The Simplest of Emotions

The Simplest of Emotions

By: Lance Walker

Chapter 6

The Order of the Dragon

March 9

I walked into the conference room at the Moony and Padfoot Foundation with a bit of awe. The room was enormous, and the gathering of wizards present was inspiring. The security for this meeting had been intense, and to just get into this restricted area of the Foundation's building had taken nearly an hour. All the security spells had been tailored to the specific magic and DNA type of the fifty or so wizards who had been invited to form the core of the new Order.

An enormous, solid oak roundtable, dominated the room, which occupied much of the fourth level of the Foundation. Seated around it was a gathering of wizards the likes of which hadn't been seen since the Second Voldemort War. When Harry had said the "old crowd," I wasn't sure which crowd he meant, but now, I knew he meant every crowd of wizards we had ever known.

Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Severus, and Moody were there, as well as several other representatives from the older set, while Oliver Wood and his wife Angelina Johnson-Wood, Fred, George, Parvarti, Padma, Cho, Harry, and Ron, as well as others, represented the younger group. However, several newcomers were also invited, but the most important of these was sitting, flanked by two Asian-looking wizards, dressed in resplendent blue and gold robes. I walked up to her and took her hand. "Charlotte! It is so good to see you after all this time."

She looked up at me, and I could see mirth in her haggard eyes. "Ron, my friend. I'm happy to see you as well. However, I can sense your pain, you have six days, no?"

I nodded but didn't speak. It was hard to think about the fact that the Ides were approaching so quickly. She spoke again. "Fear not, Ron. I feel that true answers will be given on that night, whatever those answers may be."

I felt the urge to ask her more questions. Where had she been the past few weeks? Who were the mysterious wizards? However, Sirius stood from his seat and proclaimed, "Let's get underway. We have much business to discuss."

Everyone quickly took their seats, and I found myself sitting next to Harry and Fred. Sirius remained standing, and when he saw that everyone was quiet he continued. "As many of you already know, the world is in peril. The terrowizard organizations have banded together to form somewhat of a global network of destruction. The Reapers of Light have returned, and their influence has spread as far west as to America and the Fallen Angels and as far east as China and Japan. We face a dark time. The world has not seen an amassing of evil wizards like this since the Great Wars that saw the destruction of Atlantis over a millennia ago. It will not be long before a battle will take place, a battle for the very survival of the Muggles and Muggle-borns who we have protected from menaces like this for thousands of years. In this dark time, Wizards and Witches who know right from wrong should amass and fight for right. This is our time. I turn the floor over to Charlotte Grey. This witch is not one that many of you will know. You may see her name down on the registered Animagi list, or you may have known her to be an amazing pupil at Hogwarts many years ago, but since both accomplishments, she has faded from public eye. Only now, when she knows the perils of the world, does she come forward. Her connections have led to many important discoveries about our enemy, and her reach, though hidden in the past, is as far spread as the Reapers of Light. In this war, she is our Joan of Arc. She is our Albus Dumbledore. I give you Charlotte Grey." He sat down as every eye turned to Char. Her two silent sentinels paid no heed and continued to stand like statues.

When Charlotte spoke, she commanded every ear in the room. "Thank you, Sirius. Today is a dark day...for the terrowizards of the world. If they could see this amassing of wizards and witches who still know what good is, they would tremble in their caves, quiet meeting places, and homes. You do me far too much credit, Mr. Black, to call me Albus Dumbledore. I should never hope to fill his enormous shoes, but there are those among us who can. I have been busy the past few weeks, and I believe I have things to tell this gathering that they will find shocking, but not unexpected. The terrowizards of the world are moving. There has been no major attack since Camelotopolis, but Camelot will not be the last attack in this war, but rather, the first. The Reapers of Light, as we meet here, are planning their next assault. The Fallen Angels and the Blooded Scimitar are amassing their numbers. The Brothers of Stygia are counting their fold and setting their mind to the destruction of the English Ministry and to this body. They are all working separately, but all their directives point to one conclusion. They wish to kill you." Her arm reaches out, and her long finger points towards Harry. The gathering stares at Harry now, transfixed by Charlotte's elegant speaking. "You are the Bright Shiner. You are the hope for this world, not I. I may be our Joan of Arc, but you are our Perseus, our Achilles, and our Odysseus. However, their objectives also point to the deaths of two others. Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger." At the mention of the name of one so long dead, the crowd drew in a collective breath, and then looked to me. I stayed silent. "Why? You might ask. Well, I will tell you. They know of the recent Prophecies of Gaea, but we also know of them. However, unlike us, they know the Cries. They know what was said."

Severus interrupted her. "But that would mean that one of the Olympians is working for them and that can't--"

Char held up her hand until Severus was silenced. "That is precisely the truth. One of the twelve is a member of the Reapers of Light. They are everywhere. Your best friend could be a terrowizard, and you would never know it until you were dead. I'm sure you already know, Minister, that your Ministry is being infested, and it is only a matter of time before they have enough power to begin passing the Muggle-hating legislation that has been put down by the Ministries of the world since their birth." She then looked towards Sirius and Remus. "And you two are certain that a number of your employees are of the dark orders." They nodded in affirmation. "There isn't a one of us in this room who isn't afraid that there are dark wizards among us. However, in this war where your friends could be your enemies and your enemies your friends, remember, that intelligence is key. The terrowizards know the Prophecy...and I know much of it, too." Another gasp.

Harry sat up and then spoke. "You mean to say that you know what the Seraphs, the Trinity, and Gaea's Scar are?"

Char, with a sad look in her eye, shook her head. "No, Bright Shiner. I do not know the extent of those three terms. I know that the Seraphs are to be the most powerful wizards and witches of the world, blessed with the power of the Valor. I also know that the Trinity, headed by you, the Bright Shiner, is to be the leading force of the Seraphs. However, aside from those small fragments, I know nothing, and the meaning of Gaea's Scar has eluded me completely...though I have a notion of what it might be, but I will not speak of conjecture here as this is a meeting of fact, and also will not speak of my dark thoughts in the still hallowed halls of the Order." She paused for a moment, as if she almost regretted what she had said. I didn't really understand what she meant by dark thoughts, or what about them would not be suitable for a meeting of such importance. Apparently, however, the older set did, as Tonks, Remus, and Moody were visibly shaking at whatever dark thoughts they were having.

I was just as surprised as everyone else to hear my voice as it rose from my seat. "So, what do you know?"

