A/N: Thanks to all the kind reviews. Hopefully, those that haven't reviewed in awhile are still following the story. We are coming close to learning everything. Enjoy!
Chapter 31. Order of Merlin
Minerva and Molly were having tea when Ginny came in. "Ginny!" Molly said and rushed to hug her daughter. Minerva poured a cup for Ginny and motioned her to join them.
"So, Minerva....I know you wanted to talk to me about something," said Molly.
Minerva looked at Ginny. "Yes, I did. Perhaps it would be better if Ginny told you." Molly looked at Ginny.
"Mum," Ginny started. "Harry and I are going to have a baby." Molly's jaw dropped.
"Are you sure?"
Ginny was afraid to answer. "Yes, Mum. The stone grew warm when I held it and Madam Pomfrey has just confirmed it..."
Ginny could see the tears welling up in her mother's eyes. "That's wonderful!"
Ginny looked up, surprised. Molly started laughing. "We knew after the prophecy and you getting married it was just a matter of time, dear." She turned to Minerva. "What will we have to do so that she can finish her year?"
Molly and Minerva fell to discussing the potential ideas and precautions that needed to happen. Molly immediately agreed that Madam Pomfrey should give Ginny the pre-natal potions she needed, and in addition Minerva suggested that Ginny take a potion to keep her pregnancy a secret as long as possible. She assured both Ginny and Molly that the baby would be safe; it was in their best interest that no one would find out so that they could keep her safe. Only the professors and staff would be told; no students would know. And as long as she took the potions, she could play Quidditch and no one would be the wiser.
Molly and Ginny decided to only tell Arthur until Harry could be told, then they would tell the rest of the family. Molly gave Ginny a hug, and then went home to tell Arthur.
Molly was walking by the clock when she heard it move. She watched as Bill's hand moved from "Work" to "Mortal Peril". She dropped the cup she had been holding and it crashed to the floor. "Arthur!" she yelled before fainting.
Arthur ran in to find Molly on the floor. He picked her up and tried to wake her. She opened her eyes and mouthed "Bill" before passing out again. That's when he looked at the clock. He picked her up and laid her on the couch in the living room. Grabbing a quill and some parchment, he scribbled a quick note and then apparated to the Ministry to find out what was going on.
***
Harry and Tonks were sitting in a muggle bar in London. They were disguised with makeup and were watching the patrons as they drank and talked. There had been word put out that someone was looking for help dealing with what was termed a "Potter problem". So Harry and Tonks were playing a Muggle couple out for a drink to see what was going on. Tonks was sitting there telling Harry a story when he felt a pain in his scar. He winced, causing Tonks to notice. "What's wrong, Harry?" she whispered.
"Not sure, Dora." Their cover names were Harry and Dora Sturgis.
"Are you okay?" Just then a tall, slim man entered and walked over to the bar. Harry instantly recognized Marcus Flint from their days at Hogwarts. He picked up his ale and nodded to Tonks.
Flint walked to the table behind them and sat down with another person. Some quiet conversation was heard, but thanks to Weasley's Extendable Ears, not a word was lost on Harry.
"So, Flint…long time no see," said the man.
"Too long, mate. So have you heard about Draco?"
"Yes I did. Imagine…being so bent out of shape about Potter that you would do something like that."
Flint jerked his head up at the mention of Harry's name. "Be quiet! Draco sent me to find some more 'talent' to deliver a message to Potter."
"What's the message?"
"That we have something of his." Then they leaned over and Harry couldn't hear a thing. He looked at Tonks; suddenly her eyes got big. 'Bill' she mouthed. Harry could hardly breathe. Malfoy had Bill? Harry could feel the anger growing, and he was desperately trying to heed Mad-Eye's advice to keep calm. He managed to hold in his anger, but Tonks squeezed his hand as if she understood. Just as Flint got up, Tonks did.
"Be right back, dear," she said to Harry. She bumped into Flint. "Oh excuse me!"
"Watch it!" he replied, as he walked toward the door. Tonks continued on to the ladies room, while Harry dropped a few coins on the table for a tip and went to wait at the door for her.
Once they were outside, Tonks and he walked around to the alley and then apparated to the Ministry.
***
Shack was sitting in his office when Arthur walked in. "Hello, Arthur. What's wrong?"
"Can you locate Bill?"
"He went out to a customer's house this morning. Why?"
"Our clock shows him in peril."
"Let's find out." Shack went to the door and spoke to his assistant, then returned. "We are sending an urgent owl to Gringotts to find out what is going on."
Arthur sat there. "If anything has happened to him…"
Just then Harry burst into Shack's office. "We just saw Marcus Flint. He was telling someone that Draco has Bill!"
Shack looked from Harry to Tonks to Arthur. "Can you add anything Tonks?"
Tonks smiled. "Yes I can. I put a tracking spell on him."
