The Adopted Weasley

9~ Radio

He spread his arms in front of the staircase,

"Don't make us hurt you," Harry said. "Get out of the way, Mr. Lovegood."

"HARRY!" Hermione screamed, seeing death eaters flying towards the house.

Grace grabbed Harry, shoved past Xenophilius, and dragged him upstairs just as the door downstairs crashed open. Causing the house to shake.

Causing something explosive to fall.

The sensation of falling took Grace's breath away long before she hit the ground.

She came to, when Ron was shouting her name, and then she felt herself aparating.

When that was over, she realized that Ron was holding her tightly against his chest and she pushed away, collapsing on the grass. He just stood there looking at her, not sure what to do.

Hermione helped her sit up and started wiping her head with a cloth, the blood on it shocked her since she couldn't currently feel the pain.

She glanced around and suddenly realized that they weren't where the tent had been and she looked at Hermione in panic.

"Sirius-?"

"I sent a patronas... hopefully he gets it. Luckily we have a backup tent."

They waited nearly a week for Sirius to show, and when he didn't they were forced to move on.

"What if something happened?" Grace whispered, worry clawing at her.

"I think we'd hear." Hermione said softly. "We're listening to the radio every week."

"Yes but... I don't know. Lee hasn't been on in forever and I'm worried about that too."

But the third week in March gave her relief from that worry when after a few weeks break, Lee's familiar voice once again came over the speaker.

"We apologize for our temporary absence from the airwaves, which was due to a number of house calls in our area by those charming Death Eaters." He said, and Grace could hear the false amusement. "Luckily, we've now found ourselves another more secure location, and I'm pleased to tell you that two of our regular contributors have joined me here this evening. Evening, boys!"

"Hi."

"Evening, River."

"Hello."

"But before we hear from Royal and Romulus," Lee continued. "Let's take a moment to report those deaths that the Wizarding Wireless Network News and Daily Prophet don't think are important enough to mention. It is with great regret that we inform our listeners of the murders of Ted Tonks and Dirk Cresswell."

Grace sucked in a breath.

"A goblin by the name of Gornuk was also killed. It is believed that Muggle-born Dean Thomas and a second goblin, both believed to have been traveling with Tonks, Cresswell, and Gornuk, may have escaped. If Dean is listening, or if anyone has any knowledge of his whereabouts, his parents and sisters are desperate for news." Lee sighed before continuing.

"Meanwhile, in Gaddley, a Muggle family of five has been found dead in their home. Muggle authorities are attributing their deaths to a gas leak, but members of the Order of the Phoenix inform me that it was the Killing Curse- more evidence, as if it were needed, of the fact that Muggle slaughter is becoming little more than a recreational sport under the new regime."

"Finally, we regret to inform our listeners that the remains of Bathilda Bagshot have been discovered in Godric's Hollow. The evidence is that she died several months ago. The Order of the Phoenix informs us that her body showed unmistakable signs of injuries inflicted by Dark Magic. Listeners, I'd like to invite you now to join us in a minute's silence in memory of Ted Tonks, Dirk Cresswell, Bathilda Bagshot, Gornuk, and the unnamed, but no less regretted, Muggles murdered by the Death Eaters."

Silence fell, Grace closed her eyes.

"Thank you," said Lee after a moment. "And now we can return to regular contributor Royal, for an update on how the new Wizarding order is affecting the Muggle world."

"Thanks, River," said an unmistakable voice, deep, measured, reassuring.

"Kingsley!" burst out Ron.

"We know!" said Hermione, hushing him.

"Muggles remain ignorant of the source of their suffering as they continue to sustain heavy casualties," said Kingsley. "However, we continue to hear truly inspirational stories of wizards and witches risking their own safety to protect Muggle friends and neighbors, often without the Muggles' knowledge. I'd like to appeal to all our listeners to emulate their example, perhaps by casting a protective charm over any Muggle dwellings in your street. Many lives could be saved if such simple measures are taken."

"And what would you say, Royal, to those listeners who reply that in these dangerous times, it should be 'Wizards first'? asked Lee.

"I'd say that it's one short step from 'Wizards first' to 'Purebloods first,' and then to 'Death Eaters,'" replied Kingsley. "We're all human, aren't we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving."

"Excellently put, Royal, and you've got my vote for Minister of Magic if we ever get out of this mess," said Lee. "And now, over to Romulus for our popular feature 'Pals of Potter.'"

"Thanks, River," said another very familiar voice. Ron started to speak, but Hermione forestalled him in a whisper.

"We know it's Lupin!"

"Romulus, do you maintain, as you have every time you've appeared on our program, that Harry Potter is still alive?"

"I do," said Lupin firmly. "There is no doubt at all in my mind that his death would be proclaimed as widely as possible by the Death Eaters if it had happened, because it would strike a deadly blow at the morale of those resisting the new regime. 'The Boy Who Lived' remains a symbol of everything for which we are fighting: the triumph of good, the power of innocence, the need to keep resisting."

"And what would you say to Harry if you knew he was listening, Romulus?"

"I'd tell him we're all with him in spirit," said Lupin, then hesitated slightly, "And I'd tell him to follow his instincts, which are good and nearly always right."

Harry closed his eyes and Grace reached over to squeeze his hand.

And the show continued.