Chapter 47
Attack on Avalon
The week felt surreal to Harry. He worked through classes, actually trying and doing respectably. He knew it was important. But damn to hell if it didn't feel almost useless. Even A.C.T. had an element of frustration to it. They were pushing themselves beyond anyone's expectations, all for a Ministry that barely wanted to fight the war. Once the emergency bags were prepared and stored in the Potter Bunker, the Quartet spent much of their time working on the scry snitches. When they couldn't either due to waiting on supplies or because frustration denied their focus Harry and Ginny hit the gym, often pouring their anger into the punching bag. Often they would look at each other in sweaty exhaustion. They both realized it was not a normal courtship, but it was theirs and it worked. Whatever came their way, it was going to have to come through both of them.
Friday, 12 April 1997
It wasn't until Ginny and Harry sat down for evening dinner that they noticed the change of the spirits of the student body and recognized they had indeed made it to the end of the week. "You two alright?" Neville asked them. "You've been damn near living in Cadet areas this week."
They both nodded. "Yeah, we're fine… just…." Harry began then dropped off.
Ginny picked up. "You know what it's like to need to burn off frustrations, Nev."
"Right," Neville agreed. "Holler if I can help. You know I have your backs."
Harry reached over and patted Neville's shoulder. "Never doubted that mate."
They were about to continue their chat when the crowd soon started to get excited. Eyes turned to see the patronus figure of a honey badger dashing faster than natural run down the aisle and bound upwards to Tonks who reached to offer her arm. The gesture showed she recognized the patronus, but her expression showed she was concerned for receiving it. The honey badger landed on her forearm and quick climbed up to her ear. She leaned into it as it whispered to her. Her face flashed to rage after the patronus dissipated, its message delivered. She looked to the Gryffindor table and yelled. "Marauders, go!"
It was reflex now. They dropped their forks and half finished meals and took off running, this time with Tonks beside them. The sergeant knew they were already focused on her. "Moody sent a mayday! Attack at Avalon. He needs people he can trust. We're it!"
"Avalon," Hermione clarified. "That's insane! That's the safest manor in wizarding Britain! The Ministry makes sure of that."
"Not the time Granger!" Tonks cut in."Someone is trying to assassinate the Minister of Magic!"
"And we've just been drafted as his rescue party!" Harry concluded.
"Exactly, Potter!" Tonks agreed.
Ginny couldn't hold her frustration back, "Fuck!"
"Exactly, Crimson!" Tonks agreed.
They changed in record time and dashed into Training Hall to see Tonk opening the floo. No sooner had she than the familiar figure of Captain Moody stepped in. He immediately locked eyes with Harry who was about to salute as Tonks was.
"Hell with that right now," he dismissed and pointed to the cadet with his staff. "Potter, where did you and I spend two weeks?"
"Watchtower 42, sir." Harry replied, then Moody nodded. Harry continued. "Who cooked the first night?"
"I tried, but you fixed it and did a hell of a better job of it." Moody replied.
Harry nodded to Tonks to confirm it was correct.
"Status?" she asked as he started locking the hall down and gave Moody a telepathic link.
"Two aurors; Kennedy, and Whiting, let in an unknown number of Death Eaters to the Minister's manor. I was escorting him to the floo for escape when we were separated during a firefight. If those two have turned one way or the other, I don't know who on staff I can trust. I need backup to locate and extract the Minister."
"Understood." Tonks and Harry replied in unison as the other Marauders gathered round.
"I am officially ordering you to trust no one on the other side of that floo!" Moody said.
"What about the other aurors there?" Hemione asked.
"Stun'em all, and let magic sort'em out." Crimson replied with a grin.
"If we need to leave them alive, can we at least body bind them?" Susan asked.
It was a grin that Moody shared as he raised his staff at them. "Exactly!I like you two."
Ron clarified. "So we're flaming into an unknown and hostile situation on a rescue mission."
"Aye," Moody nodded. "Thoughts?"
"Harry, Neville, and I flame in, secure the floo. Shield wall, if nothing else. We can make a beachhead for the rest of the team to flame in and work from there."
"Good plan, make it happen." Moody ordered. "The floo is in a hall alcove. The hall off to your left. There are three doors to mind, Two in the front. For right now just secure us a way in then we start searching."
The three lads cast their arm shields up; Harry in center Ron to his right and Neville to his left. Harry grinned at his mates. "One more into the breach fellas?"
"Thought you'd never ask. " Neville replied.
"Oh, what did you do this weekend Ron?" the red head mocked. "I shot spells around the bloody Minister of Magic's house."
"I'll be right on your heels," Moody said as he grabbed a big handful of floo powder and held his wand to floo. "Avalon." he commanded.
