Chapter two

Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Minister. Arthur Weasley, the Minister's advisor. Minerva McGonagall, the headmistress of Hogwarts. Aberforth Dumbledore, owner of the Hogs Head pub. Garrick Ollivander, of Ollivanders fine wands. Harriet Malkin, from Madame Malkins robes for all occasions. George Weasley, from Weasley Wizard Wheezes. Garner Shellbourne, from Flourish and Blots and a few other shop owners and ministry people all sat around having a very serious and intense meeting. They were all trying to come up with way to repair shops, the ministry and Hogwarts, caused by the war and of course the death eaters.

The newly reformed Wizengamot had taken some money from death eater vaults, but they couldn't seize all the money as the rest of their families were proven not to be death eaters or had been forced. That money they did seize was not enough to help with the repairs the wizarding world needed. They would all write down ideas then sit and decide how they would go about it. One decision made, they would be putting on a ball at the ministry, people would need to pay to attend. They were going to get the magical world's most famous band the Weird Sisters to play for the night but also mingle with the guests. They were also going to try and get some other well-known or famous people, some like Viktor Krum, the Bulgarian seeker, also Gwenog Jones, the captain of the all-woman quidditch team, the Holyhead Harpies. They were also going to get famous authors to attend.

What everyone said that would sell every ticket, was if they could get Harry Potter to attend. They all knew that would be hard as Harry hated attention, but they said they would discuss it with him. Another idea that a man called Pearson Sutcliff had, was one from the muggle world but had been very successful. Again, Harry Potter's name was mentioned but also lots of other well-known and famous people would need to volunteer. So after many meetings, over many weeks, they had two ideas that would raise a lot of money but they all knew it would only work if they could talk Harry Potter into attending both.

On Sunday when everyone would be home, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minerva McGonagall and Aberforth Dumbledore arrived at the Burrow. They looked at one another with identical sceptical looks, before they knocked and stepped into the kitchen of the Weasley home.

'I've asked the family to join us, along with the others you requested to be here, but I never mentioned a meeting to Harry. If he thought something was going on, he would just leave for a while and not return until it was over. He's determined to rest and not do anything and he refuses to let anyone talk him into doing something he doesn't want to do,' Arthur said the moment he saw the three people walk inside and sit down.

'We know trying to get Harry to agree to this is going to be hard Arthur. Minerva had an idea that he just might listen to and we hope that will realise how much help our world needs, so he might do it,' Kingsley said.

'Well the family will be here any minute, apart from Charlie, Ginny and Ron, who are upstairs. Hermione is up with Ron, Harry is probably asleep on one of the sunbeds, that's usually where he is. Auguster Longbottom and Neville should be here soon, along with Seamus Finnegan, Luna Lovegood and Dean Thomas.'

'Speaking of family,' Molly smiled as her eldest son and his wife stepped out of the fireplace, just as George and Percy stepped in through the door.

'So what going on, it's like an order of the phoenix meeting?' Bill asked.

'We'll explain when everyone is here Bill, but no, it's not an order meeting. We did discuss whether we should keep it going, but at the moment, there is no need. Oh here's Auguster, Neville, Seamus, Luna and Dean.' Kingsley gave them all a smile.

'I'll go get Charlie, Ginny, Ron and Hermione, Arthur, go find Harry and hope he doesn't hex you if you wake him,' Molly said.

'Yes, he does have a tendency to do that, so I'll be careful Molly.'

'What's going on Professor?' Neville asked.

'We'll explain soon Neville.'

Molly, Ginny, Charlie, Ron and Hermione walked down the stairs and took a seat. A few minutes later, Harry and Arthur walked in with Arthur holding a bloody nose and Harry repeatedly saying sorry.

'You startled him again dad, didn't you. We keep telling you to use a feather tickling charm or a chilling charm on him,' Ron said.

'Man I'm sorry Mr. Weasley.'

'It's fine Harry, I knew not to wake you suddenly. Molly will fix my nose, you just sit down.'

Harry sighed and sat next to Hermione, 'I might get rid of my wand, I keep hexing everyone.'

'So you're a bit jumpy Harry?' Kingsley asked.

'Yeah, mainly at being woken suddenly or loud cracking noises. I've hexed Ron a few times, Charlie twice, Hermione once and even Mrs. Weasley once. It's lucky I don't use anything dangerous. Anyway, what's going on and please don't say it's anything dangerous?'

'Nothing like that Harry, just something we need to discuss with all of you.'

'We can start now and Harry it's fine, so don't worry about it,' Arthur said as he sat down with his wife.

'I'm just still on edge, I can't relax. Maybe if I stay drunk that might help.'

'Harry,' Hermione scolded.

'Sorry mum,' Harry said giving his friend a cheeky smile, but made everyone else laugh.

'Alright, as you all know there is a lot of damage done to Hogwarts, to the ministry and to almost every shop throughout Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. I put together a group of people to come up with ideas that will raise money to help pay for the repairs. We sat together over the last month, just throwing ideas around to see how we can raise a lot of money and before you offer anymore Harry, no, you've given enough. It's time the rest of the wizarding world help,' Kingsley said.

'Well I was going to offer, but I can give more you know and I want to help.'

'We know you do Harry, what you have already given me for Hogwarts will help a lot. But Kingsley is right, you've done enough,' Minerva gave Harry a smile.

'So what are these ideas Kingsley?' Charlie asked.

'The first is a ball that will be held at the ministry. Now we are going to invite famous and well known witches and wizard, everyone else will need to buy a ticket and they will get to talk to these people. I've contacted Viktor Krum and Gwenog Jones, they have both agreed to be there on the night. The Weird Sisters are going to play but also mingle with the crowd. Now I've been asked that certain other people be invited, these people fought at the battle of Hogwarts, like you Neville, you're grandmother, even Molly. But of course the one everyone wants to see is Harry.'

'Forget it Kingsley, I said I'm not going to be pawned over by everyone. The one time I went out, I came home with bruises all over me. Woman kept hugging me or pinching me. I couldn't sit down all day.'

All the young people around the table started laughed, the older ones tried not to, but they couldn't help it and joined in laughing.

'We know Harry and we're sorry, but we really need to raise money and even Aberforth is going to be there so he can speak with people, which will mostly be about his brother, but he's willing to do it to help raise money. Hermione and Ron of course gets mentioned a lot, but so do all your DA that stayed to fight. Since Neville, Ginny, Seamus, and Luna led the resistance inside Hogwarts, they have all been asked to attend. Now we can't have the DA without their leader Harry. So if I keep an auror with you to make sure no one touches you, will you please consider going?'

'Come on Harry, we'll do it and we can make sure we are with you, to stop woman pinching your arse,' Neville said laughing again.

'Do they feel you up anywhere else?' Seamus said making everyone laugh as Harry went bright red.

'None of your business Seamus.'

'Everyone just wants to see who made our world safe Harry and you never know, it might end up being a good night with a lot of friends. You know Ron and I will stay with you and I'll hex anyone that tries to pinch your backside,' Hermione grinned.

Harry scowled at his friends before he faced Kingsley, 'Are any reporters going to be there?'

'Only two, one from the Daily Prophet and one from Witch Weekly. Now there will be guidelines that they will have to follow. One is that you are not to be the only person they speak to and they will not bring up anything about Voldemort. Our world is moving on, so that name can be put behind us like all of us are trying to do. Just having you there will guarantee we will raise a lot of money, so you will do it?'

Harry sighed but could see everyone around the table wanted him to, 'Fine, but I don't get left alone or I might end up with my clothes ripped again,' that was it, everyone at the Burrow all broke up laughing, but after a while, so did Harry.