Chapter 25.

Banshee.

"I took you for a bad liar this morning Mr Potter. It seems that I owe you an apology," Professor McGonagall said from her side of the desk. She was seating upright and stiffly as though this admission was giving her severe pain.

"There is nothing to apologise for Professor. You couldn't possible know that I really did mean to remove the Wizengamot," Harry replied hiding the smile that threatened to break out.

He hadn't retuned to Hogwarts until the late afternoon, along with Hermione and Ron they had decided to eat out in Muggle London. Not only to get away from the Wizarding World for a few hours, but also because Harry wanted to save the few galleons he still had in his possession. Fortunately one of the first things he had done on turning eighteen was to open a Muggle bank account. It was a good thing to, as it was now all he had to live on until the Gringotts situation was sorted out.

Hermione and Ron had insisted on trying to pay for the meal, knowing his financial straits, but he wouldn't let them. It had been his idea to eat out and besides he enjoyed watching them argue with him and of that of course had led them to argue with each other. When they had been doing that on a nearly daily basis it had become intolerable, but now when it was so rare he missed it. He realised now that he had a broad masochistic streak running through him.

His feelings on the morning's events were mixed. There was elation at what they had achieved, but the nagging doubt at the back of his mind that it would all come crashing down just wouldn't go away. Ron and Hermione didn't seem to have the doubts he did, which surprised him. Both of them seemed convinced that the Santangelo brothers would be traced within a matter of days, and the gold recovered.

"All the same Harry you have my apology."

"I shouldn't have snapped at you either Professor. It was rude and uncalled for," Harry responded.

"I'm sure you had plenty on your mind at the time."

"Just a little, but that's still no excuse," Harry understated.

"Now what about my potions Mistress, what part did she play in all this, and when are you going to release her?" Her eyes narrowed as she said this and Harry suspected that not being able to release her from the chamber rankled.

"I don't know for sure, but once the Veritaserum antidote has worn off the Aurors can pump her dry, but she's up to her neck in this."

"And how long will that take?"

"Well according to Hermione's test a week should be long enough."

"What test is this? I don't know of any test."

"Oh right you wouldn't know," Harry said. "She's invented a litmus test that can detect the presence of the antidote in someone's blood, and she reckons she has a week until it clears Rossi's system." McGonagall's face showed surprise and then pleasure at this news.

"If that's what Miss Granger believes then I'm sure she's correct. I am worried though about what sort of condition she'll be in after a week. Wouldn't it be better to check up on her." Harry shrugged his shoulders. He really didn't care all that much at the moment. The overly warm office was sapping the last of his energy, and all he wanted to do at the moment was lie down and fall asleep.

"I promised her that she had a week in the Chamber of secrets to change her attitude, and I don't like to break my promises. If there's nothing else Professor I need to stop by the hospital wing."

"Yes of course Harry, don't let me delay you, and for what it's worth Mr Weasley, Mr Shacklebolt, and Mr Lupin are all good people."

"Yes they are," Harry agreed. "I just hope events don't overwhelm us."

"Us Mr Potter," Professor McGonagall said in mock surprise. "Only a few minutes ago you were telling me that you had washed your hands of the whole thing."

"Oh I have but if things fall apart I don't doubt that I'll be dragged down with it."

"Is that likely?"

"Is what likely?"

"That things could fall apart Mr Potter."

"At the moment I'd give it fifty, fifty." Harry hadn't mentioned the impending financial crises earlier when he had replaced the circulating rumours with hard facts. The Headmistress didn't need to know.

"If you think things are that bad, shouldn't you get more involved."

"What and make things worse. I don't think so. If they want my advice, and I can't think why they should, they know where I am." Harry stood up and moved towards the door, his forearm was aching and he knew that someone or something was irritating Ginny.

"Just remember Harry your instincts are usually right, so trust them." Harry was also getting a little irritated at the constant interchanging of his Christian and surname, depending on what point McGonagall was trying to make.

"You trust my instincts!"

