A/N: I swear that I tried to get this up before I went out of town for the
weekend, and then I tried to get online while I've been gone but just
didn't have any success, until now. Crappy hotel, but as a result I'll
post this today and another chapter on Saturday or Sunday. Anyway, onto
one more topic before the story, I am in desperate need of a beta. One of
the reasons that it takes me so long to update is that (despite the visible
mistakes there are) I try to be as perfect in spelling and grammar and of
course cannon as possible. So if anyone out there is interested please
either e- mail me or leave something in your reviews, speaking of which I
love them so could you guys keep up the reviewing, please?
Horizons:
The horizon was just beginning to turn a very vibrant shade of rose, subtly fading to lavender, and finally fading into what remained of the velvety midnight blue sky which tenderly encompassed the few remaining stars bravely twinkling as they fought the rising of the dawn, as if their valiant effort could stay the inevitable. It was amazing that something as simple as the nighttime could be so stunningly complex. Molly Weasley loved the evening hours. It was the one time of day that she really felt she could breath, where she could be herself. It was the only time of day that she felt completely as the adult she was. It was her sacred time. Ron and Percy would never argue, Bill and Charlie would never fire call just as she would corral the family to dinner, and Ginny would never need help finding some lost article of clothing, or just feel the need to talk with her mother, and of course it seemed that the late evening hours was the only time that the twins didn't have ominous noises emanating from their room, except of course for George's snore, the poor dear. Oh, it wasn't that Molly didn't love her kids, she did. She loved the way that Percy could find importance in everything he did, and take pride in his smallest actions. She loved, though she'd never admit it, how Ron could aggravate Percy speechless and always beat him at chess. She also loved to take pride in the fact that she'd raised her two eldest with the respect and heart to continually fire call their mother. She also loved the female companionship that she was finding in Ginny as she grew into a remarkable young woman. And yes, even though they rarely listened to her, and had a bit of a wicked streak, and certainly a curiosity to rival even that of Hermione she loved her twins, she loved the animation and determination that she saw when they would prey upon their siblings and argue their cause with her. But the evening hours were her hours, the time where she wasn't mom, but Molly, and occasionally a wife. The evenings had been serene, and Molly's sanctuary. There were many long nights spent in her husband's arms watching a dawn such as this one herald in a new day. In the most recent years of peace, and especially since Ginny had returned to school she had reaffirmed her relationship with her husband, only to find that she love him more with every passing moment.
But this morning she did not herald with a sense of peace, or even in her husband's embrace. This morning brought nothing but sour memories of late nights and many very strong and bitter pots of coffee and tea. It was amazing how far the Dark Lord's reach was, for him to be able to taint something as beautiful and peaceful as the sunrise. But he had, back during his first reign of power Molly had spent many mornings sitting downstairs in her housecoat waiting in silence for the sun to rise, though in those days the rosy hue she was so fond of only seemed a bloody crimson mocking the lives lost as she awaited her husband to return home and recount the lives lost, or worse await the Daily Prophet to find her husband would never return to her arms. She had never gone to sleep last night, nor had she slept well in the previous nights. Arthur had been called late the night before to Hogwarts, Dumbledore himself had fire called them over a secure link and requested Arthur's presence, immediately. And so it had begun, the nights she would wait tersely in the kitchen with a pot of tea and coffee both ready to go, and a plate full of morning pastries just in case. It was these nights that she would look in on her babies, just to see they were safe and sleeping in their beds.
Molly sighed and turned her back to the rising sun, hoping that her children would sleep for a while longer. It would not bode well for them to wake and find their father missing at this hour.
She needn't have worried, as the clock in the corner swung the hand designated for her husband from working to home. Any hope Molly may have harbored about the innocence of the trip Arthur had taken fled her when she saw her husband's terse and exhausted features. It wasn't until she embraced him however, and he shuddered and returned her embrace tightly that her soul acknowledged the rise of a new dark era. For the first time in over fourteen years her husband, her sweet, jovial, muggle loving Arthur was crying.
It was with great trepidation the Arthur Weasley scraped the bottom of the lay chalice for the last of the family's floo and quickly kissed his wife goodbye. Her murmured a few words of comfort and a quick farewell before he called out for Albus Dumbledore's office. There was a brief pause during which Molly heard Dumbledore's misty voice call out, "Clear," before her husband disappeared from their grate.
