Chapter 48 The attack, the aftermath and Ginny's reassurance

26th August 1994, campsite, Quidditch World Cup

Because of the panic, they get split up. Harry gets pushed into one of the tents and when he gets up he sees that he lost the others and all the other people are gone. He wants to run to the woods when hears a scream, a female scream.

Harry doesn't think a second about what to do. He grabs his wand, immediately turns around and runs further into the campsite and towards the scream, he is sure of it.

Harry runs as quickly and stealthily as he can. He tries to find the source of the scream. He heard the scream two more times and every time it is harder. Finally, after almost 7 minutes he sees a couple of the attackers in half a circle laughing.

One points his wand and cast something. Harry hears a scream that was the same as the others before. The only difference is that the scream is much softer Harry barely hears it.

The scream stops and the attacker laugh again. They are distracted. Harry stealthily moves to the group while using the abandoned tents as cover. He sees that there are six attackers. As the whole campsite is almost silent Harry soon hears one of the men say "I like that younger Veela you can take that old Veela slut. Knowing Veela's she surely isn't a virgin anymore but with that younger, I still have a chance."

Another man says "you and your virgins. I will take that older Veela slut first. The creature should know how to please a man. After I have broken her I would gladly lend her out. The first time is for free for all of you."

One of them asks "why do you get that creature?"

The other replied "I saw the creatures and captured the creatures. Be glad you get a free one."

Harry thinks 'Veela are females, not creatures, you bastards.'

Harry can't control himself. Although he is still quite a distance away he doesn't care. He jumps out behind a tent but he sees the group still hasn't seen him. He needs to help the woman or if the attackers are right two women.

Harry aims his wand and cast three spells in rapid succession. The first one is Stupefy followed by another one and the last one is Petrificus Totalus. Two hit the target. The second Stupefy missed just as the attacker he aimed just moved to hear where the spells came from.

Harry immediately dives to evade the curses that were sent at him. One of the attackers says "keep an eye on the whores we will take care of that stupid boy."

Harry is small for his size and that helps him hide between the tents. He crawls to another one and before the attacker can even move he manages to take one out. However, hearing and seeing him cast a Stupefy the other two cast curses at him.

He is cast a shield. Harry doesn't know what the first spell is but it broke his shield and gets hit by Diffindo by the second attacker. The Diffindo hits Harry's left arm. Fortunately, Harry wanted to evade it it only grazes him that only draws a little blood. Harry feels the pain but he barely notices it.

Harry keeps casting and evading. The attackers are also casting and defending with a shield barely moving at all. Harry managed to break to one shield but before he can take the attacker out he needs to jump to the side. He dives behind a tent. Before he can stand up from the tent he hides behind the tent bursting into flames. Harry wants to move to another but all the closest tents burst into flames. He needs to move away from all the tents.

He now faces the two remaining attackers on the walkway. He starts casting spell after spell. He uses Reducto what the attackers didn't expect and what hurts the attackers as Harry's spell just hid the ground in front of them which makes many pieces of the ground fly towards them by the power of the spell although Bombarda will have been more effective on the ground (and other solid non-organic things).

The first one he stunned is Rennervated as a third attacker is still stunned on the ground. The spell Petrificus Totalus is more difficult for the one who didn't cast the spell to remove the effect although most of the time it still works, Harry still sees him lying next to the other attacker.

Harry gets pushed back but they don't advance on him. It seems like they don't want the stunned and hurt ones to be left alone.

Harry feels something inside of him and he feels something breaking in him, but instead of hurting him, he feels more power in him and any tiredness and pain he felt went away including the cut on his arm although the cut is still bleeding. His eyes began to little glow you can only see if you look into his eyes.

Harry manages to shield the curses thrown at him but still after three curses his shield falls but gives him enough time to cast back. He casts Diffindo hurting two of the attackers who couldn't cast a shield quickly enough. They fall back and Harry is fighting with the only one remaining who is a lot better than the others.

He hears one of the hurt attackers scream "Aurors, leave the creatures. Get out of here."

The only attacker left casts a shield before grabbing the stunned attacker and leaving. Harry thinks 'they use a Portkey as I didn't hear a sound.'

Harry walks toward the girls hoping the attackers did leave them. Before he even reaches where he shot the first spell a group pop in with a sound near the girls. They say something that is another language although Harry doesn't know what language it is. Two women grab the girls. The first one is a small girl and is carried. The other obvious the older one is levitating heavily shaking. She looks at him right in his eyes but before anything can happen they pop out like Dobby with a sound. Harry didn't have a good look but before he can think about it he sees a spell sent to the sky. He also doesn't get a good look at the caster because of the smoke from the few tents that were still burning.

Harry wants to start to turn around to the woods when he suddenly gets hit from behind by someone before he can turn. He ends up on the ground with his wand falling beside him on the ground. He tries to turn around and when that doesn't work he hears Ron says "Hermione, Ginny let Harry up."

Harry feels what was holding him down ease up. He manages to turn around and gets up but first grabs his wand.

Hermione says "we have been looking for you for ages, we were so worried when we lost you."

Ginny says "when we didn't find you we came back as soon as we can. I was happy Cedric talked to the twins so I could sneak away with Hermione and Ron."

Hermione says "Harry we need to go. We don't know if any Death Eaters are still here."

Harry asks "Death Eaters?"

Hermione nods and says "they were followers and believers of you-know-who, Vol-Volde-Voldemort."

Harry asks "what's the matter?" as Hermione's face is white with fear.

Hermione points to the sky before immediately grabbing Harry's arm as hard as she could to feel safe. She says " it's the Dark Mark, Harry! You-Know-Who's sign! Voldemort's Harry, come on!"

Harry feels pain in his head behind his scar but before Harry can respond with a large pop there are surrounded by 12 people with their wands out. Harry sees that they immediately want to cast something.

Harry screams "DUCK" while pulling Hermione with his free hand and Ginny with the wand in his hand to the ground. Ron hears what Harry says and also immediately drops down.

All the wizards shout "Stupefy". Harry sees five spells fly over him. One from the front and four from a little side.

Harry almost instantly and instinctual reacts. He cast Stupefy to the closest to Hermione and immediately does the same for the closest one to Ginny. They both get hit before they can react. Harry continues firing at the one in front of Harry. He sends a stunner but the one on the front puts up a shield. Harry feels the bleeding and the first fight tiring him a bit out.

Harry cast a spell on the left side of the leader who he now recognizes as Mr. Barty Crouch. He managed to stun one between Crouch and the closest to Ginny. The second on that side he also hits but he doesn't get stunned but does get blasted back.

