A/N: Harry Potter still isn't mine.
Thanks to CosmicAngel and Polaris the Ice Queen for being Beta!
Thanks to my reviewers:

Brightest Star & IndigoInk1 & the Anonym review


Info: A fire-call is the when you stick your head into the fireplace to talk to someone.


Chapter 3

It was still stormy, rain was pelting down hard. Lightning flashed across the dark sky. In the middle of that storm, a lone rider, on a pure black horse, rode across a large field, his dark blue cape fluttering behind him in the wind. In his arms he held someone wrapped in a blue cloak. Unfocused, green eyes opened for a moment before closing again.

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Surrey, some time later

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"Are you Arabella Doreen Figg?"

"Yes, and who are you?"
"My name is Charles Williams. This is Roberta Loks and Michael Tinsh. I am the Head Auror at the British Ministry of Magic. You are temporarily arrested for failure to render assistance in the disappearance of Mr Harry James Potter."
"Wh-what?" asked Mrs Figg, getting pale.
"You are temporary arrested for failure to render assistance in the disappearance of Mr Harry James Potter. You are to escort us to the British Ministry of Magic, Department for Magical Law Enforcement." repeated Williams with a strained voice.
"Now? It's in the middle of the night."
"Yes, now. You may change your clothes. You are not allowed to contact anyone until you have reached the Department. There you are allowed to make two firecalls."
"Yes, yes, let me at least change." replied Mrs Figg, trying to get over her shock. She turned around and went into the house.
Williams looked at his women next to him and nodded with his head at Mrs Figg.
"We wait in the parlour."
"Yes, sir."

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Minister's Office

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There was a knock at the door.
"Come in"
"Minister Fudge, Sir, Mr Weasley, Sir. I am here to inform you that Arabella Doreen Figg was arrested at exactly 3.12 am at her house."
"Good. Keep her in a holding cell. The hearing will be in two days. 9 am in old Courtroom 10."
"Yes, Sir."
"Oh and Tinsh"
"Yes?"
"She is allowed no visitors. She can call a lawyer. A licensed lawyer that is. Oh and no Aurors are allowed in there except Williams, Loks and you. No Dumbledore, no other Ministry members except the five of us."
"Yes, Sir."
The Auror left the office.
"Well, that is taken care of. Anything else for tonight?" asked Fudge.
"I don't think so. Ahhh wait!"
"What is it?"
"We should inform the press."
"You think, that's such a good idea?"
"Well, if we don't inform the community we may lose some support. We should ask for a reporter. We will just inform the public about the disappearance of Mr Potter and that the Department of Magical Law Enforcement is working on it."
"Good. Let's call the Daily Prophet then."
Percy went over to the fire-place and threw some powder in it. He stuck his head in and said, "Daily Prophet, Ministry correspondent." He pulled his head out again and waited.
A minute later a head appeared in the flames. The women said in a friendly voice,
"Daily Prophet, Ministry correspondent. My name is Adelia Doras. How can I help you."
"My name is Percival Weasley, jun…" Fudge coughed in the background. Percy looked confused for a moment, then he went on with red cheeks, "First Assistant to the British Minister of Magic, Cornelius Oswald Fudge."
The women straightened, he voice becoming businesslike, "How can I help you, Sir?"
"We need a reporter in about 15 minutes, in Minister Fudge's office. We have a very important matter to talk about and inform the public. This should be published as soon as possible."
"Yes, Sir. I will make sure that a reporter is with you in 15 minutes. She wrote everything down. Sir, if possible could we have a pass or..."
"I will accompany you personally to the Minister. I will meet you in the Hall."
"Yes, Sir. I will see you soon."
Percy nodded and the woman's head disappeared. He turned to Fudge.
"I will call Williams. He should be present. Also, I think we should hold this interview in a conference room."
"Good, good."

