ALTERNATE GOVERNMENT
Harry and Hermione startled as a sudden buzzing sound emerged from the radio. Venissa looked very apprehensive.
"This is local reporter Kalis Rosen from Little Hangleton. A sudden storm started with gale at 11 Am in the morning, soon hail came along as an appurtenance. At present the storm is still at its full tempo. Rescue forces from Red Cross and government have arrived, but it seems rescue team is unable to use the helicopters till now because of the possibility of them loosing course in strong wind. Some of help forces are trying to break in to village to rescue the villagers, but I don't think it will be possible since the storm seems to worsen with every other minute. All routes to the village are broken, phone lines are not reaching. I would really consider my self lucky if the signals reached radio. Over and out – Kalis Rosen"
'Thank you very much Kalis, I hope you return safely.'
'Dear listeners, the signals from Little Hangleton are not reaching the station at present. I think Kalis really knew what he is talking about. Any way, we will present the analysis of the situation now'
'Weather analysts inform they had not had any presentiment indicating such violent weather in village of Little Hangleton. Weather specialist from local weather station inform us this must be the result of the too much heat which must have carried clouds to more height resulting in very strong and destructive hail. However, this doesn't explain the presence of gale. At present the satellites monitoring the weather report no low pressure in the sea, but that may change soon. Now, Mr. Brocklehost , an engineer at the weather station of Surrey will answer some of our questions.
A detailed interview with stupid questions started there afterwards.
Hermione and Venissa looked very apprehensive. Harry looked alternatively between them before choosing Venissa.
"What is it you are so afraid of?"
Venissa looked almost meek for a second, but she recovered quickly.
"This kind of storms can get quite destructive Harry." Answered she.
"How did you know?" asked Hermione.
"I … I lost my mother during one such storm" answered Venissa.
"I am sorry." Answered Hermione, who looked genuinely surprised.
"It's okay. I really worry about fates of people of that village." Answered Venissa, who is hanging on to every word of radio since they started to give live-transmission again. But what made Harry worry is Hermione looking thoughtful every moment she is hearing. It is never good when Hermione became thoughtful – it always uncovered dark secrets.
"Hermione, what are you thinking?" asked Harry unable to stop his curiosity.
"This storm sounds weird, isn't it?" asked Hermione.
"Yes. Do u think voldemort has any thing to do with it?"
"well, as far as I knew, Little Hangleton is where Tom Marvolo Riddle lived." She paused for a moment after that, while Harry openly gaped at her.
"What I don't understand is this storm. I am sure they are casting muggle repelling charms, but those will never look like storms, unless … Oh My god! " shrieked Hermione suddenly.
"Oh my god! Oh my god!" Hermione almost screamed this time.
"Hermione what is it? " asked Harry worriedly.
"they are using mort Muggle wards" answered she hysterically.
"what are they supposed to do?" asked Harry apprehensively.
"they will kill a muggle the moment he enters through them" answered Hermione still more hysterically.
"bloody hell!" swore Harry.
"what are we supposed to do? " asked he immediately. He wanted to help them, but he really don't have an inkling of what he can do to stop those wards.
"I don't know. I don't know how they got information about how to cast mort muggle wards, it is supposed to be restricted information only available to the ministry. " She paused realizing she is about to babble, and started to mumble under her breath to be calm. Once, she became less restless, she answered.
"I think we should call Remus again. Dumbledore must have known by now. if he didn't, then we should inform him immediately. As far as I know, there are no erasing charms for those wards. Not a single book mentioned them. Now the best ministry can do is cast muggle repelling charms on mort muggle charms. " Hermione stopped for a breath.
Harry opened his mirror and called Remus again. He is not there. Harry began to panic as the description of storm in radio is becoming more and more violent.
"what should we do?" asked Harry.
As if answering that question, Hedwig flown in to the room. Harry took some parchment and wrote a letter to Remus.
Moony,
Contact me immediately. Urgent and important.
-Harry.
Harry folded the parchment, tied it to Hedwig.
"Listen girl, this is for Remus. If he is not there, then u might give it to Dumbledore, Mad-Eye, Kingsley – or Tonks. Take it fast, but if the weather is not good, then leave it and come back. Understood?"
