Rufus Scrimgeour had been in the office all night, well after twenty-one of his Aurors had been executed in their own homes, he had a lot of condolence letters to write. He also needed to question Nymphadora Tonks on how she survived and give whoever killed those Death Eaters an Order of Merlin Third Class.
He had just finished the first one, the one for Kingsley's parents. After all, after knowing someone like that it was hard to be familiar and personal with. It also meant he had to find someone else to guard the Prime Minister. He walked out of his office and took the elevator down to the Auror command. He walked into a storm.
'Amelia, I told you I can't say, I gave my oath, if I say anything, I die. If you drug or torture me, I die. Trust me, for Merlin's sake. You've trusted me with your life before. I've always trusted you with mine. Why can't you do it now?' Alastor was angrily biting at her.
'Because, they have my niece, my own blood, don't you understand Alastor? My only living relative.' She wailed at him.
'I get that, but she is safe. She's happy at the moment. She misses you, and you would have seen more of her if you had listened to her.' Alastor softened his tone trying to get her to understand.
'But she's a child.'
'Eda and El, you sound like Molly Weasley. How long before she can cast magic legally?' he asked patiently.
'She already can.' She retorted.
'Then she can take care of herself. We must let go at some point, we have to stand on our own feet and find our own way.'
Rufus chose to interrupt while it was calm, 'may I interrupt?' he watches as both occupants jumped. Such was the ferocity and focus of the argument they didn't notice the gaggle of people at the window wondering what the two were arguing about after last night.
'Minister,' they both greeted him. Amelia continued, 'how may we help you sir?'
'Well, I'm looking for Nymphadora Tonks,' he began
'Call her Tonks, you'll get on better with her.' Alastor informed the Minister.
'Ah, thank you Alastor, and what was this I was interrupting here. Alastor you know something of the where about of Amelia's Niece?' he asked pointedly looking at Alastor.
'Look, I know who it is, but I can't tell you. I can tell you she is safe, but I can't tell you where she is. I was lucky that they trust me. Trust me to be paranoid. They used the Wizard Oath and I swear it's the first time I've seen it act more strongly than Albus's.' Alastor told them, he asked questionly of Amelia. 'What did Susan say? Was she looking fine? Did she sound fine? Did she sound calm?'
'She said we would be seeing more of her soon. That's all I really took in, she was calm and resentful of me trying to take her. I don't get it, if I was being held prisoner I would resist every step of the way.' Amelia informed the two.
'There are some you resist, like Azkaban, and others you don't, when you have more freedom and security than you did in the outside world.'
'You make it sound like a holiday.
'It's a chance for them to learn and practice without fear.' Alastor said. 'I must be going, I need to find Tonks if you want to talk to her.' He stomped off.
'He knows!' Amelia said full of resentment, angry that she lost her niece that night and saved a friends life, a friend who wouldn't tell her anything about her niece.
In the lair, Blaise and Susan were getting geared for the first public appearance since their capture. Hopefully it would help calm the masses and galvanise support and action for the Ministry and from the Ministry. Equally Luna and Neville were preparing to see the bankers first about the will of Luna's father, and then find a new editor for the Quibbler; someone that was prepared to give the Prophet a run for its money in the truth sector. Ron and Hermione were going shopping in Muggle London, for clothes to wear at the royal garden party. Ginny and Harry were also going to spend the day shopping, well more looking, looking through his vaults at the clothes and seeing if there were any good clothes.
Just before they were about to leave, Hedwig gave a cry in the corner and flamed away.
'You lot get going Ginny and I will stay to see what Hedwig wants.' Harry told the others and so with a wave the others all left. Luna and Neville flamed Susan and Blaise to Gringotts where Blaise could sort out his finances as well.
Ginny and Harry sat down on the couch and cuddled each other enjoying the moment of peace and quiet.
'I think we need to look out for Luna, Harry.' Ginny spoke.
'I agree, she's a good friend, but I think she's beginning to crack. It frightens me, whose going to come out of the remains; A nice caring Luna or another Bellatrix.' He pulled Ginny in closer.
Hedwig flamed in again right in front of Harry and Ginny
My Harry and Ginny, Mad Eye is getting it in the neck from Amelia, is there any chance of another meeting? It would get Amelia off of his back. Also be careful Rufus suspects Alastor has good contact with the six mystery heroes.
'Thanks Hedwig.' Harry answered.
