Harry touched down a couple hundred yards outside the Burrow. The flight to Ottery St. Catchpole was not long from what used to be Godric's Hollow. Both places were located in the West Country and Harry had made the trip on broomstick before with his father. However, Harry had never flown at night without any concealment charms and Death Eaters potentially scouting his location. The adrenaline had finally worn off by now as Harry holstered his bag of belongings and willed himself to stop shaking. Malfoy had been deathly silent the whole trip, no doubt in shock from the events at Harry's former home. Harry, for his part, was content with the status quo while they were flying but needed Malfoy to listen to him for just a second.
"Malfoy, can you see the Burrow?" asked Harry, unsure whether or not the access granted to him would allow Malfoy to see the dilapidated house of the Weasleys. Malfoy nodded, his face still eerily passive.
"Okay good, stay here for a second and don't go anywhere," Harry warned him. Malfoy did not respond so Harry took that as a yes.
Sighing, Harry shouldered his bag and felt a sharp poke at his side. Moving the bag just a bit, Harry checked his robes and found two wands on the inside pocket. He looked back at Malfoy and decided that perhaps it was not the best idea to give the boy a wand for now. Weaving his way through the tumble and weeds, Harry carefully approached the front door of the Burrow. As soon as he was within thirty feet of the structure, a voice immediately called out to him.
"Stop!" came the disembodied voice.
Harry looked around to see Fred Weasley approaching him with his wand drawn. His face looked quite more serious than Harry had ever seen, slightly unnerving him. Harry put down the bag and raised his hands in the air to show he was no threat.
"Fred! It's me, Harry Potter!"
Fred narrowed his eyes at the other boy for a moment as he stepped closer. Tilting his head as if he did not quite believe him, Fred posed a question, "Quidditch versus Slytherin this season. What'd I say when Malfoy winked at you?"
"You thought that if you didn't know any better, Malfoy had taken a liking to me," Harry easily replied.
Fred visibly exhaled and stowed his wand, "Gone and almost gave me a shock, Potter. Mind telling me why you showed up at our door at this time of night without a proper greeting?"
"My house," Harry looked down at his feet, "It was attacked."
Fred's joking manner immediately evaporated as he started to usher Harry into the Burrow. Harry started forward with a step but immediately halted. Fred turned around to look at him questioningly. Biting his lip, Harry looked back into the darkness with a small amount of trepidation.
"Fred," Harry, "There's something you should know. Malfoy - they - I don't - they killed his mother. They were staying with us."
Fred looked grim, the hard lines on his face tightening, "I can't wish that even on him. I assume he's with you?"
Harry nodded, "He's back there, I didn't know whether to bring him or not, but I don't have a choice in the matter anymore."
"Right," Fred agreed, "Well, bring him on up. He'll be able to see the house if you're with him."
Harry nodded and walked back to retrieve Malfoy. Harry found Malfoy sitting cross legged and intently staring at the waning moon. His face still remained almost peacefully stoic as if it were just another evening. Harry cleared his throat in an attempt to catch his attention but failed. Harry coughed a bit louder, not knowing what words he could say to console the boy. He was about to heave out a lung when Malfoy suddenly stood.
"Um, follow me," Harry said confusedly. Harry started walking, checking back once to see that Malfoy was indeed following.
As Fred's outline reappeared, Harry threw a thumbs up to indicate that Malfoy was following him. Fred nodded and opened the door to the Burrow to let the two teenagers inside. Fred gave a courteous head nod to the Slytherin boy to which the boy did not repay.
"No one's actually here right now. I know your mother's been in and out of Headquarters which is where everyone's been," Fred explained as he approached their fire place.
Fred stopped just before he threw the Floo Powder. He looked up at Malfoy, then back to Harry. Harry simply shrugged, unable to find a suitable reaction to Malfoy's calm demeanor. Fred grinded his jaw as he visibly sought for something to say to provoke a reaction from the boy. He then sighed as if conceding defeat before pulling out a piece of parchment.
"Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place?" Harry read it aloud as question before handing it to Malfoy. Malfoy gave it a quick glance before handing it back.
"Headquarters," Fred simply replied before burning the parchment, "Yell it out loud and clear."
