"Caterina, deal with your mum if you want me to try to save Rico. I can't help him with her screaming. George, I need you to pull these 'things' out one at a time or he'll bleed to death," Hermione barked out the orders quickly.
"He's dead!" Mrs. Basile screamed.
"Mama, please come away, Hermione alone can save him. I watched her help others," Caterina begged as she pulled her mother's arm.
"Like she helped kill your friend?" she screamed back at her daughter.
"No, mama, that wasn't her. It was the other.'
"George, I need those tea towels for bandages until I stop the bleeding."
"Dio santo, no! He is but a baby."
"No, that one George. Careful, it's in his heart," Hermione ordered him, focusing her undivided attention on the boy before her.
Rico screamed as the first spike was pulled from his chest. As Hermione quickly placed her hands over the wound, the bleeding slowed and stopped. Only a hole remained in his chest.
"Now, this one. Yes, it's in his stomach," she commanded. After George pulled that spike free, Hermione moved her hands over the fresh injury and began to reverse the damage, starting with his internal wounds. She left the lesser injuries for later; as nasty as they appeared, they were just holes waiting to be sealed.
One by one, they extracted the spikes, closing the flow of blood more important than setting the bones.
"My baby," Rico's mother screamed while her daughter tried to console her.
"Mama, he should heal. You haven't seen what this power can achieve. Please, calm some."
"Why did she do it?" George asked Hermione as they worked.
"To save his life, and to give Harry time to get here. She should have waited," Hermione replied. She knew though that put in the same position she would have done the same thing.
Rico stopped screaming, the pain finally causing him to lapse into unconsciousness. Now that she did not need to worry about hurting him, Hermione doubled her efforts.
"I wish that sod of a husband of mine would get back instead of chasing after burned-out houses," she hissed under her breath.
At that moment she felt a hand on her shoulder. "He's been here?" she heard from behind.
"Bloody obvious, I would have thought. It's about time you found your way back," she cut back at Harry.
"We must have just missed him. We found Rico's friends. It looks like we just missed him here too. How did all this happen?"
"George, tell him. Sirius, come here and take over for him or this lad could die."
Harry gave Hermione's arm a reassuring squeeze and backed away. Sirius and George traded places just as Fred and Rico's father arrived.
Caterina left her mother's side to retrieve her father and explain the disaster, much like George was doing for the others.
"That bastard had the boy and threatened to kill him. We were out of the house just as you warned, down on the beach. Hermione found your Invisibility Cloak and Firebolt on the grounds by the stone wall."
"What were you doing on the grounds?" he asked his wife as she continued to work. He could tell this was draining her, but she refused to stop or slow down.
"Not me, the other Hermione," she called over her shoulder.
"Right, she was off by herself when we found the lad's father stunned. She gathered your things before we left for the beach; we used the cloak to shield us from view. Quite clever of her, actually."
Harry looked about and realized she was missing. "Where is she?"
The group that had stayed behind remained quiet, unwilling to verbalize her act. Caterina had calmed her parents and came to George's aide. "She stunned us momentarily and went to him."
"That's right. She went back to him of her own free will and claimed we were all dead."
"Harry, there're some potions in the refrigerator. I need the blood replenishment and Pepper-Up potions," Hermione ordered.
"Please, I can get them," Caterina offered, and ran to the kitchen.
Harry was still evaluating the damage, not to the house, but to their lives. There were two dead teenagers in a warehouse, and one laying here near death. A young couple had died only a few days ago in a hunt for them. A young woman was murdered simply to cause him pain. A family was devastated, losing their home. A young woman's life was also in the balance and may have already been lost.
Harry paled at the losses incurred since they came to this reality. He had had deficits before during other conflicts, but this was personal. He paced behind Hermione as she and Sirius removed the last spike. She too looked pale and drained.
"Harry, for all of them to be safe, we must leave before the local healer returns," Hermione cautioned Harry.
"She's right, Harry, we have to leave before someone else is hurt," Sirius added.
"What about Hermione? That bastard took her, we have to rescue her," Fred insisted.
"Where do you propose we go?" George quizzed his brother, who replied with a shrug of hopelessness.
