Into Forever

Spirits were high that night in the tent; Ron had returned, Hermione was in a better mood (though she still seemed mad at Ron) and Harry hadn’t eaten so well in months (Ron had also brought with him several helpings of food from Bill and Fleur’s). Though their stomachs were full and their hearts were lighter than they had been in a while, a heavy cloud of anxiety hung in the air.

Harry and Hermione had also heard the disastrous broadcast on PotterWatch; a month had passed, and there was still no word of PotterWatch or any of it’s hosts on the radio. Ron was, like always, lying in front of the radio, tapping the top of it with his wand and muttering under his breath. Hermione was off keeping herself preoccupied, and Harry was seated in front of the tent keeping watch when Ron called excitedly,

“I’ve got it, I’ve got it! Get in here, Harry!” Hermione had dropped the sword of Gryffindor (which she had been polishing) and had sat down beside Ron just as Harry rushed into the tent. The broadcast was just beginning.

“We apologize for our temporary absence from the airwaves, which was due to a number of house calls in our area by those charming Death Eaters.”

“Lee!” Hermione cried, clutching her chest. “He’s alive!”

“We’ve now found ourselves another secure location,” Lee said, “and I’m please to tell you that we have some fabulous news.”

“It’s good to be back, River,” Fred said, his microphone crackling to life. “I’ve been waiting four days to tell everyone the news!”

Hermione, Harry, and Ron all exchanged excited glances.

“Last Friday, February 28th, I’m pleased to tell you that Roundie gave birth to not only one, but two beautiful babies!”

Hermione gasped in excitement, tears welling in her eyes as Ron and Harry cheered.

“I’m pleased to announce that seven pound four ounce Cameron Blake and seven pound two ounce Brielle Ginevra are doing just fine.”

“I’ve just put them to bed,” Kelsey said as she came on the air, “So let’s try not to wrestle tonight, eh, boys?”

At the sound of Kelsey’s voice and the news of her new twins, Harry himself felt tears spring to his eyes.

“And not only am I the father of two adorable gingers,” Fred said, “But I proposed to Roundie, and to all of our surprises, she said yes!”

With the extra happy news, tears leaked from Hermione’s eyes; she quickly wiped them away as she said,

“Oh that’s wonderful!”

“Even I was shocked,” Kelsey admitted; in the background, the sound of a baby crying cut through the air, and a chair scraped. “I’ll be back to say goodnight, fellow listeners.” With that, Kelsey’s microphone clicked off and she could be heard rushing off towards the crying.

“And on top of that great news,” George said, giving relief to the trio that he was alive and well also, “I’m pleased to inform you that two of our regular contributors have joined me here this evening.”

“But before we hear from our guests,” Lee went on, “let’s take a moment to report those deaths that the Wizarding News and the Daily Prophet don’t want you to hear. It is with great regret that we inform our listeners of the murders of Ted Tonks and Dirk Cresswell.”

Harry felt a sick clenching of his stomach. He, Ron, and Hermione gazed at one another in horror.

“A goblin by the name of Gornuk was also killed. It is believed that muggle-born Dean Thomas and a second goblin, both believed to have been traveling with Tonks, Cresswell, and Gornuk, and they may have escaped. If Dean is listening, or if anyone has any knowledge of his whereabouts, his parents and sister are desperate for news.”

“In Gaddley, a muggle family of five has been found dead in their home. While Muggle authorities are attributing the deaths to a gas leak, the Order of the Phoenix has confirmed that it was the killing curse.”

“Listeners,” George said, sadness in his voice, “I’d like to invite you now to join us in a minute’s silence in memory of Ted Tonks, Dirk Cresswell, Gornuk, and the unnamed, but no less regretted, muggles murdered by the Death Eaters.

Silence fell, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione did not speak.

“Thank you,” said Lee’s voice. “And now we turn to regular contributor Royal for an update on how the new Wizarding order is affecting the Muggle world.”

“Thanks, River,” said Kingsley’s unmistakable deep voice.

“He’s alive!” Ron gasped.

“We know!” Hermione said, hushing him.

“What would you say, Royal, to those listeners who reply that in these dangerous times, it should be ‘Wizards first’?” Lee asked.

“I’d say that it’s one short step from ‘Wizards first’ to ‘Purebloods first’, and then to ‘Death Eaters’,” Replied Kingsley. “We’re all human, aren’t we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving.”

