Neither Here Nor There: Chapter Twenty
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author_by_nightTitle: Neither Here Nor There
Fandom: Harry Potter
Chapter: Twenty
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Hestia/Kingsley, Percy/Audrey, past Remus/Tonks. Mentions of Bill/Fleur and Harry/Ginny.
Summary: It's been six months since the war, and everyone's ready to try moving on. Lyall Lupin and Andromeda Tonks are coming to terms with the death of their children, finding solace in one another - but how long can they stay close in the face of absence? Kingsley Shacklebolt is trying to lead a country that has been left bitter by war, so distrustful many even doubt him. And Hestia Jones is trying to harbor all she holds dear, which is hard when there's secrets she's never had the heart to reveal.
Author's Note: Actually, a few notes.
- This particular chapter is a flashback to the final battle. I've tried to stick as closely to canon as possible. I may have errors. Definitely feel free to let me know how off my timing is.
Also, I've decided to write this in military time. 22:00 is 10:00 and so forth.
- I borrowed Remus and Tonks holding hands during the battle from the movie.
- Some parts of this chapter conflict with minor details in previous chapters. I will edit to reflect those changes.
May 1998
22:00
Kingsley, Remus, Charlie, Arthur and a tall teenager named Dean Thomas were standing shoulder to shoulder on the grounds. Kingsley could hear people fighting behind him.
"If I perform poorly at this, will you still give me good marks?" Dean asked Remus.
"What?"
"I'm joking."
Remus laughed. "Thank you, Dean."
"Remus!" Arthur hollered, and Remus deflected a hex just in time.
Another voice called Remus's name, and Remus froze.
"Dora?"
Tonks pushed through the crowd. "Damn right, Dora."
"I told you to-"
"-I couldn't."
"I understood you were to keep watch," Kingsley said with a frown.
"The others are still there. I'm here. Let me do this."
Kingsley shook his head. "I'm with Remus this time. You know you're one of the best Aurors I've ever seen since Alice and Frank Longbottom, but I'm worried about your strength..."
"Kingsley, if you die tonight, I'll live the rest of my life knowing I could've been here, but chose to stay home knitting socks with my mother. Remus, if anything happens to you, that's what I'll have to tell our son. How can I let that happen?"
She's good, Kingsley thought to himself.
Tonks reached out her hand; Remus took it, and together, they fought.
22:30
Somewhere between the Great Hall and here, Hestia lost Megan.
"Megan," she called frantically. "Megan!"
Her sister could be hurt... or worse...
She bumped into Tonks, who was standing with Remus and the others, including Kingsley.
"Tonks!" Hestia said in surprise. "I thought you were going to stay."
"Changed my mind."
"Are you sure it's a good idea?"
"No!" A young voice shouted.
Hestia turned, convinced it was Megan; but it wasn't. Rather, it was a girl trying to put her shoe back on.
"Oh, for heavens' sakes, do you really think this is the time?" Hestia shouted. "Toss your damn shoe to the side!"
That was when she heard a horrible yell of glee.
Hestia knew she shouldn't turn around. At the very same time, she knew she must, so she did.
Bellatrix Lestrange was running away in glee. Crabbe was fighting with Kingsley, who looked gravely resolved. Dean Thomas and Charlie were both staring at the ground. And on the ground, still holding hands, were Remus and Tonks.
Dean set off, chasing Dolohov across the grounds. Charlie's mouth was agape and his feet were planted on the ground as though he'd lost all ability to move. He seemed oblivious to the fighting around him.
"It's okay," Hestia said as she shook Tonks. "You can sit up now. Come on."
But she wasn't moving.
"You used to make me practice being an Auror with you," Hestia told Tonks. "Is that what this is? Because it isn't funny. Now get up, I think Remus needs our help. Remus, come on..."
"Hestia. Charlie."
It was Kingsley who had spoken, but while his voice was as calm as ever, he was visibly shaken at the sight of his friends.
Charlie seemed to snap himself out of shock, and he reached for Hestia's hand.
Hestia shook her head. "No."
It couldn't be; her best friend couldn't be gone. They'd vowed at the age of eleven that they would always be friends, hadn't they? Did that not count for anything?
Apparently it didn't, because Hestia had looked away at the worst possible time. She covered her mouth at this realization.
