Ginny Weasley and The Boy Who Lived.
Chapter 3: The World Cup Final.
Harry felt the usual thrill of anticipation as he stood beside Wood and behind the massive bulk of Caine and Nichols. "Ready Harry?" asked Wood.
Harry nodded, "Try not to get knocked out this time Oliver." He reached inside his robes and pulled out a small vial of sky-blue potion Fleur had given him that morning. "Eet ees called Anlibido Potion, my ancestors invented eet about feefty years ago, eet counteracts our 'charms'." she had told him. He uncorked the vial and swallowed the potion, it was rather bitter.
A voice echoed down into the tunnel. "Ladies and gentlemen... welcome. Welcome to the final of the four hundred and twenty-third Quidditch World Cup!" There was a pause,
"And now... may I introduce... the Bulgarian Team Mascots!"
"Veela?" Wood asked Harry.
He nodded, "Keep your hair on Oliver." he told him, "With Veela, beauty really is only skin deep remember. Although Fleur and Gabriel are nice." he admitted.
"And now, kindly put your wands in the air!" shouted Kennedy, "For the English National Team Mascots!" Loud roars filled the stadium and the crowd gasped. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, kindly welcome - for Bulgaria! Dimitrov, Ivanova! Levski! Zograf! Vulchanov! Volkov! Aaaand KRUM!"
"We're up." Smythe reminded them and they mounted their broomsticks, he rode a Firebolt as did the other two Chasers, Caine, Nichols and Wood rode Lightnings. "And now. For England! Presenting - Caine! Nichols!" The two Beaters shot out of the tunnel and split off in opposite directions. "Wood! Potter!" Loud cheers echoed through the station as Harry and Wood flew out into the pitch. "Wilson! Lee! Aaaand SMYTHE!" Harry flew in a circle around the pitch, raising his hand in salute as he passed the Top-Box where Hermione, Sirius, the Weasleys and his other friends were sitting along with officials from the three Ministries including Dumbledore, Oliver, Bagman, Clarodov and Kennedy, who was commentating. He eventually stopped, hovering above the pride of Petleon, the animated stone lions that were England's mascots.
"In the last World Cup, England went out in the quarter-finals against Transylvania, while Bulgaria narrowly lost out on the Cup to Ireland in the finals. I wonder how they'll do this time?!" The Veela began to dance and the Petleons roared beneath Harry.
Good luck darling.
Thanks love.
"Our referee today will be the esteemed Chairwizard of the International Association of Quidditch, Hassan Mostafa!"
Harry gripped his broomstick tightly as Mostafa kicked open the crate of Quidditch balls. "The Quaffle is in the air. And they're off! England in possession! Wilson passes to Lee, blocked by Vulchanov, back to Wilson, he shots. Saved by Zograf, Bulgaria now in possession, Levski with the Quaffle shooting towards the England goal, Nichols closing in - sends a Bludger at Levski. Smythe snatches the Quaffle, he shots. Score! England now lead by ten and are still in possession, Lee with the Quaffle."
From the stands, Harry's friends were watching with bated breath. "How do you think this is going to go?" Tom asked.
Ginny shrugged, "I don't know."
"I do." Ron told them, "The Bulgarians may have more experience playing together as a team but Caine and Nichols'll make mincemeat out of the Bulgarian Beaters and Harry's a way better Seeker than Krum."
"Wilson scores again. England now leads 60-10!"
"See?"
"It's not over yet Ron." Hermione reminded him as the cheers died down.
"So you think Vicky can beat Harry?"
"No."
"Then it's over." declared Ron.
"Shush you two. You argue like an old married couple. No offence Dad."
"None taken Charlie."
"Smythe has the Quaffle, dodges a Bludger deflected by Caine back towards Vulchanov Smythe shoots... deflected by Zograf, Lee gets it on the rebound. England now 70-10!" By this point, Harry suspected the Bulgarians were experiencing a sense of déjà vu as the seamless teamwork of the England Chasers and the greater size and strength of their Beaters allowed them to consistently punch their way through the Bulgarian defence to score goal after goal. "A combined effort by all five attacking players allows Levski to snatch the Quaffle, he shots towards the goal, Caine closing fast, he feints upwards, dodging a Bludger, drops the Quaffle to Ivanova, he shoots and Wood just misses the save!"
