The Wireless Connection

"What's going on?" Chris turned to Layla as Charlie grabbed the wireless from the shelves and started to tap it with his wand.

"We will know as soon as Charlie can connect to Potterwatch," Layla replied looking tense.

"Potter–what?" Chris's eyebrows shoot up.

"The only program that tells the truth about what's going on. Nearly all of the programs are following You-Know-Who's line, all except Potterwatch. You will be more surprised when you hear who runs the show," Charlie explained as he tapped the wireless with his wand repeatedly. "Now just guessing the correct password — Got it! Password was 'Albus'!"

Chris and everyone huddle close to the radio and from the tiny speaker spoke a very familiar voice.

". . . apologize for our temporary absence from the airwaves, which was due to several house calls in our area by those charming Death Eaters."

"But that's —" Chris began.

"Lee Jordan!" Colin exclaimed.

". . . now found ourselves another secure location," Lee was saying, "and I'm pleased to tell you that two of our regular contributors have joined me here this evening. Evening, boys!"

"Hi."

"Evening, River."

"They are using codenames for obvious reasons," Charlie informed.

"But before we hear from Romulus and Rapier," 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. In Gaddley, a Muggle family of five has been found dead in their home. Muggle authorities are attributing their deaths to a gas leak, but members of the Order of the Phoenix inform me that it was the Killing Curse — more evidence, as if it were needed, of the fact that Muggle slaughter is becoming little more than a recreational sport under the new regime."

Chris and Colin looked at each other alarmed, while Charlie and Layla exchanged grim looks as Lee went on with the list of people who have died within the last few weeks.

"Listeners, I'd like to invite you now to join us in a minute's silence in memory of the Wizards and Muggles murdered by the Death Eaters. They deserved a happy long life ahead," Lee said quietly.

Silence fell, and Chris, Colin, Luna, Ginny, Charlie, Layla, Oziyat, nobody spoke. Half of Chris yearned to hear more, half of her was afraid of what might come next. It was the first time she had felt fully connected to the outside world for a long time.

"Thank you," said Lee's voice. "And now to more exciting and hopeful news. The news buzzing in every wizarding home, pub, and newspaper. Harry Potter was sighted flying out of the Goblin Bank, Gringotts, on a Dragon."

"He — what?" Chris stared at the radio as Lee continued,

"Can you explain the incident, Romulus?"

"Of course, River," said another very familiar voice.

"Lupin!" Ginny gasped.

"Earlier today the Goblins informed the authorities — Death eaters and whoever would ask about the incident, that Harry Potter and his two accomplishes impersonated someone and broke into one of the most guarded vaults in Gringotts and escape on the Dragon guarding the vault," Lupin said almost chuckling. "It is quite the accomplishment, considering the tight security of Gringotts with their imposter revealing charms, Dragons, and not to mention the extra powerful spells they put in after You-Know-Who took over."

"Do you have any idea why Potter broke into such a guarded vault and who's vault was that?" Lee asked.

"Knowing Harry Potter, probably something for the resurrection of Justice and goodness. But we cannot say for sure who's vault they broke into," Lupin said firmly. "But this news brings joy to every soul of those resisting the new regime. 'The Boy Who Lived' remains a symbol of everything for which we are fighting: the triumph of good, the power of innocence, the need to keep resisting."

Chris closed her eyes as her heart filled with warmth.

"Lupin lied," said Charlie suddenly. "We know who's vault had a Dragon for a guard. It's the Lestranges' vault. Bill told me about it when he joined Gringotts. My blood boiled at how badly they treated the beautiful creature. I tried so many times to get the Dragon out of there but failed every time."

Everyone turned their attention back to Lee.

". . . so we suggest that you continue to show your devotion to the man with the lightning scar by listening to Potterwatch! And now let's move to news concerning the witch who is just as unreachable as Harry Potter. Christina Norton. Do you maintain, as you have every time you've appeared on our program, that Christina Norton is still alive, Rapier?"

"Yes absolutely, River," said another very familiar voice, and Chris, Ginny, and Colin cried out together.

"Fred!"

"Or is it George?" Colin looked confused.

"No, it's Fred," Ginny confirmed.

"There is no doubt that Christina Norton is alive. Whoever had the fortune or misfortune of meeting her would know that that girl is not easily killed, and the people who are spreading rumors otherwise had no clue who they are talking about or just doing it infest fear in her supporters," said Fred. "She was, is, and always will be a force to be reckoned with, and that's what scares You-Know-Who and Malgino's supporters."

A mixture of gratitude and regret washed over Chris as her eyes brimmed with tears. They still believed in her. After a long long time, Chris finally realized that the fight was never just hers. Yes, she was at the front but this fight was for everyone and they were fighting with everything they had.

"Thank you very much for those encouraging words, Rapier," said Lee. "Listeners, that brings us to the end of another Potterwatch. We don't know when it will be possible to broadcast again, but you can be sure we shall be back. Keep twiddling those dials: The next password will be 'Mad-Eye.' Keep each other safe: Keep faith. Good night."

The radio's dial twirled and the lights behind the tuning panel went out. Hearing familiar, friendly voices was an extraordinary tonic; Chris had become so used to being cut off from the Wizarding world that she had nearly forgotten other people were resisting Malgino and Voldemort. It was like waking from a long sleep.

"It's so brave of them," said Luna admiringly. "If they were found . . ."

"They keep on the move and rarely get caught," Charlie smiled proudly.

"Hey, what about Lupin and Tonks, did they have their baby?" Ginny asked.

"They had a baby?" Chris looked at Ginny surprised.

"Yes, they had a boy. Tonks named him after his father, Teddy Remus Lupin, he is Metamorphmagus like Tonks," answered Charlie grinning happily.

"That's so cool," Chris beamed. She felt a different kind of happiness hearing the news. She still remembered the day Lupin had told her in the Grimmauld place that he didn't deserve Tonks, a family, or happiness and how Chris had told him otherwise.

"I still can't believe this. Harry really saved the Dragon," Charlie's grin got wider. "They really released it. I hope it's okay."

"I hope so too, Charlie, but you know what else this means, right? This means You-Know-Who already knows about this and now have a big opportunity to find Harry, Ron, and Hermione," Layla grimaced.

Charlie opened his mouth and closed it as the realization dawned on him. Chris, Ginny, Luna, and Colin exchanged worried looks among them before Ginny spoke,

"But they were hidden till now, I am sure they can manage —"

"Oziyat told me about the attack," Layla interrupted. "If they can find you all the here, then think what's going on in London. Nobody is safe and now this risk. I just hope they haven't got caught already."

"Then we need to find them before our enemies do!" Chris declared.

⟦To be continued⟧