A/N: Thank you to all those that have been reviewing. I'm open to suggestions to the story so please R/R. This chapter is a little longer than usual but hopefully it was worth it.
Disclaimer: I wish I could be as good as JK Rowling but I'm not. This is her stuff and not to mention the influence that this story took from various fanfics.
Chapter 20
The Week After
The next morning Harry woke up with the same smile that was on his face when he went to sleep. He went down to the Quidditch pitch to go through his normal work out routine with the single thought of what can he do for Ginny. By the end of his workout session he still couldn't come up with an answer but was greeted to a pleasant surprise when he was done. Ginny was sitting in the stands watching him workout dressed in some exercise clothing. Ginny made her way down while Harry headed over to her. They gave each other a quick kiss. They held each others hands while heading back to Gryffindor tower to get ready for the day.
On their way back, Harry said, "You know, I will never get used to that."
Ginny asked, "What is it that you won't get used to?"
"It's just the whole kissing and affection thing. I've grown up most of my life without a single hug or compliment. I mean the first hugs I've gotten were from your mum and that was a motherly one or from you and Hermione which were at least at the time sisterly. It just seems like everything is starting to be good for me and I feel as if I don't deserve it. It's just so different. It's like a dream and I'll wake up in my room at the Dursleys and it's just the first day of the summer holidays."
Ginny stopped him, looked up into his eyes and saw happiness and that hint of doubt that he is drawing from, silently cursed the Dursleys, and said, "I'm not sure what to say but you do deserve to live a happy life even though most of your life was far from it. I've been chasing after you for so long that I guess a reason why all of my previous relationships didn't have a chance is because I'm head over heels for you. I meant what I said before about not letting you go. I've got you now Harry and I won't give you up. I'll help you get through these doubts that you have and no matter what I'll always be here," she placed the palm of her hands over his heart while continuing on saying, "I'll always be in your heart as a friend, now as a girlfriend, and who knows where this may go."
He nodded placed his hand over her hand that was covering his heart and said, "Thanks Gin. I'm not sure where I'll be without you. A few months back I said something that I meant. I am a bit nervous about what will happen when your family finds out. It's not a pleasant thought. The thought of having all of your brothers chasing after me minus Ron but I think that Ron is a bit hesitant about me also even if I am his best friend. I don't think that anybody can deny that somehow I attract more trouble than everybody here at school combined."
Ginny took his hand and the two of them continued to walk back to the castle when she said, "Like I said before, I know the risks of being your girlfriend. I don't care about the risks and if V-Vol-Voldemort is stupid enough to chase after me and I'll give him the beating of his life. Plus my family loves you Harry and there's no question about that." Harry was grinning like an idiot. Ginny asked, "What are you smiling at now?"
Harry replied, "You said his name. You finally said Voldemort."
"Well, I guess if he shows up than you'll chase him away. Given the record between the two of you, I'll put my galleons on you any day on a show down." There was a pause then he asked, "How come you're dressed ready to exercise?"
She said, "I was thinking about joining you for your morning workout but I woke up a little too late. By the time I woke up and got ready, you were already gone and from what I could tell had completed a few laps already so I decided to just watch you and let you have your moment of peace."
"Gin, really the only reason why I workout alone is because it has always been too early for anybody to join me. Ron will not wake up unless he smells food, Hermione prefers to spend her time reading, and well I heard about the difficulties of getting you up in the morning."
Ginny indignantly said, "I am not hard to wake up in the morning."
Harry raised his hands in mock surrender said, "I'm just kidding. Do you want to join me in the morning?"
"You are mine now Harry and I intent to make sure everybody know it especially those that mocked me for years about my crush on you plus I would like to spend as much time with you as possible. It's moments like this that I like to do so much. You and me just talking like this. Harry did you know that all school year I always looked forward to moments for the two of us just being together?"
"In all honesty, I do also that's why I'm always waiting for you and looking for you between classes and during meal times."
The two of them spent the rest of the day in seclusion down in Harry's trunk. They spent their time talking and teasing each other which occasionally resulted in some chasing around the trunk. Almost everybody in the castle was ecstatic about the two of finally becoming a couple. The few that were not mainly resided in Slytherin House and the others were either infatuated with Harry or Ginny but more or less happy that the two of them are happy. Everything was just great for the two of them and Kayla was filled in on what happened the night of the Ball. The group showed Kayla what happened by using a pensive. For the next few days everything was peaceful and carefree for all the students in the castle. Ginny joined Harry on his morning workouts and with some persuasion she started to join Harry and Kayla during practice whenever she was free.