"Damn!" Ron swore.
Hermione put her hand on his arm, "Don't worry Ron, we're still 110 points up."
"But if Krum does get the Snitch..." groaned Ron, "Oh no!"
Krum dived towards the ground, Harry following, at the last second he pulled out. Harry banked hard, slowed, and then shot up again.
"Wronski Feint!" crowed Ron, "Nice try!"
"Lee scores! England now leads 140-20!"
A few minutes later, with the score at 160-30, Harry spotted a gleam of gold out of the corner of his eye, a hundred feet above him. He turned his broomstick and flew, spiralling upwards towards it. "Potter has spotted the Snitch, he's closing in. Krum is far behind, he never catch in time."
Harry flew upwards, still bent flat against his Firebolt as he got closer and closer to the tiny fluttering ball.
"Smythe scores again for England, they are now at 170-30!" Harry reached out, his fingers brushed the Snitch, then he lunged at the ball and closed his hand around it. "ENGLAND WIN! Potter gets the Snitch and England win 320-30!" Harry flew down and joined his teammates in a lap of honour around the pitch ending at the Top-Box. Harry hovered as Smythe accepted the Cup from Gareth Washington the US Minister of Magic. He caught Ginny's eye and gave her the thumbs up. Did I do great, or did I do great?
You were amazing. she told him, smiling happily as they flew off on another lap of honour, Smythe in the lead with the Cup raised high and Harry bringing up the rear, to the accompanying cheers and roars of the fans and mascots.
See you back at the tent.
Don't be too long.
An hour?
See you then.
----
A few hours later, Harry started out of bed, "Harry Potter. Harry Potter sir, you must up sir!" Harry could hear screams outside. "Dobby?"
"Harry Potter, you must get up, there is danger around sir."
"What is it?"
"Evil dark wizards sir, they is attacking the camp sir. Master Wheezy tells Dobby to Dobby to go and get Harry Potter, sir. So Dobby does sir."
"Go wake the guys, get Winky to wake the girls and all of you meet me in the dining room."
"Yes sir." Dobby Disapparated.
Harry shook Ginny awake and told her to get dressed. FOX, OWL, PADFOOT, WAKE UP!"
What is it? growled Sirius.
Death Eaters, they're attacking. Get dressed and meet me in the dining room, now. Harry told them, as he shrugged on his new dragon-hide jacket.
Owl, go out and scout around. I need info.
Got it.
A few minutes later, Harry and his friends were all gathered in the dining room. Hermione flew back in through the tent flap and transformed. "The Ministry are out-numbered four-to-one, vampires and were-demons are with the Death Eaters. If we were at a Muggle campsite the casualties would be horrific, they can't get through to the injured. The camps are also sealed with wards that block Apparation, Port-Keys and the fires, the Ministry can't get help or call for back-up."
"Where are the biggest concentrations of Death Eaters?"
"The American and Bulgarian camps, the ones around our camp are being pushed back."
"Sirius, do you know where we are?"
He nodded and conjured up a map of California, he pointed to a spot deep within the mountains. "We're here, the nearest Ministry offices is the Merpeople Liaison Office in San Francisco, 60 miles south-west of here."
"Hermione, can you make it?"
"Not by Apparation, it's too far to risk. But I should be able to fly through the wards."
"Do it. We'll cover you if necessary."
"But..."
"Harry's right 'Mione it's the best way."
"I don't want to leave you."
"Go!"
Hermione nodded and transformed, she flew out the flap and into the sky. "Okay. This is what I think we should do, the Ministry can probably handle the Death Eaters, but Ron, Ginny, and I'll go and give them a hand anyway. The main priority is to get the children and the injured to safety."
Ron nodded, "How do we get them through the wards?"
"House-Elves. The wards shouldn't affect them."
"Good idea." said Sirius.
"Sirius, take Peter, Sonja, Bill, Fleur and Dobby and evacuate the injured England supporters."
"Will do."
"Remus, take the twins, Angelina, Alicia and Winky and take the Bulgarians to safety."
"Certainly."
"Charlie, Tom and Roger. Reinforce the defences here, do what you can for the injured."
