Chapter Three: Reactionaries

By dawn, Potter Manor was in an uproar. The hurried arrival of Fred andGeorge and their families, complete with children, pets, and hurriedly packed bags, awakened Molly and Arthur, who came downstairs to find nearly all their children there, with Ron and Charlie preparing to apparate with Amelia to fetch her parents.

Harry had felt awkward at his sister in law's show of emotional relief when Charlie had asked her if she wanted to bring her parents to the safety of Potter Manor. The tension that had been obvious in her for days came flooding out, and she had run down the stairs and thrown herself tearfully into Harry's rather surprised arms. Harry, not really knowing what to do, patted her awkwardly on her back and pulled away as soon as he could without appearing rude.

Knowing that Amelia wasn't exactly proficient at duelling, Ron had volunteered to accompany them to her parents home in Cornwall, just in case. In their absence, Molly began the preparations for a large family breakfast. Harry smiled at this. Some things never changed, and topping that list was Molly in the kitchen in times of stress.

Leaving Molly and Ginny to figure out who would stay in which rooms, he led the twins, Bill and Arthur into his study.

"What in bloody blue blazes is going on, Harry?" Fred asked. "Ron shows up and damned near scares ten years off my life leaning over me to wake me up. Alicia nearly stunned him before we got a light on..."

"Fred," Harry said. "There were some attacks in the night."

Fred and George glanced at each other.

"Who?" Fred asked stiffly. "Lee?"

"No one we know, but all mixed blood families," Harry sighed, flopping down heavily in his favorite chair. "Alicia and Angelina both come from mixed heritage. I had to get you here, where it's safe, until we figure out what is going on."

"Thank you, Harry," Fred nodded. "How bad was it?"

"Bad. Kingsley was here right after... at around three. He says..." Harry swallowed. "He says that they're making... examples of halfblood children."

"Dear God," George muttered. "They're targeting kids?"

"Yes," Harry confirmed. "Intimidation tactics."

"And the git expects that to work?"

"Hell, Fred," Harry said, "I expect it to work, if it gets out. I've put a silencer on the press, but I don't know how long..."

"What do we need to do?" Arthur asked.

"Bill, I want you to work with the twins on security today," Harry said. "If it can be booby-trapped, reinforced, strengthened... I want it done."

"Harry..."

"Bill, I can't concentrate on what needs to be done if I'm worried about my family, about Ginny, or Hermione, or your wives or the kids. Their safety comes first. Until that is done, nothing else can happen."

Bill sighed, "Understood. Just understand me when I say that I have no intention of hiding behind the wards. When it's time to face that little pissant, I'll be standing right there."

"But Janie, and your kids, and my kids, and Amelia, and Molly... they'll be safe. Janie and Amelia, even Molly, can't duel like Ginny and Hermione can. I won't risk any of their lives, or the kids' safety."

Bill nodded.

"Whatever you need, get it. I don't care what it is. And I want a safe room, the best you can come up with."

Fred and George looked positively eager. Harry could almost see their minds working together.

"Harry?"

"Arthur, you and I are going into the Ministry."

Arthur's eyebrows rose.

"I'm calling a department head meeting. We're going to change some laws today."

"Which ones?" Arthur asked quietly.

"The ones that allow Death Eaters out of Azkaban. And a few to do with targeting children as victims. And perhaps even the High Treason law, if we can manage to get it fit in."

Arthur nodded, resigned to the fact that Harry really was going to do this. Or at least try. In a way, it was a good thing. Arthur was concerned though, that the motivation behind it wasn't so much about justice as it was about lack of hope for what the future held for them.

He sighed again, heading with the others to the dining room for breakfast.

David and Anna Jennings arrived at Potter Manor, accompanied by the three Weasleys during breakfast. David, a wizard, shook hands and nodded briefly. He was in his sixties, and looked very tired.

Amelia's mother, Anna, on the other hand, looked downright terrified.

"Harry, these are my parents," Amelia said, moving towards Harry. "David and Anna Jennings, my brother in law, Harry Potter."

"Mr Jennings, Mrs Jenning," Harry nodded his greeting.

"I don't understand why we had to leave our home, Mr Potter?" Anna asked.

Harry looked at her husband. David Jennings had an almost pleading look in his eyes.

"It's just to make Amelia more comfortable, Mrs Jennings. There have been some attacks, and until we get it sorted out, it's important that we keep our families safe."

