AN – I own nothing!
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Chapter 24
The press conference room at the Ministry building was slowly getting filled up with a number of people, and reporters from newspapers such as the Daily Prophet and news programs like the Wizarding and Witching News Network, or simply, the WWNN. Everyone in the room got a tip from an anonymous call, informing them that something big was about to happen at the Ministry at a certain hour. The hour was already closing in.
"What is going on?" Arthur Weasley asked as he approached Albus, Remus and Minerva. Nymphadora Tonks, who was an auror, was right next to him, puzzled as well.
"Did you inform everyone in the Order that we have an emergency meeting at headquarters after this?" Albus asked the two.
"Yes, they're all there," Tonks answered. "I'm sure they're all watching the television now. The young ones are over at the Burrow, Harry included.
"Everything will be explained later on. Now, I must go to the back," Albus told them. He excused himself, and headed to the front of the room, and entered a single door leading backstage.
"You know what's going on don't you?" Tonks asked Remus softly, leaning close to him. She looked at him and noticed that he seemed somewhat calm.
Remus placed his mouth close to her ear and then whispered, "Nymphadora, when the time comes, you will know the truth. Just remember, everything is all for the war." He then pulled away and just watched her nod in response.
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Albus stood up behind the podium, and cleared his throat in front of the microphone. The people in the room heard him, and quieted down after awhile, drawing their attentions to him. "Ladies and gentlemen," he greeted everyone. "I am Albus Dumbledore. Headmaster of Hogwarts. Thank you all for coming." He saw Rita Skeeter then raise her hand. Couldn't the woman wait? "Questions will be answered later on."
Rita sighed impatiently and placed her hand down.
"Now, for the main speaker of this event… King Richard!"
Everyone in the room gasped in disbelief. The King himself? Light bulbs and cameras started flicking away at the man who now stood at the podium. They never noticed the men that popped up around the room wearing black robes, with the golden crest of the royal family on the left side of their chest. They were the bodyguards of the King. Reporters started raising their hands left and right, and asking their questions out loud.
"Hold your questions for later please," he said, as he waived at them to be silent. Soon enough, they were and King Richard started to speak. "It is good to be back, after so many years. I apologize to you—my people for disappearing for so many years. I had my reasons to do so, but now I am back.
"One of the reasons why I went into hiding was because of my family. If I had stayed, then we all would have died. The throne and crown would have been lost. So, to keep your questions at bay, my answer is yes, I do have an heir. A grandchild to be exact. For now, I will not divulge any information due to the risks. Protection is a must for now.
"With that, as of ten this morning, Cornelius Fudge has been erased from his position. I have appointed Kingsley Shacklebolt," gestures to the man behind him to his right, "as the new Minister of Magic. As you may know, he is a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Together, the Order and I will work together so that the war with the dark will eventually come to an end. This my people, I promise you." He paused for a moment, and looked around the room. Murmurs were flying around. "Now, are there any questions?"
Instantly all the reporters in the room had their hands up, and were calling for the King's attention.
"Miss Skeeter," the King nodded at her.
"Your Highness. You weren't here for quite a long time. And now you just come back and try to take on the war. What do you even know of it?" she questioned bluntly.
"I know everything about it. I had my own spies for all this time. Everything that happened within my own kingdom, I knew about."
"And who were these spies?" she added as she had her special pen and parchment ready to write the answers.
"That, I will not tell you," he answered. "Mrs. Abbot, your question."
"My King. How is it that you have a grandchild when your son died?" she asked.
"Yes my son died, but he had a child. I will not tell you any information from there, but my grandchild is of age, and is ready to take on the throne if anything happens to me. My family and I are ready to take on this war. We will fight for you." He ignored the raising of hands. "That will be all. Thank you." He then turned to face Albus and Kingsley. The three of them exiting the room briskly, with all the bodyguards following behind them, trying to push the press away.
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"My Merlin," Arthur managed to say, even though he was in shock. "I didn't see that one coming."
"Come, we all must head to headquarters," Minerva said, as she placed her arm on Arthur's. Remus and Nymphadora following them a step behind.
"How long have you known?" Nymphadora asked Remus.
"A few weeks. And trust me, I was in the same shock as you are right now," he answered.
"Why didn't you tell me? You could've trusted me, and you know that."
Remus sighed and looked at her. He knew he could trust her, and she really wouldn't tell anyone. "If I could, I would have. I made an oath with King Richard. He wanted it to be kept a secret. I never lied to you, and I never would."
Nymphadora didin't say anything, but accepted his answer. She placed her hand in his, walking quickly outside. They were going to apparate to 12 Grimmauld Place.
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"Do you have to go?" Hermione asked Severus sadly as she watched him button the front of his robes. She was seated at the edge of the bed. She and Severus watched the press conference on the television. The entire time, she was nervous.
"You know I have to be at the Order meeting, for I am a senior member. I cannot miss it," he answered as he finished the last button.
"You'll be so far away," she sighed. She and Severus were always so close to each other over the short weeks. He was never far from her.
Severus moved and knelt down in front of her. His hands on her waist. "I won't be long Little One. I know that we have never been far apart, but if I can feel you, then I will allow you to feel me."
"You always try to block your emotions from me. Sometimes I can't feel you."
Severus sighed. He wasn't all that comfortable allowing Hermione to feel his feelings. Not after what happened the first time. He couldn't let that happen again. "Your grandfather will be back soon. You will not be alone. This place is very well warded. You will be safe."
"You won't be here…"
"Soon, after the meeting," he said rubbing her cheek. He bent forward and kissed her. "I promise, I'll be quick as I can."
Hermione nodded slowly.
"I love you," Severus said as he gave her a quick hug.
Hermione didn't say anything. She watched Severus walk out the room, his robes billowing behind him. She would miss him so.
As Severus walked out the room, he felt her sadness. It hurt him. He knew that she wanted him to hold her, making it go away. He hated being the cause of such emotion. Still he had to go to the meeting. He thought to himself and knew that the both of them had to learn how to be apart, most especially Hermione.
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AN – It'll be the first time our lovely couple will be apart for a long distance. Meeting with the Order is up next. Will they take it well? Review!