The group was sitting at the Gryffindor Table enjoying their dinner while talking happily to one another. They were down near the edge of the table close to the Head Table. The Great Hall was filled with the usual joyful banter of many students while some were reading a book or magazine, others immersed in their food, and most importantly enjoying dinner like a student should.
The peace of the Great Hall was interrupted with Nightlight appearing just after a burst of blue and white flames. Nightlight dropped a letter for Harry and settled onto his shoulder. Harry picked up the letter which was a quick short note that was part of a system that Harry had designed to alert him if there was trouble. If there was trouble than a phoenix would go to Potter Mansion and retrieve the appropriate letter and bring it to him immediately. The note read.
York under attack! Moony Center in danger!
Many of the eyes in the Great Hall were on the blue and white phoenix. Without thinking, Harry jumped up, pulled out his wand, and yelled, "Summon!"
Blaze, Sunrise, and Sunset all appeared out of nowhere in front of Harry in the middle of the aisle. Nightlight jumped off of Harry's shoulder and was floating in the air with Sunrise and Sunset. Harry tapped himself with his wand and said, "Battle Robes!"
The Gryffindor robes that Harry wore disappeared and a set of all black robes covered him. He also had a black cloak on with the word 'Potter' in silver running along his shoulders. The front of his cloak was open with and showed a white shirt underneath and white pants. The cloak ran down the length of his body to his ankle and was held together with red cords joining both sides along his upper body to his waist.
Harry was in his own world and said to his animal friends, "I want you all to go to the Moony Center and start evacuations to the Prongs Center. Nightlight you're with me."
Before they could leave, Ginny had grabbed Harry's hand and asked, "What's going on Harry?"
Harry said impatiently, "I don't have time to talk about this. York is being attacked and the Moony Center is in its line of fire. I'm getting the evacuation of the orphans out. I'll let you know how it goes."
Ginny said, "I'm coming with you."
Harry was about to reply when all of his friends stood up and Ron said, "We're coming along also."
Harry shook his head while saying, "Nobody is coming along. This should be a quick extraction and if you all come than there will be more people to get out of there. This has to be done as quickly as possible." He didn't wait for a reply. While he was saying that, he was already reaching for Nightlight's tail feather and the three phoenixes, one wizard, and one white tiger disappeared.
The group appeared on the front lawn of a building that looked just like the Prongs Center. They made their way into the building where they saw all the kids were lined up in front of the fireplace waiting to go through as the staff was making their final checks on the building and confirming that all the children are together. Once Harry made it into the building, there were five wands pointed at him and Harry immediately raised his hands to show that he was not there to harm them and said, "I'm Harry Potter. I've come to help you all get to the Prongs Center."
Ms. Linda Grant, the director of the network of orphanages, came forward and asked, "If you really are Mr. Potter than who is and how old is his friend at the orphanage?"
Harry said, "Anna Thymes and she is eight now."
Ms. Grant said, "Lower your wands. It really is Harry Potter and he's here to help." She turned to Harry and said, "We could use your help to get the kids out safely."
Harry nodded and said, "Blaze, Sunrise, and Sunset will be the safest way to get them to the Prongs Center. Sunrise and Sunset will start taking the children two at a time while Blaze takes a few adults at first to inform the Prongs Center of what is happening and receive the children on the other side. You all will appear by the common area at the main entrance to the Prongs Center. I suggest that the two counselors go on ahead to receive the children while everybody else that can defend this place keep your wand out and form a perimeter around the building."
Ms. Grant said, "Alright you all heard the plan. Counselors prepare to go and make sure you have the children's history records with you." She turned to the children and said, "Alright children, there's nothing to worry about. When the phoenixes lower their tail feathers to you grab on and it will take you to safety. Don't worry; everything is safe especially since Harry is with us."
The kids stared at Harry when she mentioned him. Harry walked over and told the kids, "Don't worry. I promise that I will do everything I can to make sure you all will stay safe and return everything to normal as soon as possible." He ended with a comforting smile and the children felt less nervous and scared just to know that Harry Potter is there with them.
Shortly after the return of the counselors the evacuation started. It didn't take more than half an hour with the rapid extraction that every child was safe at the Prongs Center and the adults were almost done leaving. Ms. Grant was the last one left and she turned to Harry to say, "Thanks Harry for all of your help. I'll see you soon at the Prongs Center."
