Finally Home by Weasley Mom
All of the characters contained herein are the property of Ms. Rowling.
Chaos reigned in the courtroom following Draco and Bellatrix's disappearance. As Harry struggled to get back through the crowd to Ginny and the others, he noticed the aurors ushering the press and members of the Wizengamot out. He saw Moody stop a group of aurors nearest him and point at Julius Parkinson, who was immediately taken into custody.
"Bloody Hell!" Tonks cursed again as Harry forced his way past Rita, who was demanding her promised interview. He paid no attention to her, however, as he was focused completely on Ginny. She was once again pale, and her hands shook slightly, but Harry was relieved to see that she did not have the lost expression she had worn when she'd received news of the trial. He had just reached her side when white hot pain shot through his scar, and he clutched his forehead. He quickly slammed his mental shields in place, but not before he got a glimpse into Voldemort's mind.
"Professor!" he heard Ginny shout, as he fought the wave of nausea and dizziness that always accompanied these mental breaches. Dumbledore, who had seen Harry clutch his forehead, was already making his way to where Harry and the others stood. He felt Remus and Ginny supporting him, as he clenched his teeth to keep from vomitting.
"What is it, Harry?" Remus aksed urgently. "What did you see?"
"It was more than just Malfoy," Harry choked out. " He managed to get all of the prisoners out of the Ministry, and Azkaban too, I think. Voldemort was there, and he was very happy."
"You heard?" Remus asked, as Dumbledore, Madam Bones, and Kingsley came up. Dumbledore nodded tersely, while Kingsley ordered a cadre of aurors to the detention block.
"Are they still in the Ministry, Harry?" Dumbledore asked. Harry concentrated on the image he'd gotten, frowning.
"No, I don't think so. I think..." his eyes widened. "The last attack... It wasn't to get the prisoners out, not then. It was to get information in to them. Their plan was to take the wards down all along so that people could just apparate out. Malfoy can't apparate. That's why Bellatrix had to get him the portkey," Harry said.
"Minister," an auror said, as he rushed up to Madam Bones. "The detention block has been emptied. We've received word from Azkaban, as well. They've been attacked by dementors and a sizable group of death eaters. You-know-who was with them. The few surviving aurors were forced to abandon it, ma'am."
"Thank you, Jamison," Madam Bones said, dismissing him. She turned back to Dumbledore. "What now, Albus?"
"Now, we do what we can to calm public fears, and prepare for the battle to start in earnest," Dumbledore said quietly. Madame Bones nodded, sighing.
"Weasley?" she said.
"Yes?" chorused Percy and Mr. Weasley.
"Percy," she clarified. "Public relations is your forte. Get all those reporters to the atrium for a press conference. We might as well take advantage of them, since they are here. Albus, Arthur, Alastor, and Kingsley... I'd like you there to back me up." Percy nodded and practically flew to obey, happy to be back in the good graces of those in power. Her eyes lit upon Harry then.
"Young Mr. Potter, also I think," she added.
"Me?" Harry almost squeaked. "I'm really not good at this sort of thing, Minister."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Potter, but the public has a great deal of faith in you. Anything I say with you and Albus behind me, suddenly carries alot more weight," she told him.
"But...I..." Harry stuttered. "Shouldn't I get back to school?"
"Harry, I will not allow you to be forced to do this, however, you and I both know that Voldemort thrives on fear. People need re-assurance right now. You can give them that, Harry," Dumbledore said.
"I... ," he said uncertainly. He felt Ginny's small hand slip into his, and looked down at her. Though she still did not look her normal self, there was a grim determination in her face.
"It's time for you to step into the role you were born for, Harry. They need you, and I know that you can do it," she said. Her words hit Harry with the force of a sledge hammer. He knew that she was right. He knew that he could not let people give up just as the battle was starting. Reluctantly, he nodded.
"Remus, Nymphadora... please accompany Poppy and the other children back to school. If you could also inform Minerva and Severus of the happenings here, I will want to see them both when I return," Dumbledore said.
"Your pardon, Headmaster," Hermione said determinedly. "We'd like to stay with, Harry." Dumbledore smiled, gently at her, despite the circumstances.
"I know that you would, Miss Granger. I would not wish to subject Miss Weasley, or Harry's private life, to further scrutiny today, however." Dumbledore said, once more, producing the purple hula hoop and handing it to Remus. Lupin took it, turning to Harry.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked. Harry allowed himself a small smile.
"Want to? No. Need to? Yes, I'm sure," he said. Remus nodded.