Harry now fires to the other side between the leader and the closest to Hermione. Harry gathers his powers and manages to stun one. He tries to stun the other but Harry is too drained he, however, managed to daze the wizard. The remaining six all but Mr. Crouch are surprised that a child fights back and manages to stun four of them, blast one back and make one of them seriously dazed.

Mr. Crouch wants to fire back with more than a stunner when he hears "Mr. Crouch stop firing."

Mr. Crouch looks at the sound of the voice and sees an Auror Trainee. He doesn't recognize her and says "I wasn't firing but that doesn't matter. I will not listen to an Auror Trainee. That boy hit six of us and even tried to stun me. I will bring him in although he might be hurt a bit."

Crouch looks back to Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Ron. Harry has his wand ready. Crouch sends a curse and Harry uses all his power to cast a shield. Wonderfully enough the shields hold.

Crouch wants to send a second one when he hears again "Director Crouch stop firing" although this time it is from someone else. He looks and this time sees a well-known Senior Auror and also squad leader Kingsley Shacklebolt.

Before Crouch can respond Mr. Weasley pushes himself past Crouch and screams "STOP that is my son … and daughter."

Behind Mr. Weasley, Bill and Charlie have their wand still in their hand and look around for any sign of danger.

Mr. Weasley runs to them and asks "Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Ron are you alright? Also, Ginny what are you doing here the twins would look after you?"

Ginny blushes a bit. Mr. Weasley smiles and says "let me guess you sneaked away."

Ginny nods and he says "we talk about this later."

Mr. Weasley gets roughly pushed aside but it is one foot. Bill and Charlie want to act but as Mr. Weasley only moves only one foot they don't. If Mr. Weasley had fallen or pushed away a lot more than they would have but also as Crouch stands in front of Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Ron they can't attack if he evades they could hit one of them. Also, they know Crouch is from the ministry but if Crouch would attack any of them they would defend them.

Crouch looks sharply and says "which of you did it? Which of you conjured the Dark Mark?"

Mr. Weasley says full of disbelief "you can't possibly ….."

Mr. Weasley is interrupted by the Auror trainee "Director Crouch you can't be serious. This is Harry Potter why would he cast the Dark Mark?"

Crouch doesn't listen. Crouch says "you have been discovered at the scene of the crime!"

Kingsley says "Director Crouch. They are kids. They never can conjure the Dark Mark."

Crouch says "that boy attacked me. He stunned four of the Aurors. Hurt one when he got blasted way and the other one is still dazed."

Kingsley says "I must say that it is impressive. But still is the question of why would Harry Potter conjure the dark mark. The others don't seem that have their wand drawn also why would they cast the dark mark?"

Mr. Weasley decides to ask "can you tell us where the mark came from you four?"

Harry says "over there. Someone pointed the wand and point his wand to the sky."

Hermione says "he probably shouted a word maybe an incantation."

Crouch says "sure over there between the destroyed tents. An incantation you say. You seem very well informed about how that Mark is summoned, missy"

Harry sees Crouch wants to raise his wand again. Harry still has his wand in his hand and immediately raises it. Crouch's wand is halfway up when Harry has his wand at Crouch's neck. Bill and Charlie are surprised at how fast Harry has his wand pointed at Crouch's neck. Bill and Charlie keep an eye on the other wizards but don't point their wands. They both know if they do there is a big chance the whole situation would escalate. They both think only Hermione and/ or Ginny can stop Harry.

Harry almost growls "don't you dare."

Kingsley with Auror Trainee that almost everybody now sees is Tonks walk to Harry.

Kingsley says "Harry lad. Lower your wand."

Harry shakes his head and says "I will not if he doesn't."

Kingsley says "Director Crouch I advise you to lower your wand."

Crouch has seen Harry's spell work and knows he can cast fast enough that nobody will be quick enough to stop him. Crouch lowers his wand.

Kingsley says "Harry lad. He did now you."

Harry is doubting to lower his wand when Hermione reaches over from his left to put her hand on Harry's right hand to lower his wand. Everyone thinks Harry will work against her but to everyone's surprise besides Ginny, Bill, Charlie and Mr. Weasley Harry do allow Hermione to lower his wand.

Nobody there apart from Crouch thinks that any of the four children have anything to do with the Dark Mark in the sky even if it is only because of Harry Potter. Crouch sees that no one believes him and asks "over there?"

Harry nods. Crouch says "all of you, this way."

Mr. Weasley asks "Harry, who?"

Everyone stops to hear what Harry has to say. Harry says " I dunno. I didn't see his face with all the smoke."

One of the wizards says "we're too late. He will have disapparated."

Another wizard says "maybe not. Some of our stunners flew past the kids. We may have stunned the person before he had a chance to disapparated as the anti-apparition wards as the anti-Portkey wards are still up."

Harry recognizes Cedric's father, Amos Diggery. All the adult wizards (and witches) beside Mr. Weasley, Bill, Charlie, Kingsley and Tonks follow.

Crouch sees and asks "Senior Auror Shacklebolt why don't you and Auror Trainee come with us?"

Kingsley says "we have different orders from Director Bones."

Crouch almost angry asks "what orders?"

Kingsley says "we are here to make sure nothing happens to Harry Potter and his friends. As Director Weasley is also here and we haven't gotten any other orders we will stay with them until they return home unless Director Bones gives us other orders."

Mr. Weasley sees three of his Aurors approach. He immediately says "you three. Search that way with the others for any sign of a witch, wizard or wand that could have cast the Dark Mark."

The three nod and one says "yes Director Weasley."

Crouch doesn't look happy for having in his mind unworthy Aurors but accepts them nonetheless. Crouch says "with Mr Weasley … I mean Director Weasley's Aurors help I will stay here to see if any one of them knows more. If you find someone let me know and if possible bring that someone here."

Hermione and Ginny immediately say at the same time"Harry where are you hit?"

Harry asks nervously "what do you mean?"

Hermione and Ginny both say "we felt you getting hurt."

Tonks says "I think it is his left arm. Look!"

Hermione already on his left grabs his arm and feels that blood is wet. Hermione grabs his left arm so hard Harry winces. Ginny immediately lets go of his right arm and pulls up Harry's sleeve. They see a large slash from halfway on his upper arm all the way to just an inch or two above his wrist.

Hermione and Ginny glare at Harry and he looks awkwardly to the ground. He says "oh that. It doesn't hurt that much also I am fine."

Tonks says "I can heal it if you like."

Hermione and Ginny glared at Harry. Harry doesn't say anything.

Kingsley says "do so Auror Trainee Tonks. I have a blood replenishing potion for him."

