AN –   I am so so so so so so so SO sorry it took me forever to update.  I *again* lost my disk, and couldn't find it for weeks.  Plus, life was so hectic I never found time for a thorough search.  I hope you forgive me!

            For those who wanted to know why I chose not to reveal Court's identity yet, there are two reasons.  One, I was still developing her reason for changing identity, and two, I changed her identity.  So guessing is now open again!  And Grace, I'm not telling you this time!  However, I am keeping my word and giving the guessers their prizes.

            The second matter I need to address right now is the prophecy.  In one review someone was confused.  The prophecy that was in ten years from Hermione's fifth year, she would give birth to a child that would bring down Voldemort.  The key words are give birth.  She would be giving birth to the child, not the child would take down the Dark Lord.  Also, it said AT LEAST ten years before.  So it won't be exactly ten years.  By the way, this chapter hits the ten year mark.  I kinda forgot to pay attention to the years.  Well, I will now.

Chapter 9

A New Regime

            Hermione's suspicions were confirmed that day, and nine months later she gave birth to a baby girl with a mop of red hair.  However, surprising all the doctors, she had also birthed a boy, who was bald at birth.    As she lay in the hospital room with the babies in her arms and George next to her, her mind raced through names.  George had introduced the name Molly in honor of his mother and the enormous help she had been with the triplets, and she was indeed considering it, but he had told her to pick the middle name.  "Elizabeth," she told him, causing him to jump a bit.  "I want her middle name to be Elizabeth.  It's my mum's name."  George smiled and leaned forward to kiss her forehead.  As her husband and she sat there thinking of a name for their new son, her uncle appeared in her head.

            "What about Jacob?  And you can pick the middle name."  George looked at her and began to ponder names that went well with Jacob.

            "Andrew."  Hermione nodded.  "Molly Elizabeth and Jacob Andrew, then?" he asked.  When his wife nodded, he smiled.  "All right, I will go let the nurse know.  Do you want anything to eat?"  She looked as if she were in deep thought.

            "Just water, thanks.  I'm parched."  George smiled and left, leaving her to nurse her little redheaded babe. 

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            Only five months later, the first part of the prophecy came into play.  Arthur Weasley Apparated into the Ministry lobby, briefcase in hand.  He strode happily into towards the stairs, unaware of the small rat in the corner, watching carefully as the employees carried about their days.   He smiled at the passing coworkers, some who he did not even know.  Arthur took the stairs two at a time, dodging the witches and wizards who were so obviously not morning people.  The small rat watched him do so, knowing this was the beginning.  His left eye glowed, and in a nearby building, Voldemort watched the glowing orb that showed him what Wormtail was seeing.  He smiled a cold smile that sent shivers down the backs of the nearby Death Eaters.  All but the coldest servants of the Dark Lord were frightened when he smiled.

            "It is time," he slowly uttered, his voice an empty drawl.  "Miss Macnair has informed her brother that at the time in which the lobby had but three employees and the last of the department heads was in their office, it would be the time to strike.  Let us go.  You know where you have been told to go, and if I learn of any mistakes, the punishment will be worse than death."  A cold knowledge swept through them, their spines shivering and the brains picturing the Dementor's Kiss.  Lucius Malfoy stepped up to his master.

            "We will not fail, master."  Voldemort Disapparated, unheeding of his servant's desperate tries to convince him.  He Apparated on the roof of the building, followed by his closest servants.  He sensed the arrival of the other Death Eaters, each of them slowly coming into their positions.  He smiled.  Macnair's sister had told him of the spell on the offices of the department heads.  She had placed spells so that they could not Disapparate out of their offices.  Making it all the easier to slaughter them all.

            Screams rang through the air, singing to him like music to a young child.  He waited patiently, closing his eyes and waiting for the Death Eaters to summon him.  He would know when they were all ready, and when the real slaughter would begin.  The screams filled his head as the lower employees were brutally murdered in cold blood.  The men and women around him watched his body shake lightly in cold-hearted laughter until a small twinge of pain arose in his arm.  He knew it was his time, and he was ready.

            He Apparated into the office of Cornelius Fudge as Malfoy and the others Apparated into the offices of the department heads.  Fudge leapt from his chair and began to Disapparate…only to reappear in the same spot.  "Nice try, Minister.  You'll find Disapparation is not an option.  It's you…and me.  The Ministry is mine Fudge.  Give it up willing, and I may let you live."  Fudge began circling his desk as Voldemort did the same.  He reached the door easily, opening it and stepping outside.  Voldemort watched in dismay as he prepared to Disapparate.  A green light flashed from behind the old wizard, and his body froze, fell to the floor before he ever could.  Lucius Malfoy stood in the hall facing him, pointing his wand. 