Charlotte smiled at me. "Good question, son of Weasley." Her smile tore through me. That was the phrase used by the writer of the mysterious letter. She knew that, and she was once again reminding me of the approaching Ides. "What I know, Ron, is this. The terrowizards know the whole Prophecy, but I only know one Cry. My contact within the Olympians, whose name I will not reveal, told me his Cry in detail. However, this could be a false Cry, or it could be a true Cry. Only time can tell. Remember, a Cry is just a fragment of the whole prophecy. When the Olympians piece them all together and discard those that are false, they share the prophecy with the world. If I tell you this Cry, we cannot hope to rest upon it as fact and thus set ourselves up for our fall. However, I feel it pertinent to share, none-the-less." She paused for a moment, to take in her thoughts, and then spoke in a mysterious tone. "'The Sun has set on the days of man, but life is not yet dead. The green of Gaea will not perish, as long as the truth is said. The Bright Shiner and his Trinity shall give Gaea back her light. But Gaea's Scar will reopen, and inflict the world with blight. The One is not an end to means, but a means unto an end. His evil darkness is just a tool, for the Scar's might to transcend. The Shiner will smite the One with ease, when the true powers of Angels are found. The Seraphs birth, the Trinity's Flight, will the death knell sound. The One will perish, but the Scar will open, and Darkness, she will return to Gaea.'" She stopped.

Harry, just like every other listener in the room, was on the edge of his seat. "Is there more?"

Char shook her head. "Sadly, no. I'm afraid that the Cry poses more questions then it answers. However, I am certain that the Scar is something that will facilitate the return of Darkness, which is a female image. I fear that the Darkness mentioned is the true fear for us. The One mentioned, whoever he might be, is just a pawn in her game. If we find the One...we will find Darkness, and I am positive that she is the one behind the terrowizards recent actions." One of the two Asian wizards leaned down and whispered something in her ear. I had almost forgotten the two were there, as they had been so still up until this point.

Char then spoke up. "As that is all that I have on the matter of the Prophecy, I will turn the floor over to this man. His name, as far as I know, is Thade."

Thade, who had been wearing dark sunglasses, took them off and looked around the room. When he spoke, he spoke in clear, clean English, but with a slight accent that sounded Japanese or Chinese. "Thank you for having myself and my partner, Ion here today. Many of you do not know me, but fear that you recognize this emblem." He thumbed a necklace hanging from around his neck. The pendant was the image of a twisted dragon forming a circle as it ate its own tail. In the center of the circle was a five-pointed star, and at the center of that star was a Jade cabochon gleaming with an internal, swirling light.

Harry leaned forward. "That is the symbol of the Jade Dragon, is it not?"

As Thade nodded, Severus leapt to his feet. "The Jade Dragon!? Charlotte, how dare you bring these...common criminals to a meeting of such high importance!"

Sirius was to his feet before anyone could stop him. "Severus, you may be minister of England, but you are not the Minister of this meeting. SIT down! Charlotte has her reasons, and I'm sure if you would allow time for an explanation, one would be given."

Severus was placated, if only slightly, and Blaise slowly pulled him back down into his seat. His face was flushed bright red, and a bit of the old Snape look had returned to his eyes. He did, however, listen and wait for the promised explanation.

"Thank you, Mr. Black. And thank you, Minister." Thad paused for a moment, and then continued. "As you all have heard, this is dark times for the world. Yes, I am a member of the Jade Dragon, a crime syndicate that I'm sure you all have heard of. We, in the past, have not been above murder, theft, or any other illegal activities. However, this epidemic of terror affects us as well. You may think it wrong for the member of a syndicate to be complaining about downed business, but you must also remember that the Jade Dragon, the legal sector of our organization at least, has been awarded several humanitarian awards for our help in ending the third world status of several East Asian Ministries, as well as helping in anyway we can for the defense of our countries against the dark waves of the evil witches and wizards of the world. You may not think this noble, considering our less than humanistic approach to most other business, but because of these good deeds, the terrowizards have deemed as a threat. It is our news that you do not only fear the five major organizations, but the more radical organizations have truly yet to be formed. Aside from the Reapers of Light, who have no sense of respect for life, no terrowizard organization could be as large a threat as the one malign cell growing in Tokyo, Japan. The Frozen Phoenix, as they are currently called, have been in contact with the Brothers and the Reapers. They are gaining support, and it is my great fear that they will soon launch an attack on Tokyo and our Ministry. This is not an acceptable end, and the Jade Dragon refuse to let this happen." The room was rapt with attention. "When Charlotte approached me, I was reluctant to ask for help. Her cause was with the Order, who had, after the disposal of Voldemort in the Second Voldemort Wars, had made it their initiative to hunt down all dark wizards. The Jade Dragon came under assault. I should, as somewhat of a lame argument for our business dealings, state that we are not dark wizards, just immoral ones, and I doubt there is a completely moral wizard in the world now that the great Albus Dumbledore is gone. So, we of the Jade Dragons, and specifically Ion and myself, have made the commitment to be the bodyguards of Charlotte Grey, and the liaisons of this Order with the East. It is up to you if you accept the second half of our proposal, but the first is nonnegotiable. We will protect the Sorceress of Grey with our lives and every ounce of magic within our bodies. Thank you."

His speech ended so suddenly, that I almost thought that he was taking just another pause before he continued. He, however, placed his sunglasses back over his mysterious eyes and stood erect behind Char's chair as he had through most of the meeting.

Char stepped in immediately. "Now it is time for you, members of the Order to decide your point of action. I only suggest that the Order be formed anew, and you fight the battle with new fervor. You remember a time when you fought with the rebirthing, cleansing powers of the Phoenix. That time, however, is over. The enemy is too strong, and the battle too much to for even such a powerful animal. I propose now that we fight with the raging ferocity of the Dragon. Kill or be killed...it is your choice."

She sat back in her chair, and arguments immediately began to spring up all around the table. One wizard in the corner, an older man with white hair whom I didn't recognize, sat forward and said, "This is madness! I don't honestly believe that a few rag-tag terrorist cells are call for reinstating the Order. It will take far too much time, money, and manpower to hunt down these people...and that is something that the Order just doesn't have."

Sirius quietly stated, "We have financial backing, so don't worry about that, Pontius."

The white haired man, Pontius, sat back in his chair apparently quieted. He, however, wasn't the only naysayer. Similar arguments were sprouting around the entire assembly. Those for the forming of the Order and those opposing it were in heated discussions. My thoughts, however, were on what Sirius had said. From where is our financial backing coming? The man Pontius had a point; the Order would be an enormous drain on any bank account, especially if it was forced to work outside or even against the Ministry of Magic. The Mooney and Padfoot foundation was nowhere near that lucrative. However, my questions were forced to wait as Sirius suddenly stood and held up his hand for silence. Although the arguments had grown to an enormous din, it was almost immediately silenced.

