Part IV: Revolution

Chapter II: In Which Harry Arrives in Style

Dinner was very tense that night. Corinna was glad that Dora and Lupin were called into an Order meeting. She didn't want to explain why Uncle Ted was pointedly ignoring Corinna or why Aunt Andromeda was forcing neutral topics onto everyone. It ended with hardly anyone eating. Corinna voluntarily cleaned up after dinner while Aunt Andromeda dragged Uncle Ted outside to talk. They must have put up charms so they wouldn't be overheard, as all Corinna heard was muffled voices, but she could clearly see them sitting out in the garden while Uncle Ted chain-smoked cigarettes. A habit that Aunt Andromeda blamed on his Muggle family.

The next few days were still very much tense, but Uncle Ted was now attempting to be civil and Corinna met him halfway. Aunt Andromeda was able to get the potion ingredients that were needed, and Corinna immediately went to work, glad to be doing something to take her mind off things. It annoyed her how much preparation there was just to make the Polyjuice Potion, but there were other things that were needed to be made so Corinna could make those while the lacewing flies stewed.

The times seemed to fly before she realized it. On a Friday afternoon, Dora had come home early. As the potions she was working on needed to simmer, she was downstairs reading the book that Hermione had given her. She was just in the middle of reading the most gruesome potion when Dora came in. "What's that look for?"

"Just questioning reality," she said simply as she closed the book. "What's up?"

"Lupin and I are getting married tonight."

Corinna had expected it to be soon, but not quite that soon. "That's great!" she said excitedly.

"I know it's last minute, but I feel like we have wasted enough time as it is and, with how things have been going, we could all be dead by tomorrow. Could you also be our witness? I can't see anyone else filling the role."

"Of course," she said. Although Lupin had already warned her, hearing it from her cousin made it seem that much more real. "I would do anything for you."

"Okay, go get ready," she said. "We are just going to elope. I was able to find someone who would willingly marry a werewolf. It's going to be at a muggle pub, so we don't have to worry about anyone ruining the night. Wear something nice but muggle and meet us at the Ministry at five. I now have to go talk to Mum and Dad at work."

"Good luck," said Corinna. Although Uncle Ted seemed to be in slightly better spirits, he was still weary about Dora's and Lupin's relationship. If the only problem were the werewolf thing, she would be miffed, but she could also understand where they were coming from. There was an age difference and, in their eyes, things were being rushed.

Corinna stood and Dora gave her a quick hug only to rush out of the door. Corinna headed back upstairs and put the book in the pile that she would take with her on their little Horcrux quest. She knew she needed to pack light, but there were still a few things she would need, like potion ingredients to replenish anything they used, muggle clothing, and other things. Now that Terry was back home, she had sent him an owl asking if he would take care of Zelda. She hadn't received a response yet, but that may be due to the fact she was vague as to why she wanted him to do such a thing.

She dressed in a nice jumper as the late afternoon air threatened an evening chill. She looked at the necklace that Harry had given her, but she opted to keep it hidden in a similar fashion as Harry: folded up in a pair of socks.

She kept her hair down as, due to the length, she did not have much time to do something with it, nor did she want to attempt one of the spells that helped with such a feat. With her luck, she would make herself go bald, and that was not a risk she was willing to take. She put on some simple makeup and headed out.

The pub Dora mentioned was the Golden Fleece, a place that was fairly empty at this time of the day. Corinna ducked in and immediately spotted Lupin sitting at the bar, nursing a pint, and chatting nervously with the barkeeper. "Our witness," he explained when she sat down next to him. "She's like a sister to my future wife." He seemed to enjoy saying that despite how frazzled he looked.

She was given a pint despite the fact that, according to muggle laws, she was not of age. The barkeep went to help a small party that had just arrived. "Do I look okay? I didn't know what to wear."

"You look fine," said Corinna, trying not to laugh. She did not imagine someone like Remus Lupin would care about his looks, but he only wanted things to go right tonight. "You could arrive in your birthday suit, and I'm pretty sure Dora would still marry you. But, please don't do that. Dora would stay but I would leave faster than you can say 'quidditch.'"

