Sorry this took so long! I've been trying to read some other fics and also
have had mini writer's block.
An Unexpected Letter
"What!" cried Harry, Ron and Hermione in unison.
"They escaped this afternoon, around six o'clock. Two Aurors have been killed..." he trailed off.
"Wh-Who?" stammered Mrs Weasley, who looked faint. Fred had his arm around her shoulders, and George, who seemed to be interpreting Bill's expression, went to sit next to Ginny and put an arm around her. Bill sighed.
"One was Rena Holloway... and the other was Tonks."
Harry was shocked. Tonks, dead? How could she be, how could she be? Harry looked around the room, at Ron, who was very white, at Ginny who was rocking quietly back in forwards with George, at Mrs Weasley who was crying into Fred's shoulder, but his attention was drawn by Hermione. She was crying harder even then Mrs Weasley. Harry was about to stand up to go to comfort her, but Ron stood up first, and he went and hugged her. Harry would have been shocked at Ron's emotional response, had he not been already been so shocked. He looked across at Bill, who had flung himself into a rickety chair in the corner of the room, and was absent-mindedly washing the pot Mrs Weasley had abandoned.
"How... how did it happen?" asked Harry.
"The Aurors think it was an insider, as there was no sign of a struggle... so they must have recognised him, or her." There was quiet for a moment, before Mrs Weasley got up, her face pale, her eyes raw with emotion, and tears frozen on her face.
"I... I think we all should get some sleep... we're going to Diagon Alley tomorrow..." she paused, seemingly unsure as of what to say. "I... I think Tonks would have wanted you not to grieve, and to try not to get upset...." She herself started to cry, and Bill helped her out of the room.
Fred and George guided Ginny out of the room, with soft, concerned expressions such as Harry had never seen. Ron, who had long returned to his seat, seemed to find his voice.
"Think we should go up?" Harry nodded as he got up, and this time he went and helped Hermione up, who hugged him hard. Harry held her for a moment, before he and Ron gently steered her upstairs.
Out of earshot to Hermione, Ron and Harry spoke briefly about what had happened. "There was all the Death Eaters from Privet Drive in there as well!" Ron said, his anger rising fast. "Who do you think was the insider?" Harry glanced at Ron, and knew they were both thinking the same thing.
"But Dumbledore trusts him, and we've always been wrong about him before..." Harry put in, but he knew he was trying to convince himself as much as Ron.
"If it was him..." Ron punched his fist into the palm of his other hand, his face red, as he went over to the window and yanked the curtains shut. "What a thing to happen on Dad's first day..." Ron lay down in his bed, and soon his snores filled the room, but Harry stayed awake for a long time, and he didn't hear Mr Weasley get back.
*
Next morning Harry woke early, to find Mrs Weasley opening the curtains in the room, and the early sunlight flooded the room. Mrs Weasley looked dishevelled, and Harry suspected that she too, had not had much sleep. Her face was drawn, and the dark smudges under her eyes resembled bruises. She spoke wearily.
"Breakfast is ready downstairs... and a letter was sent to your house for you Harry, Hedwig brought it here." Dumping a small envelope on Harry's bed, she eased out of the room, drawing the door shut behind her.
"Who's the le''er from 'arry?" Ron yawned, slowly sitting upright. Harry didn't recognise the writing, which was quite neat like Hermione's, but much larger. Opening the envelope a small package fell out, (which Harry ignored for the time being), and he scanned straight to the end of the relatively short letter to see who it was from.
"It's from Angelina!" He was surprised, but more so at the expression of joy that was creeping over Ron's face. His puzzlement must have shown, as Ron frowned.
"Don't you know what that is?" At Harry's expression, Ron laughed loudly and waved Harry to read the letter. Harry peered down at the parchment.
Dear Harry,
How are you? Are you having a good summer? I hope so.
Since leaving Hogwarts I spoke to Oliver Wood and he said he'd get me a trial at Puddlemere United! And they are aiming for the playoffs this season!
