Splintered Flames

Chapter 2

'Get moving girls - F and G'

Lyra gulped and looked at me with worry, though it was a message from our boyfriends (well, her boyfriend and my complication), this meant that the war was officially starting and we needed to get ready. "I guess this is it..." Lyra laughed nervously as I pulled my suitcase out from the cupboard. "So, what are you taking and what am I keeping?"

"I'm taking my wand and that's it, so everything else can go." I replied doing up my suitcase and sliding my wand into my pocket. I then turn to Lyra and we just hugged, this plan was that I would head to Harry's and Lyra would head to the burrow. It was because of the trace that was on both of us, Lyra wasn't 17 yet and wouldn't be until the day after me.

"Stay safe... okay? Promise me you'll be safe." She ordered to which I simply replied with a nod. "See you soon I guess..." Lyra held onto our stuff and the letter from Fred and George before she vanished. The letter had been a porkey for her to take.

Pausing for a moment, I look around the motel room before flicking the lights off and walking out of the door. "Where on earth is the bus station?"

* * *

After an eventful bus journey (including 5 drunk men, one screaming baby and a 'I don't even wanna know'), I finally arrived at Privet Drive and started walking down the street to Harry's house. His was number four, at least I think so...

Since last year I broke into the house and received varying responses, I decided to knock on the door this time round. I didn't have to wait long until Harry's face appeared around the doorway with a wide smile. "Honey Bee!" He sounded relieved and exhaled when he pulled me into a hug.

"It's good to see you too Harry." I replied incredibly confused before it snapped in my head. "He's changed his mind hasn't he?" Harry only nodded and led me into the living room where Vernon was pacing.

"You claim," said Uncle Vernon, starting to pace yet again, "that this Lord Thing -"

"- Voldemort," said Harry impatiently, "and we've been through this about a hundred times already. This isn't a claim, it's fact. Dumbledore told you last year, and Kingsley and Mr. Weasley-" Vernon Dursley hunched his shoulders angrily. "- Kingsley and Mr. Weasley explained it all as well," Harry pressed on remorselessly, "Once we're seventeen, the protective charm that keeps us safe will break which means Melissa will also be affected, and that exposes you as well as me. The Order is sure Voldemort will target you, whether to torture you to try and find out where we are, or because he thinks by holding you hostage I'd come and try to rescue you."

Vernon's and Harry's eyes met. I was sure that in that instant they were both wondering the same thing. Then Vernon walked on and Harry resumed, "You've got to go into hiding and the Order wants to help. You're being offered serious protection, the best there is."

Vernon said nothing but continued to pace up and down. Outside the sun hung low over the privet hedges. The next door neighbor's lawn mower stalled again.

"I thought there was a Ministry of Magic?" asked Vernon Dursley abruptly.

"There is," I said, surprised.

"Well, then, why can't they protect us? It seems to me that, as innocent victims, guilty of nothing more than harboring a marked man, we ought to qualify for government protection!"

I laughed; I could not help myself. "You heard what Mr. Weasley and Kingsley said," Harry replied. "We think the Ministry has been infiltrated."

Vernon strode back to the fireplace and back breathing so strongly that his great black mustache rippled his face still purple with concentration.