Incendio

"I'm sure you two have enjoyed having the place to yourselves." Fred jested looking between them as he and George began moving a few things into the warehouse. There were boxes whizzing around and up the stairs to their respective rooms.

Samantha squished her face and Lee turned several red shades. They each scooted even further apart from each other on the sofa.

She scratched her neck. She and Lee had been keeping a firm physical distance in the sixteen days they had been cooped up together.

"Of course they haven't." George grimaced at his brother.

Samantha laughed uncomfortably, "More points toward George being the most handsome."

Fred looked aghast and seated himself across from them in a small recliner Lee had recently found. "Sorry to assume. I should have known, after hearing that Kingsley had nothing but good things to say, that you two have done nothing but work."

"We have gotten loads done together. We're running a test on the system tonight. We wanted to start earlier, but Kingsley said it was best to wait till Samantha's trace was broken." Lee said excitedly. "Her trace will be broken at midnight so we can finally risk using that kind of magic. Kingsley has spread the word to the Order and so it's on for tonight."

"Wait a minute, did I hear that correctly?" Fred asked and the boxes that had been floating around him halted.

"That our dear friend," George continued sitting himself on the sofa next to Samantha.

"And my future wife if Ginny had her way," Fred laughed seating himself on the arm rest beside her and wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

"You mean my future wife?" George argued before pushing his brother onto the floor.

Fred ignored his brother's question but stood up quickly, "Will in fact be having a birthday at midnight tonight?"

Samantha nodded but found herself laughing profusely, "Yeah, it's no big deal honestly."

"But it is!" George mentioned before side eyeing his brother with impish glee. "If we can't keep spirits up now, then what's the point?"

The twins left abruptly and returned just as abruptly, with a big box in each of their arms.

"These are for midnight." George mentioned as he placed his box on the table.

"And these," Fred pulled out a couple of bottles and a barrel from the other box. "Are to keep us awake till midnight. They are left over from the wedding. We've got two more barrels of these each. No one else wanted them, can't imagine why."

No one wasted any time grabbing drinks. Samantha had never tried mixing Butterbeer and fire whiskey but quite enjoyed it. She felt nice and mellow as the evening wore on. They played exploding snap and card games. Samantha enjoyed the laughter and briefly missed the days back at Hogwarts when the four of them had spent time tormenting Umbridge.

Midnight was approaching and the foursome stood around the clock, counting down the moments. The clock struck midnight and one of the boxes Fred and George had placed on a table began exploding, as it did balloons and decorations went zooming around the room. They each began hooting and hollering with great vigor.

Lee picked Samantha up and swung her around. There was a small moment where their eyes met and Samantha felt a tiny butterfly in her stomach. She suddenly felt about two years younger and she briefly missed how they once were. It made her feel conflicted. She had been cooped up alone with him for weeks without a single inkling of past feelings. Yet, the moment when her freedom seemed the most eminent, she had butterflies again.

"While I set up the system why don't you try your magic out?" Lee said putting her down and taking his eyes away from her's. He had felt it as well, she knew he had by the way he smirked a little.

Samantha had been so distracted by the explosions and her random moment of nostalgia that she completely forgot she could do magic legally now. She pulled out her wand and called, "Accio Butterbeer."

Her Butterbeer flew across the room and into her hand. She took a large gulp as she watched Lee run over to the radio system. The butterflies had defused and she felt entirely without conflicting emotions regarding Lee. He flipped a few switches and tapped the system with his wand. The whole thing began whizzing and buzzing, a few lights began flickering.

He waved them over.

Fred and George stayed back a little and Samantha took the seat across from Lee.

They had two very old fashioned looking microphones but fairly modern looking headphones. It was an odd sight to behold.

Lee continued fidgeting with the wires until a red light between them began flashing.

"Good." He sat down, "When it remains solid we are on air."

Samantha nodded. They'd practiced their script multiple times, everything was planned, down to every joke and reaction.

They sat in a pregnant silence for a few moments until the light remained solid. He flipped the switch to start his microphone and began speaking.

"Greetings our good listeners, if there are any. Welcome to Potterwatch, where we support the Boy Who Lived, wherever he may in fact be. I'm River, your very handsome and very charming host, here to bring you the real news that the Ministry of Magic has been neglecting to tell you. I am here with my always beautiful co-host, Rebel. Now, she's just had a birthday so please have a quick drink of Butterbeer in her honor."

Samantha laughed as he pointed to her, she flipped the button to turn on her microphone, "Thank you River. Happy to be here to celebrate with you."

"Celebrations are important at this time, things may seem bleak, but it's important to remember what really matters." Lee continued. "Now we have received news from our correspondent, Royal. First he reported to us the sad news that two muggles were found murdered by Death Eaters last evening in the countryside. It is suspected that they were murdered merely for the use of their home. Keep an eye on your muggle neighbors and keep them safe."

