Harry Potter and the Dragon Storm
Episode XI
Outlaws
Harry and Ginny had now been invited to stay with the U.S minister and her family, until they start school at Salem Academy for Witches and Wizards. Her husband was exceptionally happy with this, saying that now he would have someone old enough to play pool against in his private Den, where he has an extravagant full sized pool table, a dart board, some arcade machines with some classic games such as Pac-Man and Space Invaders, and he also has a bar.
Harry found out after they returned from the Ministry, that Jeff is in fact the Charms teacher for Salem Academy. He was slightly too pleased with the fact that as he put it 'I'll get the privilege to teach the famous Harry Potter' his reason for being so over the moon about it, was that Jeff said, 'your going to do great things with your life and help a lot of people, and it will be nice to say to my friends that I taught Harry Potter.' Ginny thought it was very hilarious and has been teasing him about it ever since.
Harry had never played Pool before and was rather rubbish at the game to start with, but Jeff Morgan was a very good teacher, and after the fifth game Harry almost won but on the seventh he accomplished victory, and barely suppressed the urge to copy, eight year old Nathan and five year old Mark Morgan, in dancing in glee of there fathers defeat, apparently out of everyone who came over to visit, no matter how many games are played, Jeff never looses.
Dumbledore had gone to the Creevey's to fetch Harry's belongings and had already brought them to the Morgan residents. Hedwig having already found him. Harry still didn't have a clue what Fawkes was doing with her, and neither did Dumbledore. The old man seemed baffled by it when Harry told him that Hedwig seemed to be chewing him out.
Dumbledore had informed the Creevey's why Harry had not returned, and why he was no longer in the country, and that Harry couldn't return, without the risk of being arrested. Dumbledore also went to the Weasley's, at the Burrow, which he told Harry that he wished Molly Weasley was out at the time, because from start to finish of her packing Ginny's belongings she had shouted and cursed up a storm of outrage, at the ministers breaking the law, and she wanted to come and see Ginny. But Dumbledore said it would be unwise at the moment because Harry and Ginny would most probably be considered Outlaws. (At which Harry and Ginny; when told, laughed for a very long time.)
Dumbledore said Molly wasn't bothered, until Dumbledore told her that the minister would probably arrest any British witch or wizard who went to see them, which was true in the Daily Prophet the next day it said that; Harry Potter and Ginevra Weasley were now considered dangerous criminals, and had a huge headline with what Harry said were very flattering pictures of himself and Ginny: the headline read underneath their names. 'Outlaws.'
The Daily Prophet didn't even say what their crimes were, and Harry was pleased to find out that one week after the article there was a huge mass of protesters, who stormed the British Ministry building demanding for Fudge's resignation, when they read the U.S equivalent to the Daily Prophet: The Seer, which a lot of people throughout the U.K Wizarding world ordered, on hearing that was where Harry and Ginny were taking refuge. Especially since they can now order newspapers from other countries. Though for how long is anyone's guess, as Fudge will probably try to make doing so a crime.
It seems that most of Wizarding Briton thought that what Harry did should be praised not punished.
"Minister Fudge it appears," Harry chuckled gleefully to Ginny sitting on their bed, (The day after the weird incident with Fudge, and then Hedwig and Fawkes). "Has royally pissed everyone off." Ginny smirked at him and threw Harry today's copy of the Seer and he added. "Except that asshole Malfoy."
Harry looked at the front page and almost glowed with jubilation.
'British Minister of Magic, consorting with known Death Eater, Lucius Malfoy!' Harry roared with laughter for what might have been hours, days or even months.
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I find my self restless during the week. Ginny tries to put on a brave face but I can tell that she feels it too. Though I know she feels it coming from me. The unease and fear I've been hiding. The Dragon, Phoenix serves a purpose, but what that is I am yet to be told. It can't be to destroy Voldemort as I believe I'm already in his league, and soon I'll surpass him by a large margin.
The implication of being as magically powerful as Voldemort and then some is disturbing. However, neither Dragon nor Phoenix will tell me what my purpose is yet. Could there be some greater threat looming around the corner, ready to jump out and obliterate all I've ever known? If so I must be strong. I have to protect Ginny and all I hold dear in this messed up world. Which I might add isn't much but at least that's something I shall hold dear to my heart until my last breath.
I sit on a porch swing thinking over all of my training. Just watching the sunset; Ginny's inside with Shanna, helping prepare dinner. I sigh and try to hold back from laughing as I hear my stomach grumble. I guess I should worry less, as I'm foolishly brooding. I'll just wait for whatever's coming to come, and deal with it when its here. Until then I have a beautiful girlfriend to enjoy my time with.
