The Safe Wizards

36: The Plan

When Harry arrived home, he found that the treatment were almost complete. Andromeda and Carlisle were still at Draco's side, but they seemed to be watching him now. George was asleep on the couch, his shoulder bandaged. Percy, with his right hand bandaged, and Bill were looking after Arthur. Fleur was examining Ron while Hermione was sitting in an armchair, Edward at her side. The telepath gave him an indescribable look and Harry felt that he was trying to break through his occlumency barriers.

"Ask me or go to Jasper if you want to know something," the wizard growled, not happy with the attempted intrusion.

Edward got up without a word and left the house. Harry didn't mind and went to his best friend's side and hugged her.

"How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, Fleur took care of me. Harry...Charlie..."

She was cut off by Bill who joined them, his gaze closed.

"Charlie's alive, imprisoned at the ministry," Harry whispered to the two beside him.

"Harry, George described Charlie's behavior to me..." Bill began, trying to control his anger.

"I chose Jasper," the dark-haired man cut him off, knowing full well what the eldest Weasley was getting at.

"If they give him veritaserum, they'll come here and to you, Bill. They're after you too," Hermione announced, cutting short the embryonic argument.

"Didn't you have time to obliviate him?"

"No... I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I'll go get it."

"I'll come with you," said Hermione, Bill and Ron who had just joined them.

"Bill, you can't come," Ron began, "they'll hunt you down as soon as you set foot in the territory."

"And you won't?"

"We're used to being hunted, don't worry about us, we'll get him out," Harry assured him.

Bill was about to argue, but Fleur put her hand on his shoulder. They exchanged a long look, then the spellbreaker huffed, nodding in the direction of the youngers. Harry was about to resume his conversation with his friends, when Andromeda called to him. All three of them joined her.

"Potter," Malfoy breathed out painfully, having regained consciousness.

"I understood we owe you a lot on this one, Malfoy."

"I had a debt..." he huffed. "Surprised conversation. No hesitation."

"Thanks, you risked a lot."

"Potter, my mother..."

"I'll tell her you're alive."

"Yes, but... she... bring you in... ministry."

"Thank you Draco, get some rest."

The golden trio walked away with the idea of planning their intervention. They were about to go up to Harry's room when the front door opened to Edward and Jasper. Bill stood up, tense, staring at the man who had caused his brother's misfortune. The empath stopped dead in his tracks, struck by so much resentment from someone he didn't know. Edward, however, quickly told him the reason for the redhead's anger. Harry rushed between them, more worried about Bill's reaction than Jasper's, he could see that his companion was in control.

"Bill, Jasper is not your enemy, quite the contrary, so put away your grudge," Harry interjected.

It was Fleur again who calmed her husband by taking him by the hand.