I am so sorry for not updating in nearly two weeks. I have been busy with the school paper article I have been doing and the interviews I have been conducting. Goblet was amazing, right? Watched it last Wednesday, that was on the 16th. I've seen it twice already. It was better the second time around.

Well, here is chapter 19. Enjoy. Read and Review.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

NEWS OF INFERI

The burrow stood on sight as Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were riding the Ministry cars with Arthur and Molly Weasley. It never looked better as they sped through the remaining road towards the house. The lawn was as tidy as clean, white plates, and was surrounded by bonsai trees planted in ornate pots. There was even a fountain where rich, purple water was streaming along. The burrow itself was a sight to see. It has been repainted to a rich mahogany and its roof tiles were new. There was no activity within the house from what Harry saw from the outside.

The car went to a stop as they arrived. The Ministry driver opened his door and went out, heading towards the back seats and opening the door to let Harry and the rest exit. When everyone was outside on this beautiful, sunny day, they walked through the path towards the burrow door.

Arthur turned the knob and opened the door, letting the rest inside. What greeted them did not compare to the beauty of the house exterior. It was even better. Inside, purple flames crackled in the fireplace, reminding Harry of the flames of the Goblet of Fire back in his fourth year. The couch was new, now with tiger prints over them. The rug was full of colors and patterns, reminiscent of old tribal designs Harry saw on TV back at the Dursleys' years ago. Above the living room was a majestic chandelier that sparkled. Magic dust was encircling it even, as though they were fairies or fireflies circling a flame. The walls were draped in a soft beige curtain and seemed to gleam against the walls with a soft glow. Still walking through towards the kitchen, Harry and the rest were gaping at the excellence of the remodeling done to their home. The dining room now boasted an intricately etched dining table with golden plates and utensils, shining in their brightest. As they went to the kitchen, they were startled by two voices shouting in unison.

"HEY! GUYS!"

It was Fred and George standing by. "So, like the new place?"

"Its amazing," said Hermione enthusiastically.

"Yeah," said Harry, who welcomed this homey feeling of the house for he knew that the things that needed to be done over the next few weeks were going to be not as nice as the new house. For one, he had to enter the Chamber of Secrets.

"Isn't it ze most veautiful 'ouse ever?" said a familiar voice originating from the living room. And of course, as Harry turned around, it was Fleur Delacour.

"Oh," said Ginny, as though the sight of Fleur ruined the wonder she felt for the new house. "Its Phlegm."

"Eczcuze me," retorted Fleur who was wearing a blue dress and leaning against the wall. "Vat did yoo call me?"

"Nothing, nothing," said Ginny quickly.

As Ron looked at Fleur, he noticed something different about her. Hermione saw it, too. She though, seemed to know what was different about Fleur. She went over to Fleur and said congratulations together with a slight hug.

"Zenk you. Can u believe it?" said Fleur happily. " A new baby!"

In the next second, Harry caught on with the whole thing. Fleur was pregnant, explaining why she looked different. Her belly was obviously a bit more protruding now and her face seemed more glowing.

Arthur then entered the room kitchen and told them to wait for lunch. Molly then started to do her excellent cooking, leaving Harry, Ron, and Hermione to go to their room.

"So," said Hermione as she sat on the new bed within the newly decorated bedroom. "Great, huh,"

"Yeah," said Harry as he unpacked. "Don't get too cozy though, we can't forget what needs to be done over the holidays."

"Studying for NEWTS, I know," said Hermione as she placed her clothes within the cabinets.

"No," retorted Harry. "The Chamber and Azkaban trips."

"Oh, right."

As Harry unpacked, his thoughts flew elsewhere. Now that people he trusts—members of the Order—surrounded him, he wondered how everyone was doing. Has the Order been able to cope with the death of Dumbledore? What were they doing. Where the members in big trouble now that Voldemort is gathering more and more power? Harry was anxious to find out.

Harry's mind was pulled back down to earth as Hermione tugged on his sweater.

"Harry," said Hermione, "Are you alright?" Didn't you hear what Ron said?"

"Huh," muttered Harry, "Sorry. Sorta drifted away. What?"

"Ron said that we better check on Bill."

"Oh, sure, lets go then."