"I do not ask that you lay down your money for this Order. I do, however, ask that you lay down your lives. Although Charlotte has told you all that she knows, some of you still fail to see the gravity of the situation. Do you think that the Flyway assault and the Camelot attacks are the last in a two-battle war? Then you should leave now. This war is just beginning. The Flyway and Camelotopolis were the opening shots. Except they were not our shots fired, but rather the bullets slammed into our families and our lives. The terrowizards' single goal is to bring down the governments of the world, instill an anarchy, and kill every single Muggle and Muggle-born in the world. They are an insane army, trained and brought together for the genocide of an entire strain of human existence. This day is not a day for our courage and our resolve to fail. If there are only three of us among this assembly who will fight this fight, then we will fight it to our deaths. We do this for our families, our friends, and the free races of the world, be them Muggle, Wizard, or Muggle-born. As I said, this battle will not drain your account at Gringotts, but it could very well cost you your life. This is a grave day, when the might of this Order shall be tested. Will you make the oath to lay down your lives? Or will you run and hide, waiting for the next Blaze attack to hit your front door." He sat down, and the entire room was silenced. I had never heard Sirius speak with so much vim in my entire life. His days of being a Marauder and general troublemaker were apparently over...he was stepping over into a new realm of being. He was a leader.

When conversation started again, it was almost a collective agreement for the Order. Finally, after giving the listeners a few minutes to mull over what his partner had said, Remus stood and questioned. "So, shall we form the Order of the Dragon? If you say yes, raise your voices now, and may you shake the cores of the terrowizards with your call."

There was an immediate and resounding "YES!" The room was unanimous in their decision. I realized that, had it been up to Char, the little known and somewhat obscure, then the motion would have failed and the world would have been doomed. With Sirius backing her, however, the world was now under the protection of the leathery wings of our Dragon.

Sirius, considerably calmer, stood to deliver his first motion. "The Order is formed, but that is not the end. I propose that we immediately begin to work to infiltrate the five organizations we discussed. We would also need to form a task force to take out the birthing cell of the Frozen Phoenix, and thus seal our alliance with the Jade Dragon." There was some murmurings of descent at this, but most of the wizards and witches in attendance realized that if they did not do something about the Frozen Phoenix, they could very well lose the support of the Tokyo Ministry, and although the Jade Dragon was a seedy organization, it was not a terrorist organization.

Several hands were raised in support of this motion, and several volunteers, mostly Aurors or ex-Aurors raised their hands for the undercover missions. A voice, however, interrupted these proceedings. I recognized it immediately, but I turned just to be sure. Mad Eye Moody was standing in the back of the room, and he repeated what he had said as very few had actually heard him. "What about leadership?"

Remus stood and asked, "What do you mean, Moody?"

"I mean, who is going to lead this Order? We always had Dumbledore before, but who do you propose now that he is gone?"

Most eyes turned to Charlotte. Although she was somewhat enigmatic, people recognized her power and her influence. She acted as if she hadn't seen the stares, and immediately said, "Our Grande Wizards should be Remus and Sirius. They already have the intelligence that the Moony and Padfoot foundation can afford them, and those they make perfect candidates. You all, however, should vote on the matter." She paused as Thane whispered something in her ear. "I am sorry that I cannot stay around for any further discussions, I have important business to which I mast attend. I will be in touch." She said this last part to Sirius and Remus. Before she apparated, she looked directly at me and gave me a smile. That encouragement lifted my spirits.

The majority agreed that Remus and Sirius should be appointed Grande Wizards of the Order, and as soon as this final act is decided upon, many begin to file away. Sirius stops them at the door, however. "Before you leave, each one of you must take a death oath." A chill flowed throughout the room, and I, although not exactly knowing what a death oath was, felt it spread to my heart as well.

"Is that really necessary?" Snape questioned. He was one still sitting at the table.

Remus nodded, "Yes, as necessary as any action this Order takes. It is imperative that we are kept secret from our enemy. Right now, we have the element of surprise in our favor. They will not be expecting us to infiltrate, as they believe they are fighting only the Ministry, of which they are slowly gaining control. If this is to leak out, then all of our hopes will be dashed. A death oath is the only precaution we can take against this."

Reluctantly, everyone agreed, especially since they were put under the impression that Sirius would kill them if they tried to leave without taking the oath (as he had taken his wand from his belt). Remus performed the oath, each person allowing him to place his wand to his or her heart. When it was my turn, Remus informed me that the spell was binding. If anyone were to begin to tell of the Order to any non-Order members, they would immediately drop dead. The oath was taken to protect and keep the Order until their last breaths, and if an oath bearer formed any malice against the Order, they would forfeit their lives.

Slowly, the room emptied out, and soon only Harry, Cho, Remus, Sirius, Snape, and myself remained. Sirius was the first to speak. "I'm not sure if it is wise that Char trusts Thane and Ion."

I was the first to question this statement, "But you showed full support to her."

Sirius, his face showing the tiredness that he finally must have felt, looked up at me. "Yes. It is important that we all trust Charlotte. She is young, but something within me tells me that she is far more important to our cause then we will probably ever know. I can't show any misgivings about her choices in front of the ranks, as that would immediately cast suspicion in her direction, but I still can't see helping the Jade Dragon. If it were up to me, we'd be taking out both that organization and the Frozen Phoenix."

Harry retorted, a little more vehemently than I thought he would about this statement. Something about his countenance told me that Char was not his only issue with his godfather. "How can you say that? Thane and Ion are clearly trying to help us completely. The Jade Dragon may not be a legal organization like the Moony and Padfoot foundation, but they are trying to stop terrowizardry...doesn't that put us all on the same side?"

Sirius put both of his hands on the table, placed his weight on them, and slightly leaned over the table as he said, "How can you possibly defend an organization that knows nothing but lies and deceit? If my gut is correct, they will stab us in the back the moment they realize that we have eliminated their competition. They are still a crime syndicate, no matter what their goals are."

Harry was about to yell back into Sirius's face, but I placed a hand on his shoulder. "Harry, calm down. You should discuss this civilly, not so heatedly. Something else is bothering you, isn't it?"

Harry glared at me. "Oh shut it, Ron. What do you know?"

He immediately went back to badgering his godfather, and I threw my hands up in defeat and walked out of the room and onto the balcony overlooking the grounds of the Foundation. The door opened and then closed behind me, and when I turned to look, Cho was standing cautiously. "Are you okay? You know he didn't mean that."

I laughed. "I've been friends with Harry for too long to let that hurt me. It isn't the first time he's thrown his 'I'm Harry, I know, you don't so butt out' thing in my face. I've learned to take it in stride."

Cho, realizing that there was more to my attitude today, said, "Are you taking everything in stride?"

I tried to chuckle, but it came out as more of a dull whimper. "Apparently not so much. You saw right through my guise." I turned back around, leaning against the railing of the balcony. Cho walked up and stood next to me, her hair blowing lightly in the cold wind coming from the north. The trees below us on the grounds were rustling and moving back and forth like an ever-flowing sea of waves.

Cho stared at me until I met her gaze. "So, what is bothering you?"

I simply stated, "Today, it's the ninth of March."

