Chapter 39: One thing at a time . . .Harry and Hagrid hadn't gotten more than a mile from Little Whining, flying low this time, before the Death Eaters came swooping toward them. As Hagrid concentrated on evasive maneuvers, Harry shot off every spell he decided to use in their defense, except his favorite, 'Expelliarmus', which had given him away before. "Bombardo" was working exceptionally well, though, as Death Eaters started falling from the sky, screaming, brooms ablaze. But Harry spotted Hedwig trailing him, off in the distance and hoped she stayed far enough away to not draw attention to them or herself.
Hagrid had obviously been practicing riding Sirius' old motorcycle, as his skills at turning, diving and literally playing 'chicken' with the Death Eaters trying to catch them, was paying off. Between the two of them, they got away fairly easily, with just a scorch mark or two, but didn't relax until they passed through the wards surrounding the Tonks property and landed safely on the back lawn.
Ted and Andromeda, who were waiting on their brick patio when Harry and Hagrid clambered off of Sirius' bike, waved a greeting. Just then, Hedwig swooped gracefully down to land on Harry's outstretched arm.
"Good girl, Hedwig," Harry praised the snowy owl, digging a treat out of his pocket and giving it to her. "Now go to The Burrow, but be careful."
The owl gave Harry a look, as if to say, "I got this covered, kid!", nibbled on his ear affectionately and took off, flying low but entering a nearby wood for cover.
"Hagrid! Harry! We're so glad to see you two!" Andromeda came forward to give each of them a hug.
"Harry!" Ted Tonks stepped forward. "Glad to finally meet you! Dora speaks about you all the time, well, when she's not talking about Remus Lupin." Ted laughed, as he shook hands with Harry and then Hagrid. "Hagrid, that was some masterful flying, that was!"
"Why, thank 'ya, Ted. We had some close calls, but I think we really confused them Death Eaters!" Hagrid boomed, clapping Ted on the back and nearly knocking him over.
"Indeed," Andromeda agreed. "I wonder how the others did?"
"We'll send word back as soon as we check about everyone when we get to The Burrow," Harry assured her, knowing she was worried about her daughter.
"Do you want a drink or anything before you 'Port Key' to The Burrow?" asked Ted, holding out a tray loaded with several bottles of Butter Beer.
"Yeah, that'd be great; I can be a bit late getting there, for this!" Harry grinned, as he grabbed a bottle, held it up and then chugged it. "AHHH! That was just what I needed. Thanks, Ted."
Hagrid, meanwhile, had downed three bottles and wiped off his mouth with his sleeve. "Right! Now we're ready to go, eh, Harry!"
"Ready" Harry answered, as he watched Andromeda use a tea towel to place a rusty cauldron on the nearby garden wall.
"Here's your 'Port Key', then . . . just touch it and then I'll activate it."
Harry stepped forward, then turned and looked quizzically at Hagrid."You're not coming?" he asked.
"Naw . . . Sirius says I'm to get 'is bike back to Hogwarts, straightaway, and back into storage . . . I'd better make sure it don't 'ave a scratch on it, neither," laughed the huge man, as he settled onto the seat of the motorcycle, ready for the journey north. "I'll rest a bit, then go on my way."
"Right . . . I'll tell Sirius not to worry, you took good care of it tonight," replied Harry, as he walked over and gave his friend a hug. "See you later." Turning to Ted and Andromeda, Harry became serious. "Ted, the Ministry is going to fall soon, Voldemort has half the staff either infiltrated with Death Eaters or they're under an 'Imperious' spell. They'll start hunting for Muggle-born and half-blood Witches and Wizards; please make plans to go into hiding as soon as you can. Andromeda is safe; she's a Black, after all, but you could be killed. You must be ready to disappear. . . if worse comes to worse, 'Apparate' to Hogsmeade and talk to Aberforth Dumbledore at the Hogs Head, he'll be able to help."
"Harry!" Andromeda's hand flew to her throat. "How do you know all of this?"
Harry smiled. "It's hard to explain, but . . . one day soon, I'll be able to tell you all about it . . . just please listen to me, okay?"
"I will, Harry. I'll get started planning where to go, and all, straightaway. Thanks," Ted replied. "I have a few friends I'd better contact, as well, after we hear news about the Ministry; they might not believe me until then." Harry nodded and shook hands with him and gave Andromeda a hug.
Walking over to the cauldron, Harry grabbed the edge and Andromeda pointed at the side of the old pot with her wand. There was a blue flash of light and Harry was gone.
* * *
"No sign of Harry?"asked Ginny, when her father and Fred came through the door. She closed it and turned to look at her father and brother.
"He's not here yet?" asked Arthur, looking to Molly, who stood at the kitchen sink, gazing out into the yard. She shook her head.
"He and Hagrid were seen flying fast and low, by Bill and Fleur. Then they had their own fight to get through," Molly replied. "They're the only ones who have returned, so far. They're out back, sending the Thestral home to Hogwarts."
Ginny gasped and headed for the door, throwing it open. Remus entered, supporting George, who was spattered in blood. "Oh, no, not again!" Molly ran forward.
"No, Molly, he's still got his ear . . . Severus was careful not to repeat that little bit of the fight, but he did have to inflict some damage; a cutting spell. I've used the counter-spell to slow the bleeding and there's a bottle of 'Essence of Dittany' in my pocket," finished Remus, as he heaved George onto the couch and collapsed into a nearby arm chair. Digging into his jacket, he handed the small bottle to the Weasley matriarch. "Molly, if you'd be so kind." She took the bottle and turned to administer the healing liquid to her son.
George's entire shirt front was torn and blood-soaked. When Molly magically removed it, there was a visible gash, but the bleeding had almost stopped. George seemed to be semi-conscious, but when she started applying the 'Dittany', he sat straight up, yowling, "BLOODY HELL, MUM!"
"George! Quiet! Lie down! I have to apply this 'Dittany' or you'll have a nasty looking scar!"
"War wounds are dead sexy, Molly, isn't that right, Bill?" Remus informed her, laughing, as he looked around at the others crowding into the room: Bill, Fleur, Arthur and Fred, who quickly came over by the couch, inspecting the 'damage' to his twin. Remus frowned. "No word from Harry?"
"Not yet, but here come Tonks and Kingsley," Ginny informed them, from her post by the door. "Oh, and there's Sirius and Mad-Eye. Oh, dear, Sirius is hurt, too!"
Remus was up out of the armchair and through the door like a shot, running to put an arm around his old friend, whose arm was bleeding and there was a nasty burn on his leg. Tonks was on the other side, while Kingsley gave Mad-Eye an arm to lean on, as he seemed to have lost his magical leg somewhere along the way.