Disclaimer: Not mine. Sure wish it was.

Thanks to those who've reviewed. Yes, I know, I suck at writing fight scenes (according to my worst critic - my son, Shadow Imperium). But, I'll try to improve before the next one comes up.

From Chapter 5

"Come on inside everyone," Mrs. Weasley said suddenly. "We've a supper to prepare and a party to have."

"Yeah, let's have a party," Fred, or was it George, said, stepping out the back door.

"Sure, what is it a birthday or something?" the other one chimed in.

Aftermath. Chapter 6. What a Party!

Mrs. Weasley, Hermione and Ginny immediately went into the kitchen and began cooking dinner. Harry tried to sneak in to help and was immediately banished to the living room.

Ron looked at him curiously, "You weren't here a moment ago, were you?" he asked.

"No, I was in the kitchen. I wanted to see if I could help and suddenly, I found myself in here." Harry responded, slightly put out.

"I know better. You just wanted to see what they're up to," Ron replied. "That happened to the twins many times."

"Yeah, but," Harry began.

"How about a game of chess?" Ron asked. "You'd best forget about whatever it is they're up to in there and just enjoy the party when it starts."

Ron and Harry played a game of chess, Ron winning as usual, when the twins entered the living room.

"Where've you been?" Ron asked.

"No where in particular," Fred answered.

"Just out for a bit of fresh air," George replied.

"What did you do?" Ron asked again.

"How about exploding snap?" Fred said quickly.

The four of them enjoyed several hands of exploding snap before Hermione and Ginny joined them. After a few minutes, Ginny caught Harry's eye and they left the house for a quiet walk. Outside they found a path lit with fluttering fireflies, giving off a red and golden hue. There were floating hearts located here and there as well. As they started down it, Harry noticed a floating paper, that when he looked at it carefully, said in a loud Fred and George voice: "That's our little sister you've got your arms around!"

Harry and Ginny jumped apart. They had discovered what the twins had been up to. Leary now about what else they might find, they still enjoyed the quiet walk down the romantically lit path, totally unconcerned by the Lookout Eyes peering around the various plants and bushes.

When they returned, it was to the boisterous sounds of "Happy Birthday Harry!" Charlie, Remus and Tonks were there.

"You planned this, didn't you, Ginny?" Harry asked.

"Well, I was part of it," she replied.

"You were the best part," he said softly. "A nice distraction to get me out of the way for the surprise."

"Well, I did ask if there was anything I could do to help," she offered.

They sat down to a delicious dinner of roast, potatoes, gravy, beans, and a huge birthday cake, with 17 flaming wands on top. When everyone had their fill, Harry was led into the living room.

Harry was again surprised by a large stack of presents. He was shocked. This was more than he had ever expected. He received a journal from Ginny, "To put your thoughts in, so you can share them with me when you are able." A chess set from Ron, "Maybe you'll do better with your own set." A book from Hermione, Safely Destroying Magical Items "To help you with your task." He also received a desk set from Remus and Tonks, and a load of jokes and sweets. One of his favorite gifts was the shield cloak from the twins.

"This is perfect, guys," he told them. "Now I can wear this and never be caught completely off guard."

As the party was beginning to break up, they heard a noise from the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley stuck her head in and went to the floo. There was Professor McGonagall. Well, her head at least.

"Finally, Molly," she said. "I've been getting all kinds of warnings through the Order hotlines. Something is up. I don't know exactly what, but I wouldn't doubt if you're not safe there anymore. I suggest you make arrangements to leave as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Minerva," Molly said. "We'll make arrangements tomorrow."

In the living room, the twins were showing off some of their latest jokes and everyone was laughing. Harry looked around and stopped laughing rather suddenly. He noticed Remus had a strange look on his face. Like he had heard something.

"Quiet, everyone." Harry said.

"Get down," Remus whispered. "I think there's someone outside."

Suddenly, the garden was filled with deatheaters.

"Nox," Tonks said. The lights went out, throwing the living room into darkness.

"Molly, call the Aurors," Tonks called softly as she and Remus slipped out the back door.

Charlie and Arthur exited quickly and quietly through the front door. Not wanting the fighting to be inside, the others quickly followed.

It seemed as if there were deatheaters everywhere. They were using blasting curses and reducto curses at anything that moved. It was only a few minutes before the Ministry Aurors began to join them, trying to stun and take down the deatheaters that were there.

"Relashio"

"Protego" Harry called as he dodged.

"Avada Kedavra" Another death eater called out.

Harry dodged quickly, and looked behind him as he saw a flash of green light pass by on his right. He saw an Auror hit the ground. He saw another curse hit the garden wall, behind which Ginny and Hermione were taking cover.

"Crucio." Screams of agony. Harry knew that voice. It was Ginny.

He looked at the deatheater that had sent the curse, dodged one coming his way and shouted "Sectusempra."

