"George? George!" Molly called nervously as she crept into the tall grass surrounding the Burrow.
The group had split in two following the discovery that the twin was not with them. Harry, though weak on his feet, refused to stay behind and had left the home with Molly, Ron, and, Ginny while Hermione, Ioana, and Charlie had remained with the still unconscious Arthur. The worst case scenarios were in their heads as they went looking for George. Had he been kidnapped or killed? And when had he broken away from the others?
Fortunately, it didn't take long for them to find him. Suddenly the boy showed himself, hopping out of the boggy land and into view of his mother, whose wand came pointed straight in his face.
"Blimey," the twin threw his hands up at the abrupt encounter.
"George!" the witch cried in relief, lowering her weapon and throwing her arms around her son. When she let up, she immediately began inspecting him, pulling his face this way and that, and tugging at his clothes.
"I'm fine," George pulled away in frustration, quickly giving a smile to make sure the motion wasn't taken harshly.
"What happened to you?" Ron asked, putting his wand away as well.
George seemed to be frazzled, like he was trying to regain his composure. He looked away from his mom, across Harry and Ginny and over to his blood brother. The wizard appeared dirty like he'd been rolling in the ground, and his clothes were messy, yet it looked like he wasn't physically harmed.
"I realized I hadn't set one of these contraptions up right," he glanced down at a broken device in his hand, one of his inventions meant to burst a powerful beam of light if triggered by motion, "And while I was double-checking everything, one of them went off behind me. I thought it was a malfunction until I heard something hiss."
"One of the vampires?" Ginny surmised.
The twin nodded, "Yeah, a couple of 'em."
"What happened?" Harry inquired.
"Well," he took a breath, "It disappeared when the light hit it and I was able to turn around in time to keep the other one from grabbing me." George looked down at the device again. It appeared to be entirely crushed as he thumbed it over like he was studying it. "These are quite effective..."
Harry lifted a concerned eyebrow, "Are you okay, mate?"
George's head shot up, "Yeah, yeah," he assured. "Just...just a little flustered, I guess. I mean...fucking vampires, ya know?"
"Yes, I'm still getting used to all this as well," Ginny admitted.
"So did you kill them then?" Ron asked.
"I think one of them ran off, but the other..." George lifted a fist and rapidly extended its fingers, "Poof!"
"Hm..." Harry exhaled, "Same luck on our end."
George's brow furrowed, "Luck?"
"We weren't able to catch one either," Ron clarified.
"Ah," the twin nodded.
"Everyone's safe though," Molly smiled, "That's what's most important. Now, let's get back to the others."
Mrs. Weaseley patted her older son's shoulder before spinning around and waving everyone on the way. But Harry hadn't moved. His eyes lingered on the twin and right before George passed him, he asked once more, "Are you sure you're alright?"
The wizard twisted his neck and stared at his brother, "I'm really fine." His voice sounded gruff at first, but softened into a laugh and a small grin with the auror's continued gaze. "Truly, mate, I am."
The others had halted as well and were watching the two in confusion.
"Are you okay, Harry?" the redheaded auror asked pointedly.
The lead investigator cut his eyes over at his partner and then back to George, "Don't take this the wrong way, but...can you take your shirt off?"
The twin tilted his head to the side, "What?"
Ginny stepped closer, "You think that...he might have been bit?"
Harry nodded slowly, not taking his eyes from the suspect as he gripped his wand tightly at his side, being the only one that hadn't actually put their weapon away yet.
George exhaled loudly and rolled his eyes, "Sure." He then took hold of either side of the sweater he wore and pulled it over his head and arms before balling the fabric into one of his hands and slowly turning around to display his bare skin to the auror.
Harry looked him up and down carefully scanning each inch of the man's shoulders, back, chest, neck, and even his arms and stomach. Except for old scars that he had received during the Battle of Hogwarts and past mischief, his flesh was undamaged.
George stopped turning and looked at his brother-in-law again, "Good?"
Harry finally put his wand away and let his guard down, "Sorry."
"It's alright," the other wizard laughed. "It's fucking cold though," he instantly started clothing himself again and began walking toward the house.
The rest joined in, Harry bringing up the rear with his concerned wife making sure he kept up. He had forced his body to keep going despite it needing to rest after the intense spell he had recently cast. They all made it back inside safely, seeing that Arthur had been revived and was letting Hermione tend to the bite on his neck.
Ginny showed Harry to a chair which he gladly took yet kept his mind on business, "We need to check in with Oliver and Stephen immediately and also the Malfoys before we contact the Minister," he told Ron.
