Finally after 3 weeks in hiding a break in the case came one Sunday afternoon. All the Weasley's had gathered at the Burrow to try and cheer up the homebound members. George distracted the children by going over information for the Spring launch. Hermione was with Katie and Molly going over different wedding details and Draco was hounding Harry for any information on the hunt for Dolohov and Rowle. He was getting nowhere. Harry, rightfully believed that if either Malfoy or Hermione had any leads they would try to investigate them themselves at this point. They were both going stir crazy. Neither was very good at just sitting still and not being able to leave the houses was driving them both nuts.
As he was telling Draco for the 6th time that day that there was no new news a silver bobcat came bounding into the room,
"Auror Potter, MMW1 has been found. Report immediately to the office" as soon as the witches in the kitchen heard Robards booming voice Hermione and Ginny both jumped up.
Before the patronus dissipated Harry was headed to Ginny. Ron stood and was already following behind when Harry turned to him, "it's time, you still in?" He asked as he pulled Ginny to the side.
"You couldn't keep me away if you tried. Let me go tell Katie what's going on." The lanky redhead replied as he turned towards the kitchen. After a quick conversation with Ginny Harry turned to Draco and Bill, calling them to join him outside.
Hermione immediately tried to get answers from Harry as he headed back to the living room, "what's going on? Who's number 1 right now? Is it Rowle or Dolohov?" She asked, chasing them through the front room. Harry just looked at Ginny who grabbed Hermione's arm and started whispering in her ear. Draco and Bill followed Harry and Ron out the front door,
"She's right. This is it." Harry said grimly as he put on his cloak. Draco looked at the two, both looking as if they were readying for war with grim, determined faces. "Bill I need you to enact all the old wards. This place is a fortress, lock it down." Bill nodded as Harry turned to Draco, "contact your mother. If you think she will come, get her here before Bill locks it down. If not I know Nott put extra wards on top of the ones Bill put on Grimmauld. Get him to lock it down. Tell her she's not to let anyone in or out till we give the all clear." Harry shook his head, "I don't know what we are walking into, how big it is or how long it's going to take but," he paused, looking back at the crooked house that currently held his entire family. "My whole world's in there" He points at the front door, "and I think you all agree with me. Keeping them safe is everything."
Bill nodded again,"don't worry about us, we will keep them safe." Bill shook Harry's hand and hugged his younger brother, "just do what you need to do and get back home in one piece, ya?"
Draco looked between the two men he once considered his arch rivals and saw the stark determination as he nodded and shook each man's hand.
Harry turned and began walking towards the edges of the wards, "no one in or out, no matter what" he called, "Gin will explain everything once the wards are set." He added right before he and Ron reached the edge of the garden disappeared with a crack.
Finally an hour later Draco sat down with all the other adults crammed around the kitchen table. Molly had twited around the kitchen the entire time Bill was setting the wards. By the time they all sat down there was a basket of pastries set out on the table however no one had touched any. Arthur went the other direction. Once the adults sat he began pouring a round of Firewhiskey. The older children had been sent up to what was set up as a playroom of sorts. Roxanna was in her mother's arms and Fluer had James. Ginny was to restless and the constant pacing was upsetting him.
"So we are completely locked down here, now, Ginny can you tell us what's going on?" Bill asks as he finally sits and takes the glass his father levitated in front of him.
Ginny, who had taken on her husband's signature move of running her hands through her hair til it resembled a rats nest, looked at Katie first, "can you share what you know, Katie?"
Katie took a deep breath, looking around the table before she began, "Almost a year and a half ago Ron went to the Ministry to get his recertification as an Aruor. I asked him then why he keeps his credentials up to date. I know he was good, very good but," she paused looking guilty at Ginny, "Honestly the thought of him back in the field terrifies me. So I asked him about it. He assured me he has no intention of going back to the DMLE, however he said he keeps his certification up to date because there is one case that if Harry ever got a lead on he would insist on handling it with him." She paused again looking at those around the table, stopping at George and Hermione who happened to be sitting next to each other. "Once he told me he would go back if it meant bringing in Fred's killer, I agreed. I'm assuming that's where they are going." Hermione and George just froze for a moment before George leaned into Hermione's side, taking her hand in his while placing the other on Angelina's leg. Hermione just froze. Draco on her other side dropped his arm from the back of her chair where it had laid and began gently rubbing her back. Katie continued, "About mid October Harry came to see Ron at home. He told Ron that he finally had proof who killed Fred and asked if he still wanted in. Ron, of course, said yes. Harry still wouldn't tell him who it was just told him to be ready if Harry gave the word."