Bill, of course, was bitten by Fenrir Greyback months previously and has been feeling a bit under the weather since then. He was taking his potion but still, the pains that he feels during the full moon was pitiful. How can he support his now growing family with Fleur if his condition would most probably cause him to be rejected in every job he tries to apply in? Harry knew the discrimination the society has for werewolves. He knew this all too well when one of his best friends was one—Lupin.

They went out and climbed the stairs, now with banisters gleaming with snowflakes to enhance the Christmas mood. Once upstairs, they reached Bill's room and opened it.

Inside was Bill, sitting on his bed, drinking something from a small cup. As the three entered, Bill instantly gulped the liquid down and smiled at them.

"What did you drink back there," asked Ron, looking at the cup in Bill's hand.

"Oh, Wolfsbane potion," said Bill, who was looking more and more wolf-like, though still distinctly human. His body was more hairy than usual, with his head hair reaching his back now, together with his beard and armpit hair growing a bit thicker. His lower face and jaw seemed to protrude more but still, his old handsome features were visible. He was thinner, too, but still healthy.

"So, how are you dealing with all this?" said Harry as he shook Bill's hand.

"Okay, I guess. I'm happy that Fleur and I are expecting a baby. Everything is great, especially with the new remodeling and all. I'm glad that Fred and George's shop is getting bigger. I mean now that I can't work without being judged as a werewolf, its good to know that some source or income is keeping us going, especially now with the new addition to the family and all."

Harry then knew that this whole Voldemort and Order business has gone too far. It has taken the entire life of the Weasleys. Who was Harry kidding? The Order is not doing well. It was obvious. People are worried, only given some cheer by the presence of the new house. Other than that, things are bad.

The next day, Harry woke up with a letter on his bedside. Ron had one too. Apparently, everyone within the house had one. Harry sat up and immediately unrolled the letter and attached to it was a small bottle.

Good Day,

The Ministry of Magic wishes to extend its concern to you as you receive this letter. Please be informed that Inferi has been sighted by many individuals and as a precaution, accept this bottle of Wizidium Potion to ward them off.

We also highly encourage everyone to brew his or her own Wizidium Potion. For instructions, refer to the back of this pierce of parchment.

Thank You

Harry looked at the small bottle and inside was the potion. He then plunged it into one of his socks and deposited it in his trunk as he stood up to go to the bathroom.

As the day started, the house was almost empty. Hermione and Ginny noticed it too. The only person there was Molly and Fleur, apart from Hermione, Ginny, Ron, and Harry. The Order must be busy.

The day went on slowly by. Harry was bored and he showed it to everyone. Even the scrumptious cooking of Mrs. Weasley seemed unpalatable without the company of the other people. He then went to the only person inside the house: Fleur. Better talk to her than talk to a wall.

"Hi," said Harry as he sat on the table where Fleur sat as well. She was eating chocolates—her pregnancy cravings have started it seems.

"'Elo," answered Fleur as she gobbled up the chocolate blocks in front of her.

"Um, nothing to do around here, huh."

"O, yez. The Order is not doing very well. Ven zat Dumblydore died, zey sort of went on without a leader."

"What sort of trouble has started here in the Order, then?"

"I zon't know. But I 'av been hearing about Inferi and all zat stuff. Everyone is in Grimmauld Place doing all zey can because Inferi 'av bin sighted."

"Oh, I see."

"Hmm. Say, yoo remember Gabrielle, my sister?"

"Oh," said Harry, startled by the abrupt change of subject. "Yes, yes."

"Veautiful isn't she?"

"Oh, yes. She is. She looks like you."

"Zenk you. I guess yuu mean I am veautiful as well. Well, would you like to meet her again?"

"What?"

The coversation was getting awkward. Harry can't believe that Fleur was thinking about matchmaking in this time of danger. And even though Gabrielle was stunning, Harry did not want any relationships at the moment, not when dead bodies are walking and killing. Not while Voldemort was still at large.

As though Harry's prayer for a distraction was answered, Mr. Weasley appeared near by the dining table. His face looked grave as he ran around, looking for his wife. His eyes were large and scared. Something was wrong. Something was horribly wrong.

"Molly!" shouted Arthur and in seconds, footsteps were heard, signaling Molly's response to her husband.

"What, what, Arthur?"