Lupin chuckled and then took a sip of his own pint. "I appreciate it," he said, setting his glass down. "I just hope Andromeda and Ted take it well. I volunteered to go with her when she invited them, but she thought it was best that she went alone."

"Probably best," agreed Corinna. "But, like I said, at the end of the day, they just want her to be happy."

It was only a few minutes before they all arrived. The officiant was on the younger side, almost looking to be Dora's age. Uncle Ted and Aunt Andromeda were courteous, but the edge was still there, especially with Uncle Ted's stiff posture. By then, they had finished their pints and they all made their way into a back room where the ceremony was going to be held.

It was short, but Corinna guessed that was by design. The officiant said what was necessary and they exchanged the rings and a kiss. Certificates were signed, and she was happy to add her own below theirs. Maybe it was the fact that it just happened and the world didn't end, but Aunt Andromeda and Uncle Ted seemed to be in much better spirits. Insisting that they have a nicer meal than some greasy fish and chips at the pub, Aunt Andromeda found a nicer restaurant and insisted on treating the happy couple.

Once they got their drinks, Uncle Ted cleared his throat and everyone looked over at him. "First of all, I just wanted to tell you both congratulations. You seem to make each other very happy, so I am more than happy to accept you, Remus, into our family. I also owe you an apology," he added. "I am sorry for being tetchy with you, and on all grounds it was unfounded. After all, 'Dromeda and I had much strife when we decided to form a union. At the end of the day, you make our daughter happy, and that's what really matters."

Lupin—she really ought to start considering him Remus—gave a small thanks and they all toasted the happy couple. All throughout dinner, Remus and Dora refused to break any sort of physical contact whether it was holding hands under the table or Dora leaning into Remus. They extended dinner with more drinks a dessert that hardly anyone touched from the filling meal.

Although Dora had fully intended on continuing the evening through muggle London, Aunt Andromeda and Uncle Ted decided to call it an evening. Corinna inclined to go with them as the look in Remus's eyes said he had much different plans for the night. She apparated home, wondering if Scourgify would work on thoughts in her mind.

As they walked into the sitting room, Uncle Ted turned to Corinna. "As it seems that tonight is marked by new beginnings, I think we should talk."

Corinna nodded and Aunt Andromeda went to make them tea. With the amount of noise coming form the kitchen, she had opted to make it the muggle way to give the two of them as much time alone. They wordlessly sat at the dining room table with Uncle Ted at the head of the table, but sitting straight forward so he looked out into the sitting room.

"I'm sorry for the way I acted, Corinna," said Uncle Ted. "But you have to understand that hearing that…it scared me. You may be of age but what you are asking us to just accept that Dumbledore gave you a job to do and you can't even say what it is or anything else. Do you at least have a plan?"

"Yes," said Corinna, as they did have an idea of what they needed to do, just needed to get together in order to discuss the finer details. "And I wish I could talk to you about it, but I can't. Dumbledore didn't even tell the Order about this, it is that important."

Uncle Ted still looked conflicted as he clasped his hands on top of the table. "You are going on your own volition, correct? No one is forcing you into this? Or just doing this because you're dating Harry?"

Quite the opposite as Harry would much rather do this alone. "Yes, Uncle Ted," she said. "Even if I wasn't involved with Harry, I would want to be a part of this. It's bigger than any one of us."

Uncle Ted fell silent as Aunt Andromeda came back with the tea. This time, Corinna grabbed her cup and intended to drink it.

"Then we will do what we need to," said Uncle Ted when Aunt Andromeda sat down. "All I ask is that you come home alive and safe after all this is over."

"You have my word," she said softly.

"Alright," said Aunt Andromeda. "Then we'll do what we must. Just know we will not think anything different of you if you decided not to do this."

It wasn't just their opinion she was worried about—it was her own.