There was a shrill scream from somewhere in the masses, and Hestia knew horrible thoughts would have to wait. They hadn't died in vain. Of that she would make absolutely certain.
23:15
Hestia, Fleur and George were fighting three masked Death Eaters, one of whom had just joined the other two. Hestia couldn't even say how she'd ended up here, or where Charlie and Kingsley had gone; it was all a blur. She hadn't even paused before casually jumping over a body. What kind of horrible monster did that make her?
"Funny," the Death Eater said, appearing to address George. "I could've sworn I just saw you."
"I'm in two places at once, eh?"
"I could've sworn I saw you being crushed under rocks..."
"No, that wasn't me."
"My, my, how strange. You must have a twin somewhere."
George stopped in his tracks; Hestia's heart sank.
"Fred's right there," he said with what was meant to be an air of confidence, but there was nothing confident about it. "I can see... I know he... Fleur, didn't you just see him?"
"You must be bluffing," Fleur told the Death Eater angrily, all the while avoiding eye contact with her brother-in-law.
"I wish I were. No, really, I was always a fan of that joke shop, even if it was run by two blood traitors."
"Don't you dare!" Hestia shouted; both she and Fleur thrust their wands at all three Death Eaters. They yelled in shock as they flew into the trophy case.
"Not bad," George said, but he was visibly shaken.
"Go find Fred," Hestia told him. "I'm sure he's fine."
In reality, she could only hope that the Death Eater had, indeed, been bluffing.
Her hopes were not high.
24:00
Lee Jordan knew what he had to do.
It was risky, but people had to be informed. No names yet - as horrible as it was to admit, there would be more, and anyway, it was best people be notified gently at home, rather than by wireless.
He passed Kingsley Shacklebolt and Fleur, who were setting down Remus and Tonks. Kingsley was covering his mouth, and Fleur was rubbing her face with the back of her hand. All of the Weasleys were gathering around Fred's body, and Lee shuddered as he eyed George. He'd never seen George look like that. He'd never considered life without either of them.
Two girls - who resembled one another enough to be sisters - were also on the ground; one was clearly deceased, another was sobbing uncontrollably. Luna Lovegood knelt beside her. Across from them were Oliver, Alicia, Katie and Angelina - for a horrible moment Lee feared he'd lost them too, but they were just resting together, if you could call looking so heartbroken "resting." Alicia looked at Lee and motioned for him to join them, but he couldn't. The Quidditch game was over.
Lee entered one of the secret passages, where he'd hidden his wireless. Once he was confident it was safe, he tapped the code, and began to speak.
"This is River reporting from Hogwarts... a brief armistice has been called, and by brief I mean an hour. I'm afraid to report that there have been several deaths and injuries, and many others remain unaccounted for.
For whatever comfort this may bring, there have been many defeats as well. Moreover, You-Know-Who is growing anxious. He's resorted to bribery, which may sound menacing, but it means he's desperate. Harry is still alive. We have hope.
Thank you for listening to this brief message. Until next time, your host, River."
If they were given the luxury of a "next time."
2:45
"Harry Potter is dead. He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself while you lay down your lives for him. We bring you his body as proof that your hero is gone. The battle is won. You have lost half of your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you, and the Boy Who Lived is finished. There must be no more war. Anyone who continues to resist, man, woman or child, will be slaughtered, as well every member of their family. Come out of the castle now, kneel before him, and you shall be spared. Your parents and children, your brothers and sisters will live and be forgiven, and you will join me in the new world we shall build together."
Minerva had never felt this much fear before. But she couldn't let it get to her. She walked to the doors and turned to face everyone in the castle.
Kingsley was saying something quietly to Arthur; Hestia was helping an injured Megan stand up; Neville Longbottom was staring at the door as though daring anyone to come bursting through.
"It's a scare tactic," Minerva told them. "That is all."
"Of - of course," Hermione agreed.
Ron put his arm around her. "You-Know-Who just wants us to give in. I reckon Harry hasn't even locked eyes with him."
"Remember what I said before," Kingsley added as he strode forward. "We keep fighting, even if there's any truth to this."
"There isn't, Shackebolt!" Minerva insisted.
"Minerva," Kingsley said quietly, "I understand how much you dread this, believe me, but we can't lie to them. We both know it might be true."
