The Last Command

Petunia's scream drew Harry out of his room and down the stairs as fast as he could go. He found her in the kitchen with Hermione trying to calm her down as a large brown owl attacked Ron anytime he got too close. It wasn't until Ron finally stopped going toward the thing that Harry noticed it had a package.

"Find out what it has," Hermione hissed at Harry.

He approached the owl and was shocked when it let him take the package, which was clearly addressed to him. As soon as he had it, the bird flew out the window that it had apparently come in.

Harry had started to open the package when Hermione grabbed it from him. She yelped and dropped it. "It shocked me!" she cried.

"I get the feeling that I am the one it wants," Harry said, gesturing toward the open window.

"Harry, you can't just open it! What if it's cursed?"

Ron nodded his head in agreement.

Harry placed it on the table, while Petunia watched the scene in amazement. "I don't think anything cursed could get to me here, at least not until I come of age. Hermione, can you run a Dark Art's detection spell on it?" he said.

Hermione took out her wand and waved it over the box. She gasped in surprise as a pale blue smoke rose up from the package. "I don't think it's supposed to do that!" she said in surprise.

"No! Look!" Ron pointed to the smoke, which was quite clearly forming into words:

TO: Harry Potter FROM: Minerva McGonagall Open Immediately

Harry quickly grabbed the package and started to open it again.

"Harry, really, that could be from anyone..."

"Hermione, did you find any curses or hexes on it other than the ones keeping you from opening it?"

"Well... no, but that doesn't mean..."

"I'm not going to be so paranoid as to not open my own mail. This could be important," he said as he tore the package open.

Inside were a blank piece of parchment, a red quill, a letter, and a coin that looked almost like a sickle. He picked up the letter, and sighed in relief as he recognized McGonagall's handwriting. He read the letter aloud to his friends:

"Mr. Potter,

I feel we have some things that need to be discussed as soon as possible. I have included a sheet of communication parchment and quill. At exactly 9 P.M. I will contact you. Be prepared to answer a question only you would know; in turn, be prepared to ask one that only I would know.

Sincerely, Headmistress Minerva McGonagall"

Ron had picked up the blank parchment and quill and was holding them with more reverence than he had when he first saw Harry's invisibility cloak. "Harry, do you know what this is worth? The spell used to make it was lost over two hundred years ago. No wonder it was hexed to zap anyone but you!"

"What's it do exactly?" Harry asked curiously.

"Communication parchment writes on two parchments at once. It only works with that quill, so don't lose it. You write on that one, and another one that McGonagall has will show what you write as you write it. It's really ingenious. However, both people need to be at the parchment, because the writing disappears after a few minutes," Hermione explained while examining the parchment. "I never thought I'd actually get to see some." But Harry was already trying to think of something to ask McGonagall.

As nine o'clock neared, Harry kept looking at the parchment. Ron and Hermione were sitting on his bed together talking in hushed tones. "Come over here; she's writing," he said as he saw words appear. The two rushed over and read over his shoulder.

Mr. Potter?

Yes.

Good. Just to be sure... Who did I get out of class for you during your first year?

Harry thought back to that day and smiled.

Oliver Wood. During my fifth year, I was given detention. What did you offer me when you found out?

Biscuits. I'm glad my package was received; sorry about the extra precautions, but I'm sure you understand.

Yeah, no problem. Professor, is this completely secure?

Of course, Mr. Potter. I have some new information that I would never transmit in any way that isn't secure.

Harry looked down at the parchment, and was surprised that the first few lines were already disappearing. No chance of anyone getting a hold of it.

You'll be pleased to know that Headmaster Dumbledore's portrait has decided to speak. Although, he seems rather adamant about only doing it when I am alone in the room. Very strange. He has, however, informed me of matters of some importance regarding what you saw the night he passed.

"That's one way to put it. He was murdered," said Harry aloud. Hermione and Ron both jumped and Harry wrote, If it's to say that Snape is innocent, check the portrait for Befuddlement Charms.

