Disclaimer: The rights of Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling and Warner Bros. I am making no financial gain from this story whatsoever.

A/N: Another chapter right here. I also wrote two superhero stories, so if anyone's interested, check my profile.

Back to Harry Potter... what did I last write...? Ah yes.

Chapter 12
Mystery

"Harry, dear," someone said in Harry's office.

Harry looked up to see MollyWeasley's head coming out from his fireplace.

"Molly," Harry said, standing. "Do come in."

"I'd love to, but I'm busy at the moment."

"How can I help?"asked Harry.

"Well," Molly replied. "Arthur and I wondered if you could stay with us in the Christmas holidays?"

"Really?" Harry said. "I wouldn't wish to be a bother. And I have yet to see my own residence."

"Bother? Pish-posh," Molly dismissed. "We love you being around, and you have to get used to people. Plus, it's not like there's someone at your house you'll be neglecting."

"True," Harry said.

"Also," Molly said, "why don't you bring someone with you to the Christmas dinner?"

"Bring someone?"

"Yes, dear. As in a date."

"What? Oh, I don't know..."

"Come on, Harry," Molly said. "I'm sure you could find someone..."

"Okay, then," Harry said. "If I could find someone in such short notice."

"Excellent," said Molly, "I'll see you in two weeks, then."

"See you then."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Albus?"

"Harry! To what do I owe the honour?"

"Just wanted to talk," said Harry.

"Then we shall talk," Dumbledore laughed. "Something bothering you?"

"Have you heard of the wizard, Polanar?" Harry asked.

"I've heard his name mentioned by Minerva once or twice," Dumbledore replied. "But I'm separated from the events of the world, so I'm not sure who he is."

"Well, he's a wizard with some... 'radical', ideas on how to defend us wizards from the muggles," said Harry.

"Radical ideas? These people always pop up in times of difficulty," Dumbledore remarked. "A more violent agenda, perhaps?"

"Exactly. He's just attacked a muggle bus which had over half the people on it being people who attacked some wizards," Harry said. "He killed everyone on board."

"Thereby killing innocents," Dumbledore sighed. "Not to mention trying to assume an authority that he has no right to."

"I agree, and stopped associating myself with him," Harry said.

"You worked with him?" Dumbledore asked in confusion.

"Apparently my other half wasn't just sitting and doing nothing," he said. "He joined forces with Polanar. He didn't approve of the heavy-handed tactics Polanar used, true, but he joined him nonetheless."

"And you disapprove?" Dumbledore asked.

"Of course," Harry replied. "I cut all ties with him the first time I met him."

"You've already made your decision," Dumbledore noted. " Is the reason you're telling me this is that you doubt your decision?"

"No," said Harry swiftly. "Yes... I don't know."

"Why don't you tell me what's wrong?"

"I come here, and I find the country on a knife's edge," Harry said. "No one knows what could happen. Tensions are high. Both the magical and muggle governments are headed by war-mongering incompetents, whose only goal is to defeat the other side. Peaceful co-existence means nothing to them. The muggles and us wizards are seeing our rights and freedoms being eroded very quickly. The ministry's attempting to control the school's curriculum, inter-marriages are illegal, and this is just the beginning.

"What's worse, however," Harry continued, "is that they have the support of alot of the people. They were voted in by the people. The general public are screaming around for blood after every incident, and nobody's asking for calm. I don't know how many people actually don't like the situation, because they're all silent. They could even be the silent majority, and we wouldn't know. How could I change this situation when I feel like the only person willing to stand up?"

"Why do you think you should be the only one?" Dumbledore queried.

"I'm not the only one, true," Harry conceded. "But I'm expected to take the first step, to lead. Hermione's begging me to jump into the fire. Why should I? Why should I be the only one to risk everything and publicly oppose the governments and Polanar? Am I destined to live my life fighting the battles nobody else is willing to fight? What can I do differently to anyone else? What's there to gain, even? I can't make people see the obvious, when they refuse to."

"Yet you got some information," Dumbledore noted. "How did you do this, and keep your identity secret?"

Harry explained how he gathered intel from Kingsley.

"My boy!" Dumbledore exclaimed, eyes twinkling. "I think I may have a compromise in mind."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The bell to the house rang.

"I'll get it!" Molly yelled. "Not like anyone else would bother."

"Merry Christmas, Hermione," Molly said when she opened the door. "And who's this handsome man?"

"He's Micheal," Hermione said, as she hugged Molly. "Micheal Brown works in the Ministry, in the Education department. Micheal, this is Molly Weasley, second parent to me when I was young, and almost my own parent now that both of mine are gone."