Fred handed Harry the bag of Floo Powder first. Taking just a pinch, Harry yelled as ordered and felt the familiar twirling sensation of traveling through the Floo. Harry sucked in a bit of ash as he tumbled out of the fireplace into a warm, hearth rug. Harry dusted his glasses off before realizing he was not alone.
"Harry?" Ron and Neville asked. The pair were situated in opposite high back chairs, a chess board between them.
"Hullo," Harry replied tiredly.
Harry had just enough time to neatly sidestep a rolling Malfoy. Neville and Ron immediately leapt to their feet, their wands raised. Panicking, Harry situated himself in front of Malfoy with his arms splayed out.
"Wait, wait, wait! It's alright, he's with me," Harry explained.
"He's with you?" Ron asked incredulously.
"No," Harry winced, "I mean - he's alright - I mean - it's a long story."
Fred stepped out of the fireplace last, relieving Harry of any duty he had to protect Malfoy. Not saying a word, Fred immediately made to leave the room, indicating that Harry and Malfoy should follow. Neville and Ron looked at each other before following the unlikely trio.
"Fred, what's going on? What's Malfoy doing here?" Ron whispered the second question even though Malfoy was clearly in earshot.
"Harry's house has been attacked. Malfoy was with them," Fred gave the honest but edited version of the story.
"Is everyone alright?" Neville asked in concern.
"The house was burned to the ground but everyone got out - um - uh," Harry stuttered as he realized that everyone did not leave unscathed.
"Everyone what?" Ron pressed. Neville fortunately caught the drift in time and elbowed the other boy lightly.
"What?" Ron angrily asked.
"Ron, shut up," Fred commanded without any trace of witticism. Ron glared angrily at his older brother but recognized the tone enough to not say any more.
Malfoy had not so much as blinked during this entire exchange. Harry was beginning to fear that the boy did not leave Godric's Hollow without a spell on him. Before he could voice his thoughts, however, they reached the kitchen of the house. Harry sucked in his breath as he spotted Sirius Black and Remus Lupin sitting at the table.
"Fred? What's going on?" Sirius stood and eyed the two extra boys warily.
Fred leaned over and whispered something in the older man's ears, causing him to raise his eyebrows. Fred repeated the procedure with Lupin as Sirius approached the four teenagers. Sirius examined the state of Harry and Malfoy with a slow shake of his head.
"Are you alright?" the question was directed to both of them but only Harry responded, "I'm fine."
Sirius stared at Malfoy as the boy did not respond. Malfoy raised his eyes to stare back evenly as a contest started to form between the two. Eventually, Sirius blinked in startled surprise. Malfoy immediately returned to ducking his head as soon as eye contact was broken.
"Sirius, what's going on?" Neville asked a bit impatiently.
"Voldemort seems to have planned a series of attacks for tonight. He also attacked the Granger residence," Sirius confessed.
"WHAT?!" three voices yelled simultaneously.
"Is she alright -"
"What happened -"
"Why aren't you -"
Sirius raised a hand to silence the battling voices of the concerned part of the group. Looking back to find Fred and Remus still engrossed in conversation, Sirius leaned forward and spoke.
"Don't worry, she's okay. She's being sent here while her parents are being sent to Australia for their safety. She should be here any minute."
Harry, Neville, and Ron looked at each other nervously, none of them comfortable with an attack on their favorite bushy haired girl. Fred and Lupin signaled for the rest of the group to join them at the kitchen table. They all stepped forward, Malfoy trailing slightly behind and declining to take a seat. He instead opted to stare out the window, looking at the empty street with unnerving calm. Neville and Ron turned to look at Harry in curiosity. Harry could only shake his head as if to say, "Don't bother asking."
"Why would Voldemort attack Malfoy and Hermione?" Ron wondered aloud.
"They didn't come for me," Malfoy droned without turning around.
"Mr. Malfoy, excuse me?" said Lupin.
"They didn't come for me," Malfoy repeated.
"I think," Sirius started slowly, "What young Mr. Malfoy means is that they came for Harry."
Harry's eyebrows disappeared beneath his hairline at this revelation. He was sure that the Death Eaters had come to take back Malfoy. After all, Professor Snape had said that the two were targets. It had never occurred to Harry that he might have been a possible target.
"I don't understand. Me?" Harry questioned.
"It stands to reason that Voldemort would attack the classmates of Neville," Sirius stated bluntly.