"Why else do you think I'm letting you get away with imprisoning a Professor at this school? One week Mr Potter then regardless she's out of here, do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Professor." It was the only possible answer to that tone of voice, and Harry quickly left the office.

The cooler air outside the office cleared Harry's head and revitalised him, although there was an underlying weariness. He was tempted to go to his room and wait for whoever was winding Ginny up to leave so she could cool down, but he knew she wouldn't do that to him if the roles were reversed, so to the hospital wing he headed.

The hospital's doors were stout and heavy, although they opened and closed with an easy smoothness especial on the way out, so Harry was surprised he could hear raised voices through them, despite the fact that he still had a full flight of stairs to climb before he reached them.

"…a silly little girl. You should have more respect I'm …" Harry heard and he knew that someone had left the hospital, opening and closing the door quickly as the voices were again muffled.

"Neville what are you doing?" Harry said shocked to see his friend almost dragging himself along the corridor while leaning heavily on the banisters. Neville looked startled for a moment when he'd realised he'd been caught. However when he realised it was Harry he went through a series of emotions.

"Oh thank Merlin it's you Harry I if it had been Madame Pomfrey she'd have crucified me," he said in relief.

"You're not fit to be wandering the halls Neville you need to get back to bed," Harry said while hating himself for saying that.

"No, no I can't go back in there, not yet anyway." He gave the large doors a nervous backward glance.

"Don't be stupid Neville I hate being in that place more than most, but even I can see that you could hurt yourself further wandering around out here. Let me give you hand back in."

"No, no I don't think either of us should go in there at the moment."

"Why?"

"Well Ginny's got a visitor, and they're … they're having differences, and I don't think you should get between them." Again Neville looked at the door nervously. Harry's eyes also locked onto the door as another muffled wave of shouting erupted behind it.

"Who?"

"An Aunt I think," Harry relaxed slightly, it was family, and as it wasn't Fred and George there weren't any risk to life and limb.

"So what's got you in such a panic then?" Harry couldn't understand what the matter was with Neville. This was the man who had faced down Bellatrix why was he frightened of a mere aunt.

"She's worse than my Grandmother," Neville said.

"Oh…" Harry said finally understanding Neville's reaction. "She wouldn't happen to be called Muriel by any chance." Neville just nodded. "Alright just stay here and I'll see what this is is all about."

"Do you think that's wise Harry?"

"Nope, but when has that ever stopped me?" Aunt Muriel had often been the subject of conversation around the Weasley meal table, and Harry was eternally grateful that the dubious honour of meeting her had never come his way, until now that is. He'd toppled a Government this morning how hard could an aged aunt be to deal with. Nevertheless he still drew in a breath as he opened the door.

"It's none of your damn business," Ginny snapped from a sitting position on her bed at the far end of the hospital wing. A glance showed Harry that Professor Urquhart was pretending, badly, to read a book. It was a mixture of the half smile on his face, and the slight angle of his head as he took surreptitious little looks that gave him away. Sean looked as though he was asleep, but Harry didn't think his body looked relaxed enough to be managing it.

"Young lady I am a hundred and eight, and I don't expect to be spoken to in such a rude manner," Aunt Muriel growled. She had her back to Harry so all he could see was her blue rinsed hair, and the back of a loose fitting dress of dark blue with wafer thin white strips.

"What, nobody's ever told you that they don't care what your bloody opinion is? I find that very difficult to believe," Ginny said her face reddening. Harry knew the signs. A full scale eruption involving wands was only moments away. He had to prevent that at all costs.

"And what do you think you're doing wearing such indecent clothes when there are men in here. It's quite scandalous. I shall have to have a word with that idiot nurse who runs this place. It's totally unseemly, why in my day …"

Harry looked at the pyjamas Ginny was wearing blocking out what was being said. He knew for a fact that of all her nightwear what she was wearing revealed the least. As far as he was concerned they revealed nothing of interest, and were definitely his least favourite. Ginny's answer to her aunt's disgust was to promptly undo the top two buttons. Aunt Muriel either didn't notice, or chose to ignore this blatant act of defiance.