"You're far too kind," Molly waved, but her teary eyes showed the effect of the words. "They're in the living room. We're just waiting for Harry to arrive. Bill, Charlie and Percy won't make it tonight."

"Look George, it's Micheal," Fred mentioned in the living room.

"Yeah," George said. "How come you never said you were coming, Mike?"

"I didn't know the last time we met," Micheal replied. "And for the last time, don't call me Mike."

"Okay, Mike," Fred said.

"You guys know each other?" Ginny asked.

"Yep," said George. "We meet up every other week and..." Seeing Molly Weasley in the room, he hesitated. "We watch a bit of quidditch."

"I know you still bet," Molly remarked. "You idiots confide with my husband, and you think I wouldn't find out?"

"But Dad, why'd you tell?" moaned Fred.

"Your mother and I do talk about you kids, you know," Arthur replied.

"Most of it about your negatives," Molly said.

"Mum, did you just make a joke?"

"I think I'm going to cry."

"And stop betting," said Molly. "It's a disgusting habit."

The bell rang, and Ginny got up to get it.

"Harry!" they heard her shout, and then couldn't hear the rest.

"What's she yelling about?" Arthur wondered.

"Girls, unusual creatures," Ron remarked.

"Hey," Hermione argued.

"Sorry, dear," Ron said. "You're outnumbered by men here. Accept you lower position."

Hermione's reply was interuppted by Ginny's return, with two others behind her.

"Look 'ere George," Fred gasped.

"What's that?" George asked.

"It can't be..."

"It looks like one..."

"Smells like one..."

"Smells? You're sick Fred," George said. "Yet it's..."

"A girl?" they both exclaimed.

"Shut up," Harry snapped.

"Harry's embarassed," Fred said.

"Shut up, you two," Molly ordered. "When will you grow up? Harry dear, care to introduce?"

"People, this is Jeanette," Harry said. "Jeanette, these are Molly, Arthur, replacement parents, Ron, Ginny, Hermione Granger. The man's a mystery to me. These two idiots are Fred and George."

Hermione looked at Jeanette very intently, making the latter quite uncomfortable.

"Can I help you?" Jeanette asked.

"Your clothes..."

"Yes?"

"You're a muggle, aren't you?" Hermione guessed.

"Oh," Jeanette laughed. "Yes I am."

"Harry?"

"Two of her sister's are muggle-born witches," Harry explained. "One of them's a seventh year who doesn't take my class. I bumped into her in Hogwarts looking lost, and asked her out. Voila!"

"Since we're all here," Molly said, "shall we eat?"

Dinner came and went without any incident, and afterwards they sat in the living room.

"So, Jeanette," Ginny asked. "What's do you do?"

"I'm a reporter with a muggle newspaper?"

"Really," Ginny got excited. "I'm one too, with the Daily Pr... a magical one. What section do you work in?"

"International affairs," Jeanette replied. "I do write some articles about the country on occasion. You?"

"Current events in this country," Ginny said. "There isn't a international presence in my paper. What's it like for you? Do you get to travel?"

"Travel?" Jeanette asked. "Constantly."

She started to tell them of places she's been to. Ginny listen in fascination.

"So you're dating a muggle," someone whispered into Harry's ear. He turned to see Hermione had sat beside him.

"Yep," Harry replied. "You have a problem with that?"

"The government does," Hermione said. "No inter-marriages."

"Thanks for your concen," said Harry. "But it's only a first date. Talk about marriage is premature."

"You know they'll cause trouble," Hermione replied.

"So?" Harry asked. "Who'll dare come to me and tell me who I can and can not date?"

"So you're using your power so you can have perks the average citizen can't have?" Hermione hissed.

The rest of the living room was silent, everyone now listening to the growing argument.

"I'm taking what's rightfully mine," Harry said. "What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing," argued Hermione, "except for the fact that most other wizards and witches can't date muggles."

"Most other wizards and witches seem to agree with that law," Harry argued. "That or kept silent about it."

"They couldn't go up against the government!"

"Yet you want me to."

"You're different," blustered Hermione.

"What's so different about me?" Harry asked. "Why is it that me standing up publicly makes things so different to others?"

"You're Harry-bloody-Potter," Hermione said. "You are loved so much. It'll make a difference."

"For how long?" shot back Harry. "You've seen them turn on me in seconds."

"Why... you... you..." Hermione couldn't form the words. "You're scared. Scared of what you may lose."

"Of course I am," growled Harry.