Harry, Ron, and Neville charged through the green flame and arrived in white marble hallway as described. The largest opening was the hall opening to the left to two cherry stained door ahead of them and a third to the side.
"I've got the hall." Harry claimed. "Ron take right side, Nevile take front." As the others moved Harry cast a shield wall to fill the eight foot wide by ten feet tall hallway.
Moody flamed in behind them with his staff at the ready and kept watch as the others.
"Got a dining room, and it's clear." Neville reported.
"Right side's a bathroom and smaller stair well, clear." Ron reported.
"Aye," Moody confirmed. "There's the kitchen and the servants' access there."
"Everyone hold and secure." Harry ordered verbally. Then to his link. "Avalaon floo secure. Bring the team."
Quickly the floo roared and the rest of the Marauders filed in. "You lot have portkeys, I'm locking the floo." Moody reported as he cast with his staff. "There's nine of us, I want three three man teams. First one to find the Minister gets the hell out of here with him."
"Reaper, Bear, you're mine." Tonks reported. "Ice, Mione, with the Captain. Potter-"
"Crimson and Angel, copy." Harry finished.
Moody delegated the house. "Tonks Ground floor. Potter take main stairs up to the second floor and then the left side. I'll take servants' access and work our way up to the second to the right side."
Harry looked over to his pair. "I'll take point."
"Because you're the bloke?" Crimson smirked.
"No, because I outrank you and I carry a damn arm shield. We move three - two-"
Harry dropped the shield wall to open the hall. The white marble floor and columns continued with brass candelabra hanging from the walls with glowing jewels lighting the painting adorning the cream colored walls. A brass handrail on top of rod iron lattice around the steps then switched back on itself. Harry carefully started with an eye to the top of the stairs.
That was fortunate as at least three fighters in black jackets started shooting cutters from the top onto him. The McGonagall shield held firm as Harry fell back. "Got three bastards, top of main stairs," he linked.
"Need backup?" Tonks offered.
Harry looked at his team. They shared a smile. "Hell no." Then he switched his psychic connecton. "Private link: Ginny and Luna. Angel, can you give me one of your radiant flashes up there? Enough to blind 'em for a moment?"
"No problem." Luna nodded. Crimson pulled her goggles up and tapped her shades up. Harry did the same for his glasses.
"On three, you flash, Gin and I bash." Harry ordered as quickly dashed to the left half of the set of stairs. Visually he counted down with his fingers.
"Radiantes Ruptis!" Luna called forming an orb of the cleanest white light they'd seen, but only an instant as it quickly exploded into a flash of light brighter than the sun. They could hear the groans of the unprepared victims above. Crimson quicky ran up the first half flight of stairs to get a clear shot of one auror covering his eyes, which she quickly stunned down.
On the other side of the stairs Harry waited like a hunter for his prey to come in reach. Finally his auror let a hand reach out over the rail. Harry caught the auror's wrist with his lightning lash quickly and pulled him over and down the stairs. The auror yelled until he thudded onto the marble stone, Harry was actually relieved when he heard him groan in pain. Harry quickly cast a body bind on him, even though he was confident the auror would unconscious for hours.
"I know we still have at least an Eater up here." Harry linked to his partners. He took point again this time. "We're going to be exposed. I'll ready a shield if we need, you two plan to take the shots." Both the ladies nodded, without any joking this time. The marble flooring and pillars continued upwards. The walls of the second story were now a warm red, but still rarely a single section was left without a painting on it. Directly ahead were a set of closed double doors. Wands at the ready and from Harry's hand signal they split apart, Luna on the right side, Crimson and Harry on the left. As they approached the door it burst open. The hex was green.
"Scatter!" Harry ordered as he grabbed Crimson and leapt to the side as Luna threw herself in the opposite direction. All of them rolled out of the way of the curse shot between them and struck the far wall. "All units, be advised. Minimum one eater throwing Killing Curses on site!" They could hear the uniform swears of the rest of the team on the link but Harry had bigger concerns.
"To hell with this stun shit!" Crimson swore. "Harry go high, I take low. Luna cross fire."
"Potter, do you require assistance?" Tonks linked.
Harry nodded as they all regrouped around the door frame. They discovered the red wall continuing to a well furnished sitting room. A grand piano immediately to their right and the far back wall filled with a dark oak bookshelf. What most caught their attention though was overturned table on the middle of the floor with the book that clearly had been resting on it thrown randomly to the ground.
Crimson didn't hesitate a breath. 'Bombarda!' The table exploded, throwing a black robbed Eater into the air. Harry had expected exactly that, so as the Eater sailed up, Harry hit him with a witch bolt. It looked like that stunned him, but before he could his the ground. Luna finished the job with a body bind. The Eater's body snapped as rigid as a wood carving and fell face first in the hardwood floor. Harry would have laughed had the bastard not just tried to kill him. The three of them quickly searched the rest of the room to see no one else was there.
