Chapter 15: Encounter at Edinburgh
Ginny Potter was holding the hand of her three-year-old daughter Jasmine as the two walked through the streets of Edinburgh, Scotland. Ginny had never gone shopping here and she was rather enjoying the sites, and the company. The weather was constantly changing from rain one minute to partially cloudy the next.
Jasmine was growing up so quickly Ginny could hardly believe it. It seemed like only yesterday that she was an infant, now she was running and playing, wanting to do things by herself, and of course. talking up a storm. Jasmine was now the spitting image of her mother, save a few of her father's features. With the exception of her eyes most of her father's features were drowned out. Ginny convinced Harry not to alter Jasmine's hair color with a glamour spell because their problems shouldn't be forced on Jasmine. Jasmine was not aware of her parent's unique situation, and even if she did she wouldn't understand it. Ginny herself still had black hair and blue eyes. She did this through muggle means with colored contacts and hair coloring.
"Mummy, Mummy. want sweets." Jasmine called out as she pointed to some sweets through the window.
Ginny smiled at her little angel. "Jasmine what do we say when we want something?"
"Pwease Mummy???" Jasmine said with little puppy dog eyes.
"Ok love. Since you asked nicely we'll get you some sweets." Ginny smiled and nodded her head. Jasmine jumped up and down clapping her hands and ran to the door of the shop. Ginny opened the door and Jasmine raced into the shop. The two then bought some of Jasmine's favorites, and a few that Ginny could still eat. The two quickly departed the store. The sweet smell in the store made Ginny nauseous, which was hardly surprising considering everything had a habit of doing this since she was six months pregnant with her second child.
"Mummy. when's de baby coming?" Jasmine asked.
"Soon love. Three more months."
Spotting a restaurant, the famished Ginny and slightly hungry Jasmine sat down and waited for their server to arrive. A young woman came out with a booster seat for Jasmine and asked them what they would like to drink. Ginny informed the young lady what they would like. The server smiled at Jasmine and proceeded to get the drinks.
"It quiet Mummy." Jasmine stated.
"Yes it is." Ginny responded looking around. The town was practically deserted from what Ginny could tell. Shops were open and there were a few people in each one but nothing the likes of which Ginny had seen anywhere else. Edinburgh was a decent sized city and she was surprised to see it so deserted.
"Here are your drinks, do you know what you'd like to order?" The server asked.
Ginny, returning her attention to the here and now, looked at the young woman and placed her order. Jasmine cutely chimed in what she desired as well. The server and Ginny smiled at the little girl. She was so cute when she tried to act older than her age.
"Your orders will be right up." The server informed them.
~~**~~ ~~**~~ ~~**~~
"Mummy I scawed." Jasmine said after the two left the restaurant. The weather had changed to dark clouds and the town was still quite desolate.
"Why's that angel?" Ginny wondered.
"Cause de clouds dark and no pea-pulls round. It scawy." Jasmine answered.
As if to make a point Ginny felt a shiver creep down her spine. She looked around and saw no one about but did not like the feelings that were coming over her. "Maybe we should go home then." Ginny stated.
Jasmine nodded her head in agreement and began pulling her mum in the direction of the train station. As the two walked to the entrance Ginny felt very cold, then hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. She turned around again but saw no one. She then felt Jasmine tug on her hand.
"Stwanger Mummy." Jasmine pointed to a man by the train station entrance. He had not been there before Ginny had turned to check behind her but suddenly he war baring their way. Ginny instantly recognized the man. She pulled her daughter back and headed for another part of town. The man was suddenly in front of her again.
Ginny lifted her daughter up and started backing away from the man.
"Hello Ginny. I like the new look." The man stated.
"Ron." Ginny replied. "You look the same. Nice scar, it suits you."
Ron had the wound healed but never had the scar removed. He knew Ginny was trying to push his buttons but he had a job to do. Sighed aloud he said, "I have to bring you in Ginny. Both of you."
"Over your dead body." Ginny replied.
"Ginny. don't make this any harder that it already is. It's for your own good." Ron pleaded. "Yours and your children."
"Stay away from us Ronald."
Jasmine looked at her mother. "Is tat Unca Won?" The little girl asked.
"Yes love, that's your uncle." Ginny replied not taking her eyes off her brother. It had been several years since she saw him last. As she gazed at him in contempt she thought to herself that she could have gone several more without seeing him.
