Chapter 6
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all that it entails belong to JK Rowling, except for Miss Leila Mae Potter.
… … … … …
A knock came at the door of the girls' room, and Leila was started awake. She slowly opened her eyes to find the night's sky still looming overhead outside the window. The knock came once more. Leila waited for someone else to get up and answer the door, but the only other sounds she heard were the soft snoring coming from the others. Whoever was outside the door knocked once again. Leila groaned as she pushed her covers to the end of the bed. As she made her way across the room she lightly tip-toed passed Gabrielle Delacour's head. The Delacours had arrived the day before, much to the dismay of most of the habitants of the Burrow, but they quickly found Fleur's family to be very gracious and kind, traits that were hard to see in their eldest daughter. Leila set a scowl on her face as she opened the bedroom door only to find Fred with his hand up and ready to knock again.
"Oh, it's only you," Leila said.
"Good morning to you too," Fred replied.
"I thought you might have been Harry or Ron," Leila said.
"What did they do now?" Fred asked
"Never mind them; did you really want to wake the whole room?" Leila asked.
"No, only you," Fred grinned.
"How kind. What do you want?" Leila questioned.
"Someone's cranky this morning," Fred chuckled.
"I am not! And even if I was, you try sleeping in a room with four other girls. Too much estrogen can be a bad thing," Leila retorted.
"Well, apparently you're cranky enough to forget about your seventeenth birthday," Fred said softly.
Leila gasped trying to squelch a squeal while jumping into Fred's arms. Fred easily caught her and spun her around once before setting her back down to the floor. Leila did a little happy dance before locking eyes with Fred's twinkling eyes.
"That doesn't count as a 'happy birthday' you know," Leila said cheekily.
"It doesn't?" Fred asked knowingly.
"Nope," Leila grinned.
"Well, then, happy seventeenth birthday, Leila Potter," Fred said.
Leila threw her arms around Fred once more as she leaned in to kiss him. When she broke the kiss she leaned closer to his ear to whisper.
"You woke me up just to tell me that?"
"I just wanted to make sure I said happy birthday to you first. It's my job you know," Fred grinned.
She released her arms from around Fred's neck and pecked at his cheek. She then turned to go back to her room, when Fred's hand caught her arm. Leila looked at him in confusion, but he only smiled at her.
"We do have very serious business to attend to however," Fred said.
"You're Mum doesn't already have something for us to do, does she?" Leila whined.
"No, nothing like that. But we must discuss your first time legally using magic," Fred grinned.
"Is that so?" Leila smiled.
"Just make sure that your first time legally using magic it's something that George and I would be proud of and there's something else too," Fred said.
"What would that be?" Leila questioned.
Fred's face turned bright red as he quickly mumbled something unintelligible that Leila couldn't understand. He hugged her tightly and quickly headed back up stairs, leaving Leila standing there quite confused. She watched as he disappeared from sight before quietly entering the bedroom again. She crawled onto her bed, which was in front of the window. Hugging her knees tightly, she stared out across the sky to watch the sun begin to peak over the horizon. The dawn of a new day, Leila thought. She roughly fell backwards onto her pillow, before flipping to her stomach to lean over the bed to grab her bag. She dug in her bag for the photograph album; not the one she had taken from Draco's trunk, but the one Hagrid had given her first year: the photograph album which contained pictures of her parents. She slowly flipped through the pages, attempting to note similarities between her and her parents. Leila's heart ached to know the faces that she called her mother and father, but all she would ever know of them would be pictures and stories. She wondered how her parents would feel about their twins turning seventeen. Would her mother have been there waiting with a special breakfast? Would their father have had some sort of prank ready for laughter to ensue? A lone tear slipped from Leila's eye. She gently wiped it away and sighed as she shut the photograph album on the smiling faces of her parents as she began to prepare for the day.
