*Ginny*

Luna was chasing butterflies. We were taking a break after finishing the proofreading her dad had asked us to do for the day. He was generously giving me a few galleons for my work during the last week, so I made sure to do my best. Luna always managed to seem carefree. It wasn't just an act, despite what most people thought. And she wasn't merely crazy either. Luna just… she really did live in a different place than most did. But sometimes she let me visit.

I was enjoying the mid-June afternoon sun, itching to get back on my broom. Luna didn't care for flying though, so I had let mine go directly to the Burrow. It probably would have been an unfair advantage against the butterflies anyway.

Luna's dad came to supper a bit late, wearing an odd necklace. "Mr. Lovegood, what is that?" I found myself asking.

"Oh this… it's a symbol of the Deathly Hallows. You haven't heard of them?"

"No, sir, I haven't."

"What about the story of the Three Brothers and Death?"

Ah, that. Wasn't my favorite. I supposed one should expect a story about Death to have a lot of people dying, though. "Yes, I remember my mum telling me that yarn once or twice."

"Well, there are some of us who believe that the gifts from Death in the story — the Resurrection Stone, Elder Wand, and Death's Cloak — are at least partially real. I've been searching for them all my life. Sadly, so far to no success. But just because you can't find something doesn't mean it isn't there. I hope to someday find other searchers that will aid my quest.

Thoughts of Harry's cloak entered my head that I brushed aside. It was something he seemed to want to keep secret. But thinking of Harry hurt. A lot. Being angry was getting tiring. I looked at Luna and she said, "You're going?"

She had been able to tell that at one glance. "Yeah… I'm sorry but there's a conversation I need to have."

She smiled at me and I think she knew more than I even wanted to tell myself. "Sure. Say hi to Harry for me. I'll see you on the train if not sooner."

"Thanks, Luna. You're the best."

Mr. Lovegood volunteered to apparate me near our house. I couldn't floo with the Fidelius charm, so I had a few minutes' walk. I bumped into Fred and George who were working on something out of my mother's view.

"Welcome home, sis."

"Harry's flying over on the pitch with Bill."

Right. I felt bad for not having seen my brother already. I walked over and they were actually on the ground, though they were holding their brooms. It looked like a serious conversation. Finally, Harry looked up and saw me.

Bill gave me a hug. "Glad to see you, Ginny. I'll catch up with you in a bit. I'm in your old room."

He left us and I stood there waiting. Harry finally started talking. "Gin, I'm sorry. He's more powerful than when he was with Quirrell. It's really confusing and scary. It's like I'm in his body."

I was genuinely afraid. "You told Dad and Sirius?"

He nodded.

"It still doesn't explain mistreating me at school."

He looked down at his feet. "I know, I'm sorry. I didn't want to worry you. And I know he's coming after me. He's tried several times. If it wasn't for the charm on the house, I think we all would be dead. I guess I feel bad about it all. If you weren't my friend, you'd be safer."

I took one glance at Harry and was about ready to slap him across the face good and hard for being such an idiot but I stopped myself. He was rigid as as a board and I thought he was expecting me to take out my anger on him physically. I took a deep breath, trying to be the calm one for once. "Harry, he went after me in the diary long before he knew about you. How many times last year did you tell me it wasn't my fault?" I didn't wait for a smart response. "So were you lying to me all this time?"

"No, Gin… I'd never lie to you."

"Then it's not your fault either!"

I grabbed a fistful of his shirt and brought him close. "Tom wants you alone and afraid! And you have been helping him do that!"

I was finally reaching him. He nearly collapsed, putting more of his weight on me then I could handle and we slowly knelt to the ground. I put my arms around him and he cautiously did the same to me.

"You aren't alone, Harry. Me, Dad, Mum. Everyone. You're part of our family and we will do whatever we need to. We all care about you."

I got him to lift his head up and I softly said, "Look me in the eyes." He obeyed and I saw a glimmer of the emerald flame I had missed. "You are not alone. I need you to promise that you believe that."

"I do, Gin."

"And I need you to promise me that you never do anything like this again. I… it hurt so badly, Harry. I can't get any closer to you if this is going to repeat. It'd kill me. Just as surely as Tom would."