Now, Mr. Potter, no need for that. Prof. Dumbledore assures me that he is aware of what happened; he is also quite insistent that whatever it may look like to you, Severus did nothing without Prof. Dumbledore's blessing. I have also recently received a communication from Severus, and he is continuing to work as a spy.

What!? But Harry was already thinking back to the letter he had gotten from Dumbledore. "Trust Professor Snape."

Mr. Potter! What have I told you about keeping your head on your shoulders? Severus has since contacted me, and has news of a planned Death Eater attack. One at which You-Know-Who is most likely to be present.

Where?

Bill Weasley's wedding. STOP Mr. Potter. I have already informed the Weasleys and the necessary Order members and Aurors.

Snape told you about it?

Yes. I daresay he'll be far more useful now. No one will dare question his loyalty after... McGonagall paused, and Harry stepped in.

I know. What can I do to help?

How have your studies been going? Miss Granger has, I'm sure, found many books to help you.

Yes, but I think we need a teacher to help us more than books can. I know a bit from doing the D.A., but wordless magic is still out of reach.

After the upcoming wedding, I'm sure I'll be able to help. Hogwarts will be closing next year, but there are enough ancient protections there that I think you will do well to take lessons. I know you have already contacted Remus Lupin. I also think Prof. Flitwick can be of great assistance. Now, back to the wedding. I don't suppose I can persuade you not to attend.

NO!

Relax, Mr. Potter, let me finish. Since you will be attending, I want to make sure that you stay with Mr. Lupin and at least one Auror at all times. Ms. Tonks would be a logical choice. Also, keep your friends with you. If you see Prof... I mean Mr. Snape while you are there, do not treat him in any way that would let on he's still spying.

I don't think that will be a problem.

No, I don't suppose it will be. I gave you a coin that will tell you when to next look at this parchment. Brilliant idea that Miss Granger had. Do not lose it. Mr. Potter, I look forward to writing with you again soon.

Thanks, Headmistress. Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Harry sat back and thought over all that was said. No, it would certainly not be a problem to act as if he hated Snape. He looked up at his friends. Hermione had gone white, and Ron was seething.

"How can she trust that... that... MURDERER?"

"Honestly, Harry, I'm not sure you should trust him. We still don't know for sure that this is McGonagall, or that she isn't acting under Imperius... or..."

Harry didn't think that he should share his letter from Dumbledore quite yet. "It won't hurt to add security to Bill's wedding. We need to be prepared always. As for trusting Snape, I don't. But if what he told McGonagall is true, than he is at least giving valuable information to us. We should use it until that is no longer the case."

Ron stared at him open mouthed. "I can't believe you said that. It was positively... Slytherin."

"No. It's how we're going to have to think to win this war."

Ron's mouth snapped shut. Harry smiled at his friends. "We will win this. Let's start planning for this wedding."

When Harry, Ron, and Hermione arrived at the burrow, all three were shocked to see how normal everything was. Well, as normal as any place gets days before a wedding. Mrs. Weasley was at the front door, barking orders to everyone within earshot.

"Oh, good, you're here." She pulled Harry into a hug, and then gave Ron a kiss. "I'll find out about your stay with the Dursleys tonight. Right now, please go help set up chairs." She pointed them toward where the twins were placing rows of chairs.

"Harry, Hermione, it's not too late. Run away!" Fred greeted them.

"I can't believe she's already enlisted you; you've been here how long? Five minutes?" George smiled.

Harry shrugged and had started to help with the chairs when Hermione laughed. "Oh, honestly!" She took out her wand and sat down. "Wingardium Leviosa," said she, and one after another the chairs flew to their rightful spots.

Fred and George looked dismayed. "What'd you do that for, Hermione? Next thing you know, she'll be out here again, giving us a much harder job. Or, if possible, one even more boring," Fred said, sighing.

Slowly, the five of them made their way back into the house. As they walked in, Harry heard a conversation going on in very rapid French. He distinctly heard his name.

