Hi! Long time! Sorry for the delay, but I've had a horrible case of writer's block and life has been busy. Finally, I decided to reread some of my favourite fanfic stories and some chapters of OTP and the script of movie to regain some inspiration. It helped. So, you will notice I've used quite a bit of quotation/paraphrasing from JKR's Order of the Phoenix and/or the movie script.
Also, I'm feeling a bit evil right now and broke up this important chapter of the story into 2 parts (I'm considering 3 parts). The second part (which is a sure thing) won't take as long to be completed as this one did.
Special thanks to ObsessedRHshipperfor her beta help. Also, thanks for everyone who's been reading this. The last chapter had over 170 visitors, many thanks to all! Also, reviews are always welcome. Those make my day. Over 200 reviews of the story so far, yippee and thanks so much!
The Burrow – Part 1
"Where's Blaise?" asked Draco.
"Blaise couldn't get away. They needed him to help them."
"Help them with what?" asked Harry.
"To stall Lupin and McGonagall."
"The Order?" exclaimed Estella.
"Yes. They got a list of Order members: Lupin… McGonagall… you…"
"George!"
Greengrass nodded.
"How?" asked Hermione.
"I don't know. But they gave us names today and said it was our job to stall the Order members in Hogwarts while they attack."
"Attack who?" asked Ron and Harry at once.
"The Burrow."
Ron, Harry, and Ginny simultaneously began to run to the door. Hermione and Estella closely followed.
Draco Malfoy stood still for about two seconds, all sorts of thoughts flashing in his mind. Should I help them? What if it's dangerous? I don't really want to be in a situation like the train again. And for Snape and the Weasleys? But, Ella… Dammit!
"Wait!" called Malfoy. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, looking at his Slytherin friend.
"WE'RE GOING TO HELP OUR FAMILIES!" Ron yelled.
Harry didn't even answer. He was focused on getting to his father and sister. Estella, however, stopped. She looked like she had realized something incredibly important and then cast a blocking jinx on the exit.
"WHAT IN THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU DOING?" asked an angry Ginny.
Estella softly answered, "We don't have a plan."
"THEY ARE GOING AFTER DAD AND CASSI! I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR PLANS!" Harry replied.
"You may not care, but I'm not about to let you risk my skin or hers without a plan. Plus we'll be no use if you do something stupid," Malfoy stated.
"WE HAVE TO GO AND HELP!" yelled Ron.
"I don't want to make another mistake," Estella said.
"LET US GO HELP OUR FAMILIES!" Harry ordered, aiming his wand at her.
"Stop it!" ordered Hermione. "It's no use to fight against each other!"
"And what would you have me do?" yelled Harry.
"Maybe they're right," said Hermione, earning her a look of pure anger from Ron, Harry, and Ginny. "Or maybe they are not," she continued, "But we might as well listen to their plans."
Ron let out an exasperated shout. Harry lowered his wand, but began pacing in anger. Estella looked at Hermione thankfully.
"Well what is your plan?" asked an angry Ron.
"I… I don't know yet," answered Estella.
"And what are we supposed to do until you figure that out!" yelled Harry.
"I say we can start by getting to know more. Daphne, how long ago did you find out about this? Did they give you any details?" asked Hermione.
"They told us a couple of hours ago. Marcus and Mr. Malfoy are in charge. They'll lead the attack once it gets dark."
Estella and Malfoy suddenly looked at each other as if confirming something. Then Malfoy spoke. "I know for sure that Daphne and Blaise are not high enough in the ranks to get that kind of information. Not yet."
"How did they tell you about it? In a meeting or in private?" asked Estella, looking at Daphne.
"A meeting."
"Who was there? Which members?"
"Blaise and I, Adrian, Tracey, Pansy, Millicent, your dorm mates, Graham, Miles, Vincent, Greg –"
"It's a trap," declared Malfoy. At that, Harry, Ron, and Ginny stopped looking so angry. Draco looked to them and explained. "Last year, they did the same. They rounded up all the Slytherin recruits and told us they'd attack at King's Cross. Instead, they took over the train while we were in the middle of nowhere. I think they're trying to do the same."
"I agree," Hermione said.
Then as if to make a final point, Estella spoke. "You're right. There is no way that Marcus would allow critical information of an attack to be shared with people as daft as Crabbe and Goyle, or anyone that I have easy access to, like my dorm mates. Even Montague and Bletchley are a stretch. Daphne, who ran the meeting?"
"Theo."
"It has to be him," said Malfoy. "With McDavol gone and me out of the Black Hand, he is the best option to be the link to the leadership."