"Negative. Situation handled. Team Potter on Second Floor. Sitting Room cleared." Harry led the way back down the hallway. On the left of the hall was a bedroom with a pink interior and green cover over the bed, clear. To the right was a smaller sitting room, clearly intended for the help, connected to a small bathroom and on the left and simple bedroom on the right, all clear.
Finally they came to the set of double doors at the end of the hallway. Harry reached for the door. Only to encounter the red energy field of a forcewall, just like what was so commonly put around the firing range.
"Team, I have a room at the end of hall, second story. Door protected by force wall spell."
"Aye, that would be the Minister's Office." Moody linked back. "If it's up he's in there. Do you see a crystal ball on a brass arm to the right of the door?"
Harry looked and did. "Yes sir."
"That's a set to two way scry so you can talk to him in there. I'll get there as soon as I can, but frankly if you can get him to open that'd be the quickest." Moody explained.
"Understood sir." Harry wanted to swear but thought best in front of the scry ball. "Cover me." he verbally told Crimson and Luna. Then he cast a charge of magic to the ball so it glowed to life. "Minister, this is Harry Potter. Captain Moody sent me in to escort you out."
A voice called out from the ball. "Potter? Why would Moody send you?"
Harry shook his head in frustration. "Clearly, if this attack is happening the aurors have been compromised. Moody recruited us because he trusts and we can handle this. I know you've read reports of us, of me! Open the door and let us help you."
There was silence. Then a careful voice asked. "I've met Potter once. If you're really him, when, where, and what did we talk about?"
Luna leaned over to Crimson. "He's rather paranoid for a Ministry employee, isn't he?"
Crimson smirked. "Given my experience with stuff like polyjuice, I actually appreciate caution. Just hope it doesn't bite us in the arse."
Harry focused on the orb. "Last Christmas, you came to the Weasley Burrow, under a laughably flimsy excuse of Percy wanting to visit. We walked out back. You felt the Aligned Houses method was archaic. I said people deserve to feel safe. Those people include you, Minister."
After another silence the field finally faded away. "Go, go, move!" Harry ordered as he grabbed Luna and Crimson by the shoulders pulling them in. They quickly burst in and then slammed the door behind them. Harry quickly spell locked the door then looked around. This office had a dark oak finish to all the walls and a thick green carpet on the floor. The richly and ornately decorated furniture matched the walls color, but standing in the center wearing a charcoal black suit and purple robe was Minister Scrimgeour.
Harry wasted no time. "Angel, get him out of here."
"Now see here! I'm the Minister of Mag-" he objected.
"No, tonight you're the mission." Harry replied curtly. "Luna, go."
Luna didn't hesitate at all. "Now young lady!"
"I don't take orders from you." Luna reminded with a smile as she walked over, grabbed the ministered by the shoulder with her left hand and charged her portkey pin with the other. The pair popped away.
"This is Potter. Minister secured. Angel escorted him back to ba-"
The door exploded in a fireball, worthy of something Crimson herself would throw. The flames didn't harm and her shield bracelet triggered the barrier from the debris, but the force of impact threw her against the far wall. The impact created a crater in the wall that Crimson slid out off falling to the floor like a doll. Harry was thrown forward towards the Minister's desk. He used the momentum to pull himself over and behind the thick mahogany furniture.
"You annoying pest." Harry heard a feminine voice almost purred. "I knew I'd have to deal with Moody, but you too? Dark Lord will be pleased."
Harry linked out, "All units, Death Eater in the Minister's office, cocky bitch too." Then he rolled to the side and shot a witch bolt out. The silver-haired woman stamped her staff looking like an elongated cane with a crystal ball pommel, now growing with blue energy. From the pommel a shield field emerged blocking Harry's bolt. Another green bolt came Harry, he quickly rolled to the other side upping his cast to a full lightening bolt… again the bitch shielded. Again she shot green. Harry rolled away, now finally getting a view of Ginny on the floor.
Harry's rage surged into lightning in his eyes. Quickly he linked. "Crimson down," met with a cacophony of swearing from the team. Harry looked up to the witch in front of him."You're going to regret that." Harry growled as he lowered his wand to the desk itself, 'Flipendo'! He threw the desk upward to the Eater. Then, while still in the air, 'Fulgur fulmenso'! Harry cast an even stronger lightning bolt. The Eater threw a bombara at the desk blowing it to kindling, but as the bits of wood fragmented the electricity found purchase in her chest, finally throwing her against the wall. Finally, getting on the offensive, Harry took the opportunity. With his whip he grabbed the Eater's ankle, pulled her off her feet and him back to his. She landed hard to the ground with a thud and yelp. With a second crack of whip Harry grabbed her staff. But even dazed she held on to her staff like her life depended on it, which when Harry saw Ginny on the floor, it probably did. The Eater had reflexes rivaling Harry and seeing the rage in his lightning filled eyes, she took no chances. She sacrificed her left hand grip and quickly grabbed the dagger on her hip.