"It's important. Inferi. They have been sighted twenty miles from here. They are attacking houses in the next neighborhood. We need to be careful."

Mrs. Weasley's face suddenly turned pale, as well as Fleur. Not only does Fleur have to worry about her own safety, but also the baby's that she is carrying within her.

The next hours, people started arriving within the house, including Tonks, Lupin, and Moody. The alarm that the Inferi army was causing made everyone keen on arming the house so that no one can get hurt if ever Inferi do reach their home. Boards have been added up on the windows, the fences have been magically locked and lined with protective spikes, enchantments have been placed on the house and the lawn, and other measures have been performed to tighten security.

Pressure was felt even though everyone worked silently. The tension was there—the tension and stress of trying to protect themselves from a possible Inferi attack. The anxiety was so thick, it was as though they were baking in it. Harry felt it as protective spell after protective spell was being placed upon the house.

As everyone was busy doing their jobs, Hermione came shrieking and running down the steps, panicked.

"Inferi!" she screamed as everyone looked at her. "Inferi are moving. They are now attacking ten miles from here. If they continue, they may arrive here by nightfall!"

Arthur looked more intense as he dropped the hammer he was holding and stepped up the center of the house.

"Everyone," he said in a loud voice. "We must be ready. All of you, except the kids, double time in tightening security. As for the kids, come here,"

Harry, looking puzzled, came to him. Being called a kid was something different for him after always being treated as a man by Dumbledore. But still, he walked towards Arthur. Fred, George, Ginny, Hermione, and Ron encircled Mr. Weasley as well, eager to know what he was to say.

"Okay, Harry," said Arthur. "I remember that you held yourself very well during the DA meetings you had. I want you to review those defensive spells you learned and again, teach it to the rest of you guys, okay, right away. We cannot be too prepared. It the Inferi come, we need to be able to defend ourselves. Okay?"

"Okay," said everyone in unison as they went to the lawn to commence with the spell reviewing session. Harry though, remained.

"Sir, may I have a word?" said Harry as he approached Arthur standing alone.

"Sure," replied Arthur. "What is it?"

"Well, at school, we trailed Draco Malfoy," said Harry who was a bit hesitant in divulging the deed they had done to Draco to extract information from him. "We used Veritaserum on him and…"

"You did what?" said Arthur. "No wonder Horace has been asking around if anyone knew where his bottle of Veritaserum was. Well, what happened then?"

"He said that Voldemort has found the Cup of Hufflepuff."

"What? The Horcurx Dumbledore told us about?"

"Yes, the same one. Though Draco doesn't know where it is. Only the most loyal and trusted Death Eaters know where it is located."

"And Draco said he was a Death Eater? At his age?"

"Hermione saw the Dark Mark on his arm! Believe me!"

"Well, where is the Horcrux then?"

"All he said was that it was in Voldemort's lair." Mr. Weasley hissed at the Dark Lord's name. "It's a place that has been empty for years. Its an old building or something."

"Okay, good boy. Thanks for telling me. I guess you better go with your friends now and do what I have told you. Teach them the spells. We have no time to waste. Nightfall is coming."

True, nightfall was coming as the sky grew darker. The DA session in the lawn was such a refreshing time for Harry, feeling again that same great feeling when he imparts knowledge to someone else in need. It reminded him of his fifth year, how fulfilling it was. Everyone still knew the spells and in no time, they were casting perfect jinxes and charms. Their protego charm was particularly well done as they practiced some more. Soon, it was too dark to stay outside and so, they entered the house for some supper.

Impenetrable silence was all over dinner. The silence was so thick that no one dared break it. They sipped their onion soup quietly, anticipating the slightest hint that any attack has come.

Soon enough, the warning came. A smell of rotting flesh assaulted their noses, causing everyone to stiffen with fear. The smell of the dead bodies. Molly stood with her eyes flaring as she peeked outside the blinds of the nearest window.

Fire was outside, five blocks from where they were. Near the flames, dark figures moving lankily were walking. They were slowly making their way across the roads and destroying houses in their path. The time had come. With the Ministry issued bottles of Wizidium Potion in hand and their wands in the other hand, they all summoned their courage and strength, about to defend the Burrow and their lives as well.

END OF CHAPTER NINETEEN