"Got it."
"Boric?"
"Yes Master Potter sir?"
"See if you can round up some more house-elves, if you can get them to work with us we can get more of the injured to safety. Get one to Charlie as soon as you can, then double up."
"Right away sir." he bowed and disappeared.
"Let's go." They headed for the exit, Harry's team in the lead, Sirius' team on their left, Lupin's on the right and Charlie, Tom and Roger brought up the rear. They burst out onto the battlefield, wands at the ready and swords or spears within easy reach. "Sirius, Remus, Charlie go!" ordered Harry, "We'll cover you. Stupefy!" His Stunner ripped through the Death Eaters, two fell as others fired back. Harry summoned a Wall of Power to block their Stunners. They're trying to conserve power. Make use of that. Ron and Ginny nodded, protected by Harry's Wall of Power they fired Stunners and Body-Binds again and again, taking down six more Death Eaters. The others were now out of the compound and moving through the crowds. Move forward! Engage them, Attack manoeuvre thirteen!"
Understood.
They ran towards the Death Eaters and dark creatures. Seconds later, Harry was confronted by a Death Eater backed up by two large blond vampires. He dodged a Killing Curse from the Death Eater and then shot a Stunner at him, he blocked it and fired off another Killing Curse. Harry thrust out with a sidekick and knocked a vampire off-balance, at the same time setting the Death Eater's robes on fire, that gave him enough time to unsheathe his sword, he ducked a staff thrust from the second vampire, kicking him behind the knee knocking him off balance. The vampire fell forward, dusting as he speared himself on Harry's sword. Harry rolled forward bringing his sword up in a broad crescent to deflect another staff thrust and then reversed it and stabbed the first vampire in the chest.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the flash of a familiar group of auras, the five Death Eaters were pulling several young children away. Fox, Mare. Form on me. Within a few seconds they had fought their way to his side. Follow me. He ran into the thickest concentration of Death Eaters that blocked his way, they were busy harassing young wizards, Charlie's group and a couple of other familiar faces were engaging them.
"Chiron. We need covering fire!" Heraklos nodded, pulling back on his bow he shot several energy arrows into the crowd. "There's too many! We need a diversion!" shouted Ron as he dodged a Stunner.
"I have an idea!" Harry told him, Desert-brothers!
Who calls?
The Bestian Lion.
Mmmm. What do you need man-lion?
A diversion. Will you aide us?
Gladly. Who is prey?
The beasts. Wizards can handle the vampires and skull-faces.
Excellent. We will do it.
"Chiron!"
"What?"
"Blow the Petleon enclosure!"
"Why?"
"Just do it!"
The Grecian archer nodded and sent an energy arrow at the gate, it exploded. The grey-furred beasts leaped out, picking their targets they attacked the Iuvenci. Within a short time, they were able to get through the group and head after their prey. They have a good start on us. That cluster slowed us up. said Ron.
Agreed. he thought for a moment, Mare transform. You can carry Fox. With a flash, Ginny transformed into her massive Arabian form, Ron clambered up.
What about you?
I'll keep up. Harry replied and bounded off, Ginny waited a breath and then thundered after him. After about five minutes of running, Harry could sense they were catching up with his prey. They were just over the next rise. When you top the hill, leap. Then transform in mid-air, I want the element of surprise.
Got it.
Head to head they leaped off the small outcropping. Twenty feet up, Harry shifted and landed cat-like, but human, on the quarry floor. He straightened up a little as Ron and Ginny landed to the left and right of the group. "Malfoy." he growled. Crabbe and Goyle turned and fired Killing Curses in his direction, Harry leaped into the air to avoid them, spinning around he struck Pansy on the side of the head, she staggered and fell to the ground. Fox, Mare you handle the others, Malfoy's mine!"
We're on it!
Malfoy's Stunner hit him in mid-air, Harry was slammed back into the rock wall. He got to his feet shaking his head to clear it. "Nice move. Pointless but nice."
Malfoy raised his wand again and fired a barrage of spells, "Stupefy! Reducto! Iaculari! Petrificus Totalus! Relashio! Stupefy!"
