Writing On The Wall
(Angelina)
Before he left, Ron stopped by my bedroom with an address on a piece of parchment. I looked at it blankly and then back up at him. He was smiling a little. I smiled back sadly, this was really happening to me, I needed to just accept it. Gently he grabbed my hand and squeezed it.
"You know, if I had to choose anyone for a sister in law it would be you."
"Don't get ahead of yourself here, we don't even know if it's a baby, or if Fred will want it if it is, or if he'll want me." I laughed, Ron could hear my nervousness.
"Don't be so hard on Fred, he loves you. I know he'll love the baby."
"Would you stop saying that, we don't even know if it is a baby." I cried exasperated.
He raised an eyebrow at me.
"I've got to go, send an owl to that Healer right away, she'll get you in somehow. I had Hermione send her one a minute ago explaining the situation and that you would be in contact with her soon." He said.
I felt like hitting him, but nodded and threw the covers off my body. He squeezed my hand again and left.
"Ignatius." I called to the somewhat battered barn owl the Fred and George owned.
He was perched on top of the armoire and looked at me reproachfully.
"Don't argue, why does everything in this house argue? Just come here." I said sternly
He hooted halfheartedly and glided down to stand at the end of the bed. Quickly I grabbed a quill and scribbled a note on the back of the parchment. Secretly I hoped she couldn't fit me in. I hoped that she was like muggle doctors, who weren't available on Sunday.
"Now go." I said smoothing a few of his feathers.
He looked at me and soared out the window.
"What was that?" Fred asked from the doorway.
"Just making that appointment with the Healer." I said smiling hoping he didn't see my sweating hands.
"You didn't have to make it, I'd have done it for you."
"I know."
"Are you feeling better? I'd hate to think that I made you sick with the wine last night." He said sitting next to me.
"A bit. Still queasy."
Grinning he put an arm around me and held me close. I snuggled against him. He was warm and smelled of bath soap and wine and a scent I could only call summer.
"A man couldn't do any better than this." He whispered.
"What do you mean?" I asked laying my hand across his abdomen.
"I've got a house, a family, a good job and you. Especially you." He answered.
"I'm not that great." I laughed.
"Oh but you are. You are the greatest thing ever. I'd never get through a day without you."
I began to panic inside. Everything was so wonderful and I was about to ruin it all.
"Are you taking me to the Healer?" I asked.
"Sorry, George and I have to run by Lee's and pick some things up, but Dad can take you." He answered.
A sudden wave of relief came over me and I sighed heavily. Fred didn't notice only ran his fingers through my hair.
An hour passed and Ignatius returned to find me alone once more in the bed. Fred had gone back downstairs to visit with his family. I could hear them laughing and talking.
"What did she say?" I asked the owl as I detached the letter from his leg.
He hooted and flew back up to sleep atop the armoire again.
The letter was brief, but friendly.
Hello,
Of course we can fit you in, 1:00 would be fine.
See you then,
Healer Moira Mollycoddle
Dragging myself from bed I wandered downstairs to check the time.
"Everything ok?" Fred asked when he saw me.
"Yeah, my appointment is at 1, what time is it?"
"Noon, you have time to get ready and then we best head out." Arthur said giving me a warm smile.
I nodded and went upstairs to put some different clothes on. When I finished and came back down I found Arthur waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs.
"We'll be taking Floo powder, it's not safe to apparate when you are sick."
I looked at him oddly and wondered if he knew more than he was saying. I obeyed and went to the fireplace. A few minutes later we were standing in a waiting room.
"So, I was right." Arthur said grinning at me.
"What? Oh."
"Fred doesn't know does he?"
"No. Don't tell him, I don't even know if I am, just don't tell him." I begged.
"I won't, that's for you to do. I expect that you will inform him as soon as we get back."
"Miss Johnson? Are you ready?" A voice called.
A young nurse was opening a door for me. I went through and followed her back to an examination room. She smiled at me and told me lay back and relax. Her fingers gently prodded my stomach as she spoke soothing words to me.
"I'll go and get the Healer." She said and I heard the door close.
Moments later another woman came in. She wore a long white jacket over her robes.
"I'm Moira Mollycoddle, but just call me Moira."
"Angelina Johnson." I replied sitting up.
"Well then Angelina, what has been bothering you?" She asked.
"There is a chance, I mean, it's possible, that…" I stopped and just stared at my hands.
"You think you're pregnant?" She finished for me.
"Yeah." I answered glumly.
"Was that the father out in the waiting room?" She asked quietly.
I laughed then, "No, no, that's the father's father, he just came with me for moral support."
"Why didn't the prospective father come with you?" She asked, I became a bit uncomfortable.
"He was working. He doesn't know yet." I answered.
"That's fine, I was just wondering. Now, if you will just lay back and lift your shirt one more time for me." She said smiling gently.
I obeyed and raised my shirt to show her my stomach. There was a moment of nothing and then a cold sensation spread across it.
"That's just a gel of Rosemary and Lavender, now I'm going to press the tip of my wand against your stomach, this will allow me to see inside the uterus. Hold very still now."
