CHAPTER 12

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As Ginny and Harry walked out of the Ministry in silence, Harry's mind kept swimming over what the Minister had said to him. Did she know things Harry did not? Could she perhaps see into the future?

"Blood on hands, hands of time, side-kick dispersing at 7-0-9," Harry muttered inaudibly to himself. But the more he thought about it, the more the line confused him. At 7-0-9, was that a time, co-ordinates, a code, or something completely different?

And how about the other one she said as Harry left, "Hansel and Gretel left a trail, but only the wolves followed… get rid of the breadcrumbs Harry." Was she referring to how the Death Eaters found him? Did he leave a trail behind? The thought that Death Eaters were following him made him feel sick to his stomach. He looked over his shoulder cautiously, just making sure that there wasn't a figure in the background, looming in the shadows and stalking his every move. Harry was concentrating so hard on these riddles that he was taken by surprise when Ginny grabbed his hand again and apparated. It was an unspoken agreement between them that they wouldn't talk about what happened to anyone – the moment where they almost kissed, almost returned to old ways. Ginny seemed to be dead set on forgetting it, so Harry attempted to do the same.

They reappeared outside George's apartment, as soon as their feet were on solid ground Ginny pushed Harry's hand away as fast as she could, as if it were somehow contaminated.

"You know, I can apparate perfectly well by myself," he muttered a little angrily. He didn't like not talking about it, what they refused to discuss had become like a barrier between them.

"Old habits die hard," Ginny replied, matching his angry tone. They stared at each other for a few seconds, summing each other up.

"Apparently," Harry muttered under his breathe. Ginny raised her eyebrows at him and shook her head, disregarding what he had said. Harry almost felt like duelling her again, to get out all this anger and frustration into something practical. He wanted to have both Ginny's and his swords in his hands, to feel a small sense of victory, because at that moment he felt like everything else in his life was failing in one shape or form. Harry loved using his sword; he had always felt a connection to it ever since he first pulled it out of the sorting hat. He also felt it was a more noble death to die from a blade than from the Killing Curse. After the battle, Ginny had bought a sword and together they trained, until the swords they held in their hands felt like a familiar friend.

When Harry looked up, Ginny was staring at George's apartment door, a deep frown etched on her face, nodding her head abruptly as if counting in her head.

"Ginny, what're you – ,"

"Sh!" She warned, raising her arm and continuing to frown and nod, occasionally counting on her fingers. Harry looked at the door and immediately saw what Ginny was looking at; there in George's scrawl were several numbers.

14 6 14 8 – 11 15 26 24 22

Harry frowned at it, curious as to what it meant but he waited patiently for Ginny to finish.

"Okay," she sighed, grabbing the sheet from the door and plunging it into her pocket. She then grabbed Harry's hand again and apparated. When their feet touched solid ground she dropped his hand again and withdrew the piece of parchment from her pocket in a single motion. "See this?" She asked, raising it to Harry's face, "this is code… my family created it for security purposes. It's very simple, each number represents a letter… the letter 'Z' for example, is the number '1'… 'Y' is '2'… you get me?" Harry nodded, "this says 'Mum's house.'"

"But why?" Harry asked,

"Well the Death Eaters found you, didn't they? So obviously George's apartment isn't safe… so we can't stay there… and we can't leave any trail behind that we ever were there. I suppose Mum's house is the only place George could go to that would be accommodating for our needs," Harry slowly nodded as Ginny pushed the parchment back into her pocket. He looked around at his surroundings. They were standing in a reasonably large yard filled with various shrubs and flowers. A garage stood to the right of them, its rotten wooden doors closed but Harry could swear he could see a car within it. In front of them was a tall house made of a dark brick, it had this old-fashioned feel to it but it didn't hold the same comfort and familiarity as the Burrow.

"This is where your parents live now?" Harry asked curiously,

"Yeah," said Ginny, "The Burrow burnt down – while we were still in it actually, we managed to apparate out before any serious damage was done to us." Harry saw Ginny's hand subconsciously run over a small red blister on her arm before she began strolling to the front door, Harry followed.

"What're we going to do about…"

"You?"

"Yes…" Ginny frowned in thought for a moment as they arrived at a dark wooden door. She rapped on it with her knuckles a few times and there was the distinctive sound of shuffling inside.

"Not entirely sure to be honest…" Ginny said slowly.

"Who is it?" Harry heard a voice say from inside, it sounded like George.

"It's us," Ginny said.

"Well us could technically mean anyone…" said George's voice "is it the good 'us' or the bad 'us'?" Ginny let out a deep sigh and rolled her eyes,

"It's just us, okay?"

