Chapter 296 - Keep Safe

"Miss Norton, you are always been found in places where you have no business at all," said Scrimgeour coldly. "First, in Triwizard Tournament then, at the Ministry last year and now, here. So, I will advise you to stay away from other people's business. Also, I would not expect a fifteen years old girl to understand why I did the things I did. These are dangerous times, and certain measures need to be taken."

Chris shook her head smiling.

"Unfortunately, you still don't understand, Sir," she said. "Dumbledore or Harry or me, we aren't working against you. We all are working towards the same goal as the Ministry. We also want to defeat Voldemort and Malgino." 

Scrimgeour looked a little surprised hearing the name of Voldemort but didn't speak.

"When me, Cedric and Harry returned with the news of Voldemort, Dumbledore tried to tell Fudge about the essential steps he should take as the Minister but he refused because he was too keen to keep his power and position," Chris continued. "And now, you are trying to make things look like everything is the Ministry's doing. You want Harry to be with the Ministry to give people assurance that everything is under control of the Ministry. They are working. You are working."

Scrimgeour opened his mouth angrily but Chris stopped him.

"I don't deny that you are working," she said in a matter of fact tone. "But rather than continuously working against Voldemort, you are wasting time in Dumbledore and Harry. Yes, sir, you are wasting time in making people think that the ministry is still in power, whereas there are loads of things you should be doing right now."

Scrimgeour stared at her for a long time. Chris sighed.

"You know, why we love and support Dumbledore?" Chris smiled. "At least, I for one respect him because he has and would do everything he could to save this wizarding world, no matter what people thought or still thinks about him. Good night, Minister."

As she walked back towards the back door of the Burrow, she thought what she did, was a bit reckless.

But, well, you can't be cautious all the time.

****

"Watch out Ginny!"

Chris, Harry, Ginny, Ron, Fred and George were playing Quidditch in the morning. Mr Norton and Hermione were watching and Tonk was the referee. The reason was to explain to Mr Norton how Quidditch works. 

"The Snitch!" Ron shouted looking up.

"You are not supposed to scream, Ron," Chris laughed before following the Golden Snitch.

Harry started to keep up with her. Chris was a few metres away from that fluttering ball and extended her hands when Ginny dived in front of them.

"Oops! Sorry," Ginny laughed as the Golden Snitch went out of sight.

"Gin!" Chris glared at her.

"We are in the opposite team," Ginny smiled and went away. The game resumed.

The game continued for another half an hour before Mrs Weasley called them for lunch.

As they sat for lunch Chris noticed Mrs Weasley's eyes were red and puffy, means she had been crying. For the last two days, she had been crying on and off. Because Percy had stormed from the house on Christmas Day with his glasses splattered with mashed parsnip, for which Fred, George, and Ginny all claimed credit.

In the middle of lunch, Aurelia and Remus came. They sat there for a bit, talked with everyone and at the end took Chris to talk in private.

"Everything okay?" Chris asked seeing them worried.

"Chris, I think your Dad need to change house," Aurelia said.

"Wait, why? What happened?" Chris asked surprised.

"We found out something dangerous, today," said Remus.

"Is someone trailing Dad? Is he in danger?" Chris said the first thing came into her mind.

"Yes, sort of," said Aurelia. "Your neighbours Hemels, do you remember them?"

"Yes, of course. They moved into the house next door in summer," said Chris. "Probably, five years ago."

"Almost five years ago," said Remus. "They moved into the house just after you finished your first year, right?"

"Yeah," Chris nodded then something shocking settled inside her brain. "Don't tell me they were spies for Malgino!"

Aurelia sighed.

"They are under Imperious Curse for years," she said.

"We didn't realize it first because they were very normal but recently we noticed a wizard going into that house," said Remus grimly. "They carefully chose the festivals to visit so no one gets suspicious or anything. And if I am right then Malgino also has people under Imperious Curse in your father's office."

"What the — how? How could you not noticed that before?" 

"They planned the Imperioused Muggles very carefully so we don't understand," said Aurelia. "And there planned almost worked."

"I can't believe this!" Chris dropped on the couch. "They knew all along where Dad was while we thought we are keeping him safe. He knew everything. He knows everything. He could have killed Dad or kidnapped him to get me, to get the keys!"

"We are really sorry, Chris," said Aurelia. "You were our priority and we were careless about your father, I admit. But now that we know we need to take action immediately."

"Yes, Chris, you have to convince your father," said Remus. "He needs to stay away from his work and need to change your house."

"He is the owner, how can he quit his job?"

"We are not asking him to quit but he needs to stay away. It's his life we're talking about, Chris. It's your life we're talking about," said Aurelia kneeling in front of Chris. "Everything we have done and worked for could get obliterated because of these mistakes. You know that keeping you and Harry safe is everything to us and keeping your father away is also a way to protect him and you."

For a moment no one spoke then Chris sighed.

"Okay, I will talk to him but you have to promise me, you will be careful this time," she said. "Nothing should happen to Dad."

Aurelia smiled and patted her on the head. Chris got up and turned around only to see her Dad standing in the doorway looking absolutely thunderstruck. Chris froze. Aurelia and Remus exchanged a worried look then stepped forward.

"Chris, we should —"

"Dad, I can explain," Chris said without listening to Remus.

For a second Mr Norton looked blanked then his eyes focused on Chris. He looked angry. Chris had never seen her Dad this angry before.

"Pack your trunk, now," grumbled Mr Norton glaring at Chris. "We are leaving."

"But Dad —" Chris mumbled.

"Not a word, Christina," Mr Norton spat and Chris flinched. He never called her Christina before.

"Mr Norton, please let her —" Remus began.

"I respect you very much Mr Lupin but please don't try to tell me what should a father do when he found out that his daughter's life is in danger and she had been lying to him for more than a year!" Mr Norton shouted. "Why are you still here? I asked you to pack your bag. We are leaving, right now."

"That wouldn't be very wise, Mr Norton," said Aurelia. "No place is safe right now. They are —"

"Leave it to me, Miss Cromwell. I can keep my daughter safe," snapped Mr Norton. "I will take her far away from this wizarding world. She can start a whole new life without magic. A safe life. I should have understood a long time ago."

"Dad, please," Chris tried again.

"Fine," Mr Norton grimaced at Chris. "If you don't want to take you things, it's fine by me. In fact, it's better."

Mr Norton clutched Chris' arm and pulled her after him. Aurelia and Remus followed looking shocked.

"Mr Norton try and understand —" Remus said.

Fred, George, Ginny, Hermione and Harry saw the commotion and came out.

"Dad!"

"It was my fault. All my fault. I shouldn't have trusted — but now, I will do everything to keep you safe."

"Dad, what are doing? Please listen, I can explain!"

"No, you can't! Listen, young lady, I'm still your father and you will do as I say, that's it!" 

Mr Norton pulled her outside the house. Frustrated Chris yanked her hand away and screamed, "DAD! STOP!"

But rather than just stepping a few steps backwards, Mr Norton flew back a few meters and hit his head on the ground hard.

"Dad?" Chris looked around to understand what happened.

Mrs Weasley, Tonks and Ron ran out of the house. Now everyone was outside but no one had their wands out. Shocked Chris looked back at her father's unconscious body.

"Mr Norton?" Mrs Weasley, Aurelia, Tonks and Remus rushed to him.

Chris stood there. . . very still. . . her hands were shaking. . . it was her magic. . .

______________________________

To be continued. . .