Part IV: Revolution
Chapter III: In Which the Minister Comes Bearing Gifts
The waiting was so much worse than before.
Corinna rejoined Aunt Andromeda and Uncle Ted back in the sitting room where they were talking in low voices. Someone had removed the mud and blood from the carpets and the couch. They stopped talking when they noticed Corinna.
"Don't stop on my account," she said as she sat down across from them.
"Watch your tone," said Aunt Andromeda. "We are all worried."
"I'm sorry," she mumbled and buried her head in her hands. She wished she had gone with Harry and Hagrid. At least then she would know what was going on sooner. She could have Apparated back with Dora and Remus, if they were…
"Our daughter is made out of tough stuff, 'Dromeda," Uncle Ted reminded as he placed an arm around Aunt Andromeda. "We have to remember that."
They fell into silence, the only sound in the entire house was the grandfather clock in the corner, taunting them all that time was still moving forward but at an impossibly slow pace. At one point, Uncle Ted had gotten up to make them tea that they didn't drink. Corinna remembered the abandoned cup outside, but could not find the strength to stand up to go look for it. At least it was a cup that they wouldn't care about. With a daughter that was as accident prone as Dora, they kept all the nice china locked in a cabinet and all the cups and plates they used on a regular basis were either cheap or had come from charity shops.
It wasn't until well after midnight that the distinct crack echoed in the distance. All three of them were on their feet and looked out the window to see Dora and Remus coming up onto the house. Aunt Andromeda had thrown the door open and met them halfway. Uncle Ted and Corinna were a few paces behind her. Corinna went to hug Remus, but he had a wand out.
"We were betrayed," he said. "Did you tell anyone?"
"No," said Corinna coolly. "Terry was here when Dora asked Aunt Andromeda the plan, but he wouldn't have said anything, nor would they have tortured it out of him since he doesn't have a strong association with Harry."
"Remus, if I didn't trust the boy, I wouldn't have said anything in front of him," said Dora.
"I'll give you his address if you want to interrogate him," said Corinna.
"No, no, I believe you," said Remus as he pocketed his wand again.
"Let's just head up to the house," said Aunt Andromeda, who had finally released Dora. "There's no point in standing out in the chill."
The five of them trudged back up to the house. Uncle Ted collected the teacups and went about making more tea, but Dora summoned the fire whiskey from the cabinet as well, knocking over the vase as she set it on the table. Normally with magic, she isn't as clumsy, so she must be very upset if she was being clumsy with magic.
"The Death Eaters were waiting for us," Remus started to explain once Uncle Ted was back. No one seemed to go for the tea, only whiskey. "Someone tipped them off about the real date. But at least we got the upper hand as they had no idea that there were going to be seven Harrys, so that threw them off."
"We had a plan on who would be back when," continued Tonks. "Ron as Harry and I were supposed to arrive from Muriel Prewett's first, but we missed the Portkey and she was fussing over us, so we had just gotten away. And then Fred and Arthur, with the real Harry and Hagrid coming from here third."
"They were in bad shape when they arrived," said Uncle Ted. "He fought You-Know-Who and everything."
"That's because he showed mercy to Stan Shunpike," said Remus, shaking his head. "The Death Eaters believe that to be his signature move as it helped protect him the first time he faced Voldemort."
Corinna decided against mentioning the myriad of other times Harry had faced Voldemort before then. For supposedly being the most powerful wizard, he really has a hard time killing the kid.
"I was with George," said Remus, "and we had an unfortunate run-in with Snape. He used Sectumsempra but only managed to get George's ear. If he had gone for anything else…" Corinna only knew too well what could have happened.
"I've never heard of this spell," said Aunt Andromeda. "What does it do?"
"It acts like a sword to cut someone at a distance," said Remus. "It leaves rather deep wounds, which can be healed with dittany, but if the spell manages to cut anything off…"
"It can't regrow back," finished Uncle Ted. "Cursed limbs cannot."
"I wish I could say I repaid him in kind, but it was all I could do to keep George on the broom after he was injured, he was losing so much blood."