"Unca Won uptet Mummy. Bad Unca Won." Jasmine said pointing her finger at the red haired man.
This brought a small smile to Ron's face. "She's really quite lovely." Ron stated.
"If I thought you'd meant it as opposed to distracting me from your associates trying to sneak up on me then I would take it as a complement." Ginny replied.
"Ginny. it's very important that you surrender now. I'm trying to help you and your children but if you don't let me I can't be held responsible for what will happen."
Ginny took two more steps away from her brother.
"Please Ginny, the Ministries Polices have changed since you and Harry escaped, they're not very favorable to fugitives. especially because of how Harry has managed to constantly evade capture. Please Ginny." Ron said before a voice interrupted him. "Time's up Weasley."
A voice yelled from behind Ginny. "You had your chance, now it's my turn."
Ginny looked to see a man dressed in all black clothes, black glasses and clutching a wand.
"Brian, don't do it. It's not necessary." Ron yelled.
Ginny noted that the man her brother had called Brian disregarded his warning. With a flick of his wand five large looking metal objects suddenly surrounded Ginny. They resembled large suits of armors. Armors that could fit a full sized mountain troll.
"Ginny Potter you and your daughter are completely surrounded by five of the ministries latest creations. We call them War Golems. They were designed with the specific purpose of capturing dangerous felons. such as your husband. Unit 1 apprehend Mrs. Potter. Units 2,3,4, and 5 stand fast."
One of the metal monstrosities began walking towards Ginny and Jasmine. It raised its large right arm, opened its hand, and proceeded to grab the two Potters. Ginny held her hand out and the War Golem arm stopped moving towards them. It then began making a creaking sound. Brian and Ron watched as the Golem's arm creaked and groaned for another minute until the gears in the arm and shoulder finally failed and the arm broke off. Ginny lowered her arm and exhaled deeply. She normally didn't exert herself doing something as trivial as destroying an inanimate object that but due to her delicate condition her abilities were severely weakened.
"Impressive Mrs. Potter, but utterly futile. Units 4 and 5, disable her now." Brian Cassidy ordered.
The two units moved towards Ginny and Jasmine. Ginny clutched her little girl to her. She didn't have the strength to combat another of these so quickly, much less two of these abominations. She looked at Ron one last time and the look was that of hatred.
"Ginny." Ron pleaded one final time.
Get stuffed Ronald Weasley. Ginny stated telepathically through clenched teeth.
Ron was about to speak up when he and Brian both heard an odd sound. The two men cast looked around but could not find the source of the sound. Finally they their gaze skyward just in time to see the form of a man, howling like a wolf, falling from high above. Unit 5 never had a chance. The person hit the unit with the impact of a cannon shell. The ground shook, the pavement flew up and smashed around everyone save Ginny and Jasmine. When the dust and debris settled a lone figure, the figure of Harry Potter rose from the remains of Unit 5. Brian and Ron were stupefied at the results of Harry's attack. The impact of his body on the unit compressed it so that its main body was thinner than a manhole cover. The units arms were separate from its body and were lying two feet in from where Harry stood.
"All units engage primary target!" Brian ordered.
Unit 1 was the first to attack. Raising its only arm it swung a clenched fist at Harry. Harry, not moving mimicked Ginny's movements earlier. Only instead of stopping in mid-air the War Golem's fist collided with what appeared to be a barrier. Harry then clenched his fist and the Golem's arm crumpled like it was tin foil. Harry then motioned with his other hand, held the unit in place and yanked the useless arm from its socket and dropped it to the ground. Harry drew his right arm back, balled his fist, and punched the metal unit with all his might. Unit 1 flew backwards and knocked over units 3 and 4 severely damaging them.
Unit 2 managed to deploy weapons from its interior. They appeared to be magical in nature and Harry decided not to let this get to out of hand. His family was near by and didn't want to risk further harm to them. The Golem started to creak loudly and Brian and Ron watch as Unit 2 folded in on itself. Within moments it was a giant metal ball. Nothing more, nothing less.
As Unit 3 rose to its metal feet Harry opened his hand and as if all the cold in the area were being drawn into one spot a ball of sky blue energy held position in his hand. When Unit 3 moved towards Harry the young man threw the sphere at it. Unit 3 literally froze on the spot. Ginny, who had recovered some of her strength flung the frozen Golem at Brian Cassidy. The man leaped away as the Golem shattered against the wall he was standing near.