Harry looked up in amazement. "When did you do that?"
"It was when I 'accidentally' bumped into him."
"So where is he now?"
"Knockturn Alley."
"Okay. Nymph, you take Scrap and follow him. Thor, your wife and family will need you. Go with Arthur here and let everyone know what is going on. Please keep it to immediate family until we have all the details though."
Harry followed Arthur out of the office. "I need just a few minutes to change."
"No problem," replied Arthur. "Meet me in my office when you are ready."
Harry nodded his head and hurried to his quarters. He took a quick shower and removed all the makeup. When he got done, he quickly dried off and dressed and hurried to Arthur's office and knocked.
"Come in."
Harry opened the door and walked in. He saw Fred, George, Molly and Percy standing there. Molly sat in a chair crying while Arthur was trying to comfort her. She turned when she heard the door open and jumped out of the chair to hug Harry, leaving all the others perplexed.
"Harry, we need to talk," she sobbed. "You, Arthur and I."
Arthur nodded to the others and they stepped outside. "Okay, Love. It's just the three of us."
Molly said, "Harry, Ginny was hoping to tell you this, but with what is going on with Bill, I thought it best not to upset her in her condition. So we haven't told her yet."
Arthur looked at Harry. "Her condition?"
A sudden realization dawned on Harry's face. "Gin's…pregnant?"
Molly nodded. "She wanted to tell you, but we didn't know where you were. I was just coming home to tell Arthur when the clock told me Bill was in danger."
"We should still tell Ginny. She will be upset if we didn't," added Arthur.
"I'll do it," said Harry. "I'll go to Hogwarts right now." Arthur and Molly nodded and Harry apparated to Hogsmeade to head to the castle.
***
Shack sat listening to Nymph, Scrap and Mad-Eye debate how to proceed. After about thirty minutes of debate, Shack stood up. "We are no closer than we were when we started. Here is what I think; let's send Nymph and Scrap to Hogsmeade to determine what is going on, then we can send additional people as needed."
Tonks smiled. "That is what I have been saying. Just a couple of people won't be so noticeable…especially and old woman and her grandson." Tonks changed her features. "Scrap and I will follow the tracking signal and scout the situation and then we can go into things with an idea of what is going on."
Shack looked at the others and said, "Sounds good to me. Report back as soon as possible."
Neville and Tonks went to get things ready.
***
Bill woke up in a dark room. He felt for his wand, but it was gone. His head hurt, but he didn't feel any other pain.
Roberts looked up from where he was sitting in a corner. "Was wondering when you would wake up."
Bill asked groggily, "What happened?"
"I don't know. I think we were drugged. Last I remember was seeing a guy with a needle grabbing you from behind, then I blacked out. Does this happen often?"
"No. This isn't related to Gringotts, but I don't know what it is related to."
"I hope my family isn't too worried now. What about yours?"
"I am sure they will worry. My mother and sister especially."
"Your sister? Are you two close?"
"Yes we are. I am the oldest and she is the youngest."
"Wait. Is she the one that married Harry Potter?"
Bill nodded. "Wait a minute. Maybe that's why we are here."
"What do you mean?"
"Someone is trying to get to Harry…so if Ginny gets upset…"
"That has to be tough. I mean, it would be worse if she were pregnant. She isn't, is she?"
"Not that I know…but who would be doing this?"
"I see your reasoning…but who would be crazy enough to attack Potter? I mean, he's one of the most powerful wizards alive!"
Suddenly a blinding light filled the room as the door was opened. Bill covered his eyes. "Well…let's take this one and see what he knows…" They grabbed Roberts and closed the door, thrusting Bill back into darkness.
***
Harry entered the castle and made his way to Albus office. As soon as he approached the gargoyle, the opening appeared without asking him the password. He shrugged at this and entered the outer office. Phineas was in the portrait. "Hello, Phineas."
"Hello, Harry. Albus is inside…go on in." Harry watched as Phineas walked out of the frame. Harry turned the handle and found Albus at his desk.
"Harry! How are you?" He moved around the desk and gave Harry a hug.
"Not good, Albus. Have you heard?"
"Yes. I just got done speaking to Arthur via floo. Ginny is on her way. Ah, here she is now." Harry turned to see his wife as she entered. "I have to go check with Severus about something." Albus walked out and closed the door.
Ginny ran to Harry who hugged her tightly. She gave him a kiss and then stood back. "Wait a second. I thought you were on assignment."
"Let's sit." Harry levitated a sofa across the room. "First off, how are you?"
"Well…I do have a bit of news."
"What is that?"
"You are going to be a father." Ginny looked apprehensively at Harry. She was worried until she saw him smile.
"I love you, Gin. Thank you." Harry pulled her close and held her. "I have some news, too. But I'm afraid mine isn't good."
