SEVEN
Potter Manor
Rhineland, Germany
The night was quiet. It was broken by the occasional sound of an aircraft engine as the said aircraft droned overhead, and the occasional sound of animals going about their nightly ritual, but mostly it was quiet.
That made it the perfect opportunity for Harry and Hermione, sited in one of the balconies of the manor home, allowing them the perfect view of the moon, to just sit and talk about inconsequential staff mixed with what the two of them plan to do for the rest of their lives. As the night wind blew past them, his arms are wrapped around her, hugging her in such a way that it sent an unspoken message that he would always be there for her, while her head was resting on his shoulder.
At the room that she shares with her husband, Emma was reading another book that she had found in the extensive library. She had initially thought that she would not be able to understand anything that was in the library because they all appear to be all about magic, so she was pleasantly surprised when Dobby found an entire section filled with muggle books and notes that Emma had never read before.
At the dinning room, Al and Dan were sited across each other, a half filled glass of red wine in the flat surface in front of them, and a half empty bottle of red wine that came from the estate itself between the two of them. Reminiscing about their past, the two men found that they can speak openly when they have something to drink between the two of them, and while they would have preferred something stronger, like brandy, perhaps, they are more than content with the bottle between the two of them. Their contemplative musings are occasionally broken by the sound of guttural laughter as the two men remember some of the funnier things that they have both went through while in the service.
Indeed, it was a quiet night.
In a single moment, this quiet was shattered as Sirius and Remus materialized in the front lawn of the Manor, behind them, a levitated stretcher where a barely breathing Tonks was resting.
As Sirius pounded on the front door of the manor with his enclosed fist while Remus gave all of his attention to Tonks, making sure that her breathing, no matter how shallow, was regular and that she is still alive.
Al opened the door, his expression showing that he is ready to beat the crap out of the person who is pounding on the door, even if he knew that it can only be one like him who serve the Potter family, or who is friends with the Potter family and their guests. The manor, after all, is protected by the most powerful wards that all the sentient magical species in the world can offer.
Upon seeing Sirius in the front door, Al's first reaction was to raise his eyebrows and ask him what the hell he is doing in Germany and what the hell happened to their diversion mission in London. When Al saw Remus, there was no change in the question that he wanted to ask, he just raised his other eyebrow, but when he saw what Remus was doing, everything else disappeared.
Trained as a soldier and a member of a Special Forces Unit, Al can smell the blood in the air, even if he does not have the same super smelling sense that Remus has.
"Dan" Al said as he rushed towards the stretcher, "Prepare for emergency surgery, if you will" Al pulled out his wand and began to summon some of the things that he thought they would need for this emergency surgery, "Ask Emma if she can join us, I think we need another medical professional, but make Harry and Hermione stay put"
Dan, who had followed Al to the front door nodded and turned back into the house to go about the suggestions that Al had given him.
Al, on the other hand, joined Remus and Sirius. The faces of the three men were turned on the young lady that was lying in front of them, blood pooling around her right leg and on her left thigh, "What happened?" Al asked as he applied pressure on the hole on the left thigh, Remus did the same with the right leg.
"Ambushed" Remus said as he hurriedly conjured a bandage, "We were checking out Number Four when the Dursley's opened fire at us" he shook his head, "Have no idea what the hell that bastard was holding Al, but he managed to cut me and Tonks down real quick"
Al nodded, he applied the bandages, specially designed by magic to exert pressure on the wound, and then turned towards Sirius "Order business?" he asked.
"order business" Sirius replied, nodding his head, he motioned to the lady that was still unconscious as a result of her wounds, and added, "She's my cousin, so I cannot just leave her"
"Got it" Al said, he nodded to Remus, who levitated the stretcher and they hurriedly entered the house. Remus set her down at the first flat surface that he can find that would serve as a table, and it just so happened that the first flat surface that would serve that he found was a hastily conjured, by Al, dinning table at the living room.
At that moment, Dan and Emma entered the living room, both carrying bags that the three wizards guessed contained all their things. Al knew that both are dentists, but they are the only medical professionals that hey can depend on right now, and while they are not used to this, Al knew that Dan has experience, seeing that he was pressed into surgery during the war while Al knew that Emma was a dental surgeon.
"What happened?" Emma asked, taking charge, she positioned herself before her patient, but in the process, removing Sirius, who had no idea what he is supposed to do.
"Ambush" Remus replied, he was pushed off his position by Dan, who examined the patient with his eyes, "Two bullet injuries"
"Dan" Al said, he removed the two bandages that he had placed on the wound, since they are already non-functional due to the amount of blood that they are forced to absorb, "Femoral artery on the left, nicked, the wound on the right is superficial compared to the one on the left"
Dan nodded, "We need to remove the bullet on both wounds" he said, he looked at Al and asked, "Can't you just remove them with magic?"