Leila dressed in a red long-sleeved shirt (Fred had told her he particularly liked it on her during one of their D.A. meetings), jeans, and boots. She left her long dark hair hanging down in soft curls as she examined herself in the mirror. She did look extraordinarily similar to her mother, even down to the way her nose crinkled, but her dimples, dark hair, and smile were definitely traits she inherited from her father. When she was satisfied with her appearance, she ran up the stairs to Ron's attic bedroom. She wanted to surprise Harry with her usual birthday tradition. Once at the top of the steps, she gently pushed open the door to find Harry and Ron already awake. With a glint of mischief in her eyes, Leila took a running start and jumped onto Harry's bed, landing right on top of him. Harry grunted and attempted to push his sister off.
"What's the matter with you?" Harry grunted.
"Happy Birthday, Harry! We're seventeen!" Leila exclaimed.
"Yeah, I already figured that out for myself, thanks. Now get off, Leila," Harry groaned.
"You know that I can't do that," Leila said.
"Leila, get off me now," Harry said.
"But Harry, it's a tradition. This has been our birthday tradition ever since those days back in that spider-infested cupboard," Leila explained.
"Don't you think seventeen is a little old for this, Leila?" Harry asked.
"We'll never be too old for this. Now just say those magic words and you'll be rid of me," Leila smiled.
"Leila," Harry groaned.
"That's part of it," Leila said.
"Happy Birthday, Leila," Harry said hoarsely.
"And I thought my family was weird," Ron said shaking his head.
Leila stood up and walked over to Ron's bed. She grabbed one of his pillows and whacked him extra hard for his comment. She continued to hit him with the pillow until he put his hands up in surrender. Harry tried his best to control his laughter because most of the people in the Burrow were sill sleeping. At the words of Ron's official surrender, Leila dropped his pillow and plopped back down onto Harry's bed. Leila looked to her brother, who smiled at her with an all-too-familiar look of mischief in his eyes. She eyed her brother cautiously, until he pinned her down and sat on her stomach. She covered her mouth with her hands to suppress a fit of giggles.
"Harry," Leila giggled.
"I'm just reminding you of those fond days back in the cupboard," Harry grinned.
"You always were mean to me," Leila laughed.
"I couldn't let Dudley have all the fun, now could I?" Harry chuckled.
"Weird, just plain weird," Ron said shaking his head.
"Shut up, Ron!" the Potter twins said in unison.
Harry got off his sister and gave her a hand to help her get up. He and Ron told Leila that they would meet her downstairs for breakfast in five minutes, so she left the room in direction for the kitchen. Before finishing her descent, she made a quick stop the Ginny's room to see if anyone was awake to join them for breakfast. Leila found the room to be filled with sleeping girls and snores, so she closed the door and finished her journey to the kitchen. In the kitchen, Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Monsieur Delacour, and two piles of presents greeted her. Mrs. Weasley set down the food she was preparing, walked over to give Leila a hug, and ushered her to her spot at the table.
"Arthur said to wish you a happy seventeenth, Leila. That's our present on top," Mrs. Weasley smiled.
Leila reached for the small square package on the top. She carefully unwrapped the present to find a small jewelry box which contained a wrist watch inside. Just as Mrs. Weasley finished explanation for the gift, Harry and Ron made their appearance in the kitchen. Leila continued to unwrap her presents as Mrs. Weasley fussed over Harry. He too received a watch from the Weasleys. Apparently, it was a tradition once one was of age in the Wizarding World to receive a watch. Leila quickly tore through her pile of presents in attempt to find the present from Fred. She received chocolates from the Delacours. From Bill and Fleur she received a beautiful new set of blue dress robes. Fleur even stopped to mention that Leila would look beautiful in them; Leila knew that this was Fleur's attempt to make-up for the "I look 'ideous" comment from a few days prior. Either way, she now had dress robes for the wedding. From George she received Weasley's Wizard Wheezes merchandise, the package made no mention of Fred. Leila's heart slightly sank in disappointment, but she quickly was sucked back into reality, by Mrs. Weasley slapping some bacon onto her plate. Hermione, Ginny, and the twins eventually joined them for breakfast. Leila looked to Fred to see if he had her present, but he seemed to be occupied with his food.
After breakfast Leila headed upstairs with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They got as far as the first landing when Ginny called Harry into her room. Harry walked inside and turned back to glance at them as shut the door, leaving Leila outside the door with Hermione and Ron. Ron instinctively reached for the door handle, when Hermione slapped his hand away.