Tonks nod. Harry wants to pull his arm away but Hermione and Ginny won't let him. Mr. Weasley wants to stop Tonks as Harry isn't comfortable but is afraid of Hermione and Ginny. He is seriously afraid they will scream at him if not attack him. As Harry isn't in danger he decides to let it continue. He is also sure if the Auror Trainee says she can heal it, she can.

Tonks raises her wand. Ginny and Hermione feel Harry try to pull away with more power than first. Hermione and Ginny put both their hands on his arm. Tonks moves her wand over his injury slowly. The wound starts to close and when the injury is closed Kingsley hands, Harry, a potion he is forced to drink. Hermione and Ginny glare until he does. When he did the glare softened and Ginny take her place at his right. She grabs his right arm again. Hermione gently grabs his left arm.

It takes less than five minutes when Crouch, Mr. Weasley, Kingsley, Tonks, Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Ron hear Mr. Diggory shout "YES! WE GOT HIM!"

They come back and say "there was someone there! Unconscious! But well …. it's an elf."

Diggory cast the reviving spell and the elf woke up. The elf is clearly grasping a wand in its arms. The elf looks scary around itself.

Crouch almost screams "WINKY?"

Apparently, the elf's name is Winky.

Winky asks "Master?"

Everyone can hear that the elf is female.

Crouch looks unbelievable. It takes a couple of minutes before he says "this ….. cannot…. be, no"

Mr. Weasley's three Aurors return and say "Director Crouch and Director Weasley there's no one else."

Crouch immediately walks past everyone to look where Mr. Diggory finds Winky.

Mr. Diggory watches the afraid Winky. He stands directly next to Mr. Weasley and says "bit embarrassing. Barty Crouch's house-elf. . . I mean to say..."

Mr. Weasley looks amazed at Mr. Diggory and whispers "come off it, Amos. The Dark Mark's a wizard's sign. It requires a wand. You don't seriously think it was the elf?"

Mr. Diggory turns to Mr. Weasley and says "yeah. And she had a wand you can clearly see her holding it. So that's clause three of the Code of Wand Use broken, for a start. No non-human creature is permitted to carry or use a wand."

Another pop is heard and everyone draws their wand but pockets it again when they see it is Ludo Bagman that apparated right next to Mr. Weasley while looking breathless and disoriented.

Bagman almost faints right onto Winky when he looks up. He says unbelievingly "the Dark Mark. I hoped to never see it again."

He turns to all the wizards and witches and asks "who did it? Did you get them?"

He sees that behind the group Crouch walks back with a white face clearly mad and embarrassed. Bagman asks "Barty! What's going on? Also, Where have you been, Barty? Why weren't you at the match? Your elf was saving you a seat too! Gulping gargoyles what is she doing here."

Crouch says "I have been busy, Ludo. My elf has been stunned."

Bagman asks surprised "stunned? By you lot, you mean? But why?"

Suddenly Bagman realises what Crouch is implying. Bagman says "no! Winky? Conjure the Dark Mark? She wouldn't know-how! She'd need a wand, for a start!"

Mr. Diggory says "she is holding one look at her."

Bagman looks back at Winky and sees her holding one tightly to her chest.

Mr. Diggory says "If it's all right with you, Mr. Crouch, I think we should hear what she's got to say for herself."

Crouch doesn't seem to hear Mr. Diggory. Mr. Diggory stands in front of Winky. Winky looks up and Harry can see the floating skull reflected twice in her enormous, glassy eyes which vaguely remind him of Dobby but Dobby always has those large green eyes.

Mr. Diggory sternly asks "do you know who I am? I'm a member of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures!"

Harry is reminded forcibly of Dobby in his moments of terrified disobedience like in his bedroom at the Dursley's.

MR Diggory continues "as you see, elf, the Dark Mark was conjured here a short while ago. And you were discovered moments later, right beneath it! An explanation, if you please!"

Winky begins to sob and says "I - I - I is not doing it, sir! I is not knowing how, sir!"

Diggory roughly grabs the wand out of her hands and accusing held it in front of her and almost barks "you were found with a wand in your hand! And you cast the Dark Mark" while pointing to the sky with the wand he grabbed from Winky.

Winky doesn't respond.

Mr. Diggory keeps accusing Winky " you stole a wand, eh, elf? And you thought you'd have some fun with it, did you?"

Winky squeals and to the point of wailing with tears streaming out of her eyes down her face "I is not doing magic with it, sir! I is... I is... I is just picking it up, sir! I is not making the Dark Mark, sir, I is not knowing how!"

Harry says "It wasn't her! Winky's got a squeaky little voice, and the voice we heard doing the incantation was much deeper and the caster was much taller….. at least twice as large!"

Mr. Diggory asks "It didn't sound anything like Winky, did it?"

Harry nods again and says "no. It definitely didn't sound like an elf. Yeah, it was a human voice."

Crouch seems even more disturbed that Winky hasn't done it.

Mr. Diggory almost growlingly says "well, we'll soon see. There's a simple way of discovering the last spell a wand performed, elf, did you know that?"

Mr. Diggory points his wand at the wand Winky held. He casts "Prior Incantato!"

Harry hears Hermione gasp, horrified, as a gigantic serpent-tongued skull erupted from the point where the two wands met which made her grab Harry's arm tighter. Harry feels Ginny also grab his arm tighter. It is a mere shadow of the green skull high above them the ghost of a spell.

Mr. Diggory shouts "Deletrius!"

The smoky skull vanishes in a wisp of smoke.

Mr. Diggory looks almost triumphed.

Winky squeals with her eyes rolling in terror and says 'I is not doing it! I is not, I is not, I is not knowing how! I is a good elf, I isn't using wands, I isn't knowing how!"

Mr. Diggory almost screams "you've been caught red-handed, elf! Caught with the guilty wand in your hand!"

Mr. Weasley comes in defence of Winky and loudly says "Amos, think about it... 'precious' few wizards know how to do that spell... Where would she have learned it?"

This brings Crouch back to the present. Crouch with cold anger says "perhaps Amos is suggesting that I routinely teach my servants to conjure the Dark Mark?"

Everybody is silent where you can feel the tension. Mr. Diggory looks horrified.

After a few minutes, Mr. Diggory stutters "Mr. Crouch not... not at all."

Crouch barks "you have now come very close to accusing the two people in this clearing who are least likely to conjure that Mark! Harry Potter ….. and myself. I suppose you are familiar with the boy's story, Amos?"