That's not all, Severus is now alone. He will be for some time.Tthis was the other thing, Death Eaters killed 21 Aurors in their own homes last night. Alastor and Tonks are alive, but Kingsley and more are dead.
A cold feeling entered Harry's stomach.
'We need to tell the others.' Ginny said.
'Could you please, and I'll get ready to talk to Snape as Harry.' Harry asked of her, she nodded her head and touched the tattoo on her arm.
Harry put on some armour, not the full body armour though, and took a knife with him along with a pistol, and Ginny soon joined him getting full armour on.
'I'm joining you, but I'll stay out of sight.' She informed him.
'Ok, I love you.' he said as he leaned forward and planed a gentle kiss on her lips. A few minutes later they were ready for one Severus Snape.
Harry flamed and Ginny followed suit a second later, Harry appeared in a small well lit kitchen to find a marble work surface and pots brewing away. Ginny arrived disillusioned, close by, in the dining room, empty of life, dusty and disused. She quickly stalked through the house to Harry's' location and took a point by the door.
Severus was tired after last night, two recruits had tasted their first blood, oh goody, but he hadn't found his godson. He hadn't found Harry Potter and he hadn't found the mysterious 6.
The Dark Lords gonna be pissed at me he thought.
He was brewing potions in the kitchen along with a meat pie slowly cooking, he was reading a defence book when he decided to check on the pie. As he walked through the door he felt a presence and looked up, there stood in all his arrogance, Harry bloody Potter.
Harry stood there not drawing his wand, sat on the work bench looking expectantly at Snape.
'Severus, I would say nice to see you, but considering your actions of late, I don't think you're a nice person, so sit down now.' Harry said forcing a chair out from under the work table.
'So come to kill me at last. Well Saint Potter, not so godly now are we?' Severus bit back.
'Ah so you're the genius behinds Draco's amusing and pathetic comments. How sad, you actually need to tell him what to say. How is he anyway?' Harry snidely commented, knowing full well Severus hadn't seen Draco since Draco was in the dungeons.
'Well, get it over with, I can't stand you crowing all evening.' Snape commented.
'Ahh reverse psychology, my, what a useful idea, you want to live really. Good. Now you are going to answerer a few questions.'
'Oh really?'
'Yes really, and you're going to help us destroy that pathetic half-blooded hypocrite.'
'I see Granger has been teaching you big long words. She must be so proud of you.'
'Not as proud as Dumbledore will be of you when you finish your task.' Harry said
'Pardon?' Snape spluttered.
'Submit to me Severus Snape, that you were given a mission by Albus Dumbledore to kill the snake Nagini. You were to remain close to the Dark Lord and serve him faithfully, always ensuring your close ties with him. Also, on the night of his death, Albus pleaded with you, not to save him, but to kill him? Legilimens!' He cried out, as did Ginny, and Severus couldn't prevent a strong attack from Potter, but he was useless to resist two of them, and so they saw the meetings the talks with Dumbledore and Severus true loyalties. Ginny and Harry both lifted the spell at the same time.
'I'm sorry,' Harry began.
'Don't be,' Severus told him, 'I would have done the same to find the truth. It's nice to know the real truth not the hearsay.' Severus smiled.
A few moments of awkwardness separated between them seemingly elongating time before them until Harry acted.
Harry extended his hand, 'Hi I'm Harry,' Severus shock it gently, Harry continued 'I will protect you as best I can in terms of facing justice in the courts saying you were on a secret mission for Dumbledore and myself. Also I say that if you are in deep trouble and require getting out quickly just think of Hedwig, my owl.'
'Why are you doing this?' Snape asked disbelief in his voice that the child he had tormented was helping him.
'Sometimes we get given jobs to do. It may not be nice or pleasant but we get on and do them. I think you and I understand that better than most people. So it's nice if someone can lend a hand every now and then.' Harry smiled and Severus saw raw power behind Harry's eyes.
'You really do have more power than he does don't you.'
'Yes, but I cannot face him yet, things must be set in order before I kill him,' Harry said.
Harry's eyes only now lost contact with Snape's, 'I must be getting back to the others, I will not tell anyone in the Order of your real affiliation, but when the time comes I will instruct them not to kill you. I will say you need to be punished, not held as a subject to petty revenge. It should keep them on a shorter leash.'
Severus nodded his head in understanding. 'Thank you for giving me a chance.'
