I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters, this fanfic is just for fun, yeah, you know the drill.
Chapter 15, The Flight
As winter gave way to spring, the snow which had covered the Hogwarts grounds began to melt. The prospect of a new round of Quiddich games caused excitement to run through the school. The first match of the new-year would be Huffelpuff against Ravenclaw in the last weekend of February, followed two weeks later by Ravenclaw versus Gryffindor. So far, Gryffindor dominated the running for the Quiddich cup by over three hundred points, second to them was Ravenclaw.
Slytherin was having a bad year all around, knowing that one of their favored students had openly joined with Voldemort's forces, and that a good portion of the wizarding world believed them responsible for sewing the seeds of dark wizards. They were currently last in the running for the Quiddich Cup, and last in points for the house cup. Harry almost felt sorry for them, as they were definitely not causing as much trouble for him as they had in previous years. Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrod, Crabbe and Goyle, rather than attacking Harry, Ron, or Hermione, simply ignored them as they passed bye in between classes; which, to Harry, was a pleasant change from previous years.
As Hermione was now coming into her eighth month, her stomach was now weighing her down so much that Ron and Harry, in addition to their own books, had to assist her by carrying her books for her while they walked to class; while Thaddeus Ewls silenced Ravenclaws and Huffelpuffs who shouted pejorative comments at her pregnancy. When not doing her homework, or preparing for her upcoming N.E.W.T.'s, she was often found with Ron on an empty sofa in the Gryffindor Common-room, getting as much rest as possible. Ron would usually hold her, while both of them would stroke her stomach.
Ron was becoming more and more excited at the prospect of the upcoming child. He could hardly concentrate on the extraordinary amount of homework which he had received in preparation for his N.E.W.T.'s. When Hermione had protested his lack of studying, his response was that he expected to, as the surrogate father of the child, also be granted an extension on his N.E.W.T.'s. Which he sincerely prayed for, since his sole desire was to be an Auror, and such required incredibly good N.E.W.T. scores.
Hermione and Reverend Ewls were now on much better terms, though she would not hesitate, given an opportunity, to remind him, Harry, and Ron, that they were apparently wrong about the ministry's supposed taking of action against her child. Her overall disposition was positive as she joined Ron in his excitement about becoming a parent.
Ron and Hermione, although they had still not fully recovered from the proposal incident of Christmas eve, were on good terms, their relationship still relatively strong. Ron still played with the ring he intended to give to Hermione, planning how he would approach giving it to her, coming up with the best possible time to do so. Hermione knew about these plans and worries, which made her slightly emotionally uncomfortable. She was beginning to fear that Ron would never propose to her. Reverend Ewls was slightly angry with Ron nowadays, infuriated that he had already lost his bet with the other professors that Ron would propose to Hermione at or around Christmas or Christmas Eve.
With the coming of mid-march, the weather turned rainy and cold, Hermione's disposition was becoming less and less positive, and more and more frustrated as her pregnancy was beginning to bear down on her physically. In spite of the fact that she had already been granted an extension to take her N.E.W.T.s during the summer, she continued to wear herself out studying for them. Her frustration was beginning to take its toll on Ron as well, who found it difficult to concentrate on anything else but making Hermione happy, which was becoming more and more impossible each day.
As April—Hermione's ninth moth—arrived, even Reverend Ewls was beginning to doubt whether or not the Ministry of Magic knew anything about the pregnancy at all. He was, however, constantly vigilant, looking for any sign of ministry intervention at Hogwarts. Hermione was now exactly four-weeks away from her due date, and he was constantly on-edge.
On a Tuesday, at a time during which he had no classes, he sat at his desk, reading over student essays on Native American Spirituality, when the door to his office suddenly burst open. His body gave a jerk, his head twisted upward toward the door, his eyes then found his wife, Healer Ewls approaching his desk at a quick step. When she arrived at the front of his desk, Amanda Ewls placed her right hand down upon the desk and leaned on it, breathing heavily, she had apparently run to her husband's office, or at least walked at a very quick pace.