She understood what I meant, though. I realized that Hermione had been weighing on everyone's mind. "Six days, huh? It feels like a millennia though."

I chuckled again, and I actually managed something along the lines of a laugh, but with less mirth and more sadness than should be expected. "Tell me about it. It's been years since she's died or gone missing or whatever, but now that it comes down to less than a week to know the possible truth...the days slow down and the sun reverses and it feels as if the fifteenth will never come."

Cho smiled. Her gaze, like mine, was staring across the beautiful landscape beneath us. "It's so odd that we are facing such horrible times, but the sun still shines, the wind still blows, and the earth still turns. Perhaps things aren't nearly as bad as we perceive."

"Or maybe...they are far worse." I didn't know how philosophical what I was saying was, or whether it was philosophical at all, but I knew that things were never simply what they were at face value. Appearances are deceptive.

"Char definitely thinks that there is some greater evil at work. If Gaea is frightened enough of it to call it Gaea's Scar, I suppose you are right. Things are far worse than they appear to be." Cho's eyes dropped from the landscape and focused on her wringing hands.

I put an arm around her shoulder. "But we can't give up hope, and we can't stop living day by day. Terror may reign and evil have its day, but in the end, there is always hope. It still sits in our Pandora's box, just waiting to be let out, if only we would take the time to reach out and lift the lid. We will fight this fight, maybe at the expense of our lives, but not at the expense of our livelihoods."

Cho, looking into my eyes, said, "You have grown so wise. I'm sorry that that wisdom had to come from sorrow." Tears formed in both of our eyes. I silently wept, but Cho's sobs truly shook me. She had always been a friend, and since Hogwarts, she had been one of my best friends. I, however, didn't realize exactly how much she had known about me, but realizing that she understood almost every nuance of my being was comforting.

I put my other arm around her and hugged her tightly. "I suppose we all gain our wisdom somehow, but through sorrow, I just gained it a little faster." During my speech, I hadn't heard the door open to the balcony.

"They've calmed down." I looked up, wiping a few errant tears from my eyes with the sleeve of my robe. Severus was standing there, his face a bit flushed. He had apparently joined in the argument as well.

Silently, Cho and I walked back into the room. Sirius was looking out a window on the opposite side of the room from where Harry was sitting, but at least they weren't flinging insults and arguments into each other's faces. I sat down, and suddenly had a thought, "Minster, do you really think that there are terrowizards in the Ministry?"

Severus sat down with a heavy sigh. I realized that everyone in the room looked haggard and tired, even Cho who normally looked full of vitality. "Yes, I'm afraid so, Ron. It is my current belief that every Ministry in the world is under the same sort of siege from within."

Sirius, still staring out the window, said, "We were supposed to have a visit from the American Minister today, but apparently he has been delayed." As soon as he spoke, however, a knock came at the door. I walked across and opened it. Outside, three people I didn't recognize were standing flanked by two of the Foundation's security forces. Sirius waved the group in, and the security officers saluted, turned, and left.

Severus stood up, walked across the room, and shook the hand of one of the men in the group. Of the three, two were men and the other was a stunning looking woman. All were dressed in Muggle business attire, and one of the men, a tall, handsome but serious looking man, and the woman had badges clipped to the pockets of their blazers. Severus made introductions of the man with which he was talking. He was tall, but not taller than the serious man, and was slightly balding. He also looked as if he had once been an athlete, maybe football or rugby, with his broad shoulders, but he had sense gained weight and now his stomach not his shoulders was his prominent feature. "This is the American Minister of Magic Samuel Myers." The few people in the room shook his hand.

Samuel then spoke, his voice a deep baritone that commanded the ear of everyone in the room. "These two are members of the Muggle government's secret service agency the CIA." I knew enough about the American CIA to know that they were the elite of the intelligence agencies in America. The FBI was equal to England's Scotland Yard, but the CIA was like our Interpol or the Russia's KGB. "This," he motioned to the tall serious man, "Is Michael Vaughn." We all shook his hand with our own greetings of introduction. "And this," the woman, "is our number one agent, Sydney Bristow."

When I shook her hand, I saw pain in her eyes. I realized that she had seen much in her life that she would have wished otherwise. She stared at me for a moment, and then said, "I see in you a kindred spirit. I too have seen many trials." I smiled and bowed my head slightly. She truly must be an amazing agent, she read every member of the room and I saw her eyes look around countless times, taking in her surroundings.

Sirius came forward to shake their hands and then spoke with Minister Myers, "I didn't know you were bringing Muggles with you. Their memories will have to be Obliterated--"

Sydney interrupted him. "I'm afraid, Mr. Black, that you mistake us for normal Muggles. My partner Vaughn and I have seen far more of the supernatural in our lives than we would wish. Our friends have been doubled, I've lost two years of my life, and we've seen the birthing of long dead machinery capable of true destruction. These things, once thought fantasy, are a daily aspect of our lives. I fear that I am as much a part of your world as you are. Besides, I've already had my memory Obliterated once, by an organization known as the Covenant, and I don't plan to let anyone do it again."

The man named Vaughn put a hand on her shoulder, and she calmed down. I realized that Sydney is capable of amazing things. The American Minister stepped in, "You have my word that these two can be trusted. The American President suggested them to me in our last meeting, and they have officially gained clearance from our Ministry. They can live and work freely in the wizarding world to gain intelligence about the terrowizards and the Covenant."

Sirius accepted this, and apologized. "We have our standard procedures, but you can vouch for them, we will forgo them this time." He motioned for the trio to have a seat at the table, and we all joined them.

Severus started the unofficial meeting. "As we were saying before you arrived, Sam, we believe that the Reapers of the Light have infiltrated the English Ministry of Magic. I fear that they have made it as far as the Department of Counter Terrorism. They are in a position to take over."

The American Minister nodded, "We are facing the same type of crisis. The Fallen Angels, who we thought until recently was just a minor cell of fanatics, has suddenly unveiled itself. It is far larger than we ever dreamed. Our own Department of Unspeakables knew nothing of this. It was then that we were approached by the director of the American CIA about the connection of the Fallen Angels and other worldwide terrowizard organizations with the Muggle terrorist syndicate known as the Covenant."

With a nod from the Minister, Sydney then took over. "Michael and I recently were on an undercover mission where we uncovered this connection. Two leading members of the Fallen Angels met with the man we believe is heading the Covenant. The Angels wanted to purchase weapons, including automatic weapons, rocket propelled grenades, and biological agents. They also discussed the purchase of a device that the CIA currently has in custody. They made an agreement, and as far as we know, the Fallen Angels became as armed as a small militant army. We don't know exactly how deep the Covenant's roots go into the terrowizard realm, or vice-a-versa, but we do know that they are working together. They have a common goal: the destruction of the governments of the world. However, I don't believe the Covenant realizes that once they help the terrowizards achieve this goal, they will be eradicated as Muggles."

