Chapter 5
Harry had never seen Diagon Alley so full. He had to push past people to get anywhere.
"Why are there so many people here?" he asked Dumbledore.
"They're here for this afternoon's press conference." Harry's face paled at this. "Don't worry Harry they do not know that we are involved in it so they will leave us alone for now." Harry couldn't help but think that he and Dumbledore would attract attention anyway.
Harry noticed a lot of people were hanging around one shop in particular. On closer inspection Harry found that is was the new shop that the Weasley twins had opened. As he entered he saw shelves upon shelves of practical jokes that no one could possibly use in a whole lifetime. He noticed Fred and George and they gestured for him to come over.
"Harry!" they said in unison. "So good to see you!" they pulled him into a quiet corner where they could chat without having to shout. "So what do you think of the shop?" they asked.
"It's amazing!" Harry admitted knowing his money had been well invested. "Looks like business couldn't be better for you guys. Pretty soon you'll be millionaires."
"We're not bothered about the money; we just enjoy doing something we love to do. Money's just a bonus," they both grinned, "Now I think it's time to show you some of our products." They pulled Harry around the shop showing him some of the products they had made. One of Harry's favourites was a sweet that made your body duplicate itself so that you had a temporary twin. Harry didn't have to wonder where they got that idea from.
After the tour of the shop they started to talk about more general things. Percy, they told him, still hadn't made any effort to contact his family and by the sound of it, even if he tried Fred and George would make his life hell. Harry thought Percy was just too stubborn to admit that he was wrong.
"So are you here for the 'important' press conference this afternoon?" Fred asked Harry.
"Err… Yeah," Harry said shyly, "I'm kind of in it."
"No way! You're supporting Fudge? He needs to go Harry he's done nothing to help the wizarding community."
Harry explained his reasons to the twins and they seemed to understand.
"We still don't like him though," Fred said.
"Yeah he needs a good beating." George added. "But no doubt Dumbledore's right as usual."
Harry found Dumbledore looking through the shelves in the shop. Harry decided not to buy anything in front of his headmaster so he left the store empty handed. Dumbledore chuckled to himself, "Genius," he said "Some of those things would have been handy while I was at Hogwarts." Harry smiled and wished all adults were as easy going as Dumbledore.
Wondering around Diagon Alley Harry noticed that Quality Quidditch Supplies had taken stock of some new brooms but none of them were as good as Harry's Firebolt. Seeing the brooms however, reminded Harry of something.
"Professor, now that Umbridge is gone I can play Quidditch again right?"
"I don't see why not," Dumbledore said. "All the decrees put in place by Dolores Umbridge were removed at the end of last year."
"Thank God," Harry said. "She was the worst Defense teacher we ever had." This was only the tip of the iceberg to how bad Umbridge was but Harry knew know was not the time to bring it up.
"I don't know Harry," Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "If it hadn't been for her then you may never have formed the DA. You helped a lot of people last year Harry and that is reflected in their defense OWL results."
Harry blushed, "I just did what I could to make the most out of a bad situation," he said. Dumbledore gave Harry a praising look and they continued their shopping.
At around 12 o'clock Harry and Dumbledore decided to have lunch and then head to the press conference. They found a quaint little restaurant and sat outside, enjoying a pleasant meal in the sun.
"Professor, what am I supposed to say at this press conference? I mean I'm not exactly a good public speaker" The question had been on Harry's mind all day and was starting to make him nervous.
"Don't look so troubled Harry," Dumbledore said reassuringly. "All you and I have to do is stand behind fudge and say nothing. Our presence will be enough to show our allegiance. If you are asked a question, a one word answer will suffice."
It was nearing the time of the press conference and the majority of people in Diagon Alley were surrounding a giant podium that had appeared in the centre of the main street. Ministry officials lined the edge of the podium all dressed impeccably in black robes. Dumbledore and Harry pushed their way through the crowds and stepped up onto the podium. Seeing this people began to mutter and whisper clearly wondering what they had to do with this.
A slight pop was heard and the minister for magic appeared dressed in elegant blue robs with his hair neatly combed over. Despite his elegant demeanor Harry could see the lines on his face and it was clear that Voldemort's return was taking a toll on the man. He stepped into the middle of the podium which put an end to people's conversations. He pointed his wand at throat and muttered Sonorous. Now when he spoke he could be heard by everyone.
"Good afternoon!" he said to his captive audience. "I have come here today to address you personally concerning the returning of the dark lord. I myself made the error of not believing he had come back and that is something I deeply regret. I can only beg your forgiveness and look to the future. To defeat this rising power we must stand united,"
Fudge continued his speech which Harry thought was too little too late. His attention was caught when he thought he saw movement coming from one the side alleys. Not seeing anyone he turned his attention back to Fudge's speech.
