August 25th 2022- Diagon Alley, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes

James Potter II

James had been pretty sick and tired of Fred having money and him having none. It had made meeting up pretty boring since he couldn't even afford a ice cream. A few weeks ago, Ron had been round at the Potters and James had finally broken and begged for a job. Ron had only been too happy to oblige seeing as his own children wouldn't be seen dead in there. Lily, of course, had been ear-wigging the conversation and had also asked to work at the shop. A delighted Ron had agreed and for the past few weeks they'd been working three days a week. The crowds were just starting to build up with the run up to school coming to an end. Last week they'd all received their Hogwarts letters, ( James had been very pleased with his OWLS and his captain badge...) so the alley was filled with parents shepherding children around for school supplies. The alley usually got busy mid-afternoon when parents returned from work. As it was before dinner, it was still pretty quiet.

James had been cleaning the store all morning while Lily minded the till. Ron was in the black room working on the owl orders and from the frequent bangs from above George was working on a new product. The customer Lily was serving left and, as soon as the bell above the door jingled, James slumped down on his broom, utterly exhausted.

"This is slave labour, I tell you," he moaned to Lily wiping his damp brow on his horrific magneta robes. Lily just rolled her eyes.

"James, they are paying us a galleon an hour."

"I deserve ten!" He threw his arms in the air almost dropping the broom. "How come I get the hard job while you get to stand there looking pretty?"

"Easy, cos I'm pretty and you're not."

"Charming Lils, charming." She stuck out her tongue at him and his belly decided now was the time to grumble. He held it, grimacing as Lilly laughed at him. "Look, I'm bloody starving. I'm going to sneak out- want anything?" It wasn't like it was busy, and neither George nor Ron would care.

Lily looked at him reproachfully but reluctantly nodded, "Get me a sandwich." James nodded, patted his pocket and then strolled out of the shop straight into Diagon Alley.

Later he would remark that he'd had no idea how he'd known- certainly nothing had looked out of the ordinary, nor unlike any other day James had sneaked out of the shop. He was day dreaming as he strolled down the cobbled street when he suddenly got an ice cold prickling sensation, the same one he got when Mrs Norris Jnr managed to sneak up behind him. Glancing wearily around, he shot his hand into his robe pocket and clenched his wand, relaxing the second it was within his grip but still glancing at the crowd suspiciouly. He could see nothing out of the ordinary. The street was just getting busy and there was a crowd of witches clustered around the robe shop while several people crowded in and out of the Quidditch shop. But still, James could see nothing strange. He relaxed his sweaty palm and stepped forward towards the sandwich shop. It was moments too late when he saw the out-of-place man stood with his hood up in the august sun.

James froze, his foot hovering awkwardly as a sudden fear rushed through him, and before he could think to say or do anything the man dropped a small object and turned with a crack and disappeared. James' blood turned to ice. He opened his mouth but his scream was cut off with the explosion that followed.

He was lifted off his feet and sent hurling through the air. Buildings broke apart and he fell, spinning to the ground, where his head hit something sharp, into darkness.

Ron Weasley

He was humming tunelessly as he sent off the last of the days owl orders. It hadn't taken too long with being the holidays. When school picked up again, he knew they'd be drowning in orders as the students of Hogwarts (including his own nephews) scrabbled to pull the greatest pranks on their peers. He couldn't begrudge them it though, he wished that they'd had more fun at school- less Voldemort, less battling, less worrying about adults' problems. Though his own children largely stayed out of trouble (he firmly believed that they were up to something but, due to their mother's brains, they'd kept it under wraps) James and Fred did not. Harry- the mere thought of him sent a sharp stab of pain through his chest- had ranted often enough about the letters he'd received from Professor Sinistra. He pushed the thought of Harry away. They hadn;t spoken since Harry's birthday and he- as of yet- had not rejoined the aurors. He knew Harry was ignoring him, hoping he'd give up, but he didn't know Ron very well if he thought that would work.

He'd placed the last order to the table by the door, started up the steps to the shop, humming, about to tell James and Lily to go get some dinner when it happened.