"Oh my," Ron mentioned to the rest of the room. "Everbody, move away for your safety."

"I've lost my parents, Sirius, my childhood, and my school years," Harry spat, getting up. "You can add time to the list. Of I'm bloody scared. Are you calling me a coward?"

"No, Harry, I wasn't..."

"You were!" Harry shouted. "How dare you lecture me? Tell me, what have you sacrificed to Voldemort?"

"I would've given my life..."

"What did you give?"

Silence.

"Nothing!" Harry snapped. "Yet you go on and on about how I should fight with entire governments, risking those I love around me. It isn't my death I fear. I fear losing everyone. I fear losing you."

"I'm sorry, Harry," said Hermione. "I never meant..."

"Perhaps you didn't, but that's what I heard," Harry interrupted. "When you've lost half of what I have, come tell me to sacrifice more.

"I'm sorry Molly, Arthur," he continued. "My deepest apologies, Jeanette, for this evening. I think we should go.

"Merry Christmas," he said to everyone, and left the house.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The room was full of people, abuzz with conversation. The man at the podium spoke.

"Settle down, please," he said. "I am Frank Marsden, for those who don't know. The Ministry's got a few announcements to make."

He went on about a few changes to the Ministry's inner workings. Quite boring stuff, really. Until he reached the last point.

"We are in discussions to restrict wizards from opening accounts in muggle banks."

An uproar erupted. The reporters all started yelling questions.

"Why the sudden removal of rights we've had for over a hundred years?" yelled Ginny, standing beside the window.

"There have been some wizards who've been causing trouble," Marsden said. "They've been using them as a way to keep money away from our jurisdiction. The muggles no longer have any co-operation with us, so it's no longer a matter of asking their assistance."

"Causing trouble?" someone yelled from the back. "Like now?"

"What?" Marsden replied. "What are you talking about?"

"If everybody would remain seated," a person said getting up. "This is an announcement by us troublemakers. Call it a revealing party."

Over ten of the seated people, all cloaked to cover their faces, quickly got up and secured the room, locking the doors and brandishing their wands before anyone could move.

"P-p-Polanar?" Marsden quivered.

"The one and only," the cloaked figure replied.

"What do you plan on doing?" Ginny asked. "Kill us all?"

"We need you reporters," Polanar said. "So you'll live, well most of you should. But that leaves Marsden, who doesn't look like a reporter."

"No he doesn't, sir," one of his subordinates said.

"In fact, he looks like a government dog," Polanar said softly. "Do you know what we do to the government workers?"

"W-w-what?"

"We kill them."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Harry walked into the staff room, and saw a good many of his colleagues seated around the fireplace. Bill's head was sticking out of it. Bill's agitated look made Harry remain in the back.

"There's a hostage situation in the Ministry building," he said. "Ginny's one of them taken."

"Which building?" Draco asked.

"Research of new spells," Bill replied. "They have a press conference room at the top floor."

"Oh, bugger," Sprout said. "That's the tallest building we wizards have."

"One of the spokesman, Marsden, was thrown out of the window, no magic involved," Bill said. "I remember him from Hogwarts. A class or two above me."

"What do they want?"

"That's the funny thing," said Bill. "They have issued no demands. Seems like the hostages are all they want. But by throwing Marsden out the window, they revealed themselves. Dad thinks they want the publicity. So it could last awhile."

"No-one else has been harmed?"

"Not that we can tell," Bill said. "Dad's trying to find out. The Ministry's sending a negotiator to them in an hour."

The door slammed. Everyone looked back.

"Who the bloody hell was that?" Draco asked.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Are you sure it's smart sending me to them?" asked the negotiator.

"We need to know what they want," replied one of his superiors.

"But what if I join Marsden?"

"Nonsense," waved another superior. "No one hurts the messenger."

"Okay, then. I'm off," said the negotiator, not convinced, and left the room.

"Do you really think he's going to be fine?" asked one of the remaining in the room.

"Not at all," replied the other. "But he'll buy us time to save the many trapped there."

"Buggering hell, I hate this job."

The negotiator walked towards the research building. Someone tapped him on the shoulder.

"Yes," the negotiator said as he turned. He didn't turn far enough when he heard...

"Stupefy!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A knock sounded at the conference room door .

"Let him in," Polanar ordered.

A man walked in, up-to-the-shoulders-long black hair, brown eyes, and an extremely scared look on his face.

Seriously, Ginny thought, what kind of cowards does the Ministry hire?

"I-I-I'm the negotiator," he stammered. "Who am I to talk to?"