I held still and waited. A tickling made me giggle a bit, but I held it back.
"Congratulations, you are having a baby." She smiled wiping the gel off my abdomen.
I smiled back and tugged my shirt down. A sinking feeling followed me out of the room and into the waiting room where Arthur sat with his hands in his lap. He looked up at me and grinned madly, I suddenly realized where his boys inherited this trait.
"So?" He asked.
"I am." I answered as we both took some floo powder out of the container by the fireplace in the waiting room.
"That's wonderful. Fred will be so happy, I'm so happy." He cried flinging his arms around while spreading floo powder over the carpet.
"Don't get to excited yet, Fred hasn't been told." I answered and stepped out of his embrace.
When we arrived at The Burrow no one was there. Arthur looked at me curiously and I went to the kitchen.
"Arthur, Hedwig is here." I said finding the large white owl sitting on the table.
A note was in her beak.
Angelina, Dad, Ron, Neville,
Meet us at headquarters.
Fred
"Why?" I asked showing my companion the note.
He shrugged and went back to the living room.
"We had best join them." He said and scooped another handful of floo powder.
(Harry)
I appeared in my bedroom prepared for the emptiness. Our house always seemed empty, had for years. Since I began to take such an active roll in hunting dark wizards there was rarely anyone home. Ginny escorted me sometimes and Lily stayed with Ron so our house felt cold and not quite right. I smiled a bit at the perfectly made bed and the neatness of the entire room. Ginny never left without first cleaning the house top to bottom. Nothing worse than coming home to a dirty house. My smile faded and I began to open the drawers and pull out my clothing.
For some reason my gaze went to the bedroom door. It was slightly ajar, but I could not see into the hall. Frowning I made my way to it and opened it the rest of the way. Down the hall and down the stairs I could see the living room, something was wrong there. Slowly, holding my wand at ready, I stepped down each stair.
The living room and kitchen were in shambles. Nothing was left upright. I was stunned. I had placed at least five different wards on the house against dark magic, intruders and burglars. Only those I specified were able to apparate in, only Ginny, Ron and I had keys, how could someone have managed this.
Shaking a little I placed a table back upright and stepped over the cushions of the sofa. The destruction continued on into Lily's room. Her toys lay scattered about and her bed sheets were torn and rumpled. Shaking my head I turned back to the living room and saw for the first time the writing on the wall. Burned into the paint was a message. Licking my dry lips I drew closer.
"The Healer" Said the burns.
My mind went straight to Ginny. Despite having put her career on hold she was a healer. After having Lily she only went to training part time, but she was still the best healer the school had ever seen. She was a natural they said.
"Ginny." I whispered and put a hand to my head.
A dull ache was beginning to grow there. I tried to tell myself that I didn't care if someone was after her, she didn't want me. She hated me. I tried to just put the place back together and leave, but couldn't. Despite everything, I loved her.
"Hedwig." I called praying nothing amiss had happened to my owl.
A soft hoot greeted me from the spare bedroom. Cautiously I opened the door and found her perched on the side table. Her feathers were a bit ruffled as though she had been manhandled, but she seemed none the worse for wear.
"Can you carry a letter for me?" I asked.
She flew over and landed on my shoulder where she began to nibble at my ear affectionately.
"Okay, that's good." I said and went back out to search for quill and parchment. Both were found in the study and I scribbled a note down to Ginny and the rest of those at The Burrow.
"Go and give this to Fred, he'll make sure she reads it." I said.
She hooted again and took the letter from my fingers. I opened the window for her and she flew off.
Turning back to the writing I looked at it closely. Something tickled the back of my memory. A stray thought hit me.
"The healer knows…" There was a line I couldn't not place.
Frowning I decided to leave the room in a mess. There might be evidence as to who had managed it somewhere and I did not want to upset it until I had help. Returning to the pristine bedroom I finished shoving my belongings in a bag and quickly apparated to the street in front of Grimmauld Place.
(Hermione)
I woke to find my husband placing gentle kisses along my neck. He smiled as I opened my eyes and stopped to look at me.
"Sleep well?" He asked.
"Never better." I replied smiling back at him.
Sighing he lay down beside me and leaned his head on my shoulder.
"I hated this room when I was growing up. The ghoul made noise all night, there was a draft from the window that never closed quite right, it always seemed to small. I hated every bit of it. Until you came. Your night time adventure made it livable."
"And what do you think now that you have had your wife in it?" I asked grinning.
"There is not better room in all of England, well, aside from our bedroom at home." He exclaimed sitting up.
I giggled as his movements shook the bed. A mischievous gleam came to his eyes and suddenly he dove upon me tickling my sides and laughing manically. I shrieked and wriggled, trying to fight him off. At last as tears came to my eyes he stopped.
"I wonder if they heard that downstairs?" I gasped trying to catch my breath.
"Probably, I wonder of they heard you last night." He teased.
"You pretty loud yourself." I retorted.
For a moment his ears turned pink and I smiled triumphantly. He climbed out of bed then and I watched as he searched for clothing around the room, found underclothes and pulled them on. His body wasn't as well-built as it had been in school, but Auror training had kept him fit, I knew every inch of him.
