A/N: Wow you guys are so cool! Thanks for reviewing – it means so much to me! You all have encouraged me to post this before I go out tonight (Whoo hoo – TGIF!). :)
And to in response to some of your reviews: Monana – yes the dog was Sirius (sorry I didn't make that clearer!), Haha Snapa – I don't like Fudge much either (can't you tell:) ), Jessica- yes Veronica will be going to Hogwarts eventually (Can't answer your other question just yet;) ), Laura: Sorry I like Cho too – but Veronica is pretty cool as well don't you think? (I hope…), and Stardust- Harry IS a cutie! (Ron is awesome too – and I swear this fic will have some R/H later on for all of you who want them together). OK phew- hope that answers everything. And thanks again to everyone who reviewed this!
Disclaimer: I own nothing…I grovel at JK Rowlings' feet…
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As soon as the Minister of Magic exited the hospital room it exploded with upset conversation.
"The git!" Ron fumed. "After all that happened…he STILL is doing nothing to stop it!"
"The Minister of Magic is a great man!" Percy insisted loudly. But his brothers ignored him.
"And the way he talked to you Harry," George shook his head.
"So condescending," Fred added.
"Like you were a half-wit…" George finished. Harry remained silent, staring pensively at the wall.
"Yeah I feel safe knowing there are some really brave folks taking care of us out there," Ron growled sarcastically. "Real safe. We've got excellent people in charge. Only except they're TOO AFRAID to do anything and practically let You-Know-Who dance right back into power…"
"THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING!" Percy shot his younger brother a frustrated look. "Much more than you ever would. And no one is sure yet that You-Know-Who is really back…"
Before Ron could respond Ginny burst into the room. Her pale face was flushed, and her soft brown eyes looked troubled. "I-I- got-this-owl," She gasped for breath. "Owl post. For Harry. Down in the lobby." With a trembling hand she handed the letter to Harry. Harry tore it open.
Harry,
Sorry I couldn't stay longer, but I knew that Ministry officials would be around. This girl is important somehow, and I think that she had better stay under our watchful eyes. I don't think we should release her back out into the city unprotected. DO NOT LET ANY ONE PERFORM A MEMORY CHARM ON HER. This is very important. She might know things that she can't remember right now that can explain what happened earlier. If she is charmed we have no hope of ever finding out. Don't trust the ministry – I think Fudge has been under a lot of pressure lately – there are a lot of powerful people who were in Voldemort's inner circle, who now hold influential positions there. This is all I can say for now. I have gone to see Dumbledore. Ask the Weasleys to take Veronica home with them – and I'd feel safer if you went back with them too. I will come as soon as I can.
-Sirius
"Is it Snuffles?" Ron asked quietly. Harry nodded. He handed Ron the note. Ron searched it wide-eyed and then passed it on to his parents.
"He says that we shouldn't
let you go Veronica," Harry looked up at her. She had been sitting there
silently, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. She turned to gaze at Harry. She
looked as if she was not even certain of her own name anymore.
Everyone looked at her. She lowered her eyes from the ceiling, her shoulders slumped. "Look," she sighed. "I would love it if I could just go back…I was supposed to start school in two weeks. I mean how am I going to tell my host parents where I am?" She paused with a worried look in her eyes. "I feel like I just can't leave my life behind…but I don't want to put people in danger." She nodded shakily. "If that thing we saw…if it has to do with me somehow, well I don't want anyone to get hurt. Maybe it is best I don't go back…but…" She shrugged hopelessly. "I just don't know what to do anymore…I feel so overwhelmed." She muttered.
There was a moment's pause.
"We could take her with us," Mrs. Weasley volunteered softly. She looked sympathetically at Veronica. The Muggle looked up at the kind woman gratefully.
Percy's eyes widened in horror. "WE CAN'T TAKE HER WITH US!" He spat out in a shocked voice. All the blood seemed to have drained from his face. He looked around at his family. None of them responded. "Its already bad enough that we are associated with this…convict…" He stiffened as he waved his hand towards Sirius' note that the now twins held. "But this! Why, that is directly against Ministry orders! You could get fired Dad – I COULD GET FIRED!"
Arthur Weasley had been lost in thought. Suddenly stood up straight and took a deep breath. He surveyed his family, as if assessing their courage. Then he sighed.
"Percy is right. I could get fired for this. But I feel like sometimes…you have to take a stand. I agree with Dumbledore…You-Know-Who…I mean," He took another deep breath. "Voldemort," All of the Weasley's shuddered at the name. Even Veronica felt a shiver down her spine. "He is back. You all are too young to remember but it was horrible…" Molly Weasley clutched her husband's arm, a look of pain etched in her kindly, round features.
"It has to stop somewhere. And if I can do my small part…" Mr. Weasley's voice trailed off. "But to take Veronica with us- it is an enormous risk," he continued. "And it is a decision that the entire family should make."
"Well I say yes!" Ron burst out without hesitating.
"We have to," George said. But the mischievous twinkle was gone from his eyes.
"I agree," Fred added quietly.
Ginny nodded, her small face pale as death.
All of the Weasleys turned to gaze searchingly at Percy.
"I still say no." Percy's voice was like ice.
He turned to give his father a level stare. "You know, dad, I don't understand you!" He exploded. "You are an intelligent man, one of the greatest wizards I know…"
His voice faltered, but he continued. "But you just don't go along with what people want!" Percy shook his head." I hear them, Dad…in the Ministry…talking about how you waste all of your time with Muggle foolery…and how you think they are so important. Not that they aren't," he added hastily, casting a sidelong glance at Veronica. "But you know how…certain people…feel about the Muggles…"
"You mean Malfoy." Mr. Weasley's face went hard.
"Not just Malfoy dad! A lot of people! You just don't cultivate your popularity at all…"
"Oh you're saying that Dad should suck up to them then?" Ron cut in angrily. "That he should get down on his knees and lick Malfoy's boots…"
"I did not say that," Percy said through clenched teeth. "All I am saying is that if Dad had just compromised some of his high-minded principles…even just a little - once in awhile - we wouldn't be so damn poor!" This all burst out in a sudden rush, like the deluge of a flood. Percy looked rather flustered.
Mr. Weasley's face remained as it was before, like it was set in stone, but his sparkling gray eyes seemed to dim all of a sudden, the only indication that he was deeply hurt. "I am sorry you feel like that Percy," he said distantly. "But I think the family vote is six to one. She is coming home with us."
"Fine!" Percy's voice shouted, throwing up his arms. "FINE! Loose your job! But I am not," He drew himself up. "Not wasting all of my hard work over this! I don't want to end up where you are now…" He shook his head at his father. "Not ever! I want to be someone in the Ministry…and not waste my time on…Muggles…like you do!"
"I think that you better leave Percy," Mrs. Weasley said in a hollow voice.
Percy nodded slowly. He walked towards the door. At the last minute, he turned. Regret filled his freckled face. His glasses sat listlessly on his nose, and his eyes looked a bit moist behind them. He opened his mouth to say something, and then changed his mind, slamming the door behind him. Ginny let out a low sob, and Ron pulled her into his arms, patting her on the back.
"Well," Mr. Weasley's voice sounded as if it might crack. "I am sorry that you had to be here for that," he said quietly to Harry and Veronica. They had been sitting on the bed the whole time, shifting awkwardly, and trying to find a way to leave the room.
"Its OK," they both responded in unison, their voices barely audible.
They were sorry they had to be there too…
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Review, review, review. Next part soon I swear. :)