"When you get back, if you need to talk or anything, you know where to find us," Remus said. Harry hugged the older man.
"Thank you, Moony," he said. Remus smiled, and held out the portkey for them all to take hold of. Ginny was the last to take hold of it, her eyes locked with Harry's.
"I love you," she said, as they faded out. Taking a deep breath, Harry turned back to the Headmaster and the others.
"No, Arthur," Mrs. Weasley was saying. "I should be here for this. Harry may need me afterwards."
"Molly, you need to go home and rest," Mr. Weasley said with uncharacteristic firmness.
"Mrs. Weasley, I'll be fine. Please, go home and rest. I would never forgive myself if you overdid it because of me," Harry said pleadingly. Mrs. Weasley's eyes softened.
"Oh allright, dear," she conceded. "If you're sure.' Harry nodded, and Mrs. Weasley hugged Harry before leaving with Bill, Charlie, and the twins. He couldn't help but notice that her hug was not quite as hard as normal and realized, despite how much improved she appeared, she was not yet fully recovered.
"Minister," Percy panted, as he rushed into the room. "They're all assembled."
"Thank you, Weasley," she acknowledged. "Shall we gentlemen?"
Harry and Dumbledore followed Madame Bones through the Ministry, accompanied by Mr. Weasley, Moody, Percy, and Kingsley, who was receiving updates via flying memo as they walked. They arrived in the Atrium to find it packed with people. Harry's eyes widened, and he swallowed nervously. Madam Bones, after a brief whispered conversation with Kingsley, walked up to the podium. Dumbledore and Harry moved to stand behind and to either side of her, the latter trying desperately to not look as nervous as he felt.
"Sometime this afternoon," Madam Bones began. "In a move that we believe to have been orchestrated by You-Know-Who and his followers, the protective wards around the Ministry were breached. All thirty of the maximum security prisoners held here have escaped. The wards have been restored, and we do not expect further incident at the Ministry today. We now believe that the previous attack on the Ministry was to test the efficiency of the wards, and also to alert those held here." She paused to allow this information to sink in.
"Additionally, a second attack was unleashed by You-Know-Who upon Azkaban Prison. The Ministry was forced to abandon the prison, and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named currently has his dementors and death eaters in control of it." A low murmur went around the room at this latest information.
"The Ministry urges the public to stay calm. We are using every resource at our disposal to recapture the prisoners and hope to have them back in custody soon. Questions?" Madam Bones asked.
A cacophony of sound immediately rose from the assembled reporters as they fired questions. Most were directed at the Minister, however, Dumbledore and Kingsley answered their fair share also. Finally, what Harry dreaded happened. Someone directed a question at him. Naturally, it was Rita Skeeter.
"Harry, what are your feelings on the incidents today and their impact upon you, personally, with the escape of both Draco Mlafoy and Peter Pettigrew?" she asked.
Harry warily stepped up to the podium, carefully considering his answer. He looked nervously at Professor Dumbledore, who gave him an encouraging nod. Clearing his throat, Harry did his best to give an intelligent answer.
" I have every confidence that the Ministry is doing the best that they can to deal with these incidents. As far as the escape of Pettigrew and Malfoy..." Harry took a deep breath, trying to reign in his emotions.
"Let me ask you Rita, how would you feel if you were me? How would you feel if the person responsible for the murder of your parents and the unjust incarceration of your godfather escaped? How would you feel if the person who brutally attacked the one that you love escaped before any justice could be found? I'm angry, but not at the Ministry. I lay the blame solely at Voldemort's feet, where it belongs." A gasp had gone up at Harry's use of the dreaded V word.
"That's the second time today that you have said his name, Harry. I would think you, of all people, would be reluctant to say it." Rita said, her eyes wide. Harry smiled, shaking his head. Finally, he would get a chance to spread the word about something that had been a constant annoyance to him.
"Voldemort wins with fear. If we can't even say his name, how can we possibly defeat him?" Harry said.
"Do you honestly believe that's a possibility, Harry?" the reporter asked. "Do you honestly think he can be defeated?"
"Yes, I do," Harry said quietly, realizing that it was true. He did believe it. He had to believe it. He wanted to have a future. He wanted something more than the life he had now, not just for him, but for Ginny and Ron and Hermione, and all of those he loved. He would do whatever it took to make sure that dream became reality. He stepped back from the podium.
"Thank you for coming," Madam Bones said. "That is all of the questions that we will be taking."