"What is it Amanda?" said Reverend Ewls, a deep since of urgency, even fear, in his voice.
The hint of anxiety in Reverend Ewls' voice did not even compare to that of his wife's which was positively shaky. She was also nearly out of breath, her eyes were wide-opened, her skin was pale, she looked as though she was about to faint.
"Thomas, the Situation has become worse," she began speaking quite quickly. "I've recently finished a check up with Hermione Granger, it seems as though there has been some magic involved with her pregnancy."
"Well, apparently if she's a virgin," Ewls said in the best fabricated humorous voice he could muster in order to calm the situation.
"Dark Magic Thomas, someone put a curse on her uterus," she continued. "She can't abort even if she wanted to, the Baby's central nervous system has been fused to her own, the only safe way to sever the two is for her to carry the baby to term, even then it will be a very, very hard, very painful delivery and we won't be able to give her anything for the pain, both Hermione and the baby could very well die anyways."
Reverend Ewls' eyes widened as much as his wife's, he tried to appear calm, but was unable to stop his hands from shaking.
"Have you told her this?"
"Yes, she's aware, but don't you see Thomas?" She said, her voice now more nervous than ever. "If the ministry moves against Her..."
"They'll kill her."
Healer Ewls nodded, a tear forming in her eye.
"Thomas I tried to encourage her to go with you to the temple, but she's determined to stay here, Ron and Harry are trying to convince her otherwise, but I'm not even sure that a trip to Israel via hippogriff is a good idea, Thomas she's nine months pregnant, and it won't be an easy delivery, any movement over a long distance will be very difficult for her."
"It's her only chance," Ewls said. "The ministry must know by now, and that their time to end the pregnancy is short, they will act any day now I'm sure of it."
"Thomas, are you sure, I mean they have enough to worry about with the war and all."
"Right now there must be very intense political confusion in the Ministry," Ewls thought aloud as he stood and donned his cloak. "They must be debating whether or not Voldemort is a more serious threat than this child, I need to speak with Arthur Weasley. I'll be off to London for a day or so, is the Port Key ready?"
Ewls walked to a still portrait of Jesus.
"Brought it back from the states, it's in our quarters, ready to go, set for London and all."
"Annunciation," said Ewls; upon saying this, the picture swung open, revealing a small opening in the wall. Ewls pulled out a long instrument covered in cloth. He removed the cloth revealing a sheathed sword attached to a thin leather belt-strap, he tied the belt-strip around his waste and turned back to his wife. "Excellent, I'll see you soon."
Ewls gave his wife a quick peck on her lips.
"Be careful, they'll know who you are."
Ewls' nervous face gave way to a smile "I'm always careful."
"Er Yeah," Healer Ewls began sarcastically. "A member of the Order of the Cross walking up to the British Ministry of Magic in the Middle of a potential Crisis between the two organizations, armed with both a sword and a wand, so careful."
Ewls gave a smirk and a short chuckle. He kissed his wife once more before leaving his office at a quick pace toward the professors' quarters. It was now passing period so the halls were filled with students scurrying to get to their next classes. As he walked at a quick-step, he was interrupted by a familiar voice, which caused him to turn to his right at the crossroads between two corridors. The voice, he recognized, as Professor McGonagall's, it was calling out to him.
"Reverend Ewls!" McGonagall called, her voice almost as nervous as his wife's had been.
Alongside Professor McGonagall were two wizards which appeared to be in their mid-thirties, wearing pinstriped robes and fedora hats. The three approached him as he stood in the middle of the crossroads between the two corridors.
"Gentlemen," McGonagall began, her voice shaky, obviously nervous. "This is our Chaplain, and Professor of Theology and Religious Studies, from Massachusetts in the United States, Reverend Thomas Theodore Ewls of, what church was it again?"
As McGonagall's gaze fixed upon Reverend Ewls at the asking of this question, she communicated with her facial expression the situation quite clearly, giving him a look which said more plainly than words could possibly have done, "they're here." Ewls gave a single, discrete nod at McGonagall's expression, indicating to her that he understood perfectly.