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Ginny had just called Harry into the dinning room from outside as dinner is ready. He came in and smiled brilliantly as he claimed the seat next to her as she knew he would. Then he gave her a small kiss in greeting bringing a light blush to her cheeks. However, that one little action caused her heart to pound painfully in her chest. Though, she smiled at him as she realised that whatever had been bothering him no longer seemed to plague his thoughts. She knew if she gave him a little space and time he would easily let it go.
Though, that didn't mean she hasn't been worried about him; because she has very much so. But she knows better than to pry. She's certain when he's ready he'll tell her what's been bothering him. She just hopes it's nothing too serious. Though she figured it might be something to do with Voldemort, and all the messed up things happening back in the UK.
These things concern her too, but she always found that they bothered her less the more time she spends with her boyfriend. She can still barely believe that. Her, boyfriend. She has such a great and strong one. She wondered what has happened to him in the last few months, as he seems to have changed a lot. And not just physically, but mentally as well. From the scared little boy she first saw at Platform 9 ¾ to strong, confident and powerful. He is surely going to be a power all of his own someday, and she knows she'll stand by his side forever.
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Severus Snape was in a somewhat unusual mood. He has been since a certain someone has been outlawed in the UK. On one hand he's rid of the boy. Yet on the other who does he has around to torment at school. Sure he has that Longbottom idiot, but it won't be the same. Longbottom's a wimp and won't jump at his bait like Potter usually does.
Though he not too sure Potter would do that anymore from what he's heard. Potter has supposedly changed, letting down his protective barriers, deciding to fight back rather than letting others do the fighting for him. Severus has to hand the boy acting props. He had everyone fooled in believing he's weak and insecure. A mediocre student at best.
However, inventing a shield that puts the unforgivables to shame is an impressive feat in of its self. Potter really does have a knack for pissing the Dark Lord off. Talking about pissing people off, Potter has also pissed off most of the ministry. Though their anger at him has only pissed off half of if not more of the British Wizarding World.
Severus has to wonder what that idiot Fudge is actually up too. In fact, the Dark Lord is also curious, and seems somewhat on edge by the whole ordeal. Though, Severus has to admit that he feels jumpy about it him self. The Ministry are almost declaring war on the US with all of the propaganda rumours they're trying to spread with the Daily Prophet. Though it doesn't seem to be doing anything as everybody is fed up with the Ministries lies. And daily Prophet sales and stocks are plummeting.
Good riddance to bad rubbish he says. At least Potter's having a better time than the Order of the Phoenix. Its just all too troublesome.
"Severus! Severus!"
Severus blinked several times in confusion as he looked around at the other Order members, some of whom were snickering at his lack of paying attention. Well its not his fault Dumbledore's schemes are so boring and non-productive that he can't pay attention. Potter has the right idea. Just fire back twice as hard and you'll have your enemy fearing you in return.
He looked towards the old man in question and nodded curtly for him to continue. "Well, we know of the Ministries stand on Harry, but what about Voldemort's?" he asked. Severus rolled his eyes as most of the Order flinched at hearing the Dark Lords name. Its no wonder the Lights loosing with cowards like these.
"The Dark Lord is pissed of course," he began in a monotone, though he scowled for dark effect. "He is annoyed mainly about the existence of the Okcicos Shield," he rolled his eyes but doubted many of the Order noticed. "However, other than that his stance on Potter has changed slightly. He says while Potter is out of the country he sees no reason to waste his time hunting him. Plus I suspect the Dark Lord does not wish to mess too much with the US Ministry personally as of yet. I believe he fears that if he does it will give the US and her allies' reason to invade the UK.
"Something I have no doubt he wishes to avoid at all costs. And with the way Fudge is controlling the UK Ministry right now I see his point. If the US took control they would send out solders to take out Death Eaters, and hunt the Dark Lord. It would put some serious dampeners on his plans actually having to deal with a competent government."
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully in agreement. "Yes, I understand the reasoning," he agreed worriedly. "The British Ministry would loose quite quickly, and I doubt even Voldemort and his forces could deal with an army of that size for very long before they fall."
"Then why don't you ask for outside help," interrupted Remus Lupin with a confused frown. "You must surly have some pull with the US Minister. She has taken in both Harry and Ginny."
Severus almost smiled as he saw the werewolf gulp as Molly Weasley glared at him for bringing that up. Heck, even Severus finds her scary.
"We can not," Dumbledore said sadly. "This is our mess, and our problem. We cannot involve anymore innocent people if necessary…"
Severus rolled his eyes as he zoned out of Dumbledore's continued naivety. Sometimes he wonders how the old man ever got to be known as one of the most powerful wizards to walk the planet. Its no wonder Potter has rebelled against him. Severus just wished he and the rest of them had the guts or brains to do so to.
To Be Continued…