"Let's have a brief moment of silence in their memory." Samantha insisted, thinking of her father and praying he and her mother were both safe.

They sat quietly in a pause.

"In other news The Ministry has apparently formed a Muggle-Born Regulation Commission. They are reported to be questioning any muggle-borns to see how they have managed to steal magic." Samantha said, trying not to sound like she'd spent most of the evening drinking.

"Load of bollox if you ask me." Lee interjected, "If you could steal magic, squibs would be having a field day."

"No magic can be stolen." Samantha agreed abruptly.

"Well, if you'd let me be your boyfriend, I could steal the magic of your heart Rebel." Lee joked and the twins chuckled behind them.

"Fat chance River. As fat a chance as the Death Eaters have to finding Harry Potter." Samantha continued with the twins making a brief, "ooooh" behind them.

"One can try can't they?" Lee laughed, "Several members of this Commission have been identified and we are warning any muggle-born wizards and witches to avoid contact with the following persons."

"Corban Yaxley, Albert Runcorn, Horace Travers, John Dawlish, Mafalda Hopkirk," Lee stopped before slyly smiling at Samantha." And of course we have a personal vendetta against this last member of this Muggle-Born Regulation Commission." Lee continued giving a drum roll against the desk, "She gives a horrifying example of how pink is not to be worn, she hates children but loves to torture them."

"Something River and I unfortunately have been on the receiving end of." Samantha laughed.

"Good ole Toad Face, Dolores Jane Umbridge." Lee finished. "So for fair warning to those muggle-borns who could be tuning in, please be wary of these members of society. Now unfortunately, Rebel and I do not have a longer show tonight. Once we get things going fully, we will have guest contributors and hopefully better news next time. Next time's password will be Albus, unfortunately we don't have an exact date for the next one, but keep your ears open. Thank you for tuning into the first edition of Potterwatch."

Lee flipped a couple of switches and the red light ceased.They stood up and resumed their places upon the sofas. Even the twins held a silence as if no one knew what to say.

"I think it worked." Lee announced breaking the silence, "Kinglsey should send news soon."

Samantha and the twins nodded in response.

"It was great, but just a few questions." George started. "How'd you pick the name?"

"Potterwatch?" Samantha asked for clarification.

"Yeah,"

Samantha shrugged, "Nothing too exciting, we're watching out for Potter and it was the best option we had."

"And how'd you pick your code names?" Fred looked excited.

"Well, Jordan is like the River, so it seemed like an easy choice." Lee shrugged. "Kingsley is obvious for Royal of course."

Both twins nodded in understanding.

"And yours?" Fred asked Samantha.

Sam lifted her palm with the words still scarred into her hand, "Thought I'd send old Toad Face the very best."

"So when I get on the show do I get a cool nickname that starts with an R?" Fred asked, "Like Rapier or Riot?"

"I'm thinking more along the lines of Rodent for you Fred." Lee joked back.

A silvery lynx slipped through a window, it was Kingsley's Patronus. It spoke clear words.

"It worked. Happy Birthday Miss Fyre. Will pay a visit tomorrow."

Samantha smiled widely at Lee, "It worked."

They stayed up a few more hours before heading to get some sleep. Samantha had a rough night of very little sleep, nightmares were creeping in again. She woke up first the next morning and began planning out her mission from there. She had a map marked with the last known Death Eater sightings. She had another map marked with the most recent deaths.

She wasn't sure exactly where to start, but she would be leaving later that night to get started. She wanted to see Kingsley first and actually practice a few of the spells she'd been reading about.

She also realized as she poured her tea and looked out at the ocean lapping against the cliffside, that she was quite free and able to leave, if ever briefly. There was a small beach down the hill from the factory. Samantha grabbed her cloak, in case she needed a disguise, and stepped outside for the first time in weeks. It was warm, but there was a slight chill in the air, signaling that autumn was approaching. She walked to the edge of the ocean and put her bare feet into the ocean. She breathed in the salty air and enjoyed the wind on her face. It was nice just to be somewhere that wasn't the warehouse.

She knew it wouldn't be safe to be outside for long so near the warehouse, so she removed her feet from the water and began the walk back. She heard a crack beside her as she reached the door.

"Miss Fyre, I see you have finally been able to leave." Kingsley laughed vibrantly.

Samantha nodded before whispering the password to the lock, "Mischief."

"You were just the person I wanted to see." He continued as they entered inside. "It is my understanding that you plan to begin your investigations later this very evening?"

"Why waste time right?" Samantha asked. "I've had two weeks to prepare. I'm ready."

"Excellent." Kingsley turned to the kitchen table before a map flew out of his robes, "I have a few suggestions."