Kingsley didn't understand, Minerva thought as they waited. It wasn't just about winning the war. It wasn't even about saving Albus's favourite student. No; it was about the fact that Minerva remembered the night she left Potter on a doorstep when he was one year old. It was the fact that Minerva had taught him from the time he was still a boy until he was nearly a man. It was the same reason all the deaths of her students, past and former, broke her heart. To them, she was a tough ,relentless teacher. To her, they were her children for seven years, and losing them -
The door opened.
Minerva screamed.
3:45
When the hat on Neville's head burst into flames, Kingsley ran to his aide. He could not let such a horror befall Alice and Frank's son.
But then a number of things happened. Hundreds of people also rushed at the Death Eaters, and Centaurs and giants ran into the castle. When Kingsley finally caught sight of Neville again, he saw that he'd not only broken free of the full-body bind, but had sliced off Nagini's head.
Alice and Frank, I'm so sorry, Kingsley thought. I should never have doubted your son.
Then he saw Voldemort, and rushed towards him at the same time as Minerva and Horace Slughorn. They fought with him, and although Voldemort sent a Death Curse at Minerva, it didn't seem to hit her. Why was that?
But it didn't matter, as long as they were winning. Or, at the very least, stalling. From a few yards away, Kingsley could've sworn he heard Molly yelling something. He saw after a quick glance that she had defeated Bellatrix Lestrange.
"That was for Tonks," he muttered to himself. And Alice. And Frank. And Sirius. Probably more; no one knew exactly who'd killed whom, for the most part.
He was forced backwards, along with his two comrades; they flew into a heap.
4:45
Percy knew he must be hungry and tired; however, he could barely feel it.
Harry was gone; they'd seen his body for themselves. Feelings like sorrow and hunger and fatigue were inconsequential right now. All that mattered was fighting. Otherwise, what had the others died for?
Fred. Percy couldn't help but spare a bit of emotion for him. It wasn't something anyone could brush away. For all the teasing the twins had directed at Percy, and all the nagging he'd directed at them, that was what had made them close. Even their other siblings didn't understand it - Ron and Ginny thought Percy was too hard on the twins; Bill and Charlie worried the twins were too dismissive of Percy. But it was those petty jabs, those jokes, those reminders no one wanted that kept all three of them in line, because sometimes they needed it. Percy could go too far. Had gone too far, and that time, no goading on the twins' part stopped him.
Humungous Bighead, indeed.
He'd fought off Thicknesse, and when he saw You-Know-Who about to attack his mother, he prepared to stop him.
But before he could, to his shock - to everyone's shock - Harry slipped out of the cloak, standing tall, still alive.
5:15
When Voldemort's body fell, Hestia could only stare. She didn't dare believe it. No one dared believe it.
But then someone screamed, and for once in ten hours it wasn't a pained scream, or a scream of sadness. It was a scream of triumph. People were running towards Harry, and Hestia joined them, unable to contain herself. There were so many feelings - she needed to process everything that had just happened, she needed to eat, she needed to sleep, but it would have to wait while she let out yelling she'd never known herself to be capable of.
It was a bit like being born.
6:30
Audrey hadn't slept all night. She hadn't slept well in months, but now she knew this was it.
It was an act of God, she thought, that her parents had been in Japan studying folklore when the coup occurred. On one hand, they were stuck, and Audrey knew they would have preferred to be home; but her muggleborn mother would probably have been accused of stealing her wand, or worse.
Her brother hadn't been quite as lucky; he was a junior executive at wizarding Britain's only publishing house, and was either in prison or on the run or worse after refusing to publish propaganda. His boss had been killed outright. Audrey hoped inwardly that he'd managed to find his way somewhere safe.
Audrey tapped into the wireless, then into Potterwatch, just in time to hear River's voice (she was pretty sure it really belonged to Lee Jordan):
"It's over. Voldemort was defeated at 5:00 this morning after a long and hard battle, by none other than Harry Potter, originally presumed dead. Kingsley Shacklebolt has been appointed Minister for Magic..."
Audrey smiled, collapsed into a chair, and finally fell asleep.
7:00
Kingsley wanted nothing more than to rest like everyone else, to sit in the Hospital Wing and mourn. But he had to spring into action. So after making a few crucial commands of the Ministry workers present, he pulled aside Humphrey Williamson, then took him over to Percy Weasley, who was sitting with his family.