I am going out to look at broomsticks soon, so I must be brief. Having now left Hogwarts, as Quidditch captain, I had to delegate the next captain. And it wasn't a particularly hard choice. Enclosed is your badge, and I'm sure you will lead Gryffindor to a great triumph this year!
Hope you are enjoying your holidays,
Love Angelina.
Harry gasped and, with trembling fingers, opened the package. A small, lion shaped red badge fell into his hand, with the word "Gryffindor" and below, the words "Quidditch Captain" emblazoned across in gold lettering. Harry let out a laugh himself, before walking over to his suitcase, and pinning them to his Quidditch robes.
He and Ron dressed quickly, before heading downstairs. Harry got congratulations from Fred, George, Mrs Weasley and Hermione. Ginny said she would have made him captain had it been her choice, before blushing and helping Mrs Weasley.
After breakfast, Harry, Hermione and the remaining Weasleys one by one stepped through the fire for Diagon Alley. Percy, Bill, Charlie and Mr Weasley were all at the ministry, and had all left, if they had indeed returned, much earlier in the morning. Fred and George were going to their shop, but stayed in the Leaky Cauldron upon arrival to talk to an overseas client.
The Leaky Cauldron was a dingy looking pub, but purely for those who belonged in the wizarding world. As Harry looked around he could see many witches and wizards, some he recognised, but his eyes were quickly drawn to the enormous shape approaching him.
"Hagrid!" Harry greeted Hagrid as warmly as he could, for Hagrid too had been in the Order, and must've known Tonks. "I suppose you heard about..." Harry trailed off. In answer, Hagrid held up his copy of the Daily Prophet, which had the headline "Prisoners Escape the Ministry" on the front.
"Oh I heard alrigh'," Hagrid spoke bitterly, but nodded greeting at Hermione and Ron. "S'pose you're here to get your stuff fer school?" The three of them nodded, and Harry started to ask Harry what the Order knew about the escape, but Hagrid cut him off. "I don't know, and even if I did, I wouldn't tell yer." He had a finality in his tone that Harry hadn't heard Hagrid use before, but he accepted it without argument.
Mrs Weasley started to chivvy them out of the rickety wooden back door so, muttering good byes to Hagrid, they all eased out of the seemingly ancient doorway to the back courtyard, where Harry leaned forward and tapped the brick above the dustbin.
Diagon Alley was the wizarding high street of London. Old-fashioned shops leaned forward leeringly at each other, each trying to attract the most attention. As they headed towards the stone fortress that was Gringotts, Harry saw several people he knew, and agreed to meet up with Neville, Seamus and Dean for ice cream later on.
Ten minutes and two sickening cart rides later, Harry's moneybag was jangling a merry tune as the coins in it bounced around happily. Ron's was also surprisingly heavy, and Harry assumed the twins must've put a fair chunk of their gold into the Weasley family account. The pair of them and Hermione went into Flourish and Blotts and bought their books, Ron looking rueful at the Potions volume, "Productive Potions for N.E.W.T students", as he purchased, with difficulty, "The Monster Book of Monsters Volume 2".
Even Hermione was surprised at the amount of books they had. "I'm only taking six subjects, why do I have so many books?" This topic did not appeal to either Harry or Ron, who both grunted noncommittally before quickly moving on to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, to meet up with Seamus, Dean and Neville.
Sitting round an elaborate white metal table, sunshine filtering through the misshapen rooftops, cheered Harry up. His private grief for Sirius and now Tonks had been keeping him thoroughly miserable, and his conversation at the end of last term with Dumbledore had also left a lasting effect on him. But now, happily chatting about being Quidditch captain, N.E.W.Ts and Neville's joy at never having to do Potions again, had the effect of making him feel a lot better. As if the world around him knew he was starting to feel better, it soon thrust him another piece of bad news.
"Snape's not that bad," insisted Hermione, "you're just..." she trailed off, peering about a foot over Harry's shoulder. "Go away Malfoy."
