Desperate Measures
Part 4
Molly Weasley had not been herself for the past two weeks. Since the Daily Prophet reported the deaths of Harry and Ginny Potter (with slightly gruesome photographs), she had been in a depressed state. She had known all along that the two were together somewhere. She had received the occasional owl from her daughter letting her know she was ok and that she was happy. According to her daughters letter only one person (who she didn't name) was privy to their whereabouts and he would never tell anyone, even if placed under cruciatus. So when the Prophet arrived reporting that the two were dead Molly did what any mother in her position would do. She passed out where she stood.
Luckily Ron had received his copy of the Prophet before her so he was already on his way to the Burrow. He apparated into the living room just as his mother passed out. He rushed to her side, brought her to the living room and fetched her some water. Hermione, his wife, arrived at the Weasley family home as Ron was returning with a glass of water. The two then began attempting to revive Molly. The rest of the family (even Bill and Charlie) arrived in record time to console their grieving mother and father.
Now, fourteen days later, Molly still had not exited her depressed state of mind. She was angry, but not at her daughter or Harry. She was angry that the ministry would kill them as opposed to bringing them in. Prior to Lucius Malfoy's rise to power the Ministry would never have done that. They would have taken every measure to bring criminals in. Now, those days were long gone. Arthur had resigned his post at the ministry (knowing that Malfoy would do away with it soon anyways) and taken to working with his sons at Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes. The twins were making so much money that they needed the help anyways. Arthur initially was against working there but found it to be fun, and he got to spend real time with the twins (something he couldn't do while they were growing up because he was working or they were at Hogwarts).
As she took a sip of tea she was suddenly greeted by three of her sons, a daughter in law and a granddaughter.
"Grandma we got a surprise for y.." Jania Weasley started to say but her father quickly stifled the girl.
"A surprise you say." Molly retorted trying to put her best face on for her granddaughter.
Jania nodded her head, her mouth still covered by her father's hand.
"Whatever could it be?" Molly replied with a smile.
"Close your eyes mum, and brace yourself." Ron said.
Molly, to humor her son and granddaughter, did as requested. She sat waiting for the children to tell her to open them. While Molly waited she over heard Hermione whisper softly "go on" to someone. She suddenly felt a little hand on hers.
"Open your eyes mum." Fred and George said in unison.
Molly opened her eyes and she was looking at something that just didn't seem possible. It was a little girl. A red haired girl that reminded her of someone she thought was gone.
"She. she looks like a young Ginny." Molly said as touched the girl to make sure she wasn't imagining things.
"I hew dat a lot." The little girl answered. "My mummy was berry pretty."
"Your. your mummy." The little girl nodded.
"Hawy and Ginny Potter were my pawents." She said. "My name is Jasmine Potter."
"You're. you're my granddaughter?" Molly asked in shock as tears began welling in her eyes.
Nodding the little girl said, "You my Grandma Weasley." Jasmine then climbed up into the woman's lap and hugged her. Molly was practically smothering the girl with her hug but Jasmine didn't mind one bit. For two weeks she had been deprived of any sense of family or belonging. She had been alone, terrified and very hungry. Now, after fourteen long and tearful days she was with her mummy's family. And for the first time since she was taken from her home, she finally felt safe.
**~~** **~~** **~~**
Bill and Fleur Weasley were the final members of the Weasley Family to arrive at the Burrow. Charlie Weasley had arrived about ten minutes before them from Romania where he cared for Dragons. The local Weasleys arrived much sooner when Ron had summoned them to the Burrow. Unfortunately for those that were not in the loop as to what was going on, they had to wait for the other members to arrive to find out precisely why they had been summoned. Fleur's sister Gabrielle was watching their two children since they were asleep. Charlie's fiancé was at their home since she too was asleep. Charlie had left his pregnant love a portkey to join him at the Burrow should she wake up. Arthur was making the biggest fuss over being kept in the dark since he wanted to know what had his lovely wife in such high spirits. A feet none had managed to accomplish since news of Ginny's passing arrived.