"Not now, Ron," Hermione reprimanded.
"What's so bloody important?" Ron grumbled.
"Just give them some time," Hermione hissed.
"I don't know what they could possibly have to talk about, they ended things," Ron said.
"Unfinished business would be my guess," Leila shrugged.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ron questioned.
"What do you think it means, Ron?" Leila retorted.
"You don't mean…no, you couldn't mean…" Ron fumbled for words.
Ron's face slightly contorted in anger as he pounded the door open, while Hermione once again tried to stop him. Her attempt proved futile, because the door swung open and Harry and Ginny sprang apart from each other. The tension seemed high as Harry quickly scurried from Ginny's bedroom. Ron quickly stormed after him. Leila and Hermione sighed as they exchanged glances, before taking off after the boys. They quickly ran down the stairs and through the kitchen until they reached the boys who were in the yard talking in raised voices. Leila and Hermione were halfway across the yard when Leila stopped walking. Hermione jolted to a halt and looked back at Leila confusedly.
"Maybe we should let them try to sort this out on their own," Leila suggested.
"Things could turn ugly, Harry was just snogging Ginny," Hermione said.
"Then we'll be right here watching, should we need to intervene," Leila said.
"This is because of Fred, isn't it?" Hermione questioned.
"Excuse me?" Leila asked.
"You don't want to go over there because you don't want Ron to go after you for your relationship with Fred," Hermione replied.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Leila hissed.
"Leila, I don't want to see you hurt; but we're leaving in two days. You need to tell Fred…" Hermione began.
"How do you know I already haven't?" Leila asked.
Hermione looked at her knowingly causing Leila to sigh. The practically perfect world she had known in the safe confines of the Burrow and Fred's arms was about to end in a matter of days. Soon she would be embarking upon a mission for Voldemort's horcruxes with Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Fred was nowhere in that picture. She had no idea how long Fred wouldn't be in that picture. Leila cared for him a great deal, but she hadn't found the courage to figure out where their relationship was going. He knew that she was leaving eventually; but he had no idea that it would be so soon. Leila kicked the ground in frustration, why did Voldemort always have to ruin every good thing in her life? Her family, Draco, and now Fred.
Harry and Ron eventually worked things out without Leila and Hermione, so they walked over to the girls when they were done. The four of them walked back inside together only to find themselves split up until lunch. Mrs. Weasley didn't ask much of either Harry or Leila, but they were still all separated. Probably some part of Mrs. Weasley's master plan to keep the four of them from leaving. Little did she know they already planned to leave after the wedding. Leila wasn't forced to do anything too strenuous, just to tidy up the room where she slept; but she still didn't appreciate Mrs. Weasley always splitting the four of them up. After lunch, Ron suggested a game of Quidditch, to which they eagerly agreed. Who knew how long it would be before they were given the opportunity to just have some fun? The teams were Fred, Leila, and Ron versus George, Harry, and Ginny. Hermione simply sat and watched seeing as she was not very good at Quidditch, nor did she enjoy the sport like the rest of them. They played until Mrs. Weasley called for them to help set up for the birthday dinner. Harry and Leila were excused from setting up, so they vacated to Ron's room. Harry skimmed over the new book he had been given by Ron, while Leila attempted to form the words she so badly wanted to say.
"Harry," Leila croaked.
"Yeah?" Harry asked, still consumed by his book.
"Are you scared?" Leila asked.
"What?" Harry asked setting his book to the ground.
"Are you scared?" Leila asked again, less confidently.
"Of what?" Harry asked.
"We're leaving everything that we know, for who knows how long, to search for who knows what," Leila listed.
"If you don't want to come…" Harry began.
"I didn't say that, Harry. We need to do this. I'm not going anywhere; but that doesn't mean that I'm not terrified to do this," Leila said.
"Then we'll get through this together, like we always do." Harry said.