The explosion rocked the entire street. It felt as though the air had been sucked out of the room. He was punched forwards, his hands scrabbling through the air as he fought to catch himself. His hands caught the front of the table as a cascade of orders toppled off the bench, rolling, rolling, rolling on the floor. He blinked, raising a hand to clasp around his ear- they hummed and buzzed like an untuned radio. Had that been an explosion? Could it have been? Surely not... his mind chased a foggy memory and he grabbed it before it could swim away into the fog. What had Harry and Hermione said back to The Burrow? Realisation dawned and his legs were moving before his brain could catch up.

He hurtled into the shop, finding a terrified Lily hiding behind then till; Ron dropped down next to her and gathered her into his arms as he glanced around for his nephew. "Lily where's James," he said as softly as he could. Lily's eyes widened and she glanced around in panic.

"James went out, he was hungry," she took a shaky breath, "Uncle Ron, that was an explosion, but James, oh Merlin, James.." Ron didn't have the chance to reply as George took that second to tumble into the room.

"Half the streets gone, Ronnie," George whispered in horror, "Saw it from upstairs."

Ron looked stood up, bringing Lily to her feet as well. He passed her over to George. "James was on the street, I've got to find him," he said grimly.

George shook his head, "Ron, they could come back. We should wait for the aurors until we know that there won't be any more explosions." George's eyes were wide and Ron knew why he was so scared, but he had to find James.

"Take Lilly, I'll look for James. I'll meet you at the burrow," he clapped George on the shoulder and bolted out of the room and into the dusty street before George could try to argue. The street was in ruins- unrecognisable as it lay smouldering. Ron took a deep breath, happy thoughts, happy thoughts. He thought of his family, his beautiful wife, his children's births, "Expecto Patronum!" he cried and a terrier erupted out of his wand and stood waiting for a command, the little dogs tail stood straight up, ears pricked, waiting attentively for a command. "Diagon Alley has been attacked, Lily is at The Burrow, but James is missing." The terrier barked and shot off and Ron took off at a run, heading towards what looked to be the centre of the blast. He skidded to a stop and felt bile rise in his throat. His heart pounded loudly as he took in the true magnitude of what had just happened. James could be anywhere, under any of the rubble. He didn't even know where to start looking. He didn't know what to do.

Several shoppers were trying to lift the rubble off the victims, but they were moving so fast they risked destabilising the entire structure and crushing other people underneath. His lungs unfroze as he jumped into action. "Stop," he cried running forward, "Move it slowly," the witches glanced at him before listening to his instructions, underneath they found the body of a man. He was still breathing and they quickly transported him to Mungo's.

Ron looked around, trying hopelessly to get his bearings. James was hungry and his favourite cafe was the little one in the corner next to the quill shop and the Quidditch shop. He turned towards where he thought the cafe was and swallowed harshly. The cafe sign had been blown straight off and the building itself had half collapsed. A lump rose in his throat, if he was in there...

The sign, still flashing, "Fresh Sandwiches" was laid in the centre of the street. Ron pushed through the horrified shoppers, determined to get to the shop and find James. Time was of the essence.

He reached the shop, noticing a badly bleeding hand jutting out go the wreckage, "Quick," he cried hoarsely, "there's someone here, go slowly, be careful." Ron began to slowly raise the wreckage until the man underneath was released from the debris. Ron had realised as soon as he saw the colour of the man's robes were revealed that it wasn't James- he felt equal parts relieved and terrified. Ron scooped up a brick from the floor, "Portus," he whispered and the brick glowed blue for a second before fading back to its normal colour. He handed the brick to a startled shopper, "It'll take him to Mungo's, tell them to send healers here and to expect more casualties." The shopper nodded and shakily grasped both the brick and man. A flash of blue and they disappeared.

Several more people were free of the rubble and were standing or sitting in shock across the street. Ron quickly scanned the crowd but couldn't see the messy head of his nephew. None of them looked too injured, just in shock. With each face he scanned that wasn't his nephew the solid lump in his chest grew. He scanned again, hoping he'd just missed him. As his eyes slipped shut, he let out a shuddering breath. At that moment, a crack echoed through the still air. The auror department was here.

"Ron!" Harry shouted, leaving his fellow aurors, Wright, Irvine, Spinnet and Teddy to organise themselves as he sprinted over. "Have you-" Harry closed his eyes, visibly trying to pull himself together.

Ron shook his head, "Haven't really had much chance to look, he was heading to the cafe."