Al shook his head, "Summoning the bullet would be too damaging, we cannot pull the bullet recklessly," he explained, "We can banish and cauterize her limbs, but that would be a last resort" he looked at Sirius and Remus who both nodded, confirming his earlier statement, "If we can remove them using surgical means, or at least, with as least damage as possible, that would be preferable"
Dan nodded; he shook his head before he opened his bag to retrieve some tools.
At that moment, Harry and Hermione entered the room, the Potter heir said "Al" as he entered the room, and then he saw Sirius and Remus, both of whom covered in blood, "Sirius, Remus?" he asked, he clearly wanted to ask what happened, but at that moment, he saw Tonks lying on the surface.
"Sirius, Remus" Al said, "Take Harry and Hermione out of here" when both men hesitated, since they both clearly wanted to be in the living room when the surgery, make-shift as it may be, begins, Al looked at the two men and nearly shouted, "Go"
Both older wizards were not surprised in the commanding voice that their younger counter-part had used. They both nodded, and walked out of the room, taking Harry and Hermione with them.
"Al" Dan said as he mentally prepared himself for the coming operation, "We can remove the bullets, hopefully, but can we stabilize her after that?"
"We'll need more than morphine and IV's for this one" Emma said, she looked at the patient on the surface and added, "And we also need to move fast"
Al paused for a few moments, and then he nodded, "We'll need Harry's help for the next stage, I'm afraid, but we need to remove those bullets first if the patient can hope for any chance of survival" he sighed again before adding, "None of us know anything about healing magic, so we have to depend on muggle surgery," he explained, "if this was not so critical, I would have preferred sending her over to our healer, but she is in a location that, of all the people in this manor, only I, Harry and Hermione can enter, unless Harry gives permission and we haven't talked to him about it yet"
Dan nodded, "Right" he said, he turned to his wife and said, "I'll try to retrieve the bullet, Emma, I need you to apply external pressure on the surface of the wound, Al, I need you to watch over the patient"
The two assistants nodded their acknowledgement of their assignments and silently went about their task.
At the dinning room, both Sirius and Remus herded Harry and Hermione and asked them to sit with them. The two older wizards were delighted, or at least, as delighted as they could be given their condition, that there was a bottle of wine left on the dinning table. The moment that they took their seats, both adult wizards were given glass wines which they promptly filled to the brim.
Harry and Hermione watched the two adults as they proceeded to empty their first glass with one gulp, and the refill their glasses again, before Harry asked, "What happened?"
Remus turned to Harry and sighed, "Dora and I" he began, "were sent by the Order to investigate Privet Drive, we thought we had the perfect cover, we were a couple out for a moonlight stroll, but then, before we can even get close to the house, someone inside the house mowed us down" he sighed and added, upon seeing the expression on the face of Harry, "it was a muggle firearm Harry, not spell-fire"
Harry nodded, "Would she be alright?" he asked.
Sirius shook his head, "We don't know" he replied truthfully, and then he sighed before adding, "Dora is my cousin, Harry, and I cannot allow her to fall in the hands of the Old Bastard, so I thought I should bring her here"
"You did the right things Sirius" Harry said, he looked at Hermione, who silently gave her approval, before adding, "We can have her join this little group of ours once she is healed"
"Remus, Sirius" Hermione said, "Anyone of you knows healing magic?"
Both older wizards shook their heads, "Neither does Al" Remus admitted, "and the wound on Dora was critical, she may die, so Al decided to ask your parents for help" he emptied his wine glass with a single gulp as well, and then poured the remaining contents of the bottle into his glass, before adding, "Al knows that Dan has experience in make-shift surgery, while Emma is a dental surgeon,"
Harry and Hermione nodded, though both remained silent for the next half an hour. Occasionally, one of the four would take a glance at the wall clock hanging on the far wall to check the time, but none would speak.
The silence was broken when Al and Dan entered the room. Both men looked exhausted, and did not speak until they were sited at the table, "We've managed to remove both rounds" Al said, he sighed and then added, "5.56 from the looks of it, standard rifle issue, and it is highly illegal for a civilian to own a firearm in the United Kingdom without permit, I do not think that the Dursley's have them"
"She's stable for now" Dan added, "But we need to get her to a proper medical facility, or she won't make it"
Al sighed; he looked at Harry as he withdrew a key from his pocket. He placed the key in front of Harry, and said, "I need you to grant everyone here permission to go Potter Island, Harry" at the blank expression on the face of Harry, Al added, "only you, me and Hermione have permission right now"
Harry nodded, "I grant permission to everyone in this house to enter Potter Island" he said. Nothing happened, but Al was not disturbed by this fact, so, Harry decided not to ask the battle wizard anything about it.