"I… ok. I promise, friends forever." He looked down for a moment and then softly asked, "Forgive me?"

I smiled but it was bittersweet. "I will, but I'm going to need some time before things will be the same."

He nodded in understanding and we slowly made our way back to the house.

After supper, I cornered Ron and verbally took a few chunks out of him for his part in what had happened. I probably wasn't seeing Hermione until around Harry's birthday, so I'd have to wait. I didn't feel like writing it in a letter.

That evening, Harry brought up a new topic at dinner. "Bill?"

"Yes?"

"You know a lot about wards and such. Would the Fidelius charm block the underage trace?"

He thought for a minute. "I suppose it probably would block it for anyone who hasn't been told the secret. Though it really doesn't matter. With that much magic, the trace would never be conclusive enough to punish the underage wizard. Or witch," he added for my benefit.

Dad said, "It's actually an open secret in the ministry that the trace is almost never enforced on a magical household. The trace detects magic but not the caster. Unless parents report it themselves, they aren't punished for magic done at home."

I realized something. "But that means, muggle-borns are really the only ones caught?"

Dad nodded. "I'm afraid so. Another act of discrimination. Many pure-bloods seem more skilled simply because they are practicing all summer. Sometimes with tutors. A few of us try to abide by the rules."

Ron spoke up with a roll in his mouth. "I guess I can understand, Dad. But Harry and Ginny were attacked. Maybe you could let us bend the rules so we can keep practicing?"

Harry agreed. "If I don't try the Patronus charm for three months, it'll be like starting all over."

My mother surprised me by backing up the boys. "Dear, if no one knows… and you said yourself they haven't gotten enough practice in Defense. Merlin knows Remus was the only decent teacher they've had in that position for years."

Dad sighed for a moment. "You're right, Molly. If You-Know-Who is coming back… if you promise to be careful and only practice when your mother or me or Bill are around, I think it will be ok to work on your dueling skills."

"Thank you," said Harry.

I added, "Yeah, Dad. We won't disappoint you."

Bill didn't need to go to Gringotts the next day, so he took the first shift supervising us. Ron had thought up some different ways of practice. He had set up some targets about twenty paces away. "It doesn't matter how powerful the spell is if you miss."

When it was my turn, I missed four out of ten the first go, worse than either boy. Harry stood up after watching my performance. "If you don't mind…"

I didn't object. He placed his right hand over mine and his left on my hip. "Try to point your body towards the target." At least that's what I thought he said as I felt a wave of heat go through me. "Straighten your grip and then aim…" I nodded and shot a stunner at the block of wood and hit it square.

"Good job!" he said.

"Thanks for helping," I said with a smile. "You're a good teacher."

When we were done, Harry and Ron immediately scampered inside. Harry wanted to freshen up and my brother wanted a snack. I decided to wait outside until my turn in the bath. Bill hadn't been working out so he was enjoying a lemonade.

"I missed you," I said as I walked over and gave him a hug.

"You, too, Firefly." I grinned at him. It was my nickname when he watched me as a tyke during the summers a long time ago.

"You never talked too much about Egypt," I said sitting down.

"Was never a big letter writer. And most days were not as exciting as you probably thought. The ones that were, well, often not something I could put in a letter. Especially one that Mum could read."

"I did first have thoughts of you surrounded by treasure," I admitted.

"Well, most of that's already been discovered. The goblins are really more interested in information… ancient spells and writings. That often can be far more profitable."

That was surprising given the common wizarding stereotypes, which I was learning were probably all wrong. I couldn't help but needle him a bit. "No pretty witches down there?"

He shrugged. "I kept busy and I figured I was going to not be there forever. I may have seen one or two, but nothing serious." Good thing, too. Now that I wasn't little, Mum would probably start pestering him about grandkids.

After another sip, he added, "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, year before last."

"I… it's ok. You and Charlie both have your own lives. Sucks being so far apart in age sometimes."

"Yeah, I missed out on a lot being at Hogwarts and then out. I'm not going anywhere now."

"Good. Charlie's not coming back until right before the cup though?"

"Yeah, and that's a surprise to me that he's coming."

"Charlie seems to like his dragons more than crowds of people."

"Yeah, I think he's still dealing with… you know what happened to him, fifth year?"

