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Chapter 7:
Several hours after the babies were born, everyone finally managed to pile out of both Fleur and Evelyn's rooms. It was about eleven O'clock at night, and Harry was resting in the waiting room. Beside him, Ginny, who was leaning on his shoulder, flipped idly through an article of "Teen Witch Weekly." Hermione sat next to her, engaged in a conversation with Tabby, Lenore, and Asher. Ron pointedly had sat on the opposite side of the room, and was looking through a Quidditch bracket. Bill and Remus were outside the room, most likely looking through the Nursery windows, and Charlie and Tonks had left together to get a bite to eat at the Muggle McDonalds, offering to bring everyone's orders back. Harry wondered vaguely why they had Muggle money, but pushed the thought to the side. Calli was engaged in a conversation with Fleur's parents in fluent French, and the little girl Harry had taken from the lake his fourth year was fast asleep on the floor. He sighed in boredom; the room was very quiet and almost uneasy.
"You okay?" murmured Ginny, smiling as she looked up into Harry's eyes. He nodded quietly.
"Just a bit… frustrated, you know?" he asked softly.
"About what?" she replied, confused.
Harry frowned, deep in thought. What was he mad about? And suddenly it all seemed to explode. He was of age now, but they still treated him as they had when he was eleven. Did they not think he could be trusted with secrets or something? And this whole spat with Ron and Hermione- it was ridiculous. He never had the chance to answer Ginny, because at that moment Charlie and Tonks burst through the door laden with large bags full of food.
"Oooh, food!" exclaimed Lenore, jumping up immediately to fish out her cheeseburger. Harry stood as well and was handed his Chicken Nuggets and large fries. He savored the taste of his first fry- he hadn't had a McDonald's French fry in years.
"Mmm!" exclaimed Ginny as she plopped the first one into her mouth. "This Muggle food is so good!"
"It's like putting poison into your body, though," said Hermione disapprovingly. "It's so bad for you and fattening…"
"Who cares?" asked Tabby, taking a large bite of her hamburger. Hermione frowned and turned back to what she was reading.
"Are you sure you didn't want anything, 'Mione?" called Tonks after everyone had taken their respective meal. "We got you some fries just in case-" Hermione looked over at Tonks.
"Well… I suppose, since you bought it and all…" she said, giving in. Tabby smirked across the room.
"What's with Tabby and Hermione?" asked Harry curiously to Ginny in a soft whisper. She turned around and rolled her eyes.
"Are you clueless?" she asked, eyebrows raised. Harry shrugged.
"I have no idea- I mean, they're always- competing or something! It's so weird- I don't remember any fight or anything like that, but—" Harry was quieted by Ginny softly placing a finger on his lips.
"Listen," she whispered. "Tabby and Hermione, ever from the start- have felt… err, threatened by each other, so to speak. "Hermione and Lenore were becoming good friends and were in the same house when Tabby showed up. Naturally, Tabby was afraid of losing her best friend and not being liked, etc. And Hermione- well, right away Hermione picked up, as everyone else did, I'm sure, on Tabby's strange intelligence. Tabby knew everything Hermione did- she was very smart, but she hid it from people, unlike Hermione. So Hermione was threatened of losing her position, especially since Tabby wasn't afraid to say anything to anyone, you know? And Tabby ended up getting Head Girl, too-"
"Tabby?" asked Harry incredulously.
Ginny nodded earnestly. "She had the best grades in her old school, too. But Dumbledore wasn't informed of Tabby going back to America, so I'm sure Hermione will end up being Head Girl anyway…" Harry nodded.
"I see what you mean," he said slowly. "But it's so stupid! Girls, honestly-" Ginny loudly cleared her throat. "Except you," laughed Harry, picking her up and sitting her on his lap. It felt so perfect, like this was how it always should be. The moment, however, was ruined, because none other than Perkins suddenly ran through the door.
"Something wrong?" asked Mr. Weasley, standing up quickly.
"Yes-" gasped Perkins. "Why did you all leave the pyramid- we've wasted at least an hour, but—"
"What is it?" asked Mrs. Weasley in a worried voice, standing up next to her husband.
"St. Mungo's," whispered Perkins, turning pale.
"It isn't under attack?" asked Calli, horrorstricken.
"Not directly," whispered Perkins. "But we all need to get out, as soon as possible…"
"What is it?" asked Charlie. Harry noticed his hand brushing Tonks'.
"Well," said Perkins slowly, "We're not completely sure, but-" he trailed off.
"What?" pushed Tonks.
"We've just found out that Celestina Warbeck supports You-Know-Who….We have Oliver with Puddlemere united right now, and he's just reported that the team captain mentioned something, and all the money they've been getting hasn't been going to them exactly, if you get my drift…" Harry and Ginny exchanged very confused glances.
"What's that got to do with anything?" asked Hermione, frowning.
Ron spoke up. "Actually, Celestina Warbeck is the biggest benefactress of St. Mungo's, and she sings at all the Puddlemere United games…" Hermione tutted, muttering something about Quidditch.
