Ch. 37 Awake

Harry sat at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall with the entire Weasley family plus significant others making them an impressively large group. The fact that the majority of them had bright red hair made them somewhat eye catching as well. With 13 of them total, they occupied a large portion of the table not to mention the several other families present, but despite the extra visitors, the tables still sat everyone comfortably. Harry wondered whether the hall had been expanded during the magical repair of the castle.

Harry was holding Ginny's hand rather tightly while they watched several witches and wizards mingle near the staff tables. Kingsley and Allen were among them as well as a few faces he recognized from the ministry and a few faces he didn't recognize. Perhaps they were the new teachers.

The buzzing in the Great Hall was softer and more insistent than it had been in the past. It died out immediately once Professor McGonagall took the podium that for so long had belonged to Dumbledore. Harry admired the presence she held even among the Ministry officials that were in attendance, many of whom she had taught in her 42 years.

'Welcome!' she said with a bright smile. 'Welcome guests, former students of Hogwarts, Officials of the wizarding world, and most of all, welcome students to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As you no doubt know, we faced our darkest times last year culminating in our most pivotal moment fought here between our greatest ever enemy. Now, here we are, in the very same where Lord Voldemort was defeated once and for all.'

She paused, probably for effect, to allow the gravity of her words to sink in.

'Now with the darkness gone, we continue our schools millennia old tradition of educating young minds.'

Tumultuous applause broke out that did not subside for several moments.

'Today, we have a guest here who has been asked to speak by our school governors in regards to our dedication of the newly dedicated and repaired castled.' McGonagall turned to look at Harry with a meaningful glance while nearly every head in the hall turned his direction as well.

Harry recognized his moment and squeezed Ginny's hand before standing up. The whispers froze into silence momentarily and then picked up with renewed fervor. He walked the short distance to the front of the hall where he was met by a man he had never seen before but could only assume was a school governor followed by Kingsley and Professor McGonagall. He shook Kingsley's hand and gave a polite nod to the Professor before stepping in front of the podium.

'Hello' he said simply. 'Ugh… speeches. I once had to stand and talk about cross-species transfiguration before exams and I thought I might pass out.' Chuckles emanated across the room which made Harry relax slightly. 'I was asked to speak… essentially against my will' he added with a smirk to Kingsley and Minerva who just shook their head.

'I don't really know what to say. What can you really say after something like that? I may not know what to say but I know that I feel strongly about what this castle stands for and what it represents in our world. I may bobble the words a bit so….. sorry.'

Harry took a deep breath and rapidly ran over the points he was going to make that he had come up with that morning.

'In this very room, Tom Riddle, former Head Boy of Hogwarts, was defeated once and for all, ending his terrifying year-long reign in the Ministry of Magic though his time spent terrifying people was far greater. His goal was to throw out the Statute of Secrecy and rule over muggles who he deemed not worthy to breathe the same oxygen he did. Even until his defeat, he was wildly afraid of death and the dark. This … fear is what led to many of the atrocities he committed including the murder of his own father and grandparents as well as my parents and so many others. That multiplied with the bigotry of Pure-blooded mania and immense talent equaled the psychopathic killer that was Lord Voldemort.'

'During the last two decades, every type of person possible emerged. Those seeking justice no matter the cost, those seeking revenge no matter the collateral damage, or perhaps those seeking power no matter who stood in the way. Too many times, people hid while those who stood up for what they believed in were slaughtered in the name of a pure-blooded society. None of these things would have been possible if the racism that has surrounded and quietly dominated our society had been thrown out a century ago when it should have.'

At this, whispers broke out all over the hall. No doubt he was challenging beliefs that had stood for centuries.

'No one man should have the right to decide when any other person; man, woman, child, muggle, squib, witch, or wizard, should die. What is the point of living a life if we….. I…. You… aren't allowed to even choose your own fate. Well I can promise you that ends today. For those who don't know, or live under a rock, the ministry is changing. Kingsley Shacklebolt is abolishing Pro-Pure-Blood policies that have stood for hundreds of years. This is a new day for the wizard society. A new day to choose what you do without fear of being prejudiced because of your blood.'

'Blood is red, it is the same in every human on earth. And as an Auror, or Auror-trainee that is' Harry side with a quick look to Bashir who just smiled 'blood is what I promise to those who try to persecute others.'

He took a momentary pause recalling something he'd read in Rita Skeeter's book about Dumbledore. A quote that the Minister of Magic had said days before Dumbledore's defeat of Grindelwald had stuck with him so much that he had memorized it. He had doctored it slightly to put it into the article written to the prophet about Skeeter, which he found a just way of re-using it since she had twisted it into something sinister when quoting it in her book.

'I find myself remembering something a very wise man once said. Some of you may know it so please excuse me if I bugger it all up. "Though the path we walk is hard fought and hard won, the end of our journey will be many times greater knowing we had the strength, perseverance, indomitable spirit, and pride to achieve despite the hardships we have already faced thus far. How we overcome these obstacles shall be the way our character is defined. However, our victory at the culmination shall be how we are remembered. And we will be victorious!"

'We are victorious' Harry said strongly. 'From now on, let that be what we remember. We faced the greatest obstacles our kind have ever known and found ourselves equal to them. So do not let petty squabbles fester on perpetually. Do not let what table someone sits at or who your ancestors are be the defining characteristic for how we judge each other. We have all lost someone we knew or loved in this war. Make them proud of the world we will rebuild together in their name.'

