The Last Command

Harry, Hagrid and Hermione returned to the Burrow before dawn the next day. All three were shocked at what they saw. Fires were still being put out. Harry did a quick headcount, trying to find all the redheads he could, but it was still too dark to see much. He spotted gleaming sliver-blond hair and realized he found Fleur. She was being held up by Bill, who was slowly rocking her back and forth.

Ron came up to them and, after assuring himself that they were fine, started to give them the casualty list. "Fred was hit in the leg with a bone-breaking curse, he's at St. Mungo's. Two Aurors were killed." Harry looked at Fleur, and realized she couldn't be that upset over simply having her wedding ruined. Ron spoke softly, "You-Know-Who killed Gabrielle. He said... he said that since you weren't there, he'd take the youngest person he could find as a message."

Harry gasped and covered his mouth, trying not to be sick. He was unsuccessful, and Hermione looked decidedly green when he regained control of himself. His two friends helped him into the kitchen, and Ron brought him a glass of water. He washed the taste from his mouth, but still couldn't quite bring himself to speak. He took a deep breath and steadied himself.

Fixing his glare out the window at a point beyond the horizon, he started to speak, "Voldemort must die. This has gone on long enough. She was a child. Only a monster would kill a child." He lowered his voice, "I have to get a hold of Snape."

Hermione just nodded. Ron started to open his mouth, but Hermione elbowed him and he wisely shut it. They sat in silence for a minute, but soon a screech owl flew into the room with a note addressed to Harry.

Dear Mr. Potter,

We have received intelligence that you Apparated without a license last evening at eight forty-two.

As you know, Apparation licenses are issued during any of the scheduled testing dates, the next being August 31 of this year. Any further attempts at Apparating before obtaining the appropriate license will result in fines and possible magic-binding.

Remember, Apparating without a license is not only illegal, it's dangerous.

Mafalda Hopkirk
IMPROPER USE OF MAGIC OFFICE
Ministry of Magic

"This has to be a joke," said Harry, as he handed the letter to Ron and Hermione.

Hermione rolled her eyes, and Ron snorted. "Apparating without a license is not only illegal, it's dangerous," he mimicked. "As if you were sitting around waiting for a chance to violate the law! Honestly, Harry, you should write the Ministry and give them a piece of your mind!"

Harry agreed and grabbed a quill and parchment. Just as he was about to start writing, there was a flash of flame, and Fawkes was in front of him with a letter.

Mr. Potter,

I had thought that perhaps you had at least learned some control during your absence from school. After our confrontation last night, I see I was sorely mistaken. Contact me through Fawkes to arrange lessons.

Severus Snape

As soon as he completed reading the letter, it burst into flames. He yelped and dropped it. Taking the parchment he was previously going to use to write to the Ministry, he quickly scribbled a note.

Mr. Snape,

Name a time and place, and I'll be there.

Harry Potter

He tied the note to Fawkes's leg, and the bird flashed out of existence.

"What was that about Harry?" Ron asked.

"Snape wants to meet me."

Hermione said, "If Fawkes trusts him, I don't think you have much of a choice."

"I know, I told him to tell me when and where. But damned if I'm going without an escape available. I have to be able to Apparate." He picked up the quill, and started to write.

Dear Minister Scrimgeour,

I'm sure you are aware of the situation involving my illegal Apparation last night. I would like to request a hold on any future prosecution involving any further Apparating I may do. I am involved with things directly relating to the destruction of Voldemort, and as such, I'm sure the Ministry will understand that exceptions must be made..

Thank you,
Harry Potter

He handed the note to Hermione, who nodded approvingly. Ron read it over as well and said, "No way can they deny you that!"

Harry called for Hedwig, tied the note to her foot, and told her to take it directly to Minister Scrimgeour. Hedwig hooted, and flew from the house.

They spent the rest of the morning helping clean up. Fleur was, understandably, a wreck. Bill was never far from her, and he held her up whenever she burst into tears.

At one point, Mrs. Weasley gave her a calming draught and helped her to lie down on the couch. Harry turned from the scene, feeling guilty and helpless. It must have shown on his face, because Bill took him aside, and told him that no one blamed him for what happened, not even Fleur. Harry had to admit that made him feel better.

Shortly after noon, Hedwig returned with a letter for Harry.

Dear Mr. Potter,

I am afraid I must turn down your request for the rules not to apply to you. Whatever you feel must be done, can, I'm sure, be accomplished while working through the proper Ministry channels. Of course, if you wish to change your position on where you stand with the Ministry, I'm sure something could be arranged.

Sincerely,
Rufus Scrimgeour

Minister of Magic

After reading the letter aloud to Hermione and Ron, Harry smirked. "Fine, he wants to play that game. Let's play it. Hermione, hand me a sheet of parchment, please."

Not knowing what he was up to, Hermione retrieved the parchment for him.

Dear Miss Skeeter,

How would you feel about having an exclusive interview?

Harry Potter

Hermione looked over his shoulder and stifled a giggle. Ron wasn't quite as polite. "Brilliant, Harry!"

Harry tied the note to Hedwig's leg, and sent her to find Rita Skeeter.

A letter arrived for Harry first thing the next morning.

Dear Mr. Potter,

I would love an interview. Are you available this evening? Everyone is curious about what happened at the wedding, but no one present is willing to talk. Please, tell me where we can meet.