"Lemmings'?" His eyes jumping to the destroyed sandwich shop, "Oh Merlin," Harry moaned, bending over as he dry retched at the sight of the burnt-out shop.

"We don't even know that he was in there," Ron said haltingly, "He could have been anywhere on the street."

Harry nodded, watching the aurors fan-out across the area to begin the search. The hit wizards and several other Ministry members had also arrived to assist in the search; it was hard to block out the noise and to concentrate. "I should be helping," Harry said making no attempt to move. Harry was shaking from head to foot. His eyes glassy as he surveyed the scene.

"No, we can set up the perimeter," Ron said soothingly, grasping his old friend's arm and leading him away from the carnage.

"I can't do nothing."

"Look at your hands, Harry." Harry looked down at his shaking hands, "You can't help like this."

Together they created a cordon, keeping away the public and reporters that were suddenly appearing in the alley- gawking at the horror before them. Harry began to write down the names of all the survivors and casualties, making another list for those that was still missing. They spoke to screaming men and women at the cordon and Harry diligently noted every name down. James' name, underlined and written with a shaky hand, was right at the top of that list. Meanwhile, the aurors quickly excavated the area and began to apparate those with serious injuries straight to Mungo's.

"Harry!" Wright, his now most senior auror at the grand age of 28, yelled. Harry looked over at her and was relieved when she smiled, however grimly as she began to walk over the rubble towards them. She was smeared in dust and debris and her face was creased into a frown. "We've got James." Harry sighed in relief, and headed over to her- stumbling over rocks and cobbles, Ron following close behind. "He's unconscious, a few abrasions, a concussion and a possibly fractured arm. But he'll be fine and fixed in a jiffy. Healer Roberts is taking him straight to Mungo's." She gestured behind her and Harry could see the Healer levitating a dusty, dirty body- James.

Harry tried to sigh in relief but found that the knot of worry wouldn't lessen. "Do you need me here?" He demanded, begging that she'd say no.

"Go with your son, boss. We will be fine," she reassured.

"Thanks, Freya," he murmured before running to where he could see the frazzled form of Healer Roberts. "Roberts, I'm coming with you."

Healer Roberts turned in surprise before realising who was yelling at her: Harry and her had had a few run ins after bad cases. Harry dropped to his knees heavily beside the still form of his eldest son- his eyes were closed and he was covered in grit. He didn't have long to gaze at his son as Healer Roberts nodded at both him and Ron before they all grasped the portkey and reappeared in the hospital.

St Mungo's had a no reporters policy, which Harry was grateful for. They appeared in the reception which was bustling with people, the majority of which seemed to be the dazed survivors of the Diagon Alley attack. Healer Roberts rushed James, who was lying on a emergency field stretcher, towards Accident and Emergency. Ron and Harry followed at a quick jog.

They arrived at two double doors and it was then that healer Roberts stopped them. "Wait here until he's checked in and settled. Once we've begun treating him we'll let you in." She could tell by their faces that they didn't like what she'd said and she sighed heavily and rubbed her head. "I'll let you in as soon as I can, from what I can tell James' injuries are superficial, minor cuts and abrasions- we need him to wake up to check on his head but really, he should be fine." Harry allowed himself to relax slightly and nodded at the healer. She gave a thin smile and whisked James away. Ron sighed, sagging into one of the uncomfortable looking hospital chairs. Harry however remained standing, face frozen, as he finally allowed himself to really think about the events of the day.

"Harry, sit down." Harry didn't respond so Ron grasped his arm and yanked him into the chair beside him. "You heard her; he's fine."

"He could've died."

"But he didn't."

"Merlin, Ron, if he'd been in that shop..." Harry shuddered.

"What ifs aren't going to help" Ron chided, shaking his head.

"No- I know..." Harry muttered, wrapping his arms around his middle and curling into himself.

"Expecto Patronum," Ron murmured, his silver dog arrived, looking much happier than he did earlier in the day, "James is safe, we are at st. Mungo's." The dog bounded off. "It'll be okay Harry, it'll be okay." But the words sounded hollow even to Ron.

Yes, James would be fine. But this attack meant, that once again, they were at war.

26th August 2022 - Potter cottage

Ginny Weasley

TERRORISTS ATTACK DIAGON ALLEY,

4 dead, 25 injured.