"Does he need—"
"Molly took care of him, Mum," said Dora. "She may not be a healer in trade, but after raising seven kids, she learned a thing or two."
"So what happened with you and Ron?" said Corinna.
"We were ambushed just like everyone else," said Dora. She eyed her fire whiskey and then gulped it in one go. "Except I got the pleasure of dealing with Bellatrix." She kept talking, ignoring the horrorstricken looks her family sans Remus was giving her. "She wants me quite as much as she wants Harry. She tried very hard to kill me. I just wish I'd got her. I owe Bellatrix. But we definitely injured Rodolphus."
Corinna understood. She could still see an unconscious Dora tumbling down the stone steps while Bellatrix laughed and moved on. "Wait, Rodolphus? But he was sent back to Azkaban." She remembered using Bombarda on the man, which lead to him being injured and sent to prison while Corinna spent most of her summer with ringing ears and knocking into things.
"Voldemort has half the Ministry as well as the Prophet under his influence," said Remus, "a mass breakout being under wraps wouldn't be unheard of as Lucius Malfoy is also out."
"What about everyone else?" asked Uncle Ted.
"Kingsley and Hermione had arrived before me," said Dora. "And then Bill and Fleur arrived with news that…" She looked away as tears pricked her eyes. Remus immediately had his arms around her shoulders. "Moody is dead. Mundungus Fletcher disapparated once they were being ambushed. The Death Eaters assumed Harry would be with the strongest, most powerful Auror. Moody was hit with a…a killing curse, and even if it had missed him…he still fell…and he…there was no way he could have survived as there wasn't anything Bill or Fleur could do."
Corinna only knew Moody by reputation as she only had met the real one a couple of times. But knowing that someone with his reputation had gone down did not settle well. With him and Dumbledore gone, their odds were looking worse and worse.
"And even after all that," said Remus, shaking his head, "Harry still had the gall to act like he should leave the protections of the Burrow."
"I'm surprised he went along with the plan in the first place," said Corinna bitterly. "I may love the bloke, but he is exasperatingly stubborn about letting others help him."
It was a testament to the rough night they all had that no one, not even Corinna, fully realized what she had said.
"We talked him down," said Remus. "Well, Ron and Hermione did. And I'm sure Molly will keep him very busy the next few days with the wedding coming up. He won't even have a chance to even think about leaving."
Corinna wasn't sure how much of their plan the others knew. She only told Aunt Andromeda and Uncle Ted to protect them and to help with the preparations. That's when she realized she hadn't even given Harry the bag of potions she had prepared. They will just have to wait until Harry's birthday to get everything.
"It's late," said Uncle Ted as it was now past one in the morning. "We should be heading to bed. Dora, Remus, you're welcome to stay here tonight."
They looked like they were about to refuse, but a glare from Aunt Andromeda made them both hastily agree.
Uncle Ted magicked the untouched tea back into the kitchen and he went up the stairs with Aunt Andromeda. Dora slumped back into Remus. Despite the fact that she was still teary eyed and looked even more exhausted then Remus—which was an accomplishment—she gave Corinna a teasing smile. "So, you love Harry, huh?"
Corinna looked up at the ceiling, pleading with Merlin or Godric Gryffindor or whoever to give her the strength. "I'm going to bed," she said, instead of gracing her cousin with an answer. She didn't even look over at Remus as she walked stiffly and quickly into her room.
As the days slowly dragged by, she couldn't help but feel annoyed that she was stuck at home while Harry, Ron, and Hermione were off making plans without her. They will probably decide that they didn't even need her, and run off the moment she hands off the potions.
While they were home, it seemed that Aunt Andromeda and Uncle Ted were very keen on spending as much time with Corinna as possible as if she was dying instead of going on a mission. They both showed her various healing spells and techniques that could work until potions were involved, and they even showed her a few other things like Uncle Ted teaching her a spell to knit with magic among other things. She was all very grateful for them and she did appreciate spending time with them.
The day before Harry's birthday, Dora had stopped by. She was looking more and more exhausted between being an Auror and working for the Order. When Aunt Andromeda suggested that she took it easy, Dora nearly bit her head off, which was very much unlike Dora Corinna had ever seen.