It was like nothing Harry had ever felt before.
Before Harry knew what was happening she plunged the dagger into his gut. The pain was monstrous, excruciating even. Not just at the wound, the nerves of his body cried as it felt like acid through his veins. Still Harry fought for concentration as the pain stole his focus, finally despite himself, he fell to one knee.
Finally the whip failed and the Eater smeared. "Give it up Potter." In her annoyance at the sheer audacity she swung upward catching Harry in the throat belting him backward and downward over Ginny. He was actually comforted when she moaned from the impact. "That blade wasn't meant for you, but something tells me that the Dark Lord will not complain you are one to feel it's poison."
"Who - who are are you?" Harry gasped as he tried to will himself up, and for once… his will failed him.
The Death Eater smiled as she reached down and grabbed Harry by his collar. She smiled as she looked down at him, "I suppose I'm just the riddle you get to ponder before you die." She threw Harry to the ground like a discarded wrapper. As he fell back threw his arm around Ginny. His final thought was a link, "All units, Potter down." His vision went black. With his last ounce of will he reached over to his Ministry Pin and charged the portkey.
Harry and Ginny's bodies popped back into the Training Hall interrupting the clear argument Luna and Scrivinger were having.
"My gods…" Scrimgeour gasped as he saw the hilt of the dagger sticking out of Harry's abdomen.
Hannah and Matron Pomfrey quickly dashed in with Hannah on the link. "Confirmed! We have the Minister and Luna here safe. Crimson and Harry here, but down." Hannah slid on her knees to Ginny's slide and was already scrying. "Minor bruising, vitals stable, just unconscious. Harry?"
The Matron shook her head as her only response.
Hannah looked up to Luna. "Harry needs me. Get Ginny to medical. Keep an eye on her. Link if she changes." she explained as she came to the Matron's side. With a look of concern Luna did what she was told and levitated her best friend and quickly ran her out of the hall. The Minister watched the witches treat the young man, the full weight of Harry's actions setting in on his shoulders. The elder witch with named potions to administer, Hannah apparated them into Harry. All the while Pomfey's hands never stopped casting spells. Carefully, almost timidly, Scrimgeour volunteered, "How-how do I help?"
"Unless you're a healer, stay out of the way." Hannah replied but she looked to the Matron who spared a single glance and nod to show she agreed. Then the rest of the team portkeying in."
"Status!" Tonks demanded.
Pomfrey nodded to her nurse. Hannah briefed the Sergeant. "Crimson is unconscious but otherwise fine. Luna is taking her to Medical. Harry…" Hannah took a breath then composed herself. "Patient has suffered a major puncture to the lower abdomen. It doesn't look to have struck any major organs but does seem to have been coated with a virulent poison."
"Understood, focus on him." Tonks's attention then focused on the Minister. "Sir, by order of Captain Moody I placing you in protective custody."
"Sergeant, I - I don't think you necessarily can do that." Scrimgeour corrected.
Tonks's eyes shot red with rage. "Don't care sir! I trust you've seen the dagger sticking out of my field lead's gut? I'm sure you've put two and two together to gather that blade that was meant for you?"
The Minister knew when he wasn't going to win an argument. "Of - of course, Sergeant."
"Then believe me when I say, you are not in command right now, I am." Tonks turned around to look at the Marauders. "Granger, tell McGonagall, and only McGonagall, who we have here and let her know I'm setting him up in private quarters."
Hermione immediately took off running.
"Ice, Effective immediately A.C.T. are now on Ministerial Security. No access besides McGonagall or me. Password…" she looked down to her fellow soldier… at her friend on the ground. "Password is lightning. Three hour shifts. You all are excused from classes. Reaper, Bones, your first shift as we escort the Minister to his accommodations. Ice, I want a roster in an hour and I want the staff minimally informed. They just need to know they're pulling guard duty. They don't need to know what." Seeing the hesitation. Tonks cracked the whip. "Now!"
Coming from Luna's message Professor Slughorn quickly dashed into the hospital. Pomfrey cast like she never had before the corner of the hospital didn't even need light as the glow of non stop casting lit the area. "Good, you're here." Hannah intercepted him and led him to the hospital's brewing area."
Confused, Slughorn looked around. "I was told Madam Pomfrey want-
"Follow me," Hannah gestured.
"But Madam-"
"She's busy!" Hannah snapped. "You get me! We need a poison antidote now!"