            "Thank you, Lucius.  I take it you were successful in the death of Rawls?"  Malfoy nodded, smirking at his success of Crouch's replacement.  "Good.  See to it that the others have succeeded.  Then we will send take the Prophet and reveal the new regime in England's wizarding world."  His servant left without another word, and Voldemort was left to make himself at home in his new office…

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            Hermione and George frantically ran through their apartment, shoving all the clothes possible into magically-enlarged trunks.  Hermione quickly packed all their baby stuff, memories, and toys into trunks as George dressed their children.  The triplets, now three, were dressing themselves as George put matching outfits on Molly and Jacob.  Once Hermione was done packing all the indispensable items, George Apparated them to Fred and Angelina's home, which was close to Hogwarts.  George smiled at Fred, who jumped as he appeared.  Without a word, he Disapparated, leaving Fred to load his trunks into the car.  He returned to their home, where Hermione was waiting with the children.  The kids couldn't Apparate, so they had to go by other means.  They family ran out to the SUV sitting in front of the building.  Hermione buckled the triplets in and locked the twins in their car seats.  She seated herself in front with George, who was starting the car and turning on the invisibility device.

            As they took off and their car faded from sight, Hermione laid her hand on her husband's knee and smiled at him.  "Have I told you how glad I am that your father improved the flying car idea he had?"  George smiled and took her hand. 

            "Yes.  And have I told you how glad I am that I married a brilliant woman who's good in times of panic?"  Hermione smiled.  The couple kissed quickly before George returned his gaze to the sky.  The flying SUV soared through the clouds towards Hogwarts.  Hermione sighed, tuning out the loud children behind her and fixing her eyes on the newspaper on her lap.  She slid her eyes to her stomach, which was the size of a five-month pregnancy and returned her sorrowful gaze to the Prophet.  She stared blankly at the headline that read in large, bold print: "Fudge is dead.  Voldemort is your leader."

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            The flying vehicles flooded the sky, invisible to all but each others' sensors.  George swerved into the clouds to avoid being hit by a flying minivan.  He looked at the sensor and sighed.  "I'm going to get Fred for that…" he trailed off.  Hermione chuckled, looking at her husband before turning to the back.  All five children were sound asleep, with the remains of their snacks scattered in their laps.  Hermione had fed them little jellybeans, a product of Bertie Botts.  Botts had recently manufactured a new line of beans called "Bertie Botts Lullaby Beans."  They were small jellybeans, safe for toddlers and infants, and they cause the kids to hear lullabies and fall asleep.

            She sighed, a mixture of content and sorrow in her eyes.  "What's wrong, 'Mione?" George asked, keeping his eyes on the windshield, which was a screen displaying the sky in infra-red, revealing the invisible vehicles.  He swerved again as Fred decided to come back for another laugh and quickly looked at his wife.  "What's wrong?" he asked again.  She sighed and looked at him, then laid her head on his shoulder.

            "It just makes me sad that our children and all the other wizarding children have to grow up in the world that's coming.  I was always hopeful that the prophecy would be false…" she trailed off, closing her eyes as she rested her head.

            "I know, love.  But it's not.  And Hogwarts has a lot to offer, you know.  Who knows, by the time Ambrose is six, he could be a Quidditch pro, having all the equipment he needs to learn at an early age and--" he began to console her, only to be cut off.

            "George Weasley, my son will not be playing Quidditch until he is old enough!"

            "And how old is that?" he asked her, raising a quizzical eyebrow.

            "Probably ten.  Or eight.  But not six."  George chuckled, not pressing the matter any further.  Hermione leaned over to kiss his cheek, but she stopped as she noticed a beeping red light on the com.  She pressed the button, connecting her to Angelina.  "Angelina, what's wrong?" she asked at the worried look on her sister-in-law's face. 

            "Hermione, George, sorry it may have seemed we were cutting you off and what not, but Fred was just trying to keep near you until I got the com working.  Molly's just spoken to us.  She's at Hogwarts, waiting for us and the rest of the family.  She was worried sick.  Arthur was reported missing when the Ministry was attacked.  He's nowhere to be found."  Hermione turned to her husband in shock to find him staring at his sister-in-law, eyes full of disbelief.

            "Dad's…missing?"

AN – Yes, I left it at a cliffhanger!!!  Haha!  Yes, I know. I'm evil.  But I didn't want to run the chapter too long.  I will promise you this much.  Arthur will be found in the next chapter… but I'm not telling dead or alive! 

On another matter, I realized there hasn't been a mention of Draco in this story at all.  For those of you who are wondering if he's going to be in the story, yes.  But I haven't decided if he is good or evil yet…  But I'm working on the next chapter now, so don't hate me for suspense!