Al stood up and took the key, "Let's go" he said. Everyone stood up and followed him to the living room where Emma was watching over Tonks. The senior Granger girl looked at the approaching party with raised eyebrows, but did not speak.
"We're going to Potter Island" Al said, he instructed everyone to form a circle around Tonks and hold hands, making sure that they are at least within five feet of Tonks, before he placed the key on Tonks. There was no incantation or wand movements involved in this method of travel, it was one moment, they were standing in the living room of Potter Manor in the Rhine, the next, they were standing in another living room.
Unlike the living room in the Potter Manor in the Rhine, this living room was larger and more ornately decorated. A full hundred men could probably sit comfortably in this living room, and there would be room to spare for the ones who are forced to stand.
The Potter crest was also prominently displayed in this room, it was carved on the far wall, and flanking the crest was a banner, which also displayed the Potter crest, on the left and the flag of the United Kingdom on the right.
Beside the two flags were arched passageways that everyone guessed leads to the house itself. On the wall opposite the Potter crest was an ornately designed, and possibly hand-carved, wooden double door that everyone guessed leads to the outside world. The door was positioned in such a way that the Potter crest would be the first thing that anyone would see as they enter the house.
Barely five seconds have passed before the double doors leading to the outside world opened, and a man entered the room. He was dressed in jungle fatigues and had a rifle strapped behind his back, and despite the fact that he looked threatening, he smiled at everyone and asked, "Which one of you is Lord Potter?"
Before Harry can reply, Al cut him off, "We can discuss that later Hec" he said, he motioned to Tonks and said, "Alert sick bay that we have injured please"
The man that Al referred to as Hec nodded, and hurriedly left through the way that he came. He returned a few moments later, but this time, he was accompanied by four men, who were dressed in white uniforms that reminded everyone of a medic. The four new arrivals cast several spells to diagnose Tonks, before the apparent leader of the four turned to Al and reported, "We need to get her to the sick bay as soon as possible, Commander, she does not have that long if we tarry"
Al nodded, "Go" he commanded simply, he watched as the four gently levitated the stretcher where Tonks was lying down and as the four hurriedly left the room through the double doors. Al looked at Sirius and Remus and then asked, "Would either of you accompany her?"
Remus nodded, "I would" he replied, Sirius was about to say that he would too, but Remus shot down the idea by saying, "Harry needs you here so you can explain some things that we purposely kept him in the dark of" he looked at Harry and said, "I promise that you would get all the answers soon"
Harry nodded, but before he can reply, Remus was already running after the medics who have taken Tonks, leaving behind the Granger party, Sirius, Harry, Al, and the man that Al had called Hec.
The man referred to as Hec was the first one to move, he looked at Al with a questioning look at his face, and then at Harry, before looking back at Al. He had already deduced who the Potter heir is by watching the conversation.
"Harry" Al said, and then he motioned towards Hec and said, "This is Hector William Boones, he is my second in command and is the caretaker of Potter Island while you were gone"
Hector bowed to Harry, "My Lord" he said, he brought himself up to full height, just two inches over six feet, making him taller than even Al, who was the tallest in Harry's party, "My name is Hector William Boones, but mostly everyone calls me Hec, and as you would have probably discerned from my accent, I was born in the United States"
Harry nodded; he extended his hand towards Hec, who took the offered hand, though he was, from the look on his face, undoubtedly surprised, "Harry Potter" Harry replied, "please call me Harry"
Hec looked at Al, who nodded, before he turned his attention back to Harry and smiled, "It would be an honor to call you Harry" he said.
"You already know Sirius" Al said, continuing with the introductions right after Harry and Hec let go of each others hands. Al motioned towards Hermione and added, "This is Hermione Granger" Al said, "She is Harry's fiancé, though they are already married in the magical world" and then at Dan and Emma, "My old friend, Daniel Granger, with whom I've served with during the Falklands Conflict, and his wife, Emma, Hermione's parents"
Hec smiled at all of them, "Welcome to Potter Island" he replied, inclining his head slightly towards each of them as they were introduced, "I understand that you came from Germany, we are four hours ahead of Germany, so you might have some problems adjusting, Lord…Harry" he quickly amended, as he turned towards Harry, "I understand that you have a house-elf?" and when Harry nodded, Hec said, "I would have your elf summoned here in the morning, but for now, please, get some rest," he smiled as he added, "We would have the tour tomorrow right after breakfast" he looked at Al and asked, "I think we can postpone their training for that?"