Harry turned around to see a blonde haired boy looking down his nose at him. He was wearing a smug expression, and Harry was in no doubt why.
"Well then... if it isn't the Mudblood gang." Ron almost leapt at Malfoy, but Hermione had her hand on his shoulder. "Yes that's right, keep him there Granger, wouldn't want any of you blood-traitors to touch me." Harry jumped to his feet and roughly shoved Malfoy back.
"Get lost Malfoy, before I beat you like Dumbledore beat your father." Malfoy's eyes widened and he looked like he was going to spit on Harry, before he quickly regained his smug expression.
"Ah, but he's out now isn't he Potter. I'd watch your back if I were you. Even on the Quidditch field." Harry looked like he was about to laugh, as Malfoy reached into his bag and pulled out a broom.
"This, as you will know Potter, is a Firebolt." Malfoy continued before Harry could say anything. "But, unlike yours Potter, which will break easily if hit by a bludger, mine has got protection, which doesn't effect the power!" Malfoy let out a laugh.
"I could beat you on a broom any time, any place Malfoy." Malfoy smiled, and Harry knew he had been lured into a trap instantly.
"Knew you would say that. Ok then, I will race you... above the Hogwarts Express! Do you agree Potter?" Harry was all for it, so were all Dean, Seamus and Neville, but Hermione wasn't. Ron was, amazingly, not siding with anyone. Harry raised his eyebrows at him and Ron spoke.
"No tricks then Malfoy? You aren't going to try to hex Harry or there isn't going to be your father or Death Eaters waiting for Harry?" Ron was looking at Malfoy, but it was Hermione who answered.
"There won't be any Death Eaters because there are charms to protect the train, and the people in it. Besides, some of the O... teachers will be on the train in a separate carriage. And as for Malfoy hexing you, what if neither of you could take your wands with you?" Malfoy's eyes narrowed again, but he nodded.
"You man enough to take me on then Potter?" Harry nodded, and Malfoy withdrew, his smirk more pronounced then ever. Soon Harry, Ron and Hermione followed suit.
An Unexpected Letter
"What!" cried Harry, Ron and Hermione in unison.
"They escaped this afternoon, around six o'clock. Two Aurors have been killed..." he trailed off.
"Wh-Who?" stammered Mrs Weasley, who looked faint. Fred had his arm around her shoulders, and George, who seemed to be interpreting Bill's expression, went to sit next to Ginny and put an arm around her. Bill sighed.
"One was Rena Holloway... and the other was Tonks."
Harry was shocked. Tonks, dead? How could she be, how could she be? Harry looked around the room, at Ron, who was very white, at Ginny who was rocking quietly back in forwards with George, at Mrs Weasley who was crying into Fred's shoulder, but his attention was drawn by Hermione. She was crying harder even then Mrs Weasley. Harry was about to stand up to go to comfort her, but Ron stood up first, and he went and hugged her. Harry would have been shocked at Ron's emotional response, had he not been already been so shocked. He looked across at Bill, who had flung himself into a rickety chair in the corner of the room, and was absent-mindedly washing the pot Mrs Weasley had abandoned.
"How... how did it happen?" asked Harry.
"The Aurors think it was an insider, as there was no sign of a struggle... so they must have recognised him, or her." There was quiet for a moment, before Mrs Weasley got up, her face pale, her eyes raw with emotion, and tears frozen on her face.
"I... I think we all should get some sleep... we're going to Diagon Alley tomorrow..." she paused, seemingly unsure as of what to say. "I... I think Tonks would have wanted you not to grieve, and to try not to get upset...." She herself started to cry, and Bill helped her out of the room.
Fred and George guided Ginny out of the room, with soft, concerned expressions such as Harry had never seen. Ron, who had long returned to his seat, seemed to find his voice.
"Think we should go up?" Harry nodded as he got up, and this time he went and helped Hermione up, who hugged him hard. Harry held her for a moment, before he and Ron gently steered her upstairs.