She and Dumbledore then ushered Harry into a nearby fireplace, directing him to floo to the Minister's office. They followed, as did Kingsley, Moody, Mr. Weasley, and Percy. Once they were all there, Madame Bones offered them all seats and sat down herself. Taking a decanter of firewhiskey, she poured drinks for them all, including Harry.
"Ummm... Minister, I'm underage," Harry said, startled. The Minister grinned.
"One of the benefits of being Minister, I hereby declare that you can drink. You've more than earned it today, young man," she said. Harry glanced at the headmaster, whose blue eyes were twinkling mischieviously.
"Who am I to contradict the Minister of Magic herself," Dumbledore said. Harry picked up the glass and took a tentative sip.
"That went off much better than I expected. My compliments, gentlemen," Madame Bones said, raising her glass. "And you, Mr. Potter, I may have to bring you to all of my press conferences." At Harry's suddenly pale face and faintly nauseous expression, she laughed.
"Publicity not your cup of tea, Potter?" she said. Harry frantically shook his head.
"No, Minister," he said. She nodded.
"I dislike it myself. When I first became head of magical law enforcement, I'd get sick everytime I had to do one of those."
"I'd keep an eye on this one, Amelia. It wouldn't suprise me if he's head of Magical Law Enforcement himself someday. He's even taking auror training at Hogwarts," Moody said, with a hint of pride in Harry's abilities.
"He completed the equivalent of two years battle training in lessons this summer with Tonks, Moody, and I," Kingsley added. "He has a gift." Harry found himself blushing deeply at their praise.
"Well Mr. Potter, it would seem that you're following in your father's footsteps. I never thought that I would see another auror like James Potter. That boy was absolutely uncanny at times," she said fondly.
"You knew my dad?" Harry asked. She nodded.
"Alastor and I trained him," she said pointing at Moody with her glass. Quirking an eyebrow at the grizzled old auror she asked, "Is he as good as James was?"
"He may well be better, Amelia," Moody said. Madam Bones raised a startled eyebrow.
"Now that is a complement. Merlin knows we're going to need all the help we can get now," she sighed. "I suppose we have allowed ourselves all the respite we're likely to get in the next few days, gentlemen. Time to get to work."
"Your pardon, Amelia," Dumbledore said. "I do need to get Harry back to Hogwarts, however."
"Of course, Albus," she said. "Shall I come by the school tomorrow?" Dumbledore nodded.
"We should have some new information by then," he said.
"All right then. Harry, it was a pleasure getting to know you, and thank you for all of your assistance today," the Minister said.
"Your welcome, Minister," Harry said, giving her a small smile. He bid the Weasleys, Kingsley, and Moody good-bye, then took hold of the portkey which Dumbledore offered. As it activated, he couldn't help but think how different this Minister of Magic was from the last.
They arrived back at the headmaster's office with a jolt. Dumbledore walked to his desk to sit down, pausing to give Fawkes an affectionate scratch. Harry sank into the chair the headmaster indicated with a sigh, happy to be back on familiar ground. Dumbledore seemed to sense this and his eyes began to twinkle.
"You took an important first step today, Harry. You handled it very well," the headmaster said smiling.
"Thank you, sir. I'm not sure I would've been able to do it without Ginny's encouragement though," he said. The headmaster nodded, regarding the young man with an amused expression.
"Wise beyond her years, our Miss Weasley. I believe that you'll find her in the Gryffindor common room," the professor told him. Harry smiled sheepishly.
"That obvious am I?" he asked.
"Only to those who know you well, Harry," Dumbledore said. Still smiling, Harry bid his mentor good-bye and left in search of Ginny. He entered the Gryffindor common room to find Ginny, Ron, and Hermione in their usual places by the fire, waiting on him.
"Harry!" Ginny exclaimed, getting up and hurrying over to him. She wrapped him in a hug, before pulling him over to the fire with the others.
"So, what's going on, mate? Have they caught the git yet?" Ron demanded. Harry quickly explained everything that had happened in the press conference and afterwards in the Ministers office.
"I can't believe you got to drink firewhiskey and in front of Dumbledore, the Minister, and the head of Magical Law Enforcement, not to mention my dad," Ron said astonished. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Honestly Ronald! All that Harry just told us, and you're worried about firewhiskey," she said.
"Oh c'mon, Hermione. He didn't tell us anything we didn't already know," Ron defended himself.
"Oh really? What about that bit about "new information tomorrow"? Do you know what that means?" she asked.
"Gee, I don't know. Maybe it means that they'll know more tomorrow?" Ron said sarcastically. Hermione sighed.
