Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all the characters and places found in the Harry Potter books are not my property. That said please read my whacked out version, and enjoi!


Chapter Eight

The Time is Now!

By: Rita Skeeter

The Dark Lord has won, pure and simple. The Ministry has fallen. There are even rumors flying about that Albus Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix has lost their headquarters to the Death Eaters. How much more proof is needed that You-Know-Who is in fact victorious? How many more have to die to prove an already proven fact? We should be grateful, those of us still alive, we should embrace what life the Dark Lord will allow us to have now that he is rightfully the ruler of our magical world. While France may offer assistance in housing uprooted families, where is the military support? Who is even going to ask for said support? What are we to do? Wait for the Americans for help? They would more than likely try and help us and even if they did manage to get rid of the Dark Lord they would then install some puppet government in the void that we have now. But no dear readers, the Americans will not come. Bulgaria, Germany, Japan, and almost all other foreign powers are all unaccounted for. Our only ally is France, with their Hope wing. And really, what hope is there in that? No, the time is now, embrace the change. I for one would rather live with the mark than die with an ideal.


Today of all days Rita had to spread her propaganda. Harry would like nothing more than to hex the coward, especially today. He shook his head and threw the paper away. With a wave of his wand the thin paper ignited and Rita's lies were burning away. Harry's disgust didn't end with Rita though; he knew there were people buying into the rubbish of her words. If they weren't she would no longer be published. He sighed as he reached into his trunk for his Hogwarts robes. They were of the best condition, and also were black. He wore black under clothes as well. His tattered trainers were transfigured into black loafers. Today he dressed to match his mood. Today he had a funeral to attend, actually…two.


"Is it enough?" the joy that had been in Voldemort's voice was now gone. He seemed subdued.

"I believe so my Lord."

"Bellatrix…I do not want your half-assed guesses. Is it enough?"

"Yes my Lord, with the giants and trolls our forces are large enough to strike both Hogwarts and Beauxbatons. Should I give word for the two teams to assemble?"

"Did I ask you to give word? Are you questioning my judgment?"

"No my Lord," Bellatrix blurted out in fear from her place on the ground.

"Just leave, I'll send word when we are ready."

"Yes my Lord," Bellatrix answered rising from her knees. She was astonished at not being punished for the slight insubordination.

Voldemort now alone from human company began hissing to his only friend.


Ginny and Hermione both donned their black dresses. Hermione's face was blank and reserved. Ginny was already crying. Today would be hard.

"I still can't believe they are gone…" Ginny said through her tears. "I must be horrible. My father and one of my brothers are both dead. I haven't even mourned them. I haven't helped mum like I could have. Like I should have. Hermione…?" Ginny turned her head to the other girl looking lost. Her voice was trembling. "Why is this happening?"

Hermione gave a sigh before answering, "Because Voldemort wants it to happen."

"I hope the prophecy is wrong," Ginny mumbled.

"Why?" Hermione asked astonished.

"Because I want to kill the bastard."


Peter Pettigrew, betrayer of light, betrayer of friends, the man who helped raise Lord Voldemort to his second coming, was crying, staring at his stump. His cell was blank, not even a door broke up the barren walls. He had no toilet, he had no bed. He was alone, without wand or clothes. He thought his master was cruel, no he wasn't sure if he had betrayed the right side or not. Periodically a tray would appear on the floor. A slice of bread, a slice of cheese, and a goblet of pumpkin juice that tasted funny was all he received twice a day. He thought he had only been here a day, but it felt like ten already. He would scream and scream, but his voice only echoed slightly back to him. Where his hand had been was aching painfully. His mark was burning his forearm. Peter Pettigrew wanted nothing more than to do what he should have done years ago. He was wishing for death.


Harry was walking alone to the grounds outside. Ron had left with Ginny, Hermione, and Molly to greet what was left of their family. Harry had just left the castle to find the sky a gray overcast. He kept his head down as he walked around the large castle. He had never been to the back, five years of school and it never occurred to him to go to the rear. He slightly shook his head. Maybe his father hadn't rubbed off on to him. When he glanced up he saw something he did not expect.

A large black iron fence went around the perimeter of a graveyard. Large tombs of concrete were scattered about. Some of the statues seemed to be watching him. Angels, gargoyles, and simple headstones graced the grounds. The Weasley family had already conjured around a plot. Harry also noticed many Order members milling around.

"Not going in?" a tired voice sounded beside Harry.

"No, I am, I just wasn't expecting this. It all seems so real now," Harry answered, sadness already filling him.

"Yes, it always seems too real."

"Should you be out of bed?" Harry asked concerned.

"I'm not missing this," Remus replied.

Harry nodded. He wouldn't want to miss this either.


"Molly, are you ready?" Dumbledore asked the widow. The twinkle in his eye had been replaced by deadness.

The mother of a murdered child only had it in her to nod. She placed her wand to her temple and closed her eyes. She pulled the tip of the wand from her head and a silvery substance trailed from the wand to her head. She placed the substance into a pensive that was molded into a four foot pillar.

The matriarch of the Weasley family then took her seat. The process was repeated by the rest of the Weasley clan. Percy was laid on a stone slab behind the pensive. Runes were etched around the edge of the slab. Harry was seated quietly in the back row beside Lupin.

When the pensive was full and everyone had their seat Dumbledore went to the stone basin. He tapped the container three times and to Harry's surprise images appeared behind Percy on the tree line. It looked like an old movie in a way.

Percy was an infant, being held in his mother's arms. She was singing a lullaby to the baby who almost looked like he was smiling. He was an infant, taking his first steps into his proud mother's waiting arms. He was trailing his two older brothers into the field outside of the house. He was holding a baby while his older brother Charlie did the same with an identical baby; Bill was standing slightly behind and between them. He cried while his two older brothers went off to Hogwarts leaving him behind as he chased the train. He was asking his dad to tell him again how Harry Potter had saved the world.