Slughorn recoiled. "Alright, do we have a sam-"
Hannah took a white cloth of a silver tray holding the still bloody dagger.
"Oh dear," Slughorn said as looked at the blade.
Minutes later Molly burst through the door.
Hannah went to intercept her. "Mrs. Weasley this really-"
"Hannah," Pomfrey cut in from behind a curtain. "I need her!"
Hannah stepped to the side out of the way. Molly approached and gasped as she finally had a look at Harry. Every drop of color had been drained from his skin. His lips even had a tinge of blue to it. "Poison," the Matron explained with her wand held over Harry's chest. "I already have Horace working on an antidote but we need to keep him alive until then. It's going after the nervous control of his cardiac and respiratory systems. He can't breathe or beat his heart unless a witch does it for him. I've been alternating but-"
"I need the enchantment." Molly said with a nod but without any hesitation, putting her bag down and grabbing her wand.
Pomprey nodded over to the table with several open books. "Second book on the right, already open to the page." The Matron looked very strongly at Molly. "This will be a very long night Molly."
Molly read through the page, then looked down to her son. "So long as it's not his last. I'll take his heart." She said as she join the Matron holding her wand over Harry's heart.
Saturday, 13 April 1997
The world was black, formless, and empty… but damn did it ache. Harry felt like shit, worse than a Riddle-ache. Those focused on his scar. This seemed to have wracked his entire body.
There was a singular comfort to him. A warm, sweet, comforting scent, familiar and welcome. It was apple blossoms. Harry took a deep breath, it was Ginny. He blinked open his eyes to look up at the unfortunately familiar ceiling of the hospital wing. He looked to his left, there on the chair next to him was Ginny. "Hey," he forced out a rasp.
Ginny shot awake with a start. "Harry! Thank merlin." She quickly sat up and kissed him. When they separated she rubbed his cheek and smiled. "That one was close." Then she looked up to the nurse's station. "Mum! He's awake!"
"I remember… you went down… a fireball." Harry forced out.
Ginny smiled and let a tear fall, as sat on the edge of his bed, affectionately rubbing his cheek. "I'm fine, babe. I was just knocked out for a few hours."
The Matron and Molly soon arrived. Pomfrey immediately started scrying. "You, Mr. Potter, are a stubborn patient. As far as brushes with death are concerned, last night was your closest."
Harry looked over to Ginny, "Winning," as he tried to grin.
"Gods, what have I created." Ginny replied getting off the bed to make room for the others but still holding his hand firmly. Arthur joined soon thereafter.
Madam Pomfrey looked at Ginny, then everyone else. "Knowing how this family is, I suppose asking Miss Weasley to leave would be a foolish statement."
"Make me." Ginny challenged.
"I'd just tell her everything anyway." Harry nodded.
"Not many secrets in the Burrow, Poppy. Whatever you're going to say, speak freely." Arthur explained.
Pomfrey rolled her eyes and shook her head, but smiled. "I will alleviate everyone's concerns first. Now that he is conscious, I do expect full recovery." There was an audible sigh of relief from everyone. The Matron continued, "That dagger was covered in a very virulent poison. Had you not teleported back here for immediate treatment, I am rather certain you would not have survived. It focused its attack on your nervous system, trying to make your body cease its life support functions, particularly your pulse and breathing. Both your heart and lungs had to be enchanted to function for several hours last night."
"One of the reasons I was recruited into nurse duties again." Molly said.
"That bad?" Harry asked, the reality of it setting in on him.
"Indeed," Pomfrey said, then she seemed to realize how Harry was listening and receiving, and she softened her tone and delivery. "Yes, for about three hours, I was charming your lungs and Molly your heart." She took a moment to breathe. "Harry, I will be honest to say I can't imagine how much pain you were in, but I suspect part of what pulled you through is…" she sighed with deep regret, "... is your history that has escalated your tolerances. I am sorry."
Harry shook his head. "Don't apologize. Sounds like you saved my life."
"I'm a healer, that's my job." Pomfrey smiled and nodded.
A door opened and footsteps Harry recognized soon approached. "You'll forgive me if I don't stand, ma'am." Harry welcomed.
"I'd stun you back to sleep if you tried." Tonks replied. "What did I miss?" she asked the crowd.
"Nothing you didn't already know, ma'am." Ginny replied. "We were just bringing Harry up to speed."
"The Minister?" Harry asked.
"Safe," Harry nodded. "Here. You did exactly right in having Luna portkeying him out. He is quite aware you just saved his life. He is staying in guest quarters here. The Cadets are handling security."
"The cadets are watching the Minister?" Arthur asked, clearly impressed.
