Attack At home, away from home

At the Burrow…

"Check" "Oh brother" "Mate"

"Kill them all"

Ron first thought that it was the chess pieces speaking but they looked at him and Ginny quizzically.

They heard their mother storming in the room. "Come to the Fire Place. Ginny you first. Fathers Office. Go, Go, Go!" As if in a haze Ginny took the Floo powder and ran up to the fireplace with Ron in tow.

Just when they reached the fire place the fire crackled and died. Ron, scared for an answer looked at his mother with a crooked question mark clearly on his face.

For a moment she just stood there as if in a daze, quite expectedly she covered her face with her hands and sank to her knees and started crying. At that moment she felt conquered. She could only get help but she knew she would not be back in time. She would rather die with her two young ones than live without them.

Ron felt defeated, hopeless if only Harry was here was all that came to mind. Then a young mind started to act. He took his wand out he faced his mother and sister and said "Basement"

There was not much hope but with that one word sentence just maybe they could find some hope. He turned back to the front door to see it open with a death eater coming into view. Without thinking he trumpeted "Experialamus!" at the Death eater. The death eater standing in the door with more behind him had nowhere to go. He flew with those behind him out where they came from WOW. Ginny mean while did not let wait on her as a death eater jumped through the window she simply said "Stupefy". He was unconscious and impaled on a shard of glass he created.

Ms Weasley was stunned. She heard all about DA and she knew that her children have faced a lot was shocked out of her moment of uncertainty when she heard someone in the kitchen. She shouted without thinking "Let's go" and adding "Quickly"

Before they went five steps the Wormtail stood in their way at the only other exit. "Going anywhere my, oh so beloved family?" He asked with a grim smile of satisfaction. They were caught, snared. He had at least a dozen death eaters with him and a lot more outside. "My master will be pleased" "My regards to Potter when you meet him, in the afterlife."

All this happened so fast that the Weasley's knew they had nowhere to go but face what was to come.

Ginny sank to the ground as she saw and realized that the house was surrounded by death eaters, Pettigrew in front of her did not make it easier. They tried and failed. Then all at once there was at least 20 loud pops.

POP. POP. POP. POP. POP. POP. POPPOP, POPPOP, POPPOP, POPPOP and faster

POPOPOPOPOPOPOPOP, POPOPOPOPOPOPOPOPOPOPOPOP.

Ron saw the faces of people he knew and did not know come into view. Soon there were twenty of them. The one standing in front of them was what surprised Ron. Dumbledore.

The moment he appeared he started mumbling spell after spell. Pettigrew still caught out of place with his hand in the cookie jar stood wide mouth looking at the sight in front of him. His old headmaster. The one person he believed could take his master on. He did not know how or why but Potter never won but he sure as hell never lost either so he thoughtfully added Potter as well.

He tried to apparate just to find that it was ineffective. He turned to run but he brought so many with him that there was nowhere to go. He started imagining he was a rat but heard a spell that he only once, when his master uttered it in a fury to match an angry god. And he remembered that as clearly as the crucio that Lucuis received those moments ago and will once again, the next time he faced his master. Then all went black.

Another death eater shouted a spell at Molly Weasley but before the spell could get to her the son she though that was lost to them dived in front of her. She did not know the spell or the effect.

Dumbledore took the scene in one moment. Before recognition could settle in he had already placed anti apparition wards on and some other protection that would not last long but inconvenience the death eaters outside, a lot. Then the ones inside they felt a side to the old man in front of them they did not know existed.

Ginny used the mobilluis corpus spell on Percy to bring him to waste level. Her mother did not say anything just looked at her daughter, silently thanking Harry again for teaching her children to keep their head in a situation like this.

Before Arthur Weasley could utter any word the fight ended. He did not hear the spells that Dumbledore pronounced syllable by syllable but he just knew they were powerful as he saw the dozen death eaters in front of them all fly and fall on the floor. He did hear and recognize the mobiluis corpus that his son pronounced picking up Pettigrew from his entourage. He did see the death eater on the floor impaled on a piece of glass. As he was the first to come as a marker for the rest he knew he did not see this happen nor how the half dozen lying outside came to be like that. A lot of questions surfaced with so few answers.

He did hear Albus saying "There are at least 60 of them. Do you want to try and protect your home?" Looking the wizened wizard in the eyes Arthur mumbled "Portkeys." When they appeared next they were back at the ministry. All of them.