"Obviously they're going to be sending Snape on a mission tonight," Hermione said with a significant look.
"Dumbledore did say he wanted to see McGonnagall and Snape when he got back," Ginny added thoughtfully.
"Exactly," Hermione said. Harry reached his hands under his galsses and tiredly rubbed his eyes.
"If Snape's going on a mission, there will probably be an Order meeting in the next couple of days. We should get the group together and see if anyone has anything to report," he said. The others nodded their agreement.
"We had better hold it in the room of requirement. I'd bet money that Harry's going to be on the front page of The Prophet tomorrow and he'll have every girl in the castle making cow eyes at him," Ron said.
"I'm trying not to think about that. Thanks," Harry said grimacing.
"Don't worry, love. I'll protect you," Ginny said, giggling. Harry smiled, laying back tiredly against the couch. Ginny snuggled up to him. The others continued talking softly, as Harry let his mind wander and he slowly drifted off to sleep.
He awoke in the grey hours before dawn with Ginny still snuggled up to him. He realized, as he looked blearily around, that someone had removed his glasses and covered them up with a blanket. Trying not to wake Ginny, he located his glasses on a nearby table and put them on. He smiled when he saw Ron and Hermione sleeping in the chairs where they had sat last night.
"Good Morning," Ginny said sleepily.
"You know, I'm starting to get used to this," Harry whispered, not wanting Ron and Hermione to wake just yet. Ginny laughed huskily.
"It's not a bad way to wake up at all," she said softly.
"Thank you for yesterday," he said her after a while. "You were right. It was important for me to do that."
"I think part of me has always known what you were destined for, Harry, even before I knew about the prophecy. You're destined for more than just what it asks of you, you know. You're destined to lead all the rest of us," she said simply.
"How can you have so much faith in me?" he asked in wonder.
"Because I love you," she said simply. Harry smiled, his heart in his eyes.
"I love you too," he said. Ginny lifted her face and gently kissed him. They broke apart as they heard a discrete cough and the sound of someone coming, very noisily down the stairs.
"So Nev, did you get that essay done for Snape?" Seamus asked loudly.
"Yes, Seamus. I did. What about you, Dean? Did you get yours done?" Neville almost shouted.
"Why yes I did," Dean said loudly. Then more quietly, "Think they heard us?"
"Yes, we did," Harry said laughing. The three boys came the rest of the way down the steps with innocent looks upon their faces. Ron and Hermione had woken up from the commotion and were sitting up looking blearily around.
"Morning," Seamus grinned. "You four down here celebrating, Malfoy's downfall last night?" Harry protectively put an arm around Ginny, who tensed at the sound of the name. Seeing that, the boys frowned.
"They didn't let the bloody git off did they?" Dean demanded.
"No, Dean. They found him guilty," Ginny said softly.
"Then what happened?" Neville asked.
"He escaped after the trial, with Bellatrix and every other prisoner at the Ministry. Azkaban fell too," Ron said.
"Bellatrix was there?" Neville said, his eyes hardening.
"Briefly. It'll all be in The Prophet this morning, I'm sure," Harry said. "We better get changed. We'll see you down at breakfast."
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were changed and walking into the Great Hall within about thirty minutes. As soon as he entered the Great Hall, Harry knew that the paper had yet to be delivered as people were eating normally and not whispering about him. Looking up at the head table, he saw Remus and Tonks chatting and laughing. They took their usual spots at the Gryffindor table.
"Maybe if we eat fast enough we can get out before the mail is delivered," Harry joked. Just then the woosh of wings overhead announced the arrival of the owls.
"So much for that," Ron said, as a copy of The Daily Prophet was dropped in front of Hermione. She immediately opened it and began reading. Ginny and Ron moved to look over her shoulder, while Seamus and Neville peered at Dean's copy. Harry meanwhile, tried to be as inconspicuous as possible. The whispers and stares began almost at once.
"Well?" he said after a while. "How bad is it?" Wordlessly, Hermione handed him the paper. There on the front cover, was a picture of him from the press conference. Dumbledore and the Minister stood to either side of him, while Kingsley, Moody, Percy, and Mr. Weasley stood protectively in the background. The headline read Boy-Who-Lived Offers Hope in the Face of Darkness.
"Bloody hell," Harry said. Dean, Seamus, and Neville were looking at Harry in wonder, as were most of the students in the hall.
"Its really very complimentary, Harry," Hermione said. "Even the bits about the trial say that Julius Parkinson attempted to 'stamp out the light of truth'."
