A/N I want to thank all of you for your patients. I almost gave it up completely, but with all the mail I got telling me to get my act back together. Well, what can I say? 50,000 Frenchmen can't be wrong? (OK a little old on the expression, but you get the idea).
I also want to thank "The Harry Potter Lexicon" I have used their site more then once and find it extremely beneficial for providing factual cannon references. If you haven't been there, you really must.
Up to here was all littletoms. This is the is the last chapter he wrote with a little of my additions this is were I will take over and this is were I ask you all to give littletom a round of applause for his excellent work and for being a great writer.
Now, onto the story.
Chapter 12
Healing Wounds
As Ron, Herminie and Ginny floo'd first to the twins shop, then to the Ministry, Mad-Eye Moody and Harry apparated to an alleyway across from a broken telephone booth in one of the older parts of London. The two men stepped into the booth and dial MAGIC on the phone hanging inside. Declaring to the voice in the booth that he had a meeting with the Minister of Magic, two tags emerged from the coin slot. "Harry Potter- Meeting with MOM' and Alaster Moody- Security Detail'. Arriving in the Atrium, they spotted their three cohorts and proceeded past security. A Photographer from the Daily Prophet was lazily sitting in a chair by Eric the Security Guard and didn't notice who passed by. Even though he didn't, his camera did and snapped a shot of the group as they passed.
Proceeding towards the office area, a sign floating about three meters up provided directions to both the Department of Magical Law Enforcement (MLE) and in another direction, to the Office of the Minister of Magic (OMOM). Ron was in the lead and stopped to take a peek into the MLE. Harry and he at one time had expressed a wanting to become Aurors. Hermione mumbled a soft tut-tut as she proceeded past him with Ginny at her side. Behind them walked Harry with Moody bringing up the rear. Harry had just passed a broom closet, when Moody placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. Drawing his wand, he pointed it at the closet, and with a swish, the door opened to reveal Draco Malfoy.
Well throwing down his wand Draco emits an "I surrender"
Nymphadora Tonks at that same moment walked out to greet the guest and was as surprised as the rest at what she saw. "Dear Cousin. What a pleasure it is to have you come see us, and pray tell, why would that be?"
Draco looks worriedly at his cousin,"I am seeking asylum, now please get me out of sight as quickly as possible."
with a grunt, Moody tapped his head disillusioned him, knocking him out at the same time. With another flick of his wand, Draco was laying erect and floating. "He's all your Tonks. I'll be back to find out what that was all about."
As Tonks and a floating disillusioned Draco moved out of sight, Percy Weasley and Minister Scrimgeour walked out a set of doors at the end of the hall. Ron looked at Harry to confirm that he remembered their deal. Ron would not do anything to antagonize his brother during this visit.
Treating him as if he was a crowned prince, the Minister paid a small bow to Harry who returned it. Harry and Ron followed Scrimgeour into the office. Inviting them to sit, Harry sat in one of the cushy chairs facing the fireplace. Albus Dumbledore winked at him from the photo above it. Ron kept an eye on Percy as he poured tea. Scarcely a word had been spoken yet and Harry decided he would wait. He didn't want to seem eager and at the same time wanted to be polite. He knew he had the upper hand here and figured if he played his cards right, he would get everything he wanted.
"Well, Mr. Potter. I'm glad you could make it. I've been concerned for you since your accident in Iceland. I'm not going to bother and ask what that was all about, because I doubt very much you'd tell me ." He had a smirk on his face acting as if he really understood the significance of what he was doing.
After taking a sip of tea, he continued. "I have it on good authority that you are in hiding and seeing what your brought for security, I imagine you have a good safe house." He eyed Harry, hoping to get him to reveal something in his expression. Harry having played cards with Seamus several times, knew how to keep a poker face.
"Minister, why don't we cut with the informalities and get down to business. My friends and I are quite busy and have a lot of work to do." Harry following Ron's plan, cut to the chase, through the Minister off guard.
Sitting down his tea, he proceeded with the plan. "You have need of people seeing me in public and making some claims on behalf of the Ministry. I must tell you right now, I will not lie to the public." Sitting back in his chair, he continued, "We also have a few things that we would like too." As he was pulling a parchment from his robes, Herminie walked into the room.
Harry, sensing that something was wrong, closed his eyes to get a better idea from Ginny. He felt chaos, he reflexes were up and then he felt ting of fear. "Bring them in, Herminie." He demanded. "Ron?"