Waiting in the front was none other than the minister of magic himself. Albus simply said there was something he had to do quickly and together him and Arthur left for Privet Drive. When they got there what they saw could simply be described as amazing and for wizards to feel and say that it meant it was startling.

The Burrow…

Back at the burrow the death eaters were in disarray. No matter what magic they cast at the Burrow it bounced of as if it was made out of steel. They knew whoever was inside have left.

Lucuis was aggravated. He knew that he would face his master wrath when he met him again. His toy was lost to him as he saw that boy convey him before they Portkeyed away. He knew he failed the first part of his mission.

The second part was for all practical reasons going to fail. He saw that old fool inside and he knew that it was him who did it. He muttered all kinds of curses from fire to water to destruction but they all failed. The Reductor curse only illuminated the building. Everybody else was doing the same thing it did not help anyone a bit. He was so caught in his frustration that he did not hear the rasps of air intake behind him he only heard part of "Cru…" and then a pain flowing like water through a tunnel down his spine, into his legs, feet, arms, hands, fingers and toes. He felt the pain in every possible part of his body. For once he did not appreciate having all his limbs. In the back of his mind he was glad, pleased that he was caught unawares.

He knew it would soon end, at least he hoped. This time Lucuis did not get up as fast as he usually would. When he was on his feet he saw that everyone else was on the ground. On his way down he felt himself losing control over his motoring ability and remained standing with his head bowed. "I have failed again master." "Yes you have." Was the hiss in reply. "Now we know there is a traitor and seeing that Snape is not involved I know it cannot be him. Do you agree?" Keeping his head bowed "Yes Master."

"Do you know why you would not be able to destroy that thing?" Voldemort asked his second most loyal supporter. "No Master." "You are still blind in some ways Lucuis. Let me take the time to educate you." He turned his attention to the house and murmured a few words of choice. The whole place exploded except for one wall. On the wall written in green with the death eater mark on top there was a message that read:

POTTER

I am coming for you and everyone you hold dear. You will see what is left. Everybody that you hold dear will be targeted. You will die alone in the end.

LORD VOLDEMORT

"Lucuis you are simply not strong enough and you still need to learn, a lot" And they all vanished.

Back at pivot drive Harry was sitting on the work bench staring at the wall in front of him. He felt his scar come to life again. He had some questions to answer his aunt uncle and Dudley. Questions they had all the right to ask and he under an obligation to answer. He saw through the pain Lucuis receiving crucatious for the second time in less than two hours and then something he could not explain happened.

He heard Albus and Arthur walking into the shed though he did not know it was them. And then there was no more pain he looked at the wall and could see the burrow in the third person view. Where he wanted to look is where he looked and what he wanted to see he saw. The light was emanating from his scar onto the white wall. He did not have time to praise this as Voldemort came into view. They all heard Voldemort speak to Lucuis and his confidence in Snape, which was truly a blessing in disguise. At that they turned and looked at the burrow. Misshapen and disfigured. He heard someone almost whispering "Home" he saw the white picket fence, the garage with who knows how many enchanted muggle items. They saw the beautiful valley behind the Burrow where the children so often played Quidditch. All way around a line of beautiful trees was in evidence that indicated the boundary of the Weasley territory, doing this job naturally for at least a couple of centuries. They all heard the spell he uttered. They all saw the result. They all saw and read the message. They all sat there with blank faces as all the death eaters disappeared and finally the image on the wall. They all knew what happened to the Burrow.

The first to make a sound was Harry. Crying, not ashamed but lost. The only other place he called home and wanting to, was now gone as well. There was none to comfort him. They just left him each caught to his own. "Only one good guy got hurt Harry." Looking up at Professor Dumbledore and Arthur Weasley through blood stained eyes he simply asked "Percy?" He did not know how. He just said what came to mind, and he did not know how but he knew it was bad.

What Arthur Weasley saw terrified him to say the least. What looked back at him must have been death itself. Later he would have to explain to his family what Harry looked like so that they would not be too frightened when they next saw him. He simply started crying as well.

Dumbledore was taken, startled to say the least. And the man that usually was expectant and willing recipient of the unknown, with the damned twinkle, was at a loss.

In all his years, which were quite a lot, he has never seen a sight like the one playing in front of him at that moment. He knew that what happened to Harry must have been bad. He knew a part of the source but that in it self could not be all. That he was quite clear about.

Harry simply asked "I would like to collect my school stuff tomorrow?" Without thinking about it Albus nodded agreement. Harry continued with "I have moved into the shed for the safety of the Dursley's. I hope that it will not interfere with the protection?" Dumbledore still at a loss for words nodded agreement again.