"You need to relax for a bit, mate," the other auror returned. "Hermione and I can go to Dunsfold and then see about Malfoy."
"Take Charlie with you," their father commanded. "The rest of us will stay together and we can go ahead and contact Shackelbolt from here."
Harry took a deep breath, "Alright. You guys need to go now."
Ron nodded at his oldest brother and then at his wife, who handed something over to Arthur before leaving his side and hurrying out the door with the two men.
"What is that?" George asked his dad as he set aside whatever it was he had taken from the witch.
"Hermione took a sample of my blood," he answered. "She thinks she was able to freeze traces of the leftover venom to preserve it for study. Croaker should be happy with that, huh?" Arthur ended his explanation with a hearty chuckle.
"Hopefully it's useful. I'm sure Hermione will want to investigate it herself too, though," Harry replied.
"No doubt," Ginny mused, "And we can know for certain she shares everything she discovers. Not that Professor Croaker is untrustworthy," she added rapidly, "Just-"
"His job is in keeping secrets," the eldest Weaseley finished for his daughter.
The witch nodded, then put her attention on her husband, "How are you feeling, hun?"
"A bit tired, but fine," he answered.
"And a might hungry, I'm sure," Molly had reappeared after leaving the den to work in the kitchen, "Here's some snacks for everyone."
The woman set a platter with various pastries and cookies onto the small table in the living area around which the others were already gathered. Arthur and Harry had been the only ones seated, but with the introduction of the goodies, Ginny took a cookie and sat on the floor, resting her head on her huband's lap. Likewise, Molly situated herself near Arthur. Ioana, whose own injuries had been patched during the search for George, gratefully came near, chose a tart, and sat upon the couch. The only person that didn't relax was the twin.
"Come on, now, dear," Molly waved eagerly at the standing wizard, "It's all alright."
"Yes," his dad joined in, "I think we're free from the blood-suckers for the time being."
George didn't move and he didn't meet anyone's gaze, "I'm not feeling well, is all. I think I'll go on home."
His mom rose from her seat instantly, "No, you should stay here with family," she pleaded worriedly, "If only for a little while."
"Humor your mother," Arthur insisted, taking his wife's hand and rubbing it. "Go upstairs and lie down if you need to, but stay for a bit longer."
The twin inhaled sharply and nodded his head, refusing to look at any of them. He kept his head down and strolled out of the room. The family he left behind waited patiently until his footsteps trudging up the stairs could no longer be heard. Harry was the first to speak.
"I don't mean to cause alarm," the auror said, "It's just that George is really worrying me."
"You already checked him for vampire bites," Ron whispered.
"No, it's nothing controlling him," the eldest Weasely informed solemnly, "He hasn't been right since Fred passed."
"That's true, but he seems to-" Harry started, cut short by his father-in-law.
"Have gotten much worse lately?" the older man finished. "We've noticed too. It's all the excitement. Excitement is a poor choice of words... The twins were always together. When things got bad, they fought and struggled with the other by their side. Since the last great war..." Arthur's gaze fell to his lap, "This has been the first real hardship. The threat of a new dark wizard and then the resurfacing of Fred's killer... I think it's too much for George. I just don't know how to help."
The wizard's voice seemed to crack with the confession. Molly put her arms around his shoulders and squeezed while planting a kiss on top of his hair. The man cleared his throat as he pulled his head up and looked off to the side, obviously trying not to show his upset. In turn, the rest of the company put their focus away from him and on their tea. Ioana ventured further in helping by changing the subject.
"Do you believe the Minister was attacked?"
Mr. Weaseley gladly took the out and answered, "I would think it unlikely though I suppose we should call for him now." He looked up at his wife, "Dear, can you?"
She smiled warmly, caressing the side of his face once before stepping away from him and sliding her wand out of its place, holding it toward the window near the home's entrance across from them, "Expecto patronum."
With the words, the tip of her wand collected wisps of white energy which grew brighter and stronger until they leapt from the weapon, creating the glowing form of a bear. The patronus walked in a circle before bounding away from its caster, through the glass, and on its way to the Minister for Magic.
Using the charm as a means of communication originally began with Albus Dumbledore and the Order of Phoenix. Obviously, no detailed conversation could be held this way such as could be done through owl. However, it was an instant message to another person that their time was desired as well as who was calling for it, without revealing location or having the possibility of being tampered with or received by the wrong individual. When Shackelbolt saw the bear, he would know the Weaseleys were trying to reach him and, if things were safe, would open the floo network to speak with them as per their prearranged agreement.