Katie looked at Ginny and at this point Ginny finally stilled and took over the story. "Late September they had some luck catching lower level criminals who had been snatchers during the war. That's when he found out that Riddle had put a price on the Weasley family." Gasps rang out around the room at that unexpected bombshell, Ginny just continued, "According to what Harry found out, just before sending his men into battle he promised that the first person to kill a Weasley would be heavily rewarded, the more killed the more money they would get after the battle had Riddle won. So when Dolohov saw multiple redheads together he brought down the wall hoping to kill as many as possible." The family just sat in grim silence, each member lost in their own thoughts and worries. Draco was startled to learn that a hit had been put on the family but wasn't truly surprised. He was surprised that none looked to him as if he should have known that and should have told them. Instead of looking to him demanding answers as if he were an outsider he was treated as family. As the night wore on one by one the family moved to the sitting room. Still trying to take comfort in each other's presence they stayed together, hoping both men would come home unharmed with this final mission accomplished.
The children had come down to say good night at about 9 o'clock. Bryony was used to her uncle Harry being called away for work but she knew by the way the adults were acting this time was different. She was scared for him and her dad. Upon walking into the living room and seeing the distress she quickly and quietly hugged all her aunts, uncles and grandparents. She spent extra time with her Aunt Ginny and Katie. Then she went to her uncle George. Scorpius had been pulled into her mother's lap, rather than be jealous Bryony was thankful he had her so she could sit with her uncle George for a minute,
"Hey Luv Bug," George greeted her with a half smile. Bryony just nuzzled her face into his chest and stayed there.
While Fluer got her girls to bed Scorpius and Bryony stayed with the adults until long after they fell asleep. There were times throughout her life that Bryony can remember as being treated differently and this night would always stay in her mind as one of those times.
Finally at 1:08am a stag patronus bursts into the room,
It is done. Everyone is fine, Bill, lift the wards please. We should be home in about 20. (A commotion could be heard in the background and Robards voice was heard telling Harry to get back there) eh, make that 30 minutes, hopefully.
Ginny and Katie, who had been huddled together both stood and stretched, neither knowing what shape the men would be in thus not knowing what to do. Molly went directly to the kitchen, followed by Fluer and Audrey. Together they put on tea while Molly reviewed her potions stores.
Thankfully taking the wards down was much easier than putting them up, Bill stepped outside for just a few minutes and when he came back in everyone visibly relaxed. Meanwhile, Draco didn't want to pull away from where he had Hermione half in his lap, with Scorpius in her lap, so he pulled his wand casting his patronus, the entire room went silent as his Hungarian Horntail filled the room,
The all clear has been given, Theo please drop the extra wards. Mother, I will be by to explain mid morning.
Draco said then sent the dragon flying out the window.
As soon as the dragon was gone the room erupted,
"A dragon, how is that fair?"
"Better not let Charlie see."
"Nice"
Finally it was Fluer who pointed out, "izn't zat the horntail, same az Harry fought?"
"In the tournament, yes." Draco sighed. Obviously he hadn't thought that through. Most people believed the myth that Death Eaters can't cast a patronus and he used that to keep his quiet. You would think literally being named 'dragon' it wouldn't surprise people.
Thankfully he didn't have to elaborate because Harry and Ron came through the floo. Immediately Ginny and Katie rushed to their wizard's. The rest of the family, while on edge for information, gave them a little time and space.
"So" Harry sighed as he sat down, he had a gash down his left arm and appeared to be limping but was otherwise fine. Ron sat down on another couch and while he had no visible wounds he looked weak. He wrapped his arm around Katie but Draco spotted a mild tremor in his hands. He jumped up and disappeared into the kitchen while the others started asking questions.
"Tippy" He called quietly after confirming he was alone.
The little house elf came right away, she had been worried all night because both homes were empty. She had gone and checked with Narcissa when it was obvious no one was coming home.