Harry stood in silence for several seconds before an explosion of applause cascaded around them. Harry could almost feel the castle walls strain around him from the noise. He stepped away from the podium while the applause and calling continued. Kingsley was there shaking his head and smiling widely. McGonagall was there as well and hugged him lightly. Harry stood in front of the standing ovation he was receiving surely blushed a deep scarlet.

After a full minute, McGonagall was able to get a few words across and make a quick announcement. Harry didn't hear it but apparently everyone else did because they soon were sitting and turning to their plates that had filled with delicious smelling food. Harry stared at the food for a few moments remembering the first time he'd ever eaten a meal in the Great Hall. Seconds after he'd taken his first bite, his eyes had wandered to the staff table where he'd caught the first glimpse of the man who would be his salvation as well as one of his greatest banes.

Harry now glanced there again to see the smiles on nearly every face sitting there. Hagrid winked at him and waved slightly. Harry waved back and then dove into the delicious food in front of him. Ginny, who had been sitting on his left after he'd returned to his seat, looked over at him concernedly.

'Is everything all right?' she asked placing her hand over his own.

'It will be' he said softly. 'It will be'

The assembled crowd stayed through all three courses of food and then sat for at least an hour in happy conversation. During the dessert, one brave Ravenclaw Harry recognized but couldn't remember the name of stood from her table and walked unabashed to the Hufflepuff table and sat beside a rather baby faced looking boy. Most of the eyes in the room followed her as she went and sat by who was presumable her boyfriend.

After that, it wasn't ten seconds between people jumping tables and sitting by friends from other houses. Admittedly, less people were visiting the Slytherin table than the others. Not nearly as many people adorned their table as there should have been and Harry knew that several of them had decided not to return to Hogwarts this year. Some had been unable to as they were imprisoned.

Though, Harry was happy to see that Milicent Bulstrode, Theordore Nott, Tracey Davis, Blaise Zabini, and Daphne Greengrass had all chosen to return to school this year. They sat together talking quietly but they looked comfortable to be back at least. Milicent smiled widely at something Theodore Nott was saying and Harry thought he saw a distinct flicker of longing pass her face. Harry smiled slightly.

Close to 10 p.m., McGonagall returned to the podium gaining everyone's attention. 'Thank you esteemed guests, friends, and officials for attending the Re-dedication of Hogwarts this evening. The enchantments that were previously brought down have been fully restored therefore; please make your way to Hogsmeade before attempting to apparate home. However, I think it is time for our students to retire for the evening as they will have a full day of learning ahead of them in the morning. Goodnight everyone'

There was a great rustle as the benches slid backwards and then everyone slowly made their way back to the entrance hall. Dozens of people were holding up foot-traffic as they said goodbyes and parted ways, some tearfully. Harry gave the Weasley's a small wave when they headed towards the grounds. Harry gave Hermione a meaningful look who immediately understood and pulled a confused Ron out the door not allowing him the time to respond in any way. Harry pulled Ginny around the corner to a small classroom that had always been left empty.

He had met there with Madam Pomfrey years ago after his dementor encounter on the Hogwarts express. It was just as dusty as he remembered.

'Before I go, I wanted to tell you something' He said quietly as he pulled her towards her. She nodded him on encouragingly.

'Thank you for not slapping me the night I kissed you in the common room'

She looked at him confused for a second and then kissed him lightly, probably to accentuate her next statement. 'Probably the happiest moment in my life. I just wish I had done it sooner'

'Me too. I think Ron was going to curse me.'

'He wouldn't dare' Ginny said chuckling.

'I love you' Harry blurted unsure of why he said but strong in his conviction that he believed it.

'I love you too' she responded wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him lightly again.

'No I mean I really love you' she insisted. 'Not today, maybe not for months or even a year, but one day, I will be standing on an altar waiting for you to come down the aisle. I will never leave you… ever.'

'She blinked away a couple of tears and nodded. He kissed her one long, heated passionate time before escorting her back to the grand staircase where he watched her ascend the seven flights of stairs that led to the Gryffindor common room. He felt rooted to the spot until she wasn't in sight anymore and he suddenly felt anxious at the realization that it would be months before he would be really get to see her again. Before he allowed himself to think too much on that, he made his way onto the grounds that were now empty as every other guest had already left.

He made his way down the sloping lawns towards the gates that led to Hogsmeade village. He suddenly felt very alone. The one person he enjoyed being around the most was now securely in her four-poster bed in Gryffindor tower while the remainder of their friends, her family, were probably already back at the Burrow. The weight of not seeing Ginny again for a seemingly immeasurable amount of time suddenly weighed him down much more than it had before that moment.

He went through the gates flanked with the winged boars whose gaze seemed to follow him eerily as he walked by. The lights of Main Street Hogsmeade shone ahead of him as he trudged towards the Three Broomsticks. He planned to sit and have a couple of butterbeers while waiting for the, for loss of a better word, courage to leave Hogwarts behind him permanently. Something he hadn't ever done fully until this night.

He was several yards away from the Three Broomsticks when a cacophony of crack's sounded behind him. He whipped around startled, immediately calling the Elder wand. He faced the edge of the forest that followed the path from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade. Just beyond his vision in the night, he could see what he thought was movement, lots of it. He was about to cast a beam of light into the trees when a high-pitched, nasal voice spoke from the darkness.

'It's about time' it said. Harry didn't need any help deciphering the owner of that voice.

'Carrow' he replied savagely.

'Sharp one, you are' another unrecognizable voice called from the trees.

'What do you want?' Harry asked taking a step backwards. Normally he didn't back down from a fight but he knew he was so drastically outnumbered based on the sheer number of crack's of apparition he'd heard moments before.

