The Flight of the Patronus

[stoppered_death]

After Draco left, Snape warded his rooms as thoroughly as he could. This level of paranoia was, of course, business as usual for him whenever he was among other Death Eaters: no-one would remark upon security measures that would not have been out of place at Gringotts

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[shacklebolting]

The grating jangle of his mobile followed Kingsley up the stairs, and he stopped on the landing to juggle his groceries. He dropped his keys, swore under his breath, and looked around for observers. He liked his new building, but all of his neighbours were muggles.

No one was about, so he summoned his keys back to his hand; it wouldn't do to have Mr Whitterly catch him opening his door with his wand again. He finally fished the mobile out of his pocket.

"Shacklebolt here."

"Kings!"

"Regina?" Oh Christ. His first question was how his sister had found his number, as the phone was strictly for the Prime Minister and a few of his staff to reach him, but that would lead to questions about him moving and not leaving her his new address or floo designation. "Er. How are you? Staying out of trouble, I trust

[tartan_robes]

The phoenix blazed and soared, lighting the office with dazzling red and gold. Minerva had seen this Patronus countless times--how could it be, how could this Patronus fly still after Albus's death?

She almost forgot the whispered words at first, lost in the swirling questions--Who? How?--until finally she settled on a theory that calmed her mind enough that she could think clearly.

He must have chosen a successor. A protege. Or perhaps he saved someone's life in his last hours and his or her Patronus changed for that reason. Harry? Alastor? Remus?

Azkaban. Raid. Urgent. She fired her own Patronus off into the air, a majestic lion, its message a call for the Order to convene at Grimmauld Place as soon as possible. Following its shimmering form, she grabbed a broomstick and flew from the window of the tower, into the night.

[sublunarywolf]

As the great bird flew in circles above him, Remus' thoughts swirled as well. Could it be a trick? Was it possible that someone who had brewed Polyjuice using Dumbledore's hair had somehow conjured the phoenix, or someone who had taken his memories from a Pensieve? Remus had never heard of such a thing, but neither seemed more impossible than the familiar Patronus speaking a message that could very well be a trap.

Remus was on the verge of incorporating his own Patronus when another shape appeared, also familiar, summoning him to headquarters. Whether the phoenix's message was true or whether it was meant to divert them from some other crisis, they would need to act quickly. At least he knew that he was not the sole recipient of this chilling vision. As quickly as he could, he Apparated to Grimmauld Place.

[book_cleverness]

Exhausted, Hermione turned another page in her book. She mumbled the words under her breath and suddenly realised she had already read this passage before. Turning another page, she soon came to realise that she had read this page as well. Another page -- and this one too. Hermione turned the book over and nearly buried her face in her hands. She had read the entire book already. Hermione was so tired she was reading and re-reading books she had already read

[gredisfred]

Fred had just managed to get to sleep. At least it seemed that way. The wake had been successful - but draining. He was tired, sad and would soon be more than a bit hungover.

The white light that entered his room was not welcome. Fred pried one eyelid up with the utmost of effort and glared at the bird circling him. More fireworks?

"George! Bloody. Hell. I'm tired. It's late. Knock it off already!" Honestly, Fred thought angrily, he's my twin he should know when a joke is just in bad taste.

[forgeisgeorge]

George woke up with a start. Fred was yelling at him about something, but the words were getting garbled with the pounding drum that seemed to be playing inside his head. But then the light registered with him.

"Fred, what the...why in bloody hell are you setting off Whiz Bangs?"

Finally able to focus, George realized it was a phoenix emitting the light. He couldn't believe Fred was pulling something like this right now. George was dead tired and this was a most unpleasant prank.

"If you don't turn that thing off in about two seconds, I swear on Merlin's wand..."

[gredisfred]

"You swear you'll what?" Fred demanded, standing in the doorway of his brother's room. Not only had the phoenix not disappeared it seemed to be making noise. Noise that Fred could not make out over George's yelling.

"That's rich, George. First you wake me with this ridiculous prank and then you threaten me? And the fake sleeping thing? Pretty elaborate for Oh-God-Thirty in the morning. Too much Firewhiskey perhaps?" Fred was actually beginning to snicker. He was annoyed, yes, but it really was quite the joke. In bad, bad taste...

[forgeisgeorge]

"HA!! You're one to..."

George was already out of bed and just about to get into Fred's face when he heard the sounds coming from the still-luminescent phoenix.

Tonight the Death Eaters attack Azkaban.

George froze, staring at the bird. He then looked Fred straight in the eye.

"Did you hear that?" he whispered.