I nodded. "Not at the time obviously but I heard enough that I asked Dad once."

"Ok. I think he's still anxious sometimes."

"I can't blame him there. I had nightmares after… Harry helped me."

He smiled. "He's smitten. I hope you know that."

"I do. I have him right where I want him." I smirked.

"I'm going to head back in now. I don't need to hear that from my baby sister. Makes me feel old."

I playfully hit him on the shoulder and followed him inside.

Harry, Rom, and I took advantage of the agreement with Dad as much as we could. The twins joined us often too, but they had other projects they were working. It was a good thing Mum was so good at basic healing spells. Almost every day, one of us had at least a bruise or worse when something went wrong. Harry the most of all with being so reckless. The first time he hit me, he got really upset with himself until I set him straight.

Summer was nearly half over when Hermione came. With Bill around and Percy not yet moved out, she was rooming with me. Charlie was the stockiest of my brothers so his old bed was plenty wide for the two of us girls.

As soon as we were alone, I brought up the end of the year. "I really wished you would've stuck up for me," I gently said while pulling on a night shirt. Too warm for anything else and I wasn't going back downstairs.

"What?"

"End of the year. Harry's stupid idea to protect me by pushing away."

She sighed as she sat in the bed. "Yes, I know. I really did try to stop him but, he's so stubborn."

I smiled, "Yeah, that I've seen… and I guess it's not your fault, but you're the closest thing to a sister I have. I was mad at all of you, but mainly Harry. I'm still not completely happy."

Hermione sighed. "I'm not an expert, but he was doing it because he cares for you. And you were so upset for the same reason."

She was right and I had probably punished him enough. Hermione and Ron may have wanted to let Harry work through things by his stubborn self, but I vowed to kick his arse when needed. Someone had to.

Trying to change subjects, I asked, "How has summer been? How are your parents?"

"They're fine," she said as I lay down in the bed, getting a bit more comfortable. She stayed sitting up. "Their practice is going well, never a lack of teeth that need cleaning and mending."

She continued. "I actually worked with them in their office, answering phones, getting deliveries. I got to give out toys and stickers to kids after their visits."

"Sounds fun. My dad's taken me to his office once or twice but not for long, I don't think it's encouraged."

"Well, it started out nice, spending time with them. But then it made me remember… I used to plan on becoming a dentist myself and taking over their practice when I was older. Now, even if I went to a muggle university after Hogwarts, half the things they do seem pointless, considering what I could do with magic."

I tried to understand. "I guess healing is very different for them."

"Home's the same way. Every summer, I feel more and more like I'm visiting foreigners. Their world isn't mine anymore."

She seemed melancholy. Not crying or really sad, but just… realizing things changed. I tried comforting her. "I guess I've never been in a muggle house for very long. It would be different. Dad would be thrilled, though. You can be here as much as you want. It is nice having another girl around. And another person for practice will even things up."

"Practice? What sort?"

I told her a bit about our summer lawbreaking. She was quite indignant at first. "That's… that's against the rules. You could get expelled!"

"No one's said anything since. Like I, between the charm and three adults here, no one knows."

"Still…"

"It can't help but be useful for your practicals. OWLs are less than two years away."

"Well, there is that," she said with a smile. My friend didn't seem to have much complaints after that.

I did though. Sirius was taking Harry to his place in London for two weeks. He said there was a lot of things to teach him — helping him get ready to manage his inheritance that he would come into in three years and other things befitting someone of a noble head of house. Dad had done the same for Bill and Charlie though learning to the manage several large tracts of land wasn't necessary for them. He tried to make it sound boring, but no one believed that they were spending fourteen days at Gringotts.

Sirius stopped by in the morning. Harry ran up to him and hugged him. "Ready to go?"

"Yes, I am Padfoot."

"Molly, if you and Arthur want some quiet time, I could take the four of them off your hands for a few days. Grimmauld Place is plenty big."

"Thanks for the offer, dear, but I will need some help around here." My mother obviously didn't think he could handle all four of us. Mum and him got along ok, but Sirius… well, he acted more like a twenty year-old than being in his mid-thirties. No one faulted him for wanting to relive some years that had been stolen from him, but no one expected him to discipline anyone either.