And so preparations began. The next day, Aunt Andromeda and Corinna apparated to Crouch Manor, a place that Corinna hadn't been in in nearly two years. It looked just about the same, but the air was stale from being unlived in and the beginnings of grime were starting to coat the surfaces. It only took a few cleaning spells from Aunt Andromeda to clean up the house while Corinna took her school things into her old bedroom. She was thankful that Aunt Andromeda did not mention the open bottle of fire whiskey sitting on the table by the couch, simply putting it back in the liquor cabinet.

Terry sent a letter a few days later to confirm that he would take Zelda and that Grace would watch her, but Corinna could almost hear how grudging it was just by how he had written it. He said he would come to visit on the following Saturday and take her from there. She told Aunt Andromeda as soon as she got the news. She said that Uncle Ted had to work, but they could have dinner just the three of them. She had sent a message to Dora asking if she and Remus would want to join them, but she said that they had an important planning session for the Order.

Late Saturday afternoon, Terry apparated outside the wards and made his way up to the house. He was carrying a bottle of mead and a goofy grin on his face. Corinna opened the door before he could even knock and she hugged him tightly. "How was your trip?" she asked when she finally broke away from him.

"Uneventful," he said. "It was just a lot of packing and then unpacking once we got back. Grace is living with us again since her plans to move into a flat with a mate from school fell out."

"What happened?" she asked.

"Her friend is missing," he admitted softly. "They suspect her to be dead. She was Pius Thicknesse's assistant."

"He's the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement," said Corinna, remembering his name from the Daily Prophet. He took over as Head when Amelia Bones was found dead.

"He doesn't know what happened. They were both staying late one night and the next day, he comes in and she doesn't. He said that he walked her to where they were going to Apparate home and only left once she was gone. According to her parents, she never made it."

"I'm so sorry," she said as they walked inside. The smells of roast lamb and vegetables permeated every corner of the house, giving a stark contrast to the conversation they just had.

"Aunt Andromeda," she called, "Terry's here."

"Oh, good," she said as she came out of the kitchen. "It's good to finally meet you," she said and gave Terry a hug. "Corinna has told us so much about you."

"All good, I hope," said Terry. He tried to keep his tone light, but there was still an edge to it. "My parents sent me over with this. I think it's supposed to be fancy, but it all tastes the same to me."

"Thank you," said Aunt Andromeda as she looked over the label. It seemed, she also didn't know if it was fancy or not, either, as it was a Muggle wine. "Be sure to thank your parents as well."

"I will," Terry promised as he looked around. "You have a wonderful home, Mrs. Tonks," he said as he eyed the fireplace. It was now positively cramped with pictures. Some of them even included Corinna, but all of them within the last couple of years.

"Thank you," she said again. "Please make yourself at home. Corinna, why don't you show him around."

There wasn't much to show off, but Terry seemed very keen to see Corinna's bedroom. "It's very…plain," he said as he looked about. It now resembled more of the guest bedroom when she first stayed in it over Christmas during her fifth year as she had taken a lot of her personal affects back to Crouch Manor. The only things in her room now where what she expected to take with her and her dress robes for the wedding.

"Does that have anything to do with asking me to take your cat?" asked Terry, which brought out the reason as to why he wanted to meet in person.

"A little," said Corinna. "I can't tell you much, but there is something that I need to do."

He sat unceremoniously onto Corinna's bed and leaned back on his hands to look at her. "This is my punishment for being friends with a lion, isn't it? I'm kidding, I'm kidding." He straightened back up and looked defeated. She didn't know when it happened, but it seemed that he had grown older. His face was thinning out and he had shorn his dark hair shorter. "This was going to be our last year of school together."

"I know," she said. "But this is bigger than us, and you'll still have Seamus."

"If his mum lets him come back."

They fell silent as Corinna didn't know what to say to Terry. It seemed so easy in the moment to tell Harry to shut up and let them go with him, but the lead up to it rather sucked a lot. "I'm sure she will," she said.