Mr. Diggory mutters highly discomforted like a small boy who is being scolded for doing something bad "of course. Everyone knows. "

Crouch shouts "and I trust you remember the many proofs I have given, over a long career, that I despise and detest the Dark Arts and those who practice them?"

Mr. Diggory mutters again while getting red "Mr. Crouch, I …. I never suggested you had anything to do with it!"

Crouch says with unsuccessfully concealed anger "if you accuse my elf, you accuse me, Diggory! Where else would she have learned to conjure it? She …. she might've picked it up anywhere."

Mr. Weasley says "precisely, Amos. She might have picked it up anywhere…..."

Mr. Weasley kindly asks "Winky? Where exactly did you find the wand?"

Winky looks at the ground while holding the hem of the pillowcase that is her clothing. Winky whispers while pointing "I …. I is finding it…. finding it there, sir… between the broken tents."

Mr. Weasley says "you see, Amos? Whoever conjured the Mark could have Disapparated right after they'd done it, leaving the wand behind. A clever thing to do, not using their own wand, which could have betrayed them. And Winky here had the misfortune to come across the wand moments later and pick it up."

Mr. Diggory immediately and impatiently says "but then, she'd have been only a few feet away from the real culprit! Elf? Did you see anyone?"

Winky begins to shake and her giant eyes move from Mr. Diggory to Ludo Bagman before landing on her master Crouch. Winky gulps before she says "I is seeing no one, sir …. no one ….."

Crouch sighs and says "Amos. I am fully aware that, in the ordinary course of events, you would want to take Winky into your department for questioning. I ask you, however, to allow me to deal with her. She is my elf after all."

Mr. Diggory didn't seem to think much of the suggestion but Harry can clearly see that Mr. Diggory want to refuse him but as Crouch is an important member of the ministry and a department head he didn't dare to refuse him.

Crouch coldly adds "you may rest assured that she will be punished."

Winky stammers afraid "m-m-master….. M-m-master, p-p-please…'

Crouch stares at Winky and slowly says "Winky, have behaved tonight in a manner I would not have believed possible. I told her to remain in the tent. I told her to stay there while I went to sort out the trouble. And I find that she disobeyed me."

Harry feels what Crouch is going to do. The way Crouch talks it seems that he doesn't see Winky as his elf anymore and barely thinks she is worthy of anything.

Crouch says "this means clothes."

Winky shrieks "NO" before throwing herself at Crouch's feet. Winky continues shrieking "NO, MASTER! NOT CLOTHES, NOT CLOTHES!"

Harry knows that the only way to turn a house-elf free was to present it with proper garments or in Dobby's case a mere sock. It was pitiful to see the way Winky clutches at her tea towel as she sobs over Mr. Crouch's feet.

Ginny looks at Winky before glaring at Crouch. Hermione while still holding on to Harry also glares at Crouch and angrily says "but she was frightened! Your elf looks scared of heights, and those wizards in masks were levitating people! You can't blame her for wanting to get out of their way!"

Crouch takes a step backwards clearly showing that distances himself from Winky. He looks at Winky as if she is something filthy and rotten that he never wants to be associated with and is just dirt under his shoes.

Crouch says coldly "I have no use for a house-elf who disobeys me. I have no use for a servant who forgets what is due to her master, and to her master's reputation."

Crouch coldly looks over to Hermione but dares not to glare at her. He doesn't know if that also angers Harry and it will be a bad time if there is ever a good time to anger Harry Potter.

Everyone is silently only the cries of Winky are echoed over the silent campsite. After many minutes of a painful silence if you don't the agony from Winky Mr. Weasley says quietly to Mr. Diggory "well, I think I'll take my lot back to the Portkey and back home if nobody's got any objections. Amos, that wand's told us all it can. I suggest going to Ollivander he should know if he sold it who it belonged to."

Mr. Diggory nods and says "I will Arthur. I see you in the Ministry. Oh yes before you go could you save the muggles?"

Mr. Weasley says "yes we managed they didn't get hurt too much. One broke his arm when we stunned a Death Eater who was levitating one and another one fell unconscious hitting her head on the ground. Both were healed and their memories altered. Please Amos let me know when you know more, as they attacked the muggles I need to know."

Mr. Diggory says "of course Arthur that I why I will see you in the Ministry no doubt."

Mr. Weasley says still quietly "come on, Bill, Charlie and you four."

Harry wants to follow the others but Hermione on his left arm doesn't want to move.

Mr. Weasley urgently says "Hermione!"

Harry gently pulls her with him and when they reach the treeline Hermione doesn't need to be pulled along anymore.

When they reach the clearing where the Portkey arrived she asks "what's going to happen to Winky?"

Mr. Weasley honestly says "I don't know."

Hermione furiously says "the way they were treating her! Mr. Diggory, calling her elf' all the time. . . and Mr. Crouch! He knows she didn't do it and he's still going to sack her! He didn't care how frightened she'd been, or how upset she was - it was like she wasn't even human!"

Ron stupidly says "well, she's not."

Harry needs to hold Hermione back. He barely succeeds but Hermione still furiously says "that doesn't mean she hasn't got feelings, Ron. It's disgusting the way."

Mr. Weasley tries to ease Hermione's anger when he says "Hermione, I agree with you, but now is not the time to discuss elf rights."

Bill knows there is more to elves than Hermione thinks and says "Hermione I know it looks like slavery and many elves deserve to be treated better but maybe try to find out more things over elves in the coming years and then maybe you can help the elves to be treated better."

Charlie says "most elves are treated better and don't die from any punishment as long as they don't give clothes."

Hermione doesn't want to hear it and says "they shouldn't be slaves, they are intelligent creatures and should be free."

Bill and Charlie give their father a look when their father shakes his head Bill and Charlie gave a small nod. Kingsley and Tonks who was still with them see and decide to not say anything.

Mr. Weasley says "we better head to the Portkey's so we can go back to the Burrow"

Ron asks "Dad, why was everyone so uptight about that skull thing?"

Mr Weasley tensely says "I'll explain everything we are back home."

When they reached the edge of the wood. They see a large crowd of frightened-looking witches and wizards. They all look up to the dark mark. Harry is sure many are still here, but with the number of witches and wizards at the campsite, he thinks there is probably more than one Portkey arrival area.

All the wizards and witches want to swarm Mr. Weasley but get stopped by Tonks, Kingsley, Bill and Charlie who had pulled their wands. Harry wants to but fortunately Ginny on his right prevents Harry from grabbing his wand when he sees the others grabbing their wand before they even point their wand. Fred, George and Cedric push through the crows. Fred and George rush to Ginny.

They both give a smug smile and George says "thank you, Harry, I knew you will protect Ginny."