'Isn't it obvious?' Carrow cackled. 'I want that wand. And it just so happens that I'll get to kill you to get it. A filthy half-blood isn't worthy to possess the wand of the Dark Lord.'

'You people never learn do you?' Harry shot back. 'It was never his wand. It was Dumbledore's wand and then it was mine. It never answered to him. Besides… if half-bloods aren't worthy to hold it then Voldemort wasn't worthy either.'

'Shut up!' Carrow spat.

'Didn't he tell you that his father was a muggle? Seduced by his mother with a love potion'

'SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH!' Carrow roared. A jet of green light shot towards Harry. He sidestepped it easily and it collided with the castle boundary resulting in a shower of bright green sparks.

'You have terrible aim' Harry said with a laugh.

'Carrow! Calm yourself.' And gravelly voice to Harry's right said. Harry recognized that one instantly as well.

'Stuff it, werewolf. I will avenge my master this night.' Carrow growled as he moved into the light cast by the village. He was completely obscured by his black Death Eater robes but they were ragged and torn in several places. He had obviously been living roughly for some time now.

Harry watched as at least a dozen others stepped out of the dark as well. A rapid count told Harry that at least 15 people faced him unless more had stayed in the shadows. Harry turned on the spot to disapparate but the usual crushing darkness didn't come. He merely spun on the spot in a quick circle.

'No disapparating tonight, Potty. You can't run like you always have. Tonight you die by our hands as you should have years ago.' Greyback said .

Harry started to panic. He was planning on indulging them long enough to discover what plan they had if any and the escape with the hope that they wouldn't destroy Hogsmeade as it would draw far too much attention.

'We musn't kill him here' a girly high pitched voice said. 'He deserves much worse first, disgusting liar as he is'

'Umbridge?' Harry asked confused. 'Why are you here?'

'I will restore him' she said a little wildly. 'With you out of the way, Cornelius will back on top where he belongs. Only when – '

'Fudge?! Are you delusional? You must be insane.'

'I AM NOT CRAZY!'She screamed and a stunner flew at him. He blocked it but only just.

'Give up, Potter. You have no hope.' Carrow cackled at him. 'I won't promise your end will be quick but I will promise that you blood traitor pals will die quickly.'

'Accept they fiery little ginger girl' Greyback said.

'Ah yes, accept her. Greyback has uh… special … plans for her.'

'You won't touch her' Harry said darkly. An instant rage erupted in him. 'I'll kill each and every one of you if I have to but nobody will lay a finger on her.'

'I don't plan on putting anying on her' Greyback said with a disgusting relish in his voice.

Harry sent a bolt of white towards the voice. He had no idea whether it hit its mark but Harry watched as the tree nearest him instantly dropped a few inches with an almighty thwump and then toppled over against other trees.

'STUN HIM' Umbridge shrieked. At once, a shower of red jets of light streaked towards him. Harry raised his wand and shouted

'PROTEGO!'

The curses bounced off his shield erupting in bright flashes of light the lit up the sky turning night into day for less than a second. Harry heard several cries of outrage and shock. He started running through the process to dissolve an anti-apparition jinx but he knew he would never be able to complete the process unless he could pull it off nonverbally which he'd never even tried to do before.

He was about the try launching several of his own stunners at the advancing figures when a faint light flooded the area. Harry froze thinking that he had attackers on both sides of him when he heard Arthur's voice from the door of the Three Broomsticks.

'Harry? What in the name of Merlin was that?'

'ARTHUR, GET DOWN! IT'S CARROW AND – '

'AVADA KEDAVRA' Greyback roared. Arthur ducked his head as the jet of green smashed into the door beside him blasting it clean of its hinges. At once, people began pouring out of the pub. Another volley of curses flew from the forest again this time of varying colors. Harry blocked them all as his saviors composed a defensible formation behind Harry.

'Harry what's going on' He heard Ron say. 'Who are – '

'We are the last remaining Death Eaters' Carrow said from the trees. 'I give you the chance to save yourselves and run. I do this only because the Dark Lord would have done the same thing but I offer only once.'

Harry turned and glanced at his … family that had assembled behind him. He found Hermione and nodded at her before taking two fingers and pointing at both of his own eyes and then to the forest. She nodded back at him and then gripped her wand.

'So do I' said the deep baritone of Kingsley Shacklebolt.

'Ah! Does the new champion of the weak Ministry of Magic offer us freedom this night?' Umbrige said mockingly.

'No, Delores' he replied shortly. 'I am merely the friend of too many murdered friends this night. I offer you the chance to leave under you own volition. And I offer… only once. If you choose to fight us, it will not end well for you.'

'You are powerless to stop us'

Harry turned back again and nodded at Hermione.

'We aren't powerless. If you truly thought that, you would face us like a man instead of hiding behind trees.'

'You are brave but arrogant. I will slew every one of you this night.' Harry raised his wand ready to cast a curse at Carrow.

'We will see!' Hermione shrieked.. 'Solarem Spherica!'

A ball of bright light rose above them rapidly illuminating everything nearby at the same time Harry's stunner found a tree less than a foot from Harry noticed at least 5 more death eaters who had previously been unseen in the darkness of the trees. In the few seconds of disorientation caused be the explosion of light, Harry felt a sweeping feeling lift off his shoulders. Someone had lifted the anti-disapparition jinx.

He whipped around to face the crowd behind him. Every Weasely accept Ginny was lined up behind him all with their wands trained on a Death Eater squinting against the sudden light. Alongside them was Kingsley, Bashir, and Madame Rosmerta.

'The jinx is gone. Everyone go now!'

