(a/n): Thanx as always for the reviews.
I got a chuckle early in the reviews by mention of a Harry/Pansy pairing. Although, I had a thought about that, a bit of fun for the last couple chapters.
Ron, I've been pretty hard on, he deserves happiness and will get it with Romilda. But sorry the Vane family takes customs quite seriously. Their daughter stays a virgin til he announces their marriage, and that's not happening before graduation.
Pairing Luna with Sirius I did for a couple reasons, mostly that way of thinking she has will get him out of the dark place Azkaban took him to. And the age difference that troubled some; I feel is less that the actual chrological difference due to that imprisonment. He's scarcely older emotionally than when he went in. Besides, as another example, Lucius seems noticeably older than Narcissa in the movies (more than that between the actors).
Slytherin66 - If you liked Amelia last time, I'm sure you'll enjoy her here. As to Draco dying, I dunno. It's fun putting him and Harry into situations where they cannot avoid each other. Espionage is just bad business all around. Whether it's been real life or fiction it seems to backfire as much as it succeeds, but as long as there're people and countries there'll be espionage and counter-espionage.
Voldemort didn't need to survive the attack on Malfoy Castle as Susan will recall here. Just being declared dead doesn't make it so.
Though I kept descriptions of wounds minimized, this is as violent a chapter as ever. Voldemort's ultimate revenge. In the last half of the chapter, he inflicts mayhem on the innocent.
42 – War
It was several days later. Intentionally so. Rajiv, Parvati and Padma Patil had not seen each other since the day the sisters had been convicted of Espionage and sentenced to death. Surprised to still be alive, but highly anxious, yes fearful of what this day would bring. They'd been shaken awake in their separate cells hours earlier. A small, barred, window marked the passage of time. The Sun was only now coming up.
Rajiv was not secured to his chair. He had not been formally charged with any crime, merely 'Held at the pleasure of an Ancient and Noble House' His daughters, however, had been convicted of a most serious crime and sentenced to the maximum penalty. Both were secured by physical and magical means to her seat. Nothing would free them. Regardless, the chairs were not designed for comfort. As the Sun shone through the small window, several Aurors entered each pushing a pair of luxurious and comfortably padded seats. They stood at one end not speaking and clearly forbidding any movement from the prisoners.
x
"Fred, George" Harry walked into Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes two days prior to that moment. His expression grim, immediately deflated the usually irrepressible pair "I need to understand, especially from your point of view."
Fred had been particularly affected by his former girlfriend's arrest, trial and sentencing. Embarrassed that he'd been apparently used, so effortlessly deceived. "What's on your mind, Harry?" he asked, as they went to the back office and locked the door.
"Me and Sue" replied Harry "we knew going in they were never going to be executed. We weren't even surprised by the verdicts."
In their usual twinspeak, the redheaded pair said "Awww" "Our ickle" "Hawwy is all" "growed up"
"Hahaha" Harry chuckled, then soured. "What we want, is a way to punish the Patils in such a way that really hurts. And puts Daddy out of action. We really can't have all of India coming down on us. They could send an army bigger than our whole population."
George had changed, lately. No doubt because of his marriage to the former Daphne Greengrass. He had a serious streak that never existed before "I noticed that sometimes not being around Fred, shortly after getting married, was painful."
"I felt it too." Fred admitted "And it only faded when we were both here. You can't do anything worse to twins than take them away from each other."
Harry gulped, the deadly seriousness and genuine vengeance in their frank answer was actually scary. And it more than made sense.
x
Into the interrogation room entered the top layer of British Magical society. Minister of Magic Albus Dumbledore, his Vice Pius Thicknesse and Susan and Harry. Then, Meira Gandhi, a magical grand niece of the legendary Mahatma Gandhi. Her post, Magical Ambassador of India to Magical Britain.
"At last!" exclaimed Rajiv "I assume you're here to end this farce."
Ms. Gandhi smirked "You assume wrong, old friend. You see after a certain point people become more concerned with maintaining their own position, rather than their duty to your country. You passed that point many years ago. And thanks to British assistance, we have regained control of our Intelligence Agency."
"Britain is prepared to commute the death sentences and in fact rel-" Dumbledore began
He was interrupted by a cold tone "Wisest move you've ever made Dumbledore."
