Disclaimer: The story line is mine but everything else is not.

A/N: Not as many reviews as I had hoped for but nevertheless a big thank you to those who did. Things will begin to move a bit faster after this chapter so hang on! : )

Chapter 24

"I hate to break up the giggle fest but we have a problem. Three hours ago Azkaban Prison was attacked by Death Eaters with Voldemort at the lead…" An instant silence fell upon the house as they tried to absorb the grave news.

Within an hour "The Family" which included The Tonks, The Longbottoms, Minerva McGonagall, The Bones, Narcissa, Hermione, and Luna and of course Bella and Harry had all come together at Black Manor. The mood in the Drawing Room was tense and at the same time speculative as to what their response to the news would be.

"How many have escaped Ami?" Minerva in her thick Scottish brogue asked her longtime friend.

"All thirty from the maximum security ward." Amelia stated. "Including Lucius Malfoy." She continued looking conciliatory at Cissy. "In total about two hundred and fifty prisoners escaped. The majority of them are former Death Eaters." Harry's godmother spoke in tired resignation rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"What's being done to find them?" Harry asked.

"Everything we can Harry. Our Auror force is woefully understaffed due to Fudges ineptitude and budget cuts to that department. I had a shoe string budget for years and had to make do with what I had. As Minister I have tripled the yearly budget for the DMLE but it will take time to recruit and train new aurors."

"In other words…" Augusta began. "…we are not prepared to face a growing Death Eater threat." The Dowager lady stated. Amelia tiredly nodded in acquiescence.

"So what can be done right now Minister?" Hermione asked tightly, the memories of the attack on her home coming to fore of her thoughts.

Amelia sighed. "Right now our response would be completely reactionary. I don't have the manpower to send aurors all over the country in a vain attempt to find them Hermione." Hermione gave a small huff, but inside her logical side agreed with the minister while her emotional side wanted decisive action now.

"I am deploying small detachments of aurors to patrol principle public areas such as Diagon Alley, and Hogsmeade, and sending undercover Hit Wizards to glean any information in the more common haunts of our underworld. I know it's not much but it's all I can do for now." Amelia finished.

"Has the public been advised of the breakout?" Bella asked from her seat next to Harry.

"Yes, an alert went out over the wireless an hour after the breakout was confirmed and it will be front page news in the Daily Prophet in the morning." Amelia answered.

Neville joined the discussion and asked: "What about putting a bounty out for all the escapees. I'm sure with a sizeable reward there be a lot of people trying to hunt them down." Neville offered.

"It's a good thought Neville, but the last thing we need is civilians trying to take down experienced Death Eaters. We would have a high mortality rate for our citizenship." Amelia smiled warmly at the Longbottom heir.

"Well what about that one group…what are they being called…oh yeah, The Dark Mark killers. They had some success." Neville stated. Nym shifted uncomfortably at the mention of the group which went unnoticed by everyone except Harry.

"Would you like to share Nym?" Harry asked the currently purple haired auror.

"Huh?...Share what Harry?" Nymphadora Tonks asked a little nervously.

Harry looked piercingly at the young metamorph. "You know something…" Harry began. "…about these Dark Mark killers." It was not a question. The others in the room turned all their attention on her. With all eyes on her, Nymphadora went a little pale.

Amelia addressed the young auror. Auror Tonks you will tell me what you know about this group or we will be discussing your further employment." The former head of the DMLE looked hard at the young woman.

"Aunt Amelia, I'm sure that's not necessary. By her look it is clear she's trying to protect someone, and I know she's not anything but loyal to this family and the current Minister." Harry spoke confidently trying to relax the current tension.

"I apologize Tonks." Amelia offered. "I give my word that anything you reveal here will have no bearing on you or your job." She spoke honestly.

"Well…" she hesitated for a minute. "…I do know something of the group. But there not bad people!" She quickly added her voice rising in volume from the anxiety she was feeling for perhaps betraying a dear friend.

"They've killed people Nymphadora!" Amelia blurted out before backing back down after a glaring Harry met her gaze.

"I know…I know, but…they have never hurt an innocent only those bastards that are known Death Eaters and murdering raping bastards!" She screamed almost beginning to hyperventilate.