'The what?' Charlie asked.

'The Anti-Disapparition jinx' he repeated frustrated. 'It's gone. Everyone – '

But at the moment, a distinctive crack sounded behind him. Harry let go of his wand felt it reappear in his pocket instantly just as a massive forearm reached around his neck and nearly closed his throat off completely. A slight tap on his neck told him that a wand was pointed directly at his throat and the smell of blood and dirt told him that the arm belonged to Fenrir Greyback.

'NOBODY MOVE!' he roared at them. They all froze unsure of what to do next.

'Let him go!' Ron yelled pointed his wand at Harry.

'Wands down' Greyback barked. 'Or Potter gets a new hole breath out of.'

Another figure appeared beside Harry and cackled madly.

'Pathetic!' Carrow wailed. 'How on earth did you dim-witted blood traitor fools ever defeat the Dark Lord?'

'Riddle was a moron' Harry choked out. Carrow turned to face him and Harry was stunned by the brightness of the color in Carrow's eyes. Startlingly violet and sunken. Carrow reared his fist and punched Harry violently in the stomach. The next several seconds, blurred vision and incoherent voices were all Harry could discern from the noise. He finally came around to Greyback shouting 'Silence.'

'Now quiet you filthy dogs while I decide what to do with you all. Eliminate you where you stand or allow you to watch while we slit Potter's throat and he dies slowly knowing there's nothing anyof you can do about it.' He cackled again and began pacing for show.

'I don't have to wonder' Greyback whispered throatily in his ear while pressing the wand deeper into Harry's neck. 'First I'm going to tie your little blood traitor bitch to a tree. I'll smack her around first so she doesn't fight as much when I rip her clothes off.'

Greyback chuckled malevolently in Harry's ear. Harry felt himself shaking with unbridled fury. He didn't even register his lack of oxygen anymore. Carrow turned back towards him with very business-like snap of his fingers.

'I think now would be an excellent time to remove the wand from you. A fitting end for you I think; to be killed by the wand that should have killed you months ago'

Carrow reached for his pocket and Harry struggled to put distance between himself and Carrow causing Greyback to only grip him tighter. Harry folded his arm behind him and called the wand so that when Carrow reached into both of his pockets, the wand was gone.

'Where is it!? Give it to me Potter or I will make you watch as Greyback defiles your whore'

'You want it…' Harry pulled his arm around and pointed it quickly at Carrow's chest. 'Then try and take it! DEPULSO'

Carrow launched through the air backwards slamming onto the ground hard several yards away. At once, chaos erupted everywhere. For a few moments, while Harry was regaining his ability to breath, curses flew in every direction. Kingsley and Bashir swept their wands in identical sweeping motions and at once, a dozen brick short brick walls appeared giving them places for cover eliminating the advantage of tree cover that the Death Eaters had been exploiting. Harry ran forward and leaned against a short wall and found himself next to George and Bashir.

'Just like ol' times, eh Harry.' George said as he flung a stunner over the top of their cover. Harry wasn't sure what to say.

'I sent a patronus to the Ministry' Bashir said. He had several cuts across his face and his arm was bleeding.

'How long will it take to get there?'

'We are a long way from London' he replied grimly. 'Several minutes at the least'

'Till then?'

'Till then we cause these bastards as much hell as we can. We are outnumbered two to one last I could tell'

'Good' George said savagely. 'Enough for everyone then. I have payback to dispense'

Bashir grinned crookedly and leaned up to get a look. Harry nodded and looked around for Hermione. She was leaned against a similar brick wall a few yards away with Ron and Charlie.

'Hermione! Can you make that light flash really brightly for just a split second?'

'Yee but what – Ron get down' a white curse hit the brick they leaned against and splintered several small chunks off of the impacted side. 'Yes but what good will more light do us' she called back.

'No I mean blindingly bright. Bright enough to be very uncomfortable'

'Yes but – '

'Get ready then. One the count of three' Harry called over the commotion to everyone who could hear, 'Everybody throw as many spells as you can as fast as you can. Hermione, once everyone is back down, flash the light so bright they see it in London.'

Hermione nodded and stared up at the ball of light.

'One… two…THREE!'

Harry leaned up, dodged a green jet of light flying towards him, and then sent 5 stunners as fast as he could at the places he knew Death Eaters to be. Just like he thought they would, nearly everyone of them took shelter.

'Everyone down' he called. All of them hit the ground simultaneously. Harry held up his finger waiting for the best moment. As soon as he heard curses start flying back, Harry pointed at Hermione and shut his eyes. The ball of light that hung in the air grew instantly brighter. So bright that had he been looking at it, he would no doubt be seeing stars.

After a few seconds, Harry jumped up aiming his wand. Every person around Harry moved up as well. Several death eaters were stumbling around rubbing their eyes. Stunners started flying. So many that it was impossible to count. After a few seconds, the aid cleared and the night grew silent again. Harry stood panting staring at the forest. At least a dozen death eaters lay stunned on the ground or against the trunk of a tree.

He took a deep breath and took a step towards them, keeping his eyes sharp for movement. He slowly increased his pace and reached the first stunned death eater. Harry used his foot to pull the hood off of Fenrir Greyback. After a decades, Fenrir Greyback was finally captured.

'That was intese' Ron said through heavy breaths. Molly seemed to come back to herself at his words and immediately began bustling around the group checking to make sure everyone was ok.