Arthur felt a sick feeling building in his stomach, which he wasn't sure, was attributed to his trip, as he spun towards Dumbledore's office and a future he wasn't prepared to face. When he stepped out of the grate and into Dumbledore's private office to find himself alone, he was somewhat heartened. Clearly there was no order meeting tonight, which meant the order had not, as of yet, been reassembled. Perhaps the situation wasn't as serious as Bill had made it seem.
Dumbledore choose that moment to emerge from behind a door slightly back and to left of his desk. He extended his hand palm up indicating for Arthur to have a seat across from him. The expression of utter despair and exhaustion humbled Arthur to the true gravity of the situation faster than any declaration could have. He half expected Dumbledore to announce their imminent doom. The only time he remembered Dumbledore looking so old was when he had called the order to report the Potter's murders. This was worse.
"Arthur, I trust that Bill addressed the to you the events of the tournament?"
"Yes, he left the Burrow yesterday, though he is planning on returning home soon. He did give me a full run down of the events during the tournament."
"Did he tell you of Fudge's reaction?"
"Yes sir, he did, why? Has something happened?"
"Yes Arthur, something of grave proportions had occurred. Fudge's reaction was much worse than I initially thought. I had expected his indifference and denial, but I hadn't expected Cornelius to take such a defensive position, nor for him to show the level of cowardice and cruelty that he has."
"I don't understand sir, is he slandering you sir?"
"Indirectly, yes, he is attacking my credibility."
"With all due respect sir, are you sure? I have heard nothing in the ministry, or in the Prophet for that matter." Arthur eyed Albus carefully, he was speaking in his usually circles, though something told Arthur it was as much his exhaustion as it was his demeanor.
Albus sighed inwardly, it would be best to get through the details quickly, Arthur would need to return home before dawn to properly ward his home and prepare his family.
"Cornelius has manipulated the situation to allow for the best possible political outcome for himself. I am sure that you have read the articles that were written in the Prophet about Harry and the tournament."
"Yes. Of course, I believe that Amos was quite verbal in his grief, though Fudge seemed to redirect Amos' words fairly well, I'll admit I was surprised."
"Yes, I would have been as well had I been in the country, and perhaps a bit suspicious, Fudge has never done anything that wasn't politically self centered. However I was out of the country and missed the signs, and I am afraid that by the time I returned it was to late to stop the snowball Fudge had initiated."
Arthur was seriously concerned, was there something that he had missed? "Albus what has happened?"
"Fudge has insured that the only witness to Voldemort's return has been permanently dealt with."
"But that would mean Harry."
"Yes, as of this morning the Daily Prophet will report that Harry Potter has been sent to Azkaban, tried and convicted of Cedric Diggory's murder."
"But that's impossible, a trial of that magnitude would solicit massive media attention. Besides what judge would convict Harry?"
"Unfortunately Cornelius has the power to call a special tribunal to convict wizards of crimes under a "special circumstances" clause. He portrayed Harry as an emerging Dark Lord, and a menace to society. The tribunal didn't hesitate to send Harry to Azkaban for the next thirty years."
Arthur put his head in hands, good god what was he going to do, what was the wizarding world going to do, right now Fudge was more dangerous than you know who.
"When will he be formally banished?"
"He won't be, Fudge sent a team of unspeakables to the Dursley's, the house was attacked, as was Harry." Dumbledore didn't finish as Arthur interrupted him.
"Where is he now, Molly and I would harbor him, at least as long as we could, surely you know that!"
"I am well aware of your families feeling of Harry Arthur. And I appreciate your willingness to help, but alas it is too late. Fudge has the power to override and expedite the process, Harry is already at Azkaban."
Arthur looked utterly defeated, Harry was a child, the same age as his son, hell he practically was his son! He wouldn't leave him there any longer than he'd leave his own sons in that hellhole.
"What do you need me to do? Surely you know that Molly and I will do what we need to get him back, safe, and healthy."