"Did Nott go with the group that went to distract Order members?" Estella asked.
"No. He stayed in Slytherin and said to send someone to report back on our status in an hour."
"We have to get to Nott. He'll know the true plan," said Estella. Then she looked to Harry, "We have at least an hour before the sun sets. Let us get to Nott and the truth. Then you can choose our next move."
Harry looked at her doubtfully.
"It's what your dad would do. We can have Granger come with us if you don't trust us," Draco stated, with a condescending air that clearly said that Hermione was probably the only one of them he considered up to par. Harry looked like he wanted to pummel him. But he nodded in agreement with the strategy. He just wanted to get on with this.
"Daphne, does he still fancy you?" asked Estella.
Greengrass instantly looked uncomfortable. "Not again," she said.
"Sorry," said Estella.
"Fine! The same place as before."
"You think you can get him alone in say… twenty minutes?" asked Malfoy.
"Do I have a choice? Urrhhh!"
The Slytherin began to walk towards the door. "This better be worth it!"
"I'll make sure it is," assured Estella. She lifted the jinx from the exit and Greengrass walked out. Estella then explained that Daphne would lure Nott to a place where they would have access to him. Then the Slytherins would confound him and use legilimency to find out the Black Hand's real plans. "I'll use the memory charm that Severus taught me for good measure," said Estella. Hermione would go with them and help.
In the meantime, Ron, Harry, and Ginny would try to get to McGonagall and Lupin to alert them of what was going on. They would meet again in the room behind the mirror in forty-five minutes.
Time passed quickly. They had no luck finding Lupin or McGonagall. Whatever the Slytherins had made up had taken the professors far from their offices and classrooms. Ginny decided it would be smart to round up some of the Young Phoenixes and bring them back to meet in the room behind the mirror. Eventually, they ran back to the room with a small army gathered around them. Almost all of the Phoenixes had come. Then Estella, Hermione, and Malfoy ran in.
"What are they going to do?" asked Harry anxiously.
"They are attacking the Burrow and the Department of Mysteries at the same time. They wanted to us to know about the Burrow so we would get the Order distracted," said Hermione.
"Why?" asked Ron.
"There's something important hidden in that department. Voldemort wants to get to it, so Order members have been taking turns guarding it," answered Estella.
"How do you know that?" asked Harry.
"She's an Order member, remember?" said Draco.
"Who is supposed to be guarding this thing?" asked Ron concerned. He knew with his dad working in the Ministry, there was a good chance he could be there and in serious danger.
"Lily," Estella answered. Harry's heart dropped.
They made a plan in haste, unsure of who was better to go to each of the places of the attack. In the end, Harry, Draco, and Hermione would lead a group to the Department of Mysteries and Ron, Ginny, and Estella would lead a group to the Burrow. Harry sent a Patronus to his father, explaining as much as he could before leaving. Estella pulled out a mirror and called for George, with no response. She tried to cast a Patronus, but it didn't work.
"It's okay," said Draco, looking at her with empathy.
"No it isn't!" she answered annoyed. "Harry, you should send a Patronus to Lily as well."
Harry did that, but not without asking what was wrong with her Patronus.
"Don't know, I haven't been able to cast one since the day on the train," she answered. "Now, how are we going to get there?"
"We fly, of course," answered Luna, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
At the Burrow, Severus grimaced as he walked down the stairs. He made it past the fireplace and then sat on the rocking chair that Lily had brought and placed in the living room. He was thankful the Weasleys were willing to put up with him and his little girl invading their home on a daily basis. Truly, they were wonderful friends. A part of him was still stunned that he had managed to make such good friends in his life. In his years at Hogwarts, he would have never imagined that anyone besides Lily and Cassi would dare befriend him, much less put their lives in danger for his family's sake.
He sat for a couple of more minutes, waiting for Molly to come down with Cassi after her bath. He wished he could be taking care of things like that. Under the effects of all the potions, he thought he had the strength at least to bathe the baby. Yet, he let his cautiousness rule. Severus may have been willing to lose his magic and endure anything that came with it. But, when it came to his children, he would always put safety first. He knew that if the effect of the potions faded, even for a second, he could drop her in the bath and accidentally drown his own daughter. He would never let that happen.
She's too precious, so like Lily, pure and beautiful.
He had wished she had her mother's red hair, but even with his black colour, Cassi was perfect. He would never let any harm come to her, even if it meant not bathing her, not lifting her and tossing her above him to see her smile, and restraining himself from any of the games he learned to enjoy with Harry when he was a baby.