Ron moved to the fireplace, he cast a charm it and grabbed some floo powder. Ginny ran in at that time with Moody following "Let's get out of here now. We better take them with us." His eye spinning around the room, it stopped on the painting (what painting?). Raising his wand, he incinerated the portrait. "The Shop" Ron said as he threw the powder in.
George and Fred had their wands drawn facing the fireplace in the basement of their store. The basement, better known as 'The Shop' was home of their latest inventions. When Ron walked out of the fireplace without announcing he was coming first, they were suspicious. When Hermione and Ginny followed they were getting curious, but when the Minister of Magic appeared, curious turned to surprised, when Harry arrived, it was joy and when Percy arrived, it was anger. Harry held up his hand before letting the brother have their way with Percy.
"Hold up guys, we are just passing through. You will get to have your meeting of the minds at another time." Just then Moody appeared with Tonks holding her unconscious and disillusioned captive.
"Seal the floo and let's get out of here." Growled Moody.
Minister, if you'll take my arm, Percy the other, Harry said. With a pop, the three vanished.
Having only seen it once from the outside only a few days ago, Harry was slightly disoriented, until the others arrived. Moody took the lead heading towards the house. It was funny when you looked and thought about it. From the outside, it looked like a small two story family dwelling, but on the inside, it was a big as Hogwarts. Harry moved ahead and opened the gate. Once you crossed the threshold, and if you had permission to be there, you saw just how big it really was. Standing a good six to eight stories high, the front and outer walls as long as Buckingham Palace, Potter Manor was no small cottage. It gleamed bright white as though freshly painted and the sweet smell of fresh cut flowers permeated the air.
As he moves to open the doors, they opened of their own accord. Two Houselves, smartly dressed, bowed their entrance in. "Welcome to Potter Manor Minister." Harry said as he took Ginny's arm in his and walked into his home.
"Tea is served in the Drawing Room, Master Potter," another house elf announced pointing to the left. Harry and Ginny lead the crowd down the hall. Another door opened as they approached. Upon entering, Ginny found the room enchanting and Harry masculine. When she commented on how pretty it was, that was when Hermione put it all together.
"It's a illusion room. The room is enchanted to look as you wish, similar to the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts. The furniture will all be real, but the rest is all a trick on your senses," she said with a smile and an air of authority. Ron smiled back at her. He was going to marry the smartest witch around and it was no trick on his senses.
The twins looked like they died and went to heaven. "What do you think George, could we do it? Could this be bottled and sold on a shelf?" Fred was so excited; he nearly tripped on an elf carrying a tray with tea.
The Minister hobbled to the back of the room and sat in a big chair by the fire. He looked a little distraught and slightly angry at the same time. Twisting his hands and running them threw his hair, he surveyed the room. To him, it looked almost like a prison. He had been swept away from his office without his permission. He was in the hands of someone of great power and standing around his thugs. That was how he felt. Harry Potter was not going to give him what he wanted. He almost dared to wonder if Potter was in cahoots with Voldemort, but dismissed that thought just as fast. As this dawned on him, the room changed in his mind. Now it looked like the meeting room of a warrior. Now this he could understand. His bloodline was filled with warriors who stood up for what they believed. Standing at his side was Percy Weasley, looking defensively at his brothers. Ron was paying him no mind, but George and Fred looked like they were ready to throttle him.
Harry walked to the twins and asked them to go find their parents. Turning around, he found Seumas at his feet. "Seumas, please don't startle me like that and tell the kitchen we have guests for dinner and may need more rooms for the night. I also need a quiet room that we can observe someone without their knowledge." The servant bowed and left closing the doors to the room.
Hermione was looking at some pictures on the wall while Ron was talking to his sister. Ginny giggled looking at Harry. Taking Ron by the hand she lead him to join Hermione by the artwork. Moody and Tonks were talking quietly while glancing at the Minister and then Draco. Together, they walked up to Harry.
"What do you want to do with him?" Tonks asked throwing her head towards Malfoy. "We could just keep him like that, it won't hurt him ya know."
"No, I am making arrangement for him as we speak." Turning towards Moody, he whispered, "This isn't going the way we planned, but it just may work out better. Follow me."