"The Christian Church, Disciples of Christ." He said calmly, though it was definitely a forced calm, had he given in to his emotions he'd have been shouting.
In a slightly nervous tone of voice, McGonagall proceeded with the introductions.
"This is Arius Day, Deputy head of the Department of Transportation," McGonagall said, her voice still shaky. "And Cacius Ewing, head of the Committee on Expirimental Charms, they're here to visit our top student, Ms. Hermione Granger." McGonagall added as much emphasis to Hermione's name so as to make it absolutely certain that there was no doubt in Reverend Ewls' mind why these two members of the Ministry of Magic were at the school. Ewls gave a more overt nod than that which he given for McGonagall's previous hint.
Ewls shook hands politely with the two members of the ministry.
"Ah well yes," He said. "Wonderful student gentlemen, wonderful student.
"We're here to present her with the first annual Ministry of Magic award for Academic Excellence," Said Cacius Ewing.
"What church did you say you were a part of, the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ? That's a Campbellite Church isn't it?" Arius Day asked.
"Yes actually," Said Reverend Ewls, paying more attention to the frightened expression on Professor McGonagall's face than to the conversation he was having with Arius Day.
"Arius here is a believer," Cacius Ewing said in a calm, matter-of-fact voice. "I always wondered though why he has to go to church with Muggles, why we couldn't have churches just for Wizards."
"Muggles are our brothers and sisters in Christ as well," Day Responded. "They need Christ as much as we do."
Cacius Ewing's eyes, which were powerful, rivaling those of Reverend Ewls, looked down to Ewls' side to notice the sword that he carried. Ewls' noticed in his expression, that there was definitely no fooling him, he was obviously quite observant.
"I see you are a Nasserite as well," Ewing said.
"Yes."
"Surely then your aware of the prophesy of the virgin bearing the antichrist."
Reverend Ewls thought it a pretty stupid thing to do, asking this question. They had now all but openly revealed their reason for being here. It seemed to him, as though, perhaps they were banking on being able to enlist his support in preventing Hermione's delivery.
"Yes," Ewls admitted, he tried to maintain his calm, his voice became powerful to match Ewing's, the two men now almost engaged in a staring competition. "But that prophesy could have been mistranslated."
It seemed to Professor McGonagall, that the two men might, if not stopped, engage in a duel. It was, therefore that she determined it prudent to interrupt.
"Reverend, why don't you go and get Ms. Granger," she said, attempting to appear jovial, doing a poor job of substituting this for her obvious nervousness. "She's in Professor Lovelace's double Defense Against the Dark Arts class."
Professor McGonagall's expression kept no secrets from Reverend Ewls, it was obvious to him what she wanted him to do. He nodded to her indicating his understanding of her implied instructions, he had only minutes to act.
"Of course," Ewls said, also attempting with more success to appear jovial. "And you can take the good gentlemen on a tour of our wonderful school."
"That won't be…" Cacius Ewing began to say.
McGonagall grabbed the two gentlemen by their arms and began to drag them off in the opposite direction from where Reverend Ewls had to go in order to get to Lovelace's Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
"No, I insist gentlemen," She said. "We'll begin with the Professor's living quarters."
As the three walked away, Reverend Ewls set off in a quick-paced walk, almost a jog, toward the room at which he would obtain Ron, Harry, and Hermione. In midst of his near-jogging, Healer Ewls caught up with him from what seemed to him to be out of nowhere.
"Did you just see what I saw," she said as the two walked incredibly quickly down the corridors.
"I guess we know now what the Ministry's intentions are."
"They can't abort the child Thomas, it'll kill her, they must see that."
"I'm not going to wait around to find out if they'll take that into consideration."
Reginald Lovelace lectured from the same classroom that had traditionally been the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom since Harry, Ron, and Hermione's first year. As he lectured, Ron, Hermione, Thaddeus Ewls, and Harry sat next to each other taking notes when the door burst opened. Reverend Ewls came in quickly and began to interrupt Professor Lovelace in a nervous tone of voice.