"As you have seen before," Fudge continued. "You know who will stop at no lengths to get what he wants."
Harry noticed the movement in the alley again but this time it was accompanied by a flash of green light that was heading straight for Fudge. Harry, acting on impulse, ran towards the minister and knocked him to the floor as the curse shot over his head hitting a ministry official and killing him instantly.
Screaming erupted from the masses as masked people apparated into Diagon Alley shooting curses everywhere. Dumbledore pulled Harry up from the floor and Harry saw the fury in his eyes. Next to him fudge was starting to get up not fully aware of what was going on around him.
"Harry," Dumbledore said swiftly. "You are in danger here. I'm sending you back to Grimuland Place. Alert the order. I must stay here." Before Harry could argue Dumbledore thrust a sweet wrapper into his hands and Harry knew it was a portkey. As Harry felt the tugging sensation he saw Fudge get hit in the chest with a curse and fall down but before he could see anymore he was back at Grimuland Place.
He ran to the kitchen where Remus, Moody and Snape were sat.
"What do you want Potter?" Snape hissed.
"Attack in Diagon Alley. Dumbledore needs your help."
All three of them bolted up from their chairs and ran out of the room and into the hallway where they apparated away.
Harry was trying to comprehend what had happened. He remembered diving at Fudge, being picked up by Dumbledore and seeing fudge get hit again. He didn't know if it was the killing curse or not. Right now he didn't know what to do, not that he could do much. So he went to the kitchen and sat down staring into space. The boldness of Voldemort's move still surprised Harry. An assassination attempt on the minister for magic was one thing but to do it in a public place and in broad daylight was ludicrous. Harry hadn't noticed Ron and Hermione walk in and sit down at the table with him.
"Hey Harry, where is everyone?" Hermione asked. Harry stared at her for a moment before replying.
"There's been an attack on Diagon Alley, the order have gone to help. Dumbledore made me Portkey and sent me back."
"Oh God!" Hermione said, flinging herself at Harry and hugging him tightly. "I'm so glad you're ok!"
"Me too," he said and he explained all about the assassination attempt on Fudge and how he had dove at Fudge to protect only to see him hit by another spell moments later. Hermione wasn't impressed that Harry had risked his life to protect the ministers.
"Oh, leave him alone Hermione, he saved the minister of magic's life, even if it was that bastard Fudge."
Hermione looked ready to argue but they heard footsteps and voices in the hall and Harry darted out of the room to see what was going on. Dumbledore, Moody, Lupin and Snape stood there, only Dumbledore wasn't panting, his face was still angry but his features were beginning to soften.
"What happened Professor?" Harry asked. Dumbledore took a deep breath and Harry could tell that it wasn't going to be good news.
"The minister is dead," he said. "Just as you were leaving he was hit by the killing curse." Hermione began to cry and Ron put a comforting arm on her shoulder.
"What about the death eaters?" Harry asked.
"We managed to fight them off. Some of the ministry officials were Aurors in disguise. We caught 3 death eaters but the others apparated away when they saw that Fudge was dead." Dumbledore looked to have a great burden on his shoulders and Harry thought he knew what it was.
"The ministry is weakened until we get a new minister isn't it?" Harry asked.
"Yes Harry, I fear that the ministry will need as much help as I can give them. It looks as though I will not be at Hogwarts for the first month or so." Harry knew the students wouldn't take this well. They knew that the only reason Voldemort avoided Hogwarts was because Dumbledore was there.
"But doesn't that put Hogwarts at risk of being attacked?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore sighed. "I'm afraid that's a risk I'm going to have to take." He didn't look happy about the decision and Harry could see the anguish in his eyes.
Lupin interrupted their conversation, "We must return to Diagon Alley Dumbledore, there are many civilians dead." Dumbledore nodded passively and turned back to Harry.
"Harry, you did a very brave thing today. Even though Fudge was killed afterwards, you still saved his life at the risk of your own." Harry couldn't see how that was worth anything considering the minister was now dead. Harry didn't say anything and Dumbledore disappeared with a small pop.
There was a somber atmosphere in Grimuland place, no one seeming to have anything to want to talk about. Mrs. Weasley did her best to try and get people to talk during their evening meal but it was evident that no one was really interested.
Harry and Tonks sat in the main family room with Ron and Hermione. Ron and Hermione were playing chess by the fire while Harry and Tonks were curled up on the sofa.
"I still can't believe that Voldemort would kill the minister. I thought he'd just watch it collapse from the inside."