Neville immediately took a sharp intake of breathe while Ron shifted uncomfortably. Lupin gave Sirius a disappointed shake of his head. Harry looked guiltily at Neville while Malfoy did not budge from his spot.
"I think that's enough for now Sirius," Lupin's voice had a slightly admonishing tone to it.
"Professor," Neville started impatiently, "But why Harry and Hermione? Why not the Burrow - no offense you guys."
"None taken," the Weasley brothers responded in unison.
"It might have something to do with -"
"Sirius, that's enough," Lupin stated harshly, "Harry. Malfoy. Both of you will need to give as best of a recap of the events that transpired when some people get back."
"But Professor!" Neville started to protest before Lupin cut him off with a raising of his hand.
"First, how many times must I tell you to call me Remus? Second, this isn't the best time for this. The Order's been called into an emergency meeting so we need to clear out of this kitchen right away."
Neville sighed in frustration while Sirius sat back in his chair, crossing his arms petulantly. Harry stood up, glad to be away from the tension. There was something unsettling in the way Sirius looked at him. It was as if the man was trying to find something within him that Harry did not know was even there. Excusing himself, Harry asked for the bathroom and immediately bolted the kitchen. Taking the staircase two steps at a time to the second floor, Harry wrenched open the bathroom door and immediately emptied the contents of his stomach.
Slamming the door shut, Harry wavered in place as he placed his hands on either side of the sink. Harry struggled to turn the faucet as the shakes in his hands reappeared. He splashed water in his face as he fought against the feeling of hyperventilation. Bile rose to his throat yet again as he quickly bent at the waist to deposit another amount into the toilet.
I just killed a man.
The thought shook Harry so hard that he had to splash his face again as if he were willing himself to forget. But Harry could not forget. Perhaps he was lucky in that he did not have to see the immediate visual effects of killing a man with a knife. Still, the knowledge that he killed someone - no - two people, shocked Harry.
I did it to defend the Malfoys.
Harry reasoned with himself, trying to make sense of this spiraling situation. He slapped his face a couple of times, letting out a moan as he fought the growing voice inside his head. Harry clawed at his hair as he pleaded for the voice to leave.
I killed someone.
"Go away. Go away. Go away," Harry muttered as he swayed on his feet.
Harry lied down in precaution as he clutched his head, his overwhelmingly guilty conscious tearing his mind. The last thing Harry remembered was a startled yell from the floor below as he slipped into unconsciousness.
-------_______________________-------
The first thing Harry noticed was that he was no longer on the cold floor of the bathroom. The warmth of the fire fell over him as Harry realized he was situated on a couch of sorts near the fireplace. As he oriented himself with his surroundings, two blurry objects walked into view.
"Oh, you're awake!" Hermione said, "Here, your glasses."
"Thanks," Harry said as he sat up and put on his glasses.
"Had us worried there for a second," Ginny said.
"What? Why?"
"Well usually when you're passed out on the floor, people start to worry," Ginny said with a purposely condescending tone.
"What she meant," Hermione gave Ginny a patronizing look, "was that we were worried something happened to you."
"I know that," Ginny snapped.
"I'm fine," Harry said with a bewildered look as his eyes flitted back and forth between the two, "The day just caught up to me was all."
"Are you alright?" Harry suddenly asked in concern, "I - we - heard about the attacks."
"I'm completely safe," Hermione waved dismissively, "Tonks got me out of there way before the Death Eaters even arrived. I think we managed to capture one or two of them as well."
"Tonks?" Harry asked in confusion.
"Wotcher," chirped a voice from behind Harry. Harry turned around to see a woman in Auror robes with ostentatiously purple hair.
"We've met, but we haven't, but we have and you just didn't know it," Tonks said, her hair changing every time she adjusted her statement.
"Right…" Harry trailed off.
Mental.
"She's an Auror that works with the Order," Hermione explained.
"Gotcha."
"Now, I'm going to have to pull you away from the fine company of these young ladies for a moment," Tonks winked, "We need to get a recount of what happened at the Hollow."
"We'll be in our rooms upstairs afterwards, Harry," Hermione informed him.
"Thanks."
Tonks led him to the kitchen, chit chatting idly about Hogwarts all the way. Harry found her to be odd but rather amusing in a sort of off-kilter manner. Not for the first time, Harry wondered whether he was the only one with any sanity left in the wizarding world. As he entered the kitchen, Malfoy was being led out, Sirius pushing him by the shoulder.