Harry walked up to the Minister and Percy. "Minister, we are both on the same side. I think we need to work together, but I must warn you, I am no mans puppet. I believe I know what I need to do to get rid of Voldemort, and I may be in need of your help. As you may have already surmised, I have plenty of assets at my disposal. It is knowledge that I will need help with. Maybe we can come to some form alliance, shall we say..."
At that moment, the doors opened, and everyone turned their heads as Arthur and Molly entered. Arthur looked at Percy sternly and nodded but didn't say anything; meanwhile Molly went to hug her son.
"Percy, I have missed you. I think we need to talk." Taking him by the arm, she led him away and her husband followed. They sat in chair across the room and talked in among themselves.
Harry continued, "As I was saying, you need the wizarding world believing that the Ministry is on the right track and is getting rid of the Deatheaters. I will need use of some assets of your historians, and maybe some other items."
"Are you saying that you're going to help the Ministry? You're only a boy. What can one person do?"
Hermione spoke up from across the room. "In 1429, a 17 year old peasant muggle girl, rallied all of France including its leaders to follow her in her fight to end war with England. Two years latter, peace reined once more. Her name was Joan of Arc. Believe me Minister. If Harry says he can get rid of Voldemort, I see no reason to believe that he can't. He did it once as a child, now he is a young man, and definitely a force to be reckoned with."
Harry looked back at his friend and gave her a wink.
"Hmm, I will have to think about this. I'll want more information, but maybe just maybe mind you, we could work something out." Turning to Tonks and giving her a hard look, "Mind telling me what that was all about now. Why did we have to leave and who is that floating next to you? This had better be good."
Tonks walked up with some authority and stood before the Minister. "That sir was stopping an assassination attempt. Voldemort's snake was seen in the pipes heading towards your office. We believe she was sent to kill you and Potter. The person floating next to me is Draco Malfoy. He is a new inductee as a Deatheaters who says he is seeking asylum. We haven't had a chance to talk with him yet, but if the snake saw him, it would go for him too and prevent us from getting any information. If Potter and his crew hadn't been on hand, you and your assistant would probably be dead right now."
"Nagini was there?" Harry asked. Looking around, he noticed every Weasley was white in the face. They all remembered when that snake had once before appeared. Arthur almost bled to death. As Harry looked at Arthur, he saw him shaking almost uncontrollably. Percy stood up and held him tight, whispering in his ear to calm him.
A painting on the wall opened and the twins came out laughing, until they saw everyone. "Looking a little morbid here isn't it. Someone die?" Fred said.
"No, but someone could have. Come help your brother" Molly said at last. She was still shaky and they approached. George held her tight and stroked her back. Looking around he saw Ginny was almost in tears as she headed in their direction. To his surprise, she hugged Percy instead.
"I'm sorry for all the bad thoughts that I have had about you. I know you think your doing the right thing. We just don't agree. I still love you, you prat and don't you dare go getting yourself killed.
Percy was beside himself. He held her as a tear formed in his eyes. Tight lipped he looked at each of his brothers. "I think we need to talk tonight. Harry, Minister, would you mind if I stayed the night? I think I would like to spend it with my family."
"No, I think that would be great, and you Minister are welcome to stay too. Lots of room here and we still have a lot to go over."
The sentimental moment seemed to last forever, but Percy didn't mind. He had felt so alone. Many times it had felt like just him and Penny standing up against the world. His folks didn't approve of him. He came from a family that was too big, out spoken on issues and he guessed the twins didn't help with their games all of the time. But he didn't care. This was his family and he missed them terribly.
Mom, Dad, Harry all of you. I own you all a great apology. Ginny is right, I have been a prat and I guess you all have a right to be mad, but understand that I believe I still did what I had to do in many cases. I really didn't want to hurt you all but in the end that is exactly what happened. I admit I had my head up my bum in many cases too. I had an opportunity to talk last Christmas and didn't. I'm sorry.
Harry walked across the room and stuck his hand out. "I can't speak for everyone, but for me, It's all forgotten. Welcome to our home," he said as he wrapped his arms around Ginny's waist.
The look on Percy's face spoke volumes. He looked between his sister and Harry and back again. Speaking very quickly "I knew it… I knew this would happen. You have been in love with him since before you ever met him. You're not married are you? No, it can't be. No, your too young, Mom, how could you let this happen? She's not old enough for this. You not having a baby or anything like that are you? What about mufmfu?" He never finished his line as Ginny covered his mouth.