" 'Arry, you remember my seester, Gabrielle." Fleur saw them, and came into the room. Gabrielle started to hide behind her sister, but Fleur pulled her out. "Oh, don't be silly, Gabrielle. You 'av been talking about 'im since ze second task!"

Gabrielle blushed furiously, but started talking to Harry in English just as quickly as she had been speaking to Fleur in French the moment before. "'Arry, remember when you rescued me? I tell all my friends. It was ze most exciting zing to ever 'appen." She had a heavy accent, and it took Harry a minute to work out what she had said.

"Er... yeah."

"'Arry, I'll 'elp you. What are you doing next? I want to 'elp!"

Just then Mrs. Weasley came in. "What are you all doing standing around? There's too much to do. The garden hasn't even been de-gnomed. Plus, this house has to be cleaned from top to bottom. Decorations need to be made and hung... What are you doing standing around? Find a job and DO IT!"

Harry spoke up first, "I'll de-gnome the garden."

"I will too!" Gabrielle piped up.

"Ron and I can make decorations," Hermione said, giving Harry an apologetic look.

"Great! Fred, George, come and start the cleaning."

Harry went out to the garden with Gabrielle, and he listened to her chatter while the two of them chased the gnomes from the garden.

Finally the wedding day came, much to everyone's relief. Mrs. Weasley was close to a nervous breakdown. Aurors and Order members came and checked and recast wards. Fleur had become insufferable again in her insistence that everything be absolutely perfect. Poor Harry had been left to deal with a very clingy Gabrielle in the meantime.

In the end, it was worth it. Fleur wore an absolutely beautiful robe, her hair almost melting into the fabric. Harry and Hermione sat in the second row, flanked by Tonks and Remus. Behind Harry sat Moody, and a half a dozen other Aurors were scattered in the seats. Even knowing that an attack was likely, Harry felt much better with the knowledge that they were there.

Fleur walked gracefully down the aisle, accompanied by her father. He handed her to Bill, who could hardly contain his glee at having this moment finally arrive. McGonagall, who was officiating, was making the ceremony painfully long.

When it came time for the vows, Fleur answered without any delay. Bill, however, was fighting back tears. He had just gotten the words out when a ball of flames started rolling toward the bride and groom.

Charlie was the first one to react, dousing water on the fire before anyone could come to harm. But the fire was only the beginning. A pop sounded to Harry's right, and he turned to see a Death Eater fire a hex at Hermione. He pushed her out of the way, ducking under it.

Now the pops of people Apparating were being drowned out by the cries of people throwing spells--and being hit. Remus had Harry's arm, and was dragging him toward Hagrid. Hermione was running next to them, trying to keep up.

"Hagrid, keep Harry safe. I need to help..." Remus started, before Hagrid cut him off.

"Not a problem, go!" Hagrid turned to Harry. "Now, let's get yeh out o' 'ere, shall we?"

"No! I've got to help."

"Harry, now's not the time to worry about that. Let's go."

But then, Harry heard a familiar voice behind him.

"Why, hello, Mr. Potter. Didn't think I'd be seeing you so soon."

Snape. Harry turned around, wand clenched in his fist. He was vaguely aware of Hermione telling him to get out of there, but all of his attention was focused on that one man. Seething, he stared at him. "Petri..."

With a flick of Snape's wand, Harry's wand was flying through the air away from him. "Potter, I really do not have time to do this again." Snape sounded bored.

Hermione grabbed Harry's wand, and was pushing it back into his hand. "Harry, we have to go," she hissed in his ear.

"Here's the great and powerful Potter. The Chosen One... and I can see right through you."

Harry tried once again to cast a curse at Snape, but it was thrown off before he had even started the incantation. Pain was starting to build up behind his scar, and Hermione was pleading with him to go.

"That's right, Potter, listen to the Mudblood; run away," Snape sneered.

Harry decided, for once in his life, not to question an order given to him by Snape. He grabbed Hagrid and the three of them Apparated away.