"What are you looking at?" He asked pretending to be annoyed.
"Just you." I answered.
"You've been married to me for quite a while now, I'd have though you had me memorized." He said crawling towards me from the end of the bed.
"I do."
He sprawled atop me, the covers separating us, his head resting on my chest. My fingers began to untangle his thick red hair, which was a mess from last night's amorous activities. For a while there was silence. I ceased to play with his hair and gentle started scratching his back. I laugh silently as he made a noise of approval, but said nothing.
"I'm never getting up you know." He mumbled burying his face in the covers.
"They will worry eventually."
"Let them worry, I'm staying here."
"One of us needs to make an appearance." I chided.
"Not me."
"You are on top and you have the most clothing on." I said leaning up to kiss the top of his head.
He looked up at me and sighed a huge fake sigh.
"Fine, I'll get up, you just lay there and do nothing." He sounded upset, but I knew better.
"I think I will. It's only eight, I'll sleep some more." I said as he stood and once again looked for clothing.
After finally finding a robe to put on he blew me a kiss and left, closing the door behind me. I lay there alone, happily eyeing the walls of the room, which were still bright orange. A thrill went through me still when I remembered the night I had been brave enough to come and take what I wanted. Of course by that time we were dating officially, but I wanted more. There was a war going on and I might never have all the things I desired for my life. So lying in bed that night I had made a decision to take it. Steeling myself I snuck out of my room and climbed the stairs to his.
He had been sleeping soundly when I woke him. I smiled and he looked blearily through his tired eyes.
"What is it? Something wrong?" He asked yawning.
I said nothing just kissed him. Which took him aback.
"Hermione, what are you doing?" He asked now very much awake.
I just smiled and began unbuttoning my shirt. His eyes grew wide and he sat up straight in bed. I pushed him back down.
"Mione, have you gone mad?" He said in an urgent whisper.
"Possibly." I said and smiled again.
He didn't try to stop me. I didn't except him to. From that moment on nothing would be the same and we both knew it. He only paused once, to look me in the eyes. His fingers closed on mine and squeezed them.
"Are you sure about this?" He asked, his eyes begging me to say yes.
"Yes." I answered kissing him.
He woke me very early in the morning to go back to my room. I dressed and kissed him goodbye.
"Thank you." He said pulling me close.
"You're mine now." I answered and hurried back to my room.
From that night on we were sealed. There was a bond between us that could not break. He knew I had given him something precious and I knew he would never take it for granted.
"I've got to go." His voice interrupted my happy thoughts.
I looked up and saw him hurriedly pulling on his clothes.
"Where are you going?" I asked sitting up.
"With Neville. To the shop. I'm running by the market too so you don't have to later." He said shoving his feet into the muggle trainers he loved so much.
"Thanks. That'll help."
"We're leaving the twins here, if we aren't back when you leave, go ahead and take them home with you."
I nodded.
"Also, don't mention this to anyone, but could you write down the name of the Healer you went to when you were pregnant and her address."
"For who?"
He seemed hesitant to tell me, but eventually his face softened and he nodded.
"Angelina."
"She's pregnant? Does Fred know?" I asked excitedly.
"Not yet, just write it down so I can give it to her. Best not to mention it to anyone, she's a bit skittish over the whole thing."
I nodded and scribbled it down on a bit of paper for him with the quill I kept in my robe pocket. He took it gratefully and with a quick kiss on the lips he was gone. Before long I too found myself dressing and making my way down the stairs. I was met with a whistle from George which earned him a smack on the shoulder from Alicia.
"Have something to eat." Arthur said from where he sat reading the paper.
I wasn't hungry and sat across from him instead.
"Where are the children?" I asked looking around.
"In the living room. They should all be awake now. Mia wandered in a minute ago looking for you, but I sent her to play." He answered.
"Ginny and Harry leave already?" I searched the small room with my eyes.
"No. They haven't even come downstairs. Fred said to let them sleep, so I haven't bothered them. But eventually someone will have to wake them."
"In a bit I might go and do it." I offered.
I sat for a while and listened to everyone talking and the children playing in the other room. Glancing out the window I saw it was getting towards noon and went upstairs to put my real clothing on.
"Get ready to leave." I called to my children in the living room as I returned downstairs.
"But Mum?" Persephone whined.
"No, Get ready." I said again.
Meshach took her arm and dragged her back up the stairs with him to get dressed. I smiled, thankful that my son could control at least one of this sisters.
I heard Angelina in the other room, she and Arthur were getting ready to leave for the Healer. A little smile came to my lips as I thought of Fred's face when he found out. I wanted to be there with a camera to capture the moment.
"Leaving already Hermione?" Fred called as if he knew I was thinking of him.
"Will be soon, I have chores to do today." I said.
"Well have fun with that."
"I'll try."
The children clambered down the stairs and stood waiting to go.
"Mummy, carry me." Mia said pulling at my robes.
I lifted her into my arms and wiped a smudge off her nose.
"Are you all ready?"
"Yes." Meshach said.
Lily stood with them ready to go and I frowned.