Harry threw up a Wall of Power to block Malfoy's curses, "Clipeus!" Then he pointed his left arm at Malfoy. "Expelliarmus!" Malfoy stood frozen with shock for a few seconds before Harry's Stunner knocked him unconscious.
There was a flickering in the sky. What the...? exclaimed Ginny.
The wards are down. Seconds later, a group of Hit Wizards Apparated in. The sergeant turned to Harry, shined a light on him. "Identify yourself!" he barked.
"Harry Potter, Order of the Phoenix." he flashed his new badge at the sergeant.
"Report Agent Potter."
"I noticed these five tried to kidnap some kids so I told Ron and Ginny and we pursued them. We caught up with them here about two minutes ago."
"Were there others?"
"No. Although they may have been bringing the kids to someone, I don't know."
"Do you know who they are?"
Harry nodded, "Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode. They were expelled from Hogwarts seven months ago for attacking teachers during the Battle of Hogwarts."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, their auras are unmistakeable. I'd know them anywhere."
"Good enough." remarked Sergeant Lopez, he turned to his men, "Take them away. Charge them with kidnapping, affray, consorting with dark wizards and violation of clause 5 of the Code of Wand Use."
"Better add use of the Unforgivable Curses to Crabbe and Goyle's charges." added Ron. "They're the big ones."
"Why is that Mister...?"
"Weasley, Ron Weasley, son of Arthur Weasley. They tried to use Avada Kedavra on Harry, but he evaded it."
"I see. They will be charged accordingly." the Sergeant assured them.
Lion, can you return to camp?
On my way. said Harry, "Sirius wants us back at camp." Harry told his friends. "Can we go?" Lopez nodded. Ginny walked over to Harry and he put his arm around her and they Apparated away.
----
By the time they returned to the camp, the Ministry reinforcements summoned by Hermione had turned the battle against the Death Eaters and their allies and this time most of them had been captured. Casualties were heavy, they had intended to kill people and mediwizards had to be brought in from St Mungo's and St Florence's in Canada, as well as the Apollo Centre, to help deal with the injured. In all, there were 47 dead, mainly Aurors, Hit Wizards and young children caught in the crossfire, and 248 injured, many severely, but things would have been much worse if the house-elves hadn't transported hundreds to hospital during the fighting.
Harry, Ron and Ginny pitched in to help with the clean up, their other friends, including Hermione, soon joined them. It was almost dawn when they were able to get back to the tent. At Mr Weasley's suggestion they decided to get a few hours sleep before taking a Port-Key back to Chancery House.
When they did finally get to the House, there was a large welcoming committee waiting for them, Mrs Weasley immediately enveloped Harry, Ron and Ginny in one of her massive hugs, "I was so worried about you!" she sobbed.
"Take it easy Mum." said Ron, who was red-faced with embarrassment. "It's not like we've never fought Death Eaters and vampires before." When Mrs Weasley released him, he went over to sit beside Hermione who was busy talking to her parents, he laced his fingers in hers and squeezed her hand reassuringly. Hermione gave him a small smile. After assuring Mrs Weasley he was okay, Harry went over to support Bill and Fleur who were being violently accosted in French by her mother, her little sister spotted Harry and smiled at him. "Good morning 'arry!"
"Hi Gabrielle. How are you?"
"I am fine thank you. I am starting school in September."
"Beauxbatons?"
"Non. 'ogwarts, Bill fixed eet weeth Professor Black last week."
Harry was surprised, "I might see you around then. I finished school last June but I'll be visiting occasionally to see my friends."
"I would like that."
Harry wandered off, chatting with the other guests for while, then he noticed that Ginny was lying down on one of the larger sofas. He went over to her. "You okay Ginny?"
"I'm fine Harry, just tired." She sat up so that Harry could sit down and then lay back down again her head resting on his chest. They relaxed like that for a while until it was time for lunch. Everyone joined them for lunch, but after that they started to leave.
Within an hour, only Harry, Hermione, Sirius, Penelope and the Weasleys were left. Even Fleur had gone home with her family. Harry decided to go up to bed for a nap. After about an hour, Ginny joined him and he was soon fast asleep. Ron woke them up a couple of hours later and they played chess and Exploding Snap until dinner, then with a full stomach weighing him down, Harry felt himself drifting off so he headed up to bed to sleep.