I smiled, although it was a grim picture, the irony did not escape me. Sydney was also smiling, and I felt that she was thinking the same thing. "I also don't think that the Angels are the only ones that the Covenant is dealing with. They kidnapped me two years ago, and I was forced, somehow, to work for them under the alias of Julia Thorne. My memory was then Obliterated, and up until this point, I have only regained a small portion. The fact that magic was used to erase my memory led me to the conclusion that the Covenant has had a foothold in the terrowizard world for sometime. They have connections in the Reapers of the Light, the Bloodied Scimitar, the Angels, the Brothers, and the Death Eaters. This marriage of evil can only spell bad things for us all. Our world is about to be put into the most open magical war yet."

Her words were chilling. No smile followed her pause this time. Sydney was right though, if the Muggle terrorists of the world, be it Al Qaeda or this Covenant, joined with the terrowizards, it would spell almost certain doom for our cause. This was truly dark news.

The three Americans stood and Michael said his first words. "We are sorry, but me must be going. Sydney and I have become the liaisons for the wizards with our government. Any intelligence we decipher from our operations will be yours to share. The CIA has agreed to form a bind with your Order."

Sydney and the American Minister said their goodbyes, and all three left. Sydney caught my eye as she walked through the door and gave me a smile. I understood her. She didn't know my struggle, nor I hers, but she was offering me her support as a kindred spirit. We were both lost, not sure of what to do, but she let me know that our backgrounds bound us as like souls. As the door closed behind them, I realized that it wouldn't be the last time I saw that mysterious woman.

The day was winding to a close, and the light pouring through the windows was growing redder as the sun set beneath the horizon. Severus and Harry had been discussing something at the table, and I happened to catch the words, "Ministry Army...get it through before I lose my supporters to the terrowizards...you named commander."

However, I moved on, so as not to be caught eavesdropping on something apparently so important. When the two had finished discussing, Cho, Harry, and I bade our farewells and headed for the Tele-Floo network terminal on the ground floor of the Foundation. The terminal looked like a phone booth recessed into the wall. There were five side by side across the wall. The only difference, however, was that a strange, light green gas swirled in each one.

Cho looked at me for a second and then asked the obvious question. "Have you used one of these?"

I shake my head. "I've been where they had one, but I used the old network because I didn't have anyone to tell me how to do it."

Harry speaks up. "The Dragon Corporation had this idea, and I must admit it's a pretty good one. The Floo powder is put in a gaseous form, and thus it takes less to do each teleportation. The only problem is that most homes don't have their own terminal yet, so it isn't as widely used as the original Floo network is. It works pretty much the same." He pointed to a spout coming out of the wall to the side of the terminal we were standing in front of. "You put just a pinch of Floo powder in here, step into the terminal, close the doors, say where you're heading, and you're off. The cool part, more than one person can go at a time, but not more than three." He took out an Altoids tin out of his pocket, but when he opened it, it was filled with green Floo powder. He took a pinch, put it in the spout, and waited for a moment.

The gas within the terminal got much darker and began to emit flashes of light. Harry opened the doors and motioned for us to quickly get in. He and Cho shared a glance for a moment, and then Harry closed the door. Before I could think about it he said, "Pembridge Villas!"

Suddenly, it felt as if I was being stretched. It wasn't a painful feeling, but I got the disturbing image that instead of transporting me all at once, the Tele-Floo network stretched you out. When part of you reached your destination, it had a rubber band effect. The original terminal let go, and you snapped completely into place at your destination. I opened my eyes, not realizing that I had closed them, not to Harry and Cho's home, but to another one completely. It wasn't until then that I realized that Harry had said, "Pembridge Villas."

We were in a house on Notting Hill...

I looked around for a moment as Harry and Cho stepped out of the terminal. I timidly took my first steps onto the plush carpets of a hallway. Harry closed the terminal door, and then closed a wooden door across the closet in which it resided.

Cho turned to look at me, and I saw tears of joy in her eyes. "Welcome home." Harry clapped me on the back. Cho took my hand, "Would you like a tour?"

I was dumbfounded. "What...do you mean?"

Harry laughed. "This is yours, Ron. This is your home. When Cho and I saw it, we knew it was perfect. We made the down payment and set it up for you immediately. Your parents and brothers and Ginny helped by buying furniture. Your mum made sure the refrigerator was stocked. It was kind of hard keeping Fred from telling you, but we managed I suppose."

I was still shocked. I had no idea that anyone was planning something like this. "I can't...I'll pay you back."

Harry smiled. "I know you will. Remember, you're working for me. If you forget, I'll just take it out of your paycheck." We all laughed, and the reality suddenly hit me. I had forgotten completely about work and the Prophet.

"Whoa, I start this week, don't I?" I stammered.

Harry shook his head. "No, ever since the attack I've been running a small skeleton crew in a smaller office. We barely have room for the staff members we have, and we've cut back printing to just 6 pages. Once we can move back into the building, you'll start your job. Your first assignment will be to cover the first Quidditch game of the season between the Japanese and English teams on April eighth. Until then, enjoy your new home."

I didn't know what to say. I couldn't believe how amazing my friends and family truly were. I laughed and said to Cho, "So, is that tour still open?"

She led me down the hall, past three doors, and into the fourth. A large bedroom greeted me. A queen-sized bed with a black comforter took up the middle space, while a dresser and a bookshelf occupied one wall each. The other wall had a closet door and a small bathroom door. She led me down the hall to one of the doors we'd passed. The master bath was behind it. The other two doors in the hallway housed a guest room and a small study with an odd contraption sitting on the desk in the middle. "That's the newest Dragon Corporation item. It's a wizarding device based upon the Muggle computer. It isn't even released publicly yet, but I got my hands on a few for the department, and I just got two extra for you and for Cho and I at home. I don't even know how to use it yet, but I'm sure you can figure it out." The side of the part of the "computer" that mimicked the CPU of a Muggle computer had "Draco 1.0" written across it. It was apparently the name of the computer or the operating system or something. I was confused as to the meanings, and there was a large manual sitting next to the flat screened monitor which reminded me very much of War and Peace in thickness.

At the end of the hall, Cho led me into the large living room and dining room area. It was all one large room, but the living area was sunken one step into the floor and the kitchen and dining area was in the far corner of the room. A large Muggle TV and a leather couch and chair occupied the den or living room, and the kitchen looked to have all the latest appliances. Harry pointed out switches along the walls, "Those are to turn off your lights. Otherwise, they come on whenever you walk into the room." I hadn't really noticed the fact that the lights were turning themselves on and off. I had electricity, which was amazing. When Cho led me toward the front door, I passed the fuse box, and I realized that my dad would have a hay day when he visited. The large living/dining room had one other opening, aside from the hallway, and it led directly into the foyer, which was small in comparison to the other rooms in the house. When we reached the front door, Cho gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek, and Harry gave me a hug. "We're off."