"But why am I more safe here?"

"Harry's the Minister of Magic, Mum," Amelia explained. "His home is very safe."

Molly bustled in, helping Amelia find her mother a chair and placing a plate before her.

"Thank you, Minister," David Jennings said. "She... she doesn't always understand. I've tried to explain,. But... she thinks we can just call the muggle police..."

"Mr Jennings, it's fine," Harry said with a smile. "We're all family here. She'll be safe, and Molly and Amelia will keep her busy. And please, don't call me Minister. My name is Harry."

He nodded, "Thank you, Harry. I admit I was becoming a bit concerned before Amelia and Charlie showed up. What we've been reading in the news..."

"Well, you're certainly safe here."

"I feel like I ought to be doing something. You will tell me if there is any way I can help?"

"Of course," Harry said. "What do you do?"

"I'm a security consultant for Gringotts," he said. "I normally travel a lot..."

Harry couldn't help the smile that began on his face. "David, I do believe we'll be able to keep you busy."

"Gin?"

"In here, Harry," she called from the nursery.

"You okay?" He asked, coming to the door and watching as she folded baby clothes into drawers.

"Of course, Harry," she smiled wanly. "Why?"

"Well... I just thought you were supposed to be working on the next round of invitations for muggle students?"

"I... yes."

"All done?" He asked, slightly surprised. Ginny worked fast, but the packet of applications had only arrived that morning, and it was only noon.

"No. I haven't even begun," she sighed.

Harry, now concerned, straightened from where he was leaning on the door jamb and came into the room.

"What's wrong?" he asked, pulling her into his arms.

"I don't know," she sighed. "I just..."

"Too many people in the house?"

"No! Oh, no, Harry. Not that. Janie and Amelia have been great, organizing the playroom for the little ones, and Angelina has opened the old schoolroom for her and Alicia to work with the older ones... I just..."

"You're not worried about the girls?"

"Always," she smiled. "But... it's not that."

"Then what is it?"

"I just don't feel up to anything today."

"You're tired," he held her, rubbing his cheek on her strawberry scented hair. "You've been up since three. You should go have a nap."

"No."

"Yes. Your mum and Anna have the house under control. Amelia and Janie are with the kids. You need to rest."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm on my way into the Ministry with your dad and Bill. David and the twins are working on the house security, so we're going in to see if we can't make some changes. I want to send a very clear message to the bastards who were out last night. By tonight."

"And how are you going to do that?" she asked.

"I'm inviting Rita Skeeter by the office this afternoon."

"Harry!" Ginny pulled back. "You're not!"

"Oh, yes, I am," he smiled at her reaction. Rita Skeeter was nobody's favorite, with good reason, but she could prove useful at times. "Hermione and Ron are coming along as well. They'll keep her in line."

Ginny sighed, laying her head against his chest. She could hear the strong beat of his heart.

"I love you," she said simply. "Whatever you decide, I'm behind you."

He smiled, his lips against her hair. "Keep that up, Mrs Potter, and I may not go into the Ministry today at all."

Ginny smiled, but it was a tired smile. Harry led her back to their room where he pulled back the covers of their bed and slipped her tshirt off over her head.

Letting him remove the rest of her clothes, Ginny laid down and felt the duvet being tucked around her.

"Sleep, love. I won't be late."

Before he got to the door, she was asleep.

Bill, Arthur and Harry flooed to the Ministry twenty minutes later. They were quickly followed by Ron and Hermione. The five walked through the main marble-lined hall of the Ministry building quickly, making their way to Harry's office. Harry stopped at the desk of the secretary outside.

"Ramona, I want the department heads, all of them, in meeting room one in twenty minutes."

"Yes, Minister."

"And tell them I don't care if they're booked to meet with King William, I want them there. If they can't be, I'm sure that I'll be able to find someone to take their place. Permanently."

"Yes, Minister!" Ramona's dark eyes were round with surprise. Harry had never been anything but fun loving and jovial with her in past.

"Twenty minutes isn't a whole lot of time, Harry," Bill warned. "Some honestly may not be able to make it on such short notice."

Harry turned his cool green gaze onto his brother in law and Deputy Minister.

"How much time did the attacks last night take, Bill? Perhaps we should tell the survivors that their elected officials don't feel it was very long. I'm sure, to those being attacked, it felt like the longest twenty minutes of their lives."