Harry paced in the clearing, thinking out the problem, his concentration broken solely by the hysterics of Rico's mother.
"Fred, George, Sirius, over here," he commanded, and they gathered near Hermione. "He could have taken her anywhere, but there are three likely destinations: Grimmauld Place , Hogwarts, or the Ministry. He has full control over all three. If he were to deal with her in private, Grimmauld Place is the most likely, though he has more resources at Hogwarts. If he's decided on a public display, he'd take her to the Ministry."
"So you think we should check them in that order? Sounds like a plausible plan, if we stick together," Fred replied.
"No, there's not enough time. We have to check them all at the same time," Hermione said. "I remember once you and Ron had a similar problem a couple years ago."
Harry nodded, "Yes, Ron's plan worked then and should here, but there are risks."
"Ron? But he was murdered by her…" George started before catching an elbow in the ribs.
"You git, he's talking about their world, not ours. Ron is alive and well there. Go on, Harry," Fred said.
"Sirius, you're most familiar with your old home, so you check it out. Fred and George, you both go to the Shrieking Shack and nose around Hogsmeade for information. I'll take on the Ministry with my cloak; it should be empty by now."
"We need our things. George, please fetch the bag from my room," Hermione asked. The tall, red-haired wizard turned and left momentarily.
"No, that is foolish," Caterina said as she joined them. "There is another way to have ears in your Ministry. They passed a law for all foreign-born witches or wizards to register when they arrive in Britain , and that office is always open. I can do that without suspicion. No one has seen or knows me."
The group remained silent for a moment as if no one expected her to volunteer, until Harry said firmly, "No, I can't allow it. You and your family have suffered enough."
"Harry, she has a valid point. And Merlin knows we need the help," Sirius added.
"Please, it would at lease help repay you for helping us. If you went to your Ministry and were seen or caught, all would be lost."
But as Harry began to reject her offer, Hermione interjected effectively overruling Harry's veto, "That is a great idea, Caterina. Harry and I are too well-known to venture within a hundred kilometres of the Ministry."
"Are you certain you want to take this risk, Cat?" Harry asked, hoping she would back down. George returned with the duffel bag of clothes that they had removed on the train before arriving in Vienna , and handed it to Harry.
"Yes, I have been through this in Vienna when I began my studies. I can do this too. I will say I am seeking employment."
Thinking it over, Harry began nodding, "Then you all need to be off within the next few minutes. We'll rendezvous in the Muggle visitor's lounge at King's Cross, in exactly one hour. The Ministry should be closed for the day, but there are always guards milling about. Cat, can you Apparate within a block of the Ministry and get inside quickly?"
"She should just use the floo for Overseas Arrivals. That wouldn't raise any suspicion. And there's a five galleons' duty," Fred corrected.
Harry dug into his pocket and handed the necessary amount to the young witch, then thought it over for a moment and handed her an additional handful of coins. "Look for Diagon Alley when you leave when you leave the Ministry. It is a reasonable destination if you have just arrived from a foreign country. You should be safe there."
Harry pulled a cloak from the duffle bag and wrapped it around her. "Stop and have a meal at the Leaky Cauldron, and if you think you're being followed, book a room there and wait for one of us to fetch you. If you feel safe, then meet us at the rendezvous point." He handed her the duffel bag, "You'll need some luggage to make it look realistic."
"Sì, I can leave from a floo in a pub in Roma. It will just take a moment. Ciao," she called out and for the first time since she had become acquainted with this group, and for the first time in front of her parents, she vanished with a loud pop.
"Dio santo, what happened to my girl?" her father asked.
"She Apparated away. It's the easiest method we have of travel; it's perfectly safe," Hermione tried to reassure him.
"Right, the rest of you need to be off. Remember not to jump directly there, and try to hide your trail. Love, it is time for us to leave too." Harry took Hermione in his arms and kissed her forehead before the entire group vanished.
Caterina arrived at the Ministry in the immigration section. An active department, it served as the only legal entry point for all wizards arriving from overseas. She shouldered the bag and stepped from the floo into the queue. The room was abuzz with rumours; people were continuously arriving from various locations.