Out of earshot to Hermione, Ron and Harry spoke briefly about what had happened. "There was all the Death Eaters from Privet Drive in there as well!" Ron said, his anger rising fast. "Who do you think was the insider?" Harry glanced at Ron, and knew they were both thinking the same thing.
"But Dumbledore trusts him, and we've always been wrong about him before..." Harry put in, but he knew he was trying to convince himself as much as Ron.
"If it was him..." Ron punched his fist into the palm of his other hand, his face red, as he went over to the window and yanked the curtains shut. "What a thing to happen on Dad's first day..." Ron lay down in his bed, and soon his snores filled the room, but Harry stayed awake for a long time, and he didn't hear Mr Weasley get back.
*
Next morning Harry woke early, to find Mrs Weasley opening the curtains in the room, and the early sunlight flooded the room. Mrs Weasley looked dishevelled, and Harry suspected that she too, had not had much sleep. Her face was drawn, and the dark smudges under her eyes resembled bruises. She spoke wearily.
"Breakfast is ready downstairs... and a letter was sent to your house for you Harry, Hedwig brought it here." Dumping a small envelope on Harry's bed, she eased out of the room, drawing the door shut behind her.
"Who's the le''er from 'arry?" Ron yawned, slowly sitting upright. Harry didn't recognise the writing, which was quite neat like Hermione's, but much larger. Opening the envelope a small package fell out, (which Harry ignored for the time being), and he scanned straight to the end of the relatively short letter to see who it was from.
"It's from Angelina!" He was surprised, but more so at the expression of joy that was creeping over Ron's face. His puzzlement must have shown, as Ron frowned.
"Don't you know what that is?" At Harry's expression, Ron laughed loudly and waved Harry to read the letter. Harry peered down at the parchment.
Dear Harry,
How are you? Are you having a good summer? I hope so.
Since leaving Hogwarts I spoke to Oliver Wood and he said he'd get me a trial at Puddlemere United! And they are aiming for the playoffs this season!
I am going out to look at broomsticks soon, so I must be brief. Having now left Hogwarts, as Quidditch captain, I had to delegate the next captain. And it wasn't a particularly hard choice. Enclosed is your badge, and I'm sure you will lead Gryffindor to a great triumph this year!
Hope you are enjoying your holidays,
Love Angelina.
Harry gasped and, with trembling fingers, opened the package. A small, lion shaped red badge fell into his hand, with the word "Gryffindor" and below, the words "Quidditch Captain" emblazoned across in gold lettering. Harry let out a laugh himself, before walking over to his suitcase, and pinning them to his Quidditch robes.
He and Ron dressed quickly, before heading downstairs. Harry got congratulations from Fred, George, Mrs Weasley and Hermione. Ginny said she would have made him captain had it been her choice, before blushing and helping Mrs Weasley.
After breakfast, Harry, Hermione and the remaining Weasleys one by one stepped through the fire for Diagon Alley. Percy, Bill, Charlie and Mr Weasley were all at the ministry, and had all left, if they had indeed returned, much earlier in the morning. Fred and George were going to their shop, but stayed in the Leaky Cauldron upon arrival to talk to an overseas client.
The Leaky Cauldron was a dingy looking pub, but purely for those who belonged in the wizarding world. As Harry looked around he could see many witches and wizards, some he recognised, but his eyes were quickly drawn to the enormous shape approaching him.
"Hagrid!" Harry greeted Hagrid as warmly as he could, for Hagrid too had been in the Order, and must've known Tonks. "I suppose you heard about..." Harry trailed off. In answer, Hagrid held up his copy of the Daily Prophet, which had the headline "Prisoners Escape the Ministry" on the front.
"Oh I heard alrigh'," Hagrid spoke bitterly, but nodded greeting at Hermione and Ron. "S'pose you're here to get your stuff fer school?" The three of them nodded, and Harry started to ask Harry what the Order knew about the escape, but Hagrid cut him off. "I don't know, and even if I did, I wouldn't tell yer." He had a finality in his tone that Harry hadn't heard Hagrid use before, but he accepted it without argument.