"Our terms are as follows!" came from a definitely NOT sweet voice of Susan "You, Rajiv Patil, will be imprisoned for life in Azkaban. Second, justice will best be served by imprisoning the correct conspirator responsible for my Aunt Amelia's murder. You will identify which one. She will join you for a 30 year sentence. Your other daughter will leave Britain, never to return, in fact will not come within 500 miles for the rest of her life."
The twins gasped and Harry hid a smile behind a perfectly impassive mask. His conversation with the Weasley twins yielded handsome results. Justice would be satisfied. If even their brief separations during normal life produced emotional discomfort, the Patils would suffer a 30 year separation during which one would be under less than humane circumstances. A father condemning to such a fate one of his children would punish himself for years to come.
"Suppose I choose not to?" asked Rajiv, playing what he thought was a strong trump card.
But that had been anticipated "Regrettably, that door is closed to you." replied Dumbledore "House Bones was most adamant in this. And India agreed. All three of you will be executed in that event. I would and did council forgiveness, but unfortunately-"
"Bloody right, but Britain got some nice concessions. And just so we're clear" Susan interrupted "any escape will result in all your deaths. And I'll put a price on your heads big enough for any bounty hunter."
Dumbledore gave a withering glare and said "Bounty hunters are unacceptable in any circumstance, Countess. Neither this nation, nor citizens of it, will engage in such behavior."
Harry spoke for the first time, defiantly "They broke our laws even being here. And I'll support my wife, to the hilt. Shall we go public with it? Go against us here, and you'll be facing a No Confidence vote. About this time tomorrow. Really, there's little reason we shouldn't anyway."
"Now is not the time for a major change, Harry." Dumbledore offered, apologetically "Our society is-"
Harry snapped "I don't care. Am I clear? They will pay for their crimes. Our Head of House was murdered and any and every participant deserves to die. We only offered this to avoid an Anglo-Indian war."
"A word here" Ms. Gandhi announced "While my country will undoubtedly win a war with you, by sheer numbers if nothing else. The notion of going around the world to fight is… undesirable."
Parvati grinned "Tell em!"
"Foolish child!" the Indian Ambassador slapped her "One last time, Rajiv. Having negotiated this deal, if you force me to, I could and will leave you to the Brits' tender mercies."
The senior Patil suddenly decided "It was Padma. We'll comply. Send Parvati home."
"PAPA!" Padma squealed in horror.
Parvati was really no less affected. She gave Harry a pathetic look "We went to the Ball together, Harry." She pleaded "You'd let my sister go to Az-"
"I'd throw you both to a Dementor myself." Was his icy cold reply. "But it might upset my wife."
Dumbledore's eyebrow spiked and he scolded "Harry!"
"What say we let the court have its way?" Susan suggested, knowing what that meant. And her tone was almost eager.
The deal was done. Aurors took Padma and Rajiv into custody and ultimately, Azkaban. They were not kind. A few days later, there was a knock on the door of an upper middle class home in an outlying neighborhood of Delhi. Parvati Patil was a shell of the exotic young beauty she used to be. Pale and shaking, she cried in the circle of her mother's arms "I miss Padma!"
But a crisis was averted. There would be no war between Britain and India.
x
A trio of leaders had emerged at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Oddly, the Seventh Years also included a Sixth Year, very unusually all female. The Head Boy was relatively unimportant and seethed silently in jealousy, though that situation would change very soon.
Neither Luna Lovegood nor Astoria Greengrass had neither need nor desire for male company as both were engaged and would be married shortly after graduation. Take out the negative usage and the one word description for Ginny Weasley would be 'Slut' Although no one would use that word to describe her to her face. A forfeited Quidditch game against Ravenclaw assured that would never be repeated. It was an eloquent statement, however, in that each boy was from a different House. As Christmas approached, it was Dennis Creevey who she began to hang around with. Dennis was different in a number of ways. Purebloods remarked that he was a Muggleborn. That he was younger than Ginny was not immediately obvious as he stood a foot taller, but the Seventh Year boys certainly knew it. The entire school knew that when the Big Three gathered, no male was permitted. Why? They were wont to ask, was Dennis Creevey?
Delores cuddled up to the Head Boy, trapped his arm in her not undesirable cleavage and instructed "As much as possible, you're to make sure Purebloods are toward the rear of the train. Especially as we get into London. Understood? Mudbloods up front. When we see each other, signal me if you've seen any of them. Clear?"