Harry felt the usual thrill of anticipation as he stood beside Wood and behind the massive bulk of Caine and Nichols. "Ready Harry?" asked Wood.
Harry nodded, "Try not to get knocked out this time Oliver." He reached inside his robes and pulled out a small vial of sky-blue potion Fleur had given him that morning. "Eet ees called Anlibido Potion, my ancestors invented eet about feefty years ago, eet counteracts our 'charms'." she had told him. He uncorked the vial and swallowed the potion, it was rather bitter.
A voice echoed down into the tunnel. "Ladies and gentlemen... welcome. Welcome to the final of the four hundred and twenty-third Quidditch World Cup!" There was a pause,
"And now... may I introduce... the Bulgarian Team Mascots!"
"Veela?" Wood asked Harry.
He nodded, "Keep your hair on Oliver." he told him, "With Veela, beauty really is only skin deep remember. Although Fleur and Gabriel are nice." he admitted.
"And now, kindly put your wands in the air!" shouted Kennedy, "For the English National Team Mascots!" Loud roars filled the stadium and the crowd gasped. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, kindly welcome - for Bulgaria! Dimitrov, Ivanova! Levski! Zograf! Vulchanov! Volkov! Aaaand KRUM!"
"We're up." Smythe reminded them and they mounted their broomsticks, he rode a Firebolt as did the other two Chasers, Caine, Nichols and Wood rode Lightnings. "And now. For England! Presenting - Caine! Nichols!" The two Beaters shot out of the tunnel and split off in opposite directions. "Wood! Potter!" Loud cheers echoed through the station as Harry and Wood flew out into the pitch. "Wilson! Lee! Aaaand SMYTHE!" Harry flew in a circle around the pitch, raising his hand in salute as he passed the Top-Box where Hermione, Sirius, the Weasleys and his other friends were sitting along with officials from the three Ministries including Dumbledore, Oliver, Bagman, Clarodov and Kennedy, who was commentating. He eventually stopped, hovering above the pride of Petleon, the animated stone lions that were England's mascots.
"In the last World Cup, England went out in the quarter-finals against Transylvania, while Bulgaria narrowly lost out on the Cup to Ireland in the finals. I wonder how they'll do this time?!" The Veela began to dance and the Petleons roared beneath Harry.
Good luck darling.
Thanks love.
"Our referee today will be the esteemed Chairwizard of the International Association of Quidditch, Hassan Mostafa!"
Harry gripped his broomstick tightly as Mostafa kicked open the crate of Quidditch balls. "The Quaffle is in the air. And they're off! England in possession! Wilson passes to Lee, blocked by Vulchanov, back to Wilson, he shots. Saved by Zograf, Bulgaria now in possession, Levski with the Quaffle shooting towards the England goal, Nichols closing in - sends a Bludger at Levski. Smythe snatches the Quaffle, he shots. Score! England now lead by ten and are still in possession, Lee with the Quaffle."
From the stands, Harry's friends were watching with bated breath. "How do you think this is going to go?" Tom asked.
Ginny shrugged, "I don't know."
"I do." Ron told them, "The Bulgarians may have more experience playing together as a team but Caine and Nichols'll make mincemeat out of the Bulgarian Beaters and Harry's a way better Seeker than Krum."
"Wilson scores again. England now leads 60-10!"
"See?"
"It's not over yet Ron." Hermione reminded him as the cheers died down.
"So you think Vicky can beat Harry?"
"No."
"Then it's over." declared Ron.
"Shush you two. You argue like an old married couple. No offence Dad."
"None taken Charlie."
"Smythe has the Quaffle, dodges a Bludger deflected by Caine back towards Vulchanov Smythe shoots... deflected by Zograf, Lee gets it on the rebound. England now 70-10!" By this point, Harry suspected the Bulgarians were experiencing a sense of déjà vu as the seamless teamwork of the England Chasers and the greater size and strength of their Beaters allowed them to consistently punch their way through the Bulgarian defence to score goal after goal. "A combined effort by all five attacking players allows Levski to snatch the Quaffle, he shots towards the goal, Caine closing fast, he feints upwards, dodging a Bludger, drops the Quaffle to Ivanova, he shoots and Wood just misses the save!"