'We got him' Kingsley said quietly. 'We finally got him. After so many deaths and at least 50 werewolf bites, Fenrir Greyback is in mministry custody'

Harry looked back down at the filthy man lying at his feet. He felt a savage desire to kick him with every ounce of strength he had. But somehow, he resisted the urge to do so. He walked away from Greyback towards Kingsley who was standing near at the entrance to the Three Broomsticks which he was repairing for Rosmerta.

'Thank you, Minister.' She said a little weekly. She looked shaken from the quick and intense battle that had just taken place on her front steps.

'Rosmerta you have known me for much longer than I was an Auror and certainly the Minister. It will always be Kingsley to you.'

'Was anyone hurt?' Harry asked as he got approached them.

'Scrapes and bruises. Nothing more.' Kingsley said with a smile.

'Why were you all still here?' Harry said looking around at all the people that undoubtedly just saved his life. It was clear that Carrow had taken advantage of the opportunity to ambush him when he was alone tonight but he had clearly not known all of these people would be in the Three Broomsticks waiting on him.

'Partly to wait for you but also to see Rosmerta here. It's been too long since I've visited.'

'Too right it has' she said with a nod.

'I'm glad for that' Harry said exhaling. 'There's no chance I could have taken them all alone.'

'Carrow isn't here' Charlie called from several yards away.

'What?' Harry and Kingsley said together and immediately started walking back towards the trees. Ron and Hermione, who had been standing off on their own having a private conversation, joined them as well.

'He's not here' Charlie reiterated. 'We pulled the hood off everyone of these people and Carrow isn't here.'

'Bloody hell! Well where is he?' Harry said angrily

'Blimey, Harry, I don't know' Charlie retorted.

'I'm sorry, Charlie. I just wanted this to be over.'

'Aye, so did we' Bashir said rubbing the stubble on his chin. 'I could have sworn we counted and everyone was accounted for. There were fifteen people down when it was all said done.'

'Fifteen?' Bill asked. 'Fifteen people stunned? Are you sure?'

'Positive. As soon as Hermione's little ball of light disappeared, I made a quick count. I double checked and there were fifteen people.'

'I counted fourteen not thirty seconds ago' Arthur said looking at them suddenly alarmed.

Allen immediately turned around and face the woods again. He lit his wand to cast light into the shadows. Arthur, Harry, Ron, and Hermione all fell in beside him and copied his actions.

'Is there still an Anti-Disapparition jinx around us?' Bashir asked Kingsley as he fell in too.

'No. I checked as soon as Arthur said he'd counted fourteen people'

'We've been standing around long enough, he's had plenty of time to dispel the jinx before apparating away.' Bashir said moving his wand to illuminate the forest a little better. 'I wonder if was hurt or – '

At that moment, another bright flash of green came from behind them. As if it were in slow motion, Harry watched as Bashir fell face first into the dirt in front of him. His wand left his limp hand and bounced once against a tree root. Harry stared at the man for what felt like a full minute before realization set in. Allen Bashir had just been murdered standing not a foot from him.

Harry quickly looked around to find Carrow standing at the corner of the Three Broomsticks with his wand pointed at them and a savagely triumphant expression on his face. Harry called the Elder wand feeling the unbridled fury he'd experienced earlier come back with a snap. He pointed his wand and could only think about hurting Carrow unimaginably.

A wall of white erupted from Harry's wand, that would have most certainly hit Carrow had he remained there, went straight through the place where Carrow had been half a second before, and blew a hole in the wall of Zonko's.

'Where'd he go?' Harry said loudly.

'I'm here' a voice just behind him said. Harry whipped his head again and watched as he disarmed and then wrapped his arms around Hermione's neck. 'Say goodbye to your mudblood.'

And then, with a rack they were gone.

'HERMIONE!' Ron roared into the empty space. They stood there, frozen In shock, unwilling to believe what they'd just witnessed.

'Oh my god' Harry whispered.

Everyone was standing frozen in place. Harry himself was simply trying to process everything that had happened in such an incredibly short amount of time. Allen Bashir lay on the ground some distance away. Harry couldn't seem to tear his eyes away from him. Hermione was gone, kidnapped by the last vestiges of the Death Eaters. That, in and of itself, was perhaps the most peculiar part.

Harry had witnessed Riddle and his death eaters commit atrocities, flee from Dumbledore, murder in cold blood, and carry out inexplicably intricate plans but never had he ever seen them kidnap anyone. The only people that had ever held any of their attention's was always the target of Killing curses. Something about that act rubbed Harry the wrong way. There was purpose in an act like that that Harry had never seen from any Death Eater, least of all Carrow.

'We have to find them' Ron said angrily making everyone come to. 'She'll… he will…. He's going to….if we don't'

'Ron, calm down' Bill said putting a hand on his shoulder that Ron angrily pushed away.

'Calm down?! You want me to be calm?! To hell with you and your calm! He took Hermione!'

'I know and we'll get her back but yelling at us isn't going to do it.'

'Do you expect me to just stand hear waiting for – '

Ron stopped midsentence as an otter patronus descended on them glowing brightly. It opened it's mouth to say something as patronuses typically did when sent as a messenger. However, this particular patronus opened it's mouth and several random numbers floated out.

'That's Hermione's patronus' Ron continued urgently. 'But what are those numbers?'

Harry was re-reading them when they began to fade out of sight. Kingsley wasted no time. He drew his own wand and wrote the letters in mid-air again but this time, they did not fade.

'53.7 – 9.5' Kingsley read out loud and as he did, the entire group of them crowded around one another in a quiet but very electrified and tense silence.

'So what does it mean?' Ron asked impatiently as he paced angrily.

'It's obviously a message from Hermione but what does it mean?' Harry said staring intently at the hovering numbers.