Fred says "yeah Harry thank you, but Ginny, never do this again."

Fred and George dramatically say "we were so afraid for our little sister, little Ginnykins" before they both start laughing and Ginny gets mad.

She whispers hard enough for all the Weasleys, Hermione, Harry, Tonks, Kingsley and Cedric to hear "wait until we are back at school. I hope you like bats."

The twins turn white and ask each other "you got my back I got yours."

The twins laugh and when Ginny doesn't, they start to say to each other that is the other's fault for making the joke. They see Ginny gives a small smile but they know that it doesn't mean she forgives them. They all know she is very proficient in the bat bogey hex.

They want to swarm them again until Kingsley cast a large sound to stop the witches and wizards to swarm them and stopping them from asking through each other.

The first one that recovers is an elderly witch who knows Arthur and she asks "what's happened there? Who conjured it?" Arthur ….. it's not …. Him, is it?"

Mr. Weasley impatiently says "of course, it's not him. We don't know who it was. it looks like they Disapparated. Now excuse me, please, I want to get to the Portkey to go home."

Kingsley sees a couple of ministry witches and wizards. He orders they remember Basil to give an item to create a Portkey. Basil grabs the manky old boot all recognize as the Portkey they used to get here. Basil immediately uses the return function and says "Arthur just grab it and you return to your leaving point.

Mr. Weasley says "thank you, Basil. Cedric, I think you better come along. Your father has a lot to do."

Cedric says "of course Mr. Weasley. But my father should know I will already leave."

Kingsley says "no worry lad. I will let you father now. That would be Amos Diggory right?"

Cedric nods and Kingsley says "alright that will be no problem."

Kingsley says "I will pack up your tent Director Weasley and give it to your son when he comes here to remove the wards."

Mr. Weasley says "thank you, Kingsley."

Everyone put their finger on it besides Tonks and Kingsley on the Portkey and a couple of seconds later the whole group lands on Stoatshead Hill.

26th August 1994, Stoatshead Hill, returning to the Burrow

When they walk down the hill Bill seems frustrated.

Bill says "I erected the wards. They were still powerful. If the caster got away he or she either went outside of the wards or was allowed to apparate out and in or the Portkey that was used was one of the Portkeys that were allowed to be used."

Nothing much is said. Almost 15 minutes Cedric says "I need to go that way."

They are at the tree where they met Cedric and his father yesterday morning.

Mr. Weasley says "of course Cedric. Are you sure you can get home alright?"

Cedric says "I am sure Mr. Weasley. I am an adult so I will be fine. I will see you at Hogwarts. Bill and Charlie, it was a pleasure to see you again. Harry!"

Cedric gives Harry a smile and that says Harry enough. Cedric hopes that this year the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff will be without problems and they will both give their best to catch the snitch.

When Cedric disappears between the trees Hermione and Ginny glue themselves to Harry again. Ron is too tired to say anything if he even notices. Mr. Weasley, Bill and Charlie are too preoccupied. Mr. Weasley about the fall-out this will cause including the danger that the dark mark predicts. Charlie is more concerned about Bill who is frustrated and thinking if he made a fault in any of the wards he cast or the runes he had drawn to strengthen the wards and keep them active until he removed them or the runes are removed. Fred and George notice what Hermione and Ginny do but are smart enough not to say anything also they really like Harry like a younger brother.

It took another 30 minutes to 45 minutes before they walk on the dirt road in light of the just risen sun.

26th August 1994, the Burrow

Mrs. Weasley stands just outside the front door which is rarely ever used. Mrs. Weasley screams "oh thank goodness, thank goodness!"

Mrs. Weasley has evidently been waiting for them in the front yard. As soon as they left the dirt road she came running toward them, still wearing her bedroom slippers, her face pale and strained, a rolled-up copy of the Daily Prophet clutched in her hand.

She cries and throws her arms around Mr. Weasley's neck. She says "Arthur…. I've been so worried… so worried…"

When Mrs. Weasley threw her arms around Mr. Weasley neck she let a Daily Prophet fall out of one of her hands. Harry can't grab it with Hermione and Ginny glued to him but he can see the headline: SCENES OF TERROR AT THE QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP, complete with a black-and-white photograph of the Dark Mark over the treetops.

Mrs. Weasley mutters distractedly when she releases Mr. Weasley staring at them with red eyes from tears "you are all alright. You are alive…. Oh, boys."

To everyone's surprise, she grabs Fred and George and pulls them both into one of her mom's hugs so hard that their heads are banging together.

George says "ouch! Mum….. you're strangling us…."

Mrs. Weasley starts to sob and says " I shouted at you before you left! It's all I've been thinking about! What if You-Know-Who had got you, and the last thing I ever said to you was that you didn't get enough OWL's? Oh, Fred….. George…..."

When Mrs. Weasley finally le the twin go she asks Mr. Weasley "Arthur are there any deaths?"

Mr. Weasley says "honestly I don't know. I needed to save the muggles as the Death Eaters torture them by levitating them and things like that. I with my Aurors managed to get them done although one we couldn't catch quickly enough and he landed with a broken arm that a healer healed. Another has a concussion as she fainted hitting her head on the ground. I haven't heard of any deaths but in a couple of hours I will go to the ministry I am sure it is needed and then I will know more."

Everybody takes a seat in the kitchen. Ginny and Hermione need to let go of Harry to take a seat. They want to put their chair close to Harry but decide to not draw their attention to that.

Ron asks "look, can someone just explain what that skull thing was? It wasn't hurting anyone…. Why's it such a big deal?"

Hermione sighs before she says before anyone can answer "I told you, it's You-Know-Who's symbol, Ronald I read about it in The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts."

Mr. Weasley says "And it hasn't been seen for thirteen years. Of course, people panicked... it was almost like seeing You-Know-Who back again."

Ron frowns when he says "I don't get it. I mean…. it's still only a shape in the sky…."

Mr. Weasley gently interrupts Ron as he says "Ron, You-Know-Who and his followers sent the Dark Mark into the air whenever they killed. The terror inspired… you have no idea, you're too young. Just picture coming home and finding the Dark Mark hovering over your house, and knowing what you're about to find inside…."

Mr. Weasley winces before he continues "Everyone's worst fear… the very worst fear!"

Bill sighs and says "well, it didn't help us tonight, whoever conjured it. It scared the Death Eaters away the moment they saw it. They all Disapparated before we'd got near enough to unmask any of them. We caught the Robertses before they hit the ground, though. They're having their memories modified right now."

