Ginny, Tina and I have just stepped out of the Barrister’s office my second stop of the day after visting the Oasis this morning. Paton McKinnion has been the Potter family Barrister for three generations starting with my grandfather. He was only too eager to allow Ginny and I to slip in early this morning and to revise my will and write one up for Ginny.





The end result is that our assets are to be equally split between all of our children, Tina for now, and any others that follow. Furthermore, Ginny’s mum and dad are named as guardians of our children and if they are unable to assume that role it falls to Ron and Hermione.


I think both Ginny and I are relieved to know that in the event of the worst, Tina will be well cared for. I glance down at my watch noting the time. We have a few hours before the funeral services for Hannah later. Since we’ve had her, we’ve yet to take Tina to her grand mum’s restaurant.


“Ginny luv, why don’t we go to Bewitched and have lunch today?”


She nods, looking care worn. "That sounds like a good idea."


With Tina on my hip and Ginny’s hand clasped in my own we stroll leisurely through the alley. I try to ignore the whispers that follow in our wake. Bloody Daily Prophet! I keep hearing the words, “tramp” and “traitor”. Whoever is trying to sully my name is succeeding..


After someone mentions a particularly colourful insult about Ginny at a volume above a whisper, I stop and grit my teeth.

“Maybe this wasn’t such a wonderful idea?”


She grits her teeth and glares at the person, her eyes hard until they back down, looking away first. "No one is going to stop me from doing what I want," she says before pulling at my hand. "Let's go."


I allow her to lead us the rest of the way. We enter Bewitched and are assaulted by the wonderful smells. Why aren’t we here more often? I glance through the window to see a small crowd gathering, great! The serving girl nearly drops the menus when she realizes who we are, but recovers quickly enough to lead us to one of the private booths in the back.


My foul mood at the crowds dissipates sometime during the delicious meal. Tina has a delightful time, especially at the comical sight of Dobby in his uniform. Ginny and I pretend to not notice when he slips Tina an extra helping of dessert. The little girl will probably nap up until the funeral after eating her own food and sampling at least a bite of everything on mine and her mother’s plate.


We square up the bill, leave a sizeable tip for Dobby and make our way out of the restaurant. The crowd seems to have increased and the flashing bulbs indicate that the press learned of our presence.


At least this time it seems that I have some supporters arguing with my detractors. The arguments become louder and more heated to the point that I can hear cursing and swearing above the questions being shouted at us from the reporters.


A reporter jostles into Ginny nearly knocking her over. Tina buries her head in my shoulder and I can hear her whimpering. Ginny regains her balance and when she turns to face the reporter her face is vivid red and she’s reaching for her wand. I gently catch her hand in mine and twine our fingers together.

“Let it go, luv, let’s just get Tina out of here.” Ginny’s eyes widen momentarily and she settles on scowling at everyone around us.


I pull Ginny along trying to move as quickly as possible, but it is slow going with the milling crowds. The yelling and cursing escalates until finally someone draws a wand. There is a flash of light and nervous laughter followed by the braying of a donkey. That is all it takes and suddenly there are flashes of spells everywhere.


I release Ginny’s hand and have my wand drawn in an instant.


Protego!!!!


Several hexes and jinxes splash harmlessly against my shield. Ginny’s wand is in her hand in the blink of an eye. Another splash of jinxes and she hisses savagely, “Formicoris!”


I watch amusedly as her target drops her wand and begins clawing and scratching at her skin as the sensation of being bitten by hundreds of fire ants overwhelms her.


I hold my Shield Charm in place and we try to continue forward. Unfortunately, some of the ruffians who started the riot are standing between us and the Apparition Point.


Tina lets out another whimper and distracts me momentarily. She’s shivering from fear.

Merlin, we’ve got to get her out of here!

The ruffians level their wands. I react instantly slashing my wand.


Deflectimenta!


This time when the spells strike the shield several are reflected back at their casters. Ginny steps forward to cast again when I nudge her, “Don’t, we are almost to the Apparition Point, just keep casting Shield Charms.”


She turns and I can see the rage burning in her eyes. I’ve seen it before in her Mum’s. The crowd unknowingly unleashed a mother bear, ready to defend her cubs. Her hair swings around wildly, having come loose from the ribbon she’d tied it up in for the day. She clinches her teeth and slashes her wand.


“Deflectimenta!”


Our two shields harmonize and reinforce one another, just in time to reflect several more spells in all directions. A fruit stand to our left explodes as three different hexes reflect off of our shield into it.


Tina shudders again. I’m about to try to say something soothing when I notice it. My breath! I can see the vapour of my breath! Ginny’s too! A chill runs through me and it seems the sun has faded. Then I realize there is more to the screaming I hear.


”Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!”


“Stand aside, you silly girl… stand aside, now… “


“Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead--- “


“Not Harry! Please… have mercy… have mercy… “


I lock eyes with Ginny to find her staring at me wide-eyed and shivering. “Dementors!” She nods and shudders.


Around us the crowd has begin screaming in terror. I spin around and scan the skies, searching for them. People are running in all directions fleeing from unseen terrors while others are just shaking uncontrollably where they stand. No wonder Tina is shaking!