~~**~~ ~~**~~ ~~**~~
Ron could not believe the War Golems were taking the thrashing that Harry was dishing out. Within five minutes Harry had destroyed not one but two War Golems and severely damaged a third. The golems had been tested against twenty Death Eaters still residing in Azkaban. They had been promised official pardons if they were successful in defeating them. It took two minutes for the War Golem to dispatch them. The Death Eaters were vaporized, their magic useless against the automaton. The ministry was so sure they had finally found the way to dispatch Harry. Now there were now only two fully functioning units left and he was sure it was only a matter of time before they were destroyed. No sooner than Ron thought it did that in fact happen. Harry simply looked at the two remaining units and the bolts that securely held the units together flew out and floated around the two units. Ron watched as the metal plates lost their cohesion and fell to the ground.
Unit 1 rose to its feet again and deployed what looked like two small cannons from its chest. It fired two large cannon balls at Harry. With a wave of his hand the projectiles rebounded on the Golem and smashed its cannons with the first shot and its head with the second. The unit then fell to the ground.
"Impressive Mr. Potter. But utterly futile." Brian stated. As soon as the remaining two Golems were dispatched thirty hit wizards apparated into the area surround Harry and his family. Wands drawn and ready to cast their spells the hit wizards all wore a look of triumph.
"Last Chance Potter. what will it be?" Brian inquired.
Harry looked around him. He and his family were completely surrounded. He knew for a fact that he could deflect the majority of the spells cast his way but not all. Then there was his family. He would not allow a random spell to strike any of his loved ones. Harry looked at Brian Cassidy, then to the ground.
"What do you say Potter? Do you yield?" Brian demanded to know.
Brian Cassidy was thoroughly enjoying the defeated look on his opponents face. After years of eluding the Ministry he was finally tasked with the job of bringing down Harry Potter. An assignment he'd been hoping for since the young man's escape. Now, at long last he would be known as the man that caught Harry Potter.
It was then that Harry looked up grinning. He slowly raised his left hand to his throat and clutched something that looked like a choker.
"Green Light." Harry said aloud.
Ginny Potter was holding the hand of her three-year-old daughter Jasmine as the two walked through the streets of Edinburgh, Scotland. Ginny had never gone shopping here and she was rather enjoying the sites, and the company. The weather was constantly changing from rain one minute to partially cloudy the next.
Jasmine was growing up so quickly Ginny could hardly believe it. It seemed like only yesterday that she was an infant, now she was running and playing, wanting to do things by herself, and of course. talking up a storm. Jasmine was now the spitting image of her mother, save a few of her father's features. With the exception of her eyes most of her father's features were drowned out. Ginny convinced Harry not to alter Jasmine's hair color with a glamour spell because their problems shouldn't be forced on Jasmine. Jasmine was not aware of her parent's unique situation, and even if she did she wouldn't understand it. Ginny herself still had black hair and blue eyes. She did this through muggle means with colored contacts and hair coloring.
"Mummy, Mummy. want sweets." Jasmine called out as she pointed to some sweets through the window.
Ginny smiled at her little angel. "Jasmine what do we say when we want something?"
"Pwease Mummy???" Jasmine said with little puppy dog eyes.
"Ok love. Since you asked nicely we'll get you some sweets." Ginny smiled and nodded her head. Jasmine jumped up and down clapping her hands and ran to the door of the shop. Ginny opened the door and Jasmine raced into the shop. The two then bought some of Jasmine's favorites, and a few that Ginny could still eat. The two quickly departed the store. The sweet smell in the store made Ginny nauseous, which was hardly surprising considering everything had a habit of doing this since she was six months pregnant with her second child.
"Mummy. when's de baby coming?" Jasmine asked.
"Soon love. Three more months."
Spotting a restaurant, the famished Ginny and slightly hungry Jasmine sat down and waited for their server to arrive. A young woman came out with a booster seat for Jasmine and asked them what they would like to drink. Ginny informed the young lady what they would like. The server smiled at Jasmine and proceeded to get the drinks.
"It quiet Mummy." Jasmine stated.
"Yes it is." Ginny responded looking around. The town was practically deserted from what Ginny could tell. Shops were open and there were a few people in each one but nothing the likes of which Ginny had seen anywhere else. Edinburgh was a decent sized city and she was surprised to see it so deserted.
