The Stage is Set
Chapter 38
The Stage is Set
Shortly after dinner, Ron and Tonks arrived at Harry's, followed by Mr. Weasley and Minister Bones. Harry showed them in and led them to his secure room. He'd decided it was too much hassle to cast a ward large enough for them all.
"Where's Hermione?" asked Ron.
"She's working. We're thinking of taking a daytrip this weekend, so she is working a double shift to pay back the Healer who switched with her."
"Mr. Potter, let me apologize for the misunderstanding the other day," stated Minister Bones. "Was that just yesterday? In any event, please know there will be no repercussions. You are doing a fine job."
"Thank you, Minister, I'm sorry, as well. I let my temper get the better of me."
"Now that that's taken care of, let's get down to business," suggested Minister Bones. "I hear you have a plan to take care of the rest of the Death Eaters, Mr. Potter?
"Sort of," he answered. "I just have a few ideas that we can start with…" Harry relayed all of his information and concepts to the group. They listened raptly, even though all but Minister Bones had heard it before.
"So, I would need to have another row with Dad?" asked Ron.
"Yeah," replied Harry. "We need them to think I'm out of it. If you are still there, then it won't work."
"Mum will kill me," Ron confessed, then a wide grin spread across his face, "but it could be worth it!"
"Just watch yourself, young man," scolded Mr. Weasley. "I may be your father, but I am also your employer. Just because I know it isn't real, doesn't mean I'll allow you to be disrespectful."
"Aw, Dad, Have a little faith, would you?" he smirked at his father. "Ok, I think I've got a plan." He walked to the board on the wall and hastily drew a crude map. "Tomorrow, Tonks and I will go into work as usual, not realizing Harry has quit." He drew a quick sketch of the Ministry atrium. "Dad, you can meet us in the atrium and tell us that the department has been binned. We'll have a go at you in front of everyone and leave in a huff. We need Kingsley Shacklebolt in on the plan as well, so that he can tell us if there's anything going on at the graveyard and when they've busted out Malfoy. Harry, Tonks and I can have supper here so that we're ready. I really think they'll move quickly since the longer they wait, the more likely Harry will return."
The next day, Ron met Harry in the kitchen for lunch. Between bites of the hearty stew, Ron told Harry what had transpired that morning. "You should have been there, mate. It was wicked! Me, Tonks and Dad all shouting at each other. It was brilliant. I'd be surprised if the paper doesn't report something on it."
"Excellent. That's just what we need," Harry stated. "Is everything alright with you and your dad?"
"Fine, fine," Ron answered with a casual wave of his hand. "He was the best, though. He sounded like Percy with his, 'You couldn't fathom the intricacies of running the Ministry,' and "sacrifice for the good of our world...He was incredible. '"
"Good. I don't want you and your dad in a real row because of me. Everything is set then?"
Ron nodded enthusiastically. "We are all on leave until after this is all over. Dad is going to switch it to paid leave after. Luna isn't in on the plan. I mean I want to tell her, but she's with the media…"
"I understand," Harry consoled, laying a hand on Ron's shoulder. "I told Hermione when she got home. She's a bit put out with me, but there's nothing to be done for it. Don't worry about Luna. I may not understand half the things she says, but she's got an uncanny perception of when we need…what does she call it? ...'trio time'?"
"Don't tell her I told you this but, I don't understand some of the things she talks about either…" Ron admitted.
Harry chuckled. "Does she know that?"
"Are you mad???" Ron said with a grimace. "She's always going on about how I am the only one who understands her. Merlin, I hope the baby is normal."
Harry got a wistful look in his eye as he remembered Hermione crying on his shoulder the previous night with guilt and grief over the loss of their unborn child. He straightened his face quickly.
"I'm sorry, mate," said Ron. "I shouldn't have said that."
Harry gave a sad smile. "It's alright. You must be over the moon about the baby coming. She's due in what? Five more months?"
Ron nodded with a wide grin. "When are you and Hermione going to try again?"
Harry looked a bit surprised. "Well, let's get through the wedding first, please. But before we can even plan that, we have to get this ritual thing taken care of."
Ron rose to put his bowl in the sink. "I hate this waiting, though. I mean, what if we're wrong and they still want to wait it out?"
"Listen… Ron…" Harry began hesitantly. "Since we are going to be paid when this is all over anyway, can I least pay your salary in the meantime. You can pay me back when it's switched to paid leave…"
Ron shook his head vigorously. "Thanks, mate, but we'll be alright."