From the bits of conversations, many had come to see a state execution. She tried to maintain a disinterested appearance as if unaware of the activities, but she grabbed every word hoping for additional clues.
She stepped to the counter and handed her paperwork to the official.
"So, miss, you're 'ere for the execution tomorrow?"
"Si, sono qui per frequentare un seminario per l'università. Resterò al massimo una settimana." she replied in Italian . - "Yes, I'm here to attend a seminar for my university studies. I will be here a week at most."
"Sorry, I don't speak a word of Italian."
She cocked her head and feigning a lack of language skills, replied. "No, la mia università è a Londra." Her lack of English and student status in Vienna seemed to be enough proof for the immigrations official. - "No, my university is in London."
"That will be five galleons. You do have galleons?" he spoke quite slowly and held out five fingers.
"Sì," she pulled a small bag from her pocket and produced five coins.
"Now, to the Wand Registration queue you go, missy." He pointed to another window on the far wall with a longer queue.
Caterina sighed and joined the growing line waiting to have their wands inspected and certified for use in Britain . She reached into her pocket and produced her wand. It was the same one she had purchased when she had received her letter, carved from a fig branch and with a Unicorn tail hair for a core.
She had not practiced her magic actively in several years; Disapparating to Rome was her first time since completing wizard school. She ran through all the potential questions that could be asked, and opted to remain ignorant of the local language.
She kept her ears open for any indication from those around her of the upcoming public display. All she could gather were stray words from the crowd.
She nervously watched as others before her surrendered their wands for inspection. She watched as random wands and their owners were pulled aside into a small cupboard.
She finally stepped up to the counter and stood there, ignorant of what was expected.
"Wand please, miss."
She shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. "Che cosa vuole? Non capisco." - "What do you want? I don't understand."
The inspector rolled his eyes and pointed to the sign of a wand over his shoulder. She nodded her understanding and placed hers on the counter. The clerk picked it up and visually inspected it. He waved it once and repeated the incantation, "Prior Incantato," and her last five spells appeared, her Disapparition to Rome , followed by a reduction spell and several levitations spells.
"All seems in order, miss. I must inform you that a trace spell has been placed on your wand to track any spells you perform while in Britain . Enjoy your stay," he said as he handed her wand back to her. She remained standing with a strained look until he motioned her towards the exit.
She smiled and replied, "Grazie mille, signore." - "Thank you, sir."
As she exited the Immigration office, a posted sign caught her attention. She tried to read it as she passed, not wanting to draw attention.
"State Execution to commence at 10:00 AM …" was all she could read. But she had the time and had to assume it was to take place the following morning.
Next, she followed her instructions, proceeding to Diagon Alley in the hope of gaining more information.
Fred and George used a portkey directly to the Shrieking Shack, bumping into the rickety furnishings as they landed and tumbling to the floor in a jumble of matching limbs.
"Mind your bloody elbow! You jabbed me in the eye."
"Sod off, you'd best watch those clown feet of yours. Kick me in the arse again and I'll show you some brotherly love."
"Keep it up and the whole bloody guard will find us."
George stood first and brushed off the dust, then reached out a hand to help up his twin.
"What say we start at the Three Broomsticks? We might pick up some news there."
"Splendid idea. I could use a spot 'o something to warm up."
Fred shook his head, "It's the bloody summer, you git."
"Well, I could still use a spot to rinse this dust from me throat," he replied cheekily.
"I would not recommend that course of action. You never know who may be watching," they heard from a familiar voice from the corner of the room.
Sirius went directly to a small park several blocks from his family home. Sirius knew exactly where he needed to apparate to in order to not be seen; there was a small park several blocks from his family home. It was one of the childhood playgrounds he frequented with James and Remus. He materialized behind a small stand of bushes, and in the dark of night could go totally unseen.
Peering through the branches, he noticed the park was empty, and emerged from his hiding place, walking around on all four paws. A large, shabby, black dog would draw less attention than his human form.
He kept near to the shadows, staying far from the more travelled walkway, opting to pass through the neighboring yards. He played the part of a stray well, stopping at one point to relieve himself on a tree.
A few yards from his old home, he paused and sniffed the air, catching a scent he remembered from his youth though was unable to recollect. From the distance the building was dark and apparently empty.