Ginny pulled away and looked at Harry. "What's wrong?"
"Earlier today, Bill disappeared."
"WHAT?"
"We know he is still alive. Tonks and I overheard a conversation while we were on assignment, and Tonks put a tracking device on someone. She and Neville are looking into it."
"Does Mum know?"
"Yes she does. I asked for them to let me come tell you."
"I'm glad you did. Do you know what happened?"
"All we know is that Bill and another curse breaker were at a client's house shortly before ten this morning and they left. They were due back at Gringotts fifteen minutes later but never showed up."
"So someone had to be following him…"
"…or knew his schedule. We are looking into that now." Ginny leaned against Harry. "All we can do now is wait."
***
An elderly woman and her grandson walked around Hogsmeade. Hardly anyone even noticed them as they looked at store windows or sat in the Hog's Head for a butterbeer. They were about to leave when a man walked in and ordered a Fire Whiskey. After he drank and thanked the bartender, he headed for the door. He held the door for the elderly woman then walked on toward the east end of the village. The elderly woman smiled at her grandson and nodded in the direction the man had taken. They walked in the same direction.
They followed the man to a large stone house. The man went in, but they walked on past and around the corner. "Okay, Scrap. This may be the place. Be careful."
Neville smiled. "You too, Nymph. Let's get closer."
Tonks motioned for him to follow her as they mad their way around the back of the house. Throwing invisibility cloaks over themselves, they cautiously approached the gate. They saw through the back window that the man they had followed was inside talking to someone. Neville heard Tonks whisper for him to go get Shack. Neville whispered an okay back and moved away to apparate. Tonks moved closer to see who the other person was, but only got a glimpse of a floppy hat and a very feminine shape. As she strained to get a better look, she fell over an empty bucket with a loud crash. Cursing to herself, she cast a disillusionment spell over herself just as the back door opened.
The man came out holding a sack and his wand. Tonks stayed absolutely still, barely breathing. He came toward her and she readied herself to run. Suddenly he stopped, listening. He slowly turned around toward the house. Tonks slowly let out her breath just as the man turned back and threw the contents of the bag in her direction. There was a cloud of flour dust which quickly settled, giving her away. As she made to run, she was hit by a stunner and thrown to the ground. She felt herself being hit with a heavy object and the pain caused her to black out.
***
Bill was dozing when Roberts was brought back in. The bright light of the corridor blinded him again. He was grabbed roughly and hauled to his feet. The two men that had been standing over Roberts during the attack were pulling him into the corridor. He saw another door across the hall and could hear a woman sobbing as they passed. He was taken to a room down the hall and thrown into a chair. Bread and water was brought for him and he was left alone.
He looked around, but there were no other doors or windows. To his trained mind, he knew that he was below ground. The coolness of the walls to his touch told him that. He used the wandless magic he had learned during his training to check the food and water for poisons or spells, but found none. He took a few sips of water to slack his thirst and crammed some bred in his pockets for later.
He heard footsteps approaching and some voices in the hall. In walked a cloaked figure. He sat down across from Bill, but the hood covered his face. "What, Weasley? Don't you know who I am?" He threw the hood back.
"You must be Draco Malfoy."
"Good guess, Weasley. Guess you deserve an Order of Merlin, too. Do you know why you are here?"
"I do now. You want to get Harry to come."
"And here I thought all Weasels were stupid. I guess only the ones that marry Mudbloods are." Bill tensed at the term. "What's the matter, Weasel? Are you a Mudblood lover too?"
"If I knew a Muggle girl that I liked, then yes, I would be. But I know for a fact you are."
Draco tensed. "What do you mean?"
"Your master, Malfoy. Tom Riddle was a Mudblood."
Draco stood and pulled his wand. Bill could see he touched a nerve. "Crucio!"
Bill's body tensed with pain. But he did not cry out. He looked defiantly at Draco. Through gritted teeth he said, "What's the matter? Did I hit too close to home?" Draco stunned him and they dragged him back to his cell.
***
Neville arrived with Shack and Moody in the alley. Tonks was no where to be seen. They cautiously crept down near where Neville and Tonks had last spoken. Neville put on his invisibility cloak and moved to the gate. He didn't see anyone but he could hear someone moaning in pain.
He peeked over the gate, but no one was in sight. He heard the moaning again and some movement caught his eye on the ground. He looked over and saw a form coated in dust. Slowly he walked over. "Nymph?"
Tonks heard the gate slowly open, but no one was there. She tried to move but the pain was intense. She moaned. The movement came toward her. She heard Neville whisper her nickname and was able to say "Over here, Scrap," before she blacked out.
***
Harry had Ginny calmed down and left her in Poppy's care. He went back to talk to Albus.
"Can I do anything for you, Harry?"
"No, Grandfather. But I promise you, Malfoy will pay."
