Chapter 46
They were to be moving Harry tonight from Sirius' to the Burrow, according to Dumbledore's orders. It made no sense, given how the Black Manor was more protected, even Bill admitted that fact.
Before anything can be done, Harry pulls Hermione away to have a talk. "This doesn't seem right. Think about it for a moment, Hermione. Why would I move from what basically is a fortress to a poorly protected home, where I will be monitored around the clock and foisted onto my jailor's daughter though I know she isn't as interested in me as she used to be. Plus, I would be kept away from my fiancee, even though I have limited time before we leave. No, this isn't going to happen the way he wants it to."
"I'll let Sirius and Remus know. They will deal with the interlopers and Bill can deal with his mother." Hermione agrees and sets to work, carrying out Harry's idea.
Once the ancillary help leaves, Bill agrees to tell his parents that Harry will be there for the wedding, but not before hand as it is still safer for him to stay at "headquarters". "You know she's going to have a bird over this. I still think the Harry/Ginny thought is still running rampant in her mind, she hasn't been told of your engagement as far as I know. Merlin knows George isn't going to tell her of it, and I figure she'll ruin what little enjoyment I'll have of this fiasco by blowing her top if I tell her. She just doesn't understand why you aren't taken by my sister."
"Ginny has gotten better in the last few months, Bill, but there is too much of your mother's influence ingrained into her demeanor." Harry tells him honestly.
Amelia floos through that there is a massive amount of magical energy amassing around the air space of Privet Drive. "I imagine Snape told them of Albus' plan to move you tonight. Thank Merlin, they have the wrong place, but we need some help."
Hours later, the battle is over and Bill returns to the Black Manor to get Hermione.
"George was injured, he's still bleeding as we speak. I wasn't able to stanch the flow. It was Snape. He was trying for another Death Eater behind him, but it got George." Hermione, wand in hand leaves with her brother in law.
He tells her as they walk on to the grounds of the Burrow from the apperation point. "Remus brought him in. Mum's in a tizzy."
Remus stops her to make sure it is her. Hermione pull her wand on the Marauder. "Remus John Lupin, Moony, if you don't let me through to my fiance, I swear on all that is holy in both worlds that the moon will be the least of your problems, because they'll be combing the depths of both Vesuvius and Etna for your remains." She grits out in low growl, shoving her wand into his jugular and twisting. Her hair sends out sparks, denoting just how angry she was. Remus lets her by, whimpering as he does so.
She runs to George's side and kneels beside the couch. Molly is trying to stop the blood from his removed ear, while whinging. Hermione grows impatient and conjures a wad of wrapping, which she balls up and presses to the wound. "Wiping it away repeatedly does nothing to end the blood flow, especially on the head. It bleeds more because of thinner tissues." She replaces the wad three or four times before she is able to begin the counter curse. It won't replace the lost ear, which is probably somewhere between London and Devon now. It will be some story to hear what became of it.
George wakes soon after Fred arrives, dirty and tired, but mostly concerned for his brother. "How do you feel, Georgie?" Fred's voice cracks from his worry.
George murmurs something, making his twin lean in. Fred moves back after it's repeated.
"With all of the ear related humor on the Earth, all you can come up with is saintly? I am disappointed in your lack of effort." He lightly scolds George.
After a bit more of resting on the couch, George sits up and allows Hermione to treat and dress his ear. He pulls her into his lap and against his chest, much to his mother's ire. She is about to speak up when Amelia rushes through to the couple. "I just heard and came as soon as I could. Are you alright, George?"
"I'm doing better now that 'Mione is here. I'll be fine Amelia. It was a close call. I know Snape wasn't after me, but it is still a good reminder that he was and still is a dangerous man to tussle with. I don't want anything done to him over this, it wasn't his intention to do me harm, in fact, he was trying to help me and this is just an unfortunate accident."
The leader of the DMLE nods and thanks him for his help tonight, before thanking everyone else and taking her leave of the Burrow.