black and white ✰ g.w.

CHAPTER ONE

Almost four weeks after Dumbledore's funeral, the Wizarding world was as dangerous as ever. The Order of the Phoenix decided they could no longer trust the Ministry of Magic (not that they ever fully did) as they suspected it had been infiltrated to some degree by the Dark side. There had been another breakout from Azkaban, in which Lucius Malfoy and Olivia's own estranged father had gotten out, among others.

Despite the ever darkening world, there had been some light. Remus and Tonks had gotten married just weeks after having announced that they were together. They had had a small wedding that Tonks's parents, Remus's father, and the Order had attended. Now they had Bill and Fleur's wedding in just five days time, and after that, George and Olivia would be planning their own wedding.

The end of the month of July was approaching, which meant that Harry's 17th birthday was also coming up. Normally, this would be an occasion worth celebrating, but given that this was Harry Potter, the celebration would have to wait. Harry coming of age meant that the protective charm that was placed upon him when his mother sacrificed her life for his would no longer be effective. Voldemort knew this and also knew where Harry's aunt and uncle's house (where Harry had lived since he was a year old) was, meaning that he would surely come to kill Harry the moment he turned 17. So, the Order had to come up with a plan to get Harry and his remaining family to safety before then.

Four days before Harry's birthday, his aunt, uncle, and cousin would be moved far away from their home in Surrey and given the best protection the Order could give them so that Voldemort would not be able to find them and torture them for information on his whereabouts. Then, a select group of Order members would Apparate to the house to collect Harry and bring him to the Burrow, which was also given top-notch protection. Although, they would not be able to travel with Harry using Apparition or the Floo Network, as Harry would still have the Trace charm on him, meaning if anyone performed magic in or around that house, Harry would surely get in huge trouble with the Ministry, and the Floo Network was also being monitored by the Ministry. And seeing as the Ministry had surely been infiltrated by the Dark side, if they were aware of Harry being moved at all, Voldemort would surely be informed, putting Harry and everyone helping him in grave danger.

The plan was for eighteen people (Hagrid, Hermione, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Ron, Tonks, George, Remus, Fred, Arthur, Fleur, Bill, Mundungus Fletcher, Alastor Moody, Faustus, David, Blair, and Henry) to go to retrieve Harry; eight of these people would take Polyjuice Potion to disguise themselves as Harry, so that if Death Eaters happened to find out about their plan, they would not be able to identify the real Harry.

The group would be using broomsticks, Thestrals, and a flying motorbike (which would be used by Hagrid and the real Harry) to travel back to the Burrow. They would be flying in pairs, and each pair would be going to a different safehouse before eventually taking a Portkey back to the Burrow.

Everyone involved knew that it was a dangerous plan that had the potential to end very badly, but they were all prepared to take the risk, not only because they cared greatly for Harry, but for the Wizarding world as a whole, which would not survive this war without him.

As an extra precaution, a false date was leaked, saying that Harry would be moved to a safe location the day before his birthday instead of four days before his birthday. The Order was only left to hope that the Death Eaters would take the bait.

Fred, George, and Olivia were supposed to be leaving their flat to meet the Order and Olivia's family at the Burrow before those designated to collect Harry would go to do so, but before they left, Olivia picked up her cat, Athena.

"We'll be going now, so you're going to have the place to yourself for a bit, but we'll be back soon, so don't get into too much trouble," she told the cat. "And that includes scratching at the furniture. You've really got to stop that, love. That shite is expensive." She set Athena down and almost immediately, the little feline took off, only a flash of black and white visible once she rounded a corner.

"We can easily fix the furniture with magic, you know. We're not completely helpless," said George, leaning against the doorframe of their bedroom.

"Don't tell her that. If she knows we can make the furniture as good as new with a flick of our wands, she has no reason not to tear it up. That's not a very good idea to instill in a cat, George."

"She's a cat, Liv, I don't think she can understand what we're saying."

"She might not now, but she'll certainly learn."

"Whatever you say, darling."

"You two talk about that cat as if she's a child," said Fred, joining in on the conversation.

"Cats, children," said Olivia, "what's the difference, really? Now, come on, we can't be late for this." She slipped between the two of them and began to leave the flat.

Fred looked at his brother with a confused expression, and George just shrugged in response before following his fiancé.

The three Disapparated outside of the shop and appeared in front of the Burrow at the same time as the Order and Olivia's family. Everyone went inside the house, and Moody and David made sure that everybody was there before going over the plan one last time to make sure everyone understood completely.

Those that were staying behind took this time to say goodbye to those who were leaving, so Olivia pulled George into a hug.

"You're not allowed to get hurt, do you understand?" she said, struggling to keep her voice steady as she had a really bad feeling about the whole thing.

"I'll try my best, love," he told her, kissing her forehead.

"That goes for you too," Olivia said to Fred as she and George pulled away.

"You realize that's not really up to me," he reasoned.

"Weasley."

"Fine. I won't get hurt."

"Exactly." Olivia turned to Faustus, who happened to be standing near her. "You too. Be careful out there."

Faustus just gave her a look that said 'I can try.'

[word count: 1099]
[written: 10/23/20]
[published: 10/23/20]