Hey guys! So this chapter is pretty short compared to my other ones, but I should have the next chapter out super soon, and I also expect it to be a bit longer than my other ones! So anyways I hope you guys enjoy this one! And of course I appreciate any and feedback! thanks!
A shimmery, silver stag bounded through smoke filled air temporarily carving a path of light. It pranced gracefully through the battle, appearing far out of place as witches and wizards covered in scrapes and bruises aggressively fought beside it. But soon the stag was gone and the battle remained, only not for much longer.
Just as intended, the sound of faint pops began to fill Diagon Alley, appearing in side streets and shops and next to duels. Soon the Death Eaters were far outnumbered.
Some, a tad too cocky, stayed to fight. However, the numerous members of the Order of the Phoenix easily bound the remaining Death Eaters and transported them to Azkaban. But unfortunately, many of those smart enough to flee on the arrival of the Order managed to escape.
As the fighting came to a close and the smoke started to clear, Ron Weasley found his way over to Harry and his brother.
"Blimey," he said once he joined the duo, "It's almost like they knew we'd be here."
"Where's everyone else? Have you seen them?" Harry asked as he attempted to squint through the rubble.
"Ron! Harry! George! Hermione!" They heard Mrs. Weasley calling.
"Over here, Mum!" Ron shouted back as George used his wand to send up some sparks.
Mrs. Weasley, clearly having seen the light sent out from George's wand, rushed over to the group with Ginny in tow.
"Oh boys!" She exclaimed while flinging herself at each one in turn. "I'm so happy you're alright! Where's Hermione?"
"I was hoping she was with you." Harry said slowly.
"Oh no, I haven't seen her." Mrs. Weasley went on, "Well, I'm sure she's around here somewhere."
"Hello Harry. Ginny, Ron, George, Mrs. Weasley." The deep voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt rumbled from behind them. "The Ministry will take it from here. Go on home now, take it easy."
The group turned to face the current Minister of Magic. Standing there in his deep purple robes, the man somehow always managed to be an impressive sight.
"How many do you think there were, Kingsley?" Ginny asked. "How many escaped?"
"We've got six headed for Azkaban and one dead. We don't know how many we started with, unfortunately." He responded.
"One dead?" Ron said sharply, filled with panic at the idea of his missing friend. "Who was it? It wasn't-"
His voice caught in his throat.
"Fenrir Greyback." Kingsley answered, relieving some of the fear, "We're not sure who did it, but I want to find out. Only so I can properly thank them." He finished with a sly wink.
"Has anyone seen Hermione?" Ron asked him frantically.
"Hermione?" Kingsley responded, all traces of mischief gone from his eyes. "No, we haven't. She was here?"
With one glance at the faces around him Kingsley realized the weight of the situation.
"The Order and the Aurors will start searching." He continued, "I'll have them go through the Alley, the nearby towns, and the houses of all known and former Death Eaters. Starting with the ones here tonight. Don't worry, we'll find her."
"Wait!" Ron shouted as Kingsley began to turn away. "Let us help."
"Yeah," Harry said, "Hermione's our best friend, we'll search with you."
"No." Kingsley's strong voice boomed. "It's too dangerous. If they were bold enough to take her they won't hesitate to take you two either. You're far more help on the inside this time. I'll come back to you with any leads we get, but for now, just get somewhere safe."
And with that he was gone.
That night Ron Weasley sat at the kitchen table in The Burrow picking at his dinner.
"C'mon Ronnie, dear, I know you're upset but not eating won't do you any good." Mrs. Weasley said gently as she set down placemats for the missing members of the Weasley family.
With perfect timing, the front door to The Burrow burst open and in strode the two eldest Weasley sons. Ron's head jolted up and he nearly jumped out of his seat as they walked into the kitchen.
"Did you find anything?" He asked urgently.
Bill and Charlie exchanged forlorn glances, as Bill said, "No, we didn't."
The two older boys picked up plates from the cupboard, walked to the stove and began to pile on food.
"Though, Bill and I only searched some of the nearby towns." Charlie explained as he loaded his plate. "We know that she's not anywhere in one of those nor in Diagon Alley. But Kingsley's got Aurors more trained than us in the manors of Death Eater's now."
"I think that's where she's most likely to be if anything." Harry cut in, "Who do they've got searching Malfoy Manor?"
"Kingsley actually went there himself with Fleur and a handful of others." Charlie said, glancing at Bill with the mention of his wife.
"I can't believe he told us to stay away!" Harry began angrily, "If anything we've probably got as good of a shot-"
"I can." Bill cut him off, taking a seat at the table next to Ron. "This is the way that I, and a lot of others, are looking at it. The Death Eaters that are left have no real purpose anymore. Their precious 'Dark Lord' is dead and most of them are locked up somewhere. So the ones that are still free have nothing to do but sit, and sulk, and plot revenge. Revenge against who? You, of course. The one who killed their fearless leader. And what's the easiest way to get you? Take hold of your closest friends."
"You're known for being a little bit reckless, Harry." Charlie continued for his brother, "Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but they know that if you even think you can figure out where Hermione is, you will bring yourself right to her and into their hands."
"But the thing is," Bill continued, "Now that the war is over, these are all just mind games. They've got no real use for Hermione, they've got no real use for you, they're just toying at this point. And we suspect that one of three things will happen."
"And what's that?" Ron asked.
"One. We will either find Hermione and bring her home." Charlie said as he leaned back on the edge of the counter.
"Two. They will realize you two aren't going to go running blindly looking for her, realize they won't get what they want and set her free." Bill continued.
"Or three. Which I honestly think is the most likely out of the lot." Charlie said with a slight chuckle, "Hermione will find a way to break herself out of wherever she's being hidden. She's never really been one to sit idly by and watch, now has she?"
"But regardless of which way it is, we've got no doubt that Hermione will come home soon." Bill said attempting to be reassuring.
"Kingsley has every Order member and Auror looking for her. The Death Eaters really have nothing on us anymore." Charlie finished.
The front door could be heard opening once again as two new voices filled the entranceway.
"Mollywobbles, we're home!" Mr. Weasley called lightly through the house as he and Percy strode into the kitchen.
He lent down to give his wife a kiss and said, "Sorry I'm home so late, dear, Percy and I had a rather odd day in the Department of Mysteries."
"Oh, well isn't every day in the Department of Mysteries an odd day?" Mrs. Weasley replied.
"Well yes, but today was especially odd." At the entertained looks from his sons Mr. Weasley plopped down into a seat and began his story telling. "You all know Percy and I have been going in to investigate the movement in the Veil, correct?"
At the surrounding nods he continued, "Well, usually the veil only ripples once, so typically by the time Percy and I arrive the rippling has already stopped and it is completely still again. But today was different. We got there and the veil was perfectly still as usual, but then after we had been there a few hours or so it started moving again. But not just a single wave, it was continuous, hours on end it was going."
"For hours on end?" Harry asked confused, "What does that mean, exactly?"
"We don't know." Mr. Weasley said grinning, "But we'll be going back tomorrow to see if we can work anything out."
"Well, this is good news right?" Harry said hopefully.
"I don't know about good news, Harry, but it certainly isn't bad news!" Mr. Weasley said with a smile. "Say, where's Hermione?"
"Hermione's missing." Ron said forlornly.
"Hermione's missing? Did Percy and I miss something?" Mr. Weasley asked as Ron launched into the story of the battle that would replay in his mind for months.