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Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
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"So let's go over this again-"
"Mad-eye, we've already gone over it a hundred times," said Tonks. "We already know that we sneak up on the Death Eaters, start cursing them, and when we've captured them and sent them to the Ministry, we-"
"The more times we go over this, the better," growled Moody. "Practice makes perfect, as they say. And keep you voice down," he added. "Do you want us to be found?"
"Sorry," Tonks whispered.
Dumbledore, Moody, Tonks, and Kingsley were in the village of Little Hangleton, and they were in the graveyard. This was the same place where Harry had arrived when he had been searching for Ron. Dumbledore, Tonks, Moody, and Kingsley could see the Riddle House on the hill top in the distance.
Moody went over the rescue plan with the other three once more. When he was done, he suggested that they go over it one more time, just to make sure they had it down, to which Tonks protested.
"Nymphadora-" Moody began.
"Don't call me that!" Tonks whispered furiously.
"Fine, Tonks. We really should go over-"
"No, Alastor," said Kingsley. "We've gone over it enough."
Moody opened his mouth to say something, but Dumbledore spoke up.
"I agree with him, Alastor. We've gone over it enough. What matters now is that we go and rescue Harry and Ron Potter."
"Very well," said Moody. "Let's head up there."
And he, Kingsley, Tonks, and Dumbledore headed quietly through the villiage and quietly up the hill toward the House. There were no lights on with the exception of a light on in one of the rooms on the first floor. Dumbledore pointed toward it, and Moody nodded, and the four split up.
Tonks and Kingsley tip-toed up the steps and onto the porch. Tonks unlocked the door with a whispered Alohomora, and opened it, taking great care not to make a sound; the quietly tip-toed inside. Meanwhile, Dumbledore and moody crept up to the large, lit-up window, and waited quietly under it for the signal to start the attack.
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"What was that?"
Ron, who had been sleeping very lightly on the stone bed, woke with a snap.
"What was what?" he asked with his eyes still closed.
"I though I heard something."
Ron sat up, looked down on the ground, and found that Harry was also sitting up. He was sitting still, tense, and alert.
"What did you hear?"
"Keep your voice down," Harry whispered.
"What did you hear?" Ron repeated in a whisper.
Harry motioned for Ron to keep absolutely still, which Ron did.
Not a sound.
"Dad, what was it you heard?" Ron whispered again after a few tense minutes.
Harry was silent for a minute more, and then he shook his head, and whispered, "Nothing. I thought I heard a twig snap, it was nothing. Go back to sleep."
So Ron lay back down and put his hands behind his head and fell back asleep. Harry lay awake for a minute more, listening for any sound, but heard none, and deciding he must have just been hearing things, he layed back down and fell asleep within seconds.
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Outside, in the darkness, Moody and Dumbledore were waiting by the window. Dumbledore was very anxious. He had just peered in through the window. The Death Eaters all had their back to the window, luckily. They were facing the fireplace, which was in the wall adjacent to the door which Tonks and Kingsley were behind.
SNAP.
Dumbledore started and whipped around, his heart beating furiously, looking for the source of the noise. His eyes fell upon Mad-eye Moody.
"Sorry, Dumbledore," whispered Moody in a low growl. "Damn twigs laying about. I accidentally stepped on one." Moody jerked his head toward the lit up window. "I just hope they didn't hear it."
"They didn't."
"Good." Breathing a sigh of relief, Moody looked up at the night sky, which was moon less, but dotted with stars. Suddenly, a shower of dark blue sparks, barely visible because of the night sky, appeared. "There's the signal, Dumbledore," said Moody.
Dumbledore tightened his grip on his wand, and Moody did the same. They both shared a last look, a last nod. They both raised their wands and pointed them at the windows.
REDUCTO!" They both shouted at the same time. The windows smashed, and Dumbledore and Moody climbed inside as they fired curses at the Death Eaters.
Through the battle, Dumbledore saw Tonks and Kingsley enter the room, and took the Death Eaters even more by surprise as they began firing curses at them.
"LUCIUS!" yelled Rodolphus. He had to yell because of all the noise of people yelling out the curses. "GO DOWN TO THE HOSTAGES AND TAKE CARE OF THEM!"
Lucius, who was on the other side of the room, nodded as he threw a curse at Dumbledore (it missed him), and grinned most evilly as he headed toward the door. But he found his way blocked.
"Move, Tonks," he said menacingly, raising his wand.
But Tonks didn't move.
"No. I will not let you kill Harry and Ron."
STUPEFY!"
