Chapter 39: One thing at a time . . .
Harry and Hagrid hadn't gotten more than a mile from Little Whining, flying low this time, before the Death Eaters came swooping toward them. As Hagrid concentrated on evasive maneuvers, Harry shot off every spell he decided to use in their defense, except his favorite, 'Expelliarmus', which had given him away before. "Bombardo" was working exceptionally well, though, as Death Eaters started falling from the sky, screaming, brooms ablaze,. But Harry spotted Hedwig trailing him, off in the distance and hoped she stayed far enough away to not draw attention to them or herself.
Hagrid had obviously been practicing riding Sirius' old motorcycle, as his skills at turning, diving and literally playing 'chicken' with the Death Eaters trying to catch them, was paying off. Between the two of them, they got away fairly easily, with just a scorch mark or two, but didn't relax until they passed through the wards surrounding the Tonks property and landed safely on the back lawn.
Ted and Andromeda, who were waiting on their brick patio when Harry and Hagrid clambered off of Sirius' bike, waved a greeting. Just then, Hedwig swooped gracefully down to land on Harry's outstretched arm.
"Good girl, Hedwig," Harry praised the snowy owl, digging a treat out of his pocket and giving it to her. "Now go to The Burrow, but be careful."
The owl gave Harry a look, as if to say, "I got this covered, kid!", nibbled on his ear affectionately and took off, flying low but entering a nearby wood for cover.
"Hagrid! Harry! We're so glad to see you two!" Andromeda came forward to give each of them a hug.
"Harry!" Ted Tonks stepped forward. "Glad to finally meet you! Dora speaks about you all the time, well, when she's not talking about Remus Lupin." Ted laughed, as he shook hands with Harry and then Hagrid. "Hagrid, that was some masterful flying, that was!"
"Why, thank 'ya, Ted. We had some close calls, but I think we really confused them Death Eaters!" Hagrid boomed, clapping Ted on the back and nearly knocking him over.
"Indeed," Andromeda agreed. "I wonder how the others did?"
"We'll send word back as soon as we check about everyone when we get to The Burrow," Harry assured her, knowing she was worried about her daughter.
"Do you want a drink or anything before you 'Port Key' to The Burrow?" asked Ted, holding out a tray loaded with several bottles of Butter Beer.
"Yeah, that'd be great; I can be a bit late getting there, for this!" Harry grinned, as he grabbed a bottle, held it up and then chugged it. "AHHH! That was just what I needed. Thanks, Ted."
Hagrid, meanwhile, had downed three bottles and wiped off his mouth with his sleeve. "Right! Now we're ready to go, eh, Harry!"
"Ready" Harry answered, as he watched Andromeda use a tea towel to place a rusty cauldron on the nearby garden wall.
"Here's your 'Port Key', then . . . just touch it and then I'll activate it."
Harry stepped forward, then turned and looked quizzically at Hagrid."You're not coming?" he asked.
"Naw . . . Sirius says I'm to get 'is bike back to Hogwarts, straightaway, and back into storage . . . I'd better make sure it don't 'ave a scratch on it, neither," laughed the huge man, as he settled onto the seat of the motorcycle, ready for the journey north. "I'll rest a bit, then go on my way."
"Right . . . I'll tell Sirius not to worry, you took good care of it tonight," replied Harry, as he walked over and gave his friend a hug. "See you later." Turning to Ted and Andromeda, Harry became serious. "Ted, the Ministry is going to fall soon, Voldemort has half the staff either infiltrated with Death Eaters or they're under an 'Imperious' spell. They'll start hunting for Muggle-born and half-blood Witches and Wizards; please make plans to go into hiding as soon as you can. Andromeda is safe; she's a Black, after all, but you could be killed. You must be ready to disappear. . . if worse comes to worse, 'Apparate' to Hogsmeade and talk to Aberforth Dumbledore at the Hogs Head, he'll be able to help."
"Harry!" Andromeda's hand flew to her throat. "How do you know all of this?"
Harry smiled. "It's hard to explain, but . . . one day soon, I'll be able to tell you all about it . . . just please listen to me, okay?"
"I will, Harry. I'll get started planning where to go, and all, straightaway. Thanks," Ted replied. "I have a few friends I'd better contact, as well, after we hear news about the Ministry; they might not believe me until then." Harry nodded and shook hands with him and gave Andromeda a hug.
Walking over to the cauldron, Harry grabbed the edge and Andromeda pointed at the side of the old pot with her wand. There was a blue flash of light and Harry was gone.
X X X
"No sign of Harry?"asked Ginny, when her father and Fred came through the door. She closed it and turned to look at her father and brother.
"He's not here yet?" asked Arthur, looking to Molly, who stood at the kitchen sink, gazing out into the yard. She shook her head.
"He and Hagrid were seen flying fast and low, by Bill and Fleur. Then they had their own fight to get through," Molly replied. "They're the only ones who have returned, so far. They're out back, sending the Thestral home to Hogwarts."