"Sorry, Mum," she said, realizing what she had done a few seconds too late. "Things have just been so crazy and I haven't been sleeping well." She glanced over at Corinna. "What's this I hear that you lot aren't going back to Hogwarts?"
Corinna put the dishes she had dried away the Muggle way so she didn't have to look at Dora. "Who told you?"
"Remus," she said. "According to him, Molly has been asking Harry, Ron, and Hermione about what Dumbledore has been asking them to do. They haven't said a goddamn thing, and Remus seems to think that's okay. He said it's Dumbledore, we should trust him."
"You don't agree." It wasn't a question. Dora's tone said it all.
"I wish you would have told me yourself." She glanced over at Aunt Andromeda. "And you knew about this?"
"Corinna told Ted and me, yes," said Aunt Andromeda. "We helped her."
"Huh. If I had done something like this when I was in school, you and Dad would have locked me in my room."
"That's because when you were in school, there wasn't a war and chosen ones and Dumbledore didn't give missions to teenagers."
"Can you at least tell me what you are going to be doing?"
"If Dumbledore wanted the Order to know, he would have told the Order. It's important that it remains under wraps." Corinna sighed as she turned back to Dora who was leaning against the counter. "And I'm sorry for not telling you."
"I'll get over it," said Dora with a shrug, indicating that it wouldn't be for a long, long time. "I stopped by to let you know that Harry invited Remus and me to his birthday tomorrow night. I figured you would want to head over before that, have plenty of time to snog in between helping with the wedding."
"Dora, don't tease your cousin," said Aunt Andromeda as Corinna's face grew hot. "And if you are staying for dinner, the least you can do is help. Go set the table."
Dinner was a muted affair. Dora sent a Patronus inviting Remus, but he was busy with Order business. Now that Moody was dead, Remus and Kingsley Shacklebolt stepped up as de facto leaders. Uncle Ted managed to leave work on time. He looked as if he would rather head upstairs and go right to bed, but he joined them for dinner. Corinna didn't realize that Aunt Andromeda made her favorite: beef roast with mash and a medley of roasted vegetables. The topics mostly consisted of quidditch and other pleasantries, keeping talk away from current affairs and Corinna's inevitable departure. She was also the first to head to bed as midnight approached as she still had to pack. It didn't take long as she didn't have much. It was odd to think that all her important possessions could fit into a single bag. Everything else was scattered about at Crouch Manor.
What was hardest about the whole thing, she now realized, wasn't telling them, it was saying goodbye.
As her and Dora were about to leave for the Burrow the next morning, Uncle Ted trapped her in a great bear hug. "I still would rather you didn't do this," he said, "but I'm not going to stop you. I am so proud of you, Corinna. But once this is done, you are going to come home and never leave again."
Corinna smiled through the tears at that. "I promise," she reassured.
Aunt Andromeda also gave her a tight hug. "When Dumbledore told us about you, all I hoped was that you were happy and healthy. At least you were one of those things, and I hope you were happy with us. Were you?"
"You lot made me the happiest I have ever been," she reassured.
Aunt Andromeda nodded and finally broke away from Corinna. Dora waved at them goodbye as they walked down the lane to where the wards ended. As she crossed over to where the protection ended, even she could feel the symbolism of leaving the protections of childhood behind.
They apparated outside the wards to the Burrow and it was quite a walk from the top of the hill down to the house that was a hodgepodge of buildings stacked on top of each other. There were a group of men Corinna didn't recognize setting up a large tent where tomorrow night's festivities would be held.
"Molly, it's us," said Dora as they walked into the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley was standing at the stove where Bill Weasley and a squat man Corinna didn't recognize were sitting at the table that was laden with presents. It was a well-loved kitchen with worn countertops and cupboards overflowing. "Sorry if we're too early."
"Nonsense, nonsense," she said as she immediately ushered them to the table. "None of the kids are up yet, but I did have them up late making sure that the place settings were ready. Did you have breakfast?" Without even waiting for an answer, she handed them each a plate with eggs, sausage, bacon, and toast. She sat down next to the pile of presents and added her towards the bottom. "Will Remus be coming later?"