Tonks fell to the floor, and smirking, Lucius stepped over her and into the hall, unnoticed by Dumbledore, Kingsley, or Moody, who were still battling the other three Death Eaters furiously.
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"Dad!" Ron was shaking Harry awake. "Dad! Wake up!"
Harry's eyes opened with a snap. "Wh- what?"
Ron held a finger to his lips. "Shh... Listen!"
Harry fell silent, and as soon as he had done so, he could hear a lot of noise, and it seemed to be coming above him. He could hear people yelling, could hear many crashes, with an occasional loud bang.
Harry sat up and looked at Ron. Ron looked back.
"Dad? What do you think it is?"
Harry held up a finger, signaling Ron to be silent. "Just a sec."
Harry strained his ears, hoping to make out any distinct voices.
STUPEFY!" Yelled a female voice above. Harry recognised it instantly as belonging to Bellatrix.
PROTEGO!" Harry heard another voice yell. This voice sounded strangely familiar...
"Dumbledore!" said Harry.
"What?" said Ron.
"Dumbledore!" said Harry again, looking delighted. "He's come here to rescue us!"
Ron jumped into the air and shouted with joy.
"I KNEW he'd come!" Ron started to laugh he was so happy and relieved. Harry watched him with amusement.
But their enjoyment didn't last long.
"Well, well. It looks as though you two are having fun."
Ron stopped laughing instantly, and he and Harry looked toward the cell bars.
"Lucius Malfoy," said Harry.
"Your powers of observation astound me, Potter," said Lucius.
"What do you want?"
"To kill you," said Lucius, opening the cell door and entering.
"And why do you want to kill me?" Harry spoke calmly, but Ron heard a note of fear in his father's voice.
"That's an interesting question. I suppose it has mainly to do with your foolish friends who have come to rescue you. They're here right now."
"I know they are!" Harry spat.
"Well, that is why, as I'm sure you'll understand, I have to kill you," said Lucius.
"You're just doing this to save your own skin, aren't you?"
"Very good Potter, yes. Now, any last words?"
"Do not lay a finger on my son once you've killed me!"
Lucius grinned evilly. "Very well." He raised his wand and pointed it at Harry. AVADA KEDAV-"
"NO!" Ron, who had been watching the exchange in growing fear, leapt in front of Harry. "I WILL NOT LET YOU KILL HIM!"
"Ron!" said Harry.
"Move, Potter!"
"No!" said Ron in a low voice, full of determination.
"Move, Potter, or I will make you."
"Ron, just move out of the way!" Harry said.
But Ron remained steadfast. "Then make me," he said in a voice barely above a whisper.
Lucius drew back his fist, and with amazing force, punched Ron in the face. Ron yelled, and fell to the floor. Harry bent down to see if his son was all right, but Lucius forced Harry to stand back up at wand point.
"Good bye, Harry Potter." Lucius raised his wand. AVADA-"
STUPEFY!"
Lucius Malfoy dropped to the floor, and Harry was left staring at the place where Lucius had been standing moments before. He was looking at Dumbledor, Tonks, Moody, and Kingsley.
Dumbledore pointed his wand at Lucius, muttered something, and Lucius disappeared.
"I have sent him to the Ministry of Magic, along with the others," said Dumbledore, seeing the questioning look on Harry's face.
Meanwhile, Tonks was helping Ron to his feet.
"Ooh, Albus, he's got a black eye."
"It's fine," said Ron. "I'll be fine. It'll go away eventually."
"He's right," said Dumbledore.
"Very well. Are you two ready to go?" said Moody to Ron and Harry.
"Sure, just a minute," said Harry. He walked over to his son and embraced him in a tight, bone-cracking hug. "Let's go home."
Ron nodded.
Dumbledore pointed his wand at a rock on the floor and muttered, Portus." The rock glowed blue, trembled for a moments, then became stationary once more. He picked it up.
"We have about a minute before this transports us to 12 Grimmauld Place," said Dumbledore, once everyone had laid a finger on it.
Harry nodded. "Looking forward to seeing you mother and sisters?" he said to Ron.
Ron nodded enthusiastically.
"And Kelsey?" Dumbledore added.
"How did you know?" Ron said.
"I have my sources."
"Oh. But yes, I am quite looking forward to seeing her."
"Excellent," said Dumbledore. There was a short pause. "Five seconds to go...four...three...two...one..."
As soon as Dumbledore said "one", everyone disappeared, and headed toward 12 Grimmauld Place in a whirlwind of color and sound, stopping only when they reached the basement kitchen.
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