"Harry I have to thank you for saving my family again." Looking at Arthur Harry felt sorry for this man, him being poor, dedicated, good natured, loving, and caring and a lot of other good qualities in general. "I am the one to be sorry; it is my fault that you were targeted in the first place." As I am the owner of number 12 Grimmauld place I insist that you make that your new home." Arthur did not even think before he answered. "No Harry…" at this Harry's heart sank to the floor "… it is not your fault we were targeted. In the last few weeks Bill and Charley were instrumental in a lot of failed death eater attacks. And thank you for the use of number 12. We appreciate it." Harry simply shrugged that information off as if it never existed.

Looking at Albus Dumbledore Harry asked "Please make this room a little bigger" Albus complied still to say a word. That is not all he did. There was a bathroom a bed, small kitchen all in all a moderately sized granny flat. The Dursley's looked in awe at what they saw but they did not comment.

Dumbledore was right now at something he did not know was possible. He was at a loss. Looking at the various people around the room Albus Dumbledore simply asked "Is there anyone in this room who would have a problem if I sealed this room so the ministry could not detect any underage magic?" After giving everyone a once over and stopping pointedly on Arthur, he lifted an eyebrow. No one answered so he spoke the spell.

Turning back to Harry he simply asked "Harry you know what must happen?" "Yes sir" "You can only accept" "I do" "Then so be it. I have given you a training ground where you can teach yourselves. Tomorrow you will collect your books with a member. Then you can start practicing from whatever is in your books. I have two books too add. This one contains wizarding stories," Seeing the look on Harry's face he smiled so mature "there is always a base of truth in any story, and a book on Occlumency and Legilimency. The latter I want you to work hard on. Arthur I believe we have a house to fix" Looking at the house besides the shed "and some explaining to do at the ministry." "Mister and Misses Dursley I thank you for your time. Harry you need to get some rest." At that Harry who was sitting on the bench when it became a bed merely rolled on his side. It was the first real sleep he would get in a very, very long time. He needed it. He deserved it. He received it. Turning to Arthur, Albus motioned them to follow.

Vernon looked at his family and they all followed out. "I do not expect you to feed or cloth Harry anymore. That responsibility has been yours for too long. He will start feeding himself." He knew that Harry would appreciate that and needed to be on his own for some time. He had a lot to learn and he would have to teach himself. He remembered a certain house elf who would appreciate helping out. He opened his pendulum watch and said. "Dobby and Winky."

The words hardly left his mouth when the two house elves appeared out of thin air. "Harry Is in that shed over there. Both of you have indicated to me that you would one day leave Hogwarts to work for Harry. He will need someone to prepare food, clean shop and some things you usually do. Are you still interested?" The two house elves faced each other and replied as one "Yes, but we will still work at school as well" Albus understood immediately but did not push the point. "Harry is now asleep so please do not bother him. He had a hard day and need some rest." Understanding dawned on both the elves as they knew who Harry was, and what he had done. Instead they went into the house. Everyone else followed. The Dursley's did not give an indication of problems with magic.

After Albus and Arthur repaired the damaged caused by Harry they left, soon to be followed by the elves who could work at a frantic pace. The Dursley's only sat in the master bedroom contemplating the undertakings and events of the day. Not a single word was spoken. They sat in silence and the only communication taking place was through joined hands.

Meanwhile at the ministry…

All the Weasley's present, which was everyone except for Mr. Weasley, was in some or other way holding onto each other with Percy in the middle. Mrs. Weasley held onto her two youngest while crying non stop. Ginny held onto Percy's hand trying to get assurances that he was alright. At the burrow not she or Ron gave any indication of emotion but here where they felt save they did not keep their composure up. They let it go. Mumbling "Oh Percy" Mrs. Weasley broke down and cried like it was the end of the world. Bill, Charlie and Ron had bad lumps in their sandpaper throats. They felt bad for judging Percy on his actions towards their parents. They realized that it was a matter of misguided trust.

It was not a strange sight to see all the red heads together but right now there was a bad reason for it. Not one of them knew the totality of the events that had them grouped together except for the two that left and of course Moody, who was only barking orders. After giving the Weasley's his assurances that Percy would be fine two aurors took Percy and left.

The minister of magic finally came out of his comatose and demanded an explanation from Moody. Moody not in the mood for this turned on his stump and faced the minister. "Why don't you get someone with some verisatuim so that we all can get some answers from this scum?" Pointing down at the figure on the floor that was dumped most unceremoniously on the floor by Ron the moment they arrived.

