Crookshanks | 𝘚𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘶𝘴 𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬

Chapter 187

Jenna always liked listening to Potterwatch, because now it was their only truthful source of news. She even begged Sirius to let her go with them once to report, saying how bored she'd become now that they had both been stuck at home for the past three months.

When Sirius had been a hundred percent sure that the location for the next Potterwatch was safe, he finally agreed to accompany Jenna there. Because in truth, he knew if he stayed at home any longer he would go mental. But the main reason was that he knew Jenna's mood swings would cause her to get really angry if he disagreed and protested for too long.

When they arrived at the secret location — which was in an abandoned house in the middle of nowhere — Jenna laughed happily when she saw Remus. She ran toward him, bringing him into a quick yet tight hug.

"Look at you!" Remus smiled, pulling back. "We were all so happy when we heard! Congratulations, you two."

"Thanks, Moony." Sirius grinned. "How's Tonks doing?"

  "She's great! We expect the baby to be born early in April," he said with a proud and happy smile.

"Ooh, that's so soon! Only a few weeks to go, then!" Jenna said excitedly, clapping her hands together.

  "Everyone, take your positions," Lee Jordan called, walking into the room and handing out everyone's papers which contained all that they had to say.

Along with Kingsley and Fred, they all sat behind the round table, ready to get started shortly. Sirius was standing guard outside the house, which already had countless protective enchantments around it.

"Okay..." Lee nodded, raising his fingers to count as he mouthed, "Three, two, one..."

And so, he started.

      "Evening everybody, this is River!" said Lee cheerfully. "I apologize for our temporary absence from the airwaves, which was due to a number of house calls in our area by those charming Death Eaters. But now we've found ourselves another secure location and I'm pleased to tell you that a few of our regular contributors have joined me here this evening. Evening, boys!"

     "Hi."

     "Evening, River."

     "But before we hear from Royal and Romulus," Lee went on, "let's take a moment to report those deaths that the Wizarding Wireless Network News and Daily Prophet don't think important enough to mention. It is with great regret that we inform our listeners of the murders of Ted Tonks and Dirk Cresswell."

     Jenna felt a sick, swooping in her stomach, thinking about Tonks and Andromeda. The poor woman was near her due date, and Jenna could only imagine how horrible she must be feeling to lose her father.

      "It is believed that Muggle-born Dean Thomas and a second goblin, both believed to have been traveling with Tonks, Cresswell, and Gornuk, may have escaped. If Dean is listening, or if anyone has any knowledge of his whereabouts, his parents and sisters are desperate for news.

     "Finally, we regret to inform our listeners that the remains of Bathilda Bagshot have been discovered in Godric's Hollow. The evidence is that she died several months ago. Listeners, I'd like to invite you now to join us in a minute's silence in memory of Ted Tonks, Dirk Cresswell, Bathilda Bagshot, Gornuk, and the unnamed, but no less regretted, Muggles murdered by the Death Eaters."

     "Thank you," said Lee after a long pause. "And now we turn to regular contributor Royal, for an update on how the new Wizarding order is affecting the Muggle world."

      "Thanks, River," said Kingsley. "Muggles remain ignorant of the source of their suffering as they continue to sustain heavy casualties. However, we continue to hear truly inspirational stories of wizards and witches risking their own safety to protect Muggle friends and neighbors, often without the Muggles' knowledge."

     "And what would you say, Royal, to those listeners who reply that in these dangerous times, it should be 'Wizards first'?" asked Lee.

     "I'd say that it's one short step from 'Wizards first' to 'Purebloods first,' and then to 'Death Eaters,' " replied Kingsley. "We're all human, aren't we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving."

     "Excellently put, Royal, and you've got my vote for Minister of Magic if ever we get out of this mess," said Lee. "And now, over to Romulus for our popular feature 'Pals of Potter.'"

     "Thanks, River," said Remus.

      "Romulus, do you maintain, as you have every time you've appeared on our program, that Harry Potter is still alive?"

      "I do," said Remus firmly. "There is no doubt at all in my mind that his death would be proclaimed as widely as possible by the Death Eaters if it had happened, because it would strike a deadly blow at the morale of those resisting the new regime."

     "And what would you say to Harry if you knew he was listening, Romulus?"

     "I'd tell him we're all with him in spirit," said Remus, then hesitated slightly. "And I'd tell him to follow his instincts, which are good and nearly always right."

      "Thank you, Romolus," said Lee. "And for our usual update on those friends of Harry Potter's who are suffering for their allegiance, we turn to our newest contributor," Lee was saying. "Evening, and welcome to our broadcast, Ralphie."

      "Hello, River," said Jenna. "Well, many of Harry Potter's supporters have been imprisoned lately, including Xenophilius Lovegood, erstwhile editor of The Quibbler. We have also heard within the last few hours that Rubeus Hagrid has narrowly escaped arrest within the grounds of Hogwarts, where he is rumored to have hosted a 'Support Harry Potter' party in his house. He is on the run now, of course. But don't underestimate the Death Eaters; those mother f—" Remus cleared his throat warningly, "those mother truckers are everywhere."

      "I suppose it helps, when escaping from Death Eaters, if you've got a sixteen-foot-high half brother?" asked Lee.

      "Maybe at first. But you never know what awaits you with You-Know-Who in power. That stupid son of a b —"

    "I said no cussing!" Lee hissed at her in a quiet tone.

    "Oh, give me a rest," said Jenna rather moodily.

      "Er... right." Lee cleared his throat, continuing. "And now let's move to news concerning the wizard who is proving just as elusive as Harry Potter. We like to refer to him as the Chief Death Eater, and here to give his views on some of the more insane rumors circulating about him, we're joined by: Rodent."

      "'Rodent'?" Fred raised a brow at him angrily. "I'm not being 'Rodent,' no way, I told you I wanted to be 'Rapier'!"

      "Oh, all right then. 'Rapier,' could you please give us your take on the various stories we've been hearing about the Chief Death Eater?"

      "Yes, River, I can," said Fred gleefully. "As our listeners will know, unless they've taken refuge at the bottom of a garden pond or somewhere similar, You-Know-Who's strategy of remaining in the shadows is creating a nice little climate of panic. Mind you, if all the alleged sightings of him are genuine, we must have a good nineteen You-Know-Whos running around the place."

     "Which suits him, of course," said Kingsley. "The air of mystery is creating more terror than actually showing himself."

     "Agreed," said Fred. "So, people, let's try and calm down a bit. Things are bad enough without inventing stuff as well. For instance, this new idea that You-Know-Who can kill with a single glance from his eyes. That's a basilisk, listeners. One simple test: Check whether the thing that's glaring at you has got legs. If it has, it's safe to look into its eyes, although if it really is You-Know-Who, that's still likely to be the last thing you ever do."

      "And the rumors that he keeps being sighted abroad?" asked Lee.

     "Well, who wouldn't want a nice little holiday after all the hard work he's been putting in?" asked Fred. "Point is, people, don't get lulled into a false sense of security, thinking he's out of the country. I never thought I'd hear myself say it, but safety first!"

      "Thank you very much for those wise words, Rapier," said Lee. "The next password will be 'Mad-Eye.' Keep each other safe. And most importantly, don't lose faith. Have a good night, everybody."