Al smiled, "That's fine" he replied.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Scotland
If there was one thing that Dumbledore hated more than anything, it was being disturbed in his sleep.
The Headmaster had gone to bed early that evening since he was sure that he would have to wake up early in the morning to take personal charge of the hunt for Harry Potter. He was so convinced that all of his problems would be solved if he can find the boy.
When the knocking on the door to his private chambers got too loud that even Dumbledore is unable to ignore them in his sleep, the old man sighed and stood up. After he gathered his cloak around his shoulders, he opened the door and found his old friend, Alastor Moody standing there.
Dumbledore invited the old fighter in, surprised at his appearance, and at the same time, anxious to know what it is that he is delivering that saw him, Moody, standing in front of the doors to the private chambers of Albus Dumbledore in the middle of the night.
"Alastor" Dumbledore greeted as soon as the two of them were sited in the private living room of Dumbledore, both of them holding cups of hot chocolate to keep them awake, "I am surprised since you never usually report this late"
"I thought that you would want to know as quickly as possible" Moody replied in his gruff voice, he looked at Dumbledore intently and said, "Tonks and Remus were ambushed by Potter's muggle relations, they have both disappeared"
Dumbledore dropped his cup, which promptly shattered upon making contact with the ground. A quick repairing charm and cleaning charm later, the cup was whole again, though the chocolate in it, gone.
"There's more" Moody said, "I think that they managed to return to Headquarters, Albus"
"Then what is the problem Alastor?" Dumbledore asked, showing open irritation at being disturbed in the middle of his sleep.
Moody raised his voice, he too was irritated, though the reason for his irritation was different than the one that Dumbledore has, "the problem" the old auror began "is that you forgot that Sirius and Tonks are cousins"
Dumbledore sighed, he sadly added, "So, Sirius has already left the Order"
Moody nodded, "And Remus went along with him" he added, "Not surprising, considering that he was her partner when they were fired upon, and I am betting that Tonks would follow both of them in leaving the Order"
Dumbledore nodded, "Do you think that they would return if we can find Harry?" he asked calmly, even though deep inside, the old man seethed. The Black Family fortune, something which Sirius controls, is necessary for him to see the completion of his plan. For that, he needs Sirius.
"I don't know" Moody replied, "but I do not think so" at the shocked look on the face of Dumbledore, Moody added, "Sirius and Remus are more inclined to believe Potter than you Albus, after all, in the case of Sirius, who was it that rescued them and who was it that stood in the side and allowed an incompetent minister of magic to nearly commit legal murder?" Moody did not allow his old friend to answer that question, instead, he continued, "Tonks would follow Sirius, even if family magic doesn't compel her"
"But Andromeda…." Dumbledore began.
Moody cut him off, "Even if that is the case, Sirius considers Tonks and her mother as his cousins, and Sirius is now head of the Black family, so family magic still works" he looked at Albus and said, "Without Sirius"
"We have no headquarters in London" Dumbledore concluded, he sighed and said, "For the time being, we'll make Hogwarts as our headquarters," he sighed and suggested, "I would speak with Harry during the hearing, offering him membership with the Order would mean that Sirius and Remus would return to us, and we can regain our headquarters"
"It's not that simple, Albus" Moody began.
Dumbledore cut him off, "You don't know Harry like I do, Alastor" he replied, he sighed, and in an almost sad voice, he added, "The Greater Good demands that he follow my lead"
"The boy is not your puppet" Moody replied.
Dumbledore nodded, but did not reply. Inside of him, however, Dumbledore seethed. He acknowledged that Harry is not yet his puppet, but that would change soon. Dumbledore made up his mind there and then to accelerate his plans regarding Harry and the youngest Weasley girl as soon as possible. He would ask Molly to help Ginevra prepare the love potion for Harry and Dumbledore would administer it during the hearing.
Even though Harry had chosen someone else to represent him for the hearing, Dumbledore was sure that he would be able to convince Harry to drink the potion. At the same time, the plan to get Hermione Granger for Ronald Weasley must also move forward. Dumbledore knows that he cannot afford to have the young witch question why Harry and Ginevra are suddenly very close.
Unfortunately, the only time that Dumbledore would have sure access to Hermione would be during the welcoming first. In the unlikely event, however, that the two would be together during the hearing, Dumbledore is planned to administer the love potion to both during the hearing. With luck, Dumbledore would have nearly unlimited access to the Potter vaults again, and influence over the Black family vaults, at the end of the week after the hearing.