"And I believe that Dumbledore will be the best one to explain all of this. Before starting to argue the minister looked down at the figure, the next command came without thought or reconciliation in any way. "Verisatuim immediately as strong as they come" as "Yes minister" was all that was heard. Then the minister did something that amazed all and the first act of unselfishness he did in a long time. "Everybody to the hall. I believe everybody is hungry and we will need space to get this sorted out." Turning to a bystander he ordered "Wait for Albus and Arthur and direct them to where we are going" with that he turned and left. Ron immediately took charge of his quarry and followed, he was really hungry. Everyone else soon followed suit.

Not much was said after that, that is until Albus and Arthur arrived.

"Albus I need an explanation for this and I will leave it to you as to decide where to start" With that said he sat down and waited patiently like a dog waits to be fed the scraps of the table after dinner. He looked the part as well. "Well"

Dumbledore then went into what could be described as auto mode. Asking the minister if Pettigrew consumed the verisatuim, and receiving a nod in return he knew the stage was his and he was good.

"Who do you work for and is he your master?" "Lord Voldemort and yes he is my master" This in itself was accepted as nothing new.

"Who was the secret keeper for the Potters?" "I was the secret keeper"

"Did you betray them to Voldemort" "Yes I did" At this the minister of magic replied "Albus between the two of us we have the power to sentence this man now…" He was interrupted by Pettigrew "Whatever you do will be a holiday compared to what my master will do to me." At this Albus went on "No Cornelius there is more" "Pettigrew what happened the day you disappeared?" "I was tracked down by Sirius; he cornered me in a muggle street. He was going to kill me. I knew I had nowhere to go and it would be only moments before the aurors would arrive. I cast the spell and immediately turned into a rat. I ran away, except for my pinkie as a token to you fools who lapped it up like a kitten." At this the minister was silent. Looking at Pettigrew he mouthed "The wrong man was imprisoned, an innocent man was hunted and you did all that and walked free?" "Yes, Yes, Yes"

Before anyone knew what happened, the silver hand of Pettigrew came through his binding and gripping it with his other hand he was gone. Only Ron said anything which counted as nothing "Bloody Hell" he was not even chastised about it.

The bindings disappeared with him an empty chair bearing witness and evidence. It did not come as a shock that Pettigrew was gone. No thought was spared for that. What should have been said was said and that was what was necessary.

Dumbledore more or less satisfied with the turn of events crossed the room to the table that minister Fudge shared with some aurors and asked him to sign some papers containing the will of one Sirius Black. Fudge saw this and saw the name of the new owner. Already a rich man. He signed and got up.

Turning to an auror who came on he asked "How is Percy?" At last he got the name right. Percy answered himself by saying "Feeling less than my usual self." All the Weasley's ran to the one that was lost. The group hug no one could deny was extraordinary and tears of happiness was flowing freely.

Fudge motioned Moody over and told him to come and see him in two days and relay the whole tale. He crossed the floor over to where Dumbledore stood. "How is Harry?" At this question everyone turned to the two who were talking in hushed tones already." They knew the cat was out of the bag so they did not try to hide the conversation anymore.

"Not good. He is currently resting. I don't know what happened but I can only begin to imagine. He lost a lot of blood and he looks like the grim reaper." The minister interrupted him by showing him the parchment.

Dumbledore read the extended parchment and handed it to Moody. It did not take long for the parchment to complete the rounds of Santa Clause. The Weasley's especially was in torment.

Oh Harry why does it always have to be you. If only I could show you how I feel. Please remember you are not alone. "Mum please make me a copy of this?" Ginny asked her mother through tears. She immediately took the copy and placed it in her pocket before anyone could see.

"These kids can certainly take care of themselves." He said and letting it fall like a statement. "You should consider removing the restriction of underage magic as long as it is in their school literature." Fudge smiled and on his way out he nodded his agreement. "Watch the paper tomorrow. He gave Dumbledore a nod and was off, the rest of the aurors following.

Mr. Weasley realizing that only trusted members was left whispered to his family. "We are moving into Number 12" as it would become known later. "Harry gave us the go ahead to move in. I am afraid that what is left of the Burrow is not much." Dumbledore interrupted here and said "Let all of meet at Number 12. Moody please signal the rest of the order members. Quickly creating the Portkey they all vanished. The lady watching the instruments for unauthorized Portkeys turned a blind eye, murmured headache to her boss and left to what was now known as Number 12.