"Oh Mr Draco, Tippy has been so worried," the elf wrung her hands, "is everyone ok?" She asked.
"Everyone is fine Tippy, I'm sorry we worried you." Draco said as he placed a hand on the elf's shoulder, "and to have called you so late however I think our special potion could be used, can go to the lab and grab a vial?"
Tippy had just popped away when Molly came bustling back into the kitchen. Now that the guys were there she knew what potions were needed. Draco just smiled at her and handed her the vial, "I believe your son could benefit from this." Draco continued on to the sitting room and was filled in with the others. Molly bustled back in and after applying Dittany to Harry's arm began handing each wizard potions, starting with Ron and the vial Draco had given her. After he took it Ron visibly relaxed and the tremors ceased. Molly looked back at Draco and nodded her thanks. Evidently someone had told the matriarch about his potion for the after effects of the Cruciatus curse. Draco was just silently thankful it had a long shelf life and he always kept some of hand.
The family learned that after the attack on Diagon Harry was able to get the entire department on the manhunt for Dolohov and Rowle. Early Sunday morning an informant told of a possible safe house and Robards had it confirmed before he called in Harry to lead the charge to take it down. He didn't go into details, just confirmed Rowle and three others were in custody. Dolohov did not survive.
Like Harry had said in his patronus, it was done. Everyone looked around the room, unable to decide how they were supposed to react and feel. Finally George just pulled Hermione into a hug and all the biological family joined in. Draco stood to the side between Katie and Harry. He wanted to comfort his witch but knew she needed this first. After a few minutes the hug broke apart and everyone sat back down again, this time with tea that Audrey and Fluer had passed around.
"So, now what?" George asked as he held tight to Angelina from where they sat on the floor.
"Well I don't know about the rest of you but when I handed back the badge I told Robards I never wanted it back." Ron said as he looked at Katie, "Next year when my qualifications come up I'm going to let them lapse." Katie for her part didn't even try to hide her relief at his words. She wrapped her arms even tighter around him and smiled brighter than anyone had all day. Only George and Angelina who were sitting next to them heard her quietly murmured "Thank you"
Harry then looked around at his family and grinned, "I will be spending less time in the field myself," he began as he pulled Ginny closer, "Robards has been wanting to retire for a few years now. He refused until we had captured all the known, marked Death Eaters. Once we got back to the office he announced his retirement effective immediately." Harry paused as everyone gasped at the news, "so tomorrow I report as acting head Aruor." Everyone jumped up and began congratulating him. Once everyone calmed down again he continued, "last thing we did before we left was a quick press release. Since it was too late to reprint the morning run the Prophet will have news of the capture as a supplemental piece about mid morning. They will also announce my promotion. Kings is already planning a conference for my official swearing in." He turned to Hermione and grinned at her, "be prepared he wants you to run it."
"Oh joy" Hermione deadpand, "so now that the DMLE'S two most wanted are neutralized, what will be your first order of business as Head Aruor?" She asked.
"Geez Hermione give the man a break, he just got into the position." Ron moaned good naturedly.
"Well I did inherit one headache." Harry sighed dramatically, "the interdepartmental charity Quidditch game is coming up and I can no longer play as Head Aruor."
"Oh you get to be a coach this year!" Ginny said excitedly, "so, coach, what will I be playing?" She asked. Like everyone else she had been lagging due to the early morning hour and stress filled night but at the thought of playing Quidditch she perked right up.
"Well, hopefully my first choice for Seeker accepts and you can stick to Chaser." He replied as he looked at Draco.
Everyone turned to look at the startled blonde.
"Me?" He asks incredulously.
"Yes you," Harry huffs, "as loath as I am to admit it, you were the only one who ever truly challenged me in school."
"Small problem Potter," Draco drawled, "players have to either work for the department or be related to someone in the department. I do not fulfill that criteria."
Harry just shakes his head and points to Hermione, "you are engaged to my sister, who also happens to be head of the Law Division, which is a part of the DMLE. So, either way you are a family member."
"Would they count engaged?" Katie wondered.
"I certainly hope so." Harry replied, "because I'm hoping you will be a chaser."
Katie looked shocked but agreed. Once Harry asked Ron to be Keeper and he responded with a loud snore it was decided that Quidditch talk could wait.