"Shacklebolt - Minister," Percy corrected himself.
"I need you to come with me."
Arthur stood. "Kingsley, my son fought on our side tonight. You're not seriously going to arrest him?"
Kingsley realized what it looked like. "Oh. No, not at all. In fact, I highly suspect he's done much more than only fight tonight. This is why I need to speak with him at the Ministry."
"He needs rest," Molly protested.
"It can't wait, I'm afraid."
Kingsley passed a group of people being led by Minerva; he recognized and knew many of them. They were family members here to identify and claim their injured and fallen loved ones. He locked eyes with Andromeda Tonks, but she looked away before he could offer any words of comfort.
The Ministry was more intact than Kingsley had expected; then again, there hadn't been a battle here, only a battle cry. He did notice that someone had destroyed the horrible statue of tortured muggles.
"Who did that?" Percy asked.
"I don't know. Perhaps it undid itself. Percy, what's the code to get into the Minister's office?"
"It's..." Percy swallowed as he put his wand to the door. "Mudblood."
"Tasteful. I'd like you to come up with a new code," Kingsley said as they entered. He looked around and noticed there were several books he had no use for. "Also, perhaps find me a better literature collection."
"I'm afraid I don't understand," Percy said.
"Me either," Humphrey barked. "Why him? Do you know I still remember Arthur Weasl-"
"That is enough," Kingsley interrupted. "Humphrey, you were instrumental as a spy for the Auror Department, and before that, you were a steady and admirable Head. I am appointing you Head of Magical Law Enforcement, if you so desire. I believe that was your ultimate goal anyhow."
"It was."
"Very good, then." Kingsley turned to Percy. "Now, I understand you quit."
"That is correct, sir."
"However, I need you to resume your duties. You too were instrumental, Winston."
"Winston? Are you saying he was our informant?" Humphrey asked.
"Really, Humphrey, who else but Percy Weasley here would use the name of one of the best muggle leaders in history?"
"So you were Royal," Percy said. "I thought you might be."
"I was indeed."
Percy extended his hand. "It would be my pleasure."
Kingsley shook it. "Very well. I look forward to working with you, and to better days ahead."
"To better days ahead," Percy and Humphrey echoed.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Chapter: Twenty
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Hestia/Kingsley, Percy/Audrey, past Remus/Tonks. Mentions of Bill/Fleur and Harry/Ginny.
Summary: It's been six months since the war, and everyone's ready to try moving on. Lyall Lupin and Andromeda Tonks are coming to terms with the death of their children, finding solace in one another - but how long can they stay close in the face of absence? Kingsley Shacklebolt is trying to lead a country that has been left bitter by war, so distrustful many even doubt him. And Hestia Jones is trying to harbor all she holds dear, which is hard when there's secrets she's never had the heart to reveal.
Author's Note: Actually, a few notes.
- This particular chapter is a flashback to the final battle. I've tried to stick as closely to canon as possible. I may have errors. Definitely feel free to let me know how off my timing is.
Also, I've decided to write this in military time. 22:00 is 10:00 and so forth.
- I borrowed Remus and Tonks holding hands during the battle from the movie.
- Some parts of this chapter conflict with minor details in previous chapters. I will edit to reflect those changes.
May 1998
22:00
Kingsley, Remus, Charlie, Arthur and a tall teenager named Dean Thomas were standing shoulder to shoulder on the grounds. Kingsley could hear people fighting behind him.
"If I perform poorly at this, will you still give me good marks?" Dean asked Remus.
"What?"
"I'm joking."
Remus laughed. "Thank you, Dean."
"Remus!" Arthur hollered, and Remus deflected a hex just in time.
Another voice called Remus's name, and Remus froze.
"Dora?"
Tonks pushed through the crowd. "Damn right, Dora."
"I told you to-"
"-I couldn't."
"I understood you were to keep watch," Kingsley said with a frown.
"The others are still there. I'm here. Let me do this."
Kingsley shook his head. "I'm with Remus this time. You know you're one of the best Aurors I've ever seen since Alice and Frank Longbottom, but I'm worried about your strength..."
"Kingsley, if you die tonight, I'll live the rest of my life knowing I could've been here, but chose to stay home knitting socks with my mother. Remus, if anything happens to you, that's what I'll have to tell our son. How can I let that happen?"
