Strike
Ginny watched with worry as Voldemort began to duel with Harry. She felt the pull of the Imperius on Harry but she helped him to fight it off. The something unexpected happened. Voldemort casted the killing curse while Harry countered with his infamous disarming spell.
The spells connected the wands and a dome formed around them. "The moment that dome falls, we strike." Erik decided. Ginny looked into the distance. Nearly invisible against the night she saw the faint glow of turbines where the Ospreys hovered.
Ginny felt something through her bond. Harry way talking to somebody and it wasn't Tom.
~Harry, When you break the connection, we will still linger around for a second. Run for the Cup and take it.~
Ginny tapped Erik's shoulder to get the man's attention. "On my mark, attack. I felt Harry through the bond. Ghost will help him but he needs a distraction to get to us." The soldier nodded. The cup is also a portkey back. We will use it."
Erik keyed in the frequency of the helicopters and told them about the change of plans.
Fleur, Cedric and Krum dropped their disillusion charms and prepared an attack to cover Harry. They silently moved towards the portkey. One hand on the shoulder of the next they waited.
"NOW!" Ginny shouted.
They fired different curses. Fleur sent a Bombarda while Cedric used the stronger Bombarda Maxima. Viktor used a dark spell to blast the death eaters away while Erik fired his two pistols at the death eaters in a rapid rate. Ginny fired a strong Reducto, which turned half of the area behind Harry into a crater. Harry himself ran for them, firing stunning spells behind him. Beams shot out of the sky as the Group Green of the 13th Platoon engaged the death eaters. The earth was shredded by the shots that missed. Long traces were drawn when the gunners pursued their targets. Harry jumped forward and grabbed Ginny's outstretched hand. Erik nodded to Cedric who reached down and touched the portkey. The familiar pull ended abruptly when they landed in an entangled heap on the grass. Cheers erupted as they landed.
Erik pressed on his ear piece. "Guns dry, breaking away. Flight mode engaged. All units accounted for. Buster!"
Erik let himself relay against the ground. "We did it."
Ginny pulled Harry into a tight embrace. ~I thought I lost you back there.~ She cried.
Harry summarized the story for Dumbledore after they retreated into his office. The other champions added some details but remained silent otherwise. Crouch Jr. was placed in a room with six soldiers to guard him and another squad of four in front of the door. Spells and Charms to keep him in there were placed by Snape and McGonagall.
Madame Pomfrey had beds ready for them. Erik was the only one who didn't need a check-up as his armor checked his vital signs and he had his own medics to worry about him.
Harry told Dumbledore and Sirius all about the happenings on the graveyard. "If it hadn't been for Ginny, I probably would have lost the moment he used Crucio on me."
He proceeded with the ritual Voldemort did. Erik and Ginny added a few things from the sideline when he stopped. Then Harry told what happened in the dome.
"Priori Incantatem." Dumbledore muttered. He quickly explained roughly what the spell did.
Later they gave Harry a sleeping potion to accelerate the healing spells Poppy used.
Harry woke to loud shouting. "Can't they be quiet?" Petunia asked from her chair next to him.
With a crash the doors flew open. Fudge rushed in, closely followed by a fuming McGonagall and Erik and his two squads of guards.
"Where is Dumbledore?"
"Minister!" Mrs Weasley replied angrily. "This is a hospital wing!"
Just in this moment Dumbledore walked in. "Minerva, I'm surprised, shouldn't you be guarding Crouch?" "No really need for me to be there."
Fudge began to shout. "I demand compensation!" "What happened?" the headmaster asked. "When Professor McGonagall informed the minister about us capturing a death eater responsible for this whole dilemma and the happenings at the world cup he felt that his security was threatened and brought a dementor as his bodyguard." Snape sneered. "The moment that thing entered the room Crouch was in..." "It jumped him instantly." Erik took over. "My soldiers saw the well-being of the prisoner, which was our only lead on what exactly happened in the grave yard, threatened and reacted accordingly."