"But just because she sponsors St. Mungo's doesn't mean that…" began Mr. Weasley, but then his eyes widened. "You mean to say that the head of St. Mungo's, Kaliwen, is under the Imperius?" Perkins nodded gravely.
Mr. Weasley swore under his breath. "They'll veto me if I try to get him fired… but you're right, then. We need to get out of here." He turned to his wife.
"Will you get Bill and Fleur, dear? Bill can grab the babies… And Calista, would you fetch Remus and Evelyn? I'm going to go straight to the Ministry and look into the records…" He suddenly cursed again.
"What is it, Arthur?" asked Mrs. Weasley, alarmed.
"How long do you think this has been going on…? The Longbottoms…" he trailed off. "And that's explain Bode…"
"And Lockhart," added Mrs. Weasley. Everyone frowned at her statement. MR. Weasley turned to Charlie and Tonks.
"Charlie, would you please go through the Order's files and collect a list of all of the members who work here? And then do the same with the Death Eater files… Tonks, please go to the Ministry and get the Aurors to warrant an investigation on Miss Warbeck and Kaliwen. Perkins, would you please take the kids back to Grimmauld Place?" The man nodded.
"Wait- do my parents know I'm not in the Pyramid anymore?" asked Asher.
"Me too," added Hermione.
"No, no…" said Mr. Weasley. "Mr. Perkins can notify them when he goes back to the Pyramid. Now, everyone go. And will you, Harry, please ask someone at Headquarters to get a team of six or seven to go straight to St. Mungo's and evacuate the Longbottoms, as soon as possible?" Harry was puzzled.
"But where would we put them?" he asked.
"Harry, just please do what I say- I haven't time to explain…"
"Okay," said Harry quickly. "But will you explain later?"
"Yes, yes, everything will be explained," said Mr. Weasley, suddenly disapparating.
"Bye," said Tonks, quickly sweeping back her pink hair. She then disapparated.
"Okay, children," said Mr. Perkins, making his way over to Harry, Ron, Hermione, Asher, Tabby, and Lenore. "Let's use a Portkey…" Harry did not fancy being called a child; he was of age!
"We can all Apparate, you know…" he said loudly.
"I know, but you can't Apparate to Headquarters! Haven't you ever been there before?"
"Oh," said Harry in a hollow voice. He had forgotten. But it was his house now! Of course he'd been there! Perkins began searching through his "collar" until he found a large sapphire button.
"All right; everyone touch the button," he stated loudly. Harry leaned in and put a finger on it. A moment later, he found himself in the front entrance hall of Grimmauld Place. Harry had actually landed on his feet this time! He held out a hand to help Hermione and Ginny off of the floor.
"Thanks," said Hermione indifferently, brushing herself off. "Well, I'm going to go see if our room is still open," she said to Ginny.
"All right," said Ginny. "See you in a bit." Then Hermione thundered up the stairs.
"Harry, let's go up to our room as well. D'you think we're staying here or going back to the burrow?" he asked.
"Well, I suppose it depends on whether our stuff is up there or not," said Harry thoughtfully. He hoped that they would be going back to the Burrow.
Harry and Ron then started up the stairs.
"Harry!" called Lenore suddenly.
"Yeah?" he asked, turning around.
"Where should Asher, Tabby, and I all stay?"
Harry thought about what rooms were empty. "I suppose Asher can stay in the room Charlie stayed in at Christmas… the third floor, second on the left… and Lenore, you and Tabby can stay next door to 'Mione and Ginny."
"Okay, thanks," said Lenore, grinning. As Harry began to walk up the stairs though, a voice came through his head.
Harry?
Yeah, Lenore? He asked tiredly.
What's the deal with Hermione and Ron?
I haven't exactly found out yet. Why?
Because Asher likes Hermione. A LOT.
He does? asked Harry, puzzled.
Yes. He does. And Asher is… well, let us say that he is… a relationship-ruiner sometimes. Harry's heart sank. He couldn't allow his best friends to be torn apart over one argument! And he could definitely not let Hermione get hurt, because Hermione was his friend. He'd have to warn her about it, that was all.
I'll try to talk to her, concluded Harry.
All right. But hurry! said Lenore. No sooner had Harry stopped talking to Lenore then had someone came meandering into them.
"Ouch!" yelled Ron in the dark. "Watch where you're bloody going, Harry—"
"It isn't me," said Harry alarmed. He pulled out his wand, happy that he could do magic without being caught. "Lumos." A beam of light illuminated the stairwell. A woman stood in front of them, with flat curls and a bright neon-pink robe. In her hands was a large, half-empty bottle of Firewhisky.
"'Arry Potter!" she slurred, taking out a writing pad and a quill. "How is it now that you're of age? Any regrets? Are you going back to school? Joining the Muggle world?" Harry and Ron exchanged unbelieving looks.
"You're still here?" asked Ron, amazed.