Suddenly Arthur, who was standing just behind Harry, gasped and smacked himself in the forehead.

'What Arthur?' Kingsley said immediately. 'What are you thinking?'

'They're coordinates' he said with sudden realization. 'She sent us her coordinates!'

'Coordinates?' Ron, Bill, and George all echoed. Harry however, looked from Arthur back to the numbers again and the realization flooded Harry's mind as well.

'He's right!' Harry exclaimed. 'That must be it. I bet it's all she had time to do before – '

'Don't say it' Ron said fiercely. 'But what are these and how do they help me find Hermione?'

'Minister!' A voice proclaimed from some distance. Harry distinctly heard hurried footsteps coming his way and he turned around holding his wand aloft. Professor McGonagall was hurrying towards them accompanied by a man Harry had seen earlier at the feast. He was a tall, broad man with sharp features and even sharper eyes. His sandy brown hair was cropped very short and his gait suggested a trained athlete perhaps. He was barrel-chested and Harry could see a designed t-shirt through the gap in his faculty robes.

'Minister what is – Allen!' she cried out when her eyes hit Bashir and she covered her mouth with both hands. 'Kingsley what happened?'

'We were ambushed' Bill said evenly.

'Well … we weren't. Harry was' George said looking pointedly at the professor. Probably trying to avoid looking at Bashir. Just a few months ago, George had witnessed his own twin brother's death not far from here and Harry knew all too well the desire to want to look away from something like that.

'Harry?' she asked looking to him for the first time. 'What happened?'

Harry explained very briefly what had transpired ending with Bashir's death and Hermione's abduction.

'And you are certain these are coordinates?' McGonagall asked.

'I am' the newcomer said. 'It's the only thing that makes sense.'

The first thing noticed was the man's accent. He was American which Harry had not expected, but in hindsight, that revelation made perfect sense with the man's demeanor.

'I agree' Kingsley added. 'Hermione is muggleborn she probably knows all about how coordinates work. There is a simple spell to figure her coordinates out and a patronus isn't that hard to bewitch to talk much less give numbers.'

'And that is definitely her patronus.' Ron said hurrying over to them.

'Is this young lady very capable?' the American asked. Ron rounded on him so fast that Harry thought he might topple over from spinning so fast. He raised his finger very threateningly and started to say something but McGonagall stalled him.

'Everyone, this is our new D.A.D.A. professor from America. His name is Jerry Wayne Fort. He is a ranking agent in the MDFA – '

'The what?' Ron asked.

'Magical Defense Force of America' Harry muttered to him recalling the acronym from his studies of Wizarding Law. The MDFA had cropped up occasionally over the last century of history.

'- and this is … not a great time for introductions, to be frank. But to answer your question Jerry, she is without a doubt the smartest and most clever witch I've ever taught. Capable is a sever understatement.'

'So she definitely could have gotten the Patronus off quickly after being abducted?'Fort asked.

'I'm positive' McGonagall continued.

'Then that settles it' Kingsley said with an air of convicted finality. He turned to McGonagall and gave her a grave expression.

'Minerva, I'm sorry to ask this of you but – '

'Think nothing of it' McGonagall said morosely. 'I shall place Mr. Bashir in a safe place until you return to retrieve him.' McGonagall waved her wand at Bashir and he lifted quickly into the air.

Kingsley gave Bashir a long, deep look and then sighed heavily. 'You were a great man and an even better Auror.' Kingsley said softly. 'I would stay with you, but I'm going to go annihilate that son-of-a-bitch.'

McGonagall gave him a bemused and reproachful look and started back towards the castle. Kingsley watched them go for a moment and then shook himself visibly before turning back to them. 'Ok, is it safe for me to assume that I won't be able to tell any of you to stay here and let the Aurors handle this?'

'We're going' Ron said fiercely.

'I'm afraid he's right' Arthur said with a grim expression.

Kingsley surveyed them all once. 'I've always said God help anyone who tries to take on the Weasley's.'

'No you haven't' Molly replied quickly. She gave him a wicked smile that Harry was sure he'd never seen before. It was very reminiscent of the look Fred and George would get when some new scheme came to them.

'True sentiment though' Bill said.

'Zat's right!' Fleur added hugging her husband.

'Well, in any case, we have to get to the Ministry immediately. I can take this coordinates and track them down on the map in the Auror office. Until we have a name for the place, we can't apparate there.'

'Then let's go' George announced obviously raring to go.

'We can't' Kingsley said bracingly. 'Harry and I are the only ones who can get into the Auror office after business hours. The rest of you meet us at the Burrow. We'll meet you there in ten minutes.'

They all nodded and withdrew their wands. After merely a few seconds, everyone had disapparated leaving Kingsley and Harry stood in the street. Kingsley had taken his wand out was staring at it though Harry thought that he was really looking at a faraway place in his head.

'Did you know, Harry,' He started slowly without taking his eyes off his wand 'that when the Head Auror quits or dies, the power and responsibility pass directly to the Minister of Magic until the new department head is named?'

'No' Harry said quietly. 'I didn't know that'

'Only the Head Auror can apparate directly to the Auror office when in times of emergency. Every time they do, the Minister is immediately informed. Unless of course those people are one in the same.'