"Here are your drinks, do you know what you'd like to order?" The server asked.
Ginny, returning her attention to the here and now, looked at the young woman and placed her order. Jasmine cutely chimed in what she desired as well. The server and Ginny smiled at the little girl. She was so cute when she tried to act older than her age.
"Your orders will be right up." The server informed them.
~~**~~ ~~**~~ ~~**~~
"Mummy I scawed." Jasmine said after the two left the restaurant. The weather had changed to dark clouds and the town was still quite desolate.
"Why's that angel?" Ginny wondered.
"Cause de clouds dark and no pea-pulls round. It scawy." Jasmine answered.
As if to make a point Ginny felt a shiver creep down her spine. She looked around and saw no one about but did not like the feelings that were coming over her. "Maybe we should go home then." Ginny stated.
Jasmine nodded her head in agreement and began pulling her mum in the direction of the train station. As the two walked to the entrance Ginny felt very cold, then hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. She turned around again but saw no one. She then felt Jasmine tug on her hand.
"Stwanger Mummy." Jasmine pointed to a man by the train station entrance. He had not been there before Ginny had turned to check behind her but suddenly he war baring their way. Ginny instantly recognized the man. She pulled her daughter back and headed for another part of town. The man was suddenly in front of her again.
Ginny lifted her daughter up and started backing away from the man.
"Hello Ginny. I like the new look." The man stated.
"Ron." Ginny replied. "You look the same. Nice scar, it suits you."
Ron had the wound healed but never had the scar removed. He knew Ginny was trying to push his buttons but he had a job to do. Sighed aloud he said, "I have to bring you in Ginny. Both of you."
"Over your dead body." Ginny replied.
"Ginny. don't make this any harder that it already is. It's for your own good." Ron pleaded. "Yours and your children."
"Stay away from us Ronald."
Jasmine looked at her mother. "Is tat Unca Won?" The little girl asked.
"Yes love, that's your uncle." Ginny replied not taking her eyes off her brother. It had been several years since she saw him last. As she gazed at him in contempt she thought to herself that she could have gone several more without seeing him.
"Unca Won uptet Mummy. Bad Unca Won." Jasmine said pointing her finger at the red haired man.
This brought a small smile to Ron's face. "She's really quite lovely." Ron stated.
"If I thought you'd meant it as opposed to distracting me from your associates trying to sneak up on me then I would take it as a complement." Ginny replied.
"Ginny. it's very important that you surrender now. I'm trying to help you and your children but if you don't let me I can't be held responsible for what will happen."
Ginny took two more steps away from her brother.
"Please Ginny, the Ministries Polices have changed since you and Harry escaped, they're not very favorable to fugitives. especially because of how Harry has managed to constantly evade capture. Please Ginny." Ron said before a voice interrupted him. "Time's up Weasley."
A voice yelled from behind Ginny. "You had your chance, now it's my turn."
Ginny looked to see a man dressed in all black clothes, black glasses and clutching a wand.
"Brian, don't do it. It's not necessary." Ron yelled.
Ginny noted that the man her brother had called Brian disregarded his warning. With a flick of his wand five large looking metal objects suddenly surrounded Ginny. They resembled large suits of armors. Armors that could fit a full sized mountain troll.
"Ginny Potter you and your daughter are completely surrounded by five of the ministries latest creations. We call them War Golems. They were designed with the specific purpose of capturing dangerous felons. such as your husband. Unit 1 apprehend Mrs. Potter. Units 2,3,4, and 5 stand fast."
One of the metal monstrosities began walking towards Ginny and Jasmine. It raised its large right arm, opened its hand, and proceeded to grab the two Potters. Ginny held her hand out and the War Golem arm stopped moving towards them. It then began making a creaking sound. Brian and Ron watched as the Golem's arm creaked and groaned for another minute until the gears in the arm and shoulder finally failed and the arm broke off. Ginny lowered her arm and exhaled deeply. She normally didn't exert herself doing something as trivial as destroying an inanimate object that but due to her delicate condition her abilities were severely weakened.
"Impressive Mrs. Potter, but utterly futile. Units 4 and 5, disable her now." Brian Cassidy ordered.