Ginny gasped and headed for the door, throwing it open. Remus entered, supporting George, who was spattered in blood. "Oh, no, not again!" Molly ran forward.
"No, Molly, he's still got his ear . . . Severus was careful not to repeat that little bit of the fight, but he did have to inflict some damage; a cutting spell. I've used the counter-spell to slow the bleeding and there's a bottle of 'Essence of Dittany' in my pocket," finished Remus, as he heaved George onto the couch and collapsed into a nearby arm chair. Digging into his jacket, he handed the small bottle to the Weasley matriarch. "Molly, if you'd be so kind." She took the bottle and turned to administer the healing liquid to her son.
George's entire shirt front was torn and blood-soaked. When Molly magically removed it, there was a visible gash, but the bleeding had almost stopped. George seemed to be semi-conscious, but when she started applying the 'Dittany', he sat straight up, yowling, "BLOODY HELL, MUM!"
"George! Quiet! Lie down! I have to apply this 'Dittany' or you'll have a nasty looking scar!"
"War wounds are dead sexy, Molly, isn't that right, Bill?" Remus informed her, laughing, as he looked around at the others crowding into the room: Bill, Fleur, Arthur and Fred, who quickly came over by the couch, inspecting the 'damage' to his twin. Remus frowned. "No word from Harry?"
"Not yet, but here come Tonks and Kingsley," Ginny informed them, from her post by the door. "Oh, and there's Sirius and Mad-Eye. Oh, dear, Sirius is hurt, too!"
Remus was up out of the armchair and through the door like a shot, running to put an arm around his old friend, whose arm was bleeding and there was a nasty burn on his leg. Tonks was on the other side, while Kingsley gave Mad-Eye an arm to lean on, as he seemed to have lost his magical leg somewhere along the way.
"I dueled Voldemort," Sirius gasped. "He thought I was Harry, but I think my wand skills looked a little too good for a student, so he took off - he can fly, Remus! . . . he did take the time to almost blast Alastor off of his broom . . . there's an artificial, magical leg hopping around somewhere near Stockbridge," he laughed.
"So, the only one unaccounted for . . . is Harry," Remus informed Sirius.
Sirius stopped dead in his tracks, his face losing all its color. "He's not here yet?"
"No, but he was going the furthest, and is going to 'Port Key', so he's not 'late' yet," Tonks tried to reassure them both. "Knowing my Mum, she's sat the two of them down for some dinner before allowing them to leave!"
"Perhaps we should 'Floo-call' . . . and check?" Remus suggested.
"Yeah, let's . . . "
There was a flash of blue light and Harry landed, stumbling, right by Mister Weasley's garage.
"Harry!" about half a dozen voices called at once.
Turning around, slightly disoriented, Harry just had time to balance himself before Ginny ran into his arms and he was surrounded by the rest of the Order, clapping him on the back and all talking at once. The whole group made its noisy way into The Burrow, where Harry immediately went to check on George. Silently counting heads, he realized they had all survived and a broad grin broke out on his face.
"Well, looks like we've successfully pulled off my escape! Oh, Sirius, Hagrid and your bike are in fine shape. Tonks, your Mum wants word that you're all right."
"I'll Floo call her," Tonks replied, nodding, heading to the hearth.
"Mad-eye . . .glad you're still with us," Harry added, then laughed, noticing the missing appendage. "Well, most of you!"
There was quite a celebration that night at The Burrow, but they all knew that Voldemort would be that much angrier, having missed his chance to grab Harry. They'd have a short respite, but there was more hard work ahead.
X X X
As the tent for Bill and Fleur's wedding was being raised, Rufus Scrimgeour arrived at The Burrow. He had come to present Hermione, Ron and Harry with the personal items Albus Dumbledore had left to them in his will. Hermione was a bit rude, but justifiably, when she pointed out that the Ministry had to give them the personal gifts, FINALLY, as the Wizards in the Department of Mysteries couldn't find anything 'unusual' about the three objects within the thirty day period when the Ministry had possession of Albus' will and bequests. The Minister for Magic could hardly argue with her; she was correct, they'd found nothing and the time limit had been reached.
Pulling out Albus' will, he began to read. "To Mister Harry James Potter; the Golden Snitch he caught in his first game of Quidditch at Hogwarts," Rufus read, as he unwrapped the little golden orb. Harry picked it up, smiling.
"This is really nice, and the Headmaster was right, I'm glad to have this keepsake." Harry put the Snitch in his pocket and looked at the Minister, all smiling attention.
Hermione sniffed. "He's disappointed it didn't open and reveal something, Harry."
"They open up? Cool. Maybe I'll check that later. What did Ron get?"
Rufus opened and then closed his mouth, clearly disconcerted at Harry's seeming indifference to the possible contents of the Snitch. He shook himself and then took another look at Dumbledore's will, which was floating next to him.