"Lily dear, you are staying here, your mum and dad will take you home." I said.
She looked disappointed but nodded.
One by one I herded the children into the fireplace with their powder and one by one they were engulfed in the familiar flames. At last I took some myself and still carrying Mia, went home.
Home was not as it should be. I stood very still and looked about in shock. Everything was upset and thrown about. The entire downstairs appeared to have been ravaged. The children were huddled together as close to the fireplace as they could get.
"Mummy?" Persephone said reaching for my free hand.
"Shh." I said and placed my youngest child on the ground.
Reaching for my wand I signaled them all to stay put. The house was silent and I was sure that whoever had done this was gone, but not sure enough to risk the lives of my children. Cautiously I searched all the downstairs rooms and then made my way upstairs. The destruction preceded me into the bedroom's of my children, but didn't make it to my own room. Finding no intruders I hurried back down to the frightened crowd of kids.
I noticed then on the wall above the fireplace words were burnt into the wall paper.
"The Warrior." They said.
I began to panic. My heart was thudding as I prayed Ron was safe. He was the only one who could be called a warrior that lived in our house.
"Mummy? What happened?" Persephone asked.
Mia was beginning to cry as Meshach held her. The twins simply stood there, still as statues.
"I don't know sweetheart, but we are going back to Uncle Fred's until your daddy comes back." I said and once again we traveled in the flames.
The Burrow as in an uproar when we arrived. Something had happened. I shushed the children and left them in the living room while I hurried to the crowd of adults in the kitchen. Fred was saying something about intruders and Harry needing to be more careful while Ginny who was looking very upset just shook her head.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Hermione? Fred said startled.
"What happened?" I repeated.
"My house was broken into, we were trying to decide what to do." Ginny answered patting her daughters head, Lily had wrapped her arms around her mothers leg in a tight grip.
"Our house too." I said anxiously.
"What?" Fred asked with an even more confused look on his face.
"Our house was broken into and wrecked." I said becoming tired of repeating everything.
"Harry wants me to meet him at Grimmauld Place but the twins wanted to come with me." Ginny explained.
"We'll all go." I said with a finality that seemed to calm everyone.
"The children will have to come too." George said looking back at the group behind us.
"We'll go by foot, only way really." I said nodding.
Fred nodded and said he was going to call for a muggle taxi to get us and take us to London. Uneasily we all stood and waited for him to return. I was glad that I had shown him how to use a telephone, there were times when it came in very handy.
Half and hour later, Fred left a note for the others and we all piled into two taxis and left.
(Ron)
The Burrow was empty when we appeared. I looked around for something to tell me where everyone had gone, and found Hedwig sitting on the kitchen table trying to smooth her ruffled feathers. A note was at her feet and she hooted softly when she saw me.
"Where is everyone?" I asked her as I read the note.
"What does it say?" Neville asked coming into the room behind me.
"We've got to go to headquarters." I said setting it on the table again.
"What happened?"
"I don't know, but we had better get going." I said and disapparated.
Neville appeared next to me on the sidewalk in front of headquarters. Seconds later the building emerged and we hurried up the stairs. The door opened before we reached it and Remus Lupin stepped out looking worried.
"Hurry." He said and ushered us into the house.
My wife was waiting in the hall.
"What's going on?" I asked.
She looked at me and took my arm, pulling me up the stairs in into another room, I turned and motioned Neville to follow. Everyone was gathered around a table looking worried. Ginny was chewing her bottom lip while Harry said something about houses being broken into.
"Our house and Harry's house have had intruders."
"WHAT?!" I cried.
"Our house was burgled." She repeated.
"My shop too." Neville said.
Everyone was quiet then and turned to look at him.
"Ron, Neville." Harry said in greeting.
"My shop was broken into. There was writing on the wall." Neville said looking embarrassed.
"What did it say?" Harry asked with a pained expression.
"Watch them, watch them." Neville replied.
Harry quickly jotted something down onto a piece of paper. No one spoke while he made his notes, and seemed to think over them. One hand ran nervously through his already messy hair and I saw it shaking a little.
"That's Harry's house, Ron's house and Neville's shop." Fred said suddenly.
"What about Neville's house?" George asked.
"I haven't been home yet." He answered.
For a long moment silence ruled again.
"Come on Neville." I said and pulled him away.
Harry was coming around the table to us.
"We'll go and look together." I said.
Apparating so much made me feel a bit sick to my stomach but I ignored it as we appeared in the devastation that was Neville's living room. Pictures were torn off the wall and the couch cushions were ripped apart. I caught Neville's shoulder as he stumbled in disbelief.
"Well this proves something, but I'm not sure what." Harry said making his way through the rooms.
Neville to began to look around he saw the writing first.
"The Dreamer." The burns said.
"But…" Neville began and strange look coming to his eyes.
"They got the girls' room too." Harry called from upstairs.
"What is it Neville?" I asked thinking perhaps he saw something I didn't.
"But Luna's dead." He whispered.
Harry thumped down the last stair in time to hear those words. He swallowed hard and insisted that we apparate immediately. I agreed and soon we were all back at Grimmauld Place, more confused and less informed than when we had begun.