Hedwig nipped his finger in answer with her head held high, she looked like saying –'have I ever considered dangers?'
"I know. Be safe." Answered Harry and left Hedwig out of window.
Hermione is watching whole scenario dubiously. She nodded when Harry looked at her, and they started listening to radio with solemn expressions.
Voldemort is surveying the warding process with interest. Leonder Page is sitting in the chair besides him looking at the warding process, ticking and marking some of parchment in front of him occasionally. Leonder is one of special guests of Voldemort. It is his idea to turn Little Hangleton into a wizarding city, and build Voldemort's own fort. It is Leonder's idea to bring the prisoners from Azkaban prison, and leave their illusions there. He even ordered dementors to take the prisoners life force if the aurors insisted on touching the illusions. Even he him self didn't know such thing has existed. Leonder planned and provided the knowledge to accomplish the Mission Azkaban, as he called it.
'Keep your friends close, enemies closer' thought Voldemort. Some body had skills, power and knowledge equivalent to Leonder shouldn't be in his opposite group. He very well knows that would be tombstone of his desire to wield the power of immortality. Leonder has reminded him of a small lesson he forgot after coming to life. Men are fallible. How come I didn't think of this? Asked Voldemort him self for umpteenth time. It is so easy. He would have got the encouragement of thousands of people if he followed this path, more over, it is more easier path than he had choose for getting to his goal.
All in all, the idea is quite simple. Leonard advised him to fake his defeat, so he did that with Azkaban. Then he advised to invite the capable people to a meeting, and offer them his deal. The deal is simple, most pure blooded families wanted to have their children learn all the dark curses which are abandoned by ministry, some more privileges of old generations, such as tax exemption. He prepared an excellent presentation with muggle atrocities towards witches and wizards, and follies of ministry. After that he explained what he is going to offer them. City of Little Hangleton, Elite school of Purebloods, and protection from ministry. He simply established a monarchy at this village.
Now, his followers stormed the village in the early morning, and had their fun, killed the rest by dawn. Some of his capable followers, such as Bellatrix, and Lucius along with some others who have returned from Azkaban, cast the wards by 11 Am. When he concluded his speech, almost all of the listeners seemed ready to follow him, and more than half agreed to it immediately, those who didn't agree are controlled by Imperius curse.
Here comes the most brilliant part of his plan. He had made ministry poke their eyes with their own finger. This is as simple as it can get – after all, the ministry is superlatively stupid. His followers cast the mort muggle wards, curtsey of Leonder again, now the stupid ministry's aurors are there out side, unable to decide what to do because the mort muggle wards are opaque to the eyes of wizard, and kills a muggle when they passes through. Thus, it is suicide attempt to enter for aurors because they don't know what to expect, and it is against ministry's principle of hiding magic from muggles. So the ministry will be torn between invading his lair and keeping the magical world invisible to muggle eyes. Of course, Fudge being the coward he is, he will first choose to keep it from muggle world, thus completing the second phase of their warding process. The idiots don't even know what they are doing and the icing on the cake is Dumbledore can do nothing to stop this.
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
Voldemort relished this part once again, he had outsmarted Ministry and Dumbledore. The only flaw in his opinion is this idea isn't his. It is Leonder's.
'Leonder.' Is a person who has suddenly changed the course of his actions.
Always his thoughts are coming back to him. This Leonder had contacted him before one week asking for help. He refused from taking dark-mark, a ferocious duel took place between both. What made Voldemort digress is the way Leonder incapacitated his followers from helping him. They just plumped on ground looking forlorn. Some of the idiots tried to kill them selves to his horror. That is when Voldemort decided to call quits, sensing it will be useless to duel against some one who came for help and who could be a terrible advantage if used correctly. The demands made by Leonder transgressed every principle Voldemort held intact for his followers, i.e. Leonder refused bluntly to get dark-mark, refused to call him as my lord and insisted on calling him simply by his name – Voldemort. This infuriated Voldemort to the extent of accidental magic, - but he is intelligent enough to sense letting Leonder go would do him no good. He can't afford to have two peers at the same time – Dumbledore is meddling enough, Potter has already spoilt half his plans, having another who will obviously fight in his own way would weaken him substantially.