"We're all here Molly, what is the big emergency?" Arthur asked.
"Please sit down all, this is going to be a shock, I should know, but a very pleasant one." Molly informed the six anxious Weasleys.
"Jania would you go tell our guest it is all right to come down now." Hermione instructed.
Jania ran up the stairs and knocked on one of the doors. Fleur looked to her husband who had no clue what was going on. Charlie looked to his father and Percy and Penelope just looked at the stairwell as two sets of feet came down the stairs. The six Weasley gave a look of surprise; a look that mirrored Molly's not too long ago, when they saw Jasmine. Jasmine slowly approached her relatives. She knew who they all were, with the exception of the pretty blonde woman and the one standing next to Unca Percy, but knew if they were in this house that they must be family.
"This is Jasmine. Jasmine Potter." Molly announced to her family.
"Where? How???" Arthur sputtered.
Before anyone could answer Jasmine felt a funny feeling from around her neck. She pulled out her necklace with the locket and opened it. The family watched as an image of Ginny appeared before them all.
"My dear family. if you are watching this it means that one or more of my children are with you and I am not. The rings I sent to you are charmed so that should anything happen to Harry and I that the lockets they wear, when the children call for help, can find you and bring them to you. This is the reason I asked in my letter that you never, ever remove your rings. I pray that you will take care of them, now that Harry and I cannot. I love you all, and I'm sorry I can never be with you again." The image then faded away.
"Mummy." Jasmine said. The little girl was now in tears as the image of her mother disappeared again. Jasmine missed her mum and dad. She missed her brother and sister. In a room full of people she felt very alone. Molly Weasley picked up and wrapped her arms around her crying granddaughter.
"Where did she come from? How did she get here?" Charlie asked.
Hermione fielded that question. "I found her while Jania and I were on our way to meet with Ron, Fred, and George. She must have used her locket to find me. The ring gives you a signal someone is coming, kind of a stinging sensation. I heard Jasmine call to me but before I could find her in the crowd who should appear and chase after her but Draco Malfoy."
"Malfoy???" All the Weasleys save Fred, George, and Ron retorted in unison.
"He and two of his goons were chasing her through Diagon Alley." Hermione informed those who had not been in the alley. This was all news to Molly, she had been so glad that Jasmine was here that she failed to ask the exact details of her arrival.
"De bad mans hurt mummy and daddy. Dey hurt Danny and Rachel too." Jasmine said with her head resting on Molly's shoulder.
"Jasmine." Arthur said, "What happened to your brother and sister? We didn't even know you had a brother and sister until now."
"Mummy made me go into de house when the bad mans arrive. Danny was pulling Rachel, my twin sister, as fast as he could. But lots of red lights hit Rachel. Danny tried to pick up Rachel and cawy her in but he got hit by a green light I tink." At that the family gasped.
"How old was Danny?" Charlie asked. Jasmine held up eight fingers.
"'Ow old are you?" Fleur asked her niece. Jasmine held up five fingers.
"Fleur, why don't you and Penelope show Jasmine around the yard a bit." Arthur requested. The two knew that the Weasleys wanted to discuss what they'd just learned but didn't want Jasmine hearing what they would be saying. Reluctantly the two women agreed and went to take Jasmine. However Jasmine had other ideas. She held firmly to Molly Weasley. She didn't know the two women and would not release her grip on her grandmother.
"No. Stay with Grandma and Aunt 'Mione." Jasmine stated.
"It's ok love. These are your aunts." Molly explained.
Jasmine looked at her grandmother and shook her head. The little girl drew her locket from her shirt. "No photo" she said pointing to the locket, "no wing," she pointed to Penelope and Fleur's ringless right hands, "no go. My mummy says so." The little girl said adamantly.
"Molly, I think you should go with Fleur and Penny. Jasmine feels safe with you and you can introduce her to her aunts." Arthur stated.