"I'm sure babies are expensive. I just don't want to cause your family any hardships on my account…" Harry explained.
"I'll keep it in mind should this drag out, but we're fine. We've been banking Luna's wages for the baby and using only mine. We've got plenty of gold for now." Harry and Ron finished their lunch and went into the secure room to go over the plans another time. Finally after several hours, they felt ready.
Mr. Weasley arrived at Harry's door just after dinner. As planned, Harry initially wouldn't allow him entry.
"Harry, please don't be like this," he called through the closed door. "We can work this out. I know we can. Please, let's just talk about it."
"I trusted you, Mr. Weasley," Harry shouted back, his voice full of fake anguish. "It was all a set up! You told me that I was like a son to you! I believed it! Then you stabbed me in the back!"
"Just let in, please," Mr. Weasley begged. "I want to talk to you about this, Harry. There are reporters skulking around the bushes out here…"
That was the cue Harry had been waiting for. He fixed his face into a scowl and opened the door. Once the door was closed, Harry gave the older man a wide grin.
"How've you been, Son?" Mr. Weasley whispered.
"Fine, just fine," Harry answered as he gave Mr. Weasley a one-armed hug. "Edgar swept my place again this afternoon. We can speak freely."
Ron and Tonks and were seated with Hermione and Remus by the time the two men entered the kitchen.
Winky and Dobby were scurrying around fetching drinks. Harry walked to where his fiancée was seated and clasped his arms around her shoulders. She leaned back into him.
"I wish this weren't necessary," she said, her eyes closed.
"I know, love, but with any luck at all it'll be over soon." Harry said as he leaned down to kiss her cheek.
"Stop that mushy stuff, Boss," chastised Tonks. "You're hurting my virgin eyes…" They all laughed as Lupin went into an exaggerated coughing fit.
Just then, the fire blazed a vivid green. "Potter!" called Kingsley Shacklebolt's head from the flames.
"I'm here," Harry responded.
"There's movement at the cemetery," Shacklebolt stated evenly. "This may be it. I wanted to give you time to get ready. Still have your scrambler?"
Harry replied, "Yes, the inventors gave me a prototype of an advanced model."
"Okay, stand by."
Harry raced up the stairs and in only a few minutes returned in full battle clothing. He found Ron and Tonks in similar attire. Mr. Weasley left for the Ministry to prepare.
Hermione quickly charmed the dragon hide pants in an attempt to protect his legs, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. He pulled her into his arms.
"Let me go with you," she begged.
"Hermione, we've been over this. We need you here. If any of us get hurt, we'll portkey back here," responded Harry softly. "I'll be fine, I promise. I'll be back before you know it."
"Don't patronize me, please," she said with a scowl. "I'm not going to fall apart. I just don't want to lose you."
"You won't, I promise," he said with a hug. "And I'm not trying to be patronizing. I just can't bear it if anything happens to you. I need to do this knowing you are safe. Please try to understand. We are trained for this. We've planned out every last contingency. You need to be here, just in case…"
"That's what I'm worried about."
The fire roared again with red, then green, then the flames burned a brilliant gold. That was the signal. It was time to go. Harry gave her a kiss with all of the love he could gather, released her and apparated away.
He arrived at the assembly point they had stealthily charmed for security. He could see the small group of Death Eaters circling a large cauldron. Harry was reminded of the events in fourth year when Voldemort was reborn. He shivered at the memory. He shared a look with Ron and nodded as if to say, 'Yes, that's what it was like then." Ron shuddered as well. Tonks arrived behind a set of headstones and strengthened them to protect Harry's lower extremities from most curses, then gave a 'thumbs up' to Harry.
Harry nodded and looked to Shacklebolt, who made a gesture with his palm out, as if to say, 'This is your show." Harry nodded and made a palm down sign so everyone would know to just wait. He made eye contact with each person, asking silently if they were ready.
Only a few minutes had passed, when Rabastan arrived with a fearful Malfoy. Bellatrix LeStrange followed looking determined and haughty.
She addressed the group, who backed away bowing. "The hour approaches, my friends, a new Dark Lord will be born, or should I say Dark Lady…." Malfoy looked on in pretended confusion, as if he knew he was supposed to be the one in power. "I see I have surprised even you, young Mr. Malfoy. You didn't truly think we'd allow an arrogant brat like yourself to do our master's bidding, did you? We have other plans for you. You see, my Master left me with these ancient texts. They hold the keys to immortality. They hold the keys to ultimate power, but much more important they hold the key to KILL POTTER!" Harry rolled his eyes, as if to say, "Here we go again." Ron gave him a sympathetic look. "Shall we begin?" she continued, and without waiting for an answer, she drew a wand. Harry saw that it was Voldemort's. Harry plunged his hand into his robes and drew his own.