"What's going to happen to him?" Harry inquired of Malfoy.
"Sirius is just showing him his room."
"They're not going to detain him or anything like that?"
"Do you think they should?" Tonks rounded on him with a non pulsed look.
"Er, no."
"He'll be a little away from the others for obvious reasons, but I think it's safe to say we aren't worried about him giving us away."
Tonks led him down to a solitary chair under a single light. It strangely reminded Harry of those odd mobster Muggle films where the hostage usually received a beating by various objects. Though Harry thought this scenario would not play out as such, he squirmed in his seat nonetheless.
"Hey Harry," Lupin smiled kindly at him.
"We're just going to take this from the top. Take as long as you can."
Harry started to recount the exact events of the Hollow, beginning with his trip to the store. He had to stop a couple of times when asked to describe the exact details of Narcissa's torture. Lupin granted him considerable time to gather himself before pushing forwards. All the while, a quill was transcribing the events onto a parchment while Harry talked.
Harry paused as he arrived at the part of the story where he used the Summoning charms to down the Death Eaters. Seeing as how there was no using in lying, Harry haltingly described what he did to free Malfoy. Lupin did not blink an eye during the retelling of the story. As he wrapped up the interrogation, Harry noted that Sirius had been standing against one of the kitchen counters the whole time, his arms coolly crossed as he surveyed the boy.
"Thank you, Harry. You did the best you could in that situation. Your mother would be very proud of you," Lupin said as he wrapped up the parchment.
"My mother!" Harry gasped, feeling guilty he had forgotten all about her in the rush, "Is she okay? Where is she?"
"She's finishing something right now and will be informed as soon as she's finished. No doubt she'll be right over here soon," Lupin informed him.
As if on cue, there was a loud ruckus as the front door opened and shut. Two sets of loud footsteps could be heard racing through the entrance and into the kitchen. Hurtling around the corner was a disheveled Lily Potter and a slightly dirty James Potter. Lily immediately flung herself at her soon as she soothed over the boy's hair with her hands.
"You're alright, you're alright," she murmured into his hair.
Harry was slightly mollified at his mother's actions but held her tight nonetheless. He knew how she worried constantly about him. It was her worrying when he was younger that forced him to stay at home with her most of the times. Lily seemed to shelter Harry more than a normal mother would at these times.
"I'm fine, Mum. I got okay, the house though…" Harry petered off sadly.
"We'll just get another one, I'm just glad you're okay," Lily framed his face with her hands, the glistening of tears marking her eyes.
Unbeknownst to the involved mother and son, Sirius and James had been caught in a sort of stand off. James was looking hesitantly at Harry, his posture stiff, while Sirius had pushed off the counter, his face etched with fury. Lupin's eyes roved across the pair, his wand clutched tightly at his side. Lily stood and immediately noticed the tension in the room. She took a warning step between the two men, eyeing them warily. James glanced over at Sirius one more time before stepping towards Harry and holding him firmly on the shoulder.
"Harry, are you okay? Nothing hurt?" James asked with a waver in his voice.
"I'm fine," Harry said, distracted by the animosity between Sirius and his father.
"I'm fine too, James," Sirius drew out his name sarcastically.
"I'm glad," was the succinct reply.
"Completely fine. No scars, no marks in my life," Sirius started to make his way around the table to where James stood, unimpeded by either Lupin or Lily.
"Sirius -" James started.
"What? What? What?" Sirius cut him off, repeating his question quickly.
"Is that a hint of an apology in your voice? Is that an apology tinged with regret?" Sirius asked, mostly to himself.
"Sirius, please don't do this right now," James pleaded, his hand clutching Harry's shoulder tightly as he moved the boy behind him.
"Oh the boy has a right to know as well, doesn't he? He is your - son - isn't he?" Sirius sneered.
Lily and Lupin both had their wands out now but let the interaction go on. Sirius was moving closer and closer as if a beast were stalking its prey. James simply stood his ground, making sure to keep himself between Harry and Sirius.
"Harry doesn't quite know what his father has done," Sirius said in a sing song tone.
"He knows. I've told him."
"Oh, so NOW you tell him?" Sirius mocked.