Molly would normally argue with her husband about her place in this discussion but she knew better than anyone how right he was. Jasmine was clinging to her for dear life. It wasn't that Jasmine didn't trust Fleur or Penelope, it was that she was raised to follow her parent's instructions. This brought a smile to Molly's face. She was very proud of Ginny and Harry.
"Come one ladies, let's go show Jasmine the yard and we'll see about getting you acquainted with your aunts dear." Molly, Penelope, Fleur and Jasmine left the family in the living room to discuss what to make of the new information.
**~~** **~~** **~~**
"They killed them all." Hermione was the first to say tears falling down her face.
"All save Jasmine apparently." Arthur said in a sad tone.
"Why would they kill the children though? They were not threat to anyone?" Hermione asked.
No one had an answer to that question. From her description, if Jasmine had indeed seen a green flash of light hit Daniel, everyone was sure the young boy was dead. Only one spell could have hit him. They had used the killing curse on an eight-year-old boy. Rachel, Jasmine's twin, must have been hit by multiple stunning spells. However at such a young age, more than three stunning spells hitting you at one time could be fatal.
It was impossible to know which spells had been used on Ginny, since Jasmine did not see what color light hit her. However there was no doubt in anyone's mind about what happened to Harry. The photograph in the Daily Prophet clearly showed him having four arrows in his vital organs. No mater what world you came from, muggle or magic, those wounds were fatal.
"So what do we do now?" Percy asked.
"I think we should have Jasmine take us to her house." Charlie stated.
"I agree." Bill voted.
"Do we really have to take her to the scene of her family's death?" Hermione asked.
"Unfortunately yes. She's the only one that knows where it is." Arthur stated.
"Hermione would you go ask Molly to bring Jasmine here please." Hermione's father-in-law requested.
Hermione nodded and went to go get the little girl.
"Mum's gonna go ballistic when we tell her what we want to do." Ron Stated.
"Especially when we have her stay here, just in case Malfoy and his goons come looking for Jasmine." Arthur stated.
"So. who's the lucky person that gets to tell her?" Fred asked.
Everyone in the room pointed to Arthur, save Arthur who was pointing to Fred.
~~The End of Part 4~~
Molly Weasley had not been herself for the past two weeks. Since the Daily Prophet reported the deaths of Harry and Ginny Potter (with slightly gruesome photographs), she had been in a depressed state. She had known all along that the two were together somewhere. She had received the occasional owl from her daughter letting her know she was ok and that she was happy. According to her daughters letter only one person (who she didn't name) was privy to their whereabouts and he would never tell anyone, even if placed under cruciatus. So when the Prophet arrived reporting that the two were dead Molly did what any mother in her position would do. She passed out where she stood.
Luckily Ron had received his copy of the Prophet before her so he was already on his way to the Burrow. He apparated into the living room just as his mother passed out. He rushed to her side, brought her to the living room and fetched her some water. Hermione, his wife, arrived at the Weasley family home as Ron was returning with a glass of water. The two then began attempting to revive Molly. The rest of the family (even Bill and Charlie) arrived in record time to console their grieving mother and father.
Now, fourteen days later, Molly still had not exited her depressed state of mind. She was angry, but not at her daughter or Harry. She was angry that the ministry would kill them as opposed to bringing them in. Prior to Lucius Malfoy's rise to power the Ministry would never have done that. They would have taken every measure to bring criminals in. Now, those days were long gone. Arthur had resigned his post at the ministry (knowing that Malfoy would do away with it soon anyways) and taken to working with his sons at Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes. The twins were making so much money that they needed the help anyways. Arthur initially was against working there but found it to be fun, and he got to spend real time with the twins (something he couldn't do while they were growing up because he was working or they were at Hogwarts).
As she took a sip of tea she was suddenly greeted by three of her sons, a daughter in law and a granddaughter.
"Grandma we got a surprise for y.." Jania Weasley started to say but her father quickly stifled the girl.
"A surprise you say." Molly retorted trying to put her best face on for her granddaughter.
Jania nodded her head, her mouth still covered by her father's hand.
"Whatever could it be?" Molly replied with a smile.
"Close your eyes mum, and brace yourself." Ron said.