"Of course, I have some thoughts on the subject, but I need to evaluate the situation at the Dursley's, Remus and Sirius will accompany me to their residence tomorrow, hopefully we can fill in the gaps from the reports I have had from some of my internal sources. I don't expect that to be very productive, I will probably call on you in the near future, but Arthur I need you to understand, if Fudge catches you, you could be fired," Dumbledore then steepled his fingers and peered over the rim of his half moon spectacles, "or worse, understand you place your whole family at risk."
"I do Albus, I owe him, a wizards debt for my daughter, probably a few for Ron as well. I'll not abandon him, neither will Molly. Fudge needs to be removed."
"Yes he does, and that is primarily what we are going to discuss tonight."
Several hours later Arthur secured his cloak around him and followed the Headmaster through the vacant and oddly quite halls of Hogwarts. As they reached the apparation barrier Arthur turned to bid the Headmaster goodbye.
"You understand everything we have discussed?"
"Yes."
"And the risks?"
"Yes."
"Then Merlin be with you, and your family, I would suggest that you inform our children before the Prophet arrives this morning, it will be most distasteful."
"Of course Albus. I'll await further contact from you. Give Sirius and Remus my support and condolences."
The last words Arthur heard before he fell into his wife's embrace were, "I will, mad good luck."
The sun was fully visible in the morning sky, and the morning mist had nearly burned off when the Weasley children stumbled down from bed. They were greeted to the sight of both of their parents in the kitchen, both looked completely exhausted and upset. What really concerned them was the amount of food that their mother had prepared, she only cooked that much when she was truly upset, or the dial on the family clock read "mortal peril."
Ron was the first to speak. "Mum, is something wrong, why isn't Dad at work?"
Arthur responded before Molly could, his tone told the family he wouldn't like the answer, "Sit down children. We need to speak with you."
Fred and George spoke up, "Dad, what's going on, what's happened?"
"Sit down boys, your father will explain while we eat."
"I'll explain everything I can, but please be patient, and just know that we will help him in anyway we can alright."
"Dad it isn't Bill or Charlie is it, they are alright aren't they?" Ginny looked on the verge of tears, tears that Arthur knew all to well would be joined shortly by the rest of the family's.
"Yes baby, they're fine, in fact they are coming to stay for a while."
Be strong Arthur thought, get it over with.
"Then who, what is going on, your scaring us."
Just do it, the sooner the better thought Molly as she grasped her husband's hand.
"Its Harry Ron, he's been sent to Azkaban for Cedric's murder."
Arthur had known no better way to do it, he just said it, and now by the looks on his families faces he'd wished he hadn't.
Please Review.
Horizons:
The horizon was just beginning to turn a very vibrant shade of rose, subtly fading to lavender, and finally fading into what remained of the velvety midnight blue sky which tenderly encompassed the few remaining stars bravely twinkling as they fought the rising of the dawn, as if their valiant effort could stay the inevitable. It was amazing that something as simple as the nighttime could be so stunningly complex. Molly Weasley loved the evening hours. It was the one time of day that she really felt she could breath, where she could be herself. It was the only time of day that she felt completely as the adult she was. It was her sacred time. Ron and Percy would never argue, Bill and Charlie would never fire call just as she would corral the family to dinner, and Ginny would never need help finding some lost article of clothing, or just feel the need to talk with her mother, and of course it seemed that the late evening hours was the only time that the twins didn't have ominous noises emanating from their room, except of course for George's snore, the poor dear. Oh, it wasn't that Molly didn't love her kids, she did. She loved the way that Percy could find importance in everything he did, and take pride in his smallest actions. She loved, though she'd never admit it, how Ron could aggravate Percy speechless and always beat him at chess. She also loved to take pride in the fact that she'd raised her two eldest with the respect and heart to continually fire call their mother. She also loved the female companionship that she was finding in Ginny as she grew into a remarkable young woman. And yes, even though they rarely listened to her, and had a bit of a wicked streak, and certainly a curiosity to rival even that of Hermione she loved her twins, she loved the animation and determination that she saw when they would prey upon their siblings and argue their cause with her. But the evening hours were her hours, the time where she wasn't mom, but Molly, and occasionally a wife. The evenings had been serene, and Molly's sanctuary. There were many long nights spent in her husband's arms watching a dawn such as this one herald in a new day. In the most recent years of peace, and especially since Ginny had returned to school she had reaffirmed her relationship with her husband, only to find that she love him more with every passing moment.