"If my parents let me come back. I think the only reason why they are letting me go is because I pulled the 'I'm of age' card and I'm allowed to make my own decisions." He scrubbed a hand down his face. "They are probably holding out hope that they just won't open the school in September."

"Remus said that might happen."

"Who's Remus?"

She leaned against the wall and crossed her arms. "Do you remember our third year Defense professor?"

"The one who ended up being a werewolf? Yeah, why? Oh, right, his name was Remus Lupin."

"Yeah, well, he married my cousin just a couple weeks ago."

"Shut up!" And then Terry started laughing, looking like his old self. "That means you are related to another teacher."

"Ex-teacher," said Corinna. "And, so what? He was the best Defense teacher."

"I'd say he tied with Moody, but since Moody ended up being…" He made a face. "Okay, you know what, you're right. He was the best. No question."

"Sounds good," she muttered, and shook her head.

"But that means you were related to two Defense professors."

"It's like you are asking me to hex you, Boot."

"I just might be, Crouch."

A knock came from the door and Aunt Andromeda poked her head in. "Sorry if I'm interrupting, but the lamb cooked faster than expected, so supper's ready."

"Thanks, we'll be down in a minute," said Corinna and Aunt Andromeda ducked back out of the room. She turned back to Terry. "I hope you understand what I'm asking you. I'm not just asking you to watch my cat. I need you to pretend that I haven't been going here the last two years. I always went back to Crouch Manor. I can't let anything happen to them because I'm going off with Harry."

"I hope Weasley and Granger are also going to be there to keep an eye on you two."

Corinna rolled her eyes. "Can I trust you or not?"

"You can trust me," he promised. "How long do you think this is going to last?"

"As long as it takes," she admitted. "It could be weeks, months, or even years."

Terry made a face as he stood up. "You just better be prepared to tell me everything the moment it's over."

"You'll get the whole unabridged version," she promised. She hugged Terry again before they went down to join Aunt Andromeda for dinner. She had the roast and sides all laid out on the table and had poured each of them a glass of mead. "She already knows you're gay," she teased him. "You won't need to get drunk to announce it."

With just the three of them, Aunt Andromeda asked them questions about their time at Hogwarts and about Terry himself.

"I'm hoping to be an Auror," he said, something that Corinna realized she didn't know about him. "I know it's going to be a lot of work, but I want to do some good in the world. And doing administration work like my parents and my sister sounds really, really boring."

"You should talk to my daughter when you get a chance," said Aunt Andromeda. "She's an Auror now and will be able to explain more about going through the training."

"I would appreciate that," agreed Terry. "This was a wonderful meal you made, Mrs. Tonks."

"Thank you, Terry," she said. "I hope you left room for—" A loud crack echoed from outside. Aunt Andromeda looked at the time. "Ted isn't supposed to be back home this early. If he is, he sends a Patronus first."

Terry, from his time at the DA, and Corinna, from just how her life has been, both instantly had their wands out. Corinna didn't look back as she was focused on the front door, but she knew Aunt Andromeda would have her ebony wand out. She stepped closer to the front door and Aunt Andromeda moved to stand in front of Corinna when Dora came through the door.

"Sorry, sorry, I forgot to warn you I was coming," said Dora, keeping her hands up in surrender. She didn't even have a wand out. Both Corinna and Aunt Andromeda lowered their wands, but Terry kept his trained.

"Uh, aren't you supposed to ask her something to know she hasn't been Imperiused?" asked Terry.

Aunt Andromeda sighed as she wracked her brain a moment. "What was one of the reasons you said you disliked your name?"

"Because it sounded like a scientific term for someone's nose," said Dora.

"It does not," said Andromeda and Terry lowered his wand again. "Now sit down. I'll make you a plate."

"Thanks, Mum," said Dora as she sat down next to Terry. The two of them sat down. "Wotcher, Terry. I forgot you were coming over tonight. Things have been a shiteshow at work."

"Watch your language at the table, Nymphadora!"

