Birthday Surprises Chapter 67
Usual disclaimer: Not mine, don't sue. Please. Wish it were mine though. Ah, if only… Lolly, xxx.
"Later, we need to go." Lupin said anxiously. He didn't want to lose Harry the way he had lost James, Lily and Sirius. He didn't want another generation of Potters to grow up without a father.
"Indeed." The headmaster agreed. Remus studied the older man for a moment before uttering a soft gasp of horror – the headmasters face was a picture of helplessness.
***
In Hogsmeade, people were terrified. Deatheaters were everywhere, and they outnumbered the Aurors by a huge amount. Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, was currently the Boy Who Was In Charge because no one else seemed capable of rational thought. He hurried around getting people to safety before leading a group of people over to where a large group of Deatheaters were standing, apparently torturing a few people for information of some sort. "Where's Harry Potter?" Came Lucius Malfoy's voice.
"Right behind you." Harry whispered in the Deatheaters ear, his wand trained on his back.
"Ah, if it isn't Potter. Get him!" He yelled to his fellow Deatheaters. Harry watched them calmly, his fingers curling into a fist one by one. As soon as the last finger curled around the rest, he nodded sharply, and curses were shouted by everyone behind him. The Deatheaters fell back, astonished and frozen.
"A few people need to stay – make sure they stay bound and frozen, ok?" Three people volunteered to stay back with the Deatheaters, while Harry knelt beside the injured couple. "Are you all right?" He asked.
"We're fine, thank you for helping us." The man said.
"No problem. And you are hurt. Here, let me help, for goodness sake."
"We're fine, really." The couple insisted. "But we have to find our little girl."
"Little girl?" Harry asked, his thoughts snapping on to the triplets, safely tucked up in Hogwarts.
"Yes, she's about this high, with dark blonde hair and olive eyes. Her name's Shannon." The woman said, gesturing with her hands. Harry nodded, quickly taking in the surrounding area.
"We'll find her, don't worry. But let me patch you up first." He said, knowing that the parents would be little use to their daughter if they passed out from blood loss, or worse. His tone brooked no contradiction, and he quickly healed the cuts and injuries that they had. When he was satisfied, he helped each of them up, his hair falling away from his scar as he did so.
"Harry Potter." The woman breathed. Harry fought the urge to roll his eyes.
"Yeah. Now, you two head towards the Three Broomsticks – you'll be safe there."
"What about Shannon?"
"She'll either be there already or will be brought in very soon." Harry said soothingly. He glanced around again, knowing that they didn't have much time before more Deatheaters arrived.
"I want to help in the fight." The man said resolutely. Harry gave him a long hard look.
"It's dangerous." He said seriously.
"I know. I don't expect you to understand this, but when you have children, you'll do anything to make sure that the world they grow up in is a safe one." The man said soberly. Harry blew out a deep breath, once more thinking about the triplets.
"Oh I understand. Only too well." Harry murmured. Everyone within a few metres looked slightly wary of the intense fire that burned in his green eyes.
"You do?" The man looked slightly surprised. The man that stood before him was only seventeen years old, and yet seemed very much mature beyond his years. Then again, he was Harry Potter.
"Don't you read the papers?" Harry asked, his eyebrows slightly raised as they began walking. The woman headed towards the Three Broomsticks while Harry and the others continued on.
"Not really." The man admitted. "Oh, by the way, I'm Tristan Korea."
"Right." Harry nodded. "You obviously know who I am. If you had read the Daily Prophet over the last few months, you'd know that I have kids of my own. So, how old is your little girl?"
"Well, she's not really that little…she's ten. Goes to Hogwarts next year. Can't wait. How old is your child?"
"Triplets, actually. They'll be a year old at the end of June." Harry smiled a little.
"Oh yes, I remember something of the rumours now." Tristan nodded.
***
Harry stopped suddenly, throwing out an arm to stop the others. Everyone hushed immediately as he looked around, listening and watching intently.
"Wait here. I mean it – do not go anywhere." He said sternly. He was by far the youngest of the group, and by far the most authoritative. No one dared disagree with him. He sprinted off silently, making no noise on the ground as he trod softly. Everyone watched him go, looking at each other uneasily. They were totally lost without their leader. Fortunately, Harry returned just over ten minutes later, carrying someone. Tristan ran forward, recognising his daughter.
"Shannon!" He called.
"Daddy!" The little girl moaned softly. She was dirty and dishevelled, and had a few injuries.
"Tristan, take her back to the Three Broomsticks, tell the nurse there that she was caught by a group of three Deatheaters. She doesn't seem too badly injured, just shocked and slightly bruised."
"But Mr Potter…"
"Go." Harry urged quietly. "I know where I would be, given the choice."
"Thank you, Mr Potter." The man replied, taking his daughter from his arms.
"No problem. Right, let's go."
"What did you do with the Deatheaters?"
"Right now they're out cold and rather badly hexed. The Aurors can clean up the mess." Harry said. "Now, not too far ahead, there is going to be a large group of Deatheaters with their wands at the ready. They're waiting for us. We need to be ready for their attacks. I'm guessing they'll mainly use Imperious and Cruciatus. They'll want to cause us to turn on each other, and to cause a lot of pain." Harry said.
"Won't they use Avada Kedavra?" One man wanted to ask.
"No – Deatheaters play with people before killing them." Harry said, careful not to use the word 'victim'. "Besides, I'm far too important to Voldemort to be killed by any of his cronies. He wants that job for himself." Harry smiled grimly. "I suggest we use small hexes like jelly-legs and such. They'll expect stunners, and will be waiting to block them. Small curses can be just as effective – have any of you ever tried to concentrate while being tickled, or while wobbling about uncontrollably?" At their agreement, they moved forward, each holding their wands ahead of them. "Oh, and don't forget Expelliarmus – Deatheaters tend to overlook the obvious." Harry reminded them.
***
Harry's estimation had been very nearly spot on. Up ahead was a group of fifty Deatheaters. Harry estimated the number of people following him to be perhaps thirty. A year ago, he might have been nervous about being the leader. Now, he felt cold indifference and quiet confidence. He was probably the most experienced person for the job. He led the way into the beginning of heated battle between good and evil, light and dark. He, Harry Potter, was finally fighting back.