Mrs Weasley started to chivvy them out of the rickety wooden back door so, muttering good byes to Hagrid, they all eased out of the seemingly ancient doorway to the back courtyard, where Harry leaned forward and tapped the brick above the dustbin.
Diagon Alley was the wizarding high street of London. Old-fashioned shops leaned forward leeringly at each other, each trying to attract the most attention. As they headed towards the stone fortress that was Gringotts, Harry saw several people he knew, and agreed to meet up with Neville, Seamus and Dean for ice cream later on.
Ten minutes and two sickening cart rides later, Harry's moneybag was jangling a merry tune as the coins in it bounced around happily. Ron's was also surprisingly heavy, and Harry assumed the twins must've put a fair chunk of their gold into the Weasley family account. The pair of them and Hermione went into Flourish and Blotts and bought their books, Ron looking rueful at the Potions volume, "Productive Potions for N.E.W.T students", as he purchased, with difficulty, "The Monster Book of Monsters Volume 2".
Even Hermione was surprised at the amount of books they had. "I'm only taking six subjects, why do I have so many books?" This topic did not appeal to either Harry or Ron, who both grunted noncommittally before quickly moving on to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, to meet up with Seamus, Dean and Neville.
Sitting round an elaborate white metal table, sunshine filtering through the misshapen rooftops, cheered Harry up. His private grief for Sirius and now Tonks had been keeping him thoroughly miserable, and his conversation at the end of last term with Dumbledore had also left a lasting effect on him. But now, happily chatting about being Quidditch captain, N.E.W.Ts and Neville's joy at never having to do Potions again, had the effect of making him feel a lot better. As if the world around him knew he was starting to feel better, it soon thrust him another piece of bad news.
"Snape's not that bad," insisted Hermione, "you're just..." she trailed off, peering about a foot over Harry's shoulder. "Go away Malfoy."
Harry turned around to see a blonde haired boy looking down his nose at him. He was wearing a smug expression, and Harry was in no doubt why.
"Well then... if it isn't the Mudblood gang." Ron almost leapt at Malfoy, but Hermione had her hand on his shoulder. "Yes that's right, keep him there Granger, wouldn't want any of you blood-traitors to touch me." Harry jumped to his feet and roughly shoved Malfoy back.
"Get lost Malfoy, before I beat you like Dumbledore beat your father." Malfoy's eyes widened and he looked like he was going to spit on Harry, before he quickly regained his smug expression.
"Ah, but he's out now isn't he Potter. I'd watch your back if I were you. Even on the Quidditch field." Harry looked like he was about to laugh, as Malfoy reached into his bag and pulled out a broom.
"This, as you will know Potter, is a Firebolt." Malfoy continued before Harry could say anything. "But, unlike yours Potter, which will break easily if hit by a bludger, mine has got protection, which doesn't effect the power!" Malfoy let out a laugh.
"I could beat you on a broom any time, any place Malfoy." Malfoy smiled, and Harry knew he had been lured into a trap instantly.
"Knew you would say that. Ok then, I will race you... above the Hogwarts Express! Do you agree Potter?" Harry was all for it, so were all Dean, Seamus and Neville, but Hermione wasn't. Ron was, amazingly, not siding with anyone. Harry raised his eyebrows at him and Ron spoke.
"No tricks then Malfoy? You aren't going to try to hex Harry or there isn't going to be your father or Death Eaters waiting for Harry?" Ron was looking at Malfoy, but it was Hermione who answered.
"There won't be any Death Eaters because there are charms to protect the train, and the people in it. Besides, some of the O... teachers will be on the train in a separate carriage. And as for Malfoy hexing you, what if neither of you could take your wands with you?" Malfoy's eyes narrowed again, but he nodded.
"You man enough to take me on then Potter?" Harry nodded, and Malfoy withdrew, his smirk more pronounced then ever. Soon Harry, Ron and Hermione followed suit.