'Don't thank me until the jobs done, then we might be able to start anew. Does that sound good?'
'It will have to be.' Severus said.
'Yes, I suppose it does.' Harry whispered, turned on the spot and Apparated away without a sound.
Luna and Neville both got the message from Ginny of the recent attacks and informed Susan and Blaise of the whole situation.
'I think it would be good if we walked up the streets after this, then I go and see my Auntie and you can get your brother.' Susan spoke like marshalling the troops. Neville and Luna spoke.
'As long as your back here by nine tonight, we don't care what you do. Catch a movie, buy some more films for the muggle kids, we don't mind really.' Neville said but Luna starry eyes suddenly found focus on Susan.
'If your aunt attempts to hold you, tell her you will be free by ten, and she will have less Aurors and hit wizards to cope with the situation. You are out on a promise, it's not nice to break promises.' Luna's eyes went starry again, 'so do you believe we can get Grindewald as the editor for the Quibbler?' she asked Neville, though Blaise swore he saw her wink at Susan and himself. Neville smiled and patted her hand. 'I think it might be a bit difficult going out on expeditions when you're in prison dear.' He said.
Blaise and Susan walked out of the Longbottom family room and out into a corridor, there they found their way to the main hall and queued for an assistant. As they waited they felt several eyes pass over them, but there they both stood tall and proud and assured. Some people Susan recognised and gave a hello, while she was in line with Blaise. Eventually after a few minutes they reached the front.
'I am Blaise Sebastian Zabini, I am here to collect what is mine,' he proclaimed to the goblin teller.
'Well you won't mind a few checks since you have been missing along with your mother.' The goblin replied curtly.
'She's dead, she was a Death Eater sympathiser.' He spat out. 'So what tests do I have to do to prove who I am?'
'None, we have already checked.' The clerk replied. 'Please follow my assistant to your family room and your accountant should be with you presently.'
'Thank you.' Blaise offered, but the goblin was already dealing with the customer behind them.
They followed a windy path to a room that was smaller than Neville's, but not surprising as he was an older bloodline.
'Nice,' said Susan.
'If you don't mind me asking, when did you receive your parent's last will and testament?'
'Ah well, I am the main benefactor, but my aunt is the keeper as it were.'
'But you're of age, surely you should have received your full inheritance by now. It's against the law to withhold it unless due reason is presented.' Blaise said.
'My you have been reading.' Her hand gently squeezed his groin region in a show of affection.
Blaise smiled back, 'well I guess I get to see who my accountant is then.' He stood up squeezed Susan's shoulders and then sat at the desk, just as he was settling him in, a middle-aged female goblin appeared. She stood before the desk, looking expectantly at Blaise. Blaise stared back waiting for her to introduce herself. Susan broke the accord.
'Hi,' she greeted the goblin but the goblin faced Blaise, 'my name is Susan, and this is Blaise Zabini.'
The goblin began speaking only to Blaise, 'why does this thing talk?'
'Susan talks because you are rude not to introduce yourself WOMAN' he inflicted the last word with scorn. It was true not many female goblins worked in the bank, but it was not unheard of.
'She is not your family.'
'She is here because I wish it, as are you. Or do you wish to lose this post?' I could get in that young assistant who showed us here, after all he was pleasant enough.' Blaise using Neville's and Harry's examples that it could happen to waken up to the fact her job was not safe.
'They were lucky, as it is, I beg forgiveness sir, as these are dangerous times we live in.'
'Only if you're a Death Eater,' Susan snapped.
Blaise looked at the goblin, 'what is your name and tell me of what I owe, and where it is.'
The goblin brought a folder out from a shelf on the wall and examined the details then she quickly gave her name and went through the contents of his vault, and what his assets were. Susan sat with rapt attention, but Blaise gave an air of indifference, though Susan could tell that most of what the goblin told him, he already knew but there were some surprises.
At the end of her breakdown of assets Blaise began to speak. 'So let me get this right, we have a research group that's allowed to use the unforgivable to work out protection charms for them? Am I right?'
'Yes sir.' She replied.
'Are any of the workers, Death Eaters?'
'One is a suspect sir.'
'And have they come up with anything in all this time they have held the licence?'
'No sir.'
Susan broke in, 'have they tried potions?'
'No, this is pure charms research.' The goblin replied respectfully.
Blaise took to the idea, 'have our potions group added on to the charms research and see what they come up with, as it is, who is this suspected Death Eater?'