(Angelina)
Before he left, Ron stopped by my bedroom with an address on a piece of parchment. I looked at it blankly and then back up at him. He was smiling a little. I smiled back sadly, this was really happening to me, I needed to just accept it. Gently he grabbed my hand and squeezed it.
"You know, if I had to choose anyone for a sister in law it would be you."
"Don't get ahead of yourself here, we don't even know if it's a baby, or if Fred will want it if it is, or if he'll want me." I laughed, Ron could hear my nervousness.
"Don't be so hard on Fred, he loves you. I know he'll love the baby."
"Would you stop saying that, we don't even know if it is a baby." I cried exasperated.
He raised an eyebrow at me.
"I've got to go, send an owl to that Healer right away, she'll get you in somehow. I had Hermione send her one a minute ago explaining the situation and that you would be in contact with her soon." He said.
I felt like hitting him, but nodded and threw the covers off my body. He squeezed my hand again and left.
"Ignatius." I called to the somewhat battered barn owl the Fred and George owned.
He was perched on top of the armoire and looked at me reproachfully.
"Don't argue, why does everything in this house argue? Just come here." I said sternly
He hooted halfheartedly and glided down to stand at the end of the bed. Quickly I grabbed a quill and scribbled a note on the back of the parchment. Secretly I hoped she couldn't fit me in. I hoped that she was like muggle doctors, who weren't available on Sunday.
"Now go." I said smoothing a few of his feathers.
He looked at me and soared out the window.
"What was that?" Fred asked from the doorway.
"Just making that appointment with the Healer." I said smiling hoping he didn't see my sweating hands.
"You didn't have to make it, I'd have done it for you."
"I know."
"Are you feeling better? I'd hate to think that I made you sick with the wine last night." He said sitting next to me.
"A bit. Still queasy."
Grinning he put an arm around me and held me close. I snuggled against him. He was warm and smelled of bath soap and wine and a scent I could only call summer.
"A man couldn't do any better than this." He whispered.
"What do you mean?" I asked laying my hand across his abdomen.
"I've got a house, a family, a good job and you. Especially you." He answered.
"I'm not that great." I laughed.
"Oh but you are. You are the greatest thing ever. I'd never get through a day without you."
I began to panic inside. Everything was so wonderful and I was about to ruin it all.
"Are you taking me to the Healer?" I asked.
"Sorry, George and I have to run by Lee's and pick some things up, but Dad can take you." He answered.
A sudden wave of relief came over me and I sighed heavily. Fred didn't notice only ran his fingers through my hair.
An hour passed and Ignatius returned to find me alone once more in the bed. Fred had gone back downstairs to visit with his family. I could hear them laughing and talking.
"What did she say?" I asked the owl as I detached the letter from his leg.
He hooted and flew back up to sleep atop the armoire again.
The letter was brief, but friendly.
Hello,
Of course we can fit you in, 1:00 would be fine.
See you then,
Healer Moira Mollycoddle
Dragging myself from bed I wandered downstairs to check the time.
"Everything ok?" Fred asked when he saw me.
"Yeah, my appointment is at 1, what time is it?"
"Noon, you have time to get ready and then we best head out." Arthur said giving me a warm smile.
I nodded and went upstairs to put some different clothes on. When I finished and came back down I found Arthur waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs.
"We'll be taking Floo powder, it's not safe to apparate when you are sick."
I looked at him oddly and wondered if he knew more than he was saying. I obeyed and went to the fireplace. A few minutes later we were standing in a waiting room.
"So, I was right." Arthur said grinning at me.
"What? Oh."
"Fred doesn't know does he?"
"No. Don't tell him, I don't even know if I am, just don't tell him." I begged.
"I won't, that's for you to do. I expect that you will inform him as soon as we get back."
"Miss Johnson? Are you ready?" A voice called.
A young nurse was opening a door for me. I went through and followed her back to an examination room. She smiled at me and told me lay back and relax. Her fingers gently prodded my stomach as she spoke soothing words to me.
"I'll go and get the Healer." She said and I heard the door close.
Moments later another woman came in. She wore a long white jacket over her robes.
"I'm Moira Mollycoddle, but just call me Moira."
"Angelina Johnson." I replied sitting up.
"Well then Angelina, what has been bothering you?" She asked.
"There is a chance, I mean, it's possible, that…" I stopped and just stared at my hands.
"You think you're pregnant?" She finished for me.
"Yeah." I answered glumly.
"Was that the father out in the waiting room?" She asked quietly.
I laughed then, "No, no, that's the father's father, he just came with me for moral support."
"Why didn't the prospective father come with you?" She asked, I became a bit uncomfortable.
"He was working. He doesn't know yet." I answered.
"That's fine, I was just wondering. Now, if you will just lay back and lift your shirt one more time for me." She said smiling gently.
I obeyed and raised my shirt to show her my stomach. There was a moment of nothing and then a cold sensation spread across it.
"That's just a gel of Rosemary and Lavender, now I'm going to press the tip of my wand against your stomach, this will allow me to see inside the uterus. Hold very still now."