"Damn!" Ron swore.
Hermione put her hand on his arm, "Don't worry Ron, we're still 110 points up."
"But if Krum does get the Snitch..." groaned Ron, "Oh no!"
Krum dived towards the ground, Harry following, at the last second he pulled out. Harry banked hard, slowed, and then shot up again.
"Wronski Feint!" crowed Ron, "Nice try!"
"Lee scores! England now leads 140-20!"
A few minutes later, with the score at 160-30, Harry spotted a gleam of gold out of the corner of his eye, a hundred feet above him. He turned his broomstick and flew, spiralling upwards towards it. "Potter has spotted the Snitch, he's closing in. Krum is far behind, he never catch in time."
Harry flew upwards, still bent flat against his Firebolt as he got closer and closer to the tiny fluttering ball.
"Smythe scores again for England, they are now at 170-30!" Harry reached out, his fingers brushed the Snitch, then he lunged at the ball and closed his hand around it. "ENGLAND WIN! Potter gets the Snitch and England win 320-30!" Harry flew down and joined his teammates in a lap of honour around the pitch ending at the Top-Box. Harry hovered as Smythe accepted the Cup from Gareth Washington the US Minister of Magic. He caught Ginny's eye and gave her the thumbs up. Did I do great, or did I do great?
You were amazing. she told him, smiling happily as they flew off on another lap of honour, Smythe in the lead with the Cup raised high and Harry bringing up the rear, to the accompanying cheers and roars of the fans and mascots.
See you back at the tent.
Don't be too long.
An hour?
See you then.
----
A few hours later, Harry started out of bed, "Harry Potter. Harry Potter sir, you must up sir!" Harry could hear screams outside. "Dobby?"
"Harry Potter, you must get up, there is danger around sir."
"What is it?"
"Evil dark wizards sir, they is attacking the camp sir. Master Wheezy tells Dobby to Dobby to go and get Harry Potter, sir. So Dobby does sir."
"Go wake the guys, get Winky to wake the girls and all of you meet me in the dining room."
"Yes sir." Dobby Disapparated.
Harry shook Ginny awake and told her to get dressed. FOX, OWL, PADFOOT, WAKE UP!"
What is it? growled Sirius.
Death Eaters, they're attacking. Get dressed and meet me in the dining room, now. Harry told them, as he shrugged on his new dragon-hide jacket.
Owl, go out and scout around. I need info.
Got it.
A few minutes later, Harry and his friends were all gathered in the dining room. Hermione flew back in through the tent flap and transformed. "The Ministry are out-numbered four-to-one, vampires and were-demons are with the Death Eaters. If we were at a Muggle campsite the casualties would be horrific, they can't get through to the injured. The camps are also sealed with wards that block Apparation, Port-Keys and the fires, the Ministry can't get help or call for back-up."
"Where are the biggest concentrations of Death Eaters?"
"The American and Bulgarian camps, the ones around our camp are being pushed back."
"Sirius, do you know where we are?"
He nodded and conjured up a map of California, he pointed to a spot deep within the mountains. "We're here, the nearest Ministry offices is the Merpeople Liaison Office in San Francisco, 60 miles south-west of here."
"Hermione, can you make it?"
"Not by Apparation, it's too far to risk. But I should be able to fly through the wards."
"Do it. We'll cover you if necessary."
"But..."
"Harry's right 'Mione it's the best way."
"I don't want to leave you."
"Go!"
Hermione nodded and transformed, she flew out the flap and into the sky. "Okay. This is what I think we should do, the Ministry can probably handle the Death Eaters, but Ron, Ginny, and I'll go and give them a hand anyway. The main priority is to get the children and the injured to safety."
Ron nodded, "How do we get them through the wards?"
"House-Elves. The wards shouldn't affect them."
"Good idea." said Sirius.
"Sirius, take Peter, Sonja, Bill, Fleur and Dobby and evacuate the injured England supporters."
"Will do."
"Remus, take the twins, Angelina, Alicia and Winky and take the Bulgarians to safety."
"Certainly."
"Charlie, Tom and Roger. Reinforce the defences here, do what you can for the injured."
"Got it."
