The Safe Wizards

41: Fighting

They had to slow down when they reached the Great Hall because a dense crowd had gathered there. In the center Ron, Hermione and Charlie were explaining what the Ministry had done, wands out. Harry realized that everything was not going as he had hoped. He climbed down from Jasper's back and conjured up a pair of dark glasses.

"Vampires haven't been getting much press lately," he explained to his companion's questioning look. Stay with me, it's going to get bumpy."

They made their way through the crowd, whispers rising as they passed. Everyone whispered his name in amazement. Jasper scanned their emotions, most were relieved to see Harry, many were curious, and a few were disgusted to see their hands tied, but overall no one seemed to want to hurt them.

They barely had time to get to the center of the crowd when several people shouted the Survivor's name as they ran towards them. Jasper tensed up, ready to defend his companion, although he did not sense any animosity from the three people coming up. The joy Harry felt when he recognized Luna, Neville and Seamus convinced him that there was no danger. The young blonde woman jumped into the dark-haired man's arms, causing Jasper to grunt slightly, but Harry's feelings told him not to worry. The two young men greeted the other wizards warmly, then Jasper with a handshake before they could greet the dark-haired man in turn. Luna gently hugged her friends from school as well as Charlie, then gave the vampire a peck on the cheek.

"Trust in magic, your path will be lit by the moon forever," she whispered to him.

Jasper looked at her surprised, not really knowing how to take those words, but he had better things to do now, murmurs were rising from the crowd.

"These are the heroes of the Battle of Hogwarts."

"They're almost all wanted by the Ministry. "

"The papers said Potter was either dead or kidnapped by a vampire."

Just as he was about to share what he was hearing with his companion, Harry threw a sonorus at himself and addressed the crowd.

"I suppose you're as surprised as my friends here to see me here, or to see what state Charlie, Ron or Hermione are in. You were told that I was attacked by a vampire, that is not true, the only one who attacked me and my godson Teddy was Minister Gestand. You were told that I was a prisoner, that is not true, I was hiding so that my godson could grow up safely."

A rumble rose up in the crowd and snatched a smile from Jasper. Obviously these people didn't like their Savior being touched. Harry, on the other hand, was very uncomfortable, hating to speak in public like this. Jasper sent him waves of calm that allowed him to resume.

"Gestand hates magical creatures so much that he wants to exterminate them all. In order to find Bill Weasley who was injured by Greyback during the war and to find me, he blew up the Weasley house. He killed Molly and Ginny Weasley in cold blood just to find us."

The crowd stirred again, but this time the comments were negative. Some people shouted for Harry to hear their words.

"LIAR!"

"Who dares to call Harry a liar again?" exclaimed Ron.

"Haven't you learned anything from the past?" continued Neville. "Four years ago, Harry announced the return of Voldemort and you all called him a liar. Who was lying in the end? Fudge! Harry never lied about that!"

"Today my mother and my little sister are dead because of a minister who makes us fear our shadow!"

"Do you want to spend your life in fear of..."

Seamus was interrupted by the arrival of Gestand and his government.

"Mr. Potter, I see you are working hard to tarnish my image!" the minister began.