Harry just stood there watching Kingsley unsure of what to say. He knew Kingsley and Allen had been friends for a while. They had been Auror's together for nearly 2 decades. Harry found out through the grapevine weeks ago that it had been Kingsley's insistence that Allen Bashir be named Head of the Auror Office. A committee off people met the week after the Battle of Hogwarts to name the positions that needed filled immediately. The committee had been against Kingsley's choice saying that Bashir was too young and hot-headed at times. Kingsley's argument was that was an exceedingly talented wizard, a very good leader, as personable as it gets, and most of all, his moral compass pointed due north. He wasn't interested in playing the politics or what personal gain or loss was involved; he would do the right thing. Even though the lines of right and wrong weren't always crystal clear, he would do the right thing for who was involved.

'I've known Allen for almost 30 years. We were at Hogwarts together and trained together to be Aurors. He apprenticed with Mad-Eye while I got stuck with old Hair-Flap Renfro.'

Harry chuckled inwardly at the nickname but decided that another time would be best to ask more about it. He let Kingsley reminisce about his friend for a few more seconds before he placed a hand on his shoulder. Kingsley turned to look at him but he wasn't seeing Harry. He was seeing some place else.

'Kingsley' Harry said giving Kingsley's shoulder a light squeeze 'we need to go'

He shook his head slowly and then looked back at his wand before holding it aloft in front of him before speaking in his regal baritone voice.

'Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister of Magic and acting Head of the Auror Department. Access needed to the Auror office in accordance with Emergency Access Protocols.' He raised his wand a little higher. 'Grab my arm, Harry.'

Harry did so and a second later, he was pulled into crushing darkness unable to move of breath. He passed through a dense wall of cool air that he could only assume was the protective enchantments around the ministry before he emerged from the darkness into the squad room at the Auror office. The office was completely empty and darker than Harry had ever seen it. The few times that Harry had been there this late, it had been due to some event or attack. At those times, it had been teeming with activity so seeing it this eerily quiet in the wake of what had just happened was unsettling.

'One moment Harry' Kingsley said as he started walking towards Bashir's office. 'I'll have to retrieve the maps from Allen's office'

Harry nodded and waited as Kingsley strode purposefully but stiffly to the office door and pressed inside after a moment's hesitation. The silence that accompanied his absence made Harry's nerves twinge after such a short and heated battle.

Kingsley returned with a large piece of rolled up parchment a moment later and placed it on a nearby desk. Harry lit the lamp with his wand and Kingsley immediately retraced the numbers from earlier in mid-air next to them. He stared at them for a moment and then set to work searching for numbers on the edge of the parchment. Harry glance around him and looked at what he thought was going to be an impressive version of a map of England that would somehow resemble the Marauder's Map but on a much larger and grander scale. Instead he found a, by all accounts, plain map of England and Ireland drawn very accurately on a piece of parchment. The only defining magical characteristic about it was that in the corner was a running clock with the exact time as well as the current phase of the moon, sunset time, and the next sunrise time.

'Do you know how to use coordinates Harry?' Kingsley asked while he worked on pinpointing the location.'

'I do' Harry replied. 'To be honest, I figured there would be some magical way of using the map or finding the location'

Kingsley chuckled slightly and looked up at him. 'One of the first things we were taught in Auror Training was that there is always right and wrong times to use magic as well as necessary and superfluous ways to use it as well.'

'I never was told that' Harry said back as Kingsley resumed his search.

'Like I said 2 months ago, you skipped a few steps. Here!' He exclaimed putting his finger on a spot. 'Some place called Westport, Ireland'

'Westport?' Harry asked stunned. 'You're sure? Westport, Ireland?'

'Quite sure. Why?'

'That's where Alphard Black lived in Ireland. Well, outside of Westport anyway.'

'So that's where he would have started his family with Maggie Eddington?'

'Yes. They lived in Gortaroe in a small cottage out in the country-side.'

'Do you know where exactly? Or a name of the place?'

'No' Harry said frustrated. 'Just that it was hidden on a small road outside of town. Sirius said Alphard had specifically left the exact location out of the letter'

'Damn!' Kingsley said slamming his hand down on the desk. 'Well it's a starting point anyway. Let's go to the Burrow and tell everyone what we know and we can go from there.'

A minute later, Harry and Kingsley apparated into the yard of the Burrow and wasn't surprised to see brightly lit and figures in the kitchen milling around. They hadn't taken 2 steps towards the door when it burst open and Ron came pelting out the door towards them.

'Where did the cord-things lead?'

'Westport, Ireland' Harry said quickly. 'We have an idea of where to start looking but no exact place.'

'Let's head inside Ron and discuss a plan'

They made their way inside and explained to everyone what they had discovered including the connection to Alphard Black. For a few minutes, they discussed the best way to discover the exactly location of Alphard and Maggie's house with no serious success.

'Do you think those Eddington blokes would know where it is?' George asked simply making everyone come up short. Harry actually slapped himself in his own forehead at his own denseness.

'George that's an excellent question' Kingsley said. 'Why didn't I think of that?'

'Where are they' Ron asked urgently. 'They are still in Ministry holding cells while the damage at Azkaban is being repaired.

'Well back to the ministry' he said jumping to his feet and headed towards the door.

'Ron, hold on' Harry said. 'We don't need to do that. I'll be right back.' Harry bolted out the door, sprinted to the boundary, and apparated to his flat without slowing down. When his feet hit solid ground outside his flat, he slammed hard into the door but ignored the pain in his shoulder. He threw the door open, ran to the dining table and opened the case file sitting there. He snatched up the rolled piece of parchment without reading it and ran back to the landing. Ten seconds later, he ran back into the door to the kitchen at the Burrow holding the parchment out to Kingsley.

'What is this?'

'Alphard Black's Will' Harry said panting. Kingsley looked quickly up at him. 'Does it say – '

'No' Harry said regretfully as everyone visibly dropped their shoulders. 'But it says that the home was left to Sirius and Sirius –

'Left all his possessions to you!' Ron finished for him. 'You own that house!'