"Yeah," said Dora as she spread jam over her piece of toast, used to how Mrs. Weasley pushed food onto everyone. "He has some things he needed to do beforehand. Figured you could use a couple of hands to help out around here."
"We could have used you all week," she said.
Dora and Mrs. Weasley were absorbed in their own conversations, so Bill turned to Corinna. "This is Monsieur Delacour," he introduced. "My future father-in-law. Régis, this is Harry Potter's girlfriend, Corinna Crouch."
"Crouch," he said in accented English. "Ees zat any relation to a Meester Crouch my Fleur 'as mentioned?"
"Yes," said Corinna. "He was my father." And she was relieved that Harry and Ron had walked in right then, so she did not have to explain any further.
He looked much better than he did when he crash-landed in the garden. He smiled brightly when he saw Corinna and if it weren't for the crowd in the kitchen, he might have made a beeline for her.
"Arthur told me to wish you a happy seventeenth, Harry," said Mrs. Weasley. "He had to leave early for work, but he'll be back for dinner. That's our present on top."
Harry sat down next to Corinna as she was next to the presents and grabbed that one from the top. He unwrapped it and beamed at the gold watch with stars circling around the face instead of hands. "It's traditional to give a wizard a watch when he comes of age. I'm afraid that one isn't new like Ron's, it was actually my brother Fabian's and he wasn't terribly careful with his possessions, it's a bit dented on the back, but—" She was cut off when Harry abruptly stood up and gave Mrs. Weasley a hug. A moment seemed to pass between them, one that was comparable to a mother and a son.
"Happy birthday, Harry!" said Hermione as she rushed into the kitchen and put her present on the top of the pile. "It's not much, but I hope you like it. What did you get him, Ron?"
"Come on, then, open Hermione's!" It seemed, whatever Ron had bought Harry, he didn't want Hermione and the rest of them to know about it.
He opened the rest of his presents. He received a Sneakoscope from Hermione, an enchanted razor from Bill and Fleur, chocolates from the Delacours, and an enormous box of the latest Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes merchandise from Fred and George. He glanced over at Corinna as he picked up the parcel from her and she gave him a reassuring smile. He opened it up and inspected the leather wand holster. He paused at his engraved initials at the side. She bought it for him as she noticed his wand was starting to get scratched up from shoving it in his pocket all the time and he might appreciate the quick access considering all the desperate situations he found himself in.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Corinna did not linger at the table, as more people started to arrive. "I'll pack these for you," said Hermione as she took the presents from Harry's arms. "Corinna, I'll take your stuff, too."
"Alright," said Corinna as she swung the bag off her shoulders and, before she could grab the large pouch with all the potions in it, Hermione just grabbed the entire thing.
"I'm nearly done," she continued, "I'm just waiting for the rest of your underpants to come out of the wash, Ron—"
Corinna grabbed Harry's sleeve and let the other two go up the stairs, Ron sputtering out unintelligible words as he went. "That wasn't all of your present," said Corinna as Harry turned to face her. As this was the first time she had ever been to the Burrow, she wasn't sure where anything was. "Is there anywhere we can be alone?"
"In the Burrow?" That was a funny statement as Harry gave a slight smirk. "I think we can manage something."
That something was, apparently, the Weasley's broom shed. Not exactly what Corinna had in mind. She at least pictured a bed or something more comfortable to sit on rather than a wooden bench, surrounded by brooms in various states of disrepair, and Corinna really hoped that the wasp nest in the corner was abandoned. "Trust me," said Harry when he dragged Corinna onto his lap, "this is the only place in the entire Burrow where no one can barge in."
"You seem to have given this some thought," said Corinna as she wrapped her arms around Harry's shoulders.
"Had quite a bit to think about the last few days."
"Well, I promised my aunt and uncle that I would stay those few extra days," said Corinna, "or else I would have been here."
"I'm guessing they know about what we are doing?"