"Professor please excuse the interruption," Ewls said. "I need to borrow Ronald Weasley, Harry Potter, and Hermione Granger immediately, it's urgent.
"Reverend, could this wait until after my class?" Lovelace asked.
"I'm afraid not, I'm acting under instructions from Professor McGonagall herself."
At this, Harry, Ron, and Hermione's eyes widened. Harry seemed able to judge what the nervousness of Reverend Ewls' voice meant as his heart began to beat incredibly fast. Hermione however, was unconvinced of the severity of the situation, though she did not protest, but was the first of the three to stand and walk to the door, just before Lovelace granted his permission.
When the three stepped out of the class-room into the still-crowded corridor, Hermione and Ewls stared at each other. Ewls' expression was a combination of both his ever-famous powerful gaze, and one of nervousness.
"What is it Reverend?"
"We must leave immediately," Ewls said. "Ron, Harry, return to your dormitory, Harry please acquire the sword I gave you for Christmas, Ron, I assume there's something you'll want to get if you don't have it already."
Ron nodded in understanding.
"Reverend, what…" Harry began.
"The Ministry is here, they're looking for Hermione."
Hermione's eyes widened, she could not bring herself to believe it.
"What?" was all she could say.
"Professor McGonagall is stalling them, we have to leave now!" Ewls said. "Harry, Ron, Go!"
Harry and Ron, without a moment's hesitation, turned and ran off in the direction of the Gryffindor tower. Hermione and Reverend Ewls made their way to the door of the castle closest to Hagrid's hut.
"But I don't understand Reverend, the ministry wouldn't..."
"Hermione, my wife told you about the curse didn't she?"
"Yes."
"And that you can't even have terminate the pregnancy if you wanted to?"
"Yes, but Reverend I don't believe that's why they're here, I just can't believe it."
"There she is!" came the jovial voice of Cacius Ewing from a distance.
Reverend Ewls attempted to press on down the corridor, but Hermione stopped in her tracks. The two looked and beheld the two members of the ministry of magic, along with Professor McGonagall approaching them; both members of the ministry appeared to be quite happy. Upon Professor McGonagall's face was a look of extreme gravity.
"I'm an adult," Hermione said to Reverend Ewls. "I can take care of myself."
Hermione set off toward the approaching three individuals, Reverend Ewls held his ground, now several feet behind her. His hand reached into his cloak pocket and grasped his wand, he did not draw it just yet, but he was quite ready to.
"So this is the top student at Hogwarts, Hermione Granger," Said Cacius Ewing as Hermione beamed in appreciation of the compliment. "Allow me to introduce ourselves, I am Cacius Ewing head of the Committee on Experimental Charms, this is Arius Day, Deputy head of the Department of Transportation."
Hermione gave both of them a polite handshake and continued her apparently delightful conversation with Cacius Ewing. While Hermione was too distracted with the conversation to notice, Arius day inched around to Hermione's back. Upon arriving, he began to draw his wand silently, Hermione never had any clue of what was coming. McGonagall was also too distracted by the conversation to know what was going on until she finally noticed Arius Day's raised wand about ready to strike behind Hermione's back. Just before completing the wand movement, Ewing raised his head noticing what his associate was about to do, giving him a slight nod. Suddenly there came a loud voice which caused Hermione's head to turn.
"EXPELLIARIMUS!"
Arius Day's wand flew out of his hand. Reverend Ewls, from behind Day, held his wand fully extended, with the hand not clutching his wand, he drew his sword. Day turned to face his attacker, before Ewls could arrive, Day dove for his wand which was now on the floor beside him.
"IMPEDIMENTIA!" shouted Ewls, Day was thrown to the floor a few feet away from his wand.
Hermione had forgotten that her back was now completely turned away from Cacius Ewing who had already drawn his own wand and made a motion for the stunner curse toward Hermione.
"Impedimentia!" Came Professor McGonagall's voice, Cacius Ewing was thrown to the floor. After hitting the floor, he raised his wand in the direction of Professor McGonagall. Hermione noticed this and aimed her wand at him.