There was the sound of a lock clicking and the door opened an inch, the slightly amused eye of George was spotted.

"What is your favourite colour?" He mused

"This isn't a quest for the freaking Holy Grail George, just let me in!"

"Do not mock the precautions!" George said in the perfect imitation of Mrs. Weasley's voice, Harry snorted. Ginny pulled her wand out of her pocket,

"I'm still the best bat-bogey hexer you ever knew George, don't tempt me." A flicker of a smile went across her face. George rolled his eyes and opened the door,

"Stubborn much?" He said to himself in an irritated whisper.

"Who is it?" Came Mrs. Weasley's voice from the other room,

"Ginny!" George called back as Ginny stepped through the threshold.

Harry followed her but was soon stopped, as the door was suddenly shut in his face. Harry vaguely heard Ginny say,

"Hi mum," Harry pushed on the door but obviously Ginny was leaning against it because it remained shut. He sighed impatiently and placed his head against the wood, hoping to hear what they were saying inside.

"What's going on?" Mrs. Weasley had replied. There was a pause; Harry could almost feel Mrs. Weasley's eyes looking both George and Ginny up and down. "You're hiding something," she said suspiciously.

"No we're not," Ginny replied almost too quickly, there was another silence.

"Whose that I saw behind you then?" There was a brief silence,

"No one."

"Mmm," Mrs. Weasley replied. Harry heard the sounds of Ginny being shoved away from the door. It opened slightly and the eye of Mrs. Weasley could only be seen, she looked Harry up and down very briefly, her lips pursed.

"Oh, it's that stranger you took in," she stated disapprovingly. The door was left open a crack and Harry took this as an invitation to come inside. As he stepped through the door he noticed Ginny was leaning against the wall to his left, and George was sitting on the couch, his elbows on his knees. As he entered he whispered to Ginny so only she could hear,

"And after locking me out what exactly did you plan on doing?" To which she responded with a one-armed shrug, he sighed impatiently. Harry observed that Jack wasn't in the room, which moderately pleased him. Harry was sure that the moment Ginny saw him she would get a guilty expression on her face; also, Harry didn't want to watch Jack's fawning attitude towards Ginny for another minute if he could, he found it somewhat sickening – like watching a clichéd romantic movie.

Mrs. Weasley was standing in the middle of the room, looking at George with her back to Harry and her hands on her hips. On Harry's entrance Mrs. Weasley turned around briefly, her eyes darted over Harry's body and resting the sword now in Harry's belt, she frowned then looked up at George in impatience. But George wasn't looking at her, he staring at Harry with such intensity it felt to Harry as if his eyes were burning holes in his skin. Harry had completely forgotten about his face being healed until that moment – when a small grin spread across George's face, but under Mrs. Weasley's stare it soon disappeared.

"Something is going on, I know it."

"Mum," began George, clearing his throat slightly, "we're grown people, we don't need you to constantly hound on us anymore…"

"Hound on you?" She asked angrily.

"Okay, maybe that was a poor choice of words…" George muttered calmly, "but it's our business…we don't have to constantly involve you."

"Oh," Said Mrs. Weasley, raising her eyebrows. George immediately realised he had said the wrong thing and recoiled slightly in his chair. "I see… so the fact that I raised you means nothing to you? That my blood runs in your veins?" George looked to Ginny for help but all she could do was grimace and shrug, indicating her helplessness. "I know you both inside out and I know when you're hiding something, so go ahead, say it." George rubbed his hand over his eyes,

"It does involve her," Ginny said to George, although she was looking at Harry. "I just… didn't want to give her false hope until we knew for sure."

"Knew what for sure?" Asked Mrs. Weasley, her eyes moving between her two children's faces.

"It's complicated mum," he mumbled, and then waved his hand in the direction of Harry. Mrs. Weasley frowned and turned to look at Harry, whose heart was now speeding in his chest. She only glanced at his face briefly before she turned back to George,

"Yes, I've already seen –," she began, but then stopped and did a double take, her eyes soaking up Harry's features. Mrs. Weasley looked practically the same since Harry last saw her, but there was something in her eyes that had completely changed, just like he had seen in George's. Grey hair streaked the bright red now, and her face told her that she was aging. A pink scar swung along her chin but it was almost unnoticeable. Mrs. Weasley was staring at Harry with an unreadable expression, she was frowning slightly but all the rest of her face remained relaxed.

"He came from Vereor nex," Ginny explained simply, Mrs. Weasley swallowed and tilted her head faintly as the room became wrapped in a deathly silence. Harry shifted uncomfortably, he wasn't sure how she was going to react once the silence ended, was she going to be as hard to convince as Ginny?