"NOW you tell him how you sent your best mate off to Azkaban without so much as a sparing glance. NOW you tell him that you're sorry for it," Sirius nodded his head, now face to face with James.
"I am more sorry than you could ever think," James whispered softly, true sadness etching his face.
"You are not worth of being his father, James. You are not even worthy of being a man. The only reason I don't wipe you clean off this Earth is the fact that there would be others hurt by your departure. It's the reason I'm the better man than you will ever even hope of being," Sirius incanted in a devilish whisper, his face mere centimeters away.
James did not reply, only holding the gaze of the formerly imprisoned man. After a moment, Sirius stepped away and fled the kitchen. Lily and Lupin let out a breath, relieved the encounter had not escalated any further.
"Perhaps its best if you don't stay here right now," Lupin said to James without a hint of remorse.
"But -" Harry protested.
"No. He's right, Harry," James replied as he turned around and faced the boy.
"It would be better for everyone if I wasn't right here right now. I promise to stop by to talk to you. It would just be beneficial if we weren't in the same house," James said, wincing as he said, "We."
"I don't think you're a bad father," Harry blurted out.
James nodded and gulped before softly replying, "Thank you Harry. That means a lot to me."
James gave him one more hug before departing Grimmauld. Lily collected her son in another hug before telling to go upstairs with the others so she could converse with Lupin privately about the events at the Hollow. Nodding and giving his mother's hand a squeeze, Harry trudged up the staircase to where Hermione had said they would be staying. Harry spotted a glowing light underneath one of the doors and knocked.
"Come in!" came the muffled voice from within.
Harry entered to find that the whole crew were in some sort of library area. Neville and Ron were standing around a desk while Ginny and Hermione sat in separate chairs, pouring over newspapers. Malfoy sat in a separate chair away from the group.
"Good, you're back," Hermione said breathlessly, making an effort to stand up and give him a hug. Harry spotted Neville and Ron both giving him dark looks over her shoulder.
"Uh thanks," Harry reluctantly let go of her.
"Is everything alright then?" she asked him.
"Yeah, I told them what happened and that was it."
"Do you want to tell us what happened?" Ron asked eagerly.
"Well," Harry threw a hesitant look at Malfoy, "I don't know if I can. It's taken a lot out of me already to say it."
The group looked slightly disappointed, Neville and Ron especially so, at Harry's confession. Ron turned to eye Malfoy with suspicion and started to walk towards the silent boy.
"Hey Malfoy? Want to tell us what happened with your Death Eater friends?" Ron beckoned him towards the table.
Malfoy only spared an empty glance towards Ron before turning away again. Ron looked angered by Malfoy's dismissal. Harry suddenly took a step towards Malfoy, feeling oddly protective of the motherless boy.
Please don't do this Ron.
Ron was not to be deterred by Malfoy's dismissal, "I bet you were in on the act weren't you?"
This particular comment caught Malfoy's attention as the blond turned his head towards the freckled boy. The anxiety in the air was palpable as the rest of the Gryffindors stood frozen by the exchange.
"Come on Malfoy, just tell us," Ron complained.
"Ron, stop," Harry asked more than he commanded.
"You know who he is Harry! Don't tell me you're standing up for this git," Ron accused.
"I don't care. I was there and he had nothing to do with it."
"You don't know that, it could have been planned for all you know. Him and his Death Eater parents."
Harry grabbed Ron by the collar of his robes and slammed the boy against a bookshelf. Ron was a couple inches taller than Harry, but Harry had surprised the boy. Ron looked at Harry as if he had lost his mind.
"I don't give a fuck who he is," Harry whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, "His mother died, so give him a fucking break."
Harry released Ron and stepped back, his hands shaking once again. Harry sat down shakily on an empty ottoman, while Ron adjusted his robes, his eyes unsurely going back and forth between Malfoy and Harry. Neville suddenly spoke after the heated exchange.
"He's right," Neville nodded to Harry, "If they allowed him in here, I reckon he's safe to stay."
Malfoy gave no indication that he cared whether he was allowed to stay at Grimmauld. He simply kept his eyes on the waning moon through the window. Ginny gave a small squeak, letting out a nervous sound that was a mix between a laugh and a cry.
"Sorry," she pleaded, "It's just so crazy now."
She turned and fled the room without another word.
"She does that a lot now," Ron commented.