Harry says "no, the Death Eater left because of the Aurors. One screamed Aurors and to get away. When the Dark Mark was cast the Death Eaters at least in those clothing were already gone."

Hermione asks "but if they are Death Eaters how could do this? Shouldn't they be imprisoned? "

Mr. Weasley says "I think we saw what's left of them tonight. The ones who managed to keep themselves out of Azkaban, anyway. We can't prove it was them, Hermione. Though it probably was."

Mr. Weasley sounds hopeless at the end.

Harry asks "but what were Voldemort's supporters…."

Everybody flinches, the Weasley's never used the name. Normally Harry will ignore it but he sees that everybody was really shaking by the dark mark and says "sorry. What were You-Know-Who's supporters up to, levitating Muggles? I mean, what was the point?"

Mr. Weasley gives a hollow laugh and a wry smile before he says "the point? Harry, that's their idea of fun. Half the Muggle killings back when You-Know-Who was in power were done for fun. I suppose they had a few drinks tonight and couldn't resist reminding us all that lots of them are still at large. A nice little reunion for them."

You can clearly hear the disgust in Mr. Weasley's voice.

Ron asks "But if they were the Death Eaters, why did they Disapparate when they saw the Dark Mark? They'd have been pleased to see it, wouldn't they?"

Bill says "use your brains, Ron. If they really were Death Eaters, they worked very hard to keep out of Azkaban when You-Know-Who lost power and told all sorts of lies about him forcing them to kill and torture people. I bet they'd be even more frightened than the rest of us to see him come back. They denied they'd ever been involved with him when he lost his powers and went back to their daily lives. . . . I don't reckon he'd be over-pleased with them, do you?"

Hermione cautiously says "so …. whoever conjured the Dark Mark….."

Mr. Weasley knows where Hermione is going and says "were they doing it to show support for the Death Eaters, or to scare them away? Your guess is as good as ours, Hermione. But I'll tell you this… it was only the Death Eaters who ever knew how to conjure it. I'd be very surprised if the person who did it hadn't been a Death Eater once, even if they're not now… Listen, it's very late or maybe better said early. We'll get a few more hours sleep."

Mrs. Weasley starts to sob again. Mr. Weasley tries to soothe her and says "Come on, now, Molly, we're all perfectly okay."

Mr. Weasley says quietly "Bill pick up that paper. I want to see what it says."

Hermione and Ginny immediately made a cup of tea as Mrs. Weasley was too distraught to do so. Mr. Weasley said to Charlie to add a shot of Ogdens old Firewhiskey while Bill hands his father the newspaper.

Mr. Weasley groans before he says "I knew it. Ministry blunders…. culprits not apprehended….. lax security….. Dark wizards running unchecked…. national disgrace….. Who wrote this? Ah … of course…. Rita Skeeter. That woman's got it in for the Ministry of Magic!"

Mr. Weasley suddenly says while he is reading the article "I'm mentioned."

Mrs. Weasley calmed down by the tea with a shot of Firewhiskey asking "where? If I'd seen that, I'd have known you were alive!"

Mr. Weasley says "not by name. Listen to this: If the terrified wizards and witches who waited breathlessly for news at the edge of the wood expected reassurance from the Ministry of Magic, they were sadly disappointed. A Ministry official emerged sometime after the appearance of the Dark Mark alleging that nobody had been hurt, but refusing to give any more information. Whether this statement will be enough to quash the rumours that several bodies were removed from the woods an hour later, remains to be seen."

Mr. Weasley almost slams the paper on the table as he says in exasperation "oh really. Nobody was hurt. What was I supposed to say? Rumours that several bodies were removed from the woods… well, there certainly will be rumours now she's printed that."

Mr. Weasley gives a deep sigh and says "Molly, I'm going to have to go into the office; this is going to take some smoothing over. No sleep for me it seems."

Mrs. Weasley looks most upset and says "Arthur, you're supposed to be on holiday! This hasn't got anything to do with your office; surely they can handle this without you."

Mr. Weasley says determinedly "I've got to go, Molly. I've made things worse and it does have things to do with my office. Muggles were the managers of the campsite and were attacked by the Death Eaters. That falls under my office. I will just change into my robes and I will be off."

Mr. Weasley comes back a few minutes later and says "I am probably busy the following days and won't be home before late. Now Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Fred and George try to enjoy the last few days of the summer before you go back to Hogwarts. Ron that means you need to do your homework alone. If you do your best may be your brothers or Hermione help but if you don't try you need to do it all on your own. If any of the others of you have still homework to do I also want you to do it. Bill don't forget that at any moment you can be flooed to remove the wards and runes."

Mr. Weasley looks at Mrs. Weasley and says "Molly I will make sure Percy is alright. I think he is. He wasn't with Crouch when Crouch went to search who cast it, but Percy has a good head on his shoulders. I am sure he hadn't run into Death Eaters also I am sure we already know if he did."

Mrs. Weasley nods and says "I guess your right, Arthur."

Now all of you go to bed and that means you two to Charlie and Bill."

Charlie says "but mom we are adults."

Mrs. Weasley says "that may be so but you are still sleeping under my roof."

Bill knows this is useless and says "come on you lot let's go. If we really want to enjoy the last few days also because Charlie and I are here we better get to sleep now."

26th August 1994, The Burrow

Harry wakes up on his cot in Ron's room. Ron's snoring is as usual very loud. Harry knows that only magic prevents the Burrow from collapsing especially under the onslaught of Ron's snoring. Harry thinks there is a silencing charm in Ron's room or everybody else should be awake. Harry looks out of the window and sees that the sun is high in the sky.

Harry goes to the bathroom to take a short shower before going back to grab some new clothes and change.

26th August 1994, Kitchen, The Burrow

When he walks into the kitchen he sees that everyone else is awake but notices on the family clock that Mr. Weasley's hand on the clock stands on work and Percy's hand has been removed or maybe fallen off.

Immediately when Harry walks he gets greeted by everyone and Mrs. Wesley fetches him a plate and starts putting food on it. Everybody has missed breakfast and it is normally after lunch. However with everything that has happened almost everybody enjoys a late lunch.

When almost everybody was done with a late lunch Mrs. Weasley says "I got you all what you need for the upcoming year. I will give it to you this afternoon, so make sure you have already packed it. The new school robes won't be here before the 31st. There are two for all of you including you Harry and you Hermione. However Fred, George and Harry your dress robes will come later. Ginny your dress will also be a bit later if you don't mind."

Ginny smiles and says "alright Mom. I don't even know if I need it. If you want I can send a letter when I know if I need it or not."