By Rita Skeeter

Yesterday morning, shortly before noon, a huge explosion rocked the famous shopping centre. The attack was apparently orchestrated by the terrorist group known as The Non Conformites. This pure-blood separatist group is also allegedly responsible for several muggle baitings as well as the murder of respected Ministry employee Anne Goldwick (26), and the prophet's own reporter, Paul Johnson (54).

Up till now, the Prophet has been silenced by the Auror department and the Ministry of Magic. We, and our readers, ask, why? Why has Mr Potter, chosen one and saviour of our world, kept this dangerous group hidden?

Why has Mr Potter ignored the right of the press and the people? Is Mr Potter so egotistical to believe that he has the right to decide what the public should know?

If I, and the Prophet, had been able to report the deeds of this dastardly group would so many people have been in Diagon Alley? No. If people had been warned then would they have been more vigilant? Yes.

This week gets worse for Potter, sources report that Potter's eldest son, James Sirius, was present at the attack. Are the Potter's more involved with this group than they would have us believe? Are Mr Potter's sympathies with the Pure-Bloods?

Either way, Mr Potter has a lot to answer for. We wish his son a speedy recovery.

Ginny threw the paper to the table with a huff. Bloody Skeeter.

Ginny was currently at home. Albus and Lily were (hopefully) still in bed while both James and Harry stayed at St. Mungo's. Ginny poured herself a tea and stared out the large kitchen window. She was glad that they lived in such a remote muggle area, the press was going to be a nightmare.

The house felt uneasy without the presence of James. Although they all knew he was going to be fine, the house still wouldn't feel right until he was back. The entire family had stayed at St. Mungo's into the late evening until a healer had insisted they leave to get some rest, so Ginny had brought the kids back while Harry stayed with James.

"What's up, mum," Albus said hesitantly, walking into the kitchen and pouring himself a fresh orange juice.

"Nothing dear, breakfast?" Albus nodded. Ginny set about making a cooked breakfast her mind drifting as she did.

"Is James coming home today?" Albus asked hopefully.

"Maybe, depends what the healers say today." Ginny tossed the bacon into the pan, and, with her wand, cracked the eggs into another pan. The sound of sizzling filled the room.

"But you did say he woke up last night?"

"Yes, but he still had a headache and some short-term memory loss. If that has improved today, they'll send him home."

Albus nodded and, although he did look quite concerned, when Ginny placed his breakfast down, he still managed to rapidly inhale it. Rap-rap. Both Ginny and Albus swivelled round to stare out of the kitchen door. Ginny jumped up and opened it revealing a dishevelled looking Hermione with dark shadows under her eyes, "Morning Ginny," she yawned stumbling into the kitchen and collapsing into a chair.

"Hermione!" Ginny said in surprise, glancing at the kitchen clock on the wall, it was only half past seven. "Are you okay?" Ginny asked, pouring Hermione a coffee as she asked.

"Just tried." She yawned again. Ginny plopped down the mug on the table and Hermione smiled at her appreciatively, "Thanks Ginny." She slurped at the coffee and closed her eyes while Ginny and Albus watched her curiously. After a few moments, she opened her eyes, looking much more alert. "We've just been so busy," she sighed, inhaling her coffee, "Last night there was a spate of 'revenge' attacks on pure-bloods and the MLE had trouble regaining control- Skeeter isn't helping," she yawned again before apologising profusely. "I was in a meeting till 3am last night. With Kingsley, Wright, Percy and Hobson."

Ginny frowned, racking her brain to place faces to names. Wright worked in the Auror department and with Oldridge and Creevey out of commission was the most senior auror. Percy was the department head of international relations so it made sense that he was there..."Hobson?"

"Robin Hobson, head of M.A.C."

"Oh..." Said Ginny questioningly, hoping that Hermione would explain.

"We had to discuss this terrorist group, Freya and I were there to update on the investigation. Kingsley invited Hobson to get his opinion on informing the muggle prime minister. Percy was there because he always is," Hermione rolled her eyes, "and to try and gauge whether we should inform the other ministries," she rubbed her forehead, "It wasn't worth the time we spent debating. We are no further to finding out the leader of this group and Percy point blank said the international community won't get involved."

"What about the muggles?" Albus asked, startling the adults that had forgotten he was there. Ginny narrowed her eyes at him but didn't make him leave, she remembered only too clearly how annoying it was to be left out of things, especially when your entire family is in danger.