Bill sighed.

"I can't afford to be lenient and laid back right now, Bill," Harry continued in a gentler tone. "I wish I could, but I can't. Every one of the department heads was made aware of the attacks. Any that feel that something has priority over that... I have no time for."

"Just..."

"Any that have priorities before that, Bill. I'm not about to punish anyone who is working on the problem."

Bill nodded. Ron and Hermione glanced at each other as Ramona entered the office after a quiet knock.

"The department heads are waiting for you, Minister."

"Thank you, Ramona."

"However..." she began, looking a bit nervous.

"Yes?"

"Nicholas Kilborn has requested you excuse his absence. He's on vacation this week."

"And did you explain the circumstances?" Harry asked.

"I told him you were most insistent, Minister. I also asked if he had been made aware of the situation in England as of early this morning, and he confirmed that he got the notice. He said he'd talk to his wife... but... they're in Majorca on holiday..."

"Yes, of course," Harry smiled. Ron shuddered. He knew that smile.

"Ramona," Harry continued as though nothing was wrong. "Can you contact Rita Skeeter at the Prophet offices and tell her that I'd like to speak to her? Say four o'clock this afternoon, here? Ask her nicely and tell her I'm sorry for the short notice."

Ramona nodded, relief apparent on her face that Harry wasn't going to blow up over the absence of the Head of Muggle Relations.

"And, Ramona... one minute...." Harry turned to his father in law. "Arthur, who is second in command under Nicholas Kilborn?"

"Marilyn Prewitt," Arthur answered.

"Ah," Harry smiled. "Relative of Molly's?"

"Distant cousin, by marriage, I believe."

Harry nodded. "Ramona, contact Marilyn Prewitt and tell her her presence is required."

"Yes, Minister."

"And Ramona?"

"Yes, Minister?"

"It's Harry, remember?"

"Yes... Harry," the girl's cheeks burned pink.

"Could you draft whatever needs my signature to remove Nicholas Kilborn as Minister of Muggle Relations and also draft whatever else requires my signature to appoint Ms Prewitt to the the position. Assuming, of course, that she deigns to grace us with her presence."

Ramona swallowed, her eyes going every more round at the tone in Harry's voice.

"Yes, M... Harry," she squeaked.

"Shall we?" Harry indicated the door through to the meeting room, and led the surprised group through.

There were seven people in the room, who all became silent and turned to watch Harry and his entourage enter.

"Minister..." several greeted him with nods and curious looks. The only one who seemed to be even mildly aware of what was going on was Kingsley Shacklebolt, Head of Aurors.

Phineas Ellnore, Minister of the Department of Mysteries, was the first to speak.

"Harry, what on earth is going on?"

"You all read your notices this morning? About the attacks last night?" Harry asked.

"Of course."

"We're about to change some..." Harry looked up as the door opened and a middle aged blonde witch rushed in.

"Minister, I apologize."

She was quickly followed by Ramona, who carried a sheaf of papers to Harry.

"No need to apologize, Ms Prewitt," Harry nodded to a chair, indicating she should sit. "Ramona, stay here, please."

Ramona, who had been about to make good her escape, froze.

Harry read over the first set of papers, then took up a quill and scratched his signature.

"If you wouldn't mind filing that immediately, please?" he said, handing the papers back to her.

She nodded, taking out her wand and running it over the wording on the parchment and then down to Harry's signature, tapped it, and watched as it disappeared.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Harry said, signing the second set of papers and handing them over to Ramona, who repeated what she'd done with the first set. "May I introduce Marilyn Prewitt, our new Minister of Muggle Relations."

There were startled gasps from around the room, and Marilyn Prewitt's jaw literally dropped.

"But..." Phineas Ellnore spoke. "Apologies, Ms Prewitt, I don't mean to suggest you're unqualified, but what happened to Nicholas Kilborn?"

"Nicholas Kilborn has made his priorities clear," Harry stated. "For future reference, I do not accept the excuse of I'm on holiday when our world is under attack. I'm sure any one of the families who were decimated last night would much prefer to have been on holiday in Majorca. In future, no excuses will be accepted unless they directly involve the good of our people. You were all appointed to these positions, you accepted them, knowing full well that responsibility came with the benefits of the offices you accepted. Anyone who is unable or unwilling to accept that is free to leave."