This is fate helping him to reach his goal faster than he expected. So – obviously the advantages outweighed disadvantages, so after an hour, Voldemort struck a deal with Leonder – that is Voldemort will help Leonder to achieve his life time desire of establishing a school equivalent to Hogwarts, and in return Leonder will release his followers from whatever curse he cast, (Leonder gave a small sarcastical laugh here, incensing Voldemort further), allow him twenty or so spies with in ministry, and when time comes five best of his followers. After Leonder released his death-eaters from the depression curse, he introduced Leonder to his death eaters as one of his most oldest and able pals and second-in-command. From there on events rolled on. Unlike him, Leonder is friendly with his followers thus introducing a step in his hierarchy. It had resulted in his being more feared than he is now, and more subtle plans than he prepared.
The only next step remained is killing potter. Fortunately, he came up with another brilliant plan, so a couple is placed in Privet Drive to keep watch on Potter. All he need is a perfect chance. Once, the moment potter is in enough distance from his home and prying eyes of Order, he would charge. No, he isn't stupid to send his Death Eaters. He might send them, but he would complete the task him self. The boy is too slippery. Potter has the power he never had, - as Leonder has said –Luck. Luck indeed. How would he be able to survive other wise? A little fifteen year old boy? Against greatest dark lord of the century? Voldemort laughed to him self. He will kill the boy in no time. Once the boy is killed and he has gained enough number of followers, he shall triumph over Dumbledore and Ministry.
The person beside him, clad from head to foot, only eyes are visible spoke to him.
"Voldemort, warding is complete. Now, all we should do is search for a proper place for the school to begin."
"Very well! We might begin from east of the forest. East is always the first to welcome rays of sun, so the magic will be more concentrated there. " answered Voldemort standing from his chair to address his followers to take further actions.
"as u wish. I will meet later." Answered Leonder, vanished from the place he is standing in.
Harry and Hermione are waiting in their room thinking whether they should get out or not. Venissa already left saying she might as well watch television if the storm is this bad.
" you know, I think you should go and watch the TV, I don't think your uncle and aunt will stop you from watching." Said Hermione.
" you don't know my uncle. He might change the channel just because I am watching it." Answered Harry.
They sat in silence each busy with their thoughts.
Harry watched Hermione. She is looking thoughtful, extremely thoughtful than he ever seen her.
"are you thinking about why Voldemort will do this?" asked Harry.
"I know why Voldemort is doing this Harry. What I am thinking is what might be the implications for future.
"You know why he is hiding this village? Why?" asked a surprised Harry.
"Well, its obvious isn't it? He wouldn't be able to control the entire world at present. So he is establishing a monarchy for him self by him self which he would later develop in to a deadly army. Now, you your self has told me, he is starting a school, and he is offering home to the homeless, he is reestablishing rights of nobility for the pureblood families that gave enough sum to him. You don't know what they might teach at the school, they might as well teach the children Voldemort is god, and death eaters are angels, dark magic is the only solution for all problems, the little ones will believe. Even the older students will be turned to him if provoked in proper way. His army starts growing at astronomical rate, and I suspect it already has. All this pandemonium would cause governments of other countries to notice. Then he would be able to make a political move by asking the other governments to recognize him as king of magical folk here or some thing like that. Well, I really, really hope things wouldn't move in this way. Some body has to stop him." Answered Hermione looking at Harry who is watching with his jaw dropped.
Harry stared, stared, … stared and stared.
Hermione is just thinking it would be better idea if she hit him with some thing to relieve him of the shock, he shut up his mouth.
"you don't think that would happen. " he stated. It's as though he is hoping his saying that aloud will stop it for eternity.
"I don't." answered Hermione.
Harry looked at her surprised.
"well, Dumbledore and Ministry wouldn't sit around counting their fingers, would they?" asked Hermione instead of giving direct answer.
