Don't own it; wish I did, 'nuff said.
Chapter 12 – Double Trouble
Hermione looked up from the Daily Prophet with a scowl as Harry entered the kitchen of Godric's Hollow. It had been a good idea to move here from the Leaky Cauldron, especially after she read today's missive.
"Harry you are not going to like this," Hermione said as she gave Harry the paper.
Taking the paper and thanking Scotty for the tea, Harry began to read.
The Boy who lived a target of the Ministry of Magic
By: Alyx Roberts
Why does the Minister of Magic want to speak with the Boy-Who-Lived while He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is running rampant causing death and destruction? According to sources at the Ministry of Magic, Harry Potter has been accosted by several employees of the Minister demanding that Mr. Potter speak with the Minister.
Mr. Potter has apparently told these employees repeatedly that he has nothing to say to the Minister as long as he is doing something for the sake of being seen doing something.
This apparently began during the Christmas holidays when Mr. Potter was approached by the Minister to assist the Ministry against the current threat. This was the first time The-Boy-Who-Lived told the Ministry he didn't want to help.
When asked about this, Minister Scrimgour stated that, "It is the responsibility of the Boy-Who-Lived to support the Ministry as they have the situation with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named well in hand.
This reporter wonders what Minister Scrimgour has done to offend the Boy-Who-Lived so greatly that he compares him to recently removed Minister Fudge and asks why Mr. Potter doesn't wish to assist the Ministry in its time of need.
For more on the Ministry of Magic's crusade against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named pg 2
For more on Harry Potter pg 4
For more on why Harry Potter distrusts the Ministry pg 38
Harry finished reading the article and turned to page 38 only to find a small story buried under an advertisement for Dragon Dung about his fifth year trial for using a Patronus to protect himself and Dudley from Rogue Dementors.
Putting the paper aside, Harry looked at Hermione sighed and said, "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but I can't say I am surprised. Though I am curious to where this reporter got her information."
Hermione nodded and said, "Well it could be Rita, though she still is terrified of us revealing her secret. I wonder if we have another bug problem though. Rita couldn't have been the only reporter to think of doing this to get a scoop."
Harry said, "True, but the big problem is, the sheep are going to read the article and think I don't support the Ministry and am not working to stop Voldemort. With that opinion out there it will only make things more difficult."
Hermione was about to say something when Hedwig swooped in with a letter.
"Hello girl, got something for us from Bruce," Harry asked.
Hedwig bobbed her head and held out her claw for Harry to take the letter; she then stole a couple of slices of bacon and flew off to find a place to rest.
Harry read the note and then said, "Bruce has found the orphanage and says his associate will meet us there tonight."
Hermione nodded and said, "We should prepare as well and as hesitant as I am to suggest this, we should go see the twins to see if they have any supplies we might be able to use as well."
Harry agreed and called for Hedwig as he wrote a quick note. "Sorry girl, but we need this delivered to Gred and Forge quickly," Harry apologized as he attached the note.
Hedwig flew off clipping him with her wing as she flew to the twins.
An hour later Harry and Hermione heard two loud pops outside; they grabbed their wands and peeked out the front door to find Fred and George standing outside of the gate.
"This is the place," Fred said.
"Why would he want us to come here, brother mine," George said.
"It's just a burnt out building," Fred finished.
"Because it is where we are staying," Harry said as he appeared to materialize out of thin air in front of them.
"Most impressive," Fred began.
"Oh magnificent partner," George continued.
"Of our glorious establishment," Fred finished.
"If you two are finished, please follow me," Harry said as he grabbed both twins by the arm and pulled them past the wards.
"Wow, Harry," Fred said, "What kind of wards are those?"
Smiling and looking at Fred he said, "I believe those are Potter Family wards, but Scotty will know for sure."
The four of them sat down at the kitchen table and George asked with a grin, "So He-Who-Has-Obviously-Annoyed-Yet-Another-Minister, what can we do for you?"
As Harry slowly banged his head on the table at yet another name, Hermione stifled a laugh and said, "We need some of your special supplies for the work we are doing."
Fred and George looked at Hermione and Harry, then at each other communicating silently. Fred said, "We had a feeling you were doing something important.
George added, "So we took the initiative."
Fred said, "To put together a couple boxes of…"
George said, "A special assortment of items."
Fred finished, "Including extendable ears, Peruvian darkness powder and a way to see through it, shielding charmed clothes, and some of our nastier more dangerous Wheezes."
Harry looked at the twins and saw something he never had before, regret.
"You both know it wasn't your fault right," Harry asked. "You had no idea the powder would be used to attack the school."
"We know Harry," Fred said with a sigh. "But it still doesn't make us feel better."
"You can't control what other people do," Harry said. "Hermione has been beating that into my skull for some time.
Hermione smiled and then asked, "George what is this?" She then held up a small leather satchel no bigger than a pack of playing cards.
George grinned and said, "Open it up and look." He waited and then said, "They are Muggle lock picks enchanted to do their job even if the person using them doesn't have the skill."
Hermione nodded and said, "I'm glad you two are on our side." She then continued inventorying the items.
Harry said, "Guys thank you very much for this, what do I owe you for these items?"
Fred and George both looked at Harry as if he grew a second head then Fred said, "Nothing at all, you are our partner so this stuff is yours already."
Harry looked at the twins and knew arguing would be pointless and then said with a tone that brooked no argument, "Ok I will take them, but you two will take another thousand galleons to fund research and development for the shop."
Fred and George both looked at Harry as if Christmas had just come and nodded their heads in agreement.
Hermione held up a couple of belts with several pouches along them and asked, "Are these to store all of this?"
Fred nodded and said, "We figured you would want to be able to get things quickly without having to dig, so we designed those belts especially for that."
They spent the rest of the day going over the rest of the items and preparing for that night.
A/N: Ok please put the pitchforks down, you will want them for a later chapter anyway. I know I said they would meet up with Batman this chapter; however Fred and George would not give me the antidote to a rather nasty rash in an unmentionable area if I didn't bring them into the story. Next chapter I promise.