He walked slowly, half expecting a trap or guards. Hearing a distant cough, he stopped at the edge of the last shadow before his yard.
Cautiously, he took a step back into the darkness.
Before another thought could register, he felt a sharp, biting pain in his hindquarters, followed by a hideously loud hiss. He turned sharply and bared his fangs at a large, grey tabby cat, still hissing and swiping its claws at him.
'Bugger this, I don't have time for some bloody cat,' he thought, and growled.
The cat swiped at his snout and connected, leaving a bloody trail on his nose. He lunged at the cat just as it ran off, and then followed as closely as possible. In the distance he heard footsteps from the darkened porch of his house. He turned his head to see an observer coming out of hiding to see the cause of the commotion.
Thankful he followed the cat, hoping to be able to circle around to the rear of the house. Making his way, he chased the cat into a thicket of bushes and slowed his pursuit.
"Sshh…be quiet and come here," he heard from within the shadow.
He slowed and looked into the branches; he could see an outline of a figure.
"Sirius!" he heard a hoarse woman's voice say.
He looked up just as the woman stepped out from the deepest shadows. "I'm taking a risk, but when Rubeus told me what was happening, I had to believe the rumours that you were here."
He shifted back to his human form and suddenly remembered that scent.
"It's not safe here. There's a trap in the Order's old headquarters," she whispered.
"Then change back into a cat, follow me, and we'll talk."
She nodded and shrank back into her feline form.
A couple walking arm in arm down the dark streets of London never drew anyone's attention. They were properly dressed in the latest summer fashions from Europe , the light and airy fabric seeming to flow gracefully as they strolled along the avenue.
As they left Regents Park , to all outward observers the pair were simply meandering along with no obvious destination, their route took them through several neighbourhoods, and down streets they once travelled in more carefree days, as children. She never let his arm go as they strolled in nearly perfect harmony.
"Nervous, love?"
"Not when we're together. I just hope the others are safe."
"The station is only a mile or so away. With luck we'll see them all soon. You're not getting tired?"
"No, I could use the exercise before this baby makes it too difficult to move. I really don't want to be one of those women who lets herself go with the baby as her excuse." She held his arm tighter as he left a light kiss on her head.
They entered the rail station at King's Cross through the Euston Road entrance. They needed more money, having only a handful of gold coins and less than a hundred Euros left, but seeing a queue at the currency-changing station to their right, the couple continued on not wanting to be seen. The escalator to the underground had one side disabled, forcing people to walk up the long flight of stairs.
The woman spotted their ultimate destination first, the visitor's lounge opposite platform number eight. They fought their grumbling stomachs as they passed the take-away shops on the way to the seating area. Once there, the woman carefully looked through its glass doors, hoping to spot their companions.
"No one's here yet; we're the first," she whispered.
"No, we're not," the man replied as he spotted an unusual sight: a large black dog sporting a leash and a dark coloured doggie jacket with a yellow handicapped symbol. The animal was leading an elderly woman in a broad-rimmed hat pulled over her face.
"Harry, that's just a guide dog for the handicapped," Hermione said as the woman and dog approached. She watched them closely and imagined she saw the dog smile.
The closer they came, the more the dog's tail wagged.
The woman's face was still hidden from view, but as they passed the couple, the dog stopped and sat. "Good boy, Padfoot," the elderly woman praised her dog. "Now find the lounge," she instructed, just loud enough for the couple to hear.
"Did you hear her, Harry?"
"Yes, we'll wait a moment and then follow them." The man and woman continued and stopped at the large road map on the wall, inspecting the routes.
"Love, I'm a bit knackered. Can we have a seat?" the woman asked again, just loud enough. The couple then turned and walked back to the lounge, this time passing through the doors.
Once inside, they found the room empty with the exception of the woman and her dog. Hermione motioned for a spot where they could see the door but not be seen from the outside, and sat. The dog stood and guided the woman over, and she too sat. Hermione noticed a fresh scratch on the dog's snout.
"Evening, ma'am," Harry offered politely.
"Mr. Potter, I presume? And from what I've been told, you must be Mrs. Potter."