"Then that's why he did it," Hermione said confidently. Harry gave her a bemused look so she continued. "Well he obviously knew that that you wouldn't expect it so he decided to catch you off guard."
"I guess you're right" Harry said. "But I can't help but think that I could've done more to save him."
"Mate, you saved him once!" Ron said. "There's nothing more you could've done, especially since Dumbledore made you portkey away." Harry was forced to agree but still felt a strong pang of guilt.
"I'm just glad you weren't hurt." Tonks said cuddling closer to him. "The only thing that you should be worrying about are your OWL results that will be arriving tomorrow." Hearing this Hermione looked positively joyous but Ron just grunted showing that he wasn't expecting good news. Ron's sudden lack of focus allowed Hermione to get him into checkmate and Ron groaned even more.
"No fair!" he said. "I wasn't concentrating!"
"Ronald, I beat you fair and square. Don't be a sore loser!"
"I'm not a sore looser, I can beat you anytime. Face it if I was concentrating you'd never beat me."
"And what makes you so sure of that?" She said angrily. Harry sensing another argument got up and told them he was going to bed. Tonks decided to go with him and they left Ron and Hermione to bicker amongst themselves.
They got to Tonks' room but Harry stopped outside of the door. "I think I want to sleep on my own tonight." He said. Tonks looked at him with hurt in her eyes.
"Harry, I know you're upset about today, but if you can talk to anyone about it, it's me."
"But I don't feel like talking about it!" Harry snapped. Tonks was taken aback but quickly recovered.
"So you just want to go and be alone so you can wallow in self pity?" It came out harsher than she intended and she knew that she shouldn't have said it. Harry was getting visibly angrier.
"Yes! Maybe that's what I want to do. And you know what? I can, because it's my life!" He turned and stormed off to his room. Tonks called after him but he ignored her and carried on. She went into her room and started crying into her pillow.
Harry stormed to his room and collapsed on his bed feeling very frustrated. Why couldn't she just appreciate that he wanted some time alone? What was the big deal? He tried to fall asleep but it wouldn't come. He pulled out his invisibility cloak and decided to take a walk outside to clear his head.
It was an hour after Harry and Tonks had had their argument and Tonks couldn't sleep. She knew Harry wanted space but she needed to clear the air between them. She put on her dressing gown and headed to Harry's room. She opened door and saw his bed empty and decided that he had probably gone down to the kitchen, but she found that he wasn't there either. She checked Hermione's and Ginny's bedroom but still found no sign of him and she was starting to panic. He wouldn't be stupid enough to leave the house would he? She knew that even if he had she probably couldn't find him if she went out so she just sat in the kitchen and waited nervously for him to return.
Two hours later and he still hadn't come back. Tonks' nails were bitten down and her face was pale from lack of sleep. Why did you have to argue with him she thought to herself. Just because he wanted to be alone for a while and you couldn't handle it. She started to cry again and she heard the kitchen door open. She turned to see Harry standing there obviously not expecting to see Tonks there. He turned to leave but she called after him and he turned round reluctantly.
"Harry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say those things I just didn't want you to have to cope alone when you don't have to." Harry's face remained unreadable.
"Well that's my decision to make isn't it?" he said sharply. He knew he was being mean to Tonks when it wasn't her fault he felt like this but he couldn't help but snap at her.
"You're right Harry, it is your choice," she said softly. "But I want you to know that I'm here for you when you need me."
"I know." Harry said, now looking at the floor, ashamed of how he had spoken to her. "I'm sorry too." She came over to him and they held each other close. Harry realized that they had just had their first argument and somehow it felt good, that they could argue but be able to sort it as well. This was a new experience for Harry. When he had his first argument with Cho they had broken up because of it. Now with Tonks he realized that what they had was different, more important to him. He kissed her on the lips and Tonks felt the emotion behind the kiss. She realized that Harry was just too scared to let people in because he felt embarrassed to show some of his weaknesses. She knew Harry needed someone he could talk to about anything and she was going to be that person. She felt more connected to Harry than she had to anyone, ever except for her parents. She looked into his eyes and could see her face reflected in them.
"Harry," she said softly. "Are you feeling a bit better now?"
He smiled and nodded. "I'm glad you're here with me." He said.
She kissed him again and decided to tell him how she felt. "Harry, I love you."
Harry hadn't expected that, surely she couldn't mean it. "Oh," Was all he could manage. Tonks looked very embarrassed and Harry noticed it straight away and recovering from the shock he looked deep into her eyes.
"Tonks, I love you too." She smiled, all her embarrassment gone.
"So do you want to go back to your room now?" she asked.
"No," Harry said. Tonks looked at confused because he certainly looked like he could do with a few hours rest. Harry smiled. "I want to go back to your room."