"How about Ginny and Harry then." That was never going to happen. "Or the boys."

I glared at Ron before he said anything. "You should spend some time with Harry," he offered. "Maybe over Christmas."

So it would just be the three of us and I was going to train and exercise hard and not disappoint him when Harry got back. We had all been so busy, I didn't realize that he was going to be gone over his birthday until it was too late to get him something before he left. Finally, I decided to give him one thing that only I could. I sat down in my room when Ron and Hermione were having their usual after-dinner row and decided to write a simple letter.

Harry,

Happy Birthday!

You have made this last year so much better than the one before. I hope from the bottom of my heart I've helped do the same for you. I've decided I have waited long enough. Whenever you're ready, if you ask me to be your girlfriend, I'll have an answer.

Yours truly,

Ginny

There. That seemed straightforward enough for him to not have to guess at anything (Subtlety was never Harry's strong suit) while not being more forward than I felt ready to be. Sirius came and picked him up after breakfast. I got permission to use Errol, my parents owl, and sent him the message. That night I felt both more relieved and more anxious than I had ever remembered.

*Arthur*

This was going to be five days in a row I came home after dark. Whatever had let the ministry to schedule the first Triwizard cup in over a generation the same year we were hosting the Quidditch World Cup final… it was either really bad luck or really good luck. Pretty much everyone other than the unspeakables were helping with security. I really felt bad that I had barely had time to say hello to Charlie since he had come home on holiday for the cup. We even had hired out all of Gringotts' curse breakers to help put up wards. So one silver lining was getting to work with my oldest first-hand. Another was we were given such deep discounts on tickets that the entire family could afford to go.

I was scheduled to head back to the stadium for more field work but I had to manage my normal job as well, so I forced myself to be at my desk for the first part of the day.

I was surprised when Harry and Sirius stopped by. "How are things?" I asked.

Harry responded, "Great. Sirius has… well, we've been getting a lot done."

His godfather interrupted. "Can I buy you lunch, Arthur? I'll be dropping off Harry tomorrow. Remus has done all the prep work he needs so I'll be scarce for some time."

"Uh, sure. Thanks."

He insisted on going one of the nicer cafes nearby. After we had placed our order (bacon sandwich for me) and after some nudging, Harry proceeded to talk. It was a conversation I knew was coming but would never have been ready for. After several minutes of talking, I simply said, "Yes, that's fine, Harry."

He smiled. "Thank you. I won't let you down. Or her."

After lunch, I bade Sirius goodbye and promised to see Harry tomorrow after I was done with work. However, it would end up being the day after, the morning of the final. By the time Bill and I returned home after picking up Charlie at the international portkey centre, everyone else was asleep.

That morning, we were all up bright and early. Well, that had been the plan. With the amount of people in the house, it was always rather chaotic trying to leave the house at a designated time. I gave up on telling everyone it was half an hour before we really had to go, because once my two youngest figured that out, we had ended up being later than ever.

Molly had made some apple turnovers the night before for us to nosh on while walking to the portkey. I did a quick count as I locked the door behind us — Molly, Bill, Charlie, not Percy as he had spent the night on the grounds as Crouch's personal assistant, the twins, Ron, Hermione, and Harry and Ginny. Ginny wasn't letting Harry more than a few feet away from her, let alone out of her sight. After a brisk morning's half hour walk, we arrived at the portkey location.

Amos Diggory and his son Cedric had arrived before us. I shook his hand. "Been too long, Amos. Anyone else showing?"

"Um, don't think so, Arthur. Anyone else nearby that I know of didn't get tickets. My, you have quite the haul with you. All yours?"

I chuckled. Kind of? "Just the redheads. The other girl is Hermione Granger, a muggleborn, and Harry…"

"Harry Potter, my word," he said. I could almost feel Harry's enthusiasm let out, as he had grown tired of his celebrity years ago.

"Yes, Harry's been living with us for the last year, when he's not at Hogwarts of course."

"Of course. Cedric stole the last match of the season out from under his nose if I do recall."

His boy tried to be modest. "It was close, Dad, and it was more luck than anything. Harry had an off day."

"Nonsense, you were being more than just lucky." The man was obviously proud of his son. I couldn't fault that but didn't appreciate him having to run down mine.