Harry nodded and looked out side his window. He should talk to Remus. What Hermione said seemed to be absolutely possible. And he very well knew how fast the opinion of public can be swayed.
Harry started contemplating what Hermione has said, from what little part of Voldemort's ideas he has seen, Voldemort didn't have ideas to hurt any one that is at least till his army is enough to destroy ministry and establish another government. He wouldn't show his true colors till it happened. It's like what happened with Sirius's brother, he wouldn't show him what to do till the end. But how in the name of Merlin people would believe him again? Asked Harry to him self.
Well, half the people present there are already death eaters any way. answered his voice.
'Even then, the other half shouldn't join hands with him.'
who said they have joined willingly? Voldemort has too many ways for obtaining his wishes served right.
'But not all of them would comply.'
yes, not all of them would comply. Those who didn't say yes will never see another sunrise.
Harry felt the bile rise in his throat.
'I think I would go and watch television.'
He cleared his mind as fast as possible, and left the room.
His scar is throbbing slightly, and he could feel a flutter in his stomach. Voldemort is happy.
Harry stopped himself from thinking further, and walked in to living room. As he had predicted, Aunt Petunia is watching news channel from kitchen counter, his uncle from sofa. He moved forward and sat beside his uncle, nevertheless in decent distance. His uncle scowled, but didn't say any thing, continued to watch the TV.
'Is it looking like a fog to my eyes, or the TV is really displaying only fog?' thought Harry after a moment. He is obviously unable to see any thing.
'May be my glasses are clouded. They are long due for a change.' Thought Harry.
He removed his glasses, cleaned them with his shirt sleeve and put them on again to squint at the TV and be presented with same picture of moving fog again.
'Is there some thing wrong or the TV is really showing fog?' Asked Harry to him self.
He looked at uncle Vernon side ways, and saw he is intently watching TV.
"Terrible." Uncle Vernon commented to Petunia.
'What is so bloody terrible?' commented Harry mentally, but restrained him self from saying it aloud.
"Yes. I have never saw a storm which caused so much destruction." Answered Aunt Petunia who is watching TV with little apprehension, and surprise.
"I don't know how those people can manage." Said Vernon.
"I hate to imagine plights of people in such a storm. Government better rescue them quickly." Answered Petunia.
Harry is now clearly itching to ask what they are talking about.
Just when he decided to get up, the TV focused on to another site, Harry gasped at the site.
Dead bodies of the people lay there, covered in white cloths, just as Harry is watching, a little girl, mangled and bleeding is placed on another berth, covered her body with another white cloth.
Anchor of the news channel came in to view, they are giving live again.
"The storm hadn't abated till now, and the death count goes higher and higher, not a single person is rescued from the storm alive, hope diminishes for the inhabitants of the village. A group of volunteers from the nearby villages offered to help the rescue forces, this group is more successful in helping villagers than the rest of rescue forces. "
The anchor looked at the sideways and exclaimed suddenly.
"My goodness! "
"My god! Viewers, this is one of brave volunteers from the rescue force of Red Cross, he answered me he would bring back any one who is alive even if his life is threatened. He entered the village at 11 Am in the morning, my god! I couldn't believe his words became true just in a span of three hours. "
Camera focused to show a man carrying another man who looked like he is in early twenties. It is obvious the younger man is dead, but the face of other man made Harry gasp in surprise. It is Kingsley Shacklebolt.
The live continued to go on like that again, after half an hour, even more bodies of people are piled in the group of dead people.
'Not a single one is alive' thought Harry.
As he continued to watch knots formed in his stomach, small tremor of pain started in his chest. Harry suddenly felt the air felt as though it's cooling down. His chest felt like it is constricted of air.
Aunt Petunia finished cooking, and sat down on the sofa with grave face.
Harry sat down there with resolution that he would watch this till end.
"This girl is alive." A person came running through fog carrying a little girl in his hands. The girl is bleeding from nose, and she looked like she is in coma. This statement caused the biggest pandemonium in the affected place ever.
The focus turned on to her entirely, the anchor who is covering this storm started babbling, a medical team of muggle doctors, and a group of healers rushed toward the girl, immediately carried her to the nearest medical camp. It is very obvious from the looks on their faces they are determined to save this little girl.
