Disclaimer: I do not own any content relating to Harry Potter. I am strictly a fan fiction writer and do this only for my own enjoyment. I do not make any money from my writing.
Chapter 14: Interruptions
A few thousand miles away, the Potters landed on a beautiful, pristine beach. The air was tropical and warm. The sun shone brightly in the sky, reflecting off the white sandy beaches around the island. There was a nice steady breeze blowing, making the palm trees sway.
A modest beach house stood a several dozen meters from the water. The white house, with a light blue accent, had a small covered front porch and a few comfortable chairs. The house wasn't very large, with only two bedrooms, a single bathroom, small kitchen, and a living room. It was cozy and very welcoming.
Harry grinned as he mentally congratulated himself on correctly guessing where he was about to be. Hermione looked at him and gave him an inquisitive look. "You knew where we were going, didn't you?" she asked.
"Yep!", Harry laughed.
"How did you know?" She looked at him slightly affronted. She wondered if he had possibly read her mind. It was supposed to be possible with soul bonded couples. What if he could already do it but she couldn't.
"The portkey", he said, still grinning.
Hermoine smacked her forehead with her hand. "Bloody hell! I should have guessed that a portkey that nice would have the normal one for the island."
Harry moved to Hermione and placed his hands on her hips. "I still love that you planned us a nice getaway for my birthday."
"NOPE!", she screamed "HONEYMOON!"
The Department of Magical Law Enforcement had a flurry of activity this morning. People were running around taking forms from one department to another, while others were typing up reports or press releases. Aurors were coming and going, traveling to the World Cup site and back again. There was evidence and bodies to collect. The director of the DMLE, Amelia Bones, was ensconced in her office, getting a direct report from her top Aurors.
"Do we have a final list of the identities of the Death Eaters?", Bones asked.
"We do, madam. Of the twenty deceased, we have several names that are known to us. A handful are relatively unknowns, likely new to the group, but we have those names as well. Among the most notable names are Malfoy, Dolohov, both Carrows, Yaxley, and Rookwood. The others we know about but are less well known are Macnair, Jugson, Mulciber, and Crabbe", said one auror.
"Well, Mr. Potter seems to have taken out most of the leadership of the Death Eaters, all in one night!", Amelia said, looking impressed. "I still can't believe that Lucius Malfoy is dead. I thought the day would never come where I wouldn't see his sniveling mug walking through the halls of the Ministry." She scribbled a few notes on the parchment in front of her. "Has anyone heard from Fudge this morning? Lucius was well known to be a close confidant of the minister.
"No, ma'am. Haven't seen or heard from him this morning directly, but I did hear that he locked himself in his office and yelled at his secretary that he was not to be disturbed at all today", the auror replied.
"OK, thank you Shacklebolt, you may go. Please send in Scrimgeour on your way out", Amelia said, still writing her notes.
The auror nodded and departed the office. A moment later, Master Auror Rufus Scrimgeour entered.
"Ah, Rufus, have you been able to find Mr. Potter yet?", she asked.
"Since Potter Manor is still under the Fidelius charm, we have not been able to locate it. It is rumored to be unplottable as well. I stopped by Hogwarts this morning and met Dumbledore. He tells me that Mr. Potter and his friend, Miss Hermione Granger, have left the country and are currently residing at a private island owned by Mr. Potter", Scrimgeour reported.
"Didn't anyone of the aurors that investigated the attack tell Mr. Potter not to leave the country until the investigation was over?" Amelia looked quite annoyed now.
"Uh, it apparently slipped the auror's minds that night, with everything else that was going on", Rufus said, looking a little disappointed. He knew his Boss was going to want some heads to roll after this major snafu.
Amelia's eyes bulged at this news. "I want the auror in charge of the scene to report to Azkaban for a month-long duty station tour. Perhaps this reassignment will help him or her to reflect on proper protocol", she said with a tone that was all seriousness. Amelia pinched the bridge of her nose and allowed her glasses to slip off her face and land on her desk. "Alright, we need to go find Mr. Potter and his friend and pay them a visit. We need facts and details that only he can provide. I don't care how, but you find out which island he is on and get us a damn portkey on the double!"
Rufus Scrimgeour nodded his head and turned on his heels. He left the office and got busy with his new orders.
The sun was dipping below the waves of the beach where Harry and Hermione were relaxing on a couple of loungers. The sunset was brilliant and so incredibly peaceful to watch. A few birds swooped down from the air and darted into the sea, collecting their evening meals, before flying back up into the sky. The sounds of the waves were hypnotic, almost lulling the teenagers to sleep. They held hands and just enjoyed being together, far away from society and the problems they faced back home.