Thankfully, my pocket watch chimed. "I think we're just about time to go." It got crowded fast as we all had to squeeze in and get at least a finger on the old boot that had been charmed. Suddenly, I felt the familiar spinning and we were on the grounds.

We had some time to spend before we needed to get to our seats. I had a tent to set up in case since the match would likely go late into the night. We were technically in muggle territory, so we were doing things the fun way.

Harry volunteered, "Should we get some water?"

"That sounds like a good idea," I replied. I had two five gallon buckets and the closest faucet was a hundred yards away, so I sent the four of them off. The twins… had already disappeared. "Bill, Charlie, help me with the tent?"

Charlie had a run at the instructions but gave up. "These are more confusing than reading Romanian."

Bill took them into hand. After a few minutes, he started deciphering them. "Ok, this poles need to connect and then cross those…"

Charlie was his usual quiet self. The three of us worked well as a team.

It was almost as difficult as some remodeling that we had done to the Burrow on our own. Finally, it was up.

Of course, it didn't look nearly large enough for the family on the outside, but it was heavily charmed. On the inside, there was enough rooms for everyone after they doubled up. It looked like Percy would end up getting a room to himself as the odd one out.

The younger ones got back a little than I had expected. They were also all half soaked. Molly took one look at them and exclaimed, "Explain yourselves!"

My daughter sheepishly grinned. "I guess I started it. I doused Harry with half a bucket to cheer him up. He was moping from missing Sirius too much."

"Then I grabbed her bucket and tried to get her with the rest, but Merlin, she's fast," Harry added. "Drenched Ron instead."

Ron finished. "I tried getting Harry and Ginny back but Hermione walked straight into it…"

They all burst out laughing, even Hermione. She said, "I did make sure the buckets were filled before we came back."

Molly sighed. "Well, we aren't supposed to be using charms since this is muggle-owned land. I imagine you'll just have to watch the match wet. Now where are Fred and…"

"George?" said Fred. "Just doing a bit of business research."

Their joke shop plans. Molly shook her head in surrender. Deep down inside, I knew she loved it all.

We found our seats. They were decent enough considering the difficulty in finding a block of open seats large enough for us. Then my spirit was a little dampened as the minister walked by with Malfoy and his son. Minister Fudge said, "Arthur, glad to see you here."

I replied, "Thank you, sir. It's pleasant to see everyone's work come together."

"Yes it is. Speaking of which, have you seen old Barty? His house elf was saving his seat but it looks empty now. Shame for him to miss this."

I was going to respond affirmatively, but the minister had turned to greet someone else. Draco Malfoy said to Ron, "I can't believe your father had to buy tickets here in the lower deck."

Lucius shook his head and said in mock reproach, "Son, that wasn't very polite. I'm sure Arthur did the best he could do without selling his hovel. But my word, picking up orphans and mudbloods now… I imagine you feel fortunate that neither of them know any better."

I was counting backwards in my head. The last time I lost my temper with these two, Ginny and Harry almost died. Thankfully Molly was on the other side of our row with Bill and Charlie and wasn't hearing this.

Then Draco told Ron, "Doesn't your mother know they invented the potion fifty years ago? She definitely could have done with less of a litter."

Ginny glared. "It's obvious your mother knew and were all thankful. She must have had some decency in her heart to not inflict an innocent babe with having you as a sibling." Draco didn't have a response. "And by the way, I told Harry I get to help when there is a second round."

Harry gently touched her elbow. "Let's just enjoy the game, Gin. He's not worth missing a score." Harry got both her to turn away towards the field and the Malfoy's eventually slinked off to their box with the minister. Ron gave Hermione a gentle but quick embrace. The 'm' word really hurt her.

The match was very good, though it was almost too fast to follow. The Bulgarian seeker, Viktor Krum, was becoming world famous despite his age. Harry was enthralled and taking mental notes. Too bad he wouldn't be able to use anything he saw this next year.

The kids probably got more out of the match. I had never played myself but I did enjoy the game, no more so than when my girl had shamed Slytherin last fall. Almost a year ago, which seemed impossible. She was almost thirteen and I was going to have to figure out how to be the father of a woman.