The two units moved towards Ginny and Jasmine. Ginny clutched her little girl to her. She didn't have the strength to combat another of these so quickly, much less two of these abominations. She looked at Ron one last time and the look was that of hatred.
"Ginny." Ron pleaded one final time.
Get stuffed Ronald Weasley. Ginny stated telepathically through clenched teeth.
Ron was about to speak up when he and Brian both heard an odd sound. The two men cast looked around but could not find the source of the sound. Finally they their gaze skyward just in time to see the form of a man, howling like a wolf, falling from high above. Unit 5 never had a chance. The person hit the unit with the impact of a cannon shell. The ground shook, the pavement flew up and smashed around everyone save Ginny and Jasmine. When the dust and debris settled a lone figure, the figure of Harry Potter rose from the remains of Unit 5. Brian and Ron were stupefied at the results of Harry's attack. The impact of his body on the unit compressed it so that its main body was thinner than a manhole cover. The units arms were separate from its body and were lying two feet in from where Harry stood.
"All units engage primary target!" Brian ordered.
Unit 1 was the first to attack. Raising its only arm it swung a clenched fist at Harry. Harry, not moving mimicked Ginny's movements earlier. Only instead of stopping in mid-air the War Golem's fist collided with what appeared to be a barrier. Harry then clenched his fist and the Golem's arm crumpled like it was tin foil. Harry then motioned with his other hand, held the unit in place and yanked the useless arm from its socket and dropped it to the ground. Harry drew his right arm back, balled his fist, and punched the metal unit with all his might. Unit 1 flew backwards and knocked over units 3 and 4 severely damaging them.
Unit 2 managed to deploy weapons from its interior. They appeared to be magical in nature and Harry decided not to let this get to out of hand. His family was near by and didn't want to risk further harm to them. The Golem started to creak loudly and Brian and Ron watch as Unit 2 folded in on itself. Within moments it was a giant metal ball. Nothing more, nothing less.
As Unit 3 rose to its metal feet Harry opened his hand and as if all the cold in the area were being drawn into one spot a ball of sky blue energy held position in his hand. When Unit 3 moved towards Harry the young man threw the sphere at it. Unit 3 literally froze on the spot. Ginny, who had recovered some of her strength flung the frozen Golem at Brian Cassidy. The man leaped away as the Golem shattered against the wall he was standing near.
~~**~~ ~~**~~ ~~**~~
Ron could not believe the War Golems were taking the thrashing that Harry was dishing out. Within five minutes Harry had destroyed not one but two War Golems and severely damaged a third. The golems had been tested against twenty Death Eaters still residing in Azkaban. They had been promised official pardons if they were successful in defeating them. It took two minutes for the War Golem to dispatch them. The Death Eaters were vaporized, their magic useless against the automaton. The ministry was so sure they had finally found the way to dispatch Harry. Now there were now only two fully functioning units left and he was sure it was only a matter of time before they were destroyed. No sooner than Ron thought it did that in fact happen. Harry simply looked at the two remaining units and the bolts that securely held the units together flew out and floated around the two units. Ron watched as the metal plates lost their cohesion and fell to the ground.
Unit 1 rose to its feet again and deployed what looked like two small cannons from its chest. It fired two large cannon balls at Harry. With a wave of his hand the projectiles rebounded on the Golem and smashed its cannons with the first shot and its head with the second. The unit then fell to the ground.
"Impressive Mr. Potter. But utterly futile." Brian stated. As soon as the remaining two Golems were dispatched thirty hit wizards apparated into the area surround Harry and his family. Wands drawn and ready to cast their spells the hit wizards all wore a look of triumph.
"Last Chance Potter. what will it be?" Brian inquired.
Harry looked around him. He and his family were completely surrounded. He knew for a fact that he could deflect the majority of the spells cast his way but not all. Then there was his family. He would not allow a random spell to strike any of his loved ones. Harry looked at Brian Cassidy, then to the ground.
"What do you say Potter? Do you yield?" Brian demanded to know.
Brian Cassidy was thoroughly enjoying the defeated look on his opponents face. After years of eluding the Ministry he was finally tasked with the job of bringing down Harry Potter. An assignment he'd been hoping for since the young man's escape. Now, at long last he would be known as the man that caught Harry Potter.
It was then that Harry looked up grinning. He slowly raised his left hand to his throat and clutched something that looked like a choker.
"Green Light." Harry said aloud.