"What do you mean by accordingly?" Dumbledore asked. "We tried to detain it. When it didn't listen to commands we fell back upon more aggressive measures." "Which means?"
Minerva explained. "They shot the beast. The room was completely destroyed. They began shooting and when they stopped the dementor was gone. Only the robe, riddled with holes fell to the ground. Crouch, however, is lost. He can't get any coherent sentences together. He is in the same state as the Longbottoms."
Dumbledore stroked his beard. "I fail to see why the minister demands compensation. He clearly breached a zone set up by the soldiers with my approval." He turned to Erik. "You warned him about it?" The soldier nodded. "I and four more soldiers were guarding the door. Myself blocking the front with two flanking me and the other two blocking the corridor. We warned the minister that we will act accordingly to the SAFETY Law. Mr Crouch Jr might be a member of a terrorist organization but he still is a sentient being. We are not at war so it is our duty to reduce unnecessary losses."
"HE IS A DEATH EATER!" Fudge screamed. "He is our prisoner. Thus he is under the protection of the 13th Platoon until he will face court." Erik retorted. His visor was centimeters away from Fudge faces. He jabbed the man. "Unless you want to face the ICW because of your apparent incompetence I suggest you STAND DOWN!"
Fudge went to rush out.
As the doors closed Snape suddenly dropped his sneerful face. "Pity. I thought I had to show him my dark mark." "Since when have you become such a prankster, Snivelus?" Sirius barked.
"Spending time with Lily Potter causes such things. Did you know that she and Alice were the prankster twins that nearly took your reputation?" Snape countered. Sirius eyes widened. "What? How do you know?" Snape grinned. "Never guessed that dark Severus would do so? I admit after my slip she stopped. But I was the one who helped with her potions and placed the pranks with the Slytherins." "So that whole 'I hate Harry because he is like his dad' …" Sirius began.
"I thought he was like his dad. But he is like his mum. I guess even the best pranksters grow up."
"No me!" Sirius laughed. "Are you serious?" "Yes, I am, in both ways."
Minerva smiled at this. Often had she heard this joke during her lessons.
The evening the whole school was in the great hall. Dumbledore gave a speech about the return of Voldemort and had the story verified by the champions. He announced, that with the consent of the other champions, Harry and Ginny were the winners. He gave them the one thousand galleons they won. The two were confused ,but Fleur and Krum ensured them that they had enough money already and also that they didn't really deserve it. "We only made it because you helped us." Krum said "You united us. That is the spirit of the tournament." Cedric explained.
The next day the school year was over. Hagrid shook hands with Madame Maxime before she pulled him into a hug. Bill and Fleur held eye contact over the event. Krum led the Durmstrangs onto the ship. He shook Harry's and Ginny's hands before he turned to Ron. "Treat her well." He said with a wink and a short nod towards Hermione. Ron blushed. He had wanted to ask for an autograph but now stopped. As the ship and the carriage disappeared the Hogwarts students marched towards the train station. The soldiers still maintained security but most had already withdrawn. Erik joined Harry and his friends in a compartment. When Hermione told them about Rita Skeeter, Malfoy entered. "Well, so you have captured the reporter bitch."
He continued his speech about the dark lord's return and the purge to free the pure blood.
When he finished Erik yawned. "I have heard more impressive Bad-Guys-speeches." Ginny laughed at that. Malfoy dropped into the free seat by the window next to Ginny. "Don't fret, Weasel. When the Dark Lord returns I will make you mine."
A dementor appearing in the compartment would pale comparing to the freezing effect Ginny's glare had. She stood up, effectively blocking Malfoy's escape. "What did you say?" She asked deceivingly sweet.