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Meanwhile at No 12 Grimmauld Place
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The meeting was still going.
"So, any ideas?" asked Dumbledore

The others looked lost for words. Arthur Weasley stood up.
"I'll go back to the Ministry. Maybe I'll find something new. I am just going to start working earlier today. So I think I'll be home at three maybe four. I will call you should I find something new or come here for lunch."
"That's a good idea, Arthur. Anything else? No? Then we should close this meeting for now. Keep your eyes and ears open and report back if you find something. Anything."

Nobody saw the small, flesh coloured string disappearing behind a tapestry.

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Ministry of Magic. Entrance Hall
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Mr Weasley apparated in the Apparationroom, next to the Entrance Hall.
He left through a door marked Entrance Hall. He spotted Percy straightening his tie.

Percy saw his father step out of the Ministry Employee Apparationroom. He didn't look at him and went instead to the small, blond women, who was accompanied by a tall man. Both were wearing expansive looking robes. In the corner of his eye, he saw his father stop.
"Miss Doras, Daily Prophet, I presume?" he asked loud enough for his father to hear.
"Yes. Mr Weasley, right." Percy nodded and shook her hand.
"Sir, let me introduce you to my assistant, Walter Linson. Walter, this is Mr Percival Weasley. First Assistant to Minister Fudge."
"How do you do, Mr Weasley"
"How do you do, Mr Linson" The shook hands. Percy cleared his throat.
"Welcome to the British Ministry of Magic. Minister Fudge expects you. Follow me please to the security belt. This method is generally applied."
Percy leaded them over to the security check. He turned to the security officer.
"Eric, if you would hurry. Minister Fudge is waiting."
"Yes, Sir."
Percy saw is father heading into the Apparation Room again and grinned slightly.

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No 12 Grimmauld Place
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Mr Weasley apparated back into the kitchen.
"Albus," he said to the old wizard, who was talking to Snape, " I have news."
Dumbledore turned around.
"What is it Arthur?" The members who were still there assembled in the kitchen.
"Fudge is informing the public."
"What?" asked Remus. "How do you know?"
"When I entered the Entrance Hall, Percy was there, waiting for someone. I crossed the hall slowly. Then a man and a women entered through the Visitor Apparationroom. Percy greeted her with Miss... I forgot her name, anyway, Miss...,Daily Prophet I presume. Then he said that Fudge was waiting for them. Also, it looks like Percy got promoted."
"What do you mean, Arthur."
"Miss what-ever-her-name is introduced Percy to her assistant with 'this is Percival Weasley. First Assistant to Minister Fudge.'"

"This isn't good. I need to contact Cornelius. Maybe we can stop them from publishing this." He went over to the fireplace and threw some floo powder in. He stuck his head in and said clearly. "Cornelius Fudge's office."
A minute later he pulled his head out again.
"I don't like this. He isn't in his office."

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Conference Room
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"So, any questions?" asked the Minister.
"I can't think of anything else." replied Adelia Doras.
"Good. I want you to publish the article with this information. Nothing more, nothing less."
"What about pictures?"
"Here is one of Mr Potter in his school uniform," answered Percy, " and here one of the house with the Dark Mark. We also want an apology for the lies you spread about Mr Potter last year."
"That's right."
"Yes, Sir. I will do it right away. Now, I think we," she pointed at Walter and herself "are quite finished." They stood up and packed their equipment. "We will write the article right away. It will be published in the morning edition. Thank you for informing us, Minister, Mr Weasley. Have a pleasant night." They shook hands with the Minister.
"I will escort you to the Entrance Hall," said Percy.

Back in the office

"I think that's all for tonight, Cornelius."

"Good. Let's go home then. I will leave a memo with our secretaries, stating that we are on Ministry business and not to be expected before three pm. So have a good nights sleep."

"Thank you, Cornelius. Sleep well, too."
"Thank you. Good night, Percival."
"Good Night, Sir."