"Sounds like a naval cavity to me," she muttered under her breath and both Terry and Corinna snickered. Aunt Andromeda glared at her and handed off the plate.

"Anyway, I needed to talk to you and Dad," she said as she mindlessly cut her lamb portion. "We are having a hell of a time trying to figure out how to get Harry Potter away from the muggles and to the Burrow, especially since Moody is heading off the operation. If it were up to him, we would rendezvous in Norway. But we think we have come up with something. Would you mind letting the Order use the house as a place for Harry to land where he would then use a portkey to get to the Burrow? Well, it might not be the real Harry."

"What do you mean by 'the real Harry?'" asked Corinna.

"Well, we are going to have a few of the Order and a few volunteers use Polyjuice Potion to transform into Harry. Then each Potter would be paired off with someone else and we would all go in different directions to confuse the Death Eaters if You-Know-Who gets wind of what we are doing." She shoved some bread into her mouth. "Better than going to Oslo."

"Wait, you said volunteers," said Corinna. "Does that mean anyone can help?"

"Don't get your knickers in a twist. ("Dora!") We already have all the people we need. Although you are welcome to go to the Burrow once we have secured Harry."

"Terry, I apologize on behalf of my daughter's crude language."

"It's fine. It seems to run in the family."

Aunt Andromeda simply sighed at that. "I'll have to talk to your father, but I'm sure he will agree to open our house to the Order. Who will be coming here?"

"Won't know until day of," said Dora. "We are trying to make it so as little information can be leaked out as possible. Once Harry leaves his aunt and uncle's place, the weird ancient magic protecting him will break and it would be a prime opportunity for You-Know-Who to finish the boy off."

"Dora, have a little more tact, would you?" asked Aunt Andromeda. "This is your cousin's boyfriend we're talking about."

"Well, it's a fact, isn't it?" said Corinna with a shrug.

"I'm just going to go grab the trifle," said Aunt Andromeda as she stood back up and cleared away the dishes. Dora snagged one last roll before the basket was taken away.

"When will this be happening?" Corinna asked Dora.

"Next Saturday. We are putting out rumors that we will be doing it closer to his birthday to throw them off."

"Dora, did you know that Terry wants to be an Auror?" Aunt Andromeda wanted to include their guest in the discussion, it seemed.

"No, I didn't," she said. "Anything you want to know?"

They talked about Auror training when Aunt Andromeda came back with a tray loaded with bowls of trifle. She helped her hand them out as Dora and Terry were absorbed in their discussion. As ever the Ravenclaw, Terry was prepared with a million and one questions for Dora, who answered them where she could. She also was not prepared by his level of preparedness. The hours seem to melt when Terry looked at his watch, looking panicked. "Oh, Merlin, I'm sorry. I promised my parents I wouldn't be out too late. I should be heading home."

It was a bit to get him out the door as Corinna had a hard time shoving Zelda into her carrier. "I know sweetheart," she said softly to the howling cat. "It won't be forever. I'll come back for you as soon as I can."

"My sister will take good care of her," said Terry when Corinna passed off her carrier. Aunt Andromeda prepared a basket that held Zelda's food and all her necessary supplies. "Hopefully she will get along with Lord Tumbletin."

"Tumbletin?" asked Corinna, quirking an eyebrow up.

"Don't ask," said Terry. He thanked Aunt Andromeda again for her hospitality and Corinna walked out with him to where the wards ended. They stood just behind the line. "I don't think I'll be able to visit you again before you go."

"Remember, you don't know any of this," she added, driving home the importance to keep the secret.

"I know," he said with a sigh. He set the carrier and basket down and gave Corinna a tight hug. She felt sadness welling up inside her. "You be safe, alright? If I read your name in the Prophet, then I'm going to learn necromancy just so I can bring you back and kill you all over again."

"I would not expect anything less," she reassured as she grudgingly pulled away. "And you be safe as well. Hogwarts won't be nearly as safe without Dumbledore there."