Harry. He is all I ever wished I could be - strong, righteous, valiant, and beloved. He is worth this curse, this pain, and this uneasiness.
From the moment Harry was pronounced as the chosen one, Severus had known he would put his life on the line for him. But, now that it was happening, he worried. Despite all his good qualities, Harry could still be like him, surly and rancorous when someone hurt him.
I wish I hadn't passed those traits on to him. But, he is so much better than I was at his age. And he'll mature and let go of the unhealthy qualities, like I did. I just hope the secret stays intact until he's ready. He shouldn't be the chosen one until he's truly ready.
He knew Harry was brave like his mother. He would endanger himself for his family, for his friends, and for all that is good in this world. But he hoped it didn't come to that. He wanted Harry to come to victory without Voldemort knowing what hit him, without his son being in any more danger.
It's enough that they target Harry for being my son and that they want Estella back because she's Voldemort's daughter. If they knew the truth, it would be worse. Efforts to get them would be redoubled. The prophecy needs to remain underground.
Severus hated that he couldn't be on watch, making sure their secret remained safe. His heart felt even more uneasy as he lifted his gaze to Molly's grandfather clock. All the needles of the Weasley family pointed to 'mortal danger.' It had been that way since the night Ella had returned injured, the night Voldemort had come back to their world. He dreaded the idea of the Dark Lord getting to the prophecy. He knew Lily had watch duty today and would protect it with her own life. But that made it even worse.
What if something happens to her? I can't live without her.
Lily was like the air to him. Without her, he was lost. But his life wasn't about him anymore. He was practically on his deathbed. So Lily had to stay alive. She had to live and be strong for Harry and Cassi. She had to guide them, and protect them, and ensure that Harry would succeed. He wished he could stay with them and help Lily in this task. He wished he was the chosen one and that they would be spared. He would beg to Voldemort, if he could.
But, that evil bastard wouldn't spare them. He's incapable of mercy. He has no conscience… no soul.
His thoughts were interrupted as Molly arrived down the stairwell. She smiled as she got closer and commented, "She's such a good girl, Severus, no fussing at all whatsoever."
"I know. She's our angel," answered Severus as he took the baby in his lap. Molly handed him a baby bottle and left to the kitchen to work on dinner.
He looked at Molly Weasley as she walked away and thought of another wondrous woman, the woman that his daughter was named after. It was peculiar to realize how much Molly reminded him of Cassiopeia Swanson. Their looks were utterly different. Nevertheless, both were kind, giving, stern, and fierce. Cassi would have probably been a wonderful mother, just like Molly. She gave him kindness and forgiveness when he needed it the most and he will forever thank Merlin for the honour of having had her friendship.
Without Cassi, who knows where Lily and I would be?
And yet, the Weasley matriarch could not stand Cassiopeia's child. In all truth, he understood Molly's anger. As a parent, he would have been extremely displeased if his son had disobeyed him, engaged in sex with a girl in school while promised to someone else, and then refused to follow parental commands when asked to leave said girl behind. Even George had to admit that he had been reckless and inconsiderate to both his family and Estella. Severus remembered wanting to bash that boy's head in when he heard that the redhead had defiled his goddaughter! Estella had been the daughter he'd never had, at least until Cassi came along. With Ralph Swanson gone, it was his duty to be an angry, over-protective dad.
But he makes Ella happy. He took care of her when Lily and I had so much on our plate. And he accepted her even after finding out that she's, unfortunately, Voldemort's daughter. He's been at her side through everything and I know that somehow they still communicate, even if he's not at Hogwarts anymore. Lily is right. They do remind me of us. He smiled as he thought of his wife. Leave it to Lily to go to bat for a Gryffindor-Slytherin relationship.
After everything that he and Lily had gone through, he understood the troubles of love. Though they did everything wrong, and followed no rules, traditions, or simple common sense, Estella and George had his blessing. Who was he to judge the actions of two youngsters in love?
Truth be told, I'd feel sorry for George if he had ended up like Potter.
Severus may have hated James Potter to the very core, but knowing that the sod was forced to lie to Lily and leave her behind to marry a girl he had been promised to in a contract was just… sad. That sod definitely got the short end of the stick.