But this morning she did not herald with a sense of peace, or even in her husband's embrace. This morning brought nothing but sour memories of late nights and many very strong and bitter pots of coffee and tea. It was amazing how far the Dark Lord's reach was, for him to be able to taint something as beautiful and peaceful as the sunrise. But he had, back during his first reign of power Molly had spent many mornings sitting downstairs in her housecoat waiting in silence for the sun to rise, though in those days the rosy hue she was so fond of only seemed a bloody crimson mocking the lives lost as she awaited her husband to return home and recount the lives lost, or worse await the Daily Prophet to find her husband would never return to her arms. She had never gone to sleep last night, nor had she slept well in the previous nights. Arthur had been called late the night before to Hogwarts, Dumbledore himself had fire called them over a secure link and requested Arthur's presence, immediately. And so it had begun, the nights she would wait tersely in the kitchen with a pot of tea and coffee both ready to go, and a plate full of morning pastries just in case. It was these nights that she would look in on her babies, just to see they were safe and sleeping in their beds.
Molly sighed and turned her back to the rising sun, hoping that her children would sleep for a while longer. It would not bode well for them to wake and find their father missing at this hour.
She needn't have worried, as the clock in the corner swung the hand designated for her husband from working to home. Any hope Molly may have harbored about the innocence of the trip Arthur had taken fled her when she saw her husband's terse and exhausted features. It wasn't until she embraced him however, and he shuddered and returned her embrace tightly that her soul acknowledged the rise of a new dark era. For the first time in over fourteen years her husband, her sweet, jovial, muggle loving Arthur was crying.
It was with great trepidation the Arthur Weasley scraped the bottom of the lay chalice for the last of the family's floo and quickly kissed his wife goodbye. Her murmured a few words of comfort and a quick farewell before he called out for Albus Dumbledore's office. There was a brief pause during which Molly heard Dumbledore's misty voice call out, "Clear," before her husband disappeared from their grate.
Arthur felt a sick feeling building in his stomach, which he wasn't sure, was attributed to his trip, as he spun towards Dumbledore's office and a future he wasn't prepared to face. When he stepped out of the grate and into Dumbledore's private office to find himself alone, he was somewhat heartened. Clearly there was no order meeting tonight, which meant the order had not, as of yet, been reassembled. Perhaps the situation wasn't as serious as Bill had made it seem.
Dumbledore choose that moment to emerge from behind a door slightly back and to left of his desk. He extended his hand palm up indicating for Arthur to have a seat across from him. The expression of utter despair and exhaustion humbled Arthur to the true gravity of the situation faster than any declaration could have. He half expected Dumbledore to announce their imminent doom. The only time he remembered Dumbledore looking so old was when he had called the order to report the Potter's murders. This was worse.
"Arthur, I trust that Bill addressed the to you the events of the tournament?"
"Yes, he left the Burrow yesterday, though he is planning on returning home soon. He did give me a full run down of the events during the tournament."
"Did he tell you of Fudge's reaction?"
"Yes sir, he did, why? Has something happened?"
"Yes Arthur, something of grave proportions had occurred. Fudge's reaction was much worse than I initially thought. I had expected his indifference and denial, but I hadn't expected Cornelius to take such a defensive position, nor for him to show the level of cowardice and cruelty that he has."
"I don't understand sir, is he slandering you sir?"
"Indirectly, yes, he is attacking my credibility."
"With all due respect sir, are you sure? I have heard nothing in the ministry, or in the Prophet for that matter." Arthur eyed Albus carefully, he was speaking in his usually circles, though something told Arthur it was as much his exhaustion as it was his demeanor.
Albus sighed inwardly, it would be best to get through the details quickly, Arthur would need to return home before dawn to properly ward his home and prepare his family.
"Cornelius has manipulated the situation to allow for the best possible political outcome for himself. I am sure that you have read the articles that were written in the Prophet about Harry and the tournament."
"Yes. Of course, I believe that Amos was quite verbal in his grief, though Fudge seemed to redirect Amos' words fairly well, I'll admit I was surprised."
"Yes, I would have been as well had I been in the country, and perhaps a bit suspicious, Fudge has never done anything that wasn't politically self centered. However I was out of the country and missed the signs, and I am afraid that by the time I returned it was to late to stop the snowball Fudge had initiated."