"It'll still be safer than wherever you are going," he said. He picked the carrier and basket back up.

Corinna couldn't help but bend down to say one last goodbye to Zelda as well. She straightened back up and looked at Terry. "I'll see you on the other side of this."

He nodded. "Yeah," he said softly. "Goodbye, Corinna."

"Goodbye, Terry."

He stepped passed the wards and Corinna watched him as he disappeared with a crack.

She stood out there for a long while before she turned back to the house and went back inside. She walked in just as Aunt Andromeda and Dora were hugging each other. Dora then turned and gave her a hug. "I have to get going too. If I don't see you before, I'll see you Saturday." They all bid each other goodbye as Dora rushed out the door, knocking into the side table as she went.

"He's a good kid," said Aunt Andromeda as she dragged Corinna into the kitchen to help her with the dishes. It didn't take long as they just used magic to clean up, but it seemed that Aunt Andromeda had an ulterior motive. "I don't want you going to the Burrow with Harry or a fake Harry or whatever."

"Why not?"

"Because our time with you is already limited because of work. You can go to the Burrow on his birthday and stay for the wedding."

"But we need to make a plan."

"They can plan without you." Aunt Andromeda turned to face Corinna and crossed her arms. "I don't think I'm asking you too much to stay for a few more days before you disappear for Merlin knows how long."

Corinna didn't have much of an argument for that. "Yeah, alright," she said. "I'm sure they will understand."

"Good," she said. "Now, Flitwick would not be very happy with you if you left those plates in that state, Corinna."

The week seemed to crawl by. Order members had been in and out giving the house even more protections than what Dora had already put up. "We have to make it seem like Harry might be staying here," she explained one night when Moody was tramping around the yard barking out orders. Corinna might have cracked a joke that Harry could just stay there, but Uncle Ted was standing right behind her. He may not take kindly to the innuendo. "Plus, the extra protection wouldn't hurt."

Corinna woke Saturday morning well before dawn. No one else was awake in the house as Corinna crept down into the kitchen and made herself a cup of tea. She stepped out onto the front porch, a dressing gown on to fight against the early morning chill, and watched the sun rise. She didn't know how long she stayed out there until she heard the door open behind her and Uncle Ted stepped out.

"Beautiful day," he said as he looked around. He had his own cup in his hands. "I got a Patronus from Moody. We will be getting the real Harry with Hagrid."

"Alright," she said, trying to keep her tone neutral. At least she would be able to see Harry before his birthday.

"I appreciate you staying for an extra couple of days," he said. "Give us a little more time together."

"Well, it makes sense," she said, still staring out at the horizon. A lump formed in her throat as she closed her eyes. "And thank you for understanding I have to do this."

"If this does stop You-Know-Who once and for all, who am I to be selfish and keep my favorite niece trapped here."

"Aren't I your only niece?" asked Corinna.

"Well, no," he said, "so don't tell my siblings I said that."

"I don't know that much about your family," she said. He's shared some stories from his youth, but other than his entire family being muggles, she didn't know much about them personally. "Maybe we could take some time and you could tell me about them."

Uncle Ted nodded and slung his arm over Corinna's shoulders. "I would like that. Maybe if I don't have to work Christmas this year and you are back, we'll take you with us when we visit them. Just be prepared for them to ask a lot of questions about magic. I mean a lot!"

"I think I can handle it," she reassured as she glanced back over at Uncle Ted.

"I'm going to go start breakfast," he said. "Anything in particular you want?"

"More tea."

He went back into the house with a chuckle. A few minutes later, she headed back inside to try to get the day over with. She spent the day finishing up on the potions and putting them in various flasks and vials, whatever she could scrounge up from her stores and whatever was found empty lying around the house without a purpose. The plan was to send Harry with what she had made up already, including the Polyjuice Potion, and bringing whatever she made over the next couple of days with her when she went to the Weasleys on Harry's birthday.

