Time of Change
Chapter 4: Fugitives
The late edition of the Prophet came out in record time. The Wizarding community was shocked by its contents. Across the front page emblazoned in crimson ink were the words "High Treason". What followed was a list of DA members. If the Deatheaters didn't know those who chose to stand with Harry then they did now. A pair of redheaded men scanned the article with intense interest. The list of charges was immense. "If they're caught Harry and the others will be sent to Azkaban without a trial. Damnit Fred we've got to do something."
"What can we do we have no way of knowing where they'd go? I've talked with Dumbledore and he has no idea what Harry will do. The Ministry is out looking for them; the Order is out looking for them not to mention the Deatheaters. Let's just hope we find them before either one of the others."
Elsewhere three warlock trackers descended upon an empty London alley. "Briton, watch the entrance." Said the first. "You can begin now Walt." The third member of the party knelt on the trash stained alleyway.
"Espers magica locutus!" As before the blue rune rose from the earth only this time it shattered in a shower or sparkles. "Damn, we lost them."
"I guess we're going to have to call in more Hitwizards."
Something that you didn't really expect to see in Manchester on your way home was a small crowd of people milling around two men arguing at a barely functioning call box. One stood waving the telephone list in the other's face. He calmed for a moment as the other began dialing a number. The other end was full of static as it connected.
"'Ello! Who is this?"
"Uncle Chauncy, It's us Colin and Dennis." The two men yelled into the receiver. They hoped against hope that their uncle was lucid enough to recognize them. Dennis remembered their dad telling them that their uncle Chauncy was a rabble-rouser and a drunk who didn't think nothing of family. However Chauncy always sent them a postcard from whatever city he happened to be in.
"What 're you lads up to?"
"Well you see Uncle Chauncy some mates of ours and I are in a spot of trouble and could use a lift. Can you pick us up? We're at the corner of Westingbrook."
"I know where that is boys. I'll be there in about an hour."
"He'll be here in an hour."
"Good going guys." Ron said as he clapped them on the back. "I hope it's not too long I feel exposed out here."
"I'm surprised we were able to make it out of Hogsmeade to begin with."
Harry looked around the street his eyes darting around like a trapped animal. When he'd finally assured himself that there wasn't something in the shadows ready to pounce he calmed down. "Let's get off the street." The others nodded before crossing over into a nearby park. Harry sat with his back against an overturned bench his eyes falling on the others. It'd been a miracle that they all made it to the Room of Requirement ahead of the Death Eaters that night and an even bigger one that allowed them to escape the grasp of the Ministry. His eyes finally fell on Luna who had risen to come sit by Harry. She began to speak in what was barely a whisper but Harry heard her loud and clear.
"No one blames you. So get that thought out of your head right now. They believe in you and will follow you anywhere. You need to remember that they have chosen to do this on their own. As you have learned to deal with fame you must now learn to deal with leadership. Think on this my love." She leaned into him before softy kissing him on the lips. He held her close as the others huddled around.
Flashback
Everyone watched Padma as she roamed the room checking to see if the exit would appear. The others stood behind poised to strike in case Death Eaters sprang from somewhere. 'Well better paranoid than dead.' They had started doing this every day since they became trapped. It'd been over a month since then. Padma continued her circuit. She waved her wand across the wall concentrating on the door. As she made her way back round to the starting point the wall slid open and candles ignited within.
'Lumos Exelci' she incanted. The candles lighted exploded out. If anyone had been in there they'd have been blinded by the flare. Padma, Neville and Pavarti entered first followed by Harry and Luna. Inside was a small library and potions lab. The crest and portrait told them immediately who the lab belonged to.
The others filed in looking over the room for unseen assailants. Dean wandered over to a table by the fireplace. He picked up a slender leather bound book and read the cover. He turned to Hermione, Luna and Cho before yelling, "Happy Christmas ladies." Cho deftly caught the leather bound book. Embossed across the cover were the words Rowena Ravenclaw.
After hearing this Ron began doing a count. "Bloody Hell! It is Christmas." Katie flicked her wand at a nearby corner a Christmas tree appeared complete with fairy lights. Butter beer and tarts appeared as the group celebrated a very subdued Christmas.
A loud braying horn pulled him from his memories. He looked up to see a blue and white mini-bus. The Creevey brothers ran over and began talking to their uncle. The DA piled into the back the door shut ting behind them. Harry looked at the man in the driver's seat sizing him up. He appeared to be about Remus' age but a bit scruffier around the edges. His arm showed signs of hard muscles and bore several markings. Even though his eyes stared straight ahead Harry couldn't shake the feeling that the driver had his eye on each and every one of them. 'Who is this man?'
CHAUNCY'S POV:
'What have Colin and Dennis gotten themselves into that they can't go to their parents about? Martha and Stuart are pretty level headed. They wouldn't come down too hard on 'em if they're really in trouble. Colin and Dennis seem older than I remember. They lot of 'em have similar marks so it could be gang related.' He decided to chance asking what was up. 'Maybe I'll get the truth outta 'em.' "Colin, what are you runnin' from?"
Colin turned to Harry who nodded. 'Mark that down the dark haired one with the green eyes is the leader.'
"It's a long story Uncle Chauncy. One that you might not believe. Just bear with us we'll tell you everything when we get to your place."
Harry smiled. 'This is going to be one Hell of a story.' he thought as he lay back and closed eyes. He felt Neville shift position. He was sleep and the dreams were beginning again. He regretted putting Neville through that but it was necessary. 'He needed to be whole. Dumbledore kept too many things from me. I will not do the same to Nev.'