'That's true, Ron' Harry said dropping his eyes. 'But we don't even know that's where he is.'

'But it's too much of a coincidence not to start there' Arthur said stepping forward looking at Kingsley.

'Will the fact that Harry owns the house bypass any protective enchantments that are on it?'

'It should, yes.' Kingsley said grabbing the will and depositing into his pocket.

'But we still don't know where it is' Harry exclaimed.

'You can find it Harry' Bill said from behind his father. 'I learned in Egypt that the owner has unique power of an object or place that he or she owns.'

'Even still, I couldn't apparate us all there. We will splinch ourselves into oblivion'

'Take us' Arthur said gesturing to Kingsley. 'Take us there and then we can come back and get everyone.'

'That's as good a plan as any' Kingsley stated nodding.

'No way' Harry said shaking his own head. 'I have no idea where we are going. There is no way – '

'You can Harry' Bill said. 'Just think about your home in Ireland. Concentrate with all your might on that fact that it's your home. Try not to picture a house or place, just that fact that it's your home.'

Harry stared for several seconds before he was ushered, or pushed by Ron was more accurate, out the door into the yard with Kingsley and Arthur. Harry felt the daunting prospect that he was about splinch all three of them beyond repair.

'Remember' Bill said encouragingly 'It's you home and that's it'

'This is my home' Harry replied drawing Bill up short.

'Please, Harry' Ron pleaded. Harry nodded and firmed his resolve. He thought back to Twycross and his apparition lessons. Harry's destination was as vague as a wisp of smoke in the wind but there was no doubt in Harry's mind that his determination and deliberation were unparalleled.

Arthur and Kingsley put their hands on Harry's shoulder and both squeezed it reassuringly. Harry called his wand and held it off to his side. He closed his eyes and focused with all his might on the words house, Gortaroe, and the fact it belonged to him. It was his and his alone and no desperate Death Eater was going to take it from him for any reason. It was his house.

Harry took a deep breath and then spun hard on the spot slipping into darkness. The sensation lasted longer than normal Harry thought before he emerged on a dark hilltop. All around were great, open, richly green pastures dotted occasionally with a hedgerow that followed a property line or a road that ran next to a field.

Fifty yards from them was a cottage placed firmly on the highest point of the hill. No lights were on, the door was closed. No smoke came from the stone chimney but Harry couldn't help but the think that the darkness of the night seemed to cling closely to the house. It was as if the house were being shadowed by something that was literally sucking what little light there was out of the air around the house.

The closer they got, the more Harry noticed how dilapidated the cottage was. There were several dozen shingles missing, nearly every window had, at the very least, a crack in it, and the paint had been nearly completely removed from the siding most likely by years of weather and lack of care.

'Ok, Harry' Kingsley whispered 'We will be back in a few seconds.'

Harry nodded and watched as they both disapparated. At nearly the same time, every light in the cottage came on at once. From mere observation, the cottage quite obviously had more than one room making it impossible for a single muggle to accomplish such an act. That's a good sign Harry thought to himself. It was possible that Carrow hadn't had time to set up many enchantments around the cottage giving Harry the advantage.

Harry watched as a shadow approached the window and drew the curtains around it. The frosted glass made it impossible to determine exactly who it was but someone was definitely there. A moment later, two quick cracks announced the return of Kingsley and Arthur bringing Ron, Charlie, Bill, and Percy with them.

'Is he here?' Ron asked urgently without pause.

'Maybe' Harry whispered back. 'Someone is here, that's for sure'

'Do you think he heard us' Charlie asked.

'Who cares' Ron exclaimed angrily. 'Let's just blast the door open and take him down.'

'Ron, slow down. If we try something like that, the door may be booby-trapped to kill us or the people inside. We have to have a plan'

'Kingsley's right' Arthur added. 'We need some sort of plan before we do anything.'

'I'm not too particular on how we get him, just so long as I get at him in the end. I plan to make his night very un-enjoyable. I owe Allen as much.'

'Agreed' Harry added.

'So what do we do?' Ron asked. 'I can't sit out here all night singing campfire songs. We have to get in there.'

'We will Ronald' Percy said quietly. 'But we can't just blow the door down as you say'

'Well why not?!' He retorts. 'The first thing the Canons do at every match is launch a heavy push against the opposing offense to see what their go to moves are.'

'Ron the Canons are rubbish' George points out.

'Well… yea their offense Is definitely, but the strategy is good. Of teams use it too'

'Wood did' Harry says.

'Really boys? Quidditch at a time like this?'

'No, listen Dad. It's simple. We cast something simply and quiet at the house and see what happens.'

'Standing quite clear, I would hope' Percy says with a little of his pompousness coming out.

'Sure, sure. But we'll never truly know what's going to happen until we let it happen'

Arthur surveys them for a few moments with a slight shaking of his head. 'Do you have anything better, Kingsley?'

'Sure I do' he said with a glance back at the house. 'But I certainly don't have anything quicker'

'Well then, I suppose – '

Harry's blood turned to ice in his veins as a horrific shriek of pain emanated from the house. A ripple of cold air ran through them as all their heads whipped around to the house. Ron tried to immediately break into a sprint but was stopped bodily by Charlie.

'Do it, Kingsley' Arthur said commandingly

They all stood stock-still in the night as Kingsley raised his wand and pointed it smoothly at the window nearest them. Harry saw the frosted glass turn crystal clear, flooding light out onto the yard allowing him to see directly into the cottage.