Harry wrapped his arm tightly around his sister. She leaned her head onto his shoulder. Harry and Leila had faced many things together: that fateful Halloween night, the Dursleys, the Philosopher's Stone, the Chamber of Secrets, time travel, the Triwizard Tournament, the Department of Mysteries, Umbridge, the cave…only to name a few. The Potter twins had always stood side by side. Leila feared that Draco would find Harry and take him away from her. She needed her older brother. Leila may have been blessed with more brains than her twin, but he possessed more bravery. She wasn't sure she could destroy the horcruxes if Harry was taken from her. She glanced up at her brother; she had to keep him away from Draco and whatever plan Voldemort had ordered him to do. The twins sat there for a moment in silence, neither sure what to say. Luckily, Mrs. Weasley called them to wash up and to join everyone outside.
Once outside, they found the garden to be an enchanting place. Purple and gold streamers and lanterns covered the garden and made it almost unrecognizable. Leila smiled as she took it all in, until a pair of hands wrapped around her eyes.
"Three guesses who," Fred whispered.
"Hmm…Ginny?" Leila teased.
"Leila," Fred groaned.
"All right, how about Hermione?" Leila giggled.
"That hurts," Fred said.
"Fine then, George," Leila laughed.
"Pathetic you are, can't even recognize your own boyfriend," Fred said.
Fred released his hands from Leila's eyes as she turned around and leaned into him. He sighed and tightly held her. Leila wished that she could stay in his arms forever. But her attention was quickly turned to the two cakes Mrs. Weasley was levitating across the yard. One was in the shape of a Snitch and the other in the shape of a Quaffle. Leila wondered if they were really going to eat that much cake, but thought it wiser not to ask. Leila and Fred strolled the garden hand in hand, until the arrival of Remus, Tonks, and Hagrid. Then Leila quickly ran and hugged her godfather. Leila loved Remus as if he was her father. She could tell why her parent picked him to be her godfather, even with his condition. Just as Leila was about to begin talking with Remus and Tonks, Hagrid asked if he might borrow her for a minute. She agreed and walked over to talk with Hagrid and Harry.
"Six years ter the day since we met, yeh two, d'yeh remember it?" Hagrid asked.
"Vaguely," Harry said.
"I don't think we could ever really forget you smashing down the front door, giving Dudley a pig's tail, or telling us about our magical heritage," Leila commented.
"I was only joking about forgetting," Harry commented.
"Well, I forge' the ezact details; but here, I have something for each of yeh," Hagrid said.
Hagrid rummaged in his pocket for what Leila assumed to be their presents.
"Let's hope it's not another cake," Leila muttered.
Hagrid grabbed two small, slightly furry drawstring pouches out of his pocket. He explained that they were rare mokeskin pouches, to keep things hidden. Leila thanked Hagrid and moved to find Fred again, who was waiting for her patiently. When Leila reached him he held her hand out for her to grab, which she accepted. Her stomach churned as she watched the group laughing and chatting. This was soon to change. She looked to Fred, he deserved to know that she was leaving day after next. Leila inhaled deeply, trying to find the courage hidden somewhere deep inside her.
"Fred, we need to talk," Leila said feebly.
"I know," Fred answered.
"You do?" Leila asked.
"Of course, you're probably wondering why you haven't received your present," Fred said.
"Well, yes, but…" Leila began.
Fred placed his finger over Leila's mouth to silence her. When he was sure that she wouldn't talk he removed his hand from her mouth and placed both of his hands on her waist.
"Honestly, Leila I didn't know what to get you…" Fred began.
"That's fine, but Fred…" Leila tried to interrupt.
"Let me finish, please. Leila there's something I need to tell you, I tried to tell you this morning. What I mean to say is that I …" Fred said.
Leila looked beyond Fred to see a panicked Mr. Weasley walking with Rufus Scrimgeour. A puzzled look came over her face causing Fred to lose track of his sentence. Fred's face too became puzzled at Leila, until she voiced what was puzzling her.
"What's the Minister of Magic doing here?" Leila whispered.
"What?" Fred asked.
Fred quickly turned his head around to witness what Leila was seeing. Mr. Weasley and Scrimgeour marched right past Fred and Leila until they were near the tables. As Leila's eyes followed the men, she couldn't help but notice that Remus and Tonks had fled the party. What was so important that the Minister of Magic needed to show up at a birthday party which would cause Remus and Tonks to flee? Scrimgeour scanned the group before landing his gaze on the cakes before him.