Mrs. Weasley smiles and says "I know you will Ginny. I am sure if a fourth year is somehow needed I am sure Harry wouldn't mind."

Ginny turns red while Harry looks a bit confused, but before he can ask what is meant a very grumpy Ron comes down and almost jumps on the table to get food from wherever he can find it. Fortunately, Mrs. Weasley gets a plate full of food in front of him immediately and knowing Ron is already making more food for additional plates of food she knows Ron will certainly want it.

After only 3 minutes she is not disappointed. The others leave the table when they ask. Fred and George went to their room to do something. Hermione and Ginny wanted to take a nap and when they are in the living room and see nobody both kiss Harry on the cheek and say that they will see him at dinner.

Charlie also takes a nap and had seen Ginny and Hermione kissing Harry on the cheek. He could tease Harry but first, he is still tired and Ginny can be downright scary and that is saying something from someone who works with dragons daily. Bill asks Harry to pick a photo or two and show him the day after tomorrow as he thinks that he will be flooed in the coming hours to remove the wards and Runes and need tomorrow too to make sure everything is removed.

Harry is wondering if he should send Sirius a letter as his scars hurt when he saw the Dark Mark. Harry also wonders if he should let Sirius know that he is alright. Sirius seems to really care and Remus is with Sirius so if Sirius knows Remus will know. Hedwig is asleep but wakes up when she feels her master/ owner worry.

26th August 1994, Backyard, The Burrow

She flies when she sees Harry sit in the backyard on his own. Harry has the photobook Hagrid gave him with him and looks through the photos. He wants one with his parents but he is doubting which one.

One is his father and mother who were having a great time and the other one is his father and mother with large smiles with a baby him showing love. he guesses. He really likes the photos but he doesn't know which one to choose. He doesn't want two photos of his parents in the medallion as that will look like he still isn't over their dead and he thinks a more present photo as the second photo in the medallion is more fitting. Maybe he can take a photo with his friends. If Bill shows how to do it maybe Colin Creevey can make a photo and he can add it himself.

Hedwig lands on Harry's shoulder and without really knowing Harry gives her a scratch which Hedwig likes. Harry like the give Hedwig a scratch as it eases his mind also. Time seems to fly by as suddenly Mrs. Weasley opens the back door and says "Harry, dear it is time for dinner why don't you come in. Put away that book, let Hedwig fly around and wash your hands before coming back in."

Harry says "yes Mrs. Weasley."

Harry closes the photobook before standing up. He gives Hedwig another scratch and says "you heard her girl."

Hedwig gently nibs his finger before bumping his head and then flies up. Harry doesn't look at her as he knows she will be fine. The only difference between before is that Hermione, Ginny and Charlie look better after the nap. He is almost sure Hermione and Ginny only slept a little bit and probably talked for a bit. They still look beautiful but Harry can see that there are not as rested as Charlie is. He doesn't see Bill and as he doesn't have a hand on the clock he doesn't know where he is.

It was about halfway through dinner when Bill comes in and sits down. Mrs. Weasley asks "and Bill how did it go?"

Bill says "most of the ministry workers were looking like I messed up the wards on purpose. I think I must thank dad for having so many good connections like Madam Bones. She was there with her Aurors and when she left Kingsley Shacklebolt remained. I am not saying without them I would have been attacked or arrested but it felt like it."

"Anyway, I haven't found any weak spots or where they broke through. It means they were already on the campsite and the Portkey's they used according to Harry were authorized what only a couple can authorize. I did hear when I asked some that two or three made a couple when the Death Eaters attacked like Madam Bones did one for her niece and best friend with one of her Aurors. Others made a new one as the one they had before they lost before the attack or during the attack."

"The anti-apparition wards were still up. Only Aurors and other authorized like me can apparate in of course they could have apparated just outside the wards like the Portkey arrival points didn't have apparition wards so if the ministry needed Auror help on the arrival point Auror could apparate in if they weren't under anti-apparition wards themselves. Only high ministry workers mostly directors, high-level Aurors and foreign Aurors had authorisation if you don't count me. That also made Portkey's use more likely."

After dinner, Bill and Charlie were somewhere talking. Mrs. Weasley badgers Ron to continue his homework but this time gently asked Hermione if she could help him.

Hermione reluctantly agreed. Harry and Ginny wanted to help but Mrs. Weasley thought that Harry and Ginny would only distract Ron and suggests they stay in the living room reading a book on the couch. Ginny and Harry agree.

26th August 1994, Ginny's room, The Burrow

Ginny and Hermione are in Ginny's room. Ginny to get a book and choose the Ancient Runes textbook. Hermione grabs her potion essay, charm textbook and charms essay. She wouldn't let Ron copy anything but with everything that has happened and 'sharing' Harry with Ginny she just wants to make sure she doesn't help Ron in the wrong way or correct something that is actually good.

Hermione says "I can't understand your mother. First I am not allowed to help him even if I offered and now without asking me she wants me to help Ron. Sure I agreed but I couldn't really refuse. She does not even allow you to be up there with me while I am sure Harry can help with charms and you can even learn magic what you normally learn next summer."

Ginny says "I know. I also wonder why but I think you must agree Ron can distract Harry. We can keep Harry's attention but you and I both don't want to do things like that when Ron is there, especially if it is only us four."

Hermione sighs before she says "perhaps but I like much more to be with Harry …. and you on the couch. And maybe even cuddle up to Harry, you know…"

Ginny smiles and says "believe me I understand. Trust me Hermione I do not come back on my word and promise. I will not try something with Harry and steal him away. We decide to share him between us and well Luna. Even if Harry doesn't know. I may cuddle up to him but I will not kiss him when nobody looks if you don't want me to."

Hermione doesn't want to be selfish and thinks 'shouldn't I be more confident about this. I mean Harry didn't favour any of us and I trust Ginny almost as much as Harry. She also never tried to steal Harry away when she wants to do something with Harry she made sure I want it and I will be there so he will see us the same way or something.'

Ginny says "alright no kisses. Cuddling up will have to do. Be sure you will be with me when we go to bed. I want to at least give him a goodnight kiss as we did before."

Hermione nods and says "thank you, Ginny. I also want that. We may only kiss him on the cheek but the smile he has after it fills me with happiness. Too bad I can't do it the following two days. Tomorrow morning early I will floo to the Leaky Cauldron to spend until Monday morning with my parents."

Ginny agrees and says "yeah me too. Making Harry look happy while embarrassed about what we did fills me also with happiness. I am also sure that he will get less embarrassed the more time we do it. I promise Hermione I will not move on from kissing Harry on the cheek until you are back and also want to move forward although we must not overwhelm Harry. So it may take some months before we are getting there. What if we go to this thing we need dresses for and we kiss him there. You, me and Luna just the four of us are there no one else sees us."