At that memory Harry's mind tuned out. The weight of the world seemed to shift right back onto his shoulders. He was supposed to be the hero of the Wizarding world. He felt regret and shame that he was not ready or able to stop the deaths of two of his family. Even if he didn't get along well with Percy, he was still a brother of his adopted family. His thoughts drifted to his first year. If only he could have killed what was left of Voldemort then so much could have been different. Cedric, Sirius, Percy, and Arthur could have all been alive. The potions might have helped him, but was it enough? What did he need to do?


Ginny felt numb. Bill had an arm around her shoulders trying to comfort her, but her mind was a million miles away. Her chocolate brown eyes were unfocused as a memory she had provided played on the trees. She was lost within herself; her mother was beside her also looking resigned. She felt her hand being slightly squeezed but she didn't respond. She had heard the prophecy, and what Dumbledore had interpreted from it. Love was supposed to defeat Voldemort. Harry's love. She wondered then how Harry of all people could be capable of enough love to destroy the darkest thing ever created. The grief had filled her, and she felt deep inside that it just might break her. She looked over her shoulder, Harry too had a million mile stare. Tears welled into his eyes. She smiled slightly. Through all the arguments and hard times as of late, if she had to have hope, she was glad that she had to have hope in Harry.


Harry was aware that the memories had stopped playing. Dumbledore was talking about Percy's soul carrying on, his magic being returned to the earth as his soul traveled to greater places. When he said that the vessel was no longer needed the runes of the slab that Percy's body was laying on glowed a soft blue. A golden fire then engulfed the slab along with Percy. The light was brilliant in the overcast day. It grew upwards and upwards, soft phoenix song filled Harry's ears. He looked up to see a soft white light in the clouds above. Something in his chest clinched with the sadness and hope filling him at once. The tears he had held back flowed from his eyes. When he looked back down the fire was gone, and a headstone was in its place. Something in him felt different somehow. He could feel the mourning around him; he felt the love that had brought upon this grief. He placed a hand on Remus's shoulder without knowing why.

He gently smiled as he looked into the eyes of the closest thing he had to a father and said, "I think everything will be alright."


The group had proceeded over to another plot where a coffin was waiting. Dumbledore went to behind the casket as everyone gathered around. Mrs. Weasley had a chair awaiting her. She was gripping her eldest son Bill as if life depended on it. The rest of the Weasley's also found chairs waiting for them. Everyone else gathered around standing. Harry ended up behind Ginny, beside Hermione who was standing behind Ron. Rain slowly started to fall.

"We are gathered here today to mourn the passing of a father, the loss of a husband, and the falling of a friend." Dumbledore started the procession. Harry again started to cry as he remembered everything Mr. Weasley had done for him.

Again his mind seemed to shut down his ears. He saw Ginny's shoulders shaking with sobs. He placed a hand on her shoulder to steady the girl. The shaking stopped but she didn't turn to look at who was comforting her. The regret was again filling him but he focused on the love around him instead. The funeral continued and with Harry realizing it the coffin was being lowered into the ground. His hand still rested on Ginny's shoulder and he had the urge again to look up.

The rain mixed into the tears he had shed at the loss. Again he saw a soft light in the clouds as hope again filled him. He was perplexed at this since the fire had not been present. As he stared at the light phoenix song once again filled his mind. Questions sprung forth in his mind but they would wait. This was not about him. This was about his family.


Everyone was asleep, but Harry couldn't. He was tired, the day of loss had exhausted him, but he could not sleep. He wandered the halls of Hogwarts aimlessly. He heard the portraits mumbling as he passed but he didn't have the energy to try and listen to what they were saying. He needed to walk, but he didn't care where he was going. Simple mindless questions invaded his thoughts. Was school going to start in September? Would Hogsmeade visits be allowed?

Other questions came to him that he tried to suppress. Like were any of the people he knew dead and he just didn't know yet? He didn't want to think about it.

He was a little surprised to see that his feet had taken him to the entrance of Dumbledore's office. The gargoyle was not blocking the path. Curious, he walked up the steps. At the door at the top of the spiral staircase he knocked.

"Come in Harry," he heard from the other side of the wooden door.

Harry smiled as he walked into the room. He loved that Dumbledore just knew these things; it truly was the little things in the world that mattered.

"I'm glad you are here Harry, there are some things we need to discuss," Dumbledore smiled weakly.

"About what sir?" Harry asked curious to what needed to be talked about now. He was curious, but a sense of dread tried to fill him, usually these talks weren't good things.

"We need to talk about your bloodline."


A/N: Ok, this has suddenly taken an unexpected turn, and the bloodline will come into effect. Just to let ya'll know, it has nothing to do with either Merlin, nor any of the four founders of Hogwarts. Let me know if this new turn is working.

SirusLivesOn: I liked those lines as well. Yes, Molly has had a very bad day. I'm glad that the reactions are yealistic to you, that was my goal from the get go. Even if it is OoC I still want it to seem real. And I'll keep writing if you keep reading ; )

Luna Lovegood2: Yes, I liked that line as well. I wish this chapter held more quotable lines, it was rather interesting to see what you all liked.

fanastygirl721: Don't worry about Knockturn, I've decided to get rid off the dealines and rules other than it needs to take place in Knockturn. Once I phrase it right it'll probably end up a challenge instead. Though I'll still post your story if you want to keep up with the hits. Well, that's two for the wolf/rat line, and it wasn't even one of the lines I had to really think about ). The potions may be offered in the future, if anything it might take a while to onvince Snape to do it, they are rather difficult you know.

A/N2: I'll try to get back into the regular format next chapter. Its harder to do with most the characters in one place...