“G-Ginny, I n-need you t-to c-cast your P-Patronus, b-but k-keep it here to p-protect us, t-to p-protect T-Tina.” Her eyes narrow and her shivers cease somewhat.


She furrows her brow in concentration then she slashes her wand through the motions.


“Expecto Patronum!!!!”


A silver lioness erupts out of the tip of her wand. It pads the ground softly back and forth, its tail flicking in agitation.


I can feel the warmth, the very essence of love radiating from it and I can still feel Tina against me.


Basking in the physical manifestation of what I’m sure is Ginny’s love for our family; I look around Diagon Alley again. The direction towards the Leaky Cauldron is darker. I stare intently at the darkness and realize the darkness is alive.


Dementors, dozens of them are drifting along. I see a few flashes of silvery vapour as victims desperately try to defend themselves. The way to the Apparition Point is clear. I could tug Ginny along and escape with my family. But what about the people?


I feel Ginny’s hand rest on my back. I glance down to see her face bathed in the silvery light of her Patronus. Behind her eyes I see determination and love. I see myself reflected within them. I make my choice.


I carefully pull to mind the memories of our wedding day…


The way Ginny looked in her dress…


Tina toddling down the aisle…


Ron’s nervous speech…


Hermione’s watery grin…


Remus looking on with pride…


Dad giving Ginny away…


Going home with Ginny later that night…


I can feel it, my magic, burning within me, begging to be released. My wand swirls in the proper motions.


“Expecto Patronum!!!!!!!!”


From the tip of my wand erupts the Hungarian Horntail, the same one I cast at Azkaban. This time it is even larger. I soars into the ranks of the Dementors and I can hear them screeching as they flee before it.


CRACK!


CRACK!


CRACK!


Numerous sounds of Apparition sound throughout the Alley as Hit Wizards and Aurors arrive. Suddenly the entire Alley is awash in silver light as rabbits, bears, dogs, birds, and other animals drive through. The Dementors are overwhelmed and flee rapidly.


The lingering chill evaporates, but Tina is still shivering. Ginny steps forward, pulls her from my arms and crushes to her chest whispering comfort into her ear. Ginny looks pale and clammy and I doubt I look any better, Tina, however, looks horrid, she needs relief.


“Dobby!”


POP!


Dobby is there beside us. “Harry Potter called Dobby?”


“Dobby, we need some chocolate, hurry!”


I wrap my arms around both Ginny and Tina as Dobby squeaks then pops away.


“Potter! I should have known you’d be in the middle of this. I think you and your so-called wife need to come to the Ministry to answer some questions. They say you two caused a riot and then brought the Dementors down upon innocents.”


I release Ginny and push her behind me. I’m gripping my wand so tightly I’m afraid I might snap it.


Standing before me, wands drawn, smirking are Dawlish, McLaggen, and Corner.


“No, I don’t think we’ll be going anywhere with you.”


Dawlish’s eyes light up, “Resisting arrest as well.” He shakes his had, but the smirk never leaves his face. “You don’t have an Auror badge or some senile Headmaster to protect you anymore Potter.”


A rumbling bass voice calls out, “That’s enough!”


Kingsley Shacklebolt is there along with Gawain Robards. Neither look happy, but I’m not sure if it is me or Dawlish they are angry with.


My question is answered a moment later when Robards barks out. “You three quit standing around and assist the others in transporting the wounded to St. Mungos.” Dawlish opens his mouth to protest, his wand pointing limply in my direction when he is cut off. “NOW!!!!!!”


All three shoot me hate-filled glares before stalking off.


Robards approaches and I lower my wand, but I’m still wound up tightly, not sure what to expect.


“Potter, you have my sincere apologies for that.” He glances over his shoulder to ensure the three are out of earshot. “Things are going to be changing at the Ministry shortly; when they do, I want to meet with you.”


I’m sure I must look comical with my mouth gaping open, but I never thought Robards cared one whit about me.

“Don’t act so surprised Potter, if it weren’t for Scrimgeour you would still be on active duty. As soon as the new Minister is appointed I promise you that you will be fully re-instated.” His expression falls a bit, “You do want to come back don’t you?”


I nod my head dumbly, too stunned to speak. He takes that as confirmation and smiles.

“Excellent, look for the announcement in the papers about the new Minister, afterward you’ll receive my owl.” He looks around the Alley and leans in closer, “By the way Potter, excellent job.”


With that he turns and walks off. I stare after him for a few minutes, before Ginny steps back around me. The colour is starting to return to her cheeks and she gives me a shaky smile. Tina reaches up for me a half-eaten piece of chocolate clutched in her hand.

“She wants you right now, luv.” I scoop Tina into my arms and she squeezes her arms around my neck tighter than she ever has.


Ginny buries her head into my other shoulder and I wrap my free arm around her. Lucius nearly hurt both Ginny and Tina today… my family. I can feel boiling anger deep inside and I know that Malfoy has now joined a select club. I know now that to protect my family and the wizarding world, I will kill him if it comes to that.

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