But the potion preparations only killed the morning, and just barely that. Dora and Remus stopped by for lunch before they had to meet up with the others. It was fairly muted since they couldn't talk about the finer points of the plan. Once they left, Corinna went about pacing around the house. As she was driving Aunt Andromeda mad, she was given a duster and told to "At least be productive if you are going to stomp about like that."

She ended up cleaning the entire house that afternoon and evening, the muggle way.

"Maybe we should put her boyfriend in mortal peril more often," suggested Uncle Ted. "We would never have to clean again, 'Dromeda."

"Oh, whatever," Corinna muttered under her breath. She felt silly for being a nervous wreck as it was, but she knew Harry's luck. She would not be surprised if Voldemort himself showed up personally to attack him.

They let her pace up and down the sitting room, wearing down the already worn carpets. Once the sun had fully set, Uncle Ted came by with a cup of tea. "I think I'm starting to see floorboards," he said as Corinna accepted the cup. It was chamomile. At least he thought against giving the nervous person more caffeine. "Let's take this outside. We can wait for them out there."

They found themselves back on the porch just like they were this morning. Corinna only drank her tea to give herself something to do. Up in the sky, she thought she saw flashes of color, and her heart sank when she noticed one of them being green. "No," she whispered and felt her hands began to shake.

There was a large flash of white and a silhouette of a large figure falling through the sky. "Oh, Merlin! 'Dromeda!" he called to get his wife's attention.

There were more flashes of color, but the white flash came back and whatever was causing it was hurtling towards the ground. She dropped the cup onto the grass below and rushed off the deck. She already had her wand raising as the white fire came closer. "Arresto momentum!" she shouted, but the figure was too far away. There was a loud crash and she ran towards the wreckage.

She heard splashing around at the nearby pond. "Harry!" she called out, not even sure if this one would be the real Harry or a decoy. "Harry, are you out there!"

"Corinna, wait!"

"They've crashed!" shouted Corinna as Uncle Ted and Aunt Andromeda started heading her way. "Crashed in the garden!"

She found Harry in the pond, collapsed over Hagrid. Even in the dull moonlight, she could see that they were battered and bloody. "Over here!" she called out. She sent up green sparks to mark her location. It was only a few moments before Aunt Andromeda and Uncle Ted joined her on the edge of the pond.

"What happened?" asked Uncle Ted as he eyed the wreckage of the motorcycle that Corinna hadn't even noticed at first. She was more focused on Harry and Hagrid.

"We need to get them up to the house and get them medical attention. Ted, you and I get Hagrid. It's going to take both of us. Corinna, you get Harry."

As he was on top, she had to go first. "Mobilicorpus," she said and waved her wand. He then rose up into the air, his form completely limp. She tried not to think about how much blood covered him as she walked with him back up to the house. She laid him down on the couch. "Not quite the reunion I was expecting," she told his unconscious form. She carefully looked him over and grabbed the healing balm for his bruised ribs and his arm that was twisted at an odd angle. She was quite glad he was unconscious for this.

"How is he?" asked Uncle Ted as he rushed over to the couch. "'Dromeda has Hagrid handled."

"I got his ribs and arm," she said. "I just don't know what the hell to do about his missing tooth."

"Only Skele-Gro will help with that," he said as he went over to the potion cabinet in the kitchen. "Only a little will be needed for his tooth. He doesn't need to regrow anything too big."

"At least he's already used to it," she said as Uncle Ted measured out the potion and carefully poured it down his throat in a way that forced him to swallow it. "Lockhart made all the bones in his arm disappear our second year instead of letting Madam Pomfrey do it."

"The worst thing about healing magic is that everyone thinks they're a bloody healer." He straightened back up and capped off the potion. "It'll probably be grown back before he even wakes up. I'm going to go see if anything is salvageable from that crash. At least if I can find any of his personal affects."

"I'll stay with him."

"Figured you would volunteer for that. I won't be gone long." He pulled his wand out and silently cast Lumos before going back outside.