I held still and waited. A tickling made me giggle a bit, but I held it back.
"Congratulations, you are having a baby." She smiled wiping the gel off my abdomen.
I smiled back and tugged my shirt down. A sinking feeling followed me out of the room and into the waiting room where Arthur sat with his hands in his lap. He looked up at me and grinned madly, I suddenly realized where his boys inherited this trait.
"So?" He asked.
"I am." I answered as we both took some floo powder out of the container by the fireplace in the waiting room.
"That's wonderful. Fred will be so happy, I'm so happy." He cried flinging his arms around while spreading floo powder over the carpet.
"Don't get to excited yet, Fred hasn't been told." I answered and stepped out of his embrace.
When we arrived at The Burrow no one was there. Arthur looked at me curiously and I went to the kitchen.
"Arthur, Hedwig is here." I said finding the large white owl sitting on the table.
A note was in her beak.
Angelina, Dad, Ron, Neville,
Meet us at headquarters.
Fred
"Why?" I asked showing my companion the note.
He shrugged and went back to the living room.
"We had best join them." He said and scooped another handful of floo powder.
(Harry)
I appeared in my bedroom prepared for the emptiness. Our house always seemed empty, had for years. Since I began to take such an active roll in hunting dark wizards there was rarely anyone home. Ginny escorted me sometimes and Lily stayed with Ron so our house felt cold and not quite right. I smiled a bit at the perfectly made bed and the neatness of the entire room. Ginny never left without first cleaning the house top to bottom. Nothing worse than coming home to a dirty house. My smile faded and I began to open the drawers and pull out my clothing.
For some reason my gaze went to the bedroom door. It was slightly ajar, but I could not see into the hall. Frowning I made my way to it and opened it the rest of the way. Down the hall and down the stairs I could see the living room, something was wrong there. Slowly, holding my wand at ready, I stepped down each stair.
The living room and kitchen were in shambles. Nothing was left upright. I was stunned. I had placed at least five different wards on the house against dark magic, intruders and burglars. Only those I specified were able to apparate in, only Ginny, Ron and I had keys, how could someone have managed this.
Shaking a little I placed a table back upright and stepped over the cushions of the sofa. The destruction continued on into Lily's room. Her toys lay scattered about and her bed sheets were torn and rumpled. Shaking my head I turned back to the living room and saw for the first time the writing on the wall. Burned into the paint was a message. Licking my dry lips I drew closer.
"The Healer" Said the burns.
My mind went straight to Ginny. Despite having put her career on hold she was a healer. After having Lily she only went to training part time, but she was still the best healer the school had ever seen. She was a natural they said.
"Ginny." I whispered and put a hand to my head.
A dull ache was beginning to grow there. I tried to tell myself that I didn't care if someone was after her, she didn't want me. She hated me. I tried to just put the place back together and leave, but couldn't. Despite everything, I loved her.
"Hedwig." I called praying nothing amiss had happened to my owl.
A soft hoot greeted me from the spare bedroom. Cautiously I opened the door and found her perched on the side table. Her feathers were a bit ruffled as though she had been manhandled, but she seemed none the worse for wear.
"Can you carry a letter for me?" I asked.
She flew over and landed on my shoulder where she began to nibble at my ear affectionately.
"Okay, that's good." I said and went back out to search for quill and parchment. Both were found in the study and I scribbled a note down to Ginny and the rest of those at The Burrow.
"Go and give this to Fred, he'll make sure she reads it." I said.
She hooted again and took the letter from my fingers. I opened the window for her and she flew off.
Turning back to the writing I looked at it closely. Something tickled the back of my memory. A stray thought hit me.
"The healer knows…" There was a line I couldn't not place.
Frowning I decided to leave the room in a mess. There might be evidence as to who had managed it somewhere and I did not want to upset it until I had help. Returning to the pristine bedroom I finished shoving my belongings in a bag and quickly apparated to the street in front of Grimmauld Place.
(Hermione)
I woke to find my husband placing gentle kisses along my neck. He smiled as I opened my eyes and stopped to look at me.
"Sleep well?" He asked.
"Never better." I replied smiling back at him.
Sighing he lay down beside me and leaned his head on my shoulder.
"I hated this room when I was growing up. The ghoul made noise all night, there was a draft from the window that never closed quite right, it always seemed to small. I hated every bit of it. Until you came. Your night time adventure made it livable."
"And what do you think now that you have had your wife in it?" I asked grinning.
"There is not better room in all of England, well, aside from our bedroom at home." He exclaimed sitting up.
I giggled as his movements shook the bed. A mischievous gleam came to his eyes and suddenly he dove upon me tickling my sides and laughing manically. I shrieked and wriggled, trying to fight him off. At last as tears came to my eyes he stopped.
"I wonder if they heard that downstairs?" I gasped trying to catch my breath.
"Probably, I wonder of they heard you last night." He teased.
"You pretty loud yourself." I retorted.
For a moment his ears turned pink and I smiled triumphantly. He climbed out of bed then and I watched as he searched for clothing around the room, found underclothes and pulled them on. His body wasn't as well-built as it had been in school, but Auror training had kept him fit, I knew every inch of him.