Now every one in the place seemed to be focused on the area the girl is carried to. The curtains that covered opening of tent are brushed suddenly, Harry thought he has seen an invisible press on the grass.
The death count kept growing. Not single person other than the little girl are alive.
The business advertisements started in television, his aunt told them it is dinner time.
Even uncle Vernon looked solemn. They sat down at the dinner, his aunt placed a sandwich in his plate. The images from the previous show are still playing in Harry's mind. He didn't even observe he is sitting in front of his plate.
'Harry' called aunt petunia startling Harry out of his cogitation.
Harry looked up at his Aunt who is looking at him expectantly, then she lowered her gaze to his plate. Harry looked down at his plate, looked at the sandwich. Suddenly, the image of the little girl, bathed in blood played in front of his eyes, He thought he is going to throw up any moment.
"I am not hungry." He answered, and almost ran toward bath room.
He felt like throwing up, but his stomach is definitely holding nothing.
Dry heaves rose up from his chest, caused his stomach to rise up and down, it felt as though some body are twisting his intestines. Harry crumbled on to floor clutching his knees to stop pain in his abdomen.
He got out of bath room after five minutes, his face dripping with water in an unsuccessful attempt to stop burning pain in his throat and chest.
He went to kitchen to drink some water, observed as his uncle downed food with out his usual gusto, aunt Petunia pecked at food in her plate.
That is when he observed some thing different from normal. Dudley is not at home.
Since it's not his concern, Harry silently drank water and went to his room.
It seemed his time of torment has returned again. The images from the storm kept playing in his mind as he tossed and turned on his bed.
He woke up suddenly in the middle of night when shouts of uncle Vernon reached his ears.
Harry opened his bedroom's door, and walked in to look what his uncle is shouting at.
It seems Dudley has found the joy of drinking this time.
Dudley sat on the sofa careening slightly, seemingly in a drunken state while his uncle continued to shout at him.
Dudley is not at all listening to him.
Harry found out the reason for his uncle and aunt's generosity this summer. Dudley's habits are getting out of hand, and his uncle is not having any effect on him. That is why they enrolled him and Dudley for same course, intent upon keeping them together all this summer so that Dudley will get small to no time to sneak out and drink cigarettes or vandalize park.
From the way Vernon spoke, Harry understood that his aunt and uncle thought Dudley will be in control only if Harry is present to look over him. It is as though Dudley is as much afraid of him magical world is of Voldemort.
Finally, seeing that Dudley is not listening, aunt Petunia stopped Vernon's rampage, and lead Dudley to his bedroom saying he could have his talk in the morning.
Harry went in to bed room thinking about the irony of the situation where his uncle almost praised him in front of Dudley, saying Harry though born to freaks is getting much better grades than Dudley.
Harry once again cleared his thoughts, went to sleep.
He woke up in morning six o'clock as usual, began to get ready for his meditation class. When he is about to open his room's door he remembered he is not allowed to go out of house this summer. Pathanzali had given him leave for thirty days too.
Harry plopped down on his bed dolefully as the memories started to return.
The Storm, Hermione's prognostication, Remus's silence.
Last one bothered him more than first two. 'What happened to Remus?'
Dumbledore didn't hide any thing from him this summer but the information strictly is in line with – What's going on? – He didn't know how they are getting information, the extensive form of information, or what might be the implications.
They just let him know almost all of it even if it's terribly bad that's all Order could say for them selves. All in all, Dumbledore kept his nose clean regarding informing Harry.
Harry woke up from his brooding when a light brown owl tapped on his window. After few minutes, Harry is deeply engrossed in reading Prophet.
DARKLORD'S OWN DOMAIN
Lisa Rochester(City of Hangleton): Village of Little Hangleton is now Dark lord's capital. You know who openly announces his protection over city and dubious ends to any one who dare question future of city of Hangleton. This statement is given by the great dark lord him self at a meeting in his palace Noxtower. Minister Fudge refused to comment on this circumstance. Hangleton's residents now reach up to thousand and their number is still growing. The aims of Dark Lord stand as follows.