"You, big brother we have a lot of catching up to do. No, I not married, pregnant or any such thing. Let's leave Harry and Minister Scrimgeour alone and we can all go find another room to talk." Ginny smiled, as she looked at Harry then the Minister. Both had great smiles on their face too. You could see that Minister Scrimgeour wasn't sure whether to laugh or just hold it in. It really was a sight to see. Ginny was short and Percy was much taller, but he cowed under her control. So instead, he turned away with a beaming smile on his face.
After a moment or two, the Weasleys all got up and left Harry alone with the Minister. Hermione left to check on Fleur, Bill and Remus. Tonight was the full moon, and she was concerned for Fleur. She had to admit that at first, she was not all that keen about her, but she guessed that over time, she had grown fond of her. She was also curious what Neville and Luna came up with. Tonks and Mad-Eye Moody left floating Draco behind them. A houself was leading them to a private room set up for the observance of Draco. It seemed to be along the same corridor Remus and Bill rooms were. Hermione turned into one room where Fleur sat with a very tired look on her face.
Hermione's concern could be heard in her voice "You haven't left this room have you?"
Fleur's eyes never wavered from the window. Looking out, she could see Bill still lying on a big pillow. He was wringing his hands and looking around. "I can not leave. This is where I should be, with my man. I cannot leave him. He is scared. I am scared too."
Hermione stepped further into the room to see out. "He will be alright. The Houselves prepared a wolfsbaine potion for him. He should be fine."
"No. He cannot take it yet. He was not here soon enough and he has never had a change. The old woman said that he must do this and I needed to be here. We are both worried for we do not know what will happen. She said that it would not pass to our children. I am thankful for that. I will be strong for him. I must. I will not leave him."
"Then I will stay the night with you." She said as she moved further into the room. "You should not be alone. If we are to be family this is our chance to show and learn from each other."
Fleur stood and hugged Hermione. "Bill said you are a smart and wise woman. I can see that now. Thank you. Ronald is a very fortunate man."
Settling herself into another chair she decided she might as well be comfortable. "Tell me about Bill."
Arthur Weasley was standing at the head of a big table. About 20 members of the Order of the Phoenix were present. "We have a few changes in our plans for tonight. Minister Scrimgeour is talking with Harry in the room next door." There were a few murmurs, but he held up his hand to quiet them and continued. "We have a Deatheater caught and in our hands. Alaster Moody is taking care of him and will be with us in a moment to tell us how this came to be and my son Percy is here. He is with the rest of the family. A small reunion you might say." Arthur smiled at that thought. He was really happy that his family was starting to heal. It had been a long time since all of them were together.
Minerva McGonagall stood up and addressed him "Arthur? Do you think it wise for us to meet with the minister right next door?"
Narrowing his eyes, he looked at the band before him. "I think that Harry is about to convince him to join our cause. If not that, then he will at least be allied and quick running around in circles. We need him, just as much as he needs us. Harry is having his first taste of diplomacy in action. I myself am curious to see how this all turns out."
Pulling a piece of parchment from his pocket and a small bag and putting his spectacles on, he addressed the order again.
"Now lets get down to business. As many of you have heard the wards protecting headquarters has been dropping and collapsed completely the other week. I am happy to say that they are completely up again. But in the event that happens an alternate location has been set up. Two of our youngest members have made these ingenious pins. You wear them under your clothes and they give you a small vision as to what to do. They are also emergency port keys…
Minister Scrimgeour was sipping his tea while listening intently to the young man before him. They had been talking nonstop for several hours and a good relationship was building. He was gaining a strong respect for Harry Potter.
"I have to agree with you that we must get the community to start working together. We also need them to understand that fear is OK, but to still use their heads. Voldemort and his cronies thrive on fear. If we can get everyone to quit fearing them or him, and he losses face, then we can rebuild even with the war going on." Harry was sitting back in his chair and talking in a slow methodical manner similar to how the minister spoke, but more in the style of his mentor Albus Dumbledore.
Putting his tea on the small table the Minister looked tired, but not from talking. He was tired of the war. "Look, I have tried almost everything that I can think of. What makes you think you can get everyone to stop hiding and start fighting them?"
Looking the man in the eyes, Harry conveyed his conviction to his plan. "I will need some defense teachers and I will need to have the school reopened. I also need to get hold of some friends and we will take the battle to Voldemort instead." Harry gestured with his hands. It was an art in speaking that he had seen others use and found it effective. "Meanwhile, I have a few others that need some history help. We need to track down some historical items and figure out just were Voldemort went between the years 1944-45 when Voldemort was still called Tom Riddle. He was in his last year at Hogwarts at the time and the next 20 years or so until his return."