Harry nodded and said, "You go on ahead and I'll go around the place and secure the building than I'll meet you over there."
She said, "I'll help you do that."
He replied, "Don't worry about it. It shouldn't take too long and it would be better if you were with the children to calm them and restore order over there. I'll send Sunrise to stay watch over you all tonight while Sunset will keep watch over the Lily Center. Blaze will watch over the Padfoot Center. Nightlight will stay with me and after I leave if they storm this building than it will fall with no casualties and hostages."
Ms. Grant reluctantly agreed and in a burst of red flames left with Sunrise. Harry checked all of the rooms one last time and was about to start adding wards to the building when he heard some large explosions coming from outside. He ran out the Moony Center and looked down about half a block to see many wizards and/or witches with black cloaks and white masks dueling with various wizards and witches.
Meanwhile back at Hogwarts, just after Harry left, anarchy was starting to break out. Word spread quickly that Deatheaters were attacking York. The students that had family or friends in York were getting worried and received comforting words from their friends. Ginny was both worried and angry at him for putting himself in danger again. The same feelings were shared by Hermione, Kayla, and Luna. Neville was just worried while Ron was angry that his best friend would leave him behind. There were loud talks and some yells from students to either gain control or what should be done. The discussions of what should be done were coming mainly from DA members.
Dumbledore shot sparks out from the edge of his wand that was accompanied by a high pitch shrilling sound similar to fireworks which got the attention of the students in the Great Hall. Dumbledore was standing at the center of the Head Table when he said, "Prefects will escort their houses back to the dormitories." The students started to file out of the Great Hall. Dumbledore turned to his staff and said, "Remus, Nymphadora, Minerva, Severus, and Poppy please follow me to my office. Everybody else please patrol the castle and Hagrid stay near the castle."
The Gryffindors had just made it into the tower when Harry's friends were about to walk into their own common room when Lavender said, "I wonder if they're going to broadcast anything about it on the WWN." The WWN was the wizarding wireless network which was similar to a muggle radio.
None of the Gryffindors left and waited for Lavender to return with her radio. She came back and turned the knob and raised the volume as loud as possible for everyone to hear. Everyone took seats around the radio and stared at it like something miraculous was about to happen. They heard a male voice on the WWN say, "The song just now was the latest number one hit from the Weird Sisters. Hold on a minute we have some late breaking news." There was a pause than the announcer could be heard asking somebody, "Are you for sure that York is under attack?"
After a moment he said, "Sorry about the interruption everybody out there listening but we have just received word that York is under attack. We are going to switch you over to our correspondent that just arrived in York and will tell you the blow by blow as he sees it. We warn you ahead of time that what you hear may be inappropriate for kids for what we are about to broadcast is live and unedited. We switch you over to our field correspondent Leo Mariana."
The sounds of spells being yelled, screams of those being hit, and explosions could be heard in the background when Leo Mariana said, "This is Leo Mariana your field reporter with the WWN. I have just arrived here at York in what looks like a battle field. There are many buildings crumbled to the ground but the fighting seems to be restricted to the wizarding area of town. Lots of smoke could be rising from some of the collapsed areas of town and little fires could be seen around the fighting area going unchecked. From what I see right now there are approximately fifteen Deatheaters going up against what looks like ten wizards. There looks to be a few witches with children who are trying to find some place safe to run to. It is just chaos. There is only one word that can describe the scene here which is 'chaos.' Let's see if we can get a closer look to the fighting but it looks like if they don't get some help soon than these good witches and wizards along with these children out here will not make it."
For a short while all that could be heard was heavy breathing like somebody was running. Than Leo's voice could be heard again. He said, "I am now about half a block away from where the heaviest fighting is taking place. I'm near the newly established orphanage and from what I can tell there is a wizard with what looks like a blue and white bird helping women and children escape. Hold on, it is, yes it is a blue and white phoenix. The wizard is escorting the women and children and let's sees where he is sending them."
Ginny said, "That has to be Harry and that has to be Nightlight with him. When he gets back I'm going to give him the beating of his life."