"I'm seeing things," she whispered finally, still carrying the same expression. "I have to be seeing things…" Mrs. Weasley opened and shut her eyes a number of times, as if Harry was an illusion that would soon disappear. She moved slowly towards him, her shaking hand resting on his stubbled cheek,

"It's Harry mum," said Ginny, "we checked." Mrs. Weasley's mouth opened gradually and an inhuman wail came out of it. Harry was tempted to almost turn and run at the sound until she opened her arms and hugged Harry with an extremely tight embrace.

"Harry," she repeated over and over whilst hugging him, "Harry… Harry!"

"Hi Mrs. Weasley," he choked back, her grip was incredibly tight. When she pulled away her eyes were glistening with tears, her hands once again rested on his cheeks.

"Harry!" She repeated, shaking his head slightly with her hands. Harry smiled at her; at that moment he wanted to tell her everything, yet he couldn't find the right words to express how he felt. However, slowly Harry noticed an angry expression storming across her face and she turned suddenly to face George,

"You knew," she accused.

"I'm sorry?" George asked, looking bewildered at this sudden alteration of emotion she was displaying.

"You knew he was alive and you didn't tell me? You should have called me as soon as you found out! You don't think this is perhaps information I would like to know? I am your mother, and you didn't even tell me! Guess how that makes me feel George."

"Yes mum, upset, I know… but – ,"

"You're bloody right upset!" Tears had sprung to her eyes now, she pulled a tissue from her sleeve and dabbed her eyes. However, George looked genuinely guilty, and this seemed to sooth her somewhat.

"I know mum, I know… and we're really sorry, we've been busy. But there's more,"

"More?" She asked, her eyes on Harry.

"Yes…" George said, clearing his throat. It was obvious now that he was afraid of his mother's reaction. "Ron and Hermione," he began, "well, they're most likely alive too. They're not here, Harry was the only one who managed to escape and –," but before he could finish he was cut off by Mrs. Weasley once again letting off a long wail. Her knees buckled underneath her and she covered her face with her hands, rocking backwards and forwards.

"Oh, don't be sad mum!" Pleaded Ginny, walking over to her side and crouching. But as Mrs Weasley removed her hands it became evident that she was in fact smiling.

"I'm horrified," She said, pushing her tears from her cheeks, "my son, Hermione and Harry trapped in a place of that malevolence?"

"Then… why are you smiling?" Asked George in a slightly confused tone.

"Because," she said standing, "even though I feel absolutely horrified of the circumstances – the fact that he is possibly alive is enough for me to be celebrating… hope is a miraculous thing…" She sniffed and turned to face Harry.

"You're just as handsome as when I last saw you," she said, choked with emotion, a kind smile sneaking across her face. "Why are you standing?" Mrs. Weasley asked, "please sit down Harry, I want to hear everything… absolutely everything… I can't believe it, I honestly can't believe it." A fresh tear streaked down her cheek, she stood away from him – as if admiring a piece of artwork.

"It's so good to see you," Harry finally replied.

"You're skin and bones," Mrs. Weasley said observantly, poking him in the ribs.

"Er… yeah, I am," he muttered, looking down at his weak frame.

"Let me fix you something," she said, "Harry…" she muttered as if testing the word on her tongue, "Harry…" And with that she left the room. George raised his eyebrows as soon as he was sure his mother couldn't hear,

"Well… that could've gone a bit better," he stated.

"She responded better than Ginny did," Harry thought aloud, "didn't try to slit my throat with my own sword." He felt Ginny shift her weight uncomfortably next to him,

"I didn't…" she began, "I just – I didn't…" Harry looked at her, she was stumbling over an apology and all he could think about was pulling her close to him…

"It's fine," he muttered quietly. "I forgive you," Ginny looked up into his emerald eyes and smiled weakly.

George cleared his throat, as if to remind them of his existence then immediately shot a question at Harry,

"Okay, what happened to your face?" Harry sat next to George and retold the story, sure to fit in the riddles that had confused him so much. He paid special attention to George's face as he said them, to see if there was any hint of recognition or understanding – but he just frowned, he was as confused as Harry was.

"Wow," he said, when Harry had finished. "She kissed you and now… wow. That must've been some kiss!" He nudged Harry, who smirked slightly.

"But, the riddles…" he began, wanting to get to the point.

"To be honest," George said, leaning back and putting his feet on the coffee table in front of him. "I always thought that Minister was a bit loony – brilliant, yeah – but loony… I don't think she even knew what she was saying." Harry frowned and nodded, but his mind still whirred over the two riddles. What if he did leave a trail behind him? What if the Death Eater's were following him? He sighed impatiently. It didn't seem to worry the others as much as it worried him… Harry assumed it was because they didn't feel the cold weight of fear that ran down the back of his neck and settled in his stomach every time he thought of Vereor Nex or the Death Eaters catching him.