But, it was partly his fault. If I had gotten Lily at Hogwarts, I wouldn't have let her go, no matter what. Then again I made my own mistakes. But I admit I'm glad that sod did not get wiser about telling the truth. If he had, Lily would have forgiven the git, and stayed in love with him, and then…
He didn't even want to think of it. The idea of Lily with someone else… of him not having his wife and children in his life was… inconceivable. He held his little girl a bit tighter against him and saw how she ravenously drank her bottle. Severus smiled. Looking at the innocent baby in his arms was enough for everything to be forgotten. The gits from his school days, how they had tormented him (though he had eventually been able to forgive Remus and Black), the past, the losses, Voldemort… everything dissipated. His little girl's face was enough to banish any troubles in his world, even if it was only momentarily. Just like Lily and Harry, Cassi was a beacon of light. Severus continued to look at his daughter, wondering how she would be when she grew up.
How much of your personality will I get to see before the end? Will you keep the green eyes like Harry? Or will they grow to be dark like mine as Lily wants?
He realized she finished the bottle, took it from her, and set it on the side table. Cassi burped and then smiled. Severus beamed.
Will you be sorted in Gryffindor or Slytherin? Or maybe in another house?
His musings were interrupted as he heard an alarm reverberate through the house.
The wards are being broken!
"Molly!"
Thestrals soared through the clouds, carrying a small army of Hogwarts students. Hermione rode, ready to face the Black Hand and fight for Harry and Lily, for her parents, for the YPS, and for all the friends they'd lost. She felt her soaked clothes cling to her as they flew over a rain-swept London. But it wasn't the wet clothes that made her feel cold to the bone; it was fear that chilled her. She was afraid for Ron, her Ron, the boy who now owned her heart. This was the first time they had willingly separated in a situation like this. She had thought about asking if she could go with the group assigned to the Burrow. Everything inside her had begged her to do so, but she had decided against it. Harry needed her. And she understood why Harry had decided to come to get his mum and trusted Estella to help Severus and Cassi. They both knew that Estella was loyal to Severus.
The city lights began growing larger around them as they got closer to the top of the buildings. Suddenly, she felt the creature underneath her make a dive towards the pavement. It felt like they were going to crash, yet the thestral landed gracefully, in almost a glide. Everyone dismounted his or her thestral, some with grace like Luna, and some with a 'Thank Merlin I'm on the ground' demeanour. They arrived at the entrance to the Ministry. Draco and a couple of the other students led the way into the place. They quickly explained that they had been here before with their parents for one reason or another. Then all the Young Phoenixes crammed into a phone booth. Thaddeus Boot was barely able to twist himself enough to dial a number into the phone. Then each of them had to say their names, which lead to getting badges before the booth zoomed down beneath the pavement.
They exited the booth and reached a large Atrium. For the first time, Hermione saw the inside of the Ministry to Magic. It was deserted and all that could be heard was the burbling of the large water fountain in the centre of the place. But, suddenly, a voice rang loudly.
"Visitors to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wand for registration at the security desk, which is at the far end of the Atrium."
"Urgghh!" grunted Harry, obviously annoyed. They followed the instructions of the voice. But there was no one at the security desk. Hermione felt uneasy. Shouldn't someone be guarding this place?
Harry looked at Draco and asked, "Now can we move?"
"It's this way," Draco answered.
Hermione followed until they got to a lift.
"Estella said it was the ninth floor," Draco said, as he pressed the button and they began riding down.
"How did she know?" asked Alicia.
"Ralph Swanson was an Unspeakable. Ella said that she and Ely used to come and visit him sometimes. But, she told me they never made it passed the entrance."
The ride that followed felt eternal to Hermione. She thought about Ron and what could possibly be going on at the Burrow. She shook her head slightly, forcing her mind to focus on the task at hand. She had to help Harry. They had to find Lily and keep whatever it was that the Order was protecting safe. They arrived at the ninth floor and once the lift stopped they heard, "Department of Mysteries."
They walked out of the lift into a place that was dimly lit. There was a single plain black door in front of them.
"Stay behind me," Harry said. "Once we've found my mum, I'll create a diversion. You just get her out of danger as quick as you can..."
"But, what if You-know-" Hermione stopped speaking as she saw Harry giving her a meaningful look. Then she continued, "What if V-Voldemort is there?"
Most of the students that were with them winced and looked frightened. Harry took a deep breath and responded, "If he's there, you leave Voldemort to me." Then he reached for the door. As it opened into darkness, the group nervously followed in.
"Lumos," Harry said. Within a few steps, a few blue flames lit the place and revealed a black room with no clear markings. There were plain black doors surrounding them and clearly no one knew which way to go. Suddenly, there was a great noise and the flames began to move sideways. The circular wall was rotating. Hermione grabbed onto Harry, worried this room might try to separate them. She took a deep breath and noticed most of the group had a reaction like hers. Luna and Neville hung onto each other, so did Alicia and Katie, and the Boot brothers stood extremely close, obviously watching out for each other.