Everybody else was afraid to say anything because they knew that this girl was both worried and angry at the same time and didn't want to take the chance of hitting the angry part. Leo's voice came back, "We are now in the orphanage and there is a short line of women and children leaving through the floo network. Some parents are sending their children through the floo network and apparating to their destination. It seems like people are heading to anywhere they think would be safe may it be a family or friend's house or a public area. There are a few wizards who are hugging and kissing their wives and children. It looks like they are sending them off and returning to the fight to help their friends and neighbor defend their homes. I see a three people looking like they are saying their goodbyes. This is definitely not an easy sight to see. Let's listen in to what is going on."
A man's voice could be heard saying, "Alright, William, I want you to go to the Ministry with mum and from there go to Grandma's place. If anything should happen to mum on the way I want you to go on ahead."
Tears could be heard when the man was talking and a sniffing child's voice replied, "I want to stay with you dad. I don't want to leave you alone."
The man's voice replied, "It will be alright. I am just going to make sure everybody else's family gets out safely. You're the man of the family now, take care of mum and I'll see you either tonight or tomorrow morning. Always remember that I love you William."
There was a pause than a woman's voice could be heard pleading, "Love, please come with us."
The man's voice said, "I will be with you all soon. Our friends and neighbors are hurt out there right now and I have to help them just like I know that they would help us if something were to happen to us." A short pause than the same voice continued to say, "Go to my parent's house and stay there. Use the floo at the Ministry to switch over to my parent's house. Go on ahead and don't worry with Harry Potter here we have a fighting chance."
Harry's voice could be heard but not directed to anybody in particular saying, "The Deatheaters are about to arrive at the orphanage soon. I want all the women and children to hurry up and leave. If you are staying than prepare to fight because it looks like there are about 20 Deatheaters on this street now."
The woman's voice from before was pleading, "Mr. Potter, I know this is asking much of you but please make sure that my husband returns safely."
Harry replied, "Please call me Harry. I promise you that I will do my best to help everybody return safely but I can not promise you anything. The odds are against us but I will help those willing to defend their homes and business but most importantly the people to find safety."
The woman's voice said, "Thank you Harry."
Harry's voice could be heard speaking again and from what it sounds like to the woman's child. Harry said, "Don't worry little one, I will do everything I can here to bring your dad home."
The man's voice was heard again saying, "Now please go and remember that I love you all. Please stay safe."
The woman's and child's voice was heard saying, "I love you to."
Screams of 'Diagon Alley', 'Hogsmeade', or 'Ministry of Magic' could be heard going on in the background. As the departure through the floo network increased at a more rapid pace, Harry said loudly, "If you are staying than form a perimeter around the orphanage and we will slowly make our way out from here and start our counter attack against the Deatheaters. I want five volunteers to stay here and protect the orphanage and the people as they try to floo to safety. Everybody else move out!"
There were lots of noises going on in the background as people ran to take their positions around the orphanage grounds or the building. The crowd around the floo network grew as more and more people poured into the orphanage seeking safety. The reporter started broadcasting again and he said, "What you just heard was a family of three saying their farewells. The young man's voice you heard giving out the commands was none other than Harry Potter. He was outside when we arrived and from what we could tell he was trying to erect some protection wards for the orphanage. There is now only one way in and out of the orphanage. Hold on a moment." There was a pause but the noise in the background could still be heard. The reporter continued on saying, "There are about fifteen wizards here with five in the building and entrance while everybody else has taken up position around the orphanage. Harry Potter is getting ready to lead the counter attack. We will be following Harry Potter around and pray that everybody returns safely. Let's go."
The sound of the reporter running could be heard and from what could be heard, there was another man with the reporter. As the reporter got closer to Harry, Harry could be heard saying, "I want everybody to do as little fighting as possible. Search for survivors and especially the injured and try to get them here to transport to safety. I'll try to draw the Deatheaters towards me. So good luck and hopefully, we'll see each other again after this fight. After my first explosion curse than everybody start to do what you were told. Are there any questions?"
There was no reply then Harry said, "Good luck and God Speed."
Harry's Point of View
Harry was looking at a few wizards standing in front of him and after a pause he said, "Good luck and God Speed."
He turned to the reporter and said, "Look, I don't know who you are and what you plan to accomplish here but this is no time to bother anybody here. There are people dying out there so you can either help or stay out of the way."
The reporter said, "We're here to report the news Mr. Potter. We have no intention of getting in the way. This is what our job requires and we intend to follow it through."
Harry shook his head and took off down the street towards the Deatheaters. He hid behind a large trash dumpster with the reporter following him and whispering into what he took as a microphone. Harry looked around the dumpster and saw three Deatheaters heading towards them. He flicked his wrist and one of his rose wands came out into his right hand. Harry pointed it just in front of the Deatheaters and said, "Reducto!"