"You got it, Dee!" he replied, buoyantly. More, he grabbed the girl around her waist and yanked her in for an open-mouthed kiss.
She allowed it, even pulled his hand up to her breast, then pushed away and with a dreamy smile told him "My fiancé is a werewolf. Not the sweet, sugary kind like Lupin was when he was here. Hopefully, for your sake, there won't be any of your odor or taste on me the next time I see him."
It was a near panicked Head Boy who returned to his quarters
Days wore away. The student body was drowned in study and tests as the semester ended. They'd have a pleasant two days before going home, but nobody had a social life until the school demands slacked off. All unnoticed, a quiet conspiracy laid final plans. December 23 would go down in Magical history.
x
On that auspicious day, the very famous still teenage Heads of Ancient and Noble Families were separated by considerable distance and in two very separate worlds. But, doing what they both loved. Harry had learned that his family long invested in Quidditch and owned parts of every team in the League. And, that, combined with his very real talent landed him right where he wanted. In honor of his best friend, he was on the Chudley Cannons as reserve Seeker.
The world of Professional Quidditch was a vastly different world than what Harry knew at Hogwarts. Students were mere hobbyists compared to the pros. Practices of a few hours a week, which was all that education permitted, gave way to several hours a day six days a week.
"Hiya Quidditch fans!" the latest young sportscaster enthused "We all know today's guest. He wowed Hogwarts fans as the youngest Seeker in over a century. In his five year career there, only four games in which he didn't catch the Snitch. An impressive record. You'd have to be hiding in a dragon's nest not to have heard of Harry Potter."
Anyone who known him as a child, would still recognize in the adult who was experimenting with facial hair, the same face and spectacles. Only three people knew they were totally unnecessary. He chuckled easily "They were some great times. And some bad. But there's a HUGE difference between the school games and now. I've had aches in places I didn't even know I had places. These pro practices are just the legal version of a crucio."
"Much like me, back in the day" the sports newsman commented knowingly "Harry is exaggerating."
The star laughed "Well, maybe a bit, Ron. And by the way, it's great to see you doing something you love."
"Well, I can't play and this is the best way I can be close to the game." The redhead admitted "But enough about me. The Cannons are finally putting you in a game. Any thoughts?"
Harry gave a shrug "I feel ready. I'm honored to play in the Christmas Classic and against the Harpies. It'll be fun."
"The Missus doesn't mind you working Christmas Day?" asked Ron slyly.
Harry's cheeks heated, but he had plenty to poke back with "Well, I'd love to lay in bed all day … Like you and Romilda … but my wife also wants a career."
"Very funny." Growled Ron, whose complexion showed embarrassment much more readily than his friend's "But this isn't about me. This is about our rising Quidditch star. Any predictions for the game?"
Harry smiled "Well you know, Ron, I'm totally a Cannons man. But, I admit it'll be my first professional game. These pro Snitches are …well… like bullets no less."
"Thanks Harry, that was great. Just what the public wants." Said Ron "Even to embarrassing your best mate." He punched Harry on the arm. The camerawoman giggled then muffled herself.
Harry retaliated by slapping Ron upside the head, laughing "You started it." He retorted "But seriously, I'm glad to see you getting on with life. Romilda's a bit young for my tastes, but if she keeps you smiling."
"I tried" sighed Ron "for months and months. But she's just nowhere. I'd'a sworn if she died I'd've felt it. She was such a part of my life, mother to the twins. I know you two never stopped fighting-"
Harry held up a hand "Let be Ron. No we didn't. But I can't hold a grudge against a dead woman. And I'd just wanna mention I'm pretty sure Romilda doesn't need to hear about Hermione, except of course when it comes to the kids." He broke off then added "Gee, you really do have it tough."
"Go back to practice, Harry." Ron told him gruffly "We'll talk to the rest of the team and get some action shots. Don't forget dinner tonight."
Harry gave a smirk and asked "All those guests. Think your Mum can make enough food?"
"Let her hear that and we'll have leftovers for a year." Ron retorted.
x
Susan knocked on the office door marked MRS MARCHBANKS and heard "Enter!"
"I'm here for my Annual Review, ma'am." Susan announced.
The administrator waived to a seat opposite her desk and said "Sit, Mrs. Potter."