Harry considered mentioning the riddles again, but he was forced not to by the re-entrance of Mrs. Weasley – now floating several large plates of food in front of her. Harry smiled at the familiarity of this one act, and almost felt like he was at the Burrow again.

"Arthur will be home later tonight, I assume you're staying?" She asked,

"Best to be safe," George stated to Harry with a serious expression, Harry nodded in response. Mrs. Weasley pushed George's feet off the coffee table and lowered the plates onto it.

"I won't be staying," said Ginny matter-of-factly, settling herself onto the floor, her legs crossed.

"What? Why not?" George asked, surprised.

"Because… I have an apartment George! And Jack will be wondering where I am," Harry took a glance at Ginny at the sound of Jack's name, but she didn't respond.

"Jack already knows where you are Gin," George stated casually, grabbing a plate from the table. "He helped make the arrangements and everything," Ginny frowned for a moment, then shook her head.

"That might've been the case – but I'm not staying here, just you know – owl me if you need me."

"Yeah, if we get attacked by Death Eater's I'm sure we'll have the time to owl you before we're killed." George stated his voice laced with sarcasm, Mrs Weasley shot him a look.

"Don't even joke about that George," she muttered, taking a seat next to Harry.

"Yeah, right – sorry mum," he muttered.

Harry spent the next hour filling Mrs. Weasley in on everything that had been going on since he had been back. She had pressed things about what Vereor Nex was like, and how he escaped but he refused to answer. George and Ginny had remained quiet as he explained, only sometimes cutting over him to state their side of the story. When he had finished, all the plates were empty and they were all quiet – as if mulling things over in their minds. Mrs. Weasley was crying silent tears beside Harry, out of sadness or happiness he wasn't sure – but he placed his arm around her and she looked up, a grateful smile pressed on her lips. Harry could feel eyes on him and he glanced up to see Ginny staring at him, eyebrows furrowed and eyes glazed – as if she was in another world altogether. Harry's eye contact seemed to break her from her daze however, and she soon cleared her throat and looked away, her cheeks burning scarlet.

Suddenly the door opened and a man was seen entering the room, his baldhead glinting in the soft light – his spectacled eyes pressed deep in a book. Mr. Weasley didn't even glance up as he walked in,

"Sorry I'm late home," he stated, removing his coat and placing it on a hanger near the door. "They called a meeting late-notice… something about the Dark Mark…" he shrugged for a moment. "Oh Molly, I really need to retire," he rubbed his eyes, pushing his glasses askew as he did so. Mrs. Weasley stood from the couch, her hands rested in front of her,

"Welcome home dear," she took a quick glance back at Harry and then swallowed. "You may notice we have guests?"

"Oh?" Mr. Weasley queried, his head finally looking up from the book to look around the room. "Ah! George, Ginny – great to see both of you, I hope you're staying?"

"I'm not," stated Ginny, standing with resolution and looking at a watch on her wrist. "In fact I should be going, sorry dad… I'll be back in the morning," she walked over to her father and pecked his cheek. "Great to see you," she took a quick glance back at Harry and disappeared through the front door – leaving a stark absence behind.

"Shame…" Mr. Weasley stated, taking his glasses off and wiping them on his coat.

"Arthur, we have another guest…" Mrs. Weasley pressed, slightly impatiently.

"Hm?" He asked, placing his glasses back on and walking into the room. "Ah!" He said, extending his hand, "welcome to our home!" He smiled brightly. Harry stood from the couch and took his hand – looking into the face of Mr. Weasley, whose wrinkles were deeper than he remembered them being – and whose little hair was now almost completely silver in colouring. Mr. Weasley all of a sudden frowned for a moment, squinting at Harry's face. George sighed as if annoyed,

"Dad, Harry Potter is alive, this is him, he was in Vereor Nex and now he isn't – Hermione and Ron are possibly still alive and the day after tomorrow we are leaving to go save them!" He said this in one long breath, but the words took a few moments to sink in. Harry felt the grip of Mr. Weasley's hand slacken,

"Oh…" he said, his eyebrows meeting, and then he fainted.

A long chapter for you all

Hope you enjoyed this one, reactions are really hard to write… that's why I found this chapter so challenging. Mmhm.

Let me know what you thought, every review is really really very much appreciated.

How annoying was that glitch thing? It lasted forever... that's why this chapter took longer than usual

Oh, and in the next chapter - you'll find out what exactly happened the day they were taken. Yeppers.

Pheonixxsong