The deatheater immediately fell to the ground, blood flowing freely from beneath the robes and mask. Harry didn't know why he used that curse, but he was angry beyond words. He looked up quickly to see Remus dodge a curse, return with a stunning spell, and look at Harry. The look said it all. Harry knew he was in for it now. He had just used a dark curse that Remus didn't know anything about. He knew he was in big trouble now.

Ginny got slowly to her feet and fired off a stunning curse at another deatheater, who quickly repelled it. She protected herself with a "Protego" when another "Crucio" was shouted.

Hermione, however, sent her 'canaries of death' to attack the deatheater. While he was distracted, Ron quickly threw stunning, disarming and binding charms at him. That was another deatheater disabled. Thinking this might work well, they moved on to another deatheater, but before Ron could get "Expelliaramus" out, Hermione was taken down with a slashing curse.

Harry quickly racked his brain for something less dark, pointed his wand at a group of deatheaters, thought "Levicorpus" and watched as the group of them rose suddenly in the air. He saw the stunned looks on the faces of the Aurors, who began to disarm, stun and bind the floating deatheaters. He quickly began to do the same to the remaining deatheaters, most of who had immediately apparated away.

When things began to calm down, Harry noticed Remus looking at him with fury in his eyes. He knew he was in for it when Remus caught up with him. Doing the only thing he could think of, and fearing for his life in a way that only a pissed off werewolf godfather could make him, he concentrated, spun and with a crack apparated to Ginny's side. He picked her up carefully, and held her close, muttering soft words of comfort. He knew what it was like to be placed under the cruciatus curse and knew she was hurting all over.

Molly hurried over to Ron and Hermione. She quickly placed some clotting charms on the worst of the cuts. "Let's get her inside and upstairs," she said. "Fred, help Ron. George, call Hogwarts and see if we can get Madame Pomfrey. This may be more than I can take care of."

By the time they got everyone back into the Burrow, Ginny had calmed down, and Madame Pomfrey was waiting there with her bag. She quickly examined Hermione and began to heal the cuts. She gave her a blood-replenishing potion, something for the pain and admonished her to remain in bed for at least two days. She then performed a cursory exam of Ginny and gave her some potions to drink.

"Here are some additional potions for both of you," she said firmly. "Molly, Ginny can get up tomorrow evening if she's feeling okay, but Hermione needs to remain in bed and calm for at least two days. They should be fine, but rest is of the utmost importance. Is there anything else I can do for you while I'm here?"

"No," Molly answered. "I think everyone else got by with minor scrapes and cuts. I can handle those myself. Thank you so much for coming."

"Not a problem. I'll see you at the next Order meeting. I understand Minerva wants to call one for next week sometime." With that, Madame Pomfrey stepped into the floo and with a flash of green flame, was gone.

"To bed everyone," Molly insisted.

"But, Mum," began one of the twins.

"No arguments. You two will sleep here tonight. Since Hermione is in your room, you can sleep in Percy's room." Molly was firm. She wanted her family safe around her tonight.

"Yes, Mum," George and Fred said together.

After Molly had insured both Hermione and Ginny were tucked into bed with a dreamless sleeping draught, Molly looked at Ron and Harry and said simply. "Bed, now."

Ron and Harry went to their room and put on pajamas. They were sitting on the beds talking when they heard Tonks stumble in the living room. They quickly pulled out extendable ears and joined the twins at the top of the stairs.

"The Aurors have everything under control. They'll be back in the morning to make certain. We've put up additional charms and spells, but I think you ought to consider moving to headquarters. I don't think the Burrow is safe anymore. Mad Eye was saying it seems as though these last few attacks were calculated to see how vulnerable we are. I suspect when they hit again, there'll be no stopping them despite what we are able to do."

"I know," Arthur replied. "I'll discuss it with Molly in the morning. Is headquarters safe?"

"I believe so," Remus this time. "It is unplottable and Harry owns it now, but he hasn't named a new secret keeper. It would probably be best if he would do that before you moved in. We'll also need to help him put up new wards on the place. I'll talk to him about it. There are a few other things I'd like to talk to him about as well."

Ron looked at Harry questioningly, then heard, Arthur again.

"Would you two like to sleep over tonight? We can easily conjure a bed in here for you."

"If you don't think it will be an imposition," Remus answered. "That way I can talk to Harry tonight or first thing in the morning."

Harry quickly said, "Night all," jumped up and went quickly to his room. He heard sounds from downstairs as everyone began moving towards bed.

Ron joined him almost immediately, and asked. "What was that all about?"

"I'll tell you tomorrow," Harry said quietly and began to snore a little too loudly. Hearing someone outside their door, Ron did the same.

"I think they're both asleep, I'll have to talk to Harry tomorrow." Remus said to Arthur as they looked in on the boys.

-----------

Hope the fight scene was better in this chapter. Please review and let me know what you think.