Molly, to humor her son and granddaughter, did as requested. She sat waiting for the children to tell her to open them. While Molly waited she over heard Hermione whisper softly "go on" to someone. She suddenly felt a little hand on hers.
"Open your eyes mum." Fred and George said in unison.
Molly opened her eyes and she was looking at something that just didn't seem possible. It was a little girl. A red haired girl that reminded her of someone she thought was gone.
"She. she looks like a young Ginny." Molly said as touched the girl to make sure she wasn't imagining things.
"I hew dat a lot." The little girl answered. "My mummy was berry pretty."
"Your. your mummy." The little girl nodded.
"Hawy and Ginny Potter were my pawents." She said. "My name is Jasmine Potter."
"You're. you're my granddaughter?" Molly asked in shock as tears began welling in her eyes.
Nodding the little girl said, "You my Grandma Weasley." Jasmine then climbed up into the woman's lap and hugged her. Molly was practically smothering the girl with her hug but Jasmine didn't mind one bit. For two weeks she had been deprived of any sense of family or belonging. She had been alone, terrified and very hungry. Now, after fourteen long and tearful days she was with her mummy's family. And for the first time since she was taken from her home, she finally felt safe.
**~~** **~~** **~~**
Bill and Fleur Weasley were the final members of the Weasley Family to arrive at the Burrow. Charlie Weasley had arrived about ten minutes before them from Romania where he cared for Dragons. The local Weasleys arrived much sooner when Ron had summoned them to the Burrow. Unfortunately for those that were not in the loop as to what was going on, they had to wait for the other members to arrive to find out precisely why they had been summoned. Fleur's sister Gabrielle was watching their two children since they were asleep. Charlie's fiancé was at their home since she too was asleep. Charlie had left his pregnant love a portkey to join him at the Burrow should she wake up. Arthur was making the biggest fuss over being kept in the dark since he wanted to know what had his lovely wife in such high spirits. A feet none had managed to accomplish since news of Ginny's passing arrived.
"We're all here Molly, what is the big emergency?" Arthur asked.
"Please sit down all, this is going to be a shock, I should know, but a very pleasant one." Molly informed the six anxious Weasleys.
"Jania would you go tell our guest it is all right to come down now." Hermione instructed.
Jania ran up the stairs and knocked on one of the doors. Fleur looked to her husband who had no clue what was going on. Charlie looked to his father and Percy and Penelope just looked at the stairwell as two sets of feet came down the stairs. The six Weasley gave a look of surprise; a look that mirrored Molly's not too long ago, when they saw Jasmine. Jasmine slowly approached her relatives. She knew who they all were, with the exception of the pretty blonde woman and the one standing next to Unca Percy, but knew if they were in this house that they must be family.
"This is Jasmine. Jasmine Potter." Molly announced to her family.
"Where? How???" Arthur sputtered.
Before anyone could answer Jasmine felt a funny feeling from around her neck. She pulled out her necklace with the locket and opened it. The family watched as an image of Ginny appeared before them all.
"My dear family. if you are watching this it means that one or more of my children are with you and I am not. The rings I sent to you are charmed so that should anything happen to Harry and I that the lockets they wear, when the children call for help, can find you and bring them to you. This is the reason I asked in my letter that you never, ever remove your rings. I pray that you will take care of them, now that Harry and I cannot. I love you all, and I'm sorry I can never be with you again." The image then faded away.
"Mummy." Jasmine said. The little girl was now in tears as the image of her mother disappeared again. Jasmine missed her mum and dad. She missed her brother and sister. In a room full of people she felt very alone. Molly Weasley picked up and wrapped her arms around her crying granddaughter.
"Where did she come from? How did she get here?" Charlie asked.
Hermione fielded that question. "I found her while Jania and I were on our way to meet with Ron, Fred, and George. She must have used her locket to find me. The ring gives you a signal someone is coming, kind of a stinging sensation. I heard Jasmine call to me but before I could find her in the crowd who should appear and chase after her but Draco Malfoy."