"… and if you can't look after your hair properly you should cut it to a more manageable length. It looks as though you've been dragged through a hedge backwards. The young have no idea …"

"I like her hair just the way it is," Harry interrupted in a firm but calm voice, "messy or not." Harry had managed to walk the length of the Hospital wing without either of the combatants noticing him. Aunt Muriel turned around and stared hard as though he was something to be stepped over on the pavement. Many people over the years had given him that sort of look, but even Harry flinched slightly at the piercing brown eyes locked onto him.

"I hardly call that a recommendation looking at the birds nest on your own head Mr Potter."

"Call me Harry, we're related to each other now." He was trying to be pleasant, but she wasn't making it easy.

"Yes I'm afraid we are, and don't think I approve of the way you two managed that! I see you're still wearing those ridiculous glasses that make you look gormless."

"They're comfortable and work fine," he answered resisting the urge to step backwards at the sudden assault.

"I find them sexy," Ginny said to Muriel's back making her turn sharply round.

"I suggest you get you eyes tested as well young lady," she squawked back.

"How can you not think he's sexy." Harry recognised the dangerous undertones.

"He's meant to be some kind of Wizarding leader isn't he," Muriel continued, "and yet here he is wearing the tattiest of muggle clothing. He should be in full robes, as any sort of decent wizard knows." She then leant towards him and gave a loud sniff.

"I like being comfortable," Harry answered suddenly unnerved by the women's strange action.

"It's not the clothes that make the man Aunt Muriel," Ginny said. "I should know I've seen him out of them." A sheen of nervous sweat erupted down Harry's back, and his face heated up at the hideous direction of where this was going. He wasn't sure if he actual heard a snort from one the beds behind him, or whether it was all in his own head.

"You're drunk!" Muriel said totally ignoring Ginny's comment.

"I am not drunk."

"Don't shout at me young man, I maybe a hundred and eight, but I'm not deaf you know. You've been drinking, in the middle of the day!"

"I had a couple of beers," he said defensively.

"What are you an alcoholic?"

"No!" Harry said.

"Bit of a weak jaw as well. I can't understand what all the fuss is about. I think Rita Skeeter had the measure of you, until she went all funny about you a few years back." Harry knew full well why that had happened.

"I dare say you're impotent as well," she sneered. Harry's jaw dropped he wasn't sure he'd heard her right. Having delivered her most vicious retort Aunt Muriel started heading towards the exit.

"I beg your pardon!" Harry was stunned at the women's rudeness.

"Impotent, Barry, impotent look it up in the dictionary," Muriel snapped back. "If you know what one of those is?"

"I'll have you know Harry makes me HOWL LIKE A BANSHEE," Ginny screamed at the retreating back of Aunt Muriel. The elderly Aunt from hell stopped for a moment in the open doorway, and Harry waited for the next caustic comment to be flung his way. For uncountable seconds there was a pregnant pause as Ginny's words seemed to reverberate in the air, and then the dreaded aunt was gone. It appeared she had no reply.

The slamming shut of the door was the signal for Professor Urquhart and Sean to collapse in helpless laughter. Unfortunately for Sean it soon changed into uncontrollable coughing as his damaged lungs objected. Despite the pain he must have been in it still took far too long for Harry's liking for him to stop laughing, and therefore control his coughing. The Professor had no such inhibitions and a deep booming laugh filled the hospital wing.

"Why did you have to say that?" Harry asked as he sat on Ginny's bed,

"But you do! You know you do."

"I … I can't believe you had to shout that out so the whole damn school could have heard." Harry had never felt more embarrassed in his life than he did at this moment. Nothing the twins had every done to him came even close.

"Oh quit worrying they're all in class, nobody will have heard anything." The hospital door opened making Harry jump but to his relief Neville staggered back in. He'd had a sudden panic attack that Aunt Muriel had returned for round two.