"Guys, I guess we should let them talk this out." Hermione said. The boys filed out, pushing Crabbe and Goyle out with them. Erik closed the door and leaned against the wall. Hermione placed a silencing charm on the door. Neville and Daphne came to them. Seeing Malfoy's two hencemen and Ginny missing Daphne got worried.
"Is Malfoy..." She began.
"Yep." Harry said monosyllabic.
"Is Ginny still.."
"Yep." Ron added.
"Aren't you..." She began again.
"Nope." Hermione replied.
The door was pulled open again, disspelling the silencing charm. Malfoy flew out, knocking his two bodyguards down with him. "Never even think about it if you don't want to feel my wrath. What happened today is only a taste of my anger." Malfoy scrambled onto his feet and fled, holding his robe close to his pants. "I hope you cleaned?" Ginny nodded. They got back into the compartment. Nothing was different apart from the cracks in the window. Reparo Daphne repaired the glass with a flick of her wand. Ginny sat on Harry's lap as did Hermione with Ron and Daphne with Neville to make room for the now arriving Weasley twins. After teasing their siblings about their relationship Fred and George talked a little bit about how Bagman tricked them. "But as you won and the champions all declared you two the winner he got free of his debts and gained money back. At least he had the back bone to give us our win. Five hundred galleons, do you believe it? Half to fund our new store. By the way Malfoy crossed us. What did you do to him?" Ginny grinned. "Gave him a piece of my mind. Told him to better not cross me unless he would do it in a friendly way. Maybe I frightened him worse than Tom. Maybe he will worship me with the same dedication." They all laughed at the imagination of Draco serving Ginny.
When the train arrived at King's Cross Harry and Ginny waited until the others left and stopped the twins. "Here, take it." "Harry, sis, we can't accept it." "We want to invest in your store. Everyone can use a good laugh now." Harry said. "Unless you want to suffer my new overpowered Bat-Bogey-Hex?" Ginny smiled deceivingly.
Out on the platform the next surprise was already waiting, this time it was Harry who got surprised. Petunia and Dudley were waiting for him. Petunia wore the uniform of the London Metro Police.
"What happened?" He managed to ask. Petunia hugged him. "I joined the police. I felt that after what I did wrong with you I should try to make up for it. Ginny is already helping you so I decided to help others. Also, Erik contacted us. We are the contacts for Task Force Cobra."
"Yep, we." Dudley added and revealed a small golden badge. "I got an internship with the police junior division."
Laughing the group dispersed in all directions. Petunia drove them home in her new patrol car.
The first two weeks were tiring for Harry. He exercised a lot with Dudley and Erik, both insisting that he should learn to fight the muggle way. He quickly learned the difference between the fighting styles the two had. Dudley's fighting was based on punches, clearly from his boxing lessons. Erik fought more with his legs, because he usually had a gun in his hands. He spoke to Ginny every night through the bond. They shared dreams where they enjoyed themselves. She was on a training run with Catherine. From her tales the woman was a real slave-driver.
His birthday grew closer. He didn't knew what was up as Ginny closed her side of the bond. He was occupied with Dudley in a fight. They exchanged punches and kicks until they came to a stop. "Tie?" Dudley grinned. As Harry went to read a book Dudley tried a new potion he made. "Here, good for a quick recovery after exercising. Harry took the vial and downed the potion. He felt really alive and relaxed at the same time. "Thanks, Duddles."
Harry woke with a start. The complete house was quiet. This was normal but Harry had a strange feeling that something wasn't right. He got dressed and slowly went down to the kitchen. Everything was completely black. Then the lights lit up.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Everyone shouted.
Harry blinked. "What?" Dudley laughed as he threw his arm around his cousin. "That potion I gave you yesterday was a sleeping potion. Couldn't have you awake too soon for the party.
Ginny practically nailed him against the floor when she jumped him. "Happy birthday, my love." She muttered into his ear before she nibbled it and kissed him.
"Now to the presents!" Sirius roared.