"Expelliarimus!" Chanted Hermione as Ewing's wand flew safely out of his hands.
Before Arius Day could grab a hold of his wand which lay on the ground only a few feet from him, a dark, polished clerical shoe stepped on it. When he looked up, Day found himself held at bay by a Nasserite Sword, held in Reverend Ewls' right hand, and a wand in Ewls' left hand. The situation was now clearly in favor of McGonagall, Ewls, and Hermione, as Hermione and McGonagall held Cacius Ewing at bay, while Reverend Ewls check-mated Arius Day.
"Hermione," said Ewls, in a very calm, collected, instructional voice. "Please pick up Mr. Ewing's wand."
Hermione, still aiming her wand at Cacius Ewing, walked a few feet away from her previous position, and with the hand not holding her own wand, picked up Cacius Ewing's wand and handed it to Professor McGonagall.
"Hermione," Ewls began, his voice calm but sounding slightly frustrated. "I believe we were discussing whether or not the Ministry had any mal-intentions toward your baby."
"You of all people Reverend," Said Ewing in a frustrated, cynical voice. "A Christian Nasserite; surely you should want to prevent this birth as much as any of us." He began to stand with his hands raised above his head. Hermione and McGonagall kept their wands pointed at him as he did so.
"We don't know what the child's future will be," Ewls said. "The prophesy is uncertain, Isaiah 7:14 may not have been referring to Christ, and the passage in question may have not been referring to any antichrist. In any case until his allegedly dark future comes to pass, this child is innocent."
"Are you willing to take that Chance Reverend?" Said Arius Day as he was pinned to the ground by Ewls.
"For the sake of ethics, absolutely," Ewls responded.
"What about you Ms. Granger?" Ewing said, his voice now more calm. "You have indicated that you are unwilling to give up your baby, would you still be of that opinion if you knew that this child represented a greater threat than You-know-who?"
"Hermione get behind me," Ewls instructed waving his wand toward an area behind him indicating to her visually what he wanted her to do.
"I wasn't talking to you Reverend."
"It doesn't matter!" Ewls said. "There was a curse fusing their central nervous systems together, she can't terminate the pregnancy, any attempt to sever the two unnaturally would kill her in an incredibly painful way."
Ewing seemed to ignore this and carry on with his encouragements to Hermione. His voice was calm, collected, even friendly.
"We can make it painless Ms. Granger, we can put you to sleep while we…"
"Enough!" Shouted McGonagall. "She's an innocent girl, I can't believe you're willing to kill her to prevent something that may not happen!"
"We stand for the greater good Professor," Said Arius Day, still pinned down.
"Ms. Granger, what do you want?" Asked Cacius Ewing.
"I don't believe in your prophesy," Hermione said without hesitation. "I don't know why I conceived as a virgin, but I don't believe in Christ, and I don't believe in your prophesy. All I want is my baby."
"I am sorry to hear you say that Ms. Granger, I truly am," Responded Ewing solemnly. "You have betrayed wizardry in order to satisfy your own self-interests, four witnesses have beheld it. Hermione Granger, in the name of the Ministry of Magic for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, I am placing you under arrest, on the charge of Treasonous Misconduct for placing all of Wizardry and Muggledom in danger, an offence which in wartime is punishable by death."
"Mr. Ewing, I warn you," Said Reverend Ewls, his voice now filled with anger, his teeth now grit. "I am growing tired of this conversation."
"Reverend Ewls, you can't escape," Said Arius day. "We will pursue you until…"
"And in so doing you will stretch your resources," Ewls interrupted. "Bad idea in context of the war against Lord Voldemort."
"You, an old friend of Dumbledore are willing to hide behind this war?" Said Ewing with a pretend voice of moralistic shock.
"If you honestly think," began McGonagall. "That this child is a more serious threat than you-know-who, than the ministry of magic is run by monkeys."
"We are prudent men," Said Cacius Ewing. "Minister Scrimgeour will stop at nothing to ensure the continuance of British Wizardry Society and its interests, especially if that means the elimination of threats from within."