"Is that true Harry?" Neville asked. Another uncomfortable flush swept Harry's body and he knew that if he could see a mirror he'd be bright red. "Only I think half the fifth and sixth years who were changing classes don't believe it."

"W…what?" Harry stammered.

"What Ginny said, is it true?" There was a broad grin on his face as he said that, and despite the fact that he thought it couldn't get any worse his embarrassment reached a new height.

"Shut up Neville." It was a poor response, but all he could think of. This only made the three of them to burst into more laughter. He decided to turn his back on them, only to see Ginny laughing at him as well.

"This is your bloody fault you know."

"Lighten up Harry."

"Oh I'm sure you think it's funny now, but just you wait until the whole school is in on the joke. It won't be so bloody funny then."

"I can't help it if you make me howl. You should take that as a compliment, besides it got rid Aunt Muriel."

"Whatever function that woman's at I'm not going to, unless it's her damn funeral."

"It doesn't work that way Harry. There are just some family events that you can't avoid."

"Try me?"

"Weddings, Christenings, important birthdays, that sort of thing."

"It was a rhetorical question. Well she's not invited to any birthday of mine, and definitely no Christenings."

"You can't not invite her Harry."

"I'll send her a non-invite then. I'm not having that old trout yelling to all and sundry that the baby looks nothing like me, and then insulting your morals."

"Well perhaps this isn't the best time to discuss this with you. You're obviously not in the best frame of mind, so tell me everything that happened this morning." Ginny reached out and pulled him close to her. Instantly he found his anger began to leach away.

XXXXX

Harry's fears about the school's reaction turned out to be well founded. Learning new material for the seventh years was now over, and revision was now in full swing. Thanks to Madame Pomfrey he had to attend the first two days without the company of Ginny, which made the teasing far worst as he was sure many wouldn't have dared if she'd been there.

Unfortunately for Harry, Professor Urquhart was able to make the first DADA lesson of the week. With a totally straight face he told the class that they would review the three ways in which you could defend yourself against an adult Banshee. Harry had to then sit there while the whole class collapsed into laughter. Even Ron and Hermione joined in, much to his irritation.

Professor Flitwick suggested they review silencing Charms, even though that was an OWL subject. Then with a nervous giggle he told them that silencing charms would be of no help when dealing with a Banshee. Yet again there was uproarious laughter from the whole class. Harry was left to ponder the world he lived in. One day you toppled a government the next you were the butt of everybody's joke.

All in all Harry was very grateful when the penultimate week of the winter term ended. With any luck and the stress of looming exams it would all be forgotten about once the summer term started.

"Mr Potter I believe the week is up," Professor McGonagall said at breakfast.

"It is Professor, it is," Harry replied. "We were intending to see her when we would normally be having our Potions lesson, did you want to be there?"

"I most certainly do." That was going to complicate things Harry thought. He didn't want Rossi to blurt anything out in front of the Headmistress about the stolen gold.

"Fine then we'll see you in Myrtle's bathroom at ten," Harry answered.

"Good."

Two hours later the four of them were waiting for the Headmistress to arrive. Hermione was biting her bottom lip, and Harry knew without having to ask that she was worried whether her test was going to work. Harry had no such doubts it had already been used extensively at the Ministry over the past week without any trouble. He knew well enough though not to mention this to her and set her off.

Ginny was standing next to him and he could feel her nervousness radiating off her. He knew that her anxiety stretched all the way back to her first year at Hogwarts. He had tried to persuade her that she didn't need to come, but in true stubborn form she had brushed him off.

Ron, well Ron had immediately insulted Myrtle somehow and the ghost had already vanished round the u-bend. Harry looked at his watch and saw that it was already five past.

"I'm sorry I'm late, but Peeves was causing havoc in the kitchens. Please go ahead," Professor McGonagall said as she entered the bathroom. Harry turned to face the sink with the engraved snake on it, but Ginny beat him too it.