"Ron, shut it. She has a lot to deal with," Hermione snapped.
"I know that," Ron looked furious at the accusation that he did not care about his sister, "I'm just saying."
"Why don't we all just take a step back," Neville recommended.
"Easy for you to say, Mr. I-get-letters-from-Cho-Chang-everyday," Ron shook his head back and forth as he emphasized Neville's title. Hermione said nothing but did not look pleased at Neville's interaction as well.
"Cho Chang's been writing to you?" Harry asked, a sinking feeling in his stomach.
"Yes, it's not a big deal," Neville glared at Ron.
"Excuse me," Harry said as he left the room, his face stonily angry but hidden from the view of the Trio.
"Great, now Harry gets to stomp off sulkily too! Who's next? You, Hermione?"
Hermione promptly sent a silencing charm in Ron's direction.
------____________________------
Harry spent the next couple of days lounging about Grimmauld Place. There was really nothing to do as the group were forbidden to leave the place for fear of their safety. Harry spent most of this time with Hermione and Ginny as they did homework and talked about various subjects. He avoided Ron and Neville for the most part; Ron because he was grousing bellyacher and Neville because of Cho. Harry inferred that Neville did not know Cho had also sent Harry letters as well and Harry preferred to keep it that way for now. Malfoy kept to himself and was usually seen staring serenely into the sky.
"Bah humbug. This is tiresome," Harry leaned back and sighed exaggeratedly.
"I wonder what the others are doing?" Ginny reasoned, not doing any homework on account of her call up.
"Ron's probably complaining there's nothing to do and Neville's probably writing another letter to Cho," Hermione viciously stabbed her quill into the parchment.
"Sound a little more jealous," Ginny commented off handedly.
"I'm not jealous," Hermione said monotonously, this argument repeating itself again.
"You're right. What's there to possibly be jealous of?" Ginny eyed Harry this time. Harry steadfastly refused to meet her stare.
"Absolutely nothing," was Hermione's reply.
"Who are you trying to convince? Me or you?" Ginny pressed as she filed her nails.
"No one. There is no convincing to be made," Hermione tried to worm her way out of the line of questioning.
"So you don't care at all?"
"Nope."
Ginny paused, eyeing one particular nail thoughtfully. She spared a glance to Harry before grinning wickedly.
"So you wouldn't care if Harry went out with her?"
"No. I would be -" Hermione spared Harry a sidelong glance, "- happy for him."
"You would?" asked Harry.
"Yes," she started hesitantly, "I would also remind you to be careful around her because I don't trust her and her hair can be hideous sometimes."
"Her hair isn't hideous, yours could do with some work if you allowed me," Ginny said.
"I like Hermione's hair," Harry complimented.
"Thank you!" Hermione threw her quill into the air in frustration, "We don't all have to be blessed with Cho's luxurious locks!"
"First, shut up Harry, you know nothing about hair. Second, so if you don't care about her hair, why'd you mention it?" Ginny continued her roundabout argument.
"Because I hate YOU," Hermione snapped her quill.
"That's not a very logical argument," Ginny said airily. Harry gave her a wary glance, indicating she should really stop her teasing of Hermione. Ginny simply shrugged back.
Ginny was spared a venomous retort from Hermione as Neville and Ron walked into the drawing room. Ron yawned exaggeratedly and plopped down next to Hermione to look at her homework.
"Blimey, can you nerds do anything else?" asked Ron.
"No we can't. Not all of us are talented in the art of bemoaning our every movement," Hermione snapped.
"It's a gift."
"Idiot."
"Stop," Neville said warily.
"What are you lot so snappy about?" came the voice of Molly Weasley as she entered the drawing room with Lupin, Tonks, and Dumbledore in tow.
"Ron's complaining there's nothing to do. Neville's complaining about Ron complaining there's nothing to do. Hermione's complaining that Ron's complaining there's nothing to do. Harry seems to be fixated on the end of his quill," Ginny said in summary. Harry stopped chewing on his quill.
CRASH.
The five teenagers immediately whipped out their wands with Ron firing a stray Stunner in the direction of the noise. Malfoy looked nonplused as he watched the Stunner sail harmlessly over his head. He pointed to an antique plate that was now shattered on the ground.
"Fell," Malfoy spoke a single word.