"Boric?"
"Yes Master Potter sir?"
"See if you can round up some more house-elves, if you can get them to work with us we can get more of the injured to safety. Get one to Charlie as soon as you can, then double up."
"Right away sir." he bowed and disappeared.
"Let's go." They headed for the exit, Harry's team in the lead, Sirius' team on their left, Lupin's on the right and Charlie, Tom and Roger brought up the rear. They burst out onto the battlefield, wands at the ready and swords or spears within easy reach. "Sirius, Remus, Charlie go!" ordered Harry, "We'll cover you. Stupefy!" His Stunner ripped through the Death Eaters, two fell as others fired back. Harry summoned a Wall of Power to block their Stunners. They're trying to conserve power. Make use of that. Ron and Ginny nodded, protected by Harry's Wall of Power they fired Stunners and Body-Binds again and again, taking down six more Death Eaters. The others were now out of the compound and moving through the crowds. Move forward! Engage them, Attack manoeuvre thirteen!"
Understood.
They ran towards the Death Eaters and dark creatures. Seconds later, Harry was confronted by a Death Eater backed up by two large blond vampires. He dodged a Killing Curse from the Death Eater and then shot a Stunner at him, he blocked it and fired off another Killing Curse. Harry thrust out with a sidekick and knocked a vampire off-balance, at the same time setting the Death Eater's robes on fire, that gave him enough time to unsheathe his sword, he ducked a staff thrust from the second vampire, kicking him behind the knee knocking him off balance. The vampire fell forward, dusting as he speared himself on Harry's sword. Harry rolled forward bringing his sword up in a broad crescent to deflect another staff thrust and then reversed it and stabbed the first vampire in the chest.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the flash of a familiar group of auras, the five Death Eaters were pulling several young children away. Fox, Mare. Form on me. Within a few seconds they had fought their way to his side. Follow me. He ran into the thickest concentration of Death Eaters that blocked his way, they were busy harassing young wizards, Charlie's group and a couple of other familiar faces were engaging them.
"Chiron. We need covering fire!" Heraklos nodded, pulling back on his bow he shot several energy arrows into the crowd. "There's too many! We need a diversion!" shouted Ron as he dodged a Stunner.
"I have an idea!" Harry told him, Desert-brothers!
Who calls?
The Bestian Lion.
Mmmm. What do you need man-lion?
A diversion. Will you aide us?
Gladly. Who is prey?
The beasts. Wizards can handle the vampires and skull-faces.
Excellent. We will do it.
"Chiron!"
"What?"
"Blow the Petleon enclosure!"
"Why?"
"Just do it!"
The Grecian archer nodded and sent an energy arrow at the gate, it exploded. The grey-furred beasts leaped out, picking their targets they attacked the Iuvenci. Within a short time, they were able to get through the group and head after their prey. They have a good start on us. That cluster slowed us up. said Ron.
Agreed. he thought for a moment, Mare transform. You can carry Fox. With a flash, Ginny transformed into her massive Arabian form, Ron clambered up.
What about you?
I'll keep up. Harry replied and bounded off, Ginny waited a breath and then thundered after him. After about five minutes of running, Harry could sense they were catching up with his prey. They were just over the next rise. When you top the hill, leap. Then transform in mid-air, I want the element of surprise.
Got it.
Head to head they leaped off the small outcropping. Twenty feet up, Harry shifted and landed cat-like, but human, on the quarry floor. He straightened up a little as Ron and Ginny landed to the left and right of the group. "Malfoy." he growled. Crabbe and Goyle turned and fired Killing Curses in his direction, Harry leaped into the air to avoid them, spinning around he struck Pansy on the side of the head, she staggered and fell to the ground. Fox, Mare you handle the others, Malfoy's mine!"
We're on it!
Malfoy's Stunner hit him in mid-air, Harry was slammed back into the rock wall. He got to his feet shaking his head to clear it. "Nice move. Pointless but nice."
Malfoy raised his wand again and fired a barrage of spells, "Stupefy! Reducto! Iaculari! Petrificus Totalus! Relashio! Stupefy!"