Corinna sat in the opposite couch, staring down at Harry. It was only a few minutes before he began to stir. Corinna was immediately on her feet. "Hagrid?" he demanded and she had to hover over him so he didn't immediately stand up.

"Hagrid's fine," said Corinna and he seemed to settle once he recognized who she was. "My aunt's seeing to him. How are you feeling? Anything else broken?"

He sat up quickly and listed to the side and blinked quickly. "Do you ever slow down? You need to take it easy."

"Voldemort—"

"You just crash landed from the bloody sky, will you calm down for once in your life? Just tell me what happened."

He full sat up, his injured arm braced against his lap while the other rubbed at his forehead, right where his scare was. "Death Eaters, loads of them—we were chased—"

"I knew it!" Now she did not feel as silly for being a nervous wreck all day. It was completely justified. "But, don't worry. They can't get in here. Shouldn't be able to get within a hundred meters of this place. Moody put up more wards than Hermione even knows."

Harry then stood up and Corinna was on her feet at the same time to support him. "Merlin, Harry."

"I need to see Hagrid," he said, almost pleadingly. "Please."

But she didn't have to guide him anywhere, a door opened and Hagrid squeezed himself through. He was bloody and covered in mud, but he will be fine as his giants blood protected him from such trivial things as dropping from the sky. "Harry!" He knocked over a couple of tables and she heard something break, but it didn't stop him from going over to Harry to give him a great hug, one so strong that she might have to fix his ribs again. "Blimey, Harry, how did yeh get out o' that? I thought we were both goners." Aunt Andromeda came out of the room behind Hagrid, wiping her muddied hands on the front of her.

"Yeah, me too. I can't believe—" He stared at Aunt Andromeda and was immediately groping for the wand that was no longer in his pockets. "You!" he shouted.

"Harry, that's my aunt you're yelling at," said Corinna, realizing what he thought a few beats to late. "It's not her."

"Oh, I'm—I'm sorry."

"What happened to our daughter?" she asked, trying not to look annoyed at the accusation. "Hagrid said you were ambushed. Where is Dora?"

"I don't know," said Harry as Uncle Ted came in with a rucksack and Harry's wand. "We don't know what happened to anyone else."

Tension immediately permeated the air and Corinna could see the guilt striking Harry. "Dora'll be okay, 'Dromeda," said Uncle Ted, and it was Corinna's turn to feel guilty. She always saw Dora as this impervious figure. Even when she was knocked down by Death Eaters, she was back on her feet not even a week later. She had seen Harry in greater peril and he was the one with the target on his back. "She knows her stuff, she's been in plenty of tight spots with the Aurors. The Portkey's through here, Harry. It's supposed to leave in three minutes, if you want to take it."

"Yeah, we do," said Harry. He accepted the rucksack and wand back from Uncle Ted. "I—" He was at a loss for words as he looked over Aunt Andromeda. "I'll tell Tonks—Dora—to send word when she…" He looked away and back at Corinna and she gave him a reassuring smile. "Thanks for patching us up, thanks for everything, I—"

"Come on," she said as she grabbed Harry's hand and lead him into the kitchen. "It's the rusty kettle right there," she told them as Hagrid straightened up from ducking through the room divider.

"Aren't you coming with us?" asked Harry.

"I'll go to the Burrow on your birthday," she said. "I promised my aunt and uncle I would stay a few extra days." She hoped she didn't need to specify why.

"Alright," he said, looking slightly disappointed. "Thanks," he said as he put a finger on the kettle.

"Wait a moment," said Hagrid, looking around. "Harry, where's Hedwig?"

"She…she got hit."

Tears pooled in his eyes and Corinna wanted nothing more than to grab onto Harry, but he was touching that stupid portkey. He lost his pet; someone he considered a friend and companion. Hagrid, instead, reached out to pat Harry on the shoulder. "Never mind," he said. "Never mind. She had a great old life—"

"Hagrid!" said Corinna as the rusty kettle started to glow a bright blue. Hagrid only got his finger to it in time before they disappeared in a pop.