"Me," Polanar said. "What's your name?"

"Peter, sir," said the negotiator. "Peter Wayne."

"Well, Peter," Polanar said. "I'm Polanar. What are you doing here?"

"To negotiate," replied Peter. "I'm to find out your demands."

"Such a shame," said Polanar. I like this guy. Don't you?" he asked his colleagues. They replied in the affirmative.

"What do you mean?"asked Peter.

"Well, we don't have any demands," Polanar said. "Just revealing ourselves. By killing as many Ministry employees as we can. Tell me, who pays your salary?"

"The Ministry, sir," Peter replied.

Cowards and idiots? thought Ginny in complete shock.

"Sorry, then. Avada Kedavra!"

The green light sped towards the negotiator, but hit the wall.

Where the bloody hell did he go?

Ginny watched in surprise as the earlier frightened negotiator stood on the other side of the room. He threw, cricket style, a small object at Polanar. After it bounced off the ground, it hit Polanar in the shin, and Polanar vanished.

The negotiator waved his wand about.

"Damn," one of the hostage-takers exclaimed. "We can't apparate!"

Having no other option, the kidnappers pounced on the negotiator. While the negotiator was capable of repelling the attacks at first, he couldn't hold on.

"Expelliarmus," Ginny cast, disarming one of them. "Come one," she urged the other reporters. "He needs our help!"

"We're reporters," someone hissed back.

"So sodding what?" growled Ginny.

Ginny, and a handful of reporters helping, removed the kidnappers off the negotiator, forcing them to direct their efforts their way.

Behind the kidnappers, Ginny tried to not let the negotiator's vicious attacking distract her. He looked like a man in need of exorcism. Wand waving and slashing, he kicked and punched his way through, disarming, injuring and knocking out as many people as he could very quickly.

Due to the distraction, Ginny didn't notice an attacker approaching her from behind.

She was disarmed, and quickly placed under a body-bind.

"Stop!" ordered her assailant. He levitated the still Ginny and hovered her out of the window.

"You're the only one left," spat the negotiator. "Drop her, and you follow."

"I bet you wouldn't risk her death," laughed the wizard.

"I bet you I would," replied the negotiator. "Stupefy!"

The spell holding Ginny was released with the wizard stunned, and she fell. She screamed all the way down.

The occupants of the room gasped as they saw the negotiator jump out of the window, too.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Buggering hell.

Harry watched Ginny fall. He didn't hesistate. He ran across the room, and jumped out of the window.

He dove down, waving his wand, tripling his speed. He could barely see the surroundings flashing by, his attention firmly on the falling object ahead of him.

He felt the air resistance pushing him back, his skin stinging at it. Tears welled in his eyes, yet he pushed his magic to the point that he felt dizzy. He saw the falling object grow larger and larger. He couldn't risk it.

He doubled the speed he was falling again. He couldn't hear anything, the rush of wind blanking out all sound. He felt sick, yet he pushed on.

His hand grabbed the waist of the woman, and he quickly apparated away.

A huge rush of wind blew the leaves on the ground, making them scatter in all directions.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Two people reappeared in a grassy meadow. They fell on the ground, one on top of the other.

The negotiator quckily got up, and checked Ginny. She seemed fine, but was silent.

She coughed.

"What the hell?" she gasped. "What the bloody hell happened?"

He started to explain before he got interrupted.

"I remember," Ginny said. "Who are you?"

"Peter," the negotiator said. "Peter Wayne. Pleasure to meet you."

"You jumped out of a window," Ginny said. "For me? You don't know me. Why?"

"Well, I started the fight," Peter replied, making sure he kept his deeper voice. "So any deaths would've been on my conscience. And I can assure you, it's quite frustrating have someone's death on your guilt."

"You could've died!"

"Really? That was a possibility," he shrugged.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"Hyde Park, by the looks of it."

"But why did you jump?" Ginny persisted. "Risk your life for a stranger?"

"Look," Peter answered. "I knew I could do it. So why shouldn't I have tried?"

"You've done this before?"

"Well, not exactly," he said. "But I have done things of equal danger, and of much more."

"Really," Ginny said. "Mind if I ask what?"

"Is this an interview, Miss Weasley?"

"Would it be a problem?"

"For now, yes," he said. "Maybe later."

"But people would want to know what happened."

"Tell them the truth," he replied. "A man by the name of Peter Wayne stepped in and helped out. Give as many details as you wish."

"But who are you?"

"Does it matter?" Peter said, and then vanished.

"To me, it does," Ginny said to the empty space before her.