Harry cast an inquiring glance around the room. No one moved.

"I understand that each of us needs to get away occasionally," Harry said, his voice softening. "I understand the need to remove yourself and your family from this, even for a week or two, and forget it's all happening, but we are at war. And, unfortunately, there are no holidays from that. Now, we are about to change some laws, so anyone who thought this would be a quick meeting, I'll give you five minutes to clear your schedules for the day."

"How did it go?" Ginny asked the trio who returned just before dinner that night.

Arthur and Bill, not attending the later meeting with Rita Skeeter, had returned hours ago. When she'd asked them that question, both had just shaken their heads with exhaustion and gone in search of their wives.

"Don't ask," Ron groaned.

"That woman is... ooh!" Hermione steamed, her brown curls crackling with anger. "How she dares to call herself a journalist...!"

"Yeah. You probably shouldn't have said that to her face, though, Mione," Ron commented. "I noticed it made her worse."

"If that is possible," Harry sighed.

"She is inept!" Hermione snapped.

"Yes, but she's also a card-carrying staff member of the Daily Prophet. It's the only way to get anything in that rag guaranteed to be read," Harry said, his voice dull.

"Tough day, love?" Ginny came up behind him, reaching out to rub his shoulders.

"You really have no idea," he groaned as she massaged the kinks out.

"Dad and Bill wouldn't say anything when they got home. Did you get done what needed to be done?"

Ron laughed without a trace of humor, "Oh, yes!"

Harry relaxed into her touch.

"After a bit of... convincing, everyone agreed to the amendments. As of midnight tonight, anyone proven to be a Death Eater or taking part in their activities will be facing a lifetime imprisonment in Azkaban. Anyone convicted of making a target of a child, children, or a family with a child will get the same."

"And... the other?" Ginny asked hesitantly. She didn't really expect them to have passed an amendment reinstating the High Treason law. It had been abolished too long ago.

"Passed," he said. "Unanimously."

Ginny felt the tension in him. "Come on, love. Why don't you take a nice hot shower before dinner, and relax a bit?"

"Yes," Harry stood, taking her hand. "Ron, Mione, thanks for today. It was easier with you there."

Hermione raised her eyebrows, surprised. Ron smiled.

"You know I've always got your back, Harry."

"I know," he nodded. "And thank you for that."

After they left, Ron turned to Hermione. "I've never seen him like that."

"I..." Hermione shook her head. "You've had more time with him, Ron. I was gone for such a long time, but..."

"But?"

"He's being reactive, not proactive," she said. "He's not planning for preventing anything from happening, but setting up a system to deal with the problem after it happens."

Ron sighed, understanding. "He's not fighting anymore."

"Well," Hermione looked at the lost look in Ron's eyes. "We'll see. I could be wrong. Come on, let's get cleaned up before your mum calls everyone in for dinner."

Ron stood and stretched. "Well, at least some things never change."

And that's chapter three. This one was a lot harder to write than the previous – I think it's because I'm flying by the seat of my pants on this one. I know where it's going, but getting there seems to be taking more effort!

Anyhow – I want to thank my lovely reviewers. You're very much appreciated, and your reviews always make me feel good. Thanks!

Shotgunn: Muggles? Who wants to hear about THEM? LOL – we'll see. There may be an intriguing chapter revisiting Harry's past in the muggle world... I'm working on it.

Larna Mandrea: It takes two to convey emotion, sweets. I enjoy writing it, but it's up to the reader to interpret it, and you seem to be especially good at that, because you ALWAYS comment on the EXACT emotion I'm trying to convey. Thanks for being one of my most loyal readers – and for giving your support in the way you do. Your reviews always make me feel good.

James Milamber: How come whenever I'm feeling discouraged, I can read your reviews and suddenly, I feel great again? Thanks for being there from the first – and for everything else. Jonas and Milamber don't know how lucky they are, not having to serve as muse to an ungrateful cow like me! And come on, you KNOW they call him 'Shack' – they guy is the epitome of cool!

Merlindamage: Psychic, huh? Maybe you could have a talk with my muse... because I'M not, and she doesn't seem to understand that. As to Malfoy – he's a git. He's always been a git, always WILL be a git, and anyone who thinks otherwise needs to rethink their position on that. Ferretboy/HG pairings make me shudder, and Ferretboy/Ginny pairings make me physically ill. Rant over.

CQ