"What are you looking at?" He asked pretending to be annoyed.
"Just you." I answered.
"You've been married to me for quite a while now, I'd have though you had me memorized." He said crawling towards me from the end of the bed.
"I do."
He sprawled atop me, the covers separating us, his head resting on my chest. My fingers began to untangle his thick red hair, which was a mess from last night's amorous activities. For a while there was silence. I ceased to play with his hair and gentle started scratching his back. I laugh silently as he made a noise of approval, but said nothing.
"I'm never getting up you know." He mumbled burying his face in the covers.
"They will worry eventually."
"Let them worry, I'm staying here."
"One of us needs to make an appearance." I chided.
"Not me."
"You are on top and you have the most clothing on." I said leaning up to kiss the top of his head.
He looked up at me and sighed a huge fake sigh.
"Fine, I'll get up, you just lay there and do nothing." He sounded upset, but I knew better.
"I think I will. It's only eight, I'll sleep some more." I said as he stood and once again looked for clothing.
After finally finding a robe to put on he blew me a kiss and left, closing the door behind me. I lay there alone, happily eyeing the walls of the room, which were still bright orange. A thrill went through me still when I remembered the night I had been brave enough to come and take what I wanted. Of course by that time we were dating officially, but I wanted more. There was a war going on and I might never have all the things I desired for my life. So lying in bed that night I had made a decision to take it. Steeling myself I snuck out of my room and climbed the stairs to his.
He had been sleeping soundly when I woke him. I smiled and he looked blearily through his tired eyes.
"What is it? Something wrong?" He asked yawning.
I said nothing just kissed him. Which took him aback.
"Hermione, what are you doing?" He asked now very much awake.
I just smiled and began unbuttoning my shirt. His eyes grew wide and he sat up straight in bed. I pushed him back down.
"Mione, have you gone mad?" He said in an urgent whisper.
"Possibly." I said and smiled again.
He didn't try to stop me. I didn't except him to. From that moment on nothing would be the same and we both knew it. He only paused once, to look me in the eyes. His fingers closed on mine and squeezed them.
"Are you sure about this?" He asked, his eyes begging me to say yes.
"Yes." I answered kissing him.
He woke me very early in the morning to go back to my room. I dressed and kissed him goodbye.
"Thank you." He said pulling me close.
"You're mine now." I answered and hurried back to my room.
From that night on we were sealed. There was a bond between us that could not break. He knew I had given him something precious and I knew he would never take it for granted.
"I've got to go." His voice interrupted my happy thoughts.
I looked up and saw him hurriedly pulling on his clothes.
"Where are you going?" I asked sitting up.
"With Neville. To the shop. I'm running by the market too so you don't have to later." He said shoving his feet into the muggle trainers he loved so much.
"Thanks. That'll help."
"We're leaving the twins here, if we aren't back when you leave, go ahead and take them home with you."
I nodded.
"Also, don't mention this to anyone, but could you write down the name of the Healer you went to when you were pregnant and her address."
"For who?"
He seemed hesitant to tell me, but eventually his face softened and he nodded.
"Angelina."
"She's pregnant? Does Fred know?" I asked excitedly.
"Not yet, just write it down so I can give it to her. Best not to mention it to anyone, she's a bit skittish over the whole thing."
I nodded and scribbled it down on a bit of paper for him with the quill I kept in my robe pocket. He took it gratefully and with a quick kiss on the lips he was gone. Before long I too found myself dressing and making my way down the stairs. I was met with a whistle from George which earned him a smack on the shoulder from Alicia.
"Have something to eat." Arthur said from where he sat reading the paper.
I wasn't hungry and sat across from him instead.
"Where are the children?" I asked looking around.
"In the living room. They should all be awake now. Mia wandered in a minute ago looking for you, but I sent her to play." He answered.
"Ginny and Harry leave already?" I searched the small room with my eyes.
"No. They haven't even come downstairs. Fred said to let them sleep, so I haven't bothered them. But eventually someone will have to wake them."
"In a bit I might go and do it." I offered.
I sat for a while and listened to everyone talking and the children playing in the other room. Glancing out the window I saw it was getting towards noon and went upstairs to put my real clothing on.
"Get ready to leave." I called to my children in the living room as I returned downstairs.
"But Mum?" Persephone whined.
"No, Get ready." I said again.
Meshach took her arm and dragged her back up the stairs with him to get dressed. I smiled, thankful that my son could control at least one of this sisters.
I heard Angelina in the other room, she and Arthur were getting ready to leave for the Healer. A little smile came to my lips as I thought of Fred's face when he found out. I wanted to be there with a camera to capture the moment.
"Leaving already Hermione?" Fred called as if he knew I was thinking of him.
"Will be soon, I have chores to do today." I said.
"Well have fun with that."
"I'll try."
The children clambered down the stairs and stood waiting to go.
"Mummy, carry me." Mia said pulling at my robes.
I lifted her into my arms and wiped a smudge off her nose.
"Are you all ready?"
"Yes." Meshach said.
Lily stood with them ready to go and I frowned.
"Lily dear, you are staying here, your mum and dad will take you home." I said.