"I didn't tell them exactly what we were doing beyond we were the only ones that can do it. They were mostly okay with it, and even helped me to make it seem like I was never there."
"Why?"
"In case the Ministry or whoever wonders why we aren't back at Hogwarts," she reminded. "We just moved whatever I wasn't bringing with me to my old place. They'll pretend that I never went to stay with them beyond that first Christmas."
A guilty look crossed Harry's face. "I didn't realize you lot would have to sacrifice so much just do this. I shouldn't have agreed to let you come."
"Oi, shut up," said Corinna, annoyed that this was not how she wanted this to go. If she had her way, there would be a lot less talking. "We knew what we were getting into when we said we would do this with you. We held no other delusions."
"But—"
"But nothing, Harry. Listen, I may be coming into the game late, but I am ready to help however I can. I'm in this for the long haul because I…I love you, dammit!"
She was not going to pretend otherwise. She meant what she said the other night. She loved the infuriating boy—no, he's a man now—with every fiber of her being.
Harry, however, seemed taken aback, and Corinna could only hope it was from how forcefully she said the words. "I love you, too," he said, "which is why I really wish you would reconsider."
"I had weeks to reconsider," she reminded, "and I haven't. Nor will I." She huffed in annoyance. "I don't know what else to say to convince you, Harry."
Harry reached up and tucked a piece of Corinna's hair behind her ear, the simple gesture causing a tingling sensation wherever he touched her.
"I know this is just how you are," said Corinna, unable to stop herself. "You have a hard time accepting help even when you obviously need it. If anything goes wrong, you feel it is your fault even when it isn't because you never forced anyone into any sort of situation and it was always voluntary from what happened at the Department of Mysteries to what happened to get you here."
"And look what happened the last time I asked for help," said Harry. "Dumbledore ended up dead."
"There is no correlation between us being there and Dumbledore dying," she reminded. "It might have been worse if you hadn't called the DA as you did."
Harry sighed heavily. "I guess you have a point there." He looked up at Corinna, his green eyes bright from the small window on the side of the shed.
"Well, if the pity party is over," said Corinna as she leaned into Harry, pressing herself against him, "then let's get on with what we really want to do out here."
But before they could do anything, the door was pushed open to reveal one of the Weasley brothers that Corinna hadn't met. She only knew he was a brother due to the shock of red hair and freckles on his face. He was nervously running his fingers through his short hair, almost as if he expected it to be longer.
It was hard to tell who was more embarrassed of the trio.
"Uh…Mum needs help with the um…yeah."
"Yeah, we'll be up there, Charlie," said Harry.
The man—Charlie—nodded and quickly walked away from the broom shed. They waited for the door to slam shut again before Corinna turned to Harry.
"I'm starting to understand why you thought it was funny that we could have any privacy."
As they were set about doing last minute preparations for the wedding, Corinna kept plotting how she and Harry could get away but because of divine intervention in the form of Mrs. Weasley, they did not see much of each other that morning and early afternoon. As she could speak French, she spent the day with Madame Delacour and her daughters as they figured out how the bridesmaids would look. Ginny was, of course, lumped in there, and she would have to translate for her whenever Madame Delacour went on a tirade in French.
"I didn't know you could speak French," said Ginny while Madame Delacour and Fleur fussed over Gabrielle.
"I can speak French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Spanish…" as Corinna listed them off, Ginny's eyes got wider. "What? My father loved languages. Thought they were very important to learn. I even know some Mermish and I started to learn Gobbledegook before my father stopped sending me to tutors."
"Yeah, 'cause that's normal," said Ginny. "The only way that would be cool is if you know how to curse in all those languages."
"Want me to teach you?"
As Madame Delacour and Fleur had moved onto fussing over what they should do with Ginny's hair and makeup, Ginny looked Corinna dead in the eye and said, "Yes."
Later in the afternoon, they had set up tables at the edge of the garden as Harry's party would not be contained in the kitchen. Fred and George had put up purple lanterns adorned with the number seventeen that hung in midair, while Hermione had sent purple and gold streamers to strategically hang from the trees and bushes.