"Sorry to intrude, especially seeing as I am gate-crashing a party, but the reason I am here is of utmost importance," Scrimgeour said.
"Of course it is," Leila muttered.
"You see, I require a private word with Mr. Harry Potter, Miss Leila Potter, Mr. Ronald Weasley, and Miss Hermione Granger," Scrimgeour explained.
"Us? Why us?" Ron asked in a tone of surprise.
"I shall tell you when we are somewhere more private. Is there such a place?" Scrimgeour continued.
Arthur moved to escort the group into the house, when Scrimgeour intervened. He requested that Ron show them all into the Burrow. Arthur rather reluctantly agreed, so they headed toward the house. The Minister of Magic walked at a brisk pace, almost impossible to keep up with. Leila looked between Harry, Hermione, and Ron. She could sense that the reason the Minister was at the Burrow was not a good one, but to the extent of his visit she had no idea. She only thought he must have wised up not making Percy escort him to the Burrow. Scrimgeour waited at the threshold for Ron to allow him to step through the door. Before stepping into the house Leila glanced back one last time at Fred, who was staring after her. The Minister of Magic really did come at the most inopportune time. Leila stepped into the house to find Scrimgeour and Harry having somewhat of a staring contest.
"To what do we owe the pleasure, Minister?" Harry asked.
"I think we both know the answer to that question, Mr. Potter. Now as for the business matter of things, I think it will be best if we do it individually. I will star with Ronald," Scrimgeour answered.
"We're not going anywhere. You can speak to us together, or not at all," Harry said.
Scrimgeour scowled at the four teenagers. He then motioned for the four teenagers to have a seat. Ron ushered Hermione to a place at the end of the couch. Leila went to sit next to Hermione when Ron plopped down right where she was going to sit. Instead, Leila opted for the comfy arm chair which stood beside the couch. Leila sat uncomfortably watching the Minster prepare for something of which she was uncertain. He pulled a piece of parchment out of his briefcase.
"And this is?" Harry asked.
"I'm sure you know that this is Albus Dumbledore's will," Scrimgeour said clearing his throat.
"His what?" Leila gasped.
The four teenagers looked to each other in shock.
"A surprise apparently! You were not away that Dumbledore left you anything?" Scrimgeour questioned.
"A-all of us?" Ron asked.
"Yes, Mr. Weasley, all of you," Scrimgeour said condescendingly.
"Wait a minute, Dumbledore died over a month ago. Why has it taken this long to give us what he's left?" Harry questioned.
"Isn't it obvious? They wanted to examine whatever he's left us!" Leila hissed.
"You had no right to do that!" Hermione's voice faltered.
"I had every right. The Decree for Justifiable Confiscation gives the Ministry the power to confiscate the contents of a will…" Scrimgeour began.
"That law was created to stop wizards from passing on Dark artifacts and the Ministry is supposed to have powerful evidence that the deceased's possessions are illegal before seizing them," Hermione retorted.
"There is no way you can honestly say that you thought Dumbledore was trying to pass us something cursed. There's never been any evidence of such; besides, the Ministry should be dealing with the affairs other families with Dark legacies," Leila added.
Scrimgeour looked between Hermione and Leila, his interest obviously slightly peaked. Leila instinctively narrowed her eyes at him when their gazes met. Where this surge of confidence was coming from she didn't know, but she knew that something didn't sit right with the Minister. Leila and Scrimgeour broke eye contact when Harry asked another question.
"So why have you decided to let us have our things now? Can't think of a pretext to keep them?" Harry questioned.
"No, it'll be because the thirty-one days are up," Leila said.
"What's so important about thirty-one days?" Ron asked.
"The Decree that the Minister mentioned earlier gives the Ministry thirty-one days for them to check if objects are dangerous. Should they prove not to be dangerous, they are no longer subject to a Ministry seizure. Isn't that right Minister?" Hermione added.
Scrimgeour ignored Hermione and reached into his drawstring pouch. From it, he retrieved a scroll of parchment which he began to read from.
