Chapter 5: Percy's Decision

Harry apologized to Ginny and apparated to the ministry. He went straight for Percy's office without sending him any warning. He probably should have, but at the moment he wasn't thinking straight.

Percy looked up in surprise when Harry burst into the office. "The door has a knocker, Harry," Percy said smiling and motioning for the chair in front of his desk.

"I know where Voldemort is going; we can be ready for him there. We can end this once and for all," Harry said.

"Where?" Percy asked.

"The tomb of Nicolas Flamel."

"What's your source?" Percy asked.

"A dream, but it doesn't matter. We have to go now and get ready. I don't know when he'll get there but if he beats us we're done," Harry said.

"Harry," Percy said, "Flamel's tomb is in France. Fleur may be my sister-in-law, but she is not going to like a British army setting up shop in the middle of her capital. I need a better source than a dream."

"But I don't have one. I trust it, you have to believe me," Harry said.

"Whether I believe you or not Harry, I can't invade Paris on the basis of a dream!" Percy said rising from his seat.

"You are so narrow-minded!" Harry screamed back. "You did this last time too, sacrificing what needed to be done for your own political gain!"

"Enough!" Percy said. Harry fell silent. "Go and tell Fleur about your dream. If she wants to move her army there so be it, but I will not lend a single person."

"Percy, please at least hear me out," Harry said.

"My decision is final," Percy said, motioning to the door. "I'd leave before I decide you can't go either."

Harry started to reply, but decided that this was actually a likely possibility and thus he left the Minister's office and walked to his own. Percy was right, a lot was riding on the meeting with Fleur and he needed to do it right. He pulled out a piece of paper and sent Percy a message that he was coming to use his portal to the UMN. Harry hoped the paper airplane hit Percy extra hard in the face.

Harry had gotten the French delegate to the UMN to get him a meeting with Fleur in the French UMN offices. Thus he was already there when she arrived.

"What 'es this about?" she asked.

"A warning," Harry said. "I had a vision which suggests that Voldemort may attempt to attack the tomb of Nicolas Flamel."

"A vision?" she asked.

"Yes. Talk to Ron or George if you doubt the credibility of my visions," Harry said.

"I ded not say t'at," Fleur said. "But Percy probably ded"

"You know him too well," Harry said.

"When?" Fleur asked.

"I don't know. He has to get Travers to teach him something first," Harry said.

"What es that?" Fleur asked.

"How to raise Flamel from the dead," Harry said. "Voldemort wants the Philosopher's Stone."

"But with that 'e would bee unstoppable," Fleur said. Harry nodded. "The British aren't 'elping are they?" Fleur asked.

"No, Percy didn't believe me," Harry said, a little depressed.

"Understandable," Fleur said. "I will stell ask for 'is 'elp, but et is unlikely. Will you 'elp though?"

"Of course, my friends will too," Harry said.

"You might get fired," Fleur said.

"So?" Harry asked. "Voldemort is more important."

"My Menistry will be there tomorrow morning. I 'ope you can join us," she said and she promptly returned to France.

Harry turned to the French delegate. "Great. Where exactly is that?"

"Why am I here again," Albus Potter heard himself say to a man he clearly recognized as Lord Voldemort. Albus recognized it as a dream.

"I need more troops," Voldemort said.

"I raised you because you already had them," Albus said, and he recognized that he was seeing the scene from Adam Travers's viewpoint.

"I had an army of Death Eaters. Most are now dead. If you want them to fight you're going to need to raise them."

"I don't have time for this," Travers said.

"Then train me to do it," Voldemort said.

Travers stared at him for a long time and Albus could almost feel the conflicting thoughts in his mind. Finally Travers sighed and said, "Fine. Who should we raise first?"

"Bellatrix Lestrange is buried here," Voldemort said. "She is a great fighter and a useful asset. Raise her first." The two walked to a grave marked with Lestrange's name and a great deal of graffiti. It seemed like no one had ever thought to clean it.

Travers pulled out a pair of knitting needles and handed them to Voldemort. "Okay, listen carefully," he said as the vision melted from Albus's vision. Suddenly he found himself in a long hallway with several doors on either side and a bright, golden gate at the end. His father stood in the gate. Except it wasn't his father. The man had the wrong eyes.

"Grandpa?" Albus asked. The man smiled.

"Tell your father everything you just saw. Can you do that for me?" he asked.

Albus nodded. "Hey, how have you been?" he started to ask, but the man turned and headed back throughout the gates.

"Good morning Albus," the man said and Albus woke up on his cot in Naumkeag. He tripped as he got out of bed. He summoned some parchment and pulled out his wand, magically writing on it as he ran toward the owlery.