I was suddenly a little nervous. The house was warm and comforting, but it was nighttime, and without their presence, I didn't know how comforting it could be. "Do you think I could stay at your house one more night? I can move in tomorrow." I also had thoughts that I might go by the Burrow to thank mum and dad for the home, and maybe get some help from them or Ginny in moving in.

"Of course you can stay, Ron. You are never an imposition." Cho said, and they headed out the door and onto the street of Portobello Road, where the pedestrian traffic was picking up for the nightlife.

I stalled for a moment at the door, my hand grasping the knob, and stared through the foyer door and into the living room where the lights were slowly fading out. I smiled, and whispered, "Home," before closing the door and jumping into the night. Cho, Harry, and I walked home laughing and talking, and for a moment I forgot about the terrowizards and the end of the world and just...was.

I walked slowly up the stairs of Harry and Cho's house to the guest room. Today had been an eventful day. I learned that I was the target for a global terrowizard hatred, but I'd also seen my new house and realized that life will go on. I walked down the hall to my room, but in passing I saw Sirius and Emily in the room reserved for him. I knocked on the door, and the two looked up suddenly.

"Oh, hello, Ron." Sirius commented. He appeared a little distracted, and immediately excused himself. "I've got to talk with Harry...um, some minor business."

He left with a good night to me, and Emily remained sitting on the bed. Her face looked a little flustered. "Um...hello, Emily." I really didn't know her that well. She was born in America and was the mother of Sirius's children, but aside from that, I knew next to nothing.

"Oh, hello, Ron. Some meeting today, wasn't it?" I nodded, but I hadn't even remembered seeing her there. She sighed deeply and lay back on the bed, her black hair splaying around her head.

I stood by the door, but I was feeling a little concerned for her. I didn't have to know her to know that something was wrong. "What's up?"

She shook her head, but tears began to form in her eyes. I'd seen tears many times today; tears of joy and sorrow, and these were of the later variety. I moved over and sat on the bed. "You can tell me."

Her eyes looked into mine, and I realized that I was becoming somewhat of a therapist for people. I suppose with my past, people thought that I'd understand their problems, and I suppose it was more than a coincidence that I normally did. "I don't even know where to begin."

I smiled, "At the beginning of course."

She laughed and then did just that, "Well, it all began when Severus approached Sirius about working in the Department of Counter Terrorism. I feel as if Sirius continues to put himself into more and more dangerous positions, and one day, he won't come home form his 'normal' day at work. I don't want to have to tell my children that daddy's never coming home again, but I know that my husband's work is important, and I can't tell him that he can't do it. It is his life."

I could tell that she was battling with herself more than she was with her husband. "Well, what about you? You're a member of the Order now."

She nodded. "Yes I am, but I don't see myself volunteering for the most dangerous missions. Sirius, on the other hand, jumps at them."

I had to agree with her there. Sirius didn't think about the implications of his actions, and he always leapt at the first sight of trouble. This was as good a trait as it was bad, and therefore not able to be corrected. Hopefully, he would never jump too soon. "I'm sure Sirius knows what he's doing."

Emily smiled for the first time. "I trust my husband. I trust him with my life and my children's lives...but I don't know if I can trust him with his own. Do you know what I mean?" I nodded, I could understand completely. During the Second Voldemort War, I had felt the same way about Harry, and after Hermione's disappearance, I felt like that about myself. I didn't know if I could trust myself with my life. I was fearless in battle because I didn't care if I died or not. It was a frightening image of myself as I looked back upon it. I relayed this to Emily as best I could, and I'm sure she understood in a way. "I don't think that Sirius is like this, though. He's a cautious man when he has to be, and he knows he has a family, so he's probably even more so."

Emily nodded, dried her tears, and then said, "Thank you. I'm sorry we don't talk more often. I'm sure we'd make smashing friends."

I laughed, I was sure we would to. As I left the room, I got the same feeling about Emily as I had Sydney earlier...I'd be seeing and working with her much more in the future. I walked on down the hall and collapsed onto my bed. I didn't realize how tired I was until my eyes shut and I was dreaming about deserts, running, and endless falling.

* * *

March 10

The door to the Burrow gave way to my tentative knocking. I wasn't exactly sure that since I had "moved" out, I wasn't technically supposed to knock when I entered my old homestead. It was still my house with my old room, but was it really still "my house?" The adult like paradox was so confusing I forgot it as soon as I stepped through the threshold and into the Weasley family's living room. The familiar sights of my home--old home--were both comforting and memorable. This had been my first return to the Borrow in weeks, but everything was the same as it had been on my last visit. It was as if the passing of time did not affect this one area of the universe, and the happenings of the world did not burden the light or atmosphere of the house as much as they did every other corner of the present world.

"Hello?" I called out to the silence of the house. I could barely hear the sound of voices coming from the direction of the kitchen, but aside from those sounds and the tick of the wizarding clock, everything was as if the house had been left deserted and lifeless. I made my way through the house towards the kitchen, and suddenly the voices were much louder, screaming in fact. When I walked in the kitchen door, my ears were accosted by the sounds of Padma Patil-Weasley screeching towards Fred, who looked haggard. His normally bright red hair seemed dull and rusty, and his shiny eyes were glazed over with what appeared to be sadness and...maybe a twinge of guilt.

"I can't quite believe you, Fred. I really can't." She dwindled down in the end, and I realized that she had said this statement before...maybe several times. She didn't deliver her curses with any vim or anger, but rather just very loudly.

"You've said that already, love, and I already told you that I couldn't quite honestly understand why I was doing what I was doing either. I told you because I had hoped that it would mean that you and I could rebuild from my past failures." Fred's voice was as tired as his looks. He and Padma had apparently been going for some time.

At that moment, Padma looked up and saw me standing in the doorway. "Oh, Ron!" I'm sorry that you had to witness that. Um...Fred, come with me." She grabbed hold of his collar and led him out the kitchen door and outside.

I moved out of the door, noticed a steaming teakettle on the stove, and went over and poured myself a cup. "Ron?" I turned around to see mum and dad standing just inside the door looking gleefully at me. Arthur took a seat at the kitchen table with a cup of tea in his hand, and mum rushed over to hug me with hers. "Oh, Ron it is good to see you! We thought for sure that you'd be off on some mission or another after yesterday's meeting. What brings you to the Borrow today?"

I led her over to the table and she and I sat with dad. I thought better of telling her now before I got all the information about Fred and Padma out of them. "That can wait. So, what's the big fuss?"

My mother gave me a depreciated look. Dad, however, answered. "They've been going at it for hours."