"Open," she commanded in Parseltongue. The only reaction from the Headmistress was a slightly raised eyebrow, but she refrained from making any direct comment. When she saw the dirty pipe that they would have to go down she looked as though she had sucked a lemon.

"Do you expect us to go down that?"

"Ah, well we bought some brooms," Harry said realising they'd only got four of the school brooms with them, and therefore were one short. After last time he hadn't wanted to bring his own as it had taken him ages to clean it to the standard he preferred.

"Well really!" The four of them then received a clear demonstration on why she was a Transfiguration Professor. In front of their eyes the large pipe expanded and steps appeared in a downward progression. The result was the brooms remained in the bathroom untouched.

"Wicked."

"Thank you Mister Weasley. Will you lead the way then Mr Potter?"

"My pleasure Professor," Harry replied, "alright Ginny."

"I'm fine. I'll be ok." Harry received a forced smile in return.

A week in the damp dark chamber had not been kind to Professor Rossi, and Harry believed she would have spilled everything she knew rather than spend another minute in there. Her hands were red raw, and most of her finger nails were broken. He realised that she must have spent a lot of time banging and clawing uselessly on the impenetrable wall. At some stage she had tripped and fallen as she was caked in filth. Her hair was a matted mess.

She had always taken a great effort in her appearance and Harry knew that if she was aware of her current condition she would be further humiliated. At the moment she was lying, he hoped, past out on the stone floor. A wave of guilt swept through him that he had done this to her, and only a light punch and glare from Ginny prevented him from immediately wanting to wake her up and apologise to her.

Harry couldn't believe that he had been so cruel and heartless. He'd spent ten years in a small pokey cupboard, and yet despite knowing what it was like he had sentenced someone to a week in this place. Self loathing enveloped him. He was a monster no better than those that had tried to kill him.

"Don't you dare compare yourself to her and her brothers," Ginny snapped. "They started this so they can suffer the consequences."

"But …"

"They wanted to kill us Harry! There's no need to think past that." Harry could see that Ron was in full agreement, but as he expected Hermione had the same doubts on her face that he had. Professor McGonagall's face was a blank mask as she looked down at her Potion Mistress, and her opinion on what he had done suddenly mattered to him.

"With the Dementors back at Azkaban she may well look back on her time spent here with fonder memories. Miss Granger I suggest you proceed with this test of yours," the professor eventually said. Hermione though didn't look keen on approaching the dirty smelly body in front of them, but she started to bend over anyway until Ron stopped her.

"Wait a minute, stupefy." The spell hit Rossi in the chest making her already limp body twitch.

"Mr Weasley was that really necessary!"

"You can't be too careful Professor she might have been faking it. Besides when else am I going to get a chance to curse a teacher," he said with a grin.

"We managed that in third year Ron," Hermione said in a matter of fact tone as she extracted a small vial of blood from the now stunned Rossi. "Remember Professor Snape in the Shrieking Shack."

"Oh yea, happy days."

"Do I need to know how that happened?" Professor McGonagall asked with a raised eyebrow.

"A story for another time I think Professor," Harry said watching avidly as the litmus paper indicated that Rossi was now clear of the Veritaserum antidote. Harry was relieved for two reasons. He wouldn't have to seal Rossi back in here, and maybe, just maybe they would track down the gold and the Santangelo brothers. "Shall we go then?"

"Not yet Harry I want to look around."

"Are you sure Ginny?" Harry asked surprised.

"I'm sure."

"Look there's no need to…"

"I need to do this Harry, of all the nightmares I have, here is the only place where I feel helpless ... where I had no control. I hate that."

"That's decided then," McGonagall announced, "we'll all have a look around, and ten points to Gryffindor for facing your fears." The Headmistress then strode down the chamber lighting the magical torches as she went. The lights burned brighter than Harry remembered from the last time he was here, and it seemed less oppressive as a result. The stone face of Salazar Slytherin took on a more human form than he remembered as well.

"Bloody hell," Ron exclaimed, "that thing is enormous." Ron had never actual entered the chamber the first time around. That dubious privilege had been reserved just for Ginny and him. The Basilisk had rotted away to mere bones, but the skull with all the remaining fangs gave a clear indication of its size.