The blast knocked the three Deatheaters into the air and blew them back. Blood could be seen flowing from them as they were in the air. Harry looked back to the orphanage and saw the band of wizards start to spread out in pairs to start their search and rescue. That attracted the attention of more Deatheaters and Harry fired a few more explosion curses at them. A few of the Deatheaters went down but most of them were able to summon shields to protect themselves.
Harry came from behind the dumpster and a Deatheater saw him. Harry yelled out at them, "Get out of here all of you and tell your coward of a master that if he wants a fight than he should come find me instead of attacking innocent people!"
The Deatheater that saw him spoke in a childish girly voice that he heard before. The witch said, "Well if it isn't the little itty baby. Are you a big boy now? Does the itty bitty baby want to join his godfather?"
Harry's anger erupted when he yelled, "Bellatrix, I am going to kill you if that is the last thing I do."
With that the three Deatheaters along with Bellatrix charged at Harry. Harry flicked his left wrist and both of his rose wands were showing. Harry raised both hands, letting his anger erupt, charged at the Deatheaters, yelling, "Reducto!" He kept on yelling the explosion curses over and over again.
Bellatrix managed to summon a shield quick enough to absorb the spells that were heading towards her but the Deatheaters that accompanied her weren't quick enough or lucky enough to dodge the full brunt of the spell which left them panting their last breathes if they weren't going to get some help quickly. Bellatrix was surprised with the amount of power behind the spell and decided to stop charging and just hold her ground until help can arrive. Her taunting ended because Harry was hammering her and her team so hard that they had to use all of their concentration on their shield charms because they saw a few of their comrades go down as their shields broke down.
Harry managed to stop the Deatheaters from getting closer to the orphanage and was successful in attracting all of the attention of every Deatheater there. The rescue party was still running back and forth searching for people and bringing back the wounded and lost. The Deatheaters then changed their strategy and alternated sending hexes at Harry which resulted in a nonstop volley of fire. Harry had to halt his assault on the Deatheaters and spent most of his time summoning shields after shields with the occasional hex but was more concerned with not getting hit with the crippling curses. At first is seemed awkward that nobody was sending a killing curse at him until he heard a Deatheater yell, "Remember to bring Potter back alive."
Harry lasted for about ten minutes but to him seemed like an eternity when a hex finally got through when he was focusing on the volley coming from another area. The red curse came from his left and hit him in his left arm. Harry's battle robes and protection charms that he was wearing absorbed most of the impact but it did manage to slow down Harry just long enough for a volley of curses to either hit him or somewhere near him.
Harry's battle robe and protection charm helped him again which was the only reason why Harry was still able to stand even if he was about to fall down if the wind blew hard enough. The Order of the Phoenix showed up shortly afterwards led by Dumbledore with Tonks, Remus, Hestia Jones, Emmeline Vance, Mad-Eye Moody, Kingsley, Bill, Charlie, and Arthur. They apparated to the orphanage and after asking a few of the wizards rushing back and forth they started to rush to where they said they last saw Harry.
They managed to get there just in time to see Harry get assaulted with spells after spells and still stand afterwards. The Deatheaters seemed to be frozen stiff at how a teenager can withstand all of those spells and stand. They didn't know that it was because of the battle robes and the items that Harry was wearing that came from his family vault. To them it just seemed impossible and some started to show fear of how to fight against somebody so strong. The Order sent a volley of spells that hit their marks which bought the Deatheaters back to reality. Now the remaining Deatheaters were either escaping or grabbing one of their fallen members before leaving at the sight of Dumbledore in his fury and Order members standing next to him.
While staggering on his feet, Nightlight showed up, grabbed Harry by the claws, and carried him back to the front lawn of the orphanage while the Order was securing the area. After laying Harry down on his back, Nightlight stood over him and was dropping tears after tears on various parts of his body that were injured and damaged. Harry's body was instantly healing itself at an incredibly fast rate that by the time Remus, Tonks, Bill, and Charlie found him, he felt like he was operating at about 85.
Harry was standing up and his mutilated cloak and battle robes were floating in the air. Harry saw the Order members rushing towards him but didn't really want to hear all of their yelling that he knew that was about to come so he walked into the orphanage to see how everybody was doing. He saw that the orphanage was crowded with the injured and saw the man that he was talking to before the fight started that sent his wife and son to his mother's home while the reporter was listening in on the family moment. Harry approached him and asked, "Excuse me sir, it's good to know that your wife and child has a husband and father that is returning to them. I'm Harry." Harry offered his hand.