Thank you for this opportunity,
Rita Skeeter

Harry apologized to Hedwig, and tied a quick response with his location to her leg. "One more trip, then you can have an entire bag of Owl Treats," he said, while petting her head.

Hedwig gave a soft hoot in response, and then took off.

Fleur was faring slightly better. She came to Harry and asked him to attend the funeral, saying that Gabrielle would have liked that. Then she erupted into tears, again. Harry held her awkwardly until her husband pulled her into his arms, thanking Harry.

Harry once again swallowed his guilt and turned away.

He took out the fake sickle in his pocket and fiddled with it. He looked at the date and time printed on it, and realized that McGonagall wanted to speak with him in an hour. He got up from his chair and found Ron and Hermione. He gestured for them to come to Ron's room where they could have some privacy while they waited for McGonagall to write.

Mr. Potter, are you there?

Yes, Professor.

Good, are you unharmed after the events of the other day?

Yes.

I'm glad to hear it. Have you communicated with Mr. Snape at all? You realize, now, how important it is you do so.

Yes, Snape contacted me, and I told him I would meet with him. But I haven't heard back yet.

That's fine. I have a place for you to use for your lessons. I will contact Mr. Snape with the place so you and he can arrange lessons.

How will I know where it is?

I have taken the liberty of informing Mr. Lupin. He will escort you; just send him an owl with the time and date.

Okay.

Mr. Potter, please give my regrets to the Delacours. I cannot, however, attend the funeral.

All right. Anything else?

I believe that is all. Mr. Lupin will contact me when you have your first lesson arranged. Until next time, Mr. Potter.

Until next time.

"Harry, I still don't think you should be meeting with Snape, no matter what Fawkes and McGonagall think. I mean, it's Snape," Ron commented.

"Ron, honestly, Harry is perfectly fine. Besides, Remus will be with him."

"Yeah, I know..." Ron prattled on, but Harry had already tuned out their bickering.

Rita Skeeter arrived that evening as promised. "What do you need me to do this time?" she asked, not quite politely.

"Come in, sit down on the couch; would you like something to drink?" Harry responded, guiding her inside.

She accepted the drink then repeated her earlier question.

"Nothing but the truth. Like last time. The Ministry wants to play games, and I'll play along, but I'm not going to play fair."

"Well, it seems as if you're finally growing up!" She was obviously delighted; this interview would be front-page material.

"There are a few things that absolutely have to get in; after that, I'll let you ask whatever you want."

"Love life?"

Harry snorted. "What love life?"

"Well, that's pretty boring. Okay, what is the Ministry up to?"

"That would be the thing I want to get out first. As you know, I am involved with this war on Voldemort. However, the Ministry has decided to make it exceedingly difficult for me to do my part. Is there any chance you can make it so that there could be more... pressure... for them to allow me to do what needs to be done?"

Rita had a disturbing gleam in her eye. "Why of course, Harry, that shouldn't be too hard at all." Her quill was writing like mad on the parchment. "So, does this mean you are, indeed, 'The Chosen One'?"

Harry had prepared himself for this question. "I can't say. All I can say is this, I am involved in this war, whether I, the Ministry, or Voldemort like it or not."

"Very good, do you think the Ministry isn't doing enough? They've had many arrests lately."

"The Ministry is making arrests to make itself feel better and to look better for the public. Many of the people arrested are not Death Eaters. Many have been under Imperious. Fifteen years ago, they mistakenly arrested Sirius Black, and wrongly took away his freedom. They should not repeat that mistake again with anyone simply for show."

"That's quite an accusation, Harry. Do you have any proof?"

"None, other than what Dumbledore told me and my gut feeling on some of the names I've seen in the paper."

"How do you feel about the death of the Delacour girl? You saved her during the Triwizard Tournament, did you not?"

"I'm very sad, and the Delacours have my condolences, both in private and here. She was never in any true danger during the tournament, but I did pull her out of the water during the second task. She was far too young to die." Harry stopped and took in a deep breath. "Far too young."

"So, no love life? You aren't with Miss Know-it-All?"

Harry rolled his eyes at the change in subject matter. "No love life to speak of. And I have never been with Hermione."

"Like I said, that's pretty boring. Any public appearances coming up?"

"No."

"Anything else you want to say to your adoring fans?"

He sighed. "No, I think that's it."

"Great then, I think I can have this printed by tomorrow. Good luck, Harry. And thank you."

"No, thank you. I really appreciate it."

She put her quill and pad into her purse, Harry led her to the door, and she left without another word.

"You guys can come in now," he called over to the doorway where he knew Ron and Hermione had been listening in.

"That was brilliant, Harry. The ministry's not going to know what hit them!" Ron exclaimed.

Hermione was about to congratulate him too, when the smell of smoke alerted them to Fawkes's presence. Harry took the letter Fawkes had and read to his friends:

Mr. Potter,

Tomorrow morning meet me at ten to begin our tutoring sessions. Leave your friends at home, as I have no desire to see or speak with either one of them.

Severus Snape

Whatever excitement he had felt before over the article was quickly replaced with a sick feeling deep in his stomach.

He got Hedwig and quickly wrote to Remus. He had written it out once, before he realized that it wouldn't be wise to mention Snape. In the end, he decided vague was best.

Remus,

Lessons start tomorrow at ten. Can you get me?

Harry

He gave Hedwig a treat and sent her off into the night.