I sat forward. "That doesn't really answer my question." At this, my mother stood and looked out the kitchen window as if preparing herself to tell me something. Before she could tell me what the fuss was "quite honestly" about, she let out an exclamation. "Oh my! She's got a yard gnome!" She rushed out the door without any more explanation than that.

Arthur apparently noticed the look upon my face and cleared up the meaning of my mother's words. "Padma has been tossing things at Fred all morning. Or chucking I suppose. They got here somewhere around 9:00 a.m., and Fred's hand on the clock has been on 'mortal danger' ever since. It was shortly after they arrived that he broke the bad news and since then your other has been running around the house cleaning up the mess from thrown dishes, vases, and now, yard gnomes. Although she is a bit miffed at your brother, probably even more so than Padma, he is still her son and would prefer that SHE provide him with any bodily harm rather than allowing his loving wife to do so."

I chuckled at this, but I still didn't quite know or understand what all the fuss was about. Fred and Padma were not a fighting couple. They were, in fact, far happier than George and Parvarti, although Fred was a bit more immature. So why were they suddenly at each other's throats now? "So, what is up?" I finally asked after a long silence of tea drinking and thinking.

Arthur stood up, much like my mother had before she was going to break the news, and looked out the window. "Your mother has three gnomes in her arms and is throwing herself in the path of a few well placed spells. She has a full beard and an extra eye coming from an antennae at the top of her head already." He laughed, but I knew that his mirth was only skin deep (if that). He turned to look at me and then finally returned back to his seat at the table. "It isn't easy to explain."

I sat back, took another sip of my tea, and said, "Well, I have got all morning."

My father's following silence led me to believe that I might indeed have to wait al morning for the answer. Finally, however, he cleared his throat and headed straight into the whole sordid affair. "Your mother and I did our best to raise all of you as best we could. It wasn't always easy, with money being tight and so many mouths to feed, but we always thought that we managed just fine and that you all turned out all right. Except for Fred."

I nodded. Fred had always been somewhat of the black sheep of the family. We all did our best by him, but he was always getting into trouble. It was like he actively pursued trouble that was in turn actively pursuing him, thus he was getting a double dose. He had had a problem with drugs a few years past, just after 3W's began to become lucrative. The Camelot nightlife was enough to destroy any young, wealthy wizard, and Fred was exactly what the devil ordered in that case. He had done almost every wizarding and Muggle drug on the market, but his greatest trouble was overcoming his love for E. With his families help, however, he kicked the habit and had been clean of drugs (except for his habit of drinking a bit too much) since. I, however, had the strange inclination that this was the return of the drugs, but I'd let my father finish before I assumed anything.

After a short pause, dad continued. "We thought that since his ordeal with drugs that he had finally settled down to a more mature, if not completely adult existence. However, we see that we were wrong. Fred brought Padma here this morning to tell her and your mother and I the truth of the past few months of his life. He has been having an affair with Fleur Delacour."

I was sure my jaw hit the table. Fleur?! What the hell had Fred been thinking? He and Padma were happy, so why was he turning to other women, or at least woman? "I don't...what about Charlie?"

Arthur was looking out the window. "Charlie doesn't know, and I'm afraid that once Fleur tells, as I'm sure she will now that she and Fred have broken off their relationship, Charlie might do something to your brother."

The sardonic laugh that escaped my lips belayed how much shit Fred was in. "Might do something? There is no doubt that Charlie will kill Fred. And Bill will probably do worse." This statement reminded me of something Hermione had said about death and expulsion all those years ago at Hogwarts, but I had no time to dwell on the memory as dad brought me out of it almost immediately.

"Exactly, which is why we can't let either of them know. If Fleur doesn't kiss and tell, then Charlie will never know. She is dumping him soon anyway, returning to Bill supposedly, so if we get out of this troubled waters we might be able to save Fred and Padma's marriage." The quotation from my father would have been amusing in any other context. It'd make an amazing tabloid entry, "The Wicked Lives of the Wanton Weasleys."

I agreed completely. I doubted that Fleur would tell Charlie. She was probably as embarrassed as Fred was, and if I knew Fleur like I assumed I did, she was doing all this in some vain attempt to keep from hooking back up with Bill. She knew that she loved him, but she didn't want to settle down. She was a man, just in the package of an extraordinarily beautiful, completely feminine woman. She had commitment issues like I had never seen, but I hoped that she would, one day, find it within her to finally settle down with the man she loved and be happy (for both her and Bill). Until that day came, however, all would be in misery and doubt. The lives of the Weasley's had become Soap Opera material if ever there was any written in the lives of families.

Thinking of Bill made me realize that I hadn't seen him today, meaning that he wasn't at the Borrow. "Where is Bill?"

The sudden change of pace seemed to catch my father of guard, but his mind reeled quickly back into place and he answered, "I'm not sure. He disappeared after the meeting yesterday and didn't return home. I'm sure he's just at a friend's home or at the Foundation or something."

The conversation died down again, and after drinking the rest of my tea I suddenly remembered why I had come to the Burrow in the first place. "I want to thank you for the house."

My dad smiled a genuine smile that reached his normally jovial eyes. "You like it?"

I smiled, the radiance of Arthur's rubbing off on me. "Yes, it's beautiful. I came by today to thank you and mum and to see if you all wanted to help me with moving in and decorating and what not. But I suppose that under the circumstances..." I stopped, leaving the rest of the statement in the air.

Arthur shook his head. "Ginny and I will be glad to help. There isn't anything I can do to stop this. Those two will listen to Molly and no one else. It's almost better if we all get out of the house and allow her to do some work on them...this is the first time I truly fear for their marriage."

I realized how severe this was. Cheating on his wife was something I could, sadly, easily see Fred doing. However I understood that Padma wouldn't and couldn't accept this or tolerate it. I didn't voice any of these thoughts though. "Ginny's here?"

Arthur nodded as he stood up. "Yes, she's in bed. She went to some glamourous party last night for her modeling friends, and she got home very late I suppose. If you could get her up and tell her where we are going I'll go tell Molly where we are going. Remember, don't tell anyone about this, not even Ginny. Unless she has been listening to our conversation, she wont' know about this." I promised to keep the Fred and Padma ordeal in secrecy. I began to say a silent prayer that those two would not break off their marriage, but who could blame Padma if she did?

I sighed as my dad walked outside to confront the battling spouses and to save his wife for a moment. I headed out of the kitchen and made my way to the stairs. I was heading up them when I heard Ginny's door close from the step I was on. "Hey Ginny! You want to come with dad and--" I stopped mid-sentence at the sight before me.

Ginny had rounded the corner in the winding stairs and behind her a bare foot guy in a pair of designer jeans stood holding his shirt in his hand. After several moments, I suddenly realized that the guy was non-other than Roger Davies. The Quidditch player and sportswear model had a chiseled chest and stunning features, but realizing the implications of him being like this in my house made me want to destroy those features. "What the hell is this!?" I yelled at the loudest whisper I could possibly muster. I remembered what dad had said, "she went to a party and got in late...she was still in bed." In bed was right.