"After last night's breach, we don't know who to trust in the D.M.L.E. Captain Moody is personally reviewing the staff right now, scrying, legilimency, the works. We'll look at returning Scrimgeour to Avalon once the Captain is satisfied with the wards and a squadron to secure it." She looked down at Harry. "Ginny told us from up to some sort of explosion in the Minister's office. Can you tell us what happened?"
Harry nodded. "Luna portkeyed the Minister away. The door exploded. Some Death Eater witch, haven't seen her before. Five foot six, maybe 55 kilos, looked to be about 20. Silver hair with blue tips. Brown eyes. She wore a dark red cloak wrapped around her front more than most. Mostly black clothing beneath. She used a staff instead of a wand. There's something familiar about her… I just can't place it."
Tonks was busy writing the description down in her copbook. "This isn't ringing any bells to me either. But eventually we'd have to run into new people."
Harry went over the fight as such as it was. Then in retelling her remembered two details. "When I got back here, was there anything in my hand?" He asked. "I remember when she was talking to me I noticed… like a broach or something, it seemed familiar at the time."
"Yes," the Matron said. As she went back to the bedside table and opened the drawer. She gave it to Harry and again it seemed familiar. A gold double headed eagle, metallic.
"Anyone?" Harry asked as he passed it around.
"Vaguely," Ginny said, "But I can't place it."
"Me too." Harry nodded.
No one around him could. But Tonks still praised him for the wherewithal to grab any kind of clue of his assailant.
"Clue…" Harry remembered. "Belt, I need my tactical belt." he tried to sit up but lost that battle.
"Right here babe," Ginny reassured him as it hug off the corner post of the bed. "I know how you are about keeping your wand with you."
"Can you blame me?" Harry asked as Ginny gave him his belt. Then Molly and Madam Pomfrey worked together to raise him to a sitting position. Harry quickly went through the best and pulled out his compass. "Point me tracker." he cast. The needle turned and numbers started climbing.
"Gotcha." Ginny smiled.
"I didn't think you had the scry snitches done yet?" Tonks asked in surprise.
"Scry no, but almost, more complicated charm." Ginny explained. "The tracker is just a beacon!"
"And when the bitch took my bait of asking who she was, I slipped the tracker in her pocket."
"Cadet Potter," Tonks said with a smile, taking the compass. "I told you you have a first rate mind, Harry. I'll follow it up."
"Sarge, I can-"
"No!" a resounding chorus sounded with glairs.
"What part of enchanted life support last night did you not understand!" Ginny yelled.
Harry took a moment and looked around, took his best shot. "Mr. Weasley, I can handle a recon mission. Let them know I'm fine."
Arthur smiled and playfully tapped Harry's foot. With the widest grin he could manage. "I would sooner hex you to the bed son."
"I'm not going to win this argument, am I?" Harry finally accepted.
"There is no argument. I'm the lead Healer here. You will listen to me." Pomfrey clarified.
"Fine," Harry groused. "No missions. Quidditch? We've got a match."
"Absolutely not! That's just as bad." the Matron confirmed.
"It's for the cup!" he argued.
"I don't care." The Matron practically sang.
"Argh… you're killing me here."
The crowd laughed. Pomfrey smiled. "Actually just the opposite, Harry."
Ginny volunteered, "This is why you brought Seamus on the team after Christmas. I already let him know to expect to play. He was shocked when I told him he was in Seeker."
Harry thought back to try outs, then smiled. "No, put him in as Chaser. You're Seeker."
"Harry, I'm not taking your spot."
Harry grabbed her hand. "Gin, I'm not using it today. Logically, speaking that's the best play. Go kick some ass. Win the cup. We'll celebrate later." Then feeling the eyes on him he added, "Gently."
"Bloody hell you." Ginny smiled as leaned over and kissed his forehead. "Just rest and heal damn it."
"Yes dear." Harry replied in an over delivered tone, but one that made Ginny smiled as she left to prep for the game.
Tonks following with her. "I should check with the Minister."
Harry looked up to the Matron and the Weasleys. "Alright, I give up, how long am I here?"
All three of them snickered. Pomfrey smirked. "Since you finally have seen sense. I am willing to give a potion for the wound. That would get you out of bed and, more to the point, out of my ward by this evening. But your system suffered massive trauma, I am going to insist 1 week avoidance of strenuous activities, exercise, combat training, missions, broom riding, all of it. You are bookwork for a week Mr. Potter."
Harry rolled his head in the pillow in aggravation. "Yes ma'am."
The adults shared smiles and the Matron left to prepare the potion.
The Weasleys shared another conversation simply by looking at each other. Finally, Molly, nodded. "I'll go see if Poppy needs a hand" and left the men alone.
"Crap, how much trouble am I in?" Harry asked.
