Where The Sage Shrubs Grow,

Chapter 113

Sage's POV:
"No, you can't go." Fred argued
"Well its not up to you." I retorted slipping on my coat and fixing my newly shortened and reduced hair
George jut stood awkwardly waiting to apparate all three of us to the burrow.
"Serenity, Mum, and Ginny are staying. Why can you?" Fred pleaded
"Hallie, Clementine and Hermione are going, why can't I?" I retorted

"Sugar, because it's going to be dangerous!"
"Serenity is staying because she's pregnant, Ginny because she's underage, and Molly because someone has to be there to revive any injured. I am none of those things so I'm going and it's not up to you to decide." I spoke grabbing onto George's arm

Fred let out a exasperated and frustrated noise and apparated away.
"He's cares a lot you know." George spoke gently
"I know, but he only calls me Sugar when he's mad at me."
The energy in the room was horrible. No one knew weather to talk or be silent. In only a few hours we would be apparating again to Harry's house to bring him back here and hopefully still alive.

"You've cut your har." Hallie clicked her tongue sadly examining my new haircut and color
I had chopped my hair from waist to shoulder length and re dyed it a stormy blue color. Ironically enough instead of curling more without the weight of my long hair, my locks had formed more into chaotic frizzy waves. It was different but I had to do something with it. Long curly hair just isn't practical for a war.

"I know."
"It looks lovely don't get me wrong. I just know how much you loved your long hair." She clarified
"Yeah, but this is nice too, I like the blue." I tried comforting myself
It was dumb to be upset about my hair while people were dying everyday but I couldn't help the small part of me that cracked when I cut off most of my hair.

"It's time." Madeye spoke
Fred's face paled as I took out my wand obviously not staying like he had begged me too.
"Be careful." Molly spoke grimly
You could see the tears welling up in her eyes. None of us knew who would come back tonight and who wouldn't. Hopefully all of us.
We apparated to the front of Harry's house. Although I'm not sure how much of a home this was for him.

Wasn't it just the other day we were at the burrow taking about promise rings and new babies? Now were risking our lives and no one knows what the outcome will be. I watched Apollo kiss his concerned wife gently before taking my hand and apparating.

"Fancy seeing you here." I looked at Fred who was glaring at me
He was irritated.
We all hid until Harry exited his house and we knew it was safe. Quickly piling in to the house with Harry.

"I thought you were looking after the Prime Minister, Kingsley." Harry commented
"You're more important." He replied
Suddenly another red head that neither me or nor Harry were familiar with. He was almost taller than the twins but not quite.
"Hello Harry, Bill Weasley."
My jaw dropped slightly. I never imagined Bill to look like that.
"Wasn't always this handsome." Fred commented
"Dead ugly." George smirked

Bill laughed "True enough. Owe it all to a werewolf by the name of Greyback. Hope to repay the favor one day." He explained
Fleur kissed his cheek gently "You are still beautiful to me, William."
I must've caught Bill's eye because he turned to me giving Fred a sly smirk.
"Who is this lovely lady?" He asked holding out his hand for me to shake
"Sage, but I assume you already knew that." I smiled shaking his hand
"Of course. From Mum's letters, Ginny's letters, George's letters, and most certainly Fred's letters."

Madeye burst into the room with some sacks thrown over his shoulder.
"All right! All right! You'll all have time for the cozy catch-up later! We've got to get the hell out of here and soon!"
He dropped the bags he was carrying
"Potter, you're underage, wich means you still got the trace on you."
"The trace?" Harry questioned
"You sneeze and the ministry knows who wipes your nose."
Hm.

"Point is we have to use those means of transport that the trace can't detect: brooms, thestrials and the like.
"We'll go in pairs. That way if anyone's out there waiting for us and I reckon there will be, they won't know which Harry Potter is the real one." Madeye smirked
"The real one?" Harry asked
Madeye pulled out his signature flask from his coat "I believe you are familiar with this particular brew."
"No! Absolutely not."
"Told you he'd take it well." Hermione sighed

"If you think I'm going to let people risk their lives for me-" Harry started
"Never done that before, have we?" Ron reasoned
"No, this is different. Taking that. Becoming me... no."
"Well none of us really fancy it mate." Fred piped in
"Yeah, imagine something goes wrong and we end up scrawny, specky, gits forever." George spoke dramatically

"Everyone here's of age, Potter, and they've all agreed to take the risks." Mad eye spoke
"Technically I've been coerced." Mundungus spoke "Mundungus Fletcher, Mr. Potter. Always been a huge admirer."
"Nip it Mundungus! All right Granger as we discussed."
Hermione stepped forward harshly grabbing a piece of Harry's hair.
"Blimey, Hermione!" Harry groaned rubbing the back of his neck

"Straight in here if you please." Mad eye spoke
I stepped back with the people who weren't transforming into Harry. Moody had already pulled me aside earlier to tell me that he felt I would be a good decoy because of my parents and since I didn't have a pregnant wife to get back to I was the best candidate. I had to agree.

Moody walked around to the others.
"For those of you who haven't taken polyjuice potion before, fair warning. It tastes like goblin piss."
"Have a lot of experiences with that, do you, Mad-eye?" Fred spoke
Everyone stared at him seriously "Just trying to diffuse the tension." He said taking a large swig of the potion
He made a rather silly face, giving away how horrible the potion tasted and passing it on to the next person.

Soon we were faced with a room full of Harrys.
"Wow! We're identical!" The twins spoke in unison
"Not yet you aren't." Moody snapped
He dropped a pile of clothes on the floor.
"Have anything a bit more sporting?" George asked picking up a shirt
Seeing how baggy the twins clothes were on Harry really made me realize how they are giants. Harry was taller than me and he was swimming in their clothes.
"Yeah, I don't really fancy this color."

"Well fancy this. You're not you. So shut it and strip."
Any other situation... any other situation.
"You'll need to change too Potter."
You really could tell who was the real Harry. The only one who looked uncomfortable changing in front of everyone.
"Bill, look away. I'm hideous."
Did Harry dirty right in front of him.
"I knew Ginny was lying about that tattoo." Ron remarked
How would she know?
"Harry your eyesight really is awful." Hermione Spoke

"Right then.. we'll be paring off. Each Potter with a protector. Mundungus stick tight to me. I want to keep and eye on you. As for Harry."
"Yes." All of them responded
"The real Harry, where the devil are you anyway?"
"Here."

"You'll ride with Hagrid."
Hargrid stepped forward with a teary look in his eyes.
"I brought yeh here sixteen years ago. When you were barley bigger than a Bowtruckle. Seems only righ' I should be the one ter take yeh away." Hagrid spoke ever so gently
"Yes it's all very touching." Moody snapped ruining the moment "Let's go."
"Do I get to ride with you sexy lady?" Hallie's voice came from Harry's body
I burst into laughter having to cover it up.
"Anything for you handsome sir." I said moving my eyebrows

Hallie and I mounted a thestrial. I mounted after her taking the reigns as she wrapped her arms around my torso.
"This is quite strange. I feel like I'm harassing you like this." She laughed quietly
"Maybe I should sue." I replied
"Good luck everyone. On the count of three. One... two... three!" Moody roared

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