She's good, Kingsley thought to himself.
Tonks reached out her hand; Remus took it, and together, they fought.
22:30
Somewhere between the Great Hall and here, Hestia lost Megan.
"Megan," she called frantically. "Megan!"
Her sister could be hurt... or worse...
She bumped into Tonks, who was standing with Remus and the others, including Kingsley.
"Tonks!" Hestia said in surprise. "I thought you were going to stay."
"Changed my mind."
"Are you sure it's a good idea?"
"No!" A young voice shouted.
Hestia turned, convinced it was Megan; but it wasn't. Rather, it was a girl trying to put her shoe back on.
"Oh, for heavens' sakes, do you really think this is the time?" Hestia shouted. "Toss your damn shoe to the side!"
That was when she heard a horrible yell of glee.
Hestia knew she shouldn't turn around. At the very same time, she knew she must, so she did.
Bellatrix Lestrange was running away in glee. Crabbe was fighting with Kingsley, who looked gravely resolved. Dean Thomas and Charlie were both staring at the ground. And on the ground, still holding hands, were Remus and Tonks.
Dean set off, chasing Dolohov across the grounds. Charlie's mouth was agape and his feet were planted on the ground as though he'd lost all ability to move. He seemed oblivious to the fighting around him.
"It's okay," Hestia said as she shook Tonks. "You can sit up now. Come on."
But she wasn't moving.
"You used to make me practice being an Auror with you," Hestia told Tonks. "Is that what this is? Because it isn't funny. Now get up, I think Remus needs our help. Remus, come on..."
"Hestia. Charlie."
It was Kingsley who had spoken, but while his voice was as calm as ever, he was visibly shaken at the sight of his friends.
Charlie seemed to snap himself out of shock, and he reached for Hestia's hand.
Hestia shook her head. "No."
It couldn't be; her best friend couldn't be gone. They'd vowed at the age of eleven that they would always be friends, hadn't they? Did that not count for anything?
Apparently it didn't, because Hestia had looked away at the worst possible time. She covered her mouth at this realization.
There was a shrill scream from somewhere in the masses, and Hestia knew horrible thoughts would have to wait. They hadn't died in vain. Of that she would make absolutely certain.
23:15
Hestia, Fleur and George were fighting three masked Death Eaters, one of whom had just joined the other two. Hestia couldn't even say how she'd ended up here, or where Charlie and Kingsley had gone; it was all a blur. She hadn't even paused before casually jumping over a body. What kind of horrible monster did that make her?
"Funny," the Death Eater said, appearing to address George. "I could've sworn I just saw you."
"I'm in two places at once, eh?"
"I could've sworn I saw you being crushed under rocks..."
"No, that wasn't me."
"My, my, how strange. You must have a twin somewhere."
George stopped in his tracks; Hestia's heart sank.
"Fred's right there," he said with what was meant to be an air of confidence, but there was nothing confident about it. "I can see... I know he... Fleur, didn't you just see him?"
"You must be bluffing," Fleur told the Death Eater angrily, all the while avoiding eye contact with her brother-in-law.
"I wish I were. No, really, I was always a fan of that joke shop, even if it was run by two blood traitors."
"Don't you dare!" Hestia shouted; both she and Fleur thrust their wands at all three Death Eaters. They yelled in shock as they flew into the trophy case.
"Not bad," George said, but he was visibly shaken.
"Go find Fred," Hestia told him. "I'm sure he's fine."
In reality, she could only hope that the Death Eater had, indeed, been bluffing.
Her hopes were not high.
24:00
Lee Jordan knew what he had to do.
It was risky, but people had to be informed. No names yet - as horrible as it was to admit, there would be more, and anyway, it was best people be notified gently at home, rather than by wireless.
He passed Kingsley Shacklebolt and Fleur, who were setting down Remus and Tonks. Kingsley was covering his mouth, and Fleur was rubbing her face with the back of her hand. All of the Weasleys were gathering around Fred's body, and Lee shuddered as he eyed George. He'd never seen George look like that. He'd never considered life without either of them.
Two girls - who resembled one another enough to be sisters - were also on the ground; one was clearly deceased, another was sobbing uncontrollably. Luna Lovegood knelt beside her. Across from them were Oliver, Alicia, Katie and Angelina - for a horrible moment Lee feared he'd lost them too, but they were just resting together, if you could call looking so heartbroken "resting." Alicia looked at Lee and motioned for him to join them, but he couldn't. The Quidditch game was over.