Amelia raised both hands in front of her to try and calm the young woman. "Okay okay Tonks, just tell us what you know, I promise I will here you out and hold my judgement." Amelia stated. Tonks looked at her for a long time trying to determine if she was being truthful and whether if telling her was going to hurt her friend. Finally she decided to come clean and tell the family what she knew.

"After the will reading concluded I was approached by Charlie Weasley. We were close friends through our Hogwarts years and have remained in touch with each other through the years." She paused for a moment but continued at Harry's encouragement.

"Anyway he approached me knowing that I had left the Order of the Phoenix and had a grudge against Dumbledore. Over a late lunch he told me what had happened at the Burrow the day his father was killed, and what Dumbledore had told Bill about some sacrifices being necessary. I agreed with him that Dumbledore was a right bastard and would get us all killed with the way he was fighting the war.

It was then in confidence that he told me what he, Bill and the twins had been up to. At first it was about avenging the death of their father but it developed into something else. It became a way for them to bring the war to the Death Munchers. They have actually built up a small network of spies within Knockturn Alley that provide them with Death Eater hideouts and contacts. They use that information to…well…you know bring the war to the Death Eaters."

Tonks looked down afraid to meet anybodies eyes. If she hadlooked up she would have seen the rather large predatory smile on Harry's face and was shortly matched by Bella's, even Amelia had a calculating look on her face as the possibility of having an already in-place spy network could aid her aurors in their own efforts.

"Nymphadora Tonks!" Amelia used her most intimidating voice. Tonks looked up in almost a panic as she looked at the stern looking woman who was gesturing for her to stand. Tonks shakily stood in front of the new Minister for Magic worrying that her career was over. Amelia grabbed Tonks by both shoulders and in a move that completely stunned the young auror received a kiss on both cheeks from a Cheshire grinning Amelia Bones.

"I want you to set-up a meeting between the Weasley boys and me as soon as possible. I wish to discuss a trade with them. A get out of jail free card for supplying me with the information they are getting from their spies and I will retroactively hire them as hit wizards and make what they're doing and have done a tad more legal." Amelia stated to a gobsmacked Tonks.

"I would like to talk them as well cousin." Harry stated. I know the twins well and think that their creativity and ingenuity would help in The Family's goals as well." Tonks for the first time sense the meeting began smiled and released a huge breath that she had been holding.

"I'll send an owl to Charlie as soon as we're done here. A very much relieved Tonks stated.

"Well there is some more upsetting news to share." Augusta Longbottom stated getting the attention from the room.

"As you all know I sit on the Hogwarts Governing Board." With several nods of acknowledgement she continued. "You may also be aware that Hogwarts itself is an independent entity outside of the control of the Ministry." More nods as an uneasiness fell on the room occupants. "This morning the eight governors met to discuss the removal of Dumbledore as Headmaster of Hogwarts. After a vote of five to three…Albus Dumbledore…will continue as headmaster." Augusta spit this out with great distaste. "Apparently, Albus was able to convince five of the governors to keep him on. He fed them some cock and bull story that he was the best qualified to protect Hogwarts from Death Eaters and Voldemort." The anger obvious in the countenance of the Dowager Lady.

The temperature in the room dropped noticeably as power seemed to be swirling around an angry Harry Potter. Bella quickly grabbed Harry's hand and pulled herself down in his lap as she tried to calm her husband. Harry's green eyes seemed to glow with the color of the killing curse. Bella was sending all the love and comfort she could muster through their shared bond. Slowly the room began to warm back up as the power swirling around Harry began to dissipate.

"How on earth could they vote to keep him in?" Harry whispered in a deadly voice but it carried to everyone.

"You have to remember Harry; he has been a hero to several generations of witches and wizards who remember the last two wizarding wars. That kind of hero worship won't be easily tossed aside no matter the evidence." Narcissa explained.

"Are you bloody kidding me?" Harry yelled. "I've been seen as a hero and then evil incarnate so many times I don't know which the current excepted position is! And you mean to tell me that the image of Albus bloody Dumbledore is immune to any culpability!" Harry screamed in frustration. No one offered an explanation.