Arthur was seriously concerned, was there something that he had missed? "Albus what has happened?"
"Fudge has insured that the only witness to Voldemort's return has been permanently dealt with."
"But that would mean Harry."
"Yes, as of this morning the Daily Prophet will report that Harry Potter has been sent to Azkaban, tried and convicted of Cedric Diggory's murder."
"But that's impossible, a trial of that magnitude would solicit massive media attention. Besides what judge would convict Harry?"
"Unfortunately Cornelius has the power to call a special tribunal to convict wizards of crimes under a "special circumstances" clause. He portrayed Harry as an emerging Dark Lord, and a menace to society. The tribunal didn't hesitate to send Harry to Azkaban for the next thirty years."
Arthur put his head in hands, good god what was he going to do, what was the wizarding world going to do, right now Fudge was more dangerous than you know who.
"When will he be formally banished?"
"He won't be, Fudge sent a team of unspeakables to the Dursley's, the house was attacked, as was Harry." Dumbledore didn't finish as Arthur interrupted him.
"Where is he now, Molly and I would harbor him, at least as long as we could, surely you know that!"
"I am well aware of your families feeling of Harry Arthur. And I appreciate your willingness to help, but alas it is too late. Fudge has the power to override and expedite the process, Harry is already at Azkaban."
Arthur looked utterly defeated, Harry was a child, the same age as his son, hell he practically was his son! He wouldn't leave him there any longer than he'd leave his own sons in that hellhole.
"What do you need me to do? Surely you know that Molly and I will do what we need to get him back, safe, and healthy."
"Of course, I have some thoughts on the subject, but I need to evaluate the situation at the Dursley's, Remus and Sirius will accompany me to their residence tomorrow, hopefully we can fill in the gaps from the reports I have had from some of my internal sources. I don't expect that to be very productive, I will probably call on you in the near future, but Arthur I need you to understand, if Fudge catches you, you could be fired," Dumbledore then steepled his fingers and peered over the rim of his half moon spectacles, "or worse, understand you place your whole family at risk."
"I do Albus, I owe him, a wizards debt for my daughter, probably a few for Ron as well. I'll not abandon him, neither will Molly. Fudge needs to be removed."
"Yes he does, and that is primarily what we are going to discuss tonight."
Several hours later Arthur secured his cloak around him and followed the Headmaster through the vacant and oddly quite halls of Hogwarts. As they reached the apparation barrier Arthur turned to bid the Headmaster goodbye.
"You understand everything we have discussed?"
"Yes."
"And the risks?"
"Yes."
"Then Merlin be with you, and your family, I would suggest that you inform our children before the Prophet arrives this morning, it will be most distasteful."
"Of course Albus. I'll await further contact from you. Give Sirius and Remus my support and condolences."
The last words Arthur heard before he fell into his wife's embrace were, "I will, mad good luck."
The sun was fully visible in the morning sky, and the morning mist had nearly burned off when the Weasley children stumbled down from bed. They were greeted to the sight of both of their parents in the kitchen, both looked completely exhausted and upset. What really concerned them was the amount of food that their mother had prepared, she only cooked that much when she was truly upset, or the dial on the family clock read "mortal peril."
Ron was the first to speak. "Mum, is something wrong, why isn't Dad at work?"
Arthur responded before Molly could, his tone told the family he wouldn't like the answer, "Sit down children. We need to speak with you."
Fred and George spoke up, "Dad, what's going on, what's happened?"
"Sit down boys, your father will explain while we eat."
"I'll explain everything I can, but please be patient, and just know that we will help him in anyway we can alright."
"Dad it isn't Bill or Charlie is it, they are alright aren't they?" Ginny looked on the verge of tears, tears that Arthur knew all to well would be joined shortly by the rest of the family's.
"Yes baby, they're fine, in fact they are coming to stay for a while."
Be strong Arthur thought, get it over with.
"Then who, what is going on, your scaring us."
Just do it, the sooner the better thought Molly as she grasped her husband's hand.
"Its Harry Ron, he's been sent to Azkaban for Cedric's murder."
Arthur had known no better way to do it, he just said it, and now by the looks on his families faces he'd wished he hadn't.
Please Review.