Chapter One

Platform nine and three quarters was bustling with activity as students either returning, or going for their first time, to Hogwarts. Sitting in the middle of the platform was the brilliant red Hogwarts Express Steam Engine. Amidst the students and parents were the train conductors, who had their hands full checking tickets, assisting students stow their trunks in the cargo car. Unnoticed in the excitement was the addition of two conductors who would sweep the entire platform with their eyes every few minutes, in search of someone. Reaching up as though to scratch an itch behind his ear one of the conductors tapped a spot behind his ear twice before lowering his arm and continuing to sweep his eyes around the platform every few minutes. He was near the middle of the train when a large group of Hogwarts Students emerged on to the platform, among the group were Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, the remaining Weasleys, a large black dog, and a few others. Upon seeing the group the conductor tapped the spot behind his ear four times.

A few minutes later the train was slowly pulling out of the station on its annual trip to Hogwarts. The platform was mostly cleared except for a few remaining parents, the large black dog, and the two conductors. The two conductors approached Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

"Hello Arthur, Molly, have some trouble getting here?"

Somewhere two miles South of King's Cross two U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopters sat idly on makeshift helipads, which were currently serving as temporary staging areas for the operation. Each Blackhawk carried a twelve-man infantry squad, also known as a "Chalk". The air was still, except for a slight breeze that was practically non-existent. One of the pilots in the cockpit checked his watch, then began flipping switches and pressing buttons. Slowly the rotor blades on the top of the helicopter and the tail rotor began to rotate. After a few seconds the rotors were kicking up a cloud of dust, grass and dirt. Soon the signal that the train was on the move and that all objectives were aboard came through to the pilots' helmet and the two Blackhawks lifted off the ground and into the air, in pursuit of their target.

Aboard the Hogwarts Express Harry, Ginny, and Neville were lounging idly in their seats. Luna Lovegood had retreated from view behind an upside down copy of The Quibbler. Unnoticed by the four of them was the solitary Blackhawk that was travelling parallel to the train. Inside the helicopter the soldiers took turns watching for any signs of trouble, except for one soldier who sat in-between the cargo bay, and cockpit. The soldier who sat in the chair was radioing in to the other Blackhawk that was travelling further up along the train.

'Kilo Lima Sierra, this is Delta Kilo over.'

'Go ahead Delta.'

'Hotel Papa, November Lima, and Golf Whiskey have been located, and everything's cool, over.'

'Delta, Primary objective Hotel Golf located, Romeo Whiskey also located. Wait one.' The soldier who's turn it was to be on watch lifted the binoculars up just in time to watch Harry get