"Well… it was either here or Azkaban, boys." She laughed loudly. "Even though Azkaban is probably easier to escape and all…" She giggled. "If only I could write a letter to dear Florence! But she's a Death Eater now, so…." Rita belched loudly.
"Florence who?" asked Harry hurriedly. "A Death Eater?"
"Florence Hitchock," said Rita, hiccoughing. "Sirius's girlfriend… A spy." She giggled once more. "Stupid Bertha," she added, shaking her head slowly.
"Well, we'll, er… be seeing you," said Ron tentatively to Rita. Then he and Harry thundered up the stairs.
"Cheerio!" called Rita happily.
When Ron and Harry reached their room, both beds were the same as they had been left; covers thrown messily over sheets and pillow tossed into the middle of the blanket. Harry noticed that all of his stuff had arrived, including Hedwig, who was sitting in the windowsill.
"Hey Hedwig," he called. She hooted and flew over to Harry, landing on his shoulder. Harry turned to Ron, who was looking disdainfully at his own trunk.
"So what d'you reckon?" asked Harry quietly.
"About what?" asked Ron. "That Skeeter woman?" Harry nodded. "Dunno… seems pretty wasted to me."
"But what she was saying… it sounded really familiar. That name, Florence." Ron frowned.
"Not to me."
"And a spy? DO you really think Sirius dated a spy?" Ron shrugged once more.
"I really don't know. Skeeter seemed very drunk, you know? I mean, it isn't like Sirius would say 'Oh, look! A spy! Let me ask her out!' It just doesn't make sense."
Harry nodded. "I suppose I see what you mean." It was silent for a moment as Harry fed Hedwig. Then he took a deep breath. "Ron?"
"What?" asked Ron idly, looking up at Harry.
"Why did you just say all that to Hermione? You know as well as I that she has no feelings for Krum." Ron began reddening, as if he was about to explode. "And," continued Harry hurriedly, "she's really hurt and upset. And Asher fancies her."
"What?" asked Ron sharply. "I knew you'd side with her! She's fancied Krum since we were fourteen! She's probably been cheating on me all year… and I don't care if Asher fancies her! He can have her, for all I care!"
"You know that isn't true," said Harry, rolling his eyes. "You like her just as much as she likes you. You're just stubborn and jealous! You'll actually be lucky if she does take you back, if you begged on your hands and knees…"
"I am NOT having this conversation!" thundered Ron, storming from the room. Harry sighed. His friends were impossible! They were best friends and worst enemies. Why was Ron so stubborn? Now he, Harry, would be in the middle all year. And what was that Rita had been talking about. He knew he had heard about this Florence person before, but he couldn't pinpoint where. It hadn't been very recently; he knew that for sure. And Sirius- he wouldn't go out with a spy, would he? But what if Florence was a spy for Dumbledore, not Voldemort? But if she was a Death Eater…
Suddenly he remembered his Hogwarts letter in his pocket. He opened the seal and the envelope, unfolding the letter, which seemed thicker this year. Something suddenly fell out. Harry bent down to pick it up, and he froze. A Headboy badge! He hadn't really expected to be Headboy… he definitely didn't have the highest grades or anything. And he wasn't even a Prefect in his fifth or sixth year. But his parents had been the Head Boy and Head girl, and Harry knew that his dad hadn't been a Prefect, either. Harry grinned, unfolding the letter. There was a page about becoming a Headboy and the duties and responsibilities.
Dear Mr. Potter,
As you should be aware, you have become the Headboy of the school for the school year of 1997-1998. Being Head Boy comes with many duties and responsibilities, all of which we are sure you are prepared for. Now, you have a special circumstance, being a potential Order member and running the DA. However, you will still be required to complete your duties. You have the permission to take points and give detentions for misbehavior. Harry, you will also need to set a very good example. Any rule breaking you are caught at could require you to give up your badge. You need to maintain an 'E' average, and you cannot receive below an A in any class. We are well aware of your workload this year, but are confident that you can handle it. As Headboy, you do have permission to patrol the corridors at night and you will be expected to help protect your fello classmates in case of an emergency, which shouldn't be a problem for you anyway. Thank you, and good luck.
Sincerely,
Professor Minerva McGonagall
Harry grinned, contemplating the letter. Head Boy! This was amazing! And he would have an excuse for patrolling the corridors… and he was joining the Order! Suddenly, however, he heard a scream.
"Ahhhhhhh!" Harry was pretty sure it was Lenore. He hurried out of the room to see what all the fuss was about.
"Draco!" shrieked Lenore. Down the hallway stood Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini, holding the leash of Mango the dragon. Draco had a panicked look on his face.
"One of the babies is gone. Kidnapped."
A/N: Cliffie! Lol. Okay, sorry it took so long! I have been studying major for Final Exams. My last ones are Wednesday, so I should be able to update a LOT more often then! So, that's basically it. Remember to Review!!!! If I get a lot of reviews, I will update Wednesday or earlier! :-D Bye,
Jinglez
P.S- I am updating Misread Destiny this week, for anyone who cares!