"Thank you." She replied. Susan used that as her professional name. Nobles performing work for The Ministry were supposed to do so without favoritism. And so gave up their titles on the job. They were no different from anyone else in the same position. A superior, as Griselda Marchbanks was, actually was Susan's boss, regardless of title or lack of one.
A roll of parchment sat on her desk and Mrs. Marchbanks unrolled it "This is a list and brief summary of the cases you have worked in the last few months. I think the one of most concern is your appearance in the Patil case. What were your thoughts there?"
"I wanted to demonstrate that I could perform a function regardless of personal feelings." Replied Susan.
Griselda ordered "Rate yourself on that, Mrs. Potter."
"Execution – Exceeds Expectations. Intent – Outstanding. Benefit to the Case – Poor." Susan answered unabashedly.
Administrator eyed employee coolly "You do know that Intent, Mrs. Potter, is not a measurable category. Setting that aside, The Board agrees with your evaluation. Our opinion was that you failed to foresee the possibility of Mr. Potter's involvement. A major concern on my part when accepting you into my Department."
"Oh?" asked Susan in a monosyllabic coolness.
Griselda replied "Yes, Mrs. Potter. Your husband has a history of lawbreaking, or, at the very least lawbending. And then escaping the consequences of his misdeeds."
"Misdeeds like killing Voldemort, for instance?" asked Susan, without the slightest bit of sarcasm.
Griselda sniffed in offense "I will order copies made of your husband's record. I want you to prepare a report of your evaluations of his actions, with particular attention to lack of punishment."
"And my results? Please?" Susan wanted to know.
Griselda held out two scrolls "Overall an Exceeds Expectations Minus. It is the opinion of the Board you have the talent to make a strong prosecutor. Much development is needed, naturally. You currently lack sufficient tenure for promotion, but if you continue to improve, it seems likely during the next evaluation cycle. Please sign and date one, the other is your copy. Any questions Mrs. Potter?"
"No, Mrs. Marchbanks, I do believe I have seven days to offer comments and concerns? Correct?" Susan answered. Later, back in her cubical, she penned a vitriolic response which took her straight through lunch and into the late afternoon. And that is when an almost unheard of event occurred. It was in the rulebooks and everyone knew what it was, just that it happened about every twenty years or so. Every candle in the room, and throughout the Ministry, flashed a brilliant blood red.
Mad-Eye Moody, who was currently in charge of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, bellowed and his voice traveled from floor to floor "ALL MINISTRY PERSONNEL WITH EITHER COMBAT OR HEALER TRAINING APPARATE TO PLATFORM 9 AND 3/4 IMMEDIATELY!"
"The Express!" hissed Susan in horror. And that was when a long-forgotten memory flooded back. Dobby had said so, but in the aftermath of the destruction of Malfoy Castle,,, "OH! What a fool! Voldemort's still alive!"
x
Harry was deeply engaged in Quidditch practice. Currently it was about speed drills. One end of the Pitch to the other, back again, over and over. The most difficult, but ultimately thrilling move, never done at Hogwarts was whipping his broom at full speed through all three rings and at maximum speed.
"Only a true Seeker could pull that off, first time." Coach Radcliffe praised him "And while laughing."
Harry was laughing now, doing what had been unthinkable back in the day. With his lightning reflexes, he could see the ground and something caught his eye. The coach was signaling him in. Unconcerned, he throttled down, did a leisurely quarter-pitch loop and headed for a landing. Harry all but crashed landed as he caught the expression "What is it, Coach?"
"The Hogwarts Express derailed." Radcliffe gulped, and the rest of the team had joined by then "Just as it was getting to King's Cross. A friend from The Prophet brought the news."
The Keeper asked "Anyone hurt?"
"Anyone dead? You should ask." The lead Seeker snapped back.
Harry did not ask for permission, nor did he respond to his teammates' sniping at each other. He simply said "I'm going." And only a flash remained of his presence.
X xx x x
Delores and her accomplices carried out their orders in the five minutes before reaching King's cross. "Put the Mudbloods up front!" she shouted.
"Expelliarmus!" a Gryffindor fired at her.
Delores glared "Impudent boy. Crucio!"
The remainder meekly tossed their wands away and obeyed. All thoroughly cowed by the possibility of suffering the Unforgivable. They made their way in fearful silence to the front of the train.
"By the generosity of Lord Voldemort, all of you are to be spared any harm." The magically powered voice of Delores declared. And her minions pushed, pulled and otherwise bullied Pureblood students to the last two cars of the Express."