"Nice," said Ron as Hermione turned the leaves of the crabapple tree gold. "You've really got an eye for that sort of thing."
"Thank you, Ron."
Corinna was as confused as Hermione sounded by the exchange. She glanced over at Harry for explanation, but he just shrugged and smiled to himself. Thinking it was a joke she was not privy to, she let it slide. She just hoped that this was their way of finally bringing their whatever-they're-considered relationship public.
"So, how did you spend the afternoon?" asked Corinna when Mrs. Weasley came bustling through the gate carrying a large cake in the shape of a snitch with her wand. It landed on the table after Mrs. Weasley had to traverse over the uneven terrain to get there.
"That looks amazing, Mrs. Weasley."
"Oh, it's nothing, dear," she said fondly. From behind her, Ron gave Harry a thumbs-up and mouthed, Good one.
"What is he on about?" asked Corinna.
Harry frowned slightly. "He got me a book that is supposed to help me flirt with witches," he explained. "Don't worry, I won't use it."
"Well, you're allowed to use it on me," she said with a slight smirk.
"I hadn't even planned on reading it," he admitted.
Fred and George led the latest guests from the apparition point outside the wards. They walked with Hagrid, who wore his best and horrible hairy brown suit for the occasion, and Remus, who looked exhausted. Dora, of course, rushed over to Remus when she first spotted him.
"Harry birthday, Harry," said Remus as they approached, giving him a tired smile.
"Seventeen, eh!" said Hagrid. "Six years ter the day since we met, Harry, d'yeh remember it?"
"Vaguely. Didn't you smash down the front door, give Dudley a pig's tail, and tell me I was a wizard?"
"I forge' the details." He accepted a bucket size glass of wine from Fred and he passed out regular size glasses to the rest of them. "All righ', Ron, Hermione, Corinna?"
"We're fine," said Hermione. "How are you?"
"Ar, not bad. Bin busy, we got some newborn unicorns, I'll show yeh when yeh get back." It took all of their willpower to not look guilty at that statement. "Here, Harry. Couldn' think what ter get yeh, but then I remembered this." He pulled out a small drawstring pouch from his pocket. It was hairy and had a long string as if to be worn around the neck. "Mokeskin. Hide anythin' in there an' no one but the owner can get it out. They're rare, them."
"Hagrid, thanks!"
"S'nothin'," said Hagrid dismissively. "An' there's Charlie! Always liked him. Hey, Charlie!"
They split off and went to talk about some dragon. Mrs. Weasley was talking with Madame Delacour, but she kept glancing over at the gate as if expecting someone to walk through. Corinna took stock and the only person missing with Mr. Weasley.
"I think we'd better start without Arthur," she called to the group. "He must have been help up at—oh!"
A streak of light came flying across the yard and landed on the table in front of Mrs. Weasley. The light formed into a silver weasel and spoke in Mr. Weasley's voice. "Minister of Magic coming with me."
The Patronus disappeared and Corinna looked sharply over at where Dora and Remus were talking with Bill and Fleur. "We shouldn't be here," said Remus as they both stood up. "Harry, I'm sorry, I'll explain another time." He grabbed Dora's wrist and they stepped over the fence and walked in the opposite direction that people usually apparated to when coming to the burrow. Corinna knew why they were in a rush to leave. Remus was a werewolf and the Minister had released stronger anti-werewolf legislation, which was also why Remus and Dora had a hard time finding someone to marry them.
"The Minister!" said Mrs. Weasley, flabbergasted, "but why? I don't understand…"
No one else said a word as two figures apparated on the hill and made their way down through the gate. Mr. Weasley looked tired and tried to give everyone reassuring smiles, but all eyes were on Rufus Scrimgeour. "Sorry to intrude," he said as he stopped at the table. "Especially as I can see that I am gate-crashing a party. Many happy returns."
"Thanks," said Harry, who seemed to be tense to the point of shaking next to Corinna.
"I require a private word with you," said Scrimgeour. "Also with Mr. Ronald Weasley and Miss Hermione Granger."
"Us?" said Ron. "Why us?"