The man shook Harry's hand and said, "Thank for your help Mr. Potter. I'm William Smith Sr. But please call me William."
Harry said, "Please call me Harry. I'm glad that I was of help. How are you doing? Are you hurt?"
William replied, "I'm fine. How are you Harry? I heard you took a pretty nasty beating back there."
"I was hit pretty hard but Nightlight lent me some of her tears which helped me recover. I'm getting much better though as we speak. How is everybody though? Did all of the rescuers survive and what are the town casualties?"
There was a pause as William considered the answer then said, "The last that I know of all of the rescuers that stayed back with you survived because nobody engaged in the fight and carried out their job of search and rescue. You did a good job of distracting the Deatheaters so we were able to run around pretty freely. In general, there are twelve dead. Seven wizards, three witches, and two children died. Approximately thirty are wounded at last count but more are coming in. We did manage to get the critical ones transported to St. Mungos."
Harry shook his head because he felt like he could do something to help. Harry asked, "Where is everybody?"
"Most of the men are still out there searching for survivors and wounded. There's no telling yet how much damage the Deatheaters managed to do until you stopped them." He paused a moment like he was contemplating something really quick then said, "You helped us out more than you think Harry. Just because you showed up, it inspired others to stay and help. If you didn't stay I doubt that there would be more than five to stay behind and who knows how many more would be injured or dead. You did good here and we will never forget it."
At that moment Remus, Tonks, Charlie, and Bill came rushing through the front door and went straight for Harry. Remus was the first to speak to Harry. The anger in his voice was evident when he said, "Harry, what the hell do you think you are doing? Running out of the Great Hall like that and taking on every Deatheater that you can find. Do you know what was going through our minds when we saw you get hit with all of those spells?"
Harry said, "I'm sorry but the first thing that came to my mind was get here as quickly as possible and get the children out safely."
Tonks said, "I hope you're doing fine. I would prefer never to see you hit by that many spells again."
Harry replied, "I'm fine and don't worry. I don't plan on being beaten like that again."
Remus said, "I don't think you'll be going into a fight like that again anytime soon because I'm going to make sure you stay at Hogwarts and only leave when I'm with you. Now we're going to head back to Hogwarts."
Harry shook his head and said, "I can't go back yet. I need to check on how the orphans are doing over at the Prongs Center."
Charlie interrupted them by saying, "Harry, you better go back to Hogwarts. We'll check up on the orphans for you. You're already in enough trouble as it is and I'm not talking about with Dumbledore because you're in trouble with him also. You better get back because that man," Charlie pointed to the reporter that was following Harry, "has been following you and reporting everything you've done to anybody who is listening on the WWN."
Bill continued where Charlie left off by saying, "If I'm correct than almost every student at Hogwarts have been listening in their dorm rooms or common rooms to the WWN and have heard everything that this man has been saying."
With his head in his hands and shaking his head, Harry said, "This isn't good. She's going to kill me."
Bill said, "You better get back and she might and I mean might take it easy on you. But I doubt that she will take it easy on you."
Harry said, "Alright, I'll go back to school." He turned to Nightlight and said, "Nightlight, will you stay here and make sure everybody is safe?" The phoenix let out a trill and flew out of the door to survey the area.
Dumbledore showed up with the rest of the members of the order and approached Harry. He asked him, "Harry, how are you?"
Harry told him, "I'm fine sir."
Dumbledore nodded then pulled a piece of parchment from the ground and with a tap of his wand said, "Portus!" He handed it to Harry and said, "I want you and Professors Remus and Tonks to go back to school. This portkey will take you to the Hospital Wing. Everybody else will stay here to help the wounded."
Harry sighed and took the parchment. Remus and Tonks placed a finger on the parchment and Remus counted down from three. They felt the familiar tug from the navel and appeared in the Hospital Wing. The three of them appeared in the Hospital Wing. As soon as they showed up, Madame Pomfrey seemed to be waiting for them and started shoving Harry into a bed. As soon as she managed to get Harry near the bed, the doors to the Hospital Wing slammed against the wall as it was forcefully opened to show Harry's close Gryffindor friends but most importantly a fiery red head witch that looked just about ready to murder.