"Herein is set forth the last will and testament of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. First to Mr. Ronald Bilius Weasley, I leave my Deluminator, a device of my own making; in the hope that, when things seem to be the most dark it will show him the light."
Leila watched as Scrimgeour took a small silver object from his bag. He handed it to Ron with an unreadable expression. Ron's expression was easy enough to read, seeing as he played with the object in his hands a look of curiosity spread over his face.
"Dumbledore left this for me?" Ron asked.
"Yes," Scrimgeour said curtly.
"Brilliant, but what is it?" Ron asked.
Scrimgeour fumbled for words as Ron clicked open the Deluminator. The lights that were lighting the Burrow popped into the object, leaving the room in darkness. Hermione must have elbowed Ron because he grunted and then clicked the Deluminator again, causing the lights to pop back into their places. Ron grinned as the lights went back to their proper places, but the Minister shook his head in disbelief.
"Wicked," Ron whispered.
"Dumbledore must have taught thousands of students. Yet the only ones he remembered in his will are you four. Why is that?" Scrimgeour questioned.
"Well, you really didn't expect him to leave something to Tom Riddle did you?" Leila sneered.
"Silence, Miss Potter! Now, Mr. Weasley, why would Dumbledore have left you an item so rare? To what use did he think you would put his Deluminator?" Scrimgeour asked.
"Dunno, put lights out I s'pose. What else could I do with it?" Ron mumbled.
Scrimgeour ignored Ron's question and looked between the other three teenagers for their reactions. He then squinted at Ron for a few moments before returning his attention back to Dumbledore's will.
"To Miss Hermione Jean Granger, I leave my copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, in hope that she find it entertaining and instructive,"
The Minister handed Hermione a well-worn copy of the book, which she gently grabbed and carefully paged through. Ron turned to Hermione and smiled.
"Mum used to read me those before bed. 'The Wizard and the Hopping Pot' 'Babbity Rabbity and the Cackling Stump,'" Ron said.
Ron looked between his friends for a reaction, but none of them gave him any recognition to his comment. Leila had never read those stories before, but she knew the book to contain children's stories in them. She had once seen a copy of the book in the library, but she hadn't given it much thought seeing as all it contained were stories. Leila knew for certain that this book contained no educational material, because even Hermione, the bookworm didn't recognize the titles.
"Babbity Rabbity? No?" Ron asked.
Harry, Hermione, and Leila shook their heads at Ron's statement. Scrimgeour looked curiously at Hermione.
"Why do you think Dumbledore left you that book, Miss Granger?"
"He…he knew I liked books," Hermione said with tears falling down her cheeks.
"But why that particular book? Perhaps it contains a secret message or a code only intended for you…" Scrimgeour began.
"If the Ministry hasn't found anything hidden in this book, I doubt that I will." Hermione said.
Hermione took a deep breath to calm herself and her tears. Ron attempted to wrap his arm around Hermione, which Hermione slightly leaned into. Leila wondered if they had actually become a couple, but was distracted by Scrimgeour continuing with the will.
"To Miss Leila Mae Potter, I leave my miniscule Chocolate Frog card collection in hopes that she find them as enlightening as they are interesting,"
Scrimgeour carefully handed Leila four Chocolate Frog cards, one of each of the Hogwarts Founders. Leila looked them over. The cards looked ancient and the pictures looked much different than the ones she had seen in Ron's collection. Leila thumbed through the ruby, gold, sapphire, and emerald cards watching as the Founders disappeared from their frames. Ron's sentiment you can't expect them to hang around all day, can you? rang in her head. Leila looked back to Scrimgeour.
"Why do you suppose Dumbledore gave you these cards?" Scrimgeour questioned.
"Dunno, how much do you think they're worth?" Leila asked.
"I'm asking the questions here, Miss Potter," Scrimgeour said heatedly.
"The only purpose I know for Chocolate Frog cards is to collect them. Normally, when people collect it's so they can make a fortune later. My question isn't out-of-line," Leila retorted.
"I can tell you that these are the original Founders cards, they are very valuable," Scrimgeour said.