"I shall tell you that when we are somewhere more private," said Scrimgeour. "Is there such a place?" he demanded of Mr. Weasley.
"Yes, of course," he said. "The, er, sitting room, why don't you use that?"
"You can lead the way," Scrimgeour said to Ron. "There will be no need for you to accompany us, Arthur."
Harry gave one last look to Corinna. She hoped she had given him a reassuring smile, but she would not be surprised if it was actually a grimace. He stood with Ron and Hermione and the four of them filed into the house. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley started talking in low voices as others started talking with one another. Corinna, however, didn't turn around, simply looking at where they had disappeared off to.
"Here, come on," said Ginny. It seemed that the torture of the afternoon gave them an odd bond as she grabbed Corinna's wrist and they quietly broke away from the group. They went over to the side of the house to an open window, and they both ducked underneath it. She placed a finger to her lips as she pulled out a flesh-colored string and placed on end on the windowsill. She handed the other end to Corinna and made a movement to put it in her ear. Shaking her head, she put the string in her ear and she heard what was going on in the sitting room as if she were there.
"—say you were close to Dumbledore, Ronald?" That was Scrimgeour.
"Me? Not really…It was always Harry who…" He stopped talking abruptly.
"If you were not very close to Dumbledore, how do you account for the fact that he remembered you in his will? He made exceptionally few personal bequests. The vast majority of his possessions—his private library, his magical instruments, and other personal effects—were left to Hogwarts. Why do you think you were singled out?"
"I don't know," Ron admitted. "When I say we weren't close, I mean, I think he liked me…"
"You're being modest, Ron," said Hermione. "Dumbledore was very fond of you."
Corinna resisted the urge to snort. The only student Dumbledore was close with was Harry, but it seemed imperative to make Scrimgeour think otherwise.
"'The Last Will and Testament of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore,'" Scrimgeour read off and Corinna's eyes widened when she realized what this conversation was really about. She had momentarily suspected that the Ministry had found out about their plans to not come back to Hogwarts and was annoyed that she also wasn't called out, but now she understood that Dumbledore must have left the three of them something, which made sense. He knew for a fact that Ron and Hermione would join Harry. How was he to know that Harry's girlfriend would strongarm her way into going as well?
"Yes, here we are. 'To Ronald Bilius Weasley, I leave my Deluminator, in the hopes that he will remember me when he uses it.'" There was some ruffling as, Corinna assumed, Scrimgeour brought out whatever a Deluminator was. "That is a valuable object. It may even be unique. Why would he have left you an item so rare?" Ron must have given a nonverbal response, as Scrimgeour continued. "Dumbledore must have taught thousands of students. Yet the only ones he remembered in his will are you three. Why is that? To what use did he think you would put his Deluminator, Mr. Weasley?"
"Put out lights, I suppose," mumbled Ron. "What else could I do with it?"
There was a pregnant pause before he continued. "'To Miss Hermione Jean Granger, I leave my copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, in the hope that she will find it entertaining and instructive.'" More silence persisted as he gave the book to Hermione, which Corinna found rather odd. That was a children's book. Corinna had her own copy back at Crouch Manor. "Why do you think Dumbledore left you that book, Miss Granger?"
"He…he knew I liked books," said Hermione, and she sounded like she was going to cry. Corinna couldn't tell if it was genuine or if she was putting on a show for Scrimgeour. As they learned when they were trapped by Umbridge, Hermione could put on a show if necessary for the audience.
"But why that particular book?" It seemed that Scrimgeour was unfazed by Hermione's sobs.
"I don't know. He must have thought I'd enjoy it."
"Did you ever discuss codes, or any means of passing secret messages, with Dumbledore?"
"No, I didn't. And if the Ministry hasn't found any hidden codes in this book, I doubt that I will."
"'To Harry James Potter, I leave the snitch he caught in his first quidditch match at Hogwarts, as a reminder of the rewards of perseverance and skill." Another pause. "Why did Dumbledore leave you this snitch?"
"No idea," said Harry. "For the reasons you read out, I suppose. To remind me what you can get if you…persevere and whatever it was."