"Ron!" Hermione yelped.
"What? I was being defensive."
"Can both of you just shut it," said Neville.
"I'd like for all three of you to shut it but that's just me," shrugged Ginny.
"All of you STOP!" came the authoritative voice of Mrs. Weasley, "This bickering is outrageous."
"We've been holed up here too long Mum! I think I'm starting to develop that Muggle thing. What's it called? Log sickness?"
"Cabin Fever," Hermione dully replied.
"Whatever."
Molly started to huff and puff, but Dumbledore interrupted her, "I think Mr. Weasley is correct."
"Doubtful," muttered Ginny. Harry and Hermione both snorted and tried to cover it up as a cough.
"They aren't meant to be locked up in this house," Dumbledore reasoned, "Perhaps it would to everyone's benefit that they take a break while we have our meeting tonight."
Lupin looked at him thoughtfully while Mrs. Weasley seemed slightly disconcerted with the kids leaving the house.
"Where would they go? Nowhere is safe here," Mrs. Weasley immediately interjected.
"Correct, Molly. Fortunately, my friends overseas owe me a favor."
"Special International Portkey," Dumbledore brandished a small American flag out of his robes.
"America?" Lupin and Mrs. Weasley asked incredulously.
"America!" cheered Ginny and Ron.
"But - but - unsupervised," Mrs. Weasley stuttered.
"I'd be glad to go along," Tonks volunteered.
"It's settled then!" Dumbledore clapped his wands before Mrs. Weasley could get another word in, "The Portkey lasts six hours. I think that's a sufficient amount of time."
"Golden," whispered Ron.
"Mr. Malfoy must agree to attend as well," Dumbledore nodded towards the spare boy.
The group looked hesitantly at Malfoy, unsure whether or not they should encourage him to go. Malfoy looked blankly at everyone before barely shrugging his shoulders in response.
"That's a yes if I've ever seen one," said Ginny.
"Well then, I suppose all of you should change into Muggle clothing. This Portkey will take you somewhere very Muggle and very special," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
"Yes!" Ginny immediately bolted for her room.
"Where, if I may ask, Professor?" Hermione naturally asked.
"Have you ever heard of Magic Kingdom?" Dumbledore winked.
As the rest of the group scattered out of the drawing room excitedly, Mrs. Weasley turned to Dumbledore with her hands on her hips.
"Why would you let them go off like that? It could be dangerous there too!" she exclaimed.
"Tonks will be there every step of the way. I rather doubt Voldemort would attack Magic Kingdom," Dumbledore smiled before his face fell into a more somber note.
"I also fear that their days ahead will continue to grow darker. I would feel guilty if I were not to allow them one more day of happiness."
------________________-------
"This is amazing," Ron immediately said in awe of the castle that stood in the center of the theme park.
"Do Muggles not really know about magic?" Ron whispered conspiratorially, "This place comes pretty close."
"No, Ron, they don't," sighed Hermione, "Muggles can be creative too."
"Look! Bubbles!" Ron immediately ran off to one of the gift shops where little children were blowing bubbles through seemingly magical devices.
"Mama, why is he so pale?" a little child pointed at Malfoy, "You said people brown when they're in the sun."
"I'm so sorry," gasped the squat mother, desperately trying to pull her child away.
"It's quite okay," chirped Ginny happily.
"Come on," Hermione tugged on Harry's hand much to Harry's surprise and glee. Ginny eyed their hands thoughtfully before tugging on Neville's hand.
"Come on, Neville! Let's go find Ron before he scares some Muggle child," Ginny pulled him along.
"But- but" Neville sputtered as he watch Harry and Hermione fade into the busy crowd.
"Oh they'll be fine! Hermione knows her way around Muggles. Oh my Merlin, what's that delicious smell?" Ginny sniffed in the air.
"Funnel cake?" a vendor asked from nearby, overhearing the accent of the red headed girl.
"Here," Ginny procured a fifty dollar bill from her pocket and immediately snatched the fried delight without another question.
"But Miss -" the vendor started.
"Sorry!" she apologized as she tore away, Neville in one hand and heaven in the other.
Malfoy looked around as he watched the others disappear. Shrugging, he started to walk to the large castle in the center of the park, marveling at what even Muggles could build.