Surely your not suggesting that I allow you to start your own army now are you.
"Oh no Minister, not hardly. The people I will be calling upon are all students or recently former students. When the community sees that kids aren't afraid, maybe then they will get off their bums and do something about it. Believe me, my friends understand just how dangerous this will be and I won't force them, but I think they will do it."
"You have got to be kidding. We are talking about underage wizards and witches going to battle with hoodlums. This is not some form of game you know."
Speaking in a softer voice but still with some command tone in it, Harry sat back "Calm down, please. If I can show you that they are more then a match, will you help me with that part?"
The Weasleys had all retired to another sitting room. This one was decorated in lighter softer colors and made you feel calmer. It helped that a soft crackling fire was burning in the fireplace. Molly was sitting in the middle of a long couch with Percy on one side and Charlie on the other. The twins were sitting opposite on a similar couch with Ginny in front on a footstool and Ron standing behind her. Everyone was much calmer now and the tension had passed.
"Well Penny and I are thinking about getting married, but this war is just making it hard on everything. I spend most of my time at the ministry and it is hurting our relationship. When we do get time together, I'm just too tired to do much. It's not her fault but I just don't know what to do. I need the job. She is having a hard time finding work unless she ventures out to muggle country, and I really don't fancy that. Anything could happen to her out there and no one would know anything."
The twins looked at each other. You could see the wheels turning in their minds.
Molly addressed all of her children in a tone of understanding but a time to teach them another lesson. When these times came, everyone was always attentive, because she spoke of his or her history. To the Weasley clan, who they were, and where they came from was important.
Taking Percy's hands in hers, she patted them "There, there, I know it is hard. Your father and I dated during the war too. We were still pretty young, but we understood what was going on. He proposed to me during our seventh year at Hogwarts and before school was out, we eloped. My parents weren't too keen on it and I guess now that I think about it, I can understand. Many of our friends were getting married. There was fear that if we didn't do it then, we may never get to.
Your fathers' first job out of school was an errant boy at the ministry. I was down in the dungeons cleaning, but before you knew it I was expecting our first child. Bill was born that next year and before you knew it Charlie came along. We had only been married three years and already had two wonderful babies. I took in more kids as a day and night center and your father started training in law enforcement. Mr. Crouch was his first boss. He was such a nice man, but stern. I remember more then once your father ready to quit, but then he looked at us and would change his mind by morning. So believe me when I say I understand."
Ginny broke in after a moment of silence. She thought it might help Bill to understand that he was not the only one trying to make life work. There were others who where also having a go at it. "Fleur is upstairs sitting, waiting to see what happens to Bill and Tonks is doing the same with Remus. Harry and I are soul mates and Ron and Hermione, well I don't think I have to tell you how much they love each other. They probably hold the record for the longest non-dating love affair in the world."
Ron stepped forward "Hey that is not fair. Hermione knows I love her. I even uh well I'll tell you all later, but the point is Percy, we aren't going to give up on our relationships just because of Voldemort."
Ginny jumped up and hugged him. She looked so proud of him just then. "Ron, you said his name."
Putting his hands on his hips he proclaimed "Well Harry and Hermione are right. It is only a name. If we fear the name, then it gives it power. Well, I for one will not be afraid of a name any longer."
Back in the Illusion Room, Harry and the Minister were winding down. "Well I think we are off to a great start Harry. You have been giving this some thought I see. But I really wonder if you can pull all of this off."
Standing and shaking the Ministers hand "I think so. I don't know about you but I for one am getting a little hungry. I think now would be a good time to introduce you to the Order of the Phoenix. They are meeting in the room next door."
A incredulous look over came Minister Scrimgeour "Your part of that mob."
Giving him a smirk back "I won't call them a mob. They are the only group that has made any real ground in this fight. Most are old hands at this. I am sure you will recognize several." Turning his head he called out "Seumas."
With a quiet pop, the house elf appeared. "Yes Master Potter."
"Please see that dinner is ready and the Order comes to eat. We will have something like 40 or 50 or so for dinner."
Bowing he made his exit "Yes, master. The kitchen is prepared. Dinner will be ready in 15 minutes in the main dinning room."