"Spoken like a true fascist," Ewls proclaimed. "Dumbledore said in his letters that the difference between the ministry and the dark lord was becoming ever more nonexistent, I feared that he was right."
"I too am growing tired of this conversation," Said Ewing. "And if you three do not lower your weapons, I will be forced to…"
"STUPEFY!" shouted Hermione, McGonagall, and Ewls at the same time.
Ewls' stunner went directly into Arius day, while Hermione and McGonagall knocked out Cacius Ewing.
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In a small room, inside a large manner, sitting atop a hill overlooking a graveyard and a Church in the small village of Little Hangleton, Lord Voldemort, quite possibly the most evil dark wizard who had ever lived now sat in a large easy chair in front of a flickering fireplace. His eyes were closed, his expression was meditative. In his mind he could hear a far off conversation which was being carried on at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, between a young, teenage girl, and a middle-aged American. The conversation was nervous, quick-paced, and hundreds of miles away, but he could hear it.
Lord Voldemort was one of the most accomplished Legilimenses in history. He could tap into others' minds without their even detecting it, and he had been focusing his energy on two targets for the past year: Hermione Granger, and Thomas Ewls. As he continued in the depths of his eavesdropping, he heard a knock at the door.
"Enter," he said calmly in his trademark high-pitched voice.
A short, pasty man with wild, un-kept hair entered the room. His face was calm and emotionless, upon his arm, revealed by his rolled-up sleeves, was a tattoo of the infamous dark-mark, indicating his status as one of Voldemort's Death Eaters.
"The time has come, Wormtail," Voldemort said to the man.
----------
Reverend Ewls and Hermione Granger now ran as quickly as they could down the slope which led from the castle to Hagrid's cabin. Reverend Ewls was several paces ahead of Hermione, who was struggling to keep up with Ewls, weighed down by her unborn child.
"Reverend Please!" She called out. "Slow down, I can't keep up."
As she struggled to catch up, running at top speed behind her were Harry and Ron. Harry carried the Nasserite sword of Godric Gryffindor which was still sheathed and encased in velvet cloth. After a few seconds, they caught up with Hermione, took her shoulders and helped her along.
"Hermione we have to hurry!" Ron said.
"I know, Ron," Hermione replied annoyed.
When the four arrived at Hagrid's cabin, Harry attempted to give Gryffindor's sword to Reverend Ewls.
"Reverend I brought the sword."
"It's your sword Harry," Said Ewls with a smile. "Take it out of the cloth and don it."
Harry gave a nervous nod, fully understanding the implications of what Reverend Ewls was saying, in fact he now fully understood what would become of all that was now happening and how God had led he and his friends down this path from which there was now no turning back. His life at Hogwarts was over. He summoned his Gryffindor courage, took the sheathed sword out of its cloth, and tied the leather-strap-belt, which was attached to the sheath, around his waste as Reverend Ewls knocked on the door of Hagrid's cabin.
At the moment, Hagrid was not teaching any classes; hence he sat in his cabin and engaged in feeding his dog, Fang. When he heard a knock at his door, he stopped the process of feeding Fang, traveled to his door, and opened it, revealing Reverend Ewls, Hermione, Harry, and Ron.
"Oh 'ello, what'r yer four doin here, don you have a class Reverend?"
"We need the Hippogriffs," Said Reverend Ewls.
The five walked through the forbidden forest, guided by Hagrid, quickly coming upon a small paddock wherein were three Hippogriffs.
"I can give yer two of em," Hagrid said as the five closed in on the Paddock. "Oh and Harry, one of them is an old friend."
"Buckbeak?"
The five arrived at the paddock, all five bowed to the three hippogriffs, following which all three Hippogriffs returned their bows. Reverend Ewls, and Hagrid then went up and pet the two largest hippogriffs, one of which being Buckbeak. After allowing Hagrid to pet him, noticing Harry and Hermione, Buckbeak gave Harry and Hermione a special bow, which both Harry and Hermione returned.
"Hello Buckbeak, good to see you again," Called Hermione, after which Buckbeak at squawked in affection.