The room settled into a brief silence as they waited. If nothing was wrong, it shouldn't take long for them to receive a response. Had it not been for the matter of security, they would have simply opened up the network themselves. However, should there be an enemy on the other side, doing so would open them up for further attack.
The reply came later than expected, but not enough to warrant distress. When the fire finally came to life in the fireplace, the family was greeted to Shackelbolt fully emerging from the flames instead if simply sticking his head through to speak. In answer, each one of them stood, only to be waved backed down by the Minister who simply walked around the furniture and took a seat.
"I take it there was trouble tonight?" the man looked around the den, taking in the others' appearances and demeanor.
"Yes," Harry confirmed. "No one was seriously hurt. Ron has gone with Hermione and Charlie to check on the Smiths and the Malfoys."
"It was your intention to capture one of the creatures, wasn't it?" Shackelbolt continued.
"Unfortunately, we were unable," Arthur sighed. "Most of them ended up being killed as well."
"Hm. That is unfortunate," the Minister hummed.
"At the very least, Hermione was able to extract some venom," Ginny offered. "From the one that bit Dad."
"That is something," Shackelbolt was still humming, seemingly lost in his own thoughts, having started to stare blankly in front of him. "I wonder if the DNA of the vampire is in it."
"Sir?" Harry asked.
The lead wizard lifted his eyes and looked at the auror, "Depending on how old the creature was...perhaps we would be able to identify the wizard he used to be from it."
"I'm sure Croaker would have no trouble finding it if the venom contains it," the eldest Weaseley agreed. "You weren't attacked yourself, then?"
"No," Shackelbolt confirmed. "I have seen no sign of being bothered."
"I honestly figured as much," Arthur admitted. "Going after us is one thing, but to launch an attack on the Minister for Magic himself is on a whole other level."
Kingsley nodded and turned back to Harry, "What do you plan next?"
"I'm not sure," the auror confessed. "Most likely end up visiting Romania again...though I feel our case is getting thin.."
"I understand your frustration. I've been even wondering if-" the Minister was interrupted by the sudden return of Ron, Charlie, and Hermione. Everyone looked to them as they walked into the home and gathered around. Shackelbolt took no time in bringing them into the dialogue, "What word have you from the Smiths and Malfoys?"
"Well, Draco was as pleasant as usual. He was angry to be checked up on. Said they were all alright," Ron shook his head aggravated, "Stephen also said they had had no problems. Nothing appeared out of place on either account so we left them be."
"Then everything is settled for the time being," his boss nodded, raising from his seat, "Get some rest. You two can put in your reports in the morning," he added with a glance at the aurors as he strolled over to the fireplace once more.
"Sir," Harry called for the man's continued attention, "What was it you were wondering?"
"Hm? Oh, right," Shackelbolt remembered, "I was wondering if we were doing more harm than good by pursuing this matter. Nonetheless, we must do so at least for now."
The Minister gave a dismissing nod and departed as abruptly as he had come, quickly grabbing a handful of floo powder, throwing it onto the stone and then stepping into the fire. With him gone again, Ron turned his attention on his partner, "Reports tomorrow and then what?"
Harry sighed, "Speaking to Karkaroff first. I feel like there is something more he can offer to our investigation... We need to tell him about Rookwood. He apparently was unaware he knew a vampire. There may be more. The headmaster himself may know of something that he before hadn't suspected."
The red-headed auror nodded, "Sounds likely. I'm worried that Malfoy will start another fuss though. What without his dad being avenged and all."
"I don't know how to prevent that," Harry shrugged.
"All the two of you can do is work with what you have," Molly smiled, "There's always going to be someone causing more trouble than they're worth. Just focus on your present task."
"Besides," Arthur stepped in, "Draco isn't quite as bold as Lucius was and he's most prone to do what his mother will wish... And I feel that Narcissa would more probably seek to fix the situation herself rather than concern the Ministry, which, in the family's eyes, has already failed to rectify the situation."
"I agree," Ioana had already finished two tarts and had been quietly observing, "I do want to be of more help. I will poke around and see what I can come up with for you both."
"Thanks," the lead auror grinned, "We appreciate it."
"But for now, you all put work aside," Molly ordered, "There are still several hours of sleep that can be had and you all need it!"
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I was unable to find anywhere it was written (by JK Rowling) what Molly Weaseley's patronus is. I decided on a bear since she is a very motherly character and bears are known for being the same way, fiercely protecting their young.
On another note, I found out Arthur's patronus is a weasel. I guess that is appropriate for his surname, but I feel for his personality, it's not quite appropriate. Personally, I would have made Percy Weaseley's patronus a weasel instead haha. Though I don't even know if he can cast one.