Lee entered one of the secret passages, where he'd hidden his wireless. Once he was confident it was safe, he tapped the code, and began to speak.
"This is River reporting from Hogwarts... a brief armistice has been called, and by brief I mean an hour. I'm afraid to report that there have been several deaths and injuries, and many others remain unaccounted for.
For whatever comfort this may bring, there have been many defeats as well. Moreover, You-Know-Who is growing anxious. He's resorted to bribery, which may sound menacing, but it means he's desperate. Harry is still alive. We have hope.
Thank you for listening to this brief message. Until next time, your host, River."
If they were given the luxury of a "next time."
2:45
"Harry Potter is dead. He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself while you lay down your lives for him. We bring you his body as proof that your hero is gone. The battle is won. You have lost half of your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you, and the Boy Who Lived is finished. There must be no more war. Anyone who continues to resist, man, woman or child, will be slaughtered, as well every member of their family. Come out of the castle now, kneel before him, and you shall be spared. Your parents and children, your brothers and sisters will live and be forgiven, and you will join me in the new world we shall build together."
Minerva had never felt this much fear before. But she couldn't let it get to her. She walked to the doors and turned to face everyone in the castle.
Kingsley was saying something quietly to Arthur; Hestia was helping an injured Megan stand up; Neville Longbottom was staring at the door as though daring anyone to come bursting through.
"It's a scare tactic," Minerva told them. "That is all."
"Of - of course," Hermione agreed.
Ron put his arm around her. "You-Know-Who just wants us to give in. I reckon Harry hasn't even locked eyes with him."
"Remember what I said before," Kingsley added as he strode forward. "We keep fighting, even if there's any truth to this."
"There isn't, Shackebolt!" Minerva insisted.
"Minerva," Kingsley said quietly, "I understand how much you dread this, believe me, but we can't lie to them. We both know it might be true."
Kingsley didn't understand, Minerva thought as they waited. It wasn't just about winning the war. It wasn't even about saving Albus's favourite student. No; it was about the fact that Minerva remembered the night she left Potter on a doorstep when he was one year old. It was the fact that Minerva had taught him from the time he was still a boy until he was nearly a man. It was the same reason all the deaths of her students, past and former, broke her heart. To them, she was a tough ,relentless teacher. To her, they were her children for seven years, and losing them -
The door opened.
Minerva screamed.
3:45
When the hat on Neville's head burst into flames, Kingsley ran to his aide. He could not let such a horror befall Alice and Frank's son.
But then a number of things happened. Hundreds of people also rushed at the Death Eaters, and Centaurs and giants ran into the castle. When Kingsley finally caught sight of Neville again, he saw that he'd not only broken free of the full-body bind, but had sliced off Nagini's head.
Alice and Frank, I'm so sorry, Kingsley thought. I should never have doubted your son.
Then he saw Voldemort, and rushed towards him at the same time as Minerva and Horace Slughorn. They fought with him, and although Voldemort sent a Death Curse at Minerva, it didn't seem to hit her. Why was that?
But it didn't matter, as long as they were winning. Or, at the very least, stalling. From a few yards away, Kingsley could've sworn he heard Molly yelling something. He saw after a quick glance that she had defeated Bellatrix Lestrange.
"That was for Tonks," he muttered to himself. And Alice. And Frank. And Sirius. Probably more; no one knew exactly who'd killed whom, for the most part.
He was forced backwards, along with his two comrades; they flew into a heap.
4:45
Percy knew he must be hungry and tired; however, he could barely feel it.
Harry was gone; they'd seen his body for themselves. Feelings like sorrow and hunger and fatigue were inconsequential right now. All that mattered was fighting. Otherwise, what had the others died for?
Fred. Percy couldn't help but spare a bit of emotion for him. It wasn't something anyone could brush away. For all the teasing the twins had directed at Percy, and all the nagging he'd directed at them, that was what had made them close. Even their other siblings didn't understand it - Ron and Ginny thought Percy was too hard on the twins; Bill and Charlie worried the twins were too dismissive of Percy. But it was those petty jabs, those jokes, those reminders no one wanted that kept all three of them in line, because sometimes they needed it. Percy could go too far. Had gone too far, and that time, no goading on the twins' part stopped him.