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No 12 Grimmauld Place
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"So. Let's face the facts." said Angelina.
She sat on one of the six beds, facing her best friends. The only light in the room came from a few candles placed around the room.
"Harry was kidnapped. By Voldemort."
"We don't know that," said George running a hand through his hair. "They said there was the Dark Mark over the house. Not that Death Eaters were there. It could have been anyone."
"But what speaks against Vol- You-Know-Who." asked Alicia.
"The Dursleys," replied George.
The others looked confused.
"If Death Eaters were there, they would be dead." informed George the others.
"Right. You have a point with that. But who else would kidnap Harry?"
"We don't know that he was kidnapped." pointed Lee out.
"Maybe he left on his own?" suggested Katie.
"I don't know. He would tell us," replied Angelina. "He knows that he can trust us. We would never snitch on him and tell Dumbledore. I would help him for all it's worth."
George nodded, "He would tell me. After...after last year..." George looked down. Alicia, who sat next to George, hugged him. Angelina stared with a faraway look on her face out of the window, before she looked at the others and asked, "Do you..." she swallowed, "Do you think he is still alive?"
"Harry or Fred?" asked Katie.
"Both."
"I don't know. Facing the facts, about both of them... my head says 'no'. But deep inside...Yes. I think they are alive." said Katie.
Lee nodded. "If they were dead... we would know it. Somehow."
George sat suddenly back, a fire in his eyes.
"I don't know about you, but I'm going to search for them. And I don't give a damn about Dumbledore. I am going to look for Fred and Harry. He ruled our lives for too long. I see Harry as my little brother and I am getting my brothers back and if it's the last thing I do."
The others smiled at George's new found will, while he was staring straight at Angelina. He saw a fire appear in her eyes and started to smile.
Angelina moved to the edge of the bed and held her fist out. George met her fist with his and soon after, the three others followed.
"Well then, let's start planning," said Alicia rubbing her hands together. "They'll never know, what hit them."
Katie suddenly sat up.
"What is it?" asked Lee.
"Nothing. I'll be right back. I'm getting a tea." said Katie before apparating in the hallway.
"Why did she do that?" asked Lee.
The others shrugged.
"Apparating is fun." answered George.

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The lone rider was still riding swiftly. In the distance loomed a large, illuminated castle, surrounded by a massive rampart.

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Katie apparated straight in front of Lee with a 'crack'. He jumped a few feet back and put a hand to his chest. "Do you want to kill me?"
Katie blushed a bit as the others snickered. "Sorry. Had to get away quickly. I have news."
The others straightened at that.
"Shoot." said Angelina.
"Well, it looks like Harry's disappearance will be reported in the Daily Prophet. Front cover, if I can put two and two together."
"How do you know?" asked Alicia.
"Mr Weasley saw Percy talking to a women from the Daily Prophet. He was there to escort her to Fudge. Oh and Percy is now First Assistant to the Minister."
"Good." said George. "I bet Dumbledore didn't like that."
"Not at all."
"I think I need to talk to Percy soon." said George. "Without Mum or the others knowing." he added.
"Hmmm. Should we tell Ron and Hermione or let them read for themselves?" asked Angelina.
"Let them read. The others could get suspicious." replied George.
Suddenly, they heard quiet footsteps in the hallway and got quiet.
Then their door opened quietly, before someone slipped in and closed it as quietly again.
The five let out a breath when they saw Ginny.
"Gin? What are you doing here?" asked George quietly. Ginny turned around, her eyes slightly red. "I...I had a nightmare and after I woke up, I wanted a glass of water. I saw Katie apparating away and I heard Dumbledore talking about some Daily Prophet article. Something happened, right?"
George sighed. "Yeah, something did happen...but firstly...are you okay?"
Ginny nodded slightly, "I'll manage it."
"Come here," said George and opened his arms. Ginny sat next to him and he hugged her close.
"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Angelina.
"No...it's alright...but..."
"Hmmm?"
"Can I stay here tonight?"
"Sure." replied Angelina.

"Now, tell me. What happened?"

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The rider reached the ramparts. He rode through the doors and the village behind the wall to then entrance of the great castle. He dismounted the horse, the boy still in his arms. Another cloaked man asked,
"Shall I take care of your horse, my Lord?"
"Please."
The man took the horse by its reins and led it away. The rider carried the boy up the stairs and to set of mahogany doors.

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