"Harry that could have snapped you in half in a single bite," Hermione said awestruck.

"It's not as big as I remember it," Ginny said quietly her head tilted to one side as she gazed at the remains. "None of it does what do you think Harry?"

"It does all seem to be smaller," he replied. "I don't know if that's because I'm larger now or my mind exaggerated the size of the place."

"I suspect it's a little of both," McGonagall said fingering the hole in the skull caused by Gryffindor's sword. "You truly are a remarkable person Mr Potter."

"Has everybody seen enough," Harry said embarrassed by the praise.

"I think so," McGonagall said.

"Harry?"

"What Gin?"

"Do you think we should leave a message, just in case our kids inherit the ability to speak Parseltongue?"

"I don't know. We could I suppose. What did you have in mind?" There was a loud coughing and spluttering sound behind him and for a moment Harry thought that Professor McGonagall was having a severe asthma attack.

"You ok Professor," Hermione asked.

"I think it was the thought of a load of half Potters, and half Weasleys able to speak a secret language running round Hogwarts," Ron said, "and having sole access to a hidden chamber."

"It's certainly a scary thought," Harry mused. "With Fred and George as Uncles anything's possible I suppose, makes me glad I won't be here. Maybe you should retire should that happen Professor?" He couldn't keep the smile of his face at the thought of the potential mayhem there could be.

"I shall take your advice into consideration Mr Potter," the headmistress said having recovered slightly. "Fortunately I have a few years before I have to make a decision."

XXXXX

Thanks to a Portkey sent the day before, Ginny, Harry, and a still unconscious Rossi were deposited directly at Auror headquarters alleviating them of the potential nightmare of navigating their way through the Ministry. Harry fully intended to watch the interrogation through a one way mirror, but life as usual had other plans for him.

"You're needed up in the Minister's office Minister," a grey haired Auror told him once he had signed the paperwork that had been shoved at him as soon as he had arrived.

"I am not the Minister," Harry said through clenched teeth.

"Sorry sir." He looked anything but sorry, and Harry wondered if he was the target of a practical joke. "If you could make your way there as soon as possible the interim council is waiting for you." He refrained from replying and tried to ignore the sniggering from Ginny.

His suspicions that the Auror had been winding him up was confirmed as he made his way up to the Minister's office. By the time he got there every single Auror that they had met, and they had met a lot, had contrived in one way or another to call him Minister. After the fourth or fifth time he could have just shrugged it off, if he'd been on his own, but unfortunately he wasn't. Ginny's amusement ever time it happened was more annoying, so it was with a sense of release that he finally reached the Minister's office. Sitting round the table waiting for them was the goblin Slipknot, Shacklebolt, Remus, and Arthur.

"Harry come and sit down we want your opinion on a problem we have," Arthur Weasley said as soon as he opened the door. "Oh Ginny you're here as well and you're looking so much better."

"I'm feeling it too," Ginny replied hugging her father. An extra chair was soon conjured, but Ginny insisted on sitting behind Harry rather than at the table itself."So what's the problem?" Harry asked wondering if it was serious, or some sort of bureaucratic nonsense. Whatever it was he wanted to get out of here as soon as possible.

"It appears that the previous administration did not pay its annual membership fee to the International Confederation of Wizards," Arthur said

"Tell them to wait," Harry said.

"It's not that simple Harry the British Ministry is one of the largest contributors, and without it the Confederation is in danger of going bankrupt."

"Bankrupt just how much do we owe!"

"A little over eight million galleons."

"Eight million you've got to be kidding me. How many years do we owe?"

"Just this year's," Arthur said suddenly looking embarrassed.

"Let them go bankrupt."

"We can't do that," Shacklebolt said.

"Why the hell not?"

"We just can't, it's too complicated to explain easily," Arthur said and Harry took his word grudgingly that it was.