Harry grabbed the first one. It was from Hermione and, as expected, was a book about the creatures of the world. Ron had gotten him the usual chocolate frogs and the Weasley twins gave him one piece of each of their products. He opened a red present which was from Ginny. His mouth stood open as he pulled out an album. Flipping through it it contained nearly everything they had done since they got together. "Where did you?" Ginny tapped her head. "Used a pensive to get pictures out of my memories. Catherine helped me with that."
He opened a present from Sirius and Lupin. 'How to become an animagus' "For both of you." Remus whispered. Harry was really surprised to see a present from Snape among the others. Opening it he found three vials and a short letter.
"These are vials to help you find your animagus form.
I bet the mutt gave you the book on it and wanted you to meditate on it.
Becoming an animagus is far more easily with this potion. You can skip the testing out part and move to transformations and getting used to your new form directly.
Happy Birthday,
Your Severus
P.S.: Don't you dare call me that in Hogwarts."
He and Ginny laughed at the last comment. He pocketed the book and the vials. The presents from Bill and Charlie were useful as one sent him seeker gloves made out of the dragon skin of an Hungarian Horntail while the other send him a book on goblin laws. It was not hard to guess who sent what. Curiously Harry opened the small black box Erik gave him. It contained a pocket knife made out of scrapped tanks. Dudley got him a small survival kit including a compass, a mirror and a hydro- and thermometer. Petunia had a large trunk for him. "Lily's old things she left with me."
The party found its climax when Mrs Weasley brought out a large cake in form of a snitch.
Harry woke the next day, finding Ginny cuddling next to him in his bed. The party was a blurry but happy memory. A look under the blanket ensured him that nothing had happened between them.
The next week passed in a blur. Sirius talked with them about the animagi and had them take the potions to find their forms.
When they entered the dream world it was strange as they saw each other. Between them was a golden beam. A fire erupted and a phoenix landed on the beam as if it was its stand.
~We are phoenixes?~ Ginny wondered as she felt a chill down her spine. Looking to her shoulder she let out a shriek as a large snake winded around her and looked into her eyes. She recognized the brown eyes and the red lines along the sides and the eyes. ~I'm a snake?~
Harry looked down when something furry touched his hand. A large wolf was nuzzling him. It had black ruffy fur and green eyes.
~Looks like I'm a wolf.~
They slowly woke up, looking directly into the concerned eyes of Remus and Sirius.
"And? Did it work? Snivellus' potion didn't look right." Sirius asked. "I am a snake. Harry is a large wolf. We share a phoenix because of our bond, we think." Ginny answered. "Any description of the animals? I might find something on them. Erik said from the corner of the room where he was working on a computer.
"My snake was very long. I guess about two metres. And long teeth, maybe as long as my fangs." Erik showed her a series of pictures until Ginny stopped him. "That is it. The colouring was different but that's definitely my form."
Oxyuranus microlepidotus
Also known as the Inland Taipan. The most toxic snake on the planet. One bite has enough venom to kill 100 grown men. Average length ranges between one and three meters.
~Looks like Tom left more in me than the nightmares.~ Harry hugged her. ~No matter what form, I will still love you.~
Now it was Harry's turn to identify his wolf. Erik opened the files on wolves.
"That one. I simply know it." Harry pointed at a wolf.
Canis lupus occidentalis
Also known as the Mackenzie Valley wolf. Said to have magical abilities in contray to its mythical counterpart, the gray wolf. Average length about two meters, height about 90 cm.
Erik got both files and handed them out to Ginny and Harry. "You need to get familiar with the animals you can turn into." Sirius explained. "You go after your mother with this one." Remus said smiling. "She could turn into a wolf as well, although she had a fiery red fur."
"Somehow it didn't surprise me. Wolfs can hunt stags and Lily always had control over James." Sirius barked. "Back then we didn't have this potion and had to learn by meditation and read about the animal to understand it. This point goes to Snivellus. He knows how to make potions."