Ginny walked past me, but Roger staid safely at his perch on the stairs above me. Ginny stopped and turned to look at him. "Get your ass down her now, Roger. Ron isn't going to do a thing, are you, Ron?"

As Roger walked by me, I realized that even if I had tried he would have killed me. "What are you doing, Ginny? Brining guys home?"

She gave me a condescending voice. "Like you didn't do the same thing." After she said it, however, she realized that I hadn't. I'd been waiting for the person whose death had driven me to solitude. "I'm sorry, Ron, it's just that."

I shook my head, trying to stop myself from tearing up. "It's okay. It's just a shock realizing how...grown up you are. You did...um." I stuttered over what I needed to say.

"Use protection? Yes we did. Both wizarding and Muggle, although fry boy here complained about the feel." It was an over share, but at least one that let me know that she was being safe. Roger didn't seem to happy about the crack at his "size" but he was still afraid to speak in front of me for fear that my calmness was only a mask for a secret rage building within me. I let him believe that truth. Ginny turned to Roger. "Put your shirt on. We have to get you out of here before Dad comes back inside." She glanced at her watch, and I realized she was wearing a 3W's watch. It was like mum's wizarding clock, except mischievous children and adolescents used it to know where their family members were in the house. Ginny was using it to make sure that dad and mum were still outback so that she could sneak Roger out the front. She turned to me as Roger slipped his skintight shirt over his rippling muscles. "Ron, please don't tell daddy. He still thinks of me as his little angel and with everything going on with Fred and Padma, I don't think this would be the best time to tell him or especially mom about this."

She immediately began to talk with Roger, and I laughed internally. Of course she knew about Fred and Padma. Ginny was a genius and the most intuitive member of our family. She had probably overheard the arguments going on, but it amazed me how maturely she was handling it. Ginny really had grown up. She was no longer my little sister, but a woman. It was kind of sad to think about, actually. I turned to Roger. "Where's your broom?"

He looked startled at the fact that I was civilly addressing him. He stammered out a reply. "It's out front in the bushes."

I nodded. "If you leave now, you should be able to get away before dad comes back inside. Ginny, dad is taking us to my new house to help me move in and set up." She nodded, and she led Roger outside. When he was gone, she returned and thanked me. "Don't worry about it...you'll just have to atone lying to dad by helping me for the rest of the day."

She smiled and I realized how much I loved my sister, no matter what she was doing. "I won't mind...besides, you'll need a woman's decorating touch. Now excuse me as I get ready." She turned around quickly and jetted up the stairs to prepare for a long day of "decorating" apparently. I followed in her wake, passing by her closed door and on up to the top of the stairs. I happened to glance out of the window at the top of the landing in time to see Roger speeding away on his broom. Shaking my head, I opened the door to my room and was immediately blinded at the bright orangeness of it all. When my eyes readjusted to the painting, I stopped in my tracks.

Lying on my bed was Bill. He was wearing nothing but a bathrobe, the top open to reveal a bandage wrapped tightly around his chest. The stark white of the bandage is contrasted by his tan skin and also by the blood that has soaked through it in the night. "Bill!" I rushed to his side and immediately began to look over him for any other injuries.

He turned and gave me a smile. "Hey, Ron. Don't worry, I'm fine. It isn't anything too horrible. Cho fixed me up after my mission last night, so all I have to do now is recover."

Mission? And he saw Cho? But when? I decided to get some answers. "What mission? When? Where?"

Bill laughed, but when he did so a grimace spread across his face and he clutched the bandage over the center of the scarlet ring of blood. "Agh...well, yesterday after the meeting I went to Harry's house and Sirius and he gave me a mission." He was at Harry's last night! They must have sent him on the mission while I was talking with Emily. "I went to Paris to steal something from the Reapers...sorry, I can't tell you what exactly, Ron." He paused, took a few breaths, and then continued. "My mission was a success, but as I was heading out of the building where this thing was being kept, I was shot."

"Shot? By a spell?" I was slightly confused.

He shook his head. "No, by one bullet in a round from an AK-47."

I sat up, shocked. "A muggle gun? You were shot by wizards?"

He nodded. "Yes. That was my second objective. Harry informed me of your meeting with Sydney and the CIA. He wanted to know how far the Covenant reached into the terrowizarding world, and apparently they reach deep. They have a hold on the weapons markets of every major organization out there. The wizards are dealing in muggle weaponry as much as they are in the development of new spells."

I sat back. The web that the world was under kept getting thicker and thicker. Sooner or later, we would be caught up in it, and would find ourselves waiting for the spider to crawl from the center and reveal itself. At the center of these threads, the terrowizards were preparing for something, and I feared they would wait until the worst possible moment to reveal their true intents. When I looked up, Bill had his eyes closed, and I thought he might have fallen asleep. I quietly began to gather some clothes and important things from my room and putting them in a large duffel bag.

As I was quietly walking out the door, one of Bill's eyes opened and then the other followed. He turned to look at me and said, "Ron, don't tell mum and dad. They would only worry, and I'll be perfectly okay. Once I heal, I'll apparate outside and 'come home' from a boring mission to Tokyo to meet with the minister of magic there or something. They don't need to be bothered. You'll do this for me, won't you?"

I stood for a second and then nodded. He rolled over after thanking me and finally dosed off. I pulled the door closed behind me and as I walked downstairs I realized that I had been the secret holder for nearly every member of my family. I was protecting Bill, Ginny, and Fred. As I got to the bottom of the stairs, Arthur and Ginny greeted me. Arthur was dressed in his "best" (and I use the word loosely) Muggle clothing: a pair of torn jeans, mismatched shoes, and a bright, floral print Hawaiian shirt that I didn't have the heart to tell him went out of style nearly a half decade ago. Ginny, however, was dressed in a pair of flare jeans, flip flops, and a slim fitting t-shirt with "Cherry's Apply Bobbing Contest: Open up and dive on down." Written across it. It took me a moment, but I decided that the shirt was built for the dirty minded and just laughed. She completed the ensemble with a pair of wide rimmed blue sunglasses. She looked the picture of a perfect college age Muggle.

Ginny was impatient, "Shall we go? I'm ready to 'fix' your apartment."

Dad and I shared a glance, and then we laughed and I said, "I suppose I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

We headed out the door, and before I closed the door I heard the sounds of Fred and Padma heading back into the house from outside. The sounds were harsh and ruined the atmosphere of the living room, but I still felt almost sad realizing that I was truly leaving my child home for good. I would be a visitor from now on.

I closed the door and stoutly followed after Ginny and Arthur as they apparated away. I, like Ginny, was finally growing up.

...to be continued in Chapter 7

Wonderwall