"Malfoy???" All the Weasleys save Fred, George, and Ron retorted in unison.
"He and two of his goons were chasing her through Diagon Alley." Hermione informed those who had not been in the alley. This was all news to Molly, she had been so glad that Jasmine was here that she failed to ask the exact details of her arrival.
"De bad mans hurt mummy and daddy. Dey hurt Danny and Rachel too." Jasmine said with her head resting on Molly's shoulder.
"Jasmine." Arthur said, "What happened to your brother and sister? We didn't even know you had a brother and sister until now."
"Mummy made me go into de house when the bad mans arrive. Danny was pulling Rachel, my twin sister, as fast as he could. But lots of red lights hit Rachel. Danny tried to pick up Rachel and cawy her in but he got hit by a green light I tink." At that the family gasped.
"How old was Danny?" Charlie asked. Jasmine held up eight fingers.
"'Ow old are you?" Fleur asked her niece. Jasmine held up five fingers.
"Fleur, why don't you and Penelope show Jasmine around the yard a bit." Arthur requested. The two knew that the Weasleys wanted to discuss what they'd just learned but didn't want Jasmine hearing what they would be saying. Reluctantly the two women agreed and went to take Jasmine. However Jasmine had other ideas. She held firmly to Molly Weasley. She didn't know the two women and would not release her grip on her grandmother.
"No. Stay with Grandma and Aunt 'Mione." Jasmine stated.
"It's ok love. These are your aunts." Molly explained.
Jasmine looked at her grandmother and shook her head. The little girl drew her locket from her shirt. "No photo" she said pointing to the locket, "no wing," she pointed to Penelope and Fleur's ringless right hands, "no go. My mummy says so." The little girl said adamantly.
"Molly, I think you should go with Fleur and Penny. Jasmine feels safe with you and you can introduce her to her aunts." Arthur stated.
Molly would normally argue with her husband about her place in this discussion but she knew better than anyone how right he was. Jasmine was clinging to her for dear life. It wasn't that Jasmine didn't trust Fleur or Penelope, it was that she was raised to follow her parent's instructions. This brought a smile to Molly's face. She was very proud of Ginny and Harry.
"Come one ladies, let's go show Jasmine the yard and we'll see about getting you acquainted with your aunts dear." Molly, Penelope, Fleur and Jasmine left the family in the living room to discuss what to make of the new information.
**~~** **~~** **~~**
"They killed them all." Hermione was the first to say tears falling down her face.
"All save Jasmine apparently." Arthur said in a sad tone.
"Why would they kill the children though? They were not threat to anyone?" Hermione asked.
No one had an answer to that question. From her description, if Jasmine had indeed seen a green flash of light hit Daniel, everyone was sure the young boy was dead. Only one spell could have hit him. They had used the killing curse on an eight-year-old boy. Rachel, Jasmine's twin, must have been hit by multiple stunning spells. However at such a young age, more than three stunning spells hitting you at one time could be fatal.
It was impossible to know which spells had been used on Ginny, since Jasmine did not see what color light hit her. However there was no doubt in anyone's mind about what happened to Harry. The photograph in the Daily Prophet clearly showed him having four arrows in his vital organs. No mater what world you came from, muggle or magic, those wounds were fatal.
"So what do we do now?" Percy asked.
"I think we should have Jasmine take us to her house." Charlie stated.
"I agree." Bill voted.
"Do we really have to take her to the scene of her family's death?" Hermione asked.
"Unfortunately yes. She's the only one that knows where it is." Arthur stated.
"Hermione would you go ask Molly to bring Jasmine here please." Hermione's father-in-law requested.
Hermione nodded and went to go get the little girl.
"Mum's gonna go ballistic when we tell her what we want to do." Ron Stated.
"Especially when we have her stay here, just in case Malfoy and his goons come looking for Jasmine." Arthur stated.
"So. who's the lucky person that gets to tell her?" Fred asked.
Everyone in the room pointed to Arthur, save Arthur who was pointing to Fred.
~~The End of Part 4~~