-Establishment of Nobility and importance to Purebloods.
-Elimination of muggle born and Ministry
-Establishment of Elite School of Witchcraft and Wizardry which is open to only purebloods.
-Reestablishment of authority of Wizards and magic over muggles.
The parliament of Hangleton now consists of fourteen most loyal squires of Dark lord, Lucius Malfoy, Antonin Dolohov, Bellatrix Lestrange, Rudolphos Lestrange, Augustus Rookwood, Theodore Nott, Frederik Parkinson, Jason Bode, Laser Flankall, Helen Rosier, Kevin Kalguter, Premech Oyster, Quintnin kude ,Nassir khan. The parliament of Hangleton looks after the populace of Hangleton, while judiciary system of Hangleton is controlled by dark lord him self. Dark lord sends his compliments to the wizarding populace, saying that they deserve a leader who is worthy to lead them, not some fool like the current minister. Elite school of Witchcraft and Wizardry will be open for admissions from to day till September 30th. Any wizard who is interested to join can send their applications to Mr. Augustus Rookwood. Hangleton welcomes all wizards who seek to join great city of Hangleton, any wizard family who wishes to join Hangleton's population can send their pleas to Lucius Malfoy. More details on Hangleton are given in next page.
The paper has printed follow ups to the article which consistuded one picture of palace of Noxtower as the paper mentioned it, which looked really spooky, another picture of people attending lecture which is taken from backside. Other only Voldemort's out line light shining around it as if highlighting him and making him look even more intimidating. Harry would have scowled at the picture if he hadn't been shocked out of his wits.
If he didn't know any better, he would say he is reading a paper established and worked for Dark lord, not Daily Prophet.
He turned the paper to the page where they specified they have given rest of details, by the end of it, his scowling increased to a level where Victor Krum will be proud of him. All the aims and pictures that were given are extremely impressive. Even if he had known what Voldemort is capable of, if he is a normal wizard, he would join the Hangleton immediately after reading Prophet of to day.
All of them are built in such a way where they can subtly and indirectly point out the inefficiency of Ministry. The description of wards which Ministry is unable to break didn't add any charm to Fudge's propaganda.
Harry silently sat on his bed contemplating the implications once again, but he reached no where. He couldn't and didn't understand how Dumbledore is going to counter this move. It is simply too cunning, and not Voldemort like.
'Of course , it is not. Some Leonder planned this. I don't bloody know how Voldemort ever let his minions that much power.'
Remembering Dumbledore brought other painful memories he had kept hidden, along with them Prophecy. The words of prophecy reverberated in Harry's mind as though they want to tell him some thing.
There is some thing he had to identify from them, some small riddle included in it. Harry silently took a paper, and remembered the words of prophecy again.
He just started remembering prophecy, while writing almost cryptic words on paper. The pattern is – 1, 7 – why?
Then he had drawn a circle on it. After one hour, he gained nothing from what he had drawn on paper; he crumpled it in to a ball, thrown it out of window with his full strength. He is no good at riddle solving.
Just by luck, it hit some one who is walking on road.
'bloody hell' swore Harry and ducked under window. Harry then furtively glanced at the person on road who is looking around in confusion.
Then suddenly it hit him. Dumbledore wants to keep the prophecy safe so that Voldemort would think any one will have a chance to kill him.
If he did know Harry is the only person who can kill him, then he would just connive a plan which would kill him or still worst, he could incapacitate him and keep him like a chalet or some thing so that no other person would be born who could kill him. Is that possible? Thought Harry to him self.
May be, He might kill Dumbledore and all other wizards who are able to duel with him as equals, and when light side looses all its hope, he might make a move or offer them to join him just like he did so blatantly yesterday. It will be obvious to the people no one are there to save them, so they might think they can as well live under rule of Voldemort just because they don't have strength to fight him. After all, who would place all their hopes on a sixteen year old boy? Hey, wait. He is not even sixteen. He is still fifteen.