On the other side of the park, Hermione was explaining the details and construction of some part of the park called Frontierland. She was gushing excitedly about the place, clutching Harry's arm every so often in excitement. Harry smiled along and had a feeling she wanted to get away from the other parts of the Trio for just a little while.
"Oh look! Splash Mountain! We have to ride it," Hermione continued excitedly.
"Hermione! Calm down, we'll get around to it. I've never seen you this excited," Harry chuckled.
"Sorry," she said breathlessly, "I've always wanted to go here. My parents told me about it once…"
Hermione trailed off at the mention of her parents, scrunching her nose ever so slightly. Harry gave her a sad look and patted her back.
"Do you miss them?"
"I do," she sighed, "But I know they'll be much safer in Australia. I'd never want to see them hurt and if sending them away keeps them safe, I'll live."
"That's awfully unselfish of you."
"Not really," Hermione shrugged, "Harry, look! A jungle cruise. Let's go!"
Harry laughed as Hermione tore off to get in line for the particular attraction. They spent the next two hours or so trying various rides and laughing gleefully the whole way. Harry had never seen Hermione so care free in the entire time he knew her. He laughed every time she recounted countless facts for each ride and shook his head as she clutched her arm as they rode Thunder Mountain. Harry loved the feeling of hurtling through the tracks on this roller coaster. It was not unlike riding a broom at some points. As they sat in the ride for Splash Mountain, Hermione turned to him with a sigh.
"Sometimes I wish we could just all get away from the War and just stay here. Why shouldn't we?"
"Good question," Harry replied, taking in the happy surroundings.
"I mean look at all these people," she lowered her voice so only Harry could hear, "They don't know about any War. They're just living their lives."
Harry thought for a moment before replying, "I suppose that's why we stay back home. We fight so everyone else can live their lives like this."
"Why should we fight?" Hermione asked a bit cynically.
"Because we care," Harry thought of his parents and the recent attack of his home, "Because we know if we don't, everyone we care about won't stand a chance."
Hermione nodded in agreement, looking at Harry appraisingly, "I suppose you're right. Makes you much more courageous than I am. Look at me! I'm practically begging to stay here."
"Don't worry yourself too much," Harry joked to lighten the mood, "I'd love to stay here too."
"Oh no," Hermione moaned, apprehensive but excited.
Harry could see the light at the end of the tunnel where he knew the ride would careen off a simulated cliff into a large body of water. Harry laughed as Hermione shrieked when the ride quickly descended, the water splashing all around them. The day continued magically for everyone as they hopped from one ride to another without a care in the world. Some time later, the group managed to find each other again. Even Malfoy was found near the Haunted Mansion attraction, staring in morbid fascination at the amusing tombstones.
"How'd you like it?" Hermione asked happily.
"We couldn't tear Ron away from Space Mountain. He didn't think Muggles created it," Neville joked.
"Look," Ron held a sort of portable mini-fan in his hand, "It blows air onto me!"
"Ron," Hermione chuckled, shaking her head at the boy's naivety.
The group turned to face Main Street, their eyes preparing for the loud boom of the fireworks. The Trio sat on one bench, Hermione predicatively between the other two boys as they squabbled over Ron's fascination with the Muggle toys. Harry looked on happily, knowing that he had enjoyed his time with Hermione. He sat on another bench with Ginny, happily sipping on a milkshake she had brought him. Malfoy occupied another bench with his arms splayed about it to indicate he was to be the only person on that particular bench. His face was neither smiling nor frowning, holding the same eerie passiveness ever since that night at Godric's Hollow.
"How'd you like your day?" Ginny asked cheekily.
"Loved it. Thank you."
"Not a problem. Hermione mentioned how she was annoyed at Neville by the Cho thing anyways."
"Really?"
"Couldn't you tell," she said dryly.
"Want to know something funny? Cho's been writing to me too," Harry revealed.
"That bitch," Ginny gasped, "You didn't tell Neville?"
"He'll learn too," Harry shrugged, knowing he was being a bit immature.
"Bitch."
"I get it, Ginny."
"If I didn't have so much fun today, she would have ruined it," reasoned Ginny.
"Today was fun wasn't it," Harry smiled as he stole a glance at Hermione.
"Best day ever," Ginny clinked her glass with his.
"Agreed."
The group watched as fireworks rocketed in the air, cheerfully whooping and hollering throughout the whole event.