Harry called Moxie and had her bring them a couple of daiquiris. The elf popped away to get started on the drinks. Hermione rolled to her side and faced Harry.
"Harry? You love me, right?" she asked with a hint of worry in her voice.
"Of course, I do Hermione! You should never question that! I love you!" Harry said, trying to emphasize his conviction. "I know our relationship is not a normal one and that it is new, but for me, time is irrelevant. I met you a couple of months ago, a girl crying in Dumbledore's office. From the moment I saw you, I had this…instant attraction to you. Beyond the physical sense, which I happen to find absolutely beautiful, the other attraction was more about passion. I saw a girl that was passionate and intelligent. A girl that would give of herself freely, only asking for friendship in return. You are fiercely loyal, uncommonly kind, and most of all, so incredibly loving. If a soul bond is a match made in heaven, as Minerva said, then who are we to judge that? We were destined to be together!"
By the time Harry finished talking, the sun had fully disappeared, and darkness was settling in. Hermione had tears of joy and love freely falling down her cheeks. She was so incredibly happy, and her heart swelled with love for Harry. This was the perfect mate for her, there was no doubt anymore in her mind. Harry leaned over and wiped away the tears from her face with a gentle stroke of his finger. He smiled at her and let his magic roll off him and envelop Hermione. She felt the warmth of his love in her very bones.
Moxie popped back in with the daiquiris. She had waiting to bring them out, sensing that her appearance during her master's touching words would have killed the mood. She left the drinks on the tables beside each lounger and popped away again.
As soon as she was gone, a couple more loud pops were heard a short distance away. In the darkness, Harry could just make out the outlines of two people who were walking towards them. Harry's training once again took over and his wand was in his hand lightning quick. He conjured a large shield around him and Hermione and jumped up out of his seat into a battle stance. Before he could do anymore, a voice called out to them.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger? I am Amelia Bones, Director of Magical Law Enforcement for the British Ministry of Magic!", she shouted to them. She was still several meters away and the sound of the waves made it difficult to hear at this distance. "I bring with me, Rufus Scrimgeour, Master Auror!" she added. They were cautiously approaching the teenagers, carefully not to move to quickly or suddenly, for fear the Harry would systematically tear them apart like the Death Eaters had been. Both Amelia and Rufus had seen the attack site for themselves, and they instantly recognized the level of strength and mastery of magic that Harry had employed during the battle.
Harry allowed the two figures to come closer, until he could finally see them well enough in the dark. He kept his wand at the ready and asked the two for identification. When they showed their magical badges, which both glowed blue, he knew that they were who they said they were. The badges would not have glowed like that if they were impersonators. "What can we do for you?" Harry asked, lowering his wand.
"We need to interview you, properly this time, about the events at the Quidditch World Cup. Specifically, about the attack, mind you." Scrimgeour said. "We, uh, forgot to mention that you were not supposed to leave the country while the investigation surrounding the attack was ongoing. That was our mistake."
"Well, I suppose we can head inside and talk", Harry said. Hermione grabbed Harry's arm while they led the aurors into the house. Once inside Harry asked Quillby for a set of tea and then sat at the small dining room table just off the kitchen. The aurors looked around the room and then seated themselves at the table. Amelia looked at Harry and Hermione, then took out a roll of parchment and a dict-a-quill. She asked Harry to give a complete recounting of the night's events.
"After the match was over, we made our way to our tent. We rested there for a few minutes before I went to use the loo. As I was making my way back to the living room, I thought I heard a faint scream, so I stopped and listened to see if I could hear it again. With the roar of the parties that were going on outside, it was difficult to hear anything else. Only after a minute or so of listening did I hear the change in sounds outside. The screaming became clearer, and the sounds of revelry were stopping. As soon as I made my way back to the living room, I changed into my dueling robes, sent Hermione and her parents back home via portkey, and then departed the tent. I listened for the sounds of screaming and headed towards them…"
"Pardon the interruption, Mr. Potter, but why would you run towards the sounds of screaming? Wasn't everyone running away from the attack?", Amelia asked.
"Yes, everyone was running away. But no one ran towards the sounds of panic to help! I wanted to help, so that is what I did.", Harry said.
"Indeed. That was very brave of you, Mr. Potter. Please continue your statement."
"As soon as I saw the group of Death Eaters, I engaged them, first from a distance, but as I gained ground, it soon became a close quarters combat. I uh, have trained for situations like this since I was very young, so it wasn't that difficult for me to gain the upper hand…" Harry saw Amelia's next question from a kilometer away. He braced himself for it.
"You said that you have been training since you were young for combat, Mr. Potter? Please explain that to me", an incredulous Amelia said.