Number 12

Albus arrived late by about half an hour and this was enough to distress an already distressed Molly Weasley. Playing the part she let loose on the wiser older man scowling him for what he was still to do even. "Yes Molly" is all he said.

Everyone was looking at the pensieve he was carrying. Well I need to reconstruct the day's events and what better way to do it than with the help of a trusty old friend. I went through the liberty of visiting the Dursley's as well so their thoughts are already captured. I did not get Harry's thoughts however as he was still out cold.

Then without further ado he started adding his thoughts. Without requesting everyone came forward one by one until all the thoughts were reconstructed. Taking his pendulum watch out he placed it inside the pensieve muttered a few chosen words.

Everyone was now looking at the old man quizily. "Everyone please take the hand of another" While everyone was doing just this. "Please take note that there are some events in here that are disturbing." He was thinking what he and Arthur saw. He did not know what the Dursley's and Fawkes saw. But he would, soon.

Sure that everyone was connected he touched the end of his wand to the glassy surface of the water.

The first thing they experienced is what the Vernon Dursley felt and heard in the living room. The next thing seconds later was what Vernon Dursley saw halfway up the steps. The screams that ruptured through all the throats inside the pensieve caused Albus to disconnect from the pensieve. He felt even his throat was sore. The screams subsided but the sobs were not over for a long time. Everyone was comforting someone and in turn being comforted by the same person.

The sight they experienced was burned into their vision, the smell was stuck in their nostrils the screams of Harry and themselves left their ears ringing. The whole experience could only be described as tomblike.

Once it seemed everyone was more or less calm they went in again. This time they got past the initial part. They saw Vernon trying his best to wake Harry. They saw aunt petunia desperately scratching the word help. They saw Fawkes on Harry's chest, and Harry again. Albus would later recall he could feel everybody shudder every time they saw Harry. They saw the letter he wrote, they saw his admission in poisoning Hedgewig, they saw the Dursley's cry together, they felt the guilt they felt, pensieves never lie. They experienced Arthur, Dumbledore and Moody's thoughts while they read the letter.

They saw and heard Ginny and Ron playing chess. They smelled the food Molly was preparing; they saw the fire crackle and die. They heard and felt the confidence Ron pulled by thinking of Harry. They saw the spell he used to stop the death eaters. They saw the spell Ginny used on the guy jumping through the window. They heard the shard of glass cutting into the man's gut. They felt the confidence in her also coming from some DA lesson. They experienced the sigh reading "Thank Harry" they saw Pettigrew in front of them they felt the despair.

They heard his words all over they saw Dumbledore materialize, they saw Percy diving in front of his mother, they saw Dumbledore cursing, and they saw Ron using the spell on Pettigrew. They felt his calm and collectiveness. They saw Ginny doing the same thing sharing the same feelings. All the adults were in awe at the two youngest. They could not believe that they were handling the situation with such a maturity. It was frightening. Ron murmured "If Harry was there" leaving the thought hanging. They saw themselves at the ministry; they felt the turmoil gathering like a storm brewing on angry see. They saw the Weasley's crashing together. They saw their father and professor leave for Harry. They saw the destruction on the burrow and the message and they heard and saw Harry again, screaming again. They saw the happenings at the ministry and Molly give Albus an earful and they were standing together. Everyone holding hands everyone crying. Hermoine arriving mumbling "It Is Not Fair" Minerva holding her tighter saying "We know dear" The usually stern face bent in the feelings at what she saw. The sight shocked the twins for two weeks afterwards where they made almost no jokes and played no tricks.

It was a lot to let sink in and no one was prepared for what they saw. The greatest one just sat there the sparkle in his blue eyes very dull at the moment. But he was the player. His queen was down for now and there was nothing he could do. "Let us all get sum sleep" "after supper" he added as an after thought. "Tomorrow Moody you will take Harry to Diagon Alley to buy his requirements. Minerva do you have his book list here?" "Yes" she said handing the list to Moody. "You will take Tonks with you and the rest will be on standby here at number 12." A resounding "Whoopee" could be heard which brought a smile too even the stern Minerva. "I believe I do not need too explain the graveness of the situation too anyone." Everyone understood what he meant. The fact that the house of a pure-blooded family fell meant that no matter which you were Voldemort would come for you. The prophet would propagate this event in the morning.

Hermoine held onto Ron's hand. They have been owling each other for a long time and came to the conclusion that they were in love. They looked at each other, locked their eyes hugged and hanged on for dear life. Everybody else saw this but they expected it to happen earlier. No one commented.