"Well I will tell you this right now! Neither I or anyone from House Potter will return to that school while that man is in charge!" Harry stated with finality. Neville looked at his grand-mother and gave a slight nod.

"House Longbottom will follow your lead Lord Potter. Neville will not return as well." Augusta said.

"I refuse to go as well!" Susan spoke up and then paled as she realized her faux pas, turning to her Aunt who was smiling at the excitable redhead.

"House Bones in solidarity with House Potter and House Longbottom will also remove its family members." Amelia said bowing slightly to Harry.

"Well, this is all well and good but need I remind you all that you still need to complete your education." The Scotswoman said directing herself to all the young people in the room.

"Well, we could get tutors." Luna stated as it was the most obvious of answers. "Cissy is a wonderful potions mistress and healer as well as an expert on ritual magic. And who better that Bella for Defense against the Dark Arts and dueling. Everyone in this room has exceptional skills in all areas of magic, well at least the more important ones." Luna finished then went back to her reading of the Potter grimoire.

Everyone looked back and forth at each other seeing for the first time what Luna had seen. Within the room they were sitting in sat some of the most powerful and learned witches in Great Britain. Minerva began to grin mischievously at the power that was in the room. With the addition of a few other families that she knew would come to Harry's banner she was feeling more and more confident about defeating the coming darkness. And looking at the others of her 'family' she sensed they were feeling the same.

For the rest of the evening the family planned and strategized on how best to begin their training and how to deal with the new flood of Death Eaters Voldemort had at his command. Everyone knew that the war would begin in earnest soon and they would need to be prepared. Cissy and Luna continued to study the possibility of using the battle magic ritual Luna had found in the Potter Family Grimoire and would present it to Harry and the others as soon as they had worked out all the nuances of the ritual itself.

The three matriarchs of the family Minerva, Augusta, and Amelia began to sort out some form of curriculum for the youngest members of the family. They wanted them prepared not only to fight in the coming war but to be prepared for the aftermath as well. And they would need all the education and political training they could get to change a culture that was quickly finding itself on the brink of collapse.

oooOOOooo

Severus was making his way to his master's chamber, the clunking sounded that was heard with every other step echoed on the wood floor alerting all to his presence. He heard muffled snickers and out right laughter from his fellow Death Eaters who showed no sympathy or compassion for the lame man.

Severus had made the hard decision to return to the Dark Lord. That decision was based on pure survival instinct and who could best ensure that survival. Dumbledore was facing an inquiry in the Wizengamot and possibly facing time in Azkaban if they discovered half the crimes the old man committed in the name of the 'Greater Good'. Without Bumbles there to protect him, Severus would be a marked man especially if the old bastard revealed his own culpability.

No his only recourse was to find favor once again with the Dark Lord; he knew if he did not kill him on site he might be taken back. In the end the Dark Lord had accepted the greasy haired potions master after a lengthy and painful welcome back. The Dark Lord fortunately enough needed a potions master to help strengthen those that were to be rescued from Azkaban.

As a reminder that failure and disobedience would not be tolerated, Voldemort did not replace Severus' leg as he had replaced Wormtail's hand. The potions master would live with the physical reminder of his failure.

Severus entered the large and fallen into disrepair ballroom of Riddle Mansion seeing no less than two hundred souls all in prison garb and in varying states oh health. He kept his gaze forward and stopped about ten feet in front of an ornate throne where he knelt with some difficulty before his lord and master. Voldemort smirked callously at the sallow faced man who struggled to kneel before him.

"Ahhh Severus… as you can see we are in need of your talents, I do hope you have prepared enough healing potions for our brethren here. I would be most displeased if you failed to brew enough." The Dark Lord grinned menacingly. "I would hate to see you lose another limb due to your… carelessness." The Dark Lord let his gaze linger on the trembling man.

"My Lord, I am quite prepared, our stores are full and I am adding to them daily." Severus responded in supplicant tone.

"Excellent, we will need our soldiers in good form soon. My spies in the Ministry tell me that the Bones woman is trying to pass new legislation that penalizes those who fight for the pureblood cause. She must be put in her place…six feet underground.