"Think things out before acting, Harry," said Dilys from her frame. "Rushing in is never a good thing." Dilys looked out of her frame to the right. "What?" She was speaking to someone, and then looked back at Harry. "Harry, you need to go to St. Mungo's immediately."
Both Harry and Albus tensed. "Why?" asked Harry.
"They've just brought in Nymphadora Tonks and they aren't sure she is going to make it. She is asking for you."
***
Madam Pomfrey had insisted that Ginny stay in the Hospital Wing that evening. Colin came up to keep her company. "Hi, Gin. I heard Harry was here. Did you get a chance to see him?"
"Yes, I did. Oh, Colin, I'm worried. Harry told me that Bill is missing."
"Is there anything I can do, Gin?"
"I don't know, Colin."
"I do," said Albus, standing in the doorway. "There is something we all can do. We must remember to love each other. One of the most fundamental principles of magic is that strong emotions boost its power. So as long as we love and hope, we will win."
***
Harry arrived at St. Mungo's and quickly found his way to Tonk's room. When he walked in, he could see that he had been beaten. Tears came to his eyes as he tenderly moved a strand of her honey-colored hair from her face. That was when he noticed it. Tonks was the same, but different. She looked younger and her hair was longer than she made herself appear to be. She couldn't be more than three or four years older than him. And she was pretty. Harry vowed right there to get the person that had done this to his friend.
He wiped the tears from his eyes and sat next to her bed. He took her hand in his. She slowly opened her eyes. "Harry…ouch! How bad is it?"
"Well, you will live, but from the looks of it you will be sore for awhile."
She glanced over at the mirror behind Harry and she could see her reflection. She knew that she was pretty banged up and could tell that her left leg and right arm had been broken. "I've looked worse than this after I tripped over my coffee table," she joked.
Harry chuckled. He looked at her and saw her face turn suddenly red, then her features melted into the ones he was so used to seeing. "Why did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Change your looks."
"Oh, no one wants to see boring old me."
"But you are pretty."
"Are you sure you aren't the one that should be in this bed? Sounds like you're delusional."
"Nymphadora." Tonk's eyes opened wide. Harry had NEVER called her that.
"What?"
"You are a very pretty girl. And I am not delusional. Do you remember what happened at the house?"
"Yeah. I had just sent Scrap to fetch Shack and the boys and I decided to move in to get a closer look. I bumped into a bucket and Flint came out the back door. He got close and shook flour all over and picked up my outline. I didn't have time to react before I was out cold. I think I blew it."
"I wouldn't be so sure," said Meryl Bek from the doorway. "Draco used the Staff again, and it was from that same building.
***
After Bill was sent to his cell, he slowly got to his feet. He looked over, but Roberts wasn't there. Remembering the sounds coming from across the hall, he moved towards the door. Pressing his ear to it, he could faintly hear it. Bill looked at the door carefully. He got on his hands and knees and felt a breeze. Lying down, he found that he could see under the door. Not much, but hopefully enough.
He laid his head on the floor, peering through the crack at the bottom and at the door across the hall. The doors were alike; he hoped that they had the same gap at the bottom. He moved so that he could speak and hear. "Hello?"
There was no reaction at all. "Hello?" he whispered a little louder. He heard some movement from beyond the door.
He strained to hear anything. Finally he heard it. "Hello. Who are you?"
"My name is Bill Weasley," he replied. "Who are you?" The other person didn't have time to respond because someone was walking down the hallway.
He instinctively reached for his missing wand but moved away from the door. He heard the sound of a key in the lock and a door opening. "Hello," said a female voice. "It's time to update your hairstyle."
***
The following morning, Harry picked up Tonks from the Hospital. "You heal fast!"
"Between the healers here and my metamorphmagus abilities, it usually doesn't take long…I am still a little stiff though," she laughed.
"Feel like visiting Hogsmeade with me?"
"But, Harry, you're a married man!" Tonks had used a false coquettish voice and Harry laughed loudly.
"Good to see you have your sense of humor back."
Harry, Neville and Tonks apparated just outside the house in Hogsmeade where Bill was being held. Since they had found out about the magical entrance to the dungeons beneath it from information passed to them by Lock and Key, Harry was sure that he would be able to open it.
Tonks kneeled next to Harry, listening. She looked over at him and smiled. He had definitely come into his own. His confidence and courage helped calm those around him. He was ready to take the Auror test; she knew that he would have no difficulty in passing it. As she glanced behind her at Neville, he caught her looking at him. She grinned and turned back around. Neville had grown quite a bit as well and she was confident that she was in good company.
A door opening caught their attention. Harry peered between the slats of the fence as he saw someone walk out. Her heard Tonks whisper and a stunning spell hit the person. They quickly donned their invisibility cloaks and went through the gate. Harry gasped when he realized who had been stunned. On the ground in front of them was none other than Arabella Figg.