In all, it is remarkably easy to derail a train. You do not have to use explosives, or really take over the train. The goings on inside the Hogwarts Express had more to do with the Dark Lord ensuring the loyalty of his much reduced band of minions. You could not order wizards and witches, especially Heads of Ancient and Noble Houses, to harm or allow harm to their children, the futures of their Houses.
The last Carrow, under a Disillusionment Charm, smiled wickedly as the tracks began vibrating. The Express was approaching at 60MPH. The crash would be devastating, especially when a mere Quidditch Pitch away from Platform 9¾. Alecto was now a deeply disturbed witch. Amycus had died in Potter's devastating counterattack and without her twin brother, only a baby remained of their line. Caring for the toddler was the only thing that saved her life. She had not been at Malfoy Castle when it ceased to exist. This meant she had no hostages to fate on the Hogwarts Express. The metal of the tracks loudly announced its rapid approach. Her Disillusionment Charm went down, wand pointed at the end of one steel beam and she fired "Accio!"
It trembled, then it bent. Up, off the ground. Then more and farther, until it was no longer a smooth link in the metal strip on which the train rode. It was a deadly obstacle that would wreak havoc. It was too late for anything to be done. A fast moving train could not stop soon enough, even if the engineer saw the sabotage. Regardless, braking hard enough to stop in time would still derail the train.
She Disillusioned herself again and levitated directly above the site of her handiwork and waited. Alecto smiled as she contemplated the so soon to happen disaster.
x
"NOO!" screamed the Hogwarts engineer as he saw with long experience, the twisted rail. It was so far away and small that it was barely visible. Distant as it was, the man knew nothing could stop the train in time. He pulled out his rarely used wand, pointed it at his own heart and whispered "Avada Kedavra."
x
The impact was like nothing heard in London since the end of World War 2. Metal wheels struck the twisted metal rail and the iconic Engine was tossed about like a child's toy. It bounced end over end until it struck Platform 9¾ itself. Then EXPLODED! A fireball killed many waiting for their children to celebrate the Christmas Holidays. Large chunks of masonry were either blasted out of existence or collapsed into the empty spaces adding to the destruction.
Nor did the now unpowered passenger cars fare better. Especially that first one, it was all but consumed by the same fireball that engulfed Platform 9¾. Every student there, all Muggleborn, died instantly. Further back, there were fewer casualties. But as the wreckage skidded to a halt, not a single passenger escaped uninjured. The damage was as shocking if no where near as tidy as the still unexplained attack on Malfoy Castle.
And a carefully planned, well coordinated and perfectly executed scheme relieved the Hogwarts Express of four students long before the first help arrived.
x
Why combat magic was desired, Susan did not know, not for certain. But trying to assist survivors, she was soon distracted by a balefully black cloud. Out of which formed a skull and a snake protruding from the mouth. Everyone was both terrified and shocked, except for Susan, who was certainly still terrified. There was no other word for it "Fuck!"
**Do not count the Dark Lord dead until you've seen his body. And even then you can make a mistake** Appeared as part of the evil display.
"Uhhhhh" came a groan.
Susan saw a charred hand rise over rubble and rushed over. She almost emptied her stomach right there. That she was a Syltherin meant nothing to Susan. The girl looked too small to even be a First Year. Susan flicked her wand and debris lifted off the girl's leg. It was crushed.
"I'm gonna die, ain't I?" the girl coughed up blood.
Though the mediwitch was no where in sight, Susan replied "Don't be silly. Madam Pomfrey is on her way right now. I'm going to clean you up so she can get that leg of yours. You'll be running after Pygmy Puffs in a couple of days."
"I seen your pic **cough** yo… Susan Potter." The youngster said "Wh… Draco like?"
What, she wondered, would a little girl most want to hear? Susan gave her biggest smile and answered "Every bit the hero Harry said he was. Ah… but… he's got this dark side that, if I wasn't married. You won't tell Harry? Will you?"
"Oh I'll keep your secret." She giggled wickedly "For the right price. I'm a Slytherin after all." Then she yawned as mightily as a young girl could and muttered weakly "Sleepy…"
Susan whispered "You'll be fine. Take a nap if you like." She was convinced that the pulse she felt would soon stop.