"He's a good little Hippogriff isn't he," Said Hagrid. "And he's fast, they both are."
"Good, we'll need speed," Said Reverend Ewls as he continued to pet the other large Hippogriff.
"The one yer with is named Frogtongue, he's Beaky's little brother, and he's the fastest flying beast I've ever seen, " Said Hagrid.
"Thank You Hagrid," Said Reverend Ewls. "If all goes well we'll be in Jerusalem in Five days."
Hagrid approached Reverend Ewls and offered his hand. Reverend Ewls took it and the two shook hands.
"God go with yer m'friend,"
"And also with you brother."
Harry, realizing that he might never come back to Hogwarts, at least not for a long time, gave Hagrid a farewell embrace, he then mounted Buckbeak. Reverend Ewls had already mounted Frogtongue, both awaited Ron and Hermione who were both saying their goodbyes to Hagrid. After finishing with Ron, Hagrid turned to Hermione.
"Now Hermione after this is all straightened up," He began. "Yeh be sure and bring back the lil mate to visit old uncle Hagrid won't yer?"
"Of course, I'll be back Hagrid," Hermione responded. "Thank you for everything you've done over the years Hagrid, you've been like a father to us all."
With this statement, a tear fell down Hagrid's cheek. Noticing this, Hermione smiled nervously.
"Look I'm sorry I jus always hate to see yer kids grow up, and then go off and leave ol' Hagrid," He said. "Yer all come back now, yeh here?"
"We will."
With this, Hermione joined Harry atop Buckbeak, while Ron joined Reverend Ewls atop Frogtongue. Harry then grabbed Buckbeak's reins.
"Alright Buckbeak, let's go!"
With out further ado, Buckbeak kicked with his huge front talons, his back legs jumped, and to Hermione's silent shrieking, the Hippogriff was off. He started at an incredibly fast run, after about twenty meters, he spread his wings and took off with Harry and Hermione atop him.
"Alright Frogtongue, lets be off," Said Reverend Ewls.
Frogtongue gave a squeal, and then galloped several feet before spreading his wings and entering flight. The two Hippogriffs flew above the clouds side-by-side. As they journeyed quickly away from the Hogwarts grounds and were now flying over Hogsmeade, Harry looked back to catch one last farewell glance at the school which had been his home. As he did so a tear escaped his eyes, and a sudden realization came over him that for some reason he took no comfort in the assurance that he would in fact see Hogwarts again.
As they flew, Hermione's eyes were shut tightly, not bothering to look around or especially down. She hated flying, an unfortunate trait which she discovered the first time she flew atop Buckbeak to rescue Sirius Black. Atop Frogtongue however, Ron's head was shifting around wildly, his eyes taking in the scenery, enjoying every moment of his first experience atop a Hippogriff, while the cold wind blew his hair wildly in every direction.
"This is incredible!" Shouted Ron.
"You haven't seen anything yet!" Shouted Reverend Ewls with a disposition of enjoyment of the moment. "We need to get to the burrow."
"What, Why?"
"I want to talk to your father!"
"It's in Devon, I'll direct you there!"
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With Hogwarts located in Scotland, and Ottery St. Catchpole, in Devon, located on the southwestern peninsula of England, the journey lasted till dusk at top speed. The two Hippogriffs landed just outside of the burrow, after which, the four dismounted and approached the front door of the Weasley's household. Reverend Ewls then knocked three times on the door. With out a moment's hesitation, a frightened Molly Weasley approached.
"What are you three doing here?" She asked. You can't stay you've got to get out of Britain!"
"Madam, I am Reverend Thomas Ewls, Chaplain at Hogwarts…"
"I know, right this way."
Without another word, the four entered the cottage and sat down at the kitchen table. Molly Weasley proceeded to make all four of them a glass of tea while they sat and waited for Arthur Weasley's arrival. Ron's eyes fixed upon the unusual family clock, all eight heads of which still rested upon "mortal-peril" as they had since Voldemort's return.
"The tea isn't much, Art should be home soon," Said Mrs. Weasley as she set a tray upon the kitchen table, atop which, sat four glasses of tea. Harry, Ron, and Hermione each took a glass.