Wait a minute, prophecy said one would survive while the other dies. It didn't mention any thing about the future afterwards. That is, what happens to their lives after one out of them dies. Does that mean Voldemort would live till end of time if he did survive? But that would bloody make him immortal. And it is impossible to become immortal just because a heavy rimmed freak made some prophecy about you.
So there is only one choice. He had to face Voldemort and he should live. If he didn't … the scene at Little Hangleton played in Harry's mind once again. If that many people are saved just because he became a murderer, he may as well become a murderer. It's just a greater good problem.
killing Voldemort wouldn't be a crime neither it would be a wrong.
'but it is still murder' reminded his little voice which often spoke like Hermione.
I don't mind - Answered Harry defiantly.
'As u say.' Said his voice.
Harry ignored that voice, his thought train continued. Since he did decide he is going to defeat Voldemort, he might as well think about a way to do it. So, he should train him self, for that he would require help of Dumbledore.
This brought Remus in to his memory once again. His only link to contact any one is Remus, and Remus hadn't contacted him till now.
Harry began to conjure various disturbing thoughts about what has become of Remus. What if he is badly injured? 'Stop it.' He cried to him self mentally. First, he should think rationally. It is just because of his rash actions he lost Sirius two months ago. Okay, what should I do now? Harry started pondering over the ways that are present in front of him.
He can call Remus on mirror and he tried it already.
He can send Hedwig and he already sent Hedwig.
Well, I am searching for a C am not I? thought Harry sardonically, just then as if answering his pleas, an idea came to his mind. He can floo to order from Mrs.Figg's house.
'But that is why I didn't suppose this idea. I'm expressly forbidden from going out of this house until order cleared the matters and informed me' answered his Hermione' like voice.
'Well, it's just at the end of street and it's obviously lot safer than charging off to little Hangleton.' He convinced him self.
After two minutes, he is crossing the door silently observing his aunt who is cooking at the end of kitchen all the time.
He almost ran toward Mrs. Figg's house. Hoping no one has seen him, Harry knocked the door. No one answered for five minutes, tension mounted in his heart.
Some one should have opened the door by now, Death eaters didn't come here, did they? They have never done their work silently, have they? He has seen them at World cup, they love to cause mayhem.
Harry crouched beside the door, and slowly pushed the door keeping his wand ready. The door opened silently. He peered inside, but even then he is unable to decide. Every thing is in order, but there is no sign of people.
Does that mean they have completed their work? Hermione lives here … Harry felt as though his breathing is stopped. He plumped on ground his hands hanging limply at his sides. It felt as though the world is swimming in front of his eyes.
"Harry!" called a voice from inside.
Harry felt like he is fainting on hearing that voice. Surely, she won't become a ghost …
Hermione walked up to him extending a hand to help him stand up.
"Why are you sitting on the ground? You could have knocked, Oh sorry! I forgot. I have placed a silencing charm on the door, its just I'm talking to our friends there. You know to get the information. They –"she stopped abruptly seeing confused look on tear stricken face of Harry.
"Why are u crying Harry? "asked she surprised.
"Crying!" Harry hadn't thought he is crying, surely he wouldn't cry, would he? He placed a hand on his cheek, and it felt quite wet. He looked even more surprised at the fact he is crying, when he looked at the expectant face of Hermione he felt his cheeks grow hot. He is becoming too paranoid and crying on his own thoughts? This is so embarrassing.
Hermione looked around while Harry is still struggling to stop him self from becoming redder by the moment.
She grabbed Harry's hand saying " Okay, first we go inside, then we can talk."
Harry simply hoped she forgot the fact that he is sitting beside the door crying with out even knowing he is crying.
Well, that's too much to desire, wouldn't it be? After all, Hermione is top student of her year, and one couldn't become top student if they are forgetful.
"Sit down" she said pointing to the squishy chair in front of her.
Harry sat down still feeling utterly embarrassed. They just didn't answer the door because they were busy, and he had to assume what ever came to his mind and CRY. For god's sake, he couldn't understand how he ended up crying, why it is to be Hermione who found him at the exact moment.
"Harry!" called Hermione startling him out of his reflections.
"Hmm… What? "asked Harry defiantly.
"Explain why you are crying" cried Hermione as though it is most obvious answer in world still wearing her expectant face.