Arthur actually laughed as he sat down on the bed next to Harry. "No, son, not in trouble at all. I just wanted to see how you really are. Last night was close."
Harry nodded. "Thanks, I get the concern. I guess… after the basilisk, the graveyard, Department of Mysteries, the prophecy… I'm used to being close, as messed up as that sounds to say."
Arthur nodded in acceptance. "I don't think that's messed up, Harry. I think that's another indication of your resolve. That famous will power of yours. And we Weasleys do know something about good old fashioned stubbornness. You fit in the family better than you think."
"Thank you, sir."
"And what's with all this, 'sir' stuff." Arthur said with a smile. "Molly got a mum for Christmas."
Harry grimaced. "I wondered if that would come up. I'm sorry. it's … its's different."
"Because you're dating my daughter?" Arthur chuckled.
"Yeah," Harry admitted, smiling sheepishly.
"Harry, you really need to relax. In your own time." Arthur stood and comforted with a pat to Harry's chest. "By the way," Arthur said with a grin. "You may have fooled Tonks, but you didn't fool me."
"Fool how?"
"Tonks may think you sacrificed yourself for king and country, but if I were to make an observation. I think you were fighting for a certain lady in our life?"
"Can't put anything past you sir." Harry grinned.
"Well, I've been around the block a few more times than you son."
Molly returned with a glass vial, "You boys take care of what you need?" she asked with a smile.
"Indeed we did," Arthur smiled. "And I think I will let the rest of the boys know the news." Arthur said as he rose and kissed Molly goodbye.
Molly took the space on Harry's bed. "This will make you sleep, but by the evening you should be fit enough to get back to the tower."
"More sleep?" Harry asked hesitantly.
"Rest is the best medicine Harry." Molly reminded.
"I know it's just…" Harry trailed off.
"Just what love?" Molly asked with a clearly interested expression.
"It's stupid, don't worry." Harry tried to wave it away.
"Harry," Molly said, taking his hand. "Considering your day, nothing is stupid. Now speak up."
Harry sighed deeply, "Everyone's at the game. And I want them to be, but if I'm going to be unconscious, could I maybe… sweet talk you… to stay and keep watch?"
Molly gave Harry the warmest expression that seemed to radiate kindness. "Harry, I've watched over all my children. Today is just your turn."
"Thanks." she said filled with gratitude
"Will you answer a question for me honestly?"
"Of course, Molly." he nodded earnestly.
"Do you really want me to 'keep watch', or would you just like to have a parent around for one afternoon?"
Alone with likely the only person on the planet he didn't need to put the brave face on for, Harry finally admitted, "A parent sounds really nice."
"My pleasure." Molly softly replied. "Now drink your potion."
Harry did and he could feel a comfortable warmth begin to spread from his stomach outward. "Molly… did you really keep my heart going for three hours last night?"
Molly nodded. "Poppy had to teach me the spell, but I'm a quick study and… well, I was motivated."
"I… I don't know what to say." Harry confessed.
"There's nothing to say, dear. If I'm not mistaken there is an awful lot of Weasley in that heart. It was my honor to keep it beating for a night."
Harry's thought was to utter some poor phrase of thanks… but fortunately sleep laid him to rest before he tried.
Harry's eyes fluttered open to see the rest of the Quartet by his bed. "Hey, sleepy head, how are you feeling?" Hermione asked with a beaming smile.
Ron went straight to the important news. "We won! Four hundred and fifty to a hundred and forty!"
"Excellent," Harry smiled. "Why aren't you celebrating then?"
"We're exactly where we want to be Lightning." Ginny reassured taking Harry's hand. "More important question, how are you?"
Harry took a moment to self-examine and came to the conclusion, "Tender, tender but not bad." Madam Pomfrey released him, again with stern warning of nothing strenuous for a week. Harry's roll for the evening was essentially spectator as he and Ginny found a comfortable loveseat to hold down and simply be.
Sunday, 14 April 1997
After breakfast Ginny dutifully escorted Harry back to the Gryffindor commons, where they did indeed study. Ginny's OWLs were on the horizon, and Harry was trying to give her the benefit of his experience of it. There was clearly stress, but the company made a lot of difference. As he looked up he saw Dean with his sketch pad again, likely another capture of the Common room.
Then an idea hit Harry. "Hey Dean, got a sec?"
"Er, sure Harry, what's up?"
"True statement, you are a lot better at drawing than me. Especially people."
Dean shrugged, "Ah well, thanks?" he said, clearly confused.
"If I describe someone to you, can you draw it?" Harry asked.
The idea made sense. "Ah, I can give it a try for sure."
For the next hour and a half Dean drew as Harry described and corrected.
"Pointer nose, eyes kind of almond shaped, brown eyes, too." The excitement that the pair started to work with attracted the attention of the others.