She aimed the wand and lit a fire under the cauldron. The gelatin-like substance inside began to liquefy.
"Wand of the Master, surrendered in death, we will renew your task…" She tossed the wand into the bubbling fluid. Blinding sparks flew from the liquid as it rippled and boiled. Harry dragged his index and middle finger across his chin, signaling the others to get ready. He kept his hand at his jaw, knowing if he lowered it; the Aurors would be in motion.
"Heart of the servant, forcibly taken…" Rabastan pulled out a long knife and stabbed at Malfoy. Harry immediately dropped his hand and apparated to the spot Tonks had prepared.
"Think so, do you?" he called as he placed a shield around the bound, shaking Malfoy. Ron quickly stunned Rabastan. The Aurors hastily moved into place. The Death Eaters froze in indecision. "I think Malfoy prefers his heart to remain where it is, thanks…" stated Harry. Tonks quietly snuck up behind Bellatrix and whispered, "Evenesco…" The liquid vanished, leaving only splinters of Voldemort's wand. She then moved back into position.
"Potter!!!" shouted Bellatrix. "You cannot stop us this time. The Ministry has turned its back on you…Join us! I can teach you so many spells and curses. With your wand…."
"Bella, love, you don't still think this wand is the source of my power, do you?" He gave an exaggerated glance over at the cauldron. "Oh, look… dammit anyway…" he said derisively. "You should really watch your potions better. They'll just boil away if you don't stir them properly…"
Bellatrix glanced over at the nearly empty cauldron. She screamed in frustration. "Reducto!" she cried, aiming toward his legs. Harry moved quickly out of the way. The headstones Tonks had reinforced exploded into dust.
Ron placed a portkey in the hand of the bound and bleeding Malfoy and he vanished. A vicious duel had begun in earnest. Harry lost track of the duels surrounding him as he concentrated on the woman before him.
"Expelliarmus!" cried Bellatrix at Harry. Harry was momentarily distracted as he disposed of a Death Eater that had attempted to sneak up behind him. His wand flew from his hand and over toward Bellatrix. She pocketed the wand quickly and fired off another curse. Harry pointed a finger at her and fired a binding curse that she reflected.
Bellatrix' eyes widened as she realized that Harry truly didn't need his wand. "Avada…"
"Silencio!" he blasted back, as he remembered Hermione doing once before to avoid a curse. He followed it with, "Incarcerous!" Bellatrix ducked away from the spell. Silenced, she ran from him to find someone to utter the counter curse. She silently made movements with her wand; sparks of various colors appeared from the tip as she shot curses at a following Harry. He was hit with a few of the curses, but most he was able to avoid. "Hermione's not going to like this," he thought as he felt pain in different places on his body. He needed to end it quickly. He shouted, "Reducto!" then looked on in horror as Bellatrix' skull burst. She fell lifelessly to the ground. He heard Ron scream in pain in the distance and redoubled his efforts to finish the fight.
Harry stopped where he was, cleared his mind and centered himself. He drew on every bit of power he could pull together.
He spread his arms and screamed at the top of his lungs, "As long as there is breath in my body, and blood flowing through my veins, you, NONE of you will ever again THREATEN MY WORLD. THOSE WHO TRY WILL DEAL WITH ME!"
"PETRIFICUS TOTALIS!"
Every person on both sides in the vicinity froze in place, and subsequently dropped to the ground as stiff as timber. Harry looked around in amazement. He gazed in awe at the Death Eaters and Aurors in a Full-body bind. He staggered over to Ron and said "Finite" softly.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Ron cried upon being able to move again. Harry scratched his head in an effort to avoid confessing what he'd done. "Let's free the others. We can talk later."
Ron nodded his agreement. Harry headed for Kingsley Shacklebolt, as Ron raced over to Tonks. Both were astounded that the fight was over so quickly. "If I were still your superior," stated Shacklebolt. "I'd want a full report on my desk by tomorrow morning. Since I'm not, I beg you, please let me read it!"
"Merlin's Beard, Harry that was awesome!" she cried. Harry smiled at her praise, then his eyes rolled back into his head as he collapsed silently to the ground.