"Why didn't u answer the door?" asked Harry trying to maintain his defiant stance.
"Don't change the topic Harry. Why were you crying?" it is obvious to Harry that she is determined to get the answers.
Harry suddenly felt like a professor who is caught in the middle of lecture making a mistake by his student. ' – well, Hermione certainly have the ability to do so.' answered a voice in his head.
"Promise me you will not laugh." Asked Harry.
This perked up Hermione's interest. Why would she laugh at some thing Harry is crying about? She nodded her head in answer.
"When no one opened the door, I thought Death eaters come here and killed every one in this house."
"But I am just talking to the order, and I can't exactly come to open the door."
"I didn't know that. Did I?" asked Harry angrily. "You didn't know how it felt. I am just waiting at the door hoping some one would open the door all the while checking surroundings for death eaters, and u didn't opened for five minutes. All these days, I just have to knock at the door for it to be opened. What am I supposed to think? "Harry's rage just grew when he saw a small smile on Hermione's face. " Laugh all you want at this, but for a minute, I thought every thing is taken from me, every thing that is worth fighting for. I just don't know what I am doing here. I felt so help less – "Harry angrily turned towards fireplace refraining from shouting at her to stop laughing.
"Hey, no need to fire up okay. I understand." said Hermione draping one arm on his shoulders placing a kiss on his cheek. Harry huffed in answer, controlled the tears that are threatening to fall down. He reminded him self once again,' boys don't cry.'
"It is just nice to know there is at least one person to cry when you are dead." said Hermione one arm still around his waist.
"Don't talk like that." snapped Harry in answer. He is unable to bear it, people talking like they have decided to die tomorrow.
"Okay, it's nice to know there is at least one person who would think you are dead just because you are unable to open door for five minutes."
"Hermione –"Harry said threateningly. He is not liking it one bit. Now, she sat there laughing because he is wrong. But what if some day, it did become true? What if it is happening right now to some unfortunate witch or wizard some where else in this country? What if it is Weasleys or some one from order? Harry is becoming more and more worried.
"It's simply nice to know some one cares about you enough. Is that okay Harry?" asked Hermione still trying to suppress her giggles.
Harry glared at her in answer. Why can't she understand?
"I want to talk to order." said Harry trying to keep his anger in check but he couldn't help reflecting some of his anger.
Hermione looked surprised at his tone nevertheless she answered.
"I talked to them. All the inhabitants of little Hangleton are stunned and thrown out ward through wards in order to strengthen wards. The wards killed them. It seems very few people are tortured. There is one girl who is alive, but it seems that she is buried inside a heap of bodies. She is attended to as soon as possible, Aurors brought her to St. Mungos under cover. Her state is ambiguous till now. Totally, five hundred people are killed yesterday. Muggles are still thinking it is storm, because Mort wards function that way. Minister wanted to attack on Hangleton outright just to save his reputation, but Head Auror refused bluntly to conduct the operation, Wisengamot refused to do that too. Even I think it would be idiotic. The wards are opaque, and Aurors wont know a thing about what to expect, Voldemort can kill a whole army of Aurors just with help of ten death eaters. Minister is quite angry at present considering the article in daily prophet about him. It appears Dumbledore is quite unnerved. Every one is still working at Hangleton to find out clues. Snape had not yet arrived. Weasley's just arrived at Grimmaud place so Tonks went off to meet them." Hermione almost completed in one breath.
"Can we talk to Ron for a moment then?" asked Harry.
"Okay, I think it's about time too." answered Hermione walking to fireplace.
She immediately placed some powder in to fireplace, inserted her head inside.
After five minutes, she withdrew her self from fireplace. She turned around to look at Harry, her face ashen.
"What happened? Nothing is wrong is it?" asked Harry suppressing the premonitions that are going on in his head.
Hermione struggled to talk.
"We … Weasleys are attacked Harry. Ron is missing." Answered she looking appalled at her self as though her saying those words it self is sin.
Author Notes:
BJ: thank you very much.
Hey everyone, if u read this, please review. How am I to know its good or bad?
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