She ran up to Harry and pulled him into a tight hug than pushed him onto the bed and yelled, "Harry James Potter! What do you think running off like that? Oh yes, we heard everything that happened that Bill and Charlie were talking about! You are going to pay Mr. Potter and I mean you will pay dearly for putting yourself in unnecessary danger like that and worrying us half to death. What are we supposed to think when the WWN correspondent says, 'Harry Potter was just hit by over fifteen spells at the same time.'?"
Kayla and Hermione came up and hugged him after Ginny finished her lecturing. After they let him go, Harry said, "I guess I wasn't thinking. The only thing on my mind was the children and to make sure that you all don't get hurt while I run off again."
Ginny's anger subsided a bit when he mentioned the orphans but she was still angry when she said, "Again? Do you honestly think that you will survive going through that again? I will kill you myself if you try to do that again." She softened up when she said, "Harry, we love you very much and don't want you to get hurt just like you don't want us to get hurt. Please don't do that again."
Harry pulled Ginny into a hug while saying, "I promise I'll try to think it through better next time. It was just so instinctive. I don't want to leave you either. It may seem too quick in our relationship to say this but we've been friends for much longer and it felt like we've dated all term if you really think about it but I love you Ginny and I promise to try to stay safe just so that I can be by you."
Ginny smiled and said, "I love you to Harry." She leaned into him and the two of them kissed.
They didn't stop doing that until Ron interrupted by saying, "I don't think that I can ever get used to that. The two of you can break it up now or else I'm going to have to call Bill and Charlie here to stop it for you."
Harry immediately pulled away and everybody laughed at him. Hermione said, "It's interesting that he'll go stare down fifteen Deatheaters but the mention of the Weasley Clan and he'll go running."
The group laughed more at Harry's embarrassment. Madame Pomfrey interrupted the group by saying, "Alright everyone out. Mr. Potter here needs his rest after the stupid thing that he did."
Harry said, "I really feel much better and think I can get more rest in my own room. Please, if I do feel worse than I'll come back right away."
Madame Pomfrey replied, "You're not going anywhere this time Mr. Potter. You tried that with me at the beginning of the year and at that time I took you for a responsible adult but I was sorely mistaken in my opinion of you given what you did tonight. Now get back into bed and stay there."
Ginny asked Madame Pomfrey while giving her the most innocent little girl face that she can muster, "Madame Pomfrey, can I stay with him just tonight? I promise not to disturb him."
The doors to the Hospital Wing opened up again to reveal Dumbledore and McGonagall coming in. Dumbledore said, "If you all will excuse us but we have a few matters to discuss with Mr. Potter."
Harry was thinking, 'Yeah, discuss how you can control more of my life.' The request to stay was dropped immediately because Dumbledore's face was stern and so was McGonagall so there was no way she was going to get what she wanted although she wanted to stay with Harry but knew that Harry will tell her all about it later. The group said bye to Harry and left leaving only Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Pomfrey.
Dumbledore asked Madame Pomfrey, "How is Mr. Potter doing?"
Pomfrey replied, "He seems to almost be at full health. His body is recovering at an incredibly fast rate. He should be ready for classes tomorrow."
Dumbledore nodded while McGonagall said, "Mr. Potter, we are very disappointed in you. Running off into danger like that, I thought that you had learned your lesson at the Ministry of Magic last year."
Those words hurt Harry because now he knew that they blamed him for the events at the end of last year their words of, 'it wasn't your fault,' and 'you shouldn't blame yourself for this,' were all lies. McGonagall started giving him a lecture but he pretty much tuned her out until the end when she said, "Detention for one week with me in the evening."
Dumbledore saw Harry's slight twitch in his eyes when McGonagall mentioned the Ministry of Magic and knew at that moment that the wound that separated him and Harry that started last year just grew wider. After McGonagall finished Dumbledore asked Harry, "Can you tell us what happened earlier, Harry?" He used the name Harry instead of Mr. Potter in an attempt to keep the blow from McGonagall from alienating him from the rest of the staff and in particular the Order of the Phoenix.
Harry didn't really care if they knew about the story or not since everybody else in the Wizarding world seem to know thanks to the reporter so he just told him what happened minus the system that Harry had set up to inform him of an attack that were to occur anywhere near the orphanages or Potter Mansion. Dumbledore noticed that Harry left that part out but decided not to question him on it because he knew that Harry would resist telling the Headmaster any secrets that Harry didn't want to tell. After Harry's story, the three adults left him for the night and Ginny snuck back by using Harry's invisibility cloak and talked while Ginny was on his hospital bed leaning on him while staring at the ceiling. The two of them talked up till midnight then at Harry's urging Ginny left to get some sleep to be ready for classes the next day.