An assault team lead by Rebastian Lestrange will attack Bones manor within three days, you will supply them with the necessary strengthening potions to give them the edge over the bodyguards that will be patrolling Bones Manor. You have your assignment now leave me!" Voldemort spat.

"Lucius! Come forward and kneel before your Lord." Voldemort order the newly freed aristocrat. "I have some disturbing news for you Lucius. News, that has made me very…unhappy." The serpent like man sneered malevolently.

"What news has so upset you my Lord." Lucius asked with a gravelly voice, still raw from the screams induced by nightmarish visions when the Dementors were near his cell.

"Your whore of a wife has been granted a divorce and is no longer loyal to our cause. Furthermore , my spies within Gringots have informed me that the Malfoy vaults are now empty and you are penniless!" Voldemort stated, his great displeasure evident in his rising voice.

"Your son is also forsaken us and is on the run, last known to be in France with another traitor the Parkinson slag." Voldemort continued.

"Pansy?" Lucius asked in confusion

"No, she has remained loyal and is the one who alerted me to your son's treachery and that of her blood traitor mother." The Dark Lord informed.

"Within two weeks time I want your wife and offspring before me, and the Malfoy fortune returned for my use, take whomever you wish to aid you. Kill the Parkinson bitch. If you fail…" Here Voldemort paused for dramatic effect. "The Malfoy name will no longer be a living line. Do I make myself clear Lucius!" Voldemort barked at his former Lieutenant.

"Quite clear my Lord." Lucius answered supplicantly.

"Now leave my sight! Your presence sickens me." The Dark Lord waved his hand in a dismissive fashion. Lucius arose and left the ballroom quickly.

"Pansy my dear, come forward it is time to continue your training." The short brunette approached the throne and bowed low. The Dark Lord saw in the young woman great potential and had taken her as his protégé. She would take the spot that had once been Bellatrix's. He saw in her a great capacity to be ruthless and deadly.

She had already put in their place several of the male Death Eaters who had made advances on her. Her growing repertoire of dark spells had garnered a 'Don't mess with me' reputation. Many now cowered when she entered a room. Which the Dark Lord found quite amusing.

"I am yours to command my Lord." Pansy stated almost seductively. The Dark Lord chuckled at her obvious overtones. But he no longer had any sexual impulses. The rituals he had performed on himself had removed any and all desire for companionship in any form.

oooOOOooo

A large Eagle owl landed on the kitchen table of the Malfoy safe house in Bordeaux France. Draco Malfoy scion of House Malfoy removed the parchment attached to the large owls leg and read the note that had been sent from his mother it was short and to the point.

Breakout from Azkaban!

Your're no longer safe!

Run!

Mum

Draco Malfoy sprang from his chair in a flash. "Jenny! We need to get out of here in a hurry!" The young blonde haired man called to his fellow fugitive Eugenia Parkinson. Over the past several weeks the unlikely pair had become very close. Eugenia had been seriously injured when they had been surprised by a team of Death Eaters soon after Pansy had fled back to England.

Draco had received a crash course in battlefield healing while trying to save the attractive older woman's life. Draco was forced to become intimately knowledgeable of the older woman's anatomy as he had to heal several deep lacerations and spell burns over her body which required the removal of her clothing.

Over time the two had become quite close and more recently physically intimate with each other. Was it love? Who knew, but the circumstances in which they found themselves was definitely a factor in the progression of their relationship.

The threat of discovery and death seemed to act as an aphrodisiac to the couple. Eugenia knew that they were just using each other for comfort for now, but she did indeed begin to have feelings for the handsome young man. And if experience in matters of the heart told her anything it was that the young man was beginning to feel the same. He had been very attentive to her every need since her injury and even more so after she was completely healed.

Within moments they had packed what belongings they had and had shrunk them down and placed in their pockets. "Do you know where we can go Draco?" Eugenia asked with some concern. "I don't think it wise to go to any wizarding locations, the Dark Lord has spies everywhere." She stated.

I don't know if we'll have much of a choice." Draco responded shaking his head. "I have no idea how to move in the muggle world. I would be completely lost." Draco admitted apologetically.