"What was that about?" asked Neville nervously.
"I think it was to stop us from knowing which door we came in from," Hermione answered in a hushed voice.
"What now?" asked Draco nervously.
"We should try a few doors," answered Harry.
And so they did and got to see several odd rooms. One had a tank with brains in it, another had a veil-like door in its centre, and there was one filled with clocks and time-turners. But, they didn't find Lily in any of those places. Hermione marked the doors to the rooms that they explored with a fiery X, so they could efficiently continue the search.
They walked into yet another room. This one had ceilings as high as a church and incredibly tall shelves. The shelves were filled with dusty shimmery orbs. Suddenly, they heard people running and voices yelling spells.
"Mum!" Harry called, as he ran towards the noises.
All the Gryffindors and Luna moved to follow Harry. But, the rest of the young Phoenixes seemed hesitant.
"Come on!" yelled Hermione. "We have to help, now!"
Draco looked at her cautiously and said, "Promise me you won't let Snape lead us to our deaths."
"What?"
"Snape is going to get us killed with his rush! Promise me you'll keep him in check!"
Hermione wanted to kill him. How dare he question Harry?This was the time to fight! This as the time to help!
Just wait until we get out of this; I'm going to wallop him! she thought. Then again, she needed to get the group to move forward. "I promise. Let's go!"
They ran passing rows and rows of orbs and getting closer to where the voices came from. Finally, they saw the mess. Shimmery orbs lay all over the floor as shelves had been turned over. About twenty figures wearing dark robes and covered with masks were fighting with Order members. They saw Lily holding Harry behind her, though he kept trying to get passed her and fight. Hermione recognized Moody, Kingsley, and Diggle among the ones in combat.
Ron rode the thestral feeling incredibly uneasy. He couldn't see the bloody creature that was supposed to be under him. All he knew was that he was flying over the meadows of Southern Britain without any support. He took deep breaths to focus; he had to focus on the mission. They had to get to the Burrow and get his Mum, Professor Snape, and little Cassi to safety. He also had to watch over Ginny. If anything happened to his sister, he would never forgive himself. Thinking of that brought another girl to mind, another girl that he could never risk losing.
Hermione… Merlin, I hope she is okay.
He didn't really understand why she couldn't come with them to the Burrow. He should have asked for her to come with him! Then again in the rush of things they had accepted assignments without question. He understood why Harry had to get to his mum and why he trusted Estella to come for Severus and Cassi. After all, she was Cassi's godmother. He turned his head and looked at Estella. She seemed hesitant, but still flew. He was glad Estella had asked him to be on the team headed to the Burrow. There was no way he would go anywhere else. He had to get to his family. But, he was also annoyed because he knew why she wanted him around. If needed, they had to try to use the power McGonagall had shown them. She was using him.
Ron's musings ended as he saw the wonderful scenery of his nearby home. Suddenly, a chunk of wood flew by them, almost hitting Angelina.
"Bloody Hell! It's a section of the walls!" Ron yelled.
This was worse than they had imagined, so they all got the thestrals to go into a nosedive down to the Burrow. More debris zoomed pass them. Luckily, the creatures carrying them seemed to instinctively avoid the danger of the flying pieces of the Weasley home. As they got closer, the sight was horrible. A group of about ten masked men stood by the front of the house. They seemed to be guarding a figure that was in the front. He had his arms stretched and faced the Burrow. His hands emitted a white glow and an incredible wind seemed to come from the area between his stretched arms and his chest. It was that wind that hit the place with an intense fury.
"It looks like… a tornado?" Ginny stated, confused and in fear.
"It is a tornado. That's Marcus. He is an Elemental," Estella said in a sad tone.
"A what?" Ron uttered.
"He can control the elements of fire, earth, wind, and water."
As soon as they hit the ground the group that was protecting McDavol turned towards them. Ron was able to glance at his Mum and Professor Snape for a split second. They were in the tiny stone cellar underneath the house.
"Help me get to Marcus. Don't fight him!" Estella ordered.
Then the magical fray began.
I admit, this is an evil cliff-hanger, but I'll work doubly hard to write the next chapter ASAP. Also - sorry, but to R&H hotness in this chapter. But no worries, once the big battle is over I'll get back to that and maybe even a bit of George/Estella and/or Sev/Lily
Oh and I own nothing from the HP books – I just borrow.
Plz R&R