"Did you really say that, Harry? About... V-v-voldemort?" Seamus asked. "Do you really think we can win this war?"
"Yeah, Seamus. I do," Harry said quietly.
That was just the first of hundreds of questions he would be asked over the next few weeks. Shy by nature, Harry despised the constant scrutiny he was under. He found himself, more and more often sneaking off under his dad's invisibility cloak just for some peace and quiet. Ginny often accompanied him on these adventures, and they became closer than ever.
Despite his even more pronounced celebrity status, life was going very well for Harry and the others. Part B of the Great Pig Prank was still in full swing, and all of Gryffindor, as well as a few Ravenclaws, had joined in on it. They didn't even have to let Pansy the pig out of her pen for a "pig sighting" to occur. Otherwise serious students were regularly reporting seeing the pig wandering the school. Mr. Filch had taken to walking the halls muttering "Heeeeere piggy piggy piggy!" under his breath. Harry had even heard rumors that the man had developed a sudden allergy to all pork products.
With the escape of the death eaters, Harry had stepped up the DA's training. Virtually all of the older group could produce a patronus, allowing Harry to move on to other defensive spells. As there were almost daily attacks by the death eaters and dementors being reported, Harry was very relieved by this progress.
Harry and the others were continuing their work on becoming animagus, as well. The week before Christmas, Ron, the last one to be able to do it, had successfully completed a full body transformation. The four had decided that they would reveal their suprise to Moony on Christmas Eve, after they had returned to Grimmauld Place.
The morning of the last Hogsmede visit before Christmas, Harry and the others were sitting down at the Gryffindor table for breakfast. Ginny and Ron, who shared an equal enthusiasm for the holiday, were doing their best to trick Harry and Hermione into telling them what they were getting them for Christmas. Hermione's strategy was simple. She refused to answer any questions. Harry on the other hand, needed no strategy as he didn't have the faintest idea what he was getting either of them.
"Oh come on Hermione. Just give me a little hint. Please?" Ron pleaded. Hermione smiled benignly over her book, and continued to read.
"Is it bigger than a snitch?" Ginny asked Harry. Harry grinned.
"It might be," he said. Ginny smiled in triumph. "Then again, it might not."
"You two are no fun what-so-ever," she pouted. Harry laughed.
"I don't know. I'm rather enjoying myself. How 'bout you, Hermione?" Harry said. Hermione looked up from her books.
"Absolutely. I'm having a splendid time," Hermione said, her eyes twinkling with mischief. Remus and Tonks stopped by their table then.
"Morning you four. Looking forward to Hogsmede?" Remus asked.
"Morning Moony," Harry said. "You two on guard duty today then?"
"Yep," Tonks answered. "I need to do some Christmas shopping today, anyway."
As, the foursome were pretty much done with breakfast at that point, they rose and walked with Remus and Tonks to the entrance hall to await the trip. Almost immediately, Ron and Hermione began to argue about where they were going to go first. Harry and Ginny just rolled their eyes at them. These arguments were something of a Hogsmede weekend tradition. Remus, whom Harry noticed seemed to be a bit on edge this morning, finally settled the dispute for them.
"Harry, Ron, and I will go to the quidditch shop. You girls can go to Scrivenshafts. We'll meet up in The Three Broomsticks for lunch," he said firmly.
The boys headed for the quidditch shop, while Hermione, Ginny, and Tonks meandered down the street looking in shop windows and giggling. Remus kept casting nervous looks over his shoulder at the girls, which Harry and Ron couldn't help but notice.
"Moony? Is there something going on that we should know about?" Harry asked, visions of dementors and death eaters flashing in his head.
"Hrmm? What?" Remus asked, still watching the girls who were disappearing into a nearby shop. As soon as they were gone, he pulled the boys across the street into a nearby store front.
"Moony, what is going on?" Harry demanded. Remus nervously ran his fingers through his graying hair.
"I... um... sort of need your help with something," Remus said.
"Ok," Ron said, exchanging a puzzled look with Harry. "What do you need help with?"
"Well you see," Remus said running his hand through his hair again. "I need your help picking out something for Tonks. Something very, very special." Harry frowned not sure why he needed their help, until he realized what shop they were standing in.
Muhahaha! I thought a nice cliffy was in order. Thanks go out as always to the wonderful Danielle, my moderator and my son Will, my beta. Many, many thanks as well to all of my faithful readers and reviewers. Next chapter... Christmas!