The goblin gave a name and Blaise memorised it for later to tell Harry.
Two hours had passed in the time those two were in the office, and when they walked out, they met sunlight for the first time in ages. They stood atop the steps for some time as their eyes adjusted to the bright light, some people stared at them, some of the kids in the street look on in awe as these two had been kidnapped by Death Eaters. When their eyesight had returned to normal, they walked down the steps and towards the ice cream shop. After all a little treat before walking into the Ministry wouldn't hurt. As they sat down and ordered some ice cream, they ignored the people that looked on at the two who had supposedly been reported kidnapped. Among the spectators were two Aurors who had accompanied Madame Bones the previous night and saw the boss's only living relative. They put a quick call in and soon they had a few remaining Aurors left.
'What's up?' asked a new recruit.
'That's Susan Bones, but we don't know for sure, it could be someone using Polyjuice Potion, so we take her in, along with the other kid.'
'I thought Susan Bones was supposed to be kidnapped and missing?' the recruit asked.
'She is, that's why were taking this one in, just in case it's a Death Eater.' The older one said.
Just as two bowls of ice cream came out for Blaise and Susan, two red beams hit them in the chest, stunning them. They heard the words of the Aurors to calm down and this was an apprehension to verify their suspects weren't two Death Eaters in disguise.
Well that makes sense both Blaise and Susan thought.
They got taken to Auror command in the heart of the Ministry, there was a flurry of activity, it was the first time Susan had seen the Hit Wizards motivated. The look in their eyes told all, they were scared. If twenty-one Aurors could be killed in a night, then the same could happen to them. Suddenly they were the country's first line of defence against the hordes.
The older Auror ordered the young Auror, 'take these two to an interrogation room, we'll hold them for two hours before we go in. See who they turn up like.'
'Yes sir.' The younger one responded.
Once they were deposited in the interrogation room, the stunners wore off rather quickly, due to both occupants struggling against the curse.
'They are so gonna kill us when they come to get us out.' Susan was saying panicking.
'No they won't,' Blaise said, being the voice of reason. 'We were kidnapped and they wouldn't let us explain the situation as they need to know.'
'You sure?'
'Yes Susan.'
Next door to the interrogation room stood Amelia, 'I don't know if that's my niece or not, she's scared and she's talking to that Slytherin. Call me back in an hour's time, do not let word of this get to Mad-Eye understand!'
'Yes Mame.' The Aurors were happy to be trying to outdo the old timer for some time now they might get somewhere.
'I wonder if my brother is near us now. I mean, my parents are dead, so as head of house, I should look after him. But I haven't received an owl to say what's happened to him.' He thought of the snowy white phoenix and it appeared in a flash of light. 'Hiya girl, could you please get me a quill and paper and then take a note to my brother and one to your man please. It's just to let them know what's going on.' Hedwig nodded her head and flamed away, moment's later bringing paper and quill. Blaise wrote a note.
The Auror left to watch them was shocked to see a white bird just appear in the room, he shock himself out of the trace when he heard the bird would be back soon, and wrote a quick note to both magical animals department and his boss for them both come down here. After all, no one who used a phoenix, which to his knowledge was the only bird to be able to go through wards like that, was ever evil. He sent the notes and soon three people were flooing into the corridor outside and quickly entered the viewing room.
'What did you mean by this?' a portly man waved the note at the young Auror.
'Well sir, I've heard of phoenixes, but they have always been red or golden never…' the phoenix arrived in the next room and bathed both interrogation room and the viewing room in pure white light.
'I see what you mean. And a phoenix as I understand it will never cross breed either. Even in captivity, they can control their system that much.' The portly man said, obviously from animal control. 'Well this is an exciting day, a new breed of phoenixes discovered! I will have to check the lists just to make sure that this is a first, but what should we name it?'
Amelia was in awe of the beauty of the bird, 'I think we wait for its masters to name it for us.' She was starting to get ideas. Wondering if what her niece had said the other night was true or not. The room was light up again as the bird disappeared. The other worrying part was she had seen this phoenix the other night. It had latched onto Amelia and taken her to Mad-Eyes place where she heard the commotion of the attack, and just as quick the bird had left, leaving Amelia to deal with the Death Eaters.
In the room, Susan looked at Blaise and whispered, 'that was very Slytherin of you, you know.'
'Why thank you.' He replied, and winked at Susan who smiled back.