss before the train gathered speed. Ginny waved at Harry and looked at him until the train rounded the curve and obscured her vision. Two long months would have to pass before he could see Ginny again.
The remaining six Weasleys with Harry and Hermione went to have lunch in Diagon Alley. They all sat down and George pulled Percy's chair out for him.
"After you Order of Merlin recipient," teased George.
Percy responded by pulling George's chair out.
"No no no, I insist Order of Merlin recipient," replied Percy as he mockingly saluted George.
"I must insist sir George, I would be honored to serve you sir George," continued Percy. Harry thought Percy had been imperiused but Percy then gave a playful jab to George's ribs. George smiled and waved his wand at Percy's chair as he was sitting down and Percy lost his balance and fell flat on his backside on the floor. George, Ron, and Harry roared in laughter and Percy got up with a smile on his face and threw a teacup at an distracted George and hit him right in the eye but the cup didn't break.
"BOYS!" yelled Mrs. Weasley.
George and Percy quieted down but still had wide grins on their faces and eyed each other down with the "We're finishing this later," look. Percy's attitude dramatically changed. He was not as serious as he was when he worked at the ministry for the first time. Maybe he wanted to appeal to George more after Fred died. Nevertheless, Percy became more respected by George.
Harry changed the subject.
"I'm not accepting my Order of Merlin," said Harry.
Everyone but Hermione and Arthur looked at Harry as if he had just been hit over the head with a bludger.
"That's perfectly fine Harry," said Mr. Weasley. "Kingsley already suspected you wouldn't want them."
"Smart man," Harry thought.
"Minister Shacklebolt," Mr. Weasley continued but stopped. "I think that name fits Kingsley rather well. Mr. Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt. Anyway, Minister Shacklebolt wants to have a meeting with you today at the Burrow Harry if you would like."
"I don't mind," replied Harry.
"Good," said Mr. Weasley. "George, why don't you send the Minister a patronus telling him we'll be home in two hours."
George pulled out his wand. He trembled.
"Expecto Patronum!"
Nothing happened. George cleared his throat.
"Expe- Expecto Patronum!"
Nothing happened out of George's wand. George began to fumble, even dropping his wand.
"No worries George," said Mr. Weasley. "Expecto Patronum!"
Mr. Weasley's patronus burst out of his wand and appeared outside the window.
"Harry would be delighted to meet with you. We will be at the Burrow in two hours."
The patronus then left to be delivered to Kingsley.
George did not smile through the rest of the meal. He could not produce a memory happy enough to make a patronus and Mrs. Weasley saw George and held his hand and patted it. She knew what George was going through. For as long as George would live, he will never produce another patronus charm ever again.
Exactly two hours later, Harry heard a pop outside the Burrow. The Minister of Magic appeared in the garden of the Burrow and was dressed in a exquisite muggle suit and tie. The suit was tailored to fit Kingsley's broad height and was a welcome surprise compared with the robes he usually wore.
"Ah Molly, good to see you, may I be invited into your humble home?" Kingsley politely asked.
"Of course Mr. Minister!' replied Mrs. Weasley.
Kingsley smiled and entered the Burrow and looked at Harry. Harry smiled and greeted Kingsley, who was the first Minister of Magic that he fully respected. He had fought with him in the Order of Phoenix for practically every battle with Voldemort's forces.
"Hello Kings- I mean Mr. Minister." Harry said at he held out his hand and Kingsley grasped it.
"Good to see you Harry." Kingsley replied. He turned towards Mrs. Weasley. "May I sit down?"
"Of course! Make yourself at home," said Mrs. Weasley.
Kingsley nodded politely and took a seat in an armchair. Ron and Hermione were in the kitchen with Mrs. Weasley until Kingsley gestured them over.
"This is merely an informal meeting," Kingsley said. "Pardon my attire." He rubbed his suit. "I just had a meeting with the muggle Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street telling him that everything is mostly safe on our end."
"I came here today wishing to tell you that there is a new resistance forming. Followers still loyal to Voldemort mostly. Rodolphus Lestrange is the leader of the resistance," said Kingsley.
Mrs. Weasley stumbled and looked embarrassed as to hide the fact that she was eavesdropping.
"I wouldn't be worried at all if I were you lot." Kingsley continued. "The resistance is so small and almost non-existent. We believe Rodolphus is out of the country trying to gain followers but he has been unsuccessful from what we've heard. We've placed a reward for his capture and we will continue to look for him but he's not the reason I came today. I came for two reasons." Kingsley began to drink his tea that Mrs. Weasley brought in. "I came to confirm that you are not accepting your Orders of Merlin Harry?"
"That's right," replied Harry. "Wait. I have more than one?"
"Indeed you do Harry," Kingsley continued. "The Wizengamot has agreed to award you with a total of six."
Hermione and Ron choked on their tea and almost spat it out. Harry was taken aback by this piece of information.
"Six!?" he asked.
"Correct." Kingsley began. "One for your defeat of Voldemort himself, one for your fight with him in the Little Hangleton graveyard and bringing Cedric Diggory's body back, one for your actions in protecting the Philosopher's Stone, One for your actions in the Department of Mysteries, your actions in the Chamber of Secrets, and the sixth one was awarded to you by myself personally in private, for your actions in the Forbidden Forest on the night of the battle, which I don't have to tell you that it shouldn't be repeated." Kingsley leaned in closer to Harry and whispered to him but it was still in a deep tone. "Do you remember where you dropped the Resurrection Stone Harry?"
[Author's Note: Above. One for your actions in protecting the (Sorcerer's Stone). For the readers in the United States.]
"How did you know that?" replied Harry, completely bewildered as to how he knows this information.
"Do you know where?" He continued.
"I do not," Harry continued. "It's lost."
Kingsley smiled.
"Good," he said. "Very good Harry. Dumbledore taught you well Harry."
Harry smiled at this compliment.
"Thanks Minister," Harry replied.
"Please Harry, call me Kingsley," Kingsley chuckled.
Harry smiled back.
"Sure think Kingsley."
"I will be sure to leave your name out at the ceremony we are having at Hogwarts for all the Order recipients." Kingsley continued. "I also came here today to confirm your story about Severus Snape. I have heard from McGonagall.
Harry stirred in his seat. "Everything is true Kingsley."
Kingsley smiled.
"It appears we were all wrong about him then. I assume you won't be opposed to me giving him an Order of Merlin posthumously as well then?"
"Not at all," replied Harry.
"Excellent, I'll let the Wizengamot know. Well I guess I'll be going then."
Kingsley got up and thanked Mrs. Weasley for the tea and walked out the Burrow door.
"Good to see you Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger."
"Good to see you too Minister," Ron and Hermione said simultaneously.
"If you need to meet me for anything Harry, don't hesitate to ask me personally at the Ministry. You are free to come without appointment, my secretary already knows," said Kingsley.
"Thanks, I'll be sure to remember that," replied Harry.
"See you on September 1st," Kingsley said.
"See you then," replied Harry.
Kingsley walked out the Burrow door and disapparated.