"To Mister Ronald Bilius Weasley; my Deluminator, in the hopes that he can use it in the future, should the situation arise." Scrimgeour handed over the glass and brass instrument. "Exactly to which situation do you think he would be referring, if you don't mind my asking, Mister Weasley?" he asked, with a pointed look at Hermione, who smiled sweetly at him.
"Well, he knew my plans to be an Auror and probably thought this might come in handy," Ron replied, as he flipped open the lid. A ball of light streaked into the Deluminator from each of the lamps in the room, the top snapping shut. When Ron flipped up the lid again, the light balls flew back to their lamps. "See?! This is so cool!" Ron declared, grinning, as he, too, pocketed his gift from the Headmaster. "Dumbledore invented it himself, you know."
"Yes, I was aware of that fact. Humph! Yes, well . . . Let's see . . . to Miss Hermione Jean Granger; my copy of 'The Tales of Beetle the Bard", in the hopes she'll use it for a little light reading."
"Excellent! I've heard of this book, but never had the chance to purchase a copy and for some reason . . . it wasn't in the school library." Hermione did what she always does when handed a book: opened it and started reading, ignoring the other three sitting there.
"Ah, Miss Gran . . ." Rufus was frowning, clearly puzzled at Hermione's reaction.
"Forget it, Minister. When she settles in to read, it takes a Hippogriff to pry her out of the pages," Ron informed him, Harry nodding in agreement.
Hermione glanced up, blushed, put the book on her lap and whispered, "Sorry."
"Minister," Harry looked at Rufus, frown on his face. "Please be careful; keep an Auror with you, at all times. Voldemort is going to take over the Ministry and you are in great danger."
"WHAT! How do you know this, Mister Potter?"
"I can't say, sir, but please believe me. Although we don't see eye to eye and I disagree with some of what the Ministry has been doing or not doing, I'd hate to see you killed because you were too proud to listen to a Hogwarts student's advice. That's all, sir, just be careful and watchful. If it means running and hiding to save yourself, do it! Now that Voldemort is back, a word of warning is the least I can do, sir."
"Very well, Mister Potter. I'll take your advice and be extra cautious. I'll talk to the Auror office first thing on Monday." The Minister for Magic seemed to dismiss them . . . end of discussion, as he picked up Albus will and returned it to the official folder .
"No, sir, I mean today . . . now, as soon as you go back to your office."
The Minister froze from putting the folder back into his briefcase . . .he slowly raised his head and looked at Harry, Ron and Hermione. "But . . . " Scrimgeour stared at the deadly serious looks on the faces of the students sitting in front of him. "Very well . . . if you will excuse me." He stood and stalked out the door without a backward glance or another word.
"Do you think he'll listen, Harry?" Hermione whispered, in the sudden silence.
"I don't know, but it's out of our hands, I warned him and I don't know if I should have even done that, but I had to at least give him a choice and a chance to survive this."
"He's the Minister for Magic, Harry . . . he'll do what he thinks is best for him," Ron added, shrugging. "If he decides to make a stand at the Ministry, at least he knows an attack is coming. It's all you could do, mate. Let it go, we have a wedding to attend."
As if on cue, they heard Mister Weasley calling them, so they tramped outside to help with the preparations.
X X X
"So, did old Rufus heed your warning, Harry?" Dan asked.
"He did, so he escaped that first attack on the Ministry by the Death Eaters, but he, and a handful of loyal Ministry workers were killed a few weeks later in a battle with some Snatchers," Harry related. "But a witness said Rufus went down fighting, refusing to talk to the Snatchers, denying he knew my whereabouts, which he really, truthfully, didn't. I hope he knows . . . " Harry stopped, a haunted look in his eyes.
"He knows he did the right thing, Harry," Emma rose and walked over to throw her arms around Harry and give him a hug. "It was a noble gesture on his part and I hope he's remembered for his bravery and loyalty."
"He is, Emma," Draco spoke up. "There's a ward named after him at St. Mungo's."
Emma turned and smiled at Draco, nodding her head.
"Now, if you would unhand my husband, young lady," Ginny laughed, "We can get to the wedding and all of THAT fun stuff. "
Emma pouted , then giggled, kissed Harry on the cheek and went over and sat with Draco.
"You're not spoken for, are you Draco? I'd hate to get hexed just for being friendly!" She leaned on his shoulder and batted her eyelashes at him.
"That trick might have worked on the Headmaster, Emma, but . . . I'm afraid . . . it's working on me. too." He chucked her under her chin, even as he put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
Narcissa elbowed Lucius in the ribs. "Ow!" She tilted her head toward their son and Lucius' eyebrow shot up. Looking at his wife, he saw her sad smile and taking her hand, whispered, "In a different time and place, my dear, I'd be very pleased with his choice."
Narcissa nodded and squeezed his hand. "Me, too."