Hermione very quickly gets a large smile before Hermione nods. They open the door to just see Harry come downstairs with a book about Occlumency as it is hard to build strong enough defences but also have the book shield and sword with him.

26th August 1994, The Burrow

After a few hours, a very frustrated Hermione comes down. She takes a seat on the couch. Ginny has left that place for her as Ginny smiles at her. Almost immediately Hermione leans onto Harry and even puts her head on his shoulder. Slowly she feels her anger and frustration decrease.

Ron made her so mad when all he wanted to do was copy everything and even asked her to write it for him and made the essays he still needed to make. Hermione refused. Ron made the essays he grumpily wrote so bad she practically rewrote the whole thing. Everyone's work she looks over she only need to point out some errors or make some suggestion so they can make a better essay but never need to rewrite it completely most of the time not even close.

Hermione hears someone coming down from the stairs and reluctantly removes her head but still leans onto Harry. It is Charlie who smiles as he sees the three on the couch. Before he can say anything Mrs. Weasley sees them and says "dears you should better go to bed. Don't forget Hermione you wanted to leave soon to spend as much time as possible during the weekend with your parents."

Hermione says "of course Mrs. Weasley I am quite tired so I think I will go to bed. Luckily I already use my book bag to take some clothes and other necessities for the weekend."

Mrs. Weasley smiles and says "well why don't you Ginny and Harry also go to bed. Oh yes, Hermione did you manage to help Ron?"

Hermione doesn't want to disrespect Mrs. Weasley so she lies "yes, but I think he needs to put a little more time into his essays. I pointed some things out he could do to better but I don't know if he will do it."

Harry can see that Hermione lies and wonders what really happened. Maybe it has to do with something that he felt anger suddenly before Hermione came down. Harry stayed mad until Hermione lay her head on his shoulder and slowly he felt it decreasing. Harry thinks it is just as he missed Hermione by his side as she had been almost every waking minute the last two weeks the same goes for Ginny.

Ginny on the other hand knows that the anger she felt is not her own and knows it can only be Hermione's. Although she doesn't see it she almost is certain Hermione lies.

Ginny is sure to ask what really is the truth in her room. First, they walk down the stairs. When they reach her bedroom on the first floor they both give Harry and hug and a kiss. Just seeing his smile makes them happy and removes Hermione's reaming anger and frustration. Harry being embarrassed mumbles good night before continuing up to Ron's bedroom.

26th August 1994, Ginny's bedroom, The Burrow

As soon as they changed for bed Ginny asks "what really happened Hermione when you went to help Ron?"

Hermione says "I didn't help Ron. I wanted to but he wanted me to write everything for him even the ones I looked over for him. They were very bad. First, it was barely readable. Second almost full of wrong assumptions and lastly all facts were wrong and the spells information, movement and incantation were also wrong."

"When I pointed it out he just then you write it and went to lie on his bed. I give him a start for all of them and tried to get him to read but I couldn't get him out of bed. The only thing that didn't show he was asleep was that he didn't snore which according to Harry is very hard."

Ginny says "yeah Ron snore very hard I think he could even be harder than when the full Quidditch stadium at Hogwarts is full."

Both giggle until Ginny says "Hermione just be happy Harry is different and don't forget we can probably convince Harry to do better or other things. Now we may not have much leverage but I think after Christmas we have if we manage to further the touching and kisses at a slow pace to not spook Harry. I just hope for a peaceful year as that is all that we need."

Hermione says "honestly Ginny there hasn't been a peaceful year since Harry entered Hogwarts.."

Ginny sighs and says "that is true we don't need a completely peaceful year. From what you told me in your first year besides the Troll and discovering Fluffy all was quiet until the last few months. We just need to have that until Christmas maybe New Year's day at least I hope, but with you in his class and Luna and me outside of it while not in the library I am sure we can get it too small snogs at not later than New Year's day."

Ginny looks Hermione in the eyes and says "maybe you need with your mother about it. I know you accepted it although maybe a bit reluctantly and while you stopped holding back I still see it in you. Maybe if you talk with your mother about it and I was waiting for this to tell you but it is allowed in the magical world. I don't know the whole thing but I remember my father telling me that the last heirs can have more wives and as Harry is the last Potter that means he can. I am not sure how much or anything but I am sure Harry can. I think he doesn't know but maybe it is better until we can talk with Sirius about it. Sirius is maybe the best choice to do so as his godfather and anything."

Hermione says "you are right Ginny. I think my mother may understand and can convince daddy to accept it. She can at least let daddy keep an open mind and more importantly don't blame Harry especially when I tell them we decided certainly as Harry doesn't even know yet. I will try to tell them that I don't know how many girlfriends or wives as I honestly don't know, don't want to know and knowing Harry everything can happen."

Ginny says "well the last years obviously prove that. Before we go to sleep I think I must say after Luna agrees to share Harry, what is probably the first moment she can. If we meet her on the train she somehow will know we just need to occupy ourselves with talking about other things or talk with her without Harry first."

"You know about Luna but actually I noticed after that night in the common room that Katie was very sad. I don't know if it is because Harry was with us in the Common Room or something else but we need to expect that she may be interested in Harry which will be no surprise there as I did notice Katie and Harry have a good friendship possibly because they were both new to the Quidditch team when Harry became the seeker."

Hermione sighs and says "that is what I mean with everything that can happen. I like Katie enough as I do Luna so I don't mind but we can't just let anyone enter. We must not forget Katie is a muggleborn like me so she may need some convincing, but is she really like Harry if not love then she will accept if we explain it to her."

Ginny says "agreed we can't accept anyone but it is Harry's eventual decision. Let's just hope Sirius can soon find a way to be free as he can help us more than Dumbledore, but we have more time to think about it. When Luna joins and Katie too we have enough girls to protect Harry from those we don't trust or don't want to share. I think almost all pureblood especially witches know so we need to watch out for those."

"I looked in the library but I never saw anything about this, maybe you can Hermione. Also, I think Sirius would even help us at least you after all you and Harry saved him."

Hermione says "this is the last I will say as I really need to sleep soon as I probably wake up before you and Harry but the dog was Sirius and he seems to like you too."

Ginny smiles "well that is true but still. Anyway good night Hermione."

Hermione says "to you too Ginny."

Let's end here for now. In the next chapter, we will see what happens in ministry and the campsite, Hermione's time with her parents and more (if the words allow).

Please read and review although PMs are hugely appreciated.