Ireland was thrashing Bulgaria and the margin was only getting worse. Finally, Krum put his team out of their misery by catching the Snitch. Game over, Ireland wins.

The most excited of us were the twins. They were jumping and yelling in excitement. I hadn't known either of them to exactly be Irish fans, so I suspected they may have placed a wager or two. At their age though, half a year to seventeen, I decided to let them make their own choices and face their own consequences. They were going to do what they wanted anyway.

As we walked back in the revelry, I saw Harry slip an arm momentarily around Ginny as if he was daring himself. Nothing inappropriate, but definitely not something he would do with Ron or Hermione. She responded by leaning into him.

My thoughts were quickly interrupted by a chorus of screaming and chaos. I looked around and saw the Dark Mark above the stadium. Not here…. There would be a riot. People already were stampeding.

I grabbed Charlie. "You and Bill, please help your mother get everyone back to the tent. And stay there." I looked at the twins and said, "Fred, George, now is not the time." Percy insisted on coming with me.

We ran off and tried to find anyone from the ministry that needed help. I finally bumped into a familiar face. It was Sirius' cousin on duty with her auror badge. She had been over a few times with him and Lupin during preparation for their current mission. "Tonks!"

"Arthur!" She scanned the crowd and then approached me. "Need help? Your family ok?"

"Yes, they should be in our tent by now. And you… have there been anyone killed?"

She shook her head. "No bodies yet. Crouch is badly injured. We lost him for a moment and he seems a bit dazed, so he is at the first aid tent tent getting checked out before we send him to St. Mungo's."

Percy looked worried. "I'll go see to him." He ran off towards the medical tent to make sure his boss would make it.

Tonks came a little closer to not be overheard. "Fudge and Lucius Malfoy are both missing. Draco was stunned with his own wand." She looked around. "The crowd seems to be calming down a bit. Kingsley's got rid of the Dark Mark finally. We have a few broken bones and such from people being plowed into. But now… we're all looking for the minister."

I volunteered to help her look. After half an hour, the crowd had finally thinned out but it was pitch black. Even with our wands lit, it was pretty pointless to continue the search. I bumped into Kingsley, who told me that Draco finally woke up but he repeated over and over he didn't know anything. His mother appeared very quickly and insisted on taking him back to Malfoy Manor. They had no cause to hold him so Draco and Narcissa left.

Tonks reached into a pocket in her robe and took out a piece of paper. "New orders," she explained. After a moment to read, she wrote something and looked up. "Now assigned to me. The next person in the ministry VIP list that hasn't been seen by an auror is Harry. I need to get eyes on him and make sure he's ok."

Stunned that the ministry was keeping those sort of records, I nodded. "Of course, I'll take you to our campsite."

*Ginny*

It was a madhouse getting back to our tent. Everyone was pushing and shoving, desperate to get as far from the strange skull as possible. Mum called out, "Ginny, grab someone's hand. If you get separated in this mess, you'll be hard to see and liable to get trampled."

I had to protest that a little. "Mum, I'm not a baby. I know where the tent is," I said, half-heartedly.

"Ginevra…."

"Oh, fine." I winked at Hermione and sidestepped to the right and did what I had been wanting to all day. "I have Harry's. Are you happy?" I was.

"Yes. Watch the sass or I'll make you hold mine."

Harry asked, "Why is everyone so scared."

I imagined he meant to ask one of my older brothers or my mother, but Hermione answered, "It's You-Know-Who's mark."

"It's still just a charm."

Bill explained, "Harry, it's the mark used when they killed someone. People would come home and see that and know their family had been destroyed. And only a Death Eater can conjure it."

Mum added, "The last time it was seen… it would have been your house, dear."

Harry nodded grimly.

And then his legs gave out and Harry collapsed to the ground. He started to groan and grabbed his scar. I was having a hard time lifting him back up. Thankfully, Ron came along and pulled him up. My brother put Harry's arm over his shoulder and helped him lean into him. Harry grimaced in pain and every so often, his head flinched.

"I got you, mate. We have to keep moving or you're going to get ran over." Harry nodded and seemed to be barely awake.

Fred got Harry's other arm and we were able to get back to our tent a few minutes later. Ron led him to their section of the tent and lay him down. Mum was frantic and Charlie looked worried. "Is he having a fit?"