Humungous Bighead, indeed.
He'd fought off Thicknesse, and when he saw You-Know-Who about to attack his mother, he prepared to stop him.
But before he could, to his shock - to everyone's shock - Harry slipped out of the cloak, standing tall, still alive.
5:15
When Voldemort's body fell, Hestia could only stare. She didn't dare believe it. No one dared believe it.
But then someone screamed, and for once in ten hours it wasn't a pained scream, or a scream of sadness. It was a scream of triumph. People were running towards Harry, and Hestia joined them, unable to contain herself. There were so many feelings - she needed to process everything that had just happened, she needed to eat, she needed to sleep, but it would have to wait while she let out yelling she'd never known herself to be capable of.
It was a bit like being born.
6:30
Audrey hadn't slept all night. She hadn't slept well in months, but now she knew this was it.
It was an act of God, she thought, that her parents had been in Japan studying folklore when the coup occurred. On one hand, they were stuck, and Audrey knew they would have preferred to be home; but her muggleborn mother would probably have been accused of stealing her wand, or worse.
Her brother hadn't been quite as lucky; he was a junior executive at wizarding Britain's only publishing house, and was either in prison or on the run or worse after refusing to publish propaganda. His boss had been killed outright. Audrey hoped inwardly that he'd managed to find his way somewhere safe.
Audrey tapped into the wireless, then into Potterwatch, just in time to hear River's voice (she was pretty sure it really belonged to Lee Jordan):
"It's over. Voldemort was defeated at 5:00 this morning after a long and hard battle, by none other than Harry Potter, originally presumed dead. Kingsley Shacklebolt has been appointed Minister for Magic..."
Audrey smiled, collapsed into a chair, and finally fell asleep.
7:00
Kingsley wanted nothing more than to rest like everyone else, to sit in the Hospital Wing and mourn. But he had to spring into action. So after making a few crucial commands of the Ministry workers present, he pulled aside Humphrey Williamson, then took him over to Percy Weasley, who was sitting with his family.
"Shacklebolt - Minister," Percy corrected himself.
"I need you to come with me."
Arthur stood. "Kingsley, my son fought on our side tonight. You're not seriously going to arrest him?"
Kingsley realized what it looked like. "Oh. No, not at all. In fact, I highly suspect he's done much more than only fight tonight. This is why I need to speak with him at the Ministry."
"He needs rest," Molly protested.
"It can't wait, I'm afraid."
Kingsley passed a group of people being led by Minerva; he recognized and knew many of them. They were family members here to identify and claim their injured and fallen loved ones. He locked eyes with Andromeda Tonks, but she looked away before he could offer any words of comfort.
The Ministry was more intact than Kingsley had expected; then again, there hadn't been a battle here, only a battle cry. He did notice that someone had destroyed the horrible statue of tortured muggles.
"Who did that?" Percy asked.
"I don't know. Perhaps it undid itself. Percy, what's the code to get into the Minister's office?"
"It's..." Percy swallowed as he put his wand to the door. "Mudblood."
"Tasteful. I'd like you to come up with a new code," Kingsley said as they entered. He looked around and noticed there were several books he had no use for. "Also, perhaps find me a better literature collection."
"I'm afraid I don't understand," Percy said.
"Me either," Humphrey barked. "Why him? Do you know I still remember Arthur Weasl-"
"That is enough," Kingsley interrupted. "Humphrey, you were instrumental as a spy for the Auror Department, and before that, you were a steady and admirable Head. I am appointing you Head of Magical Law Enforcement, if you so desire. I believe that was your ultimate goal anyhow."
"It was."
"Very good, then." Kingsley turned to Percy. "Now, I understand you quit."
"That is correct, sir."
"However, I need you to resume your duties. You too were instrumental, Winston."
"Winston? Are you saying he was our informant?" Humphrey asked.
"Really, Humphrey, who else but Percy Weasley here would use the name of one of the best muggle leaders in history?"
"So you were Royal," Percy said. "I thought you might be."
"I was indeed."
Percy extended his hand. "It would be my pleasure."
Kingsley shook it. "Very well. I look forward to working with you, and to better days ahead."
"To better days ahead," Percy and Humphrey echoed.
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