“Excellently put, Royal, and you’ve got my vote for Minister of Magic if ever we get out of this mess,” said Lee. “And now, over to Romulus for our popular feature ‘Pals of Potter’.”

“Thanks, River,” said another very familiar voice; Ron started to speak, but Hermione forestalled him in a whisper.

“We know Lupin’s alive!”

“Romulus, do you maintain, as you did last time you appeared, that Harry Potter is still alive?”

“I do,” said Lupin firmly. “There is no doubt at all in my mind that his death would be proclaimed as widely as possible by the Death Eaters if it had happened, because it would strike a deadly blow at the morale of those resisting the new regime. ‘The Boy Who Lived’ remains a symbol of everything for which we are fighting: the triumph of good, the power of innocence, the need to keep resisting.”

“And what would you say to Harry if you knew he was listening, Romulus?”

“I’d tell him we’re all with him in spirit,” said Lupin, then hesitated slightly. “And I’d tell him to follow his instincts, which are good and nearly always right.”

“Very well put,” Lee said enthusiastically. “And now let’s move to news concerning the wizard who is proving just as elusive as Harry Potter. We like to refer to him as He-Who-Must-Be-Renamed, and here to give his views on some of the more insane rumors circulating about him, I ‘d like to introduce one of our favorite correspondents: Rape-her.”

“Oh bloody hell,” Fred groaned. “For the last time, I’m not Rape-her, I’m Rapier!”

“Oh, all right then. Rapier, could you please give us your take on the various stories we’ve been hearing about the Dark Lord?”

“Yes, River, I can,” said Fred. “As our listeners will know, unless they’ve taken refuge at the bottom of a garden pond or somewhere similar, He-Who-Must-Be-Renamed strategy of remaining in the shadows is creative a nice little climate of panic. Mind you, if all the alleged sightings of him are genuine, we must have a good nineteen You-Know-Who’s running around the place.”

“Which suits him, of course,” Kingsley said. “The air of mystery is creating more terror than actually showing himself.”

“Agreed,” said Fred. “So, people, let’s try and calm down a bit. Things are bad enough without inventing stuff as well. For instance, tis new idea that He-Who-Must-Be-Renamed can kill with a single glance from his eyes. That’s a Basilisk, listeners. One simple test: Check whether the thing that’s glaring at you has got legs. If it has, it’s safe to look into it’s eyes.”

For the first time in weeks, Harry was laughing. He could feel the weight of tension leaving him completely.

“And the rumors that he keeps being sighted abroad?”

“Well, who wouldn’t want a nice little holiday after all the hard work he’s been putting in?” asked Fred. “Point is, people, don’t get lulled into a false sense of security, thinking he’s out of the country. Maybe he is, maybe he isn’t. but the fact remains he can move faster than Severus Snape confronted with shampoo when he wants to, so don’t count on him being a long way away if you’re planning on taking any risks. I never thought I’d hear myself say it, but safety first!”

Thank you very much for those wise words, Rapier.” said Lee. “Listeners, that brings us to the end of another PotterWatch. We don’t know when it will be possible to broadcast again, but you an be sure we shall be back.”

Fred must have retrieved Kelsey, because suddenly her voice filled the air.

“Harry, Ron, Hermione, keep up the good work. You have each other, and I know you’ll make it through this. We’ll be with you a hundred percent of the way.”

“Keep twiddling those dials,” Lee said as Kelsey’s voice faded out. “The next password will be ‘Mad-Eye”. Keep each other safe: Keep faith. Goodnight.”

The radios dial twirled and the lights behind the tuning panel went out. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were still beaming.

“Did you hear what Fred said?” Harry asked excitedly, sitting up. “He’s abroad! He’s still looking for the wand! I knew it!”

“Harry-“

Come on, Hermione, why are you so determined not to admit it? Vol-“

“HARRY, NO!”

“-demort’s after the elder wand!”

“The name’s taboo!” Ron bellowed, leaping to his feet. “I told you we can’t say it anymore! Quick, we’ve got to-“

But Ron stopped talking, and Harry knew why. The sneakoscope on the table had lit up and begun to spin. Outside, rough, excited voices grew nearer.

“Come out of there with your hands up!” came a rasping voice through the darkness. “We know you’re in there!”