"Avada Kedavra! Expelliarmus! Reducto!" shouts interrupted the quiet moment which she could not tell the length of. Another spell crackled the very air. And Susan was forced to defend herself. The girl she'd been caring for was utterly still, deathly so.
The fighting ended abruptly when three Apparation cracks were heard. It was three wizards. Much has been written about the binding power of love. Rarely, fortunately, in History has there been such a binding based on pure, unalloyed, corrosive hate. Such was now what those trying to defend and aid the wounded saw. An unpleasantly colored greenish-grey robed Voldemort levitating above the carnage. Beside him was the traitor Kingsley Shacklebolt, although strangely, no reward had ever been offered by The Ministry for his capture. Last, a truly ancient-looking wizard. He was not identified at the time, only later did the Minister of Magic regretfully identify his old friend Gellert Grindelwald. Voldemort glanced at his minion and growled "Kill her!"
Kingsley's wand was out in a flash and a green spell leapt toward Susan. Harry arrived moments before the Dark Lord's appearance, and was just as stunned as everyone else. Then he saw green death racing toward Susan. He acted! Actually outrunning the spell. He tackled his wife and shielded her with himself "Stay the bloody hell down!" he snarled "Or so help me I break your jaw again!"
Many witnessed the green spell hit Harry in the leg, but then he'd already survived the Killing Curse before.
"This is all my fault!" Susan squirmed under him "Lemme go!"
Aurors by the dozen arrived, Dumbledore himself leading them. And, badly outnumbered, Death Eaters disapparated. In the instant before Grindelwald did, he mockingly saluted and bowed to his old lover.
"Well this is a right bloody, sodding mess!" Ron shouted. And in a truly rare moment, Draco was nodding in full agreement. And while Aurors were carefully modifying Muggle memories to only remember the train wreck and none of the short but intense battle, the search for and treatment of survivors went on. Also, the identification of the dead.
No matter where in that disaster area you went, three names were echoing loudly. That of LUNA! or GINNY! or ASTORIA! Nor was there a reply. Ever.
"Some of the survivors said Colin and Dennis were taken to the first car." George reported to Harry, grimly "If the girls were, too … we'd never … That is … no bodies even."
Harry gripped his arms and declared "Don't believe it, my friend. We'll turn them up in the hospital, just with a broken arm or bump on the head." But later, on seeing Susan, they shared a hopeless look.
x
When night came, massive Muggle construction lights were brought in and the work went on. By morning, every body that was recoverable, had been recovered. St Mungo's was full of survivors with minor to still life-threatening injuries. Most, but not all, of the dead had been identified. Anyone conscious had been reunited with family.
"This is not one of mine." Professor Sinistra, Head of Slytherin and Astronomy Professor declared with absolute conviction.
The Healer with her remarked of the unidentified patient "Odd, she was definitely brought in wearing Slytherin robes. You're absolutely certain? Yes, of course you are. Next, we have -"
x
"I have received confirmation from the German Ministry." Announced Dumbledore "Gellert, with help from a Polyjuiced copy of myself, escaped over a year ago. They were too embarrassed to report the breach."
Harry looked almost as old as the erstwhile Headmaster. He'd been awake for almost three days, as had everyone else in the Wizengamot. This was as brazen and as devastating an attack as the Quidditch World Cup Incident. "And where was the Auror Corps BEFORE the attack?" he demanded.
"Seems to me the blame falls on your wife!" Pansy Parkinson sneered "Conveniently forgot You-Know-Who was still alive! Tommyrot! Has she been checked for the Dark Mark?"
Susan was not present, having driven herself beyond exhaustion. Not even the Weasleys had held out as long as she. "We do not know how Voldemort came back." Harry admitted "But then we've been cleaning up after The Judge there after since 1945."
"Don't change the subject, Potter!" Pansy snapped "You're the one who announced No More Dark Lord. I think we should demand Bones' presence to explain her 'lapse of memory."
Harry gave a look worthy of Voldemort and declared "I hold the Bones vote today. And while we're talking Dark Marks, let's see your arm. You inherited your seat rather suddenly. And quite a coincidence Greg and Vince inherited theirs the same day. Right?"
"SIIIIIIIIIILENNNNNNNNNNCE!" roared Dumbledore "The Archduchess and the Earl will cease talking over each other. Infighting like this produces no good result. The Aurors will report when ready."