"Then why Professor Dumbledore left them to me is beyond me, I don't even collect them," Leila said.
Leila cocked her eyebrow. What argument could the Minister have against that? Scrimgeour pursed his lips as he mulled over the situation. He eventually conceded and continued with the reading of Dumbledore's will.
"To Mr. Harry James Potter, I leave the Snitch he caught in his first Quidditch match at Hogwarts as a reminder of the rewards of perseverance and skill,"
Scrimgeour pulled out the tiny golden ball, carefully holding it in a square of cloth for Harry to grab.
"Why did Dumbledore leave you this Snitch?" Scrimgeour questioned.
"No idea. Perhaps for the reasons you just read out: to remind me of what you can get if you…persevere and whatever it was," Harry said.
"You think it's a mere keepsake, then?" Scrimgeour asked.
"What else could it be?" Harry asked.
"I'm asking the questions!" Scrimgeour hissed.
He glared between the Potter twins, apparently angered by their lack of answers and abundance of questions. He shifted in his chair until he was closer to the teenagers, leaning toward them.
"I couldn't help but notice that you birthday cake is in the shape of a Snitch, why is that?" Scrimgeour asked.
"It couldn't possibly be reference to the fact that Harry's a great Seeker, that's far too obvious," Leila scoffed.
"Of course there's got to be a secret message from Dumbledore hidden in the icing," Hermione taunted.
"I don't think there's anything hidden in the icing; but a Snitch would be a very good hiding place for a small object. I'm sure you know why," Scrimgeour said coolly.
Harry shrugged, even Ron looked confused. But Leila understood what Scrimgeour was attempting to draw out.
"Harry, the Minister is so concerned because Snitches…" Hermione began.
"Snitches have flesh memories," Leila blurted.
While Scrimgeour explained the concept of flesh memory for Harry's sake, Leila remembered last Christmas when she had given Draco the Snitch he had caught after their championship game third year. The only reason she had the Snitch was because she wanted to magic the Snitch to stay away from. She had gotten the idea from Dobby's bludger, so why not charm the Snitch to do the opposite. Only, her plan never followed through because there was no Quidditch the following year due to the Triwizard Tournament. She had specifically given Draco that Snitch because of its flesh memory. Harry slowly reached for the Snitch and clasped it in his hands. Nothing happened. Harry's fingers closed around the Snitch, while everyone else in the room watched Harry.
"That was dramatic," Harry said coolly.
Leila, Hermione, and Ron let out a chuckle, but Scrimgeour remained as stern as ever.
"That's all then?" Hermione asked.
"Not quite, it seems that Dumbledore also left Mr. Potter a second bequest," Scrimgeour said.
"Well, what is it?" Harry asked.
"The sword of Godric Gryffindor, which unfortunately was not Dumbledore's to give away. As an important historical artifact, it belongs…" Scrimgeour said.
"To Harry, it belongs to Harry," Hermione said hotly.
"It came to our defense when we most needed it in the Chamber of Secrets. It chose him," Leila added.
"The sword may present itself to any worthy Gryffindor, Miss Granger and Miss Potter. That does not make it that wizard's property. And in any event, the current whereabouts of the sword are unknown," Scrimgeour said.
"Excuse me?" Harry questioned.
"The sword is missing," Scrimgeour said.
Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Leila looked between each other. None were sure that Scrimgeour was telling the entire truth. But Ron voiced the opinion that was ringing through everyone's minds.
"How exactly do you lose a sword?" Ron asked.,
Scrimgeour narrowed his eyes at Ron, who sunk back on the couch. Scrimgeour then turned to Harry and Leila. He cleared his throat before speaking again.
"I don't know what you children are up to, but you can't fight this war on your own. He's too strong," Scrimgeour said gravely.
The Minister suddenly stood up without another word and left the house. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Leila quickly followed to catch him just as he apparated into the night. The four teenagers walked back to the garden to find the party halted in their absence. The group quickly ate cake and finished the party early, so that everyone could get to bed in preparation for tomorrow's wedding. Leila finished the night discussing the will contents with Hermione, Ron, and Harry before heading to Ginny's room for what would probably the best night's sleep she would have in a long time.