The next morning, Harry and his friends were all gathered at the Hufflepuff table with Anthony enjoying their breakfast. There were many that came by to tell Harry about what they heard on the WWN and wanted to praise him for saving the orphanage. The Great Hall was noisy due to all the excited chatted about the events of the previous night and for once there was no outlandish rumor that made absolutely no sense at all because too many of the students heard the events as it happened. All of a sudden, the noise started to die down and everybody's head turned to the doors to the Great Hall.
Harry wasn't sure what was going on so he asked Ginny, "Gin, do you know what's going on?"
Ginny said, "Harry do you know anything about the Death Messengers?"
"No, who are they?"
Ginny pointed to the doors to the Great Hall which had Dumbledore, Flitwick, and a man dressed in all black formal robes with a red sash running diagonally from his left shoulder to the right side of his waist. On the red sash where the sash covers the heart, there was a thick white vertical line.
Ginny said, "The man with the red sash is known as the Death Messenger. When he shows up that means somebody has died. He delivers the bad news to the family of the deceased."
Hermione said, "The red sash stands for the blood that was spilled and the white vertical line stands for hope. They are ministry employees that are only around during times of war."
Dumbledore, Flitwick, and the man walked over to a third year Ravenclaw that Harry didn't know. The man handed the boy a red envelope and said a few words that nobody could really hear except for those sitting around the kid. The boy broke down and started crying. His friends came over to console him. Professor Flitwick stayed with the boy while, Dumbledore escorted the man out of the Great Hall.
Harry said, "I feel so sorry for him. I hope he didn't lose his entire family."
Luna lost her airy voice and in a sympathetic voice said, "We actually knew ahead of time that he had lost someone. We found out last night. He received an express owl with a message from his mother. She wanted to get the message to him before that idiot from the ministry shows up and makes a scene. He lost his baby sister in last night's attack. Apparently, his mum, dad, and baby sister were heading to the orphanage to evacuate but was hit by falling debris on their way to the orphanage. His dad was carrying the girl at the time and was hit in the back and fell down. We don't know how the baby died but the dad is still at St. Mungos and his mom is still with his dad."
Ron said, "He looked like he was doing better until the Death Messenger showed up."
Luna replied, "He was coping with it and his friends managed to finally get him to smile earlier this morning. I guess when the messenger showed up; all of his emotions from last night came back."
Harry said, "I feel so sorry for him. I wonder if there is something that we can do for him."
Luna said, "There's nothing really you can do."
Harry replied, "I hope it wasn't my spell that killed his baby sister. I wasn't really paying attention and was firing spells off like crazy anywhere the Deatheaters were standing."
Luna replied, "It wasn't your spell that caused it. It turned out that they made it past you and were being escorted by a wizard to help get them to safety. From what we were able to tell so far, it was a stray spell that was aimed at you that hit a building and you know the rest."
Harry's eyes instinctively closed as he took a few deep breaths. Ginny knew exactly what was running through his mind and placed a hand over his hand while saying, "Harry, it wasn't your fault. You did not fire that spell. If anything it was because of you that so many others are alive now."
Harry said, "We don't know that. For all we know the Deatheaters would have never attacked more of the village and left. But no, I had to show up and we know that I contributed to a baby girl's death."
Ginny replied, "You know that the Deatheaters would have did everything they could to kill every wizard, witch, and muggle."
Harry didn't reply. He just continued to stare at what was left of his breakfast. His friends were also at a loss of words. It was interrupted by the chiming of the bells to announce the start of the first classes that day. The hall dispersed very slowly and solemnly.
The castle returned back to normal for most students that evening except for the Ravenclaw that lost his sister and his friends who were helping him cope. Harry did start to feel a little better as the week went on with Ginny's help. There were no other sightings of the Death Messenger and for once the entire student body and staff agreed that that was a good thing.
A/N: I hope that you all liked this chapter also as this marks the beginning of the second part of the story and where the action will take off. It also seems like my mix up of the words 'then' and 'than', 'here' and 'hear', and 'there' and 'their' makes it a bit difficult to read. So, I'm now searching for a beta to read my stuff before hand. If you would like to be my beta then please let me know.