Sighing deeply Eugenia offered." Maybe we should try our luck with the French Ministry Draco. I know it's dangerous but I don't see where else we could turn. If we explained our situation maybe they can help us stay safe…maybe even get asylum. I know many of the Dark Lords followers including at least one French spy here in France. Perhaps could arrange to provide them information for a place of refuge. What do you think?" Eugenia asked, hoping for his agreement. She didn't like being on the run and perhaps a deal with the French Ministry could provide some semblance of sanity for the pair.

Draco thought over Jenny's proposal as he had come to call her much to her delight, and finally agreed that perhaps that was their best option. They would have to be extremely careful not to reveal themselves to the wrong people or it could be disastrous for the couple.

"I overheard the Dark Lord ranting once about a certain French official that could not be persuaded or bribed to turn spy for him. I believe the name was Dela…something." Jenny thought out loud.

"Delacour?" Draco asked.

"Yes that's it! How did you know?" Jenny asked surprised that Draco knew the name.

"That was the name of the Beaubaxton's champion during the Tri-Wizard tournament at Hogwarts. She is also a friend I believe of Harry Potter's." Draco told her.

"That could be a way to gain his assistance. Your mother has joined sides with the wonder boy hasn't she?" She asked. Draco grimaced for a split second and nodded.

"Yeah, she has. Potthead from what she has told me is creating his own faction in the war, and is getting the political clout to pull others to his side." Draco said in grudging respect for his former nemisis.

"Perhaps we should ally ourselves with him as well Draco. I know the Dark Lord fears him. He tries to mask it but many have noticed his obsessive behavior toward the boy. Potter apparently held his own against the Dark Lord at the Ministry battle. How many witches or wizards can you name that have done the same?" She asked Draco, placing a gentle hand on his cheek turning his gaze to hers.

Draco nodded reluctantly and smiled warmly at Eugenia before tenderly kissing her lips. "Your right, loathe as I am to admit it. Potter may be our way out of this mess. My mother trusts him, my Aunt Bella is married to him and he is the head of two Ancient and Noble families." Draco said morosely still feeling a little cheated that he had not inherited the Black Head of House title.

"Its settled then. We'll apparate to the French Ministry in Paris and contact Monsieur Delacour. If all goes well we should have a safe place to stay by this evening. If not…there's always America." She said shrugging her shoulders.

oooOOOooo

"Are you sure we can trust her Charlie? We're taking a very big risk revealing ourselves to an auror." Bill hissed at his younger brother.

"I'm positive we can trust her Bill. We have been close friends for ages; she would never betray us to the ministry or to Bumbledork." Charlie responded confidently.

"It's your arse if you're wrong little brother. Actually it will be all our arse's." Bill replied wondering why he had agreed to this meeting.

"Do I need to remind you, you big pansy that she is with Potter now. If anyone would be sympathetic to what we are doing it would be him. You saw what happened at the will reading. I tell you that Harry is gonna be a major player in things to come and we'll want to be on his good side. Besides the twins have complete trust in him as well, and you know as well as I do that the twins don't give out their loyalty easily." Charlie finished.

Bill sighed heavily but agreed with his brother that Potter would be a force to reckon with and it would be in their best interest to let him know that they were interested in being in his corner. Arriving at the Leaky Caldron they spotted Tonks in a far corner of the dingy pub. Standing up she motioned for the pair of redheads to follow her.

She led them upstairs to the bedroom located at the far end of the hallway. Bill immediately recognized a number of wards as they approached the door. Years of curse braking had finely tuned his magical sensitivity to this kind of magic. He did not sense anything dangerous but nevertheless he was put on guard.

Tonks muttered a password at the door and it swung open. The pink haired metamorph then entered and beckoned to the two brothers to follow. Bill and Charlie Weasley entered the room and standing before them was the new Minister of Magic Amelia Bones and the Boy-Who-Lived Harry Potter.

"Welcome young men. I believe we have much to discuss." The stern looking woman said to the brothers. With that the door behind them shut with a loud click.

oooOOOooo

A/N: There you have Chapter 24. The next few chapters will be a little more action packed as things begin to heat up in the Wizarding World. Please Read and Review!