"Harry, what is that?" Hermione asked, pointing at the double headed eagle pin that Harry had been fidgeting with as he and Dean worked.
Harry shrugged as he passed it over. "Some pin I lifted off this bitch when she got close enough. Gin and I swear it's vaguely familiar, but can't place it. You?"
Hermione's eyes went wide with a closer look. "Oh, oh my gods, yes! Viktor wore one of these. In fact, they all did, this is the Durmstrang Institute pin."
"Son of bitch! I knew there was something familiar about her. The pin, the staff, the outfit, she's one of those damn viking witches! Sorry Hermione."
Hermione shook her head. "Viktor himself described them as viking mages." Still looking at the pin, she flipped it over. "Harry, have you noticed these markings?"
"Noticed, yes, but something tells me they're more than detail."
"It Cyrillic." Hermione said curiously.
"Don't tell me you can read that too?" Ron smiled.
Hermione returned the smile. "Actually thanks to your brothers, I can. 'Accio translation glasses' Hermione cast and the pair of glasses came forth, She put them on and looked again. "It says 'Class of Nineteen Hundred and Ninety Five'. Harry, that would be the right year."
"Agreed," Harry nodded. "But I spoke to the only woman Durmstang had, she wasn't this bitch." Harry gestured to Dean drawing.
"But they only brought the top twelve." Ginny reminded.
"Exactly, there's an entire class full of students you didn't meet."
"Speaking of the 'bitch'," Dean interrupted as he raised the sketch book up. ""Is this her?"
Harry was amazed, it was damn near a black an white photograph. "Yeah, yeah that's brilliant, thanks mate. Can you charm me a second copy of that? I want to send one to Tonks, to see if they have anything on file.
"Two copies," Hermione said.
"What are you thinking?" Ron asked.
"Viktor and I still exchange owls at holidays and birthdays. Give me a copy, I will send it to him and see if he recognizes her. The worst he can say is no."
Ginny teased. "Ron you okay? Your girlfriend is writing someone."
Ron nodded his head, as Hermione scratched his back. "Yep, I deserve that. Look, I figure I won." Hermione laughed as Ron continued. "He's several hundred miles away and Mione shared the Birthday and Christmas letter with me."
Soon Sergeant Tonks appeared. "Potter, I need you, and before anyone worries, nothing bad, but not public." the Quartet nodded in understanding. Harry gave Tonks a copy of the silver haired bitch. "Clever thinking, I'll have it reviewed," she replied as she pocketed the sketch. "He wants to meet with you." Tonks explained when they go to the hall. Harry didn't need further explanation.
Tonks led the way to the guest quarters. Harry smiled as he saw Neville standing guard at the door. "Good to see you up." Neville greeted.
"Good to be up." Harry nodded in agreement.
"Cadet, lightning." Tonks said with a smile.
"Yes ma'am." Neville quickly took his wand and unlocked the door.
"Bones, let them have the room." Tonks called.
Susan came out with a friendly nod to Harry as he stepped in and once again stood before the Minister of Magic. Harry fell into attention as Scrimgeour rose from the chair by the fire he had been reading in. "No please, as you were, soldier. In fact, today please speak freely."
"Very well," Harry said as he shifted to parade rest. "It is good to see you alive and well."
"Didn't want the death of the Minister of Magic on your watch?" Scrimgeour chuckled.
"Actually, sir, you just seem to be a decent man. Certainly didn't deserve what they had planned."
Scrimgeour leaned back on the chair and looked Harry over closely, finally he smiled. "You truly don't care about rank or status at all, do you? I am just a man to you, aren't I?"
"I called you a decent man sir," Harry corrected, "And yes I do respect your office. Enough so that when called upon to protect it, I'll do so. Even if that means protecting you from yourself." Harry finally let a cocky grin show.
Scrimgeour smiled and sighed. "You're already a house lord, already famous. How do I thank you? Would you like your badge already? Forgo the rest of school and get to the war itself?"
Harry smiled, mostly to himself. "The badge is a more tempting offer than fame or gold, so thank you sir. But no. I prefer to earn my place. Mostly though, I know we're as effective as we are in the war because we're a team. I'm not breaking that up."
"No, I didn't expect you would. What would you have me do? Scrimgeour asked, seemingly honestly.
"Well, sir, since you asked me to be honest. First, clean your house. Figure out who you can trust. Once you have that, stop playing political games. Release Shunpike and the others who you know damn well didn't deserve to be victims in the court of public perception. Fight the real war. Publicly, embrace the Aligned Houses. Do that and we'll probably pick up a few more."
Scrimgeour thought for a moment. "This is not how we fought the last war."
"If you had, maybe we'd have avoided this one."