Harry threw up a Wall of Power to block Malfoy's curses, "Clipeus!" Then he pointed his left arm at Malfoy. "Expelliarmus!" Malfoy stood frozen with shock for a few seconds before Harry's Stunner knocked him unconscious.
There was a flickering in the sky. What the...? exclaimed Ginny.
The wards are down. Seconds later, a group of Hit Wizards Apparated in. The sergeant turned to Harry, shined a light on him. "Identify yourself!" he barked.
"Harry Potter, Order of the Phoenix." he flashed his new badge at the sergeant.
"Report Agent Potter."
"I noticed these five tried to kidnap some kids so I told Ron and Ginny and we pursued them. We caught up with them here about two minutes ago."
"Were there others?"
"No. Although they may have been bringing the kids to someone, I don't know."
"Do you know who they are?"
Harry nodded, "Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode. They were expelled from Hogwarts seven months ago for attacking teachers during the Battle of Hogwarts."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, their auras are unmistakeable. I'd know them anywhere."
"Good enough." remarked Sergeant Lopez, he turned to his men, "Take them away. Charge them with kidnapping, affray, consorting with dark wizards and violation of clause 5 of the Code of Wand Use."
"Better add use of the Unforgivable Curses to Crabbe and Goyle's charges." added Ron. "They're the big ones."
"Why is that Mister...?"
"Weasley, Ron Weasley, son of Arthur Weasley. They tried to use Avada Kedavra on Harry, but he evaded it."
"I see. They will be charged accordingly." the Sergeant assured them.
Lion, can you return to camp?
On my way. said Harry, "Sirius wants us back at camp." Harry told his friends. "Can we go?" Lopez nodded. Ginny walked over to Harry and he put his arm around her and they Apparated away.
----
By the time they returned to the camp, the Ministry reinforcements summoned by Hermione had turned the battle against the Death Eaters and their allies and this time most of them had been captured. Casualties were heavy, they had intended to kill people and mediwizards had to be brought in from St Mungo's and St Florence's in Canada, as well as the Apollo Centre, to help deal with the injured. In all, there were 47 dead, mainly Aurors, Hit Wizards and young children caught in the crossfire, and 248 injured, many severely, but things would have been much worse if the house-elves hadn't transported hundreds to hospital during the fighting.
Harry, Ron and Ginny pitched in to help with the clean up, their other friends, including Hermione, soon joined them. It was almost dawn when they were able to get back to the tent. At Mr Weasley's suggestion they decided to get a few hours sleep before taking a Port-Key back to Chancery House.
When they did finally get to the House, there was a large welcoming committee waiting for them, Mrs Weasley immediately enveloped Harry, Ron and Ginny in one of her massive hugs, "I was so worried about you!" she sobbed.
"Take it easy Mum." said Ron, who was red-faced with embarrassment. "It's not like we've never fought Death Eaters and vampires before." When Mrs Weasley released him, he went over to sit beside Hermione who was busy talking to her parents, he laced his fingers in hers and squeezed her hand reassuringly. Hermione gave him a small smile. After assuring Mrs Weasley he was okay, Harry went over to support Bill and Fleur who were being violently accosted in French by her mother, her little sister spotted Harry and smiled at him. "Good morning 'arry!"
"Hi Gabrielle. How are you?"
"I am fine thank you. I am starting school in September."
"Beauxbatons?"
"Non. 'ogwarts, Bill fixed eet weeth Professor Black last week."
Harry was surprised, "I might see you around then. I finished school last June but I'll be visiting occasionally to see my friends."
"I would like that."
Harry wandered off, chatting with the other guests for while, then he noticed that Ginny was lying down on one of the larger sofas. He went over to her. "You okay Ginny?"
"I'm fine Harry, just tired." She sat up so that Harry could sit down and then lay back down again her head resting on his chest. They relaxed like that for a while until it was time for lunch. Everyone joined them for lunch, but after that they started to leave.
Within an hour, only Harry, Hermione, Sirius, Penelope and the Weasleys were left. Even Fleur had gone home with her family. Harry decided to go up to bed for a nap. After about an hour, Ginny joined him and he was soon fast asleep. Ron woke them up a couple of hours later and they played chess and Exploding Snap until dinner, then with a full stomach weighing him down, Harry felt himself drifting off so he headed up to bed to sleep.