This was something anticipated, and Harry had the ultimate insider. Alistair 'Mad-Eye' Moody clop-thumped into the Chamber and declared "Sometimes only one piece of evidence is needed, especially when it's this huge." An entire steel railroad track forty feet long, weighing easily a few tons, floated in behind him and slammed down on the marble floor. Five feet of one end was bent into an 'L' shape.
"Alastair, what about the casualties?" asked Dumbledore bleakly.
The Head of Magical Law Enforcement replied "That is a definite clue to the attackers, if one were needed. Sixty are simply gone. From the minimal evidence they must all have been packed into that first car, which got caught in the engine's explosion. No one survives something like that. No bodies even, they were vaporized. Comparing Hogwarts' student list, we discovered that with three exceptions, the missing all are Muggleborns."
"Which three?" asked Sirius, who looked as weary and old as Harry did.
"Why you people ask questions you already know the answers to." Moody grumbled "But, for the record, Astoria Greengrass, Luna Lovegood, and Ginevra Weasley. With no evidence to the contrary, we must assume they were in that first car."
"NOOOOOO! LAIR!" Ron broke away from his girlfriend. Romilda Vane was a Pureblood, and in the last car, suffered only some bruises from being thrown from her seat by the crash. He limped to, and assaulted, Mad-Eye, who merely defended himself until the redhead sagged to the floor. "I'm gonna find my sister!"
Two days later, Harry called a meeting. Not of the Wizengamot, this was a much smaller group and only those who in his opinion had Need to Know. He and Susan were currently spending time at Metacarpus Mansion, so that is where the gathering occurred. Through sheer numbers, there were more Weasleys than anyone. But the group included Fleur Delacour and Daphne Greengrass, who had married into the family. The next notables were Claude and Tracy Greengrass. Followed by Xeno Lovegood, whose status meant few Ancient and Noble Families would allow his presence. The more class conscious would actually take it as an insult. The last arrival was Draco Malfoy.
"I'm sorry for the late hour." Harry began when everyone was present. It was almost ten o'clock "Everyone should know that Sirius was here at the time and no offense is intended by his already knowing."
There were no real objections, though as the least acquainted, Tracy spoke for the Greengrasses "Your hospitality has been acceptable, Earl Potter and Countess Bones. In truth, I would like to discuss the unusual décor at a future time. However, such a late hour does hint at a problem. I do not think any of us would mind you coming to the point."
"Well, I have good news." He paused to gather his courage, fiddled with the scroll in his pocket, continued "Annnnnd, bad news. Assuming we can believe the contents, I … an owl came from Voldemort. Ginny, Luna and Astoria are still alive, he has them."
Molly reacted first, but least effectively "Oh! My little girl!" she squeaked and fainted.
"Well!" Claude Greengrass snorted "I presume he has terms under which they would be freed?"
Susan answered "He wants, in a word, Harry."
"Sure! I'm in favor." Charlie raised his hand, cheerily.
Ron slugged his brother with a roundhouse blow "Sorry for the interruption, Harry." He rubbed his right knuckles and concluded "Please, continue."
"Is there any way to prove You-Know-Who has them?" asked Mr. Lovegood.
Harry nodded "He thought of that. But, remember, we haven't found a hint. He supplied locks of hair as proof." He handed blonde hair to Earl Greengrass; Almost white hair to Mr. Lovegood and red hair to Arthur Weasley. Every family had magical methods to confirm a person's identity. In barely a minute, they were all nodding.
"Even used his new slogan" Sirius added **Do not count the Dark Lord dead until you've seen his body. And even then you can make a mistake**
"Knowing that what do we do?" asked Earl Greengrass
Draco spoke for the first time "And, in spite of that idiot's suggestion," referring to the still out cold Charlie "Potter turning himself over isn't an option."
"Why Draco, you care." Harry's voice was sickly sweet and he batted his eyes.
Draco snorted "If I thought he'd keep his word, I'd take you myself."
"There is a way to get the girls back." Ghostly Amelia offered "It depends on how ruthless you are willing to be."
Mrs. Greengrass looked surprised "I understood you were a law keeper in life, Madam Bones."
"I'm dead now." Amelia replied "I owe no loyalty to anyone but my Family. Harry is family and Ginny is part of his. Answer me this: are you willing to risk a day in court, or possibly your self respect for your daughter's life?"
Arthur barely had to think "The question answers itself, Amelia. What would you have us do?" None of the other participants objected.