Still writing from the safety of a bunker in an undisclosed location, I can safely say I don't own any of this, nor am I looking to profit from it.
Chapter Seventeen – Preparing for The End
Three days to go
In the week that followed the Weasley Massacre and the Daily Prophet's own attack on Harry and Hermione, many pieces were coming together.
First after their departure from the Burrow, Aurors were searching the entire island looking for them. Many in the Magical community were reminded of the manhunt that took place looking for Sirius Black.
Two days after the wedding, Fred and George came to see Harry and Hermione at Godric's Hollow.
"Guys, I am sorry about your parents, Ron and Ginny," Harry said to the somber twins.
"Harry, we know it wasn't your fault," George said.
"We are just glad Mum got her wish to see one of her kids married before the end," Fred added.
Hermione then said, "Thank you as well for supplying the cover we needed to escape."
George and Fred both smirked then said, "We didn't do it."
Hermione looked at the twins and asked, "If it wasn't you, who was it?"
"The smartest witch in the age…" Fred began.
"Doesn't know…." George added.
"The answer," Fred finished as both he and George began laughing.
Harry smirked and then said, "Well those belts of theirs are very good at several things, among them looking like a normal belt. So I was able to get some powder out of one of the pouches by thinking of what I wanted before I grabbed it."
Hermione looked at Harry and shook her head. She then looked pensive a moment and asked, "Harry do you think Bruce would like to meet with the twins? I'm sure his associate could use some of their more creative ideas."
Harry nodded to her as the twins stood there and tried to figure out who Bruce was and who his associate was.
"Can either of you create a portkey," Harry asked.
"No, those things are highly regulated by the ministry and easily traceable," Fred said.
Nodding, Harry wrote a note and called out, "Fawkes."
In a flash of flame, the green and gold phoenix appeared.
"Would you please take this to Bruce and await a response," Harry asked.
Fawkes nodded and flashed away.
"Harry," George said slightly awestruck, "Why is there a phoenix answering your call?"
Harry smiled and told them about Gringotts, being Dumbledore's heir and how Fawkes had come to him here.
Hermione hated to bring the mood back down, but asked, "Guys, what are you going to do about the funerals and the Burrow?"
Fred responded, "The funerals for all four of them will be tomorrow. The four of us, Bill, Charlie and us decided that none of us could live in the Burrow so we are going to make it their pyre."
Hermione nodded knowing Wizards preferred cremation to stop any chance of becoming an inferri.
Harry then asked, "You said four, what about Percy?"
George's expression turned dark as he answered, "Bill is now the head of the family and as such his first act was to disown that git completely from the Weasley Clan. He can finally take the name Weatherby since that is what he answers to anyway."
Fred then said, "And you two do not even think of coming tomorrow. The Ministry will be looking for that."
Harry looked hurt for a moment, but nodded in acceptance. Their being there could cause a distraction and more danger for the remaining Weasleys.
Fawkes appeared and sang some soothing notes to help the mood in the room, before giving Harry the note.
"Thank you," Harry said as he read the note. "Bruce can't make it right now, something about a riddle he needs to solve for someone back home. But he will be by later and is intrigued at meeting you two."
"Harry who is Bruce," George finally asked.
Harry grinned and nodded to Hermione to tell the twins.
"Bruce Wayne is probably the richest Muggle in the world," she began. "He especially rewards unique ways of doing things and appreciates ingenuity quite a bit. The Wayne Foundation last year, gave grants totaling one million pounds, to inventors and entrepreneurs to assist them in research and development."
"George," Fred said in an awed voice.
"Yes Fred," George said.
"Are you thinking what I am thinking," Fred asked.
"Yes Fred," George said. "But how are we going to get enough pudding and spandex to make that idea profitable?"
"No George, the other thing," Fred said.
"Oh you mean about taking over the Muggle world with our inventions," George said.
Fred nodded and proceeded to join his twin on the ground groveling before Harry and Hermione.
"Get up you prats," Harry said. "There is more, but that is up to Bruce to tell you."
Both twins nodded and then asked, "How can we help?"
Harry then told the twins how their gear had worked and what small changes he would like made.
As the twins left to get supplies and make the changes Harry suggested, Hedwig flew in carrying a small package.
"What is it girl," Harry asked taking the package from her after checking it for traps, port keys and tracers. "It's from the Headmistress."
In the package were a needle and a letter.
Mr. Potter and Miss Granger,
I am sorry to see the Wizarding World turn its back on two of my brightest Lions once again.
I have never been one to show emotions, but I want you both to know how proud I am of you. You each have overcome great adversity and now are ready to take your places in the world.
As I have been writing this, your owl arrived. I must say she can be quite persistent in what she wants. As I was about to seal this letter I noticed where she landed. She seems to know quite a bit Mr. Potter and seems to know what you will need.
If there is anything either of you need, do not hesitate to ask.
Headmistress Minerva McGonagall
Harry looked at the needle and set it on the table before casting 'finite incantum'. What appeared from the needle was something he had seen before, the Sword of Gryffindor. Harry smiled at Hedwig and said, "Thank you girl, the Headmistress was right. You know what I will need before I do."
Hedwig bobbed her head and flew off.
Two days to go
Apparently the Minister was quite chuffed to find out he was neither wanted nor appreciated at the Weasley's funeral. What came as a bigger shock was when Percy was informed of his non-Weasley status. The Aurors that had come to attempt to capture Harry and Hermione were forced to take Percy into protective custody to prevent him from being cursed by the remaining family.
Harry and Hermione were able to say their final good byes to their friends and foster parents after everyone left as the flames engulfed the Burrow.
One day to go
The day after the funeral, Bruce finally was able to meet Fred and George. As each item was explained to Bruce he sat back and asked a few questions regarding each item and if they had to be used by a Wizard.
The twins explained how they created these items to be used by anyone.
"We wanted to make sure, those with Muggle backgrounds could have something their families could use," Fred elaborated.
Bruce looked at Harry and Hermione and asked, "Do you trust them?"
Harry grinned and answered, "I trust them to prank me sometime when I'm not expecting it. But to answer your question, I trust the Weasley twins with my life."
Hermione nodded her agreement and added, "They may have not spent much time working in school, but when they are motivated they are the best there is."
Fred and George looked at Harry and Hermione in thanks and each mentally swore to never let them down.
Bruce nodded and said, "I think my associate would like everything you have done and I will fund you both to continue creating."
Fred and George thanked Bruce repeatedly after they had gotten off the table they were dancing on.
The Day of
"Are you ready," Harry asked for the fifteenth time that day.
Hermione sighed and said, "Harry I am ready for this and if you ask one more time, Voldemort won't be your only worry."
Harry nodded and said, "Bruce should be here shortly, I am glad the Cup contained the last piece of his soul."
Hermione nodded and shuddered remembering how Harry had eliminated the final piece of Voldemort's soul.
"It is time," Batman said as he entered the room behind Hermione. His normal attire had been improved by the Weasley twins. His cape, boots, gloves and cowl were now made from dragon hide. Built into the cowl was a smaller version of the Omnioculars that let him see magical signatures and places.
"So it is," Harry said.
Each of them grabbed a hold of Fawkes' tail and they flashed away into the night.