She looked disappointed but nodded.
One by one I herded the children into the fireplace with their powder and one by one they were engulfed in the familiar flames. At last I took some myself and still carrying Mia, went home.
Home was not as it should be. I stood very still and looked about in shock. Everything was upset and thrown about. The entire downstairs appeared to have been ravaged. The children were huddled together as close to the fireplace as they could get.
"Mummy?" Persephone said reaching for my free hand.
"Shh." I said and placed my youngest child on the ground.
Reaching for my wand I signaled them all to stay put. The house was silent and I was sure that whoever had done this was gone, but not sure enough to risk the lives of my children. Cautiously I searched all the downstairs rooms and then made my way upstairs. The destruction preceded me into the bedroom's of my children, but didn't make it to my own room. Finding no intruders I hurried back down to the frightened crowd of kids.
I noticed then on the wall above the fireplace words were burnt into the wall paper.
"The Warrior." They said.
I began to panic. My heart was thudding as I prayed Ron was safe. He was the only one who could be called a warrior that lived in our house.
"Mummy? What happened?" Persephone asked.
Mia was beginning to cry as Meshach held her. The twins simply stood there, still as statues.
"I don't know sweetheart, but we are going back to Uncle Fred's until your daddy comes back." I said and once again we traveled in the flames.
The Burrow as in an uproar when we arrived. Something had happened. I shushed the children and left them in the living room while I hurried to the crowd of adults in the kitchen. Fred was saying something about intruders and Harry needing to be more careful while Ginny who was looking very upset just shook her head.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Hermione? Fred said startled.
"What happened?" I repeated.
"My house was broken into, we were trying to decide what to do." Ginny answered patting her daughters head, Lily had wrapped her arms around her mothers leg in a tight grip.
"Our house too." I said anxiously.
"What?" Fred asked with an even more confused look on his face.
"Our house was broken into and wrecked." I said becoming tired of repeating everything.
"Harry wants me to meet him at Grimmauld Place but the twins wanted to come with me." Ginny explained.
"We'll all go." I said with a finality that seemed to calm everyone.
"The children will have to come too." George said looking back at the group behind us.
"We'll go by foot, only way really." I said nodding.
Fred nodded and said he was going to call for a muggle taxi to get us and take us to London. Uneasily we all stood and waited for him to return. I was glad that I had shown him how to use a telephone, there were times when it came in very handy.
Half and hour later, Fred left a note for the others and we all piled into two taxis and left.
(Ron)
The Burrow was empty when we appeared. I looked around for something to tell me where everyone had gone, and found Hedwig sitting on the kitchen table trying to smooth her ruffled feathers. A note was at her feet and she hooted softly when she saw me.
"Where is everyone?" I asked her as I read the note.
"What does it say?" Neville asked coming into the room behind me.
"We've got to go to headquarters." I said setting it on the table again.
"What happened?"
"I don't know, but we had better get going." I said and disapparated.
Neville appeared next to me on the sidewalk in front of headquarters. Seconds later the building emerged and we hurried up the stairs. The door opened before we reached it and Remus Lupin stepped out looking worried.
"Hurry." He said and ushered us into the house.
My wife was waiting in the hall.
"What's going on?" I asked.
She looked at me and took my arm, pulling me up the stairs in into another room, I turned and motioned Neville to follow. Everyone was gathered around a table looking worried. Ginny was chewing her bottom lip while Harry said something about houses being broken into.
"Our house and Harry's house have had intruders."
"WHAT?!" I cried.
"Our house was burgled." She repeated.
"My shop too." Neville said.
Everyone was quiet then and turned to look at him.
"Ron, Neville." Harry said in greeting.
"My shop was broken into. There was writing on the wall." Neville said looking embarrassed.
"What did it say?" Harry asked with a pained expression.
"Watch them, watch them." Neville replied.
Harry quickly jotted something down onto a piece of paper. No one spoke while he made his notes, and seemed to think over them. One hand ran nervously through his already messy hair and I saw it shaking a little.
"That's Harry's house, Ron's house and Neville's shop." Fred said suddenly.
"What about Neville's house?" George asked.
"I haven't been home yet." He answered.
For a long moment silence ruled again.
"Come on Neville." I said and pulled him away.
Harry was coming around the table to us.
"We'll go and look together." I said.
Apparating so much made me feel a bit sick to my stomach but I ignored it as we appeared in the devastation that was Neville's living room. Pictures were torn off the wall and the couch cushions were ripped apart. I caught Neville's shoulder as he stumbled in disbelief.
"Well this proves something, but I'm not sure what." Harry said making his way through the rooms.
Neville to began to look around he saw the writing first.
"The Dreamer." The burns said.
"But…" Neville began and strange look coming to his eyes.
"They got the girls' room too." Harry called from upstairs.
"What is it Neville?" I asked thinking perhaps he saw something I didn't.
"But Luna's dead." He whispered.
Harry thumped down the last stair in time to hear those words. He swallowed hard and insisted that we apparate immediately. I agreed and soon we were all back at Grimmauld Place, more confused and less informed than when we had begun.