"You think this a mere symbolic keepsake, then?"
"I suppose so. What else could it be?"
"I'm asking the questions." Corinna heard some shifting springs, as if someone was adjusting their position on an old piece of furniture. "I notice that your birthday cake is in the shape of a snitch. Why is that?"
Hermione laughed. "Oh, it can't be a reference to the fact Harry's a great seeker, that's way too obvious. There must be a secret message from Dumbledore hidden in the icing!"
"I don't think there's anything hidden in the icing, but a snitch would be a very good hiding place for a small object. You know why, I'm sure?"
"Because snitches have flesh memories." The answer, of course, came from Hermione. Whether they were in class or not, the urge to answer a question was ingrained in her very being.
Harry and Ron were verbally confused, but Scrimgeour continued speaking. "Correct. A snitch is not touched by bare skin before it is released, not even by the maker, who wears gloves. It carries an enchantment by which it can identify the first human to lay hands upon it, in case of a disputed capture. The snitch will remember your touch, Potter. It occurs to me that Dumbledore, who had prodigious magical skill, whatever his other faults, might have enchanted this snitch so that it will open only for you."
There was another pause. "You don't say anything. Perhaps you already know what the snitch contains."
"No," said Harry, his voice hitching slightly. He was probably trying to figure out a way to take the snitch without touching it.
"Take it."
There was an even longer pause. Corinna had to resist the urge to straighten up and look through the window as to what was happening. As it was, her knees and back were aching from the crouched position under the window and Ginny didn't look much better. She made a promise to tell Ginny what she overheard. It's the least she could do.
"That was dramatic." And Corinna knew nothing had happened. Harry was his sarcastic self, and she figured Scrimgeour would have more to say if it had opened. Dumbledore was obviously cleverer than the Minister gave him credit for.
"That's all, then, is it?" asked Hermione.
"Not quite. Dumbledore left you a second bequest, Potter."
"What is it?"
"The sword of Godric Gryffindor."
"So where is it?"
"Unfortunately, that sword was not Dumbledore's to give away. The sword of Godric Gryffindor is an important historical artefact, and as such, belongs—"
"It belongs to Harry!" said Hermione. "It chose him, he was the one who found it, it came to him out of the Sorting Hat—"
"According to reliable historical sources, the sword may present itself to any worthy Gryffindor. That does not make it exclusive property of Mr. Potter, whatever Dumbledore may have decided. Why do you think—"
"—Dumbledore wanted to give me the sword?" Harry finished. "Maybe he thought it would look nice on my wall."
"This is not a joke, Potter! Was it because Dumbledore believed that only the sword of Godric Gryffindor could defeat the Heir of Slytherin? Did he wish to give you that sword, Potter, because he believed, as do many, that you are the one destined to destroy He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?"
"Interesting theory. Has anyone ever tried sticking the sword in Voldemort? Maybe the Ministry should put some people onto that, instead of wasting their time stripping down Deluminators or covering up breakouts from Azkaban. So, is this what you've been doing, Minister, shut up in your office, trying to break open a snitch? People are dying—I was nearly one of them—Voldemort chased me across three counties, he killed Mad-Eye Moody, but there's been no word about any of that from the Ministry, has there? And you still expect us to cooperate with you!"
"You go too far!" shouted Scrimgeour, and even Ginny heard that as it made Corinna's ears ring.
There were some rustling about before Hermione cried out, "No! Do you want to give him an excuse to arrest us?"
"Remembered you're not at school, have you? Remembered that I am not Dumbledore, who forgave your insolence and insubordination? You may wear that scar like a crown, Potter, but it is not up to a seventeen-year-old boy to tell me how to do my job! It's time you learned some respect!"
"It's time you earned it," said Harry.
When Mr. and Mrs. Weasley burst into the sitting room, Corinna decided to bring in the flesh-colored string. Nothing else would be said with them present, and she suspected that they would look out for such a thing, especially if they noticed that Corinna and Ginny were missing from the group. Corinna gathered up the string and the two of them crawled away from the window before they could get caught.