I shook my head. "He's been seeing Tom… You-Know-Who… off and on during the summer. Like from his perspective. We're not sure why. Harry think they are real visions, not just nightmares."

Bill said, "I think that scar of his is much more than we know. I asked Dumbledore but he's been evasive."

Ron quietly noticed, "It hasn't happened before when he's been awake. Something must have changed."

I couldn't help but think of the skull in the sky that had only recently vanished.

Mum yelled out, "Whenever he does wake up, he won't need half a dozen people in his face. Everyone take a couple steps back. Ron, go get some water for when he comes to."

My eyes didn't stray from him from a second. I just stood there, feeling incredibly powerless which was infuriating. Finally, I had had enough. Before anyone could stop me, I grabbed the pitcher out of Ron's hands and upended over Harry's face.

Harry gasped and sputtered. "Merlin, that's cold!"

I laughed at the comical view of it all. "Don't do that again."

Harry's smile vanished. "I doubt what happened will ever happen again…"

Suddenly, Dad and a lady auror walked in. Mum rushed up to him. "Harry passed out on the way back. He just now woke up."

The auror said, "Is he ok, though?"

Harry answered, "Yes, I'm fine, Tonks." I hated when he said that, given that 'fine' for him meant not currently under a curse. Harry looked at me and explained, "She's Sirius' cousin. She came by a few times when I was over at his place."

He finally sat up and said, "The minister is missing?"

"Yes," Dad said, "how did you…."

"I'm trying to sort it all out, but I an pretty sure he's dead," Harry said quietly. "I saw Peter and then Mr. Malfoy appeared with the minister and then a bit later, someone named Barty. Barty tied up the minister and then Peter…" He stopped.

I went over and held Harry's hand. "It's ok…"

Harry nodded and took a breath. "Peter cut his arm off and threw it into a cauldron. Then they cut the minister's throat and it's fuzzy but I think whatever body Voldemort had was thrown in. Then he came out."

Mum gasped. Tonks asked, "Can he… is he fully remade?"

"I think so. He used a wand to cast a spell on Mr. Malfoy. Crucio, I think he said."

Dad whispered, "That's an unforgiveable; it's used to torture people."

"Yeah, that's what it did. He was angry that Mr. Malfoy hadn't found him sooner, acted like he turned his back on him. He spent several minutes screaming while that was being used on him. Several other men in masks showed up as well, but he was disappointed in the showing."

Dad looked at him, "Harry, you're absolutely sure…. was there anything else?"

"He said something about being mad they couldn't have used me instead, but I was too protected. Mr. Malfoy was close enough to the minister that taking him was easy. That's all I really can remember, it was mostly a blur."

I could have lost him tonight… if Dad hadn't gotten between Lucius and Harry…

Tonks hair turned gray. "I have to tell… someone."

Dad said, "We can't go through the official channels. Dumbledore, I think he'll believe Harry. Is there anyone you trust, Tonks?"

"Moody and Kingsley will listen to Dumbledore at least. The rest of the aurors, you're right… they'd either not believe or want Harry in protective custody. I have an emergency portkey." She took a nail file out of her pocket, enlarged it, and then tapped it with her wand twice before giving it to my father. "It will go to the Burrow in five minutes. Get Dumbledore, I'll bring over the others and Percy as soon as I can." Then Tonks hurried out the tent.

Dad said, "Come on, everyone. Pack up and grab your things." I hadn't unpacked anything so I just grabbed my bag that contained my nightshirt and clothes for tomorrow. Ron had Harry's bag, which I took from him so he could help him up. "Ok, time to go!' Dad announced when the nail file turned a shade of red for a split second. We all got a finger on it and after I blinked, we were back in our home.

After making sure we were ok, my mother announced it was all time for us to get to bed. Dad made a floo call to Hogwarts and said Dumbledore would be over in ten minutes. Harry looked like he was half asleep again. "I have to tell Dumbledore what happened," he protested.

Dad said, "Harry, Tonks would have been recording the conversation; all aurors have a device that allows them to do that for interrogations and the like. You get some rest, I'll talk to Dumbledore and whoever Tonks brings."