Hermione answered after a quick non-verbal conversation with Ginny, "We haven't been on good terms with the muggles since the war. But Hobson did make a valid point," she licked her lips, "The muggles have dealt with terrorism before. They could advise us."

"What did they say to that?" Ginny said, already imaging Percy's blustering answer.

Hermione sighed yet again, "A resounding no. Perhaps if Harry had been there they would have seen the logic- but no." She took a long sip of her coffee, "Morons." Ginny and Albus laughed. Hermione smiled back at them before her eyes widened in horror, "Oh I'm so sorry! I completely forgot to ask about James!"

"He's good," Albus said, "Hopefully he can come home today, s'long as he can remember what he had for breakfast!" Albus said lightly.

"That's good." Hermione smiled.

Ginny pursed her lips, the emotion of the last day was hitting her under the sympathetic eyes of her best friend, "Albie can you go and check on your sister please?"

Albus frowned at her before leaving in a huff- slamming the door behind him.

Ginny sighed deeply and hung her head, resting it atop of the dinning table, "Oh Gin," Hermione said softly, clutching one of Ginny's hands in her own. "He's going to be fine Ginny."

"Sorry," said Ginny thickly, looking up at Hermione through watery eyes, "He's going to be fine, reasonably there is nothing to worry about." She broke off and gulped, "But Hermione, he could have died, I mean they could have-" she broke off again and rubbed fiercely at her eyes, "At least I finally know how mum felt," she laughed, but it sounded empty. "I know he's fine but this group are everything we've ever fought against. And Harry is going to be in the firing line, again."

"It's not the same as back then."

"No, because now he's got us and he's just as much of a target than he was before."

"He won't be on his own," Hermione said quietly, "Ron- Ron is going back."

"Oh, Hermione..." Ginny said sympathetically.

"He feels he can do more, and he can. He was- is- a brilliant auror. He was just supposed to be putting us first, and now he's putting himself in the line of fire..." Hermione drifted off, frowning down at her hands.

"He's a Gryffindor and a Weasley."

"And one of the many reasons why I married him."

"It makes it feel...real. Doesn't it? Ron going back- almost makes me feel that The Order is about to be called in."

"It isn't the same as last time. We have Kingsley and his ministry is strong and united. This ministry will support us all, we don't need the order."

Ginny chuckled quietly, eyes lost in the distance, "It makes me feel rather useless." She did feel useless, the majority of her family was in the ministry and they would be fighting to prevent an outright war with these militants. But she was stuck writing Quidditch reports for The Prophet. It was hardly an important job. It was in this moment that she briefly regretted her choice of career... If she'd gone in the ministry, or the aurors, she would be involved, able to help. Do something. She had always been good enough, could have done anything. Been anyone.

"Gin, this isn't a war. It's just a group. The ministry defeated the rest of the Death Eaters, I'm sure they can handle one small group."

Hermione looked so earnest, almost like she knew what Ginny was thinking. "What do you think they'll do next?"

"I think they've played their hand too early if they wanted to gain support. This attack will prevent it. But..." Hermione paused staring thoughtfully at Ginny, "There will be another attack. I don't know when or who, but they will. This will only escalate until they are stopped."

"And do you think they'll be able to rally more troops for them?"

Hermione mulled over the question and Ginny could almost see the cogs turning, "There are a lot of pure-bloods that are angry... Most of the major families were stripped of their titles. In retrospect perhaps we were too harsh, too quick to condemn." Hermione let out a breath, "Many of them may think this group has a point."

Ginny looked at her in shock, thinking of all the families that could possibly have sympathies with this group, how many people she might know that were secretly cheering that someone had risen to challenge the ministry. Bile rose in her throat at the thought of it, "What is their point, exactly?"

"That pure bloods have next to no rights, treated with suspicion and are isolated from society. The latest note that was sent to the ministry stated that only 31% of jobs in the ministry are held by pure-bloods. Less higher up the system," Hermione grimaced, "It sounds terrible but it's statistically representative of our society."

Ginny and Hermione sat in silence and Ginny wondered when, if ever, their society could be united. Their conversation drifted to lighter topics and neither noticed that Albus had been listening the entire time behind the door.


A/N If you've enjoyed so far, please review!