"That's quite alright Mrs. Weasley," Responded Reverend Ewls, thankfully taking a glass also.
A knock was heard at the door suddenly. Mrs. Weasley went to the door, noticing that it was Arthur, she opened it and let him in. Arthur Weasley stormed into the kitchen, his face looking nearly as pale and frightened as his wife's, as his gaze fixed upon Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"Thank God you three are alright," he said. He then turned his gaze to Reverend Ewls. "I suppose I have you to thank for that. I'm in your debt."
"Mr. Weasley, I must ask, what influence you have in the ministry? can you get them off our backs?" Asked Reverend Ewls.
"The situation is grimmer than you expect Reverend, they've been watching Hermione since mid August."
"Mid August!" said Hermione, shocked. "That's before even I knew I was pregnant!"
"Someone tipped them off, I don't know who," said Arthur Weasley.
"Who could have known?"
"This information was revealed through the Department of Magical Law Enforcement last nigh, I sent an Owl to Hermione but the Ministry acted more quickly than I anticipated. Most of us only learned of this a day ago."
"Meaning someone in the Ministry of Magic knew all along, before even Hermione," Said Reverend Ewls, his voice now contemplative. His eyes were not giving off his usual powerful stare, instead his expression was emotionless, calm, collected. "I think we have a possible traitor in our midst. This is probably intended to distract the ministry's attention away from the war."
"I think you're right," Said Arthur Weasley. "Voldemort has been losing, we've found and arrested more of his men than he of us, and we've managed to kill a good quarter of the Dementors. Understand this Reverend, the Ministry views this child as a greater threat than Voldemort, it's irrational, it's stupid, but the war will not stop them from pursuing you."
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Reverend Ewls left the house returned to the Hippogriffs who awaited them in the yard of the Burrow. Arthur Weasley accompanied them back to their beastly transportation source.
"I'm sorry that I could not do more," he told them. "I don't know where the Nasserites are located and I don't want to know. If the ministry found out that I had any knowledge of your whereabouts they'd get that information out of me."
At this Reverend Ewls nodded as he mounted Frogtongue and awaited Ron's mounting.
"You have my thanks," he said.
"No, you have mine," Said Arthur as he approached Frogtongues side.. "Get them to safety, please."
Reverend Ewls extended his hand to Mr. Weasley who shook it.
"I will, I promise."
Arthur Weasley then turned from Reverend Ewls and approached Harry, Ron, and Hermione who had stood behind him. Arthur's expression first fell upon Harry as the two shook hands.
"Good luck to you, Harry."
"Thank you Mr. Weasley, God be with you."
Arthur then turned his expression to Ron and Hermione who stood next to each other, holding hands.
"You take keep an eye on Ron," He said to Hermione. "Don't let him blow up anything."
At this, Hermione laughed, Ron looked embarrassed. Mr. Weasley's face gave a worried smile.
"Of course, Mr. Weasley." Hermione replied.
"And I want to see my grandson back here safely when you return, understand?"
"You will," said Hermione, the expression on her face was determined, almost as powerful as that of Reverend Ewls' classroom expression. "Thank you for everything…" she paused for a second before completing the sentence, her powerful expression giving way to one of slight embarrassment and worry at how Mr. Weasley would take her next word, "dad."
At this, Arthur's smile became bigger, brighter. He even gave a chuckle. After giving Hermione a final, farewell hug, he turned to Ron.
"You take care of her, and my grandson," He said. "And give her that bloody ring, for God's sake."
Ron's eyes looked down to his feet as if slightly ashamed. When his gaze returned to his father he tried to fake a smile.
"I will dad," he said after which he shook his father's hand and gave him a hug. "God be with you."
Hermione then mounted Buckbeak behind Harry, while Ron mounted Frogtongue behind Reverend Ewls.
"Good luck Ron, I love you."
"I love you too dad."
The two hippogriffs took off and flew south toward the English Channel. The Gibbous moon gave light to their way as they flew into the cold night.