"Alright then, why are we the largest contributors?" We're hardly the richest nation."

"Historical reasons Harry. When the Confederation was first founded we were the richest Ministry, so natural we paid the most, and …"

"Because nobody wanted to create waves, or they thought it bought influence we still are," Harry interrupted instantly recognising the typical mindset of the Wizarding world.

"Well that wasn't quite how I was going to put it, but yes," Arthur said.

"Can we pay it Slipknot?" Harry asked turning towards the goblin.

"If we did Mr Potter there would be barely enough left to last the week."

"Then we don't pay," Harry said. It seemed simple enough to Harry they didn't have the money so they couldn't pay even if they wanted to, and frankly Harry didn't.

"We could pay some," Remus suggested.

"Well we could but how much?" Arthur asked.

"That would send the wrong signal," Slipknot said. "Other countries would wonder about our financial position."

"No we don't pay half, or a quarter of whatever we owe," Harry said. "We pay absolutely nothing. In fact we should demand a rebate for all the years we've over paid. If they want to avoid bankruptcy then they can get the galleons from somebody else. The best form of defence is attack."

"You have the heart of a goblin Mr Potter," Slipknot said. Harry was sure he meant it as a compliment, but somehow it didn't feel like one. Any further discussion was prevented by a knock at the door. An Auror poked his head round the door.

"Mister Shacklebolt we need a quick word," he said. Shacklebolt left the room and Harry found he wanted to get up and follow, but a small hand on his shoulder prevented him.

"He'll tell us in good time Harry," Ginny whispered.

"I don't know Harry," Arthur said. "It all seems a little …"

"Aggressive," Harry answered.

"Yes."

"When you're backed into a corner you have two options, roll over and die or come out fighting."

"And Harry would never do the first," Ginny said.

"No, no he wouldn't," Remus added. "What else do you suggest?"

"Make some unreasonable demands for reform, before we'll pay. That way you can muddy the water even more."

"And if we don't have any, make some up," Ginny added.

"Do you know that sounds like fun," Arthur said with a grin that reminded Harry of Fred and George. The door to the office burst open and Shacklebolt appeared with a grim look on his face.

"We have an address, a warehouse in Kent."

"Great let's go," Harry said standing up. Ginny was immediately beside him.

"Ginny you can't go," Arthur said.

"Yes I can, and I am."

"Are you sure you're up to it?" Harry asked.

"Don't you start," Ginny said glaring at him. Harry held his hands up in a gesture of surrender.

"What am I meant to tell your mother?" Arthur said. It was clear that was what was bothering him the most.

"Why does she have to know anything?" Ginny said.

"The clock Ginny, don't forget the family clock."

"We'll be fine Arthur. We won't get involved. I just want to be there," Harry said.

"You won't get involved, you promise."

"I promise, we'll let the professionals handle it. It'll make a nice change," Harry said. Within ten short minutes Harry and Ginny found themselves in a large car park outside a large grey, and nondescript, warehouse along with thirty odd Aurors and a half dozen Oblivators.

There was no need for subtly. The warehouse was surrounded by a ten foot high chain linked fence and the only easy way out was through an open gate. An anti-apparation ward was quickly erected before the Aurors stormed the building from all angles. The Oblivators began to wander away dealing with the odd curious muggle they came across, leaving Harry and Ginny alone in the car park next to the entrance.

"It seems wrong not being involved," Harry said listening to the sound of fighting from within the building. He wanted to enter the enclosed compound to get nearer to what was going on, but Ginny would insist on following him, so he resisted the urge.

"I know, I feel all twitchy," Ginny said. "Do you think they'll be there?"

"I don't think my luck's that good," Harry answered. At that moment a large section of the warehouse wall burst open in a shower of concrete dust leaving a ten foot wide hole. Three muggle dressed wizards, and a single witch stumbled through it wands drawn and all of them began to run towards them.

"Oh Merlin I hope mum's feeding the chickens or something," Ginny sighed drawing her wand and ducking behind the green pickup truck they had been standing next to.