Harry took a sip of his tea that Quillby had served everyone. He knew this would be difficult to explain. He finally figured that the truth was the best answer…well most of the truth, he thought to himself. "Since the events that killed my parents almost 14 years ago, I have been mostly hidden away from the public view. That is not to say that I didn't go out in public, but rather I kept a very low profile. My godfather, Sirius Black, raised me at Potter Manor. I was educated from a very early age with the assistance of private tutors and special training from Albus Dumbledore. As soon as I took my lordship of the most ancient and noble house of Potter at only eight years old, I was emancipated. That meant that I was now a legal adult and no longer under the trace. I could perform magic, not just at a school."
"I see", said Amelia. She was beginning to piece the puzzle now. Rufus sat in his chair and looked stunned. An eight-year-old boy took over his lordship and could do magic as he saw fit?
"As soon as I could legally perform magic, I started combat training. For the next six years, I trained almost daily. I was taught by the most brilliant minds the magical world could provide. I steadily became stronger, faster, and powerful enough to duel almost anyone and win. That includes Albus Dumbledore, however I was only able to finally defeat him in a dual about a year ago."
Three jaws hit the floor. Hermione, Amelia, and especially Rufus, could simply not believe Harry's words. It was almost a minute before anyone could speak. It was Rufus that managed first. "Bullshit! I'm sorry, Harry, but that story is simply too far-fetched to believe."
"RUFUS! Enough of that!", Amelia shouted at her auror. "While I'll admit that it is a fantastical story, I will not outright call Mr. Potter a liar!"
Rufus looked over to Harry. "My apologies, Mr. Potter. That was rude of me."
Harry sat and thought for a moment. He grinned when he had an idea. "I think this calls for a little…demonstration if you will. Mr. Scrimgeour, I challenge you to a duel!"
Rufus looked at Harry in pure shock. "I don't see how challenging me to a duel will help!"
Amelia chuckled and turned to her auror. "I do! Harry will demonstrate just how powerful he is by dueling with you. I happen to think that it is a wonderful idea, Rufus!"
Scrimgeour blanched at her words. "I…I, uh…I don't think that will be…necessary."
Now Amelia looked downright gleeful. "No, I insist!" she said. "Come! Let's take a short break from the interview and head outside. It is nightfall, but I think we can create enough light outside to help."
The group stood up and headed back outside. They cast several lighting charms on almost every available surface and soon it was nearly as bright as it would have been during the day. At least it was on their beachfront. Harry's face turned to glee as he moved away from the group and turned to face Scrimgeour. "Please do not hold back. Anything goes except for dangerous or dark curses. We can wound each other but not maim or kill one another, agreed?" Rufus nodded and tried to compose himself.
Harry was about to have Amelia countdown to start the duel, but he realized that he needed to add another stipulation. "Oh! I also must insist that you cast the first spell. It would not be a fair fight if I went first", Harry said. Those words seemed to sap Rufus of his courage. Either the boy was bluffing, or he was indeed going to find out just how powerful Harry really was.
A few moments later, Master Auror Rufus Scrimgeour was bringing to bare all his auror training on Harry. He masterfully sent a flurry of stunners, bludgeoners, and disarming spells at his opponent. Not one of them had made any difference. Harry was the definition of speed. He expertly dodged and shielded every single spell and hex that was sent his way. Amelia and Hermione couldn't even catch much of a glimpse of the boy, he was almost just a blur of movement. Only after Harry figured that he had proved his point did he turn his attention from defense to offense.
Harry Potter, master sorcerer, was now on full display. He sent a staggering number of spells and hexes at Scrimgeour. It was almost more than could be seen by the average observer. Rufus never stood a chance. In a matter of a few seconds, he lay bound, and unconscious on the sand.
Twenty minutes later, the group was once again seated at the dining room table. The house elves had changed out the tea service for a round of whiskey for everyone. Rufus was sipping his glass with a little trouble; his hands were shaking quite severely.
"Well now, with the demonstration out of the way, I think we can get back to the interview. Would you mind continuing, Mr. Potter?" The smile on Amelia's face had not left for almost half an hour now.
Harry continued his narrative for the next 30 minutes. He did leave out the part where the leader of the Death Eaters had surrendered, but that was about all he changed. When he was finally done with his interview, everyone sat stunned, but no one questioned whether his story was plausible.
After Amelia and Scrimgeour left, thanking Harry and Hermione for a most entertaining evening, the teenagers retired to their bedroom. Neither of them could manage much more than stripping down to their underwear (Hermione courageously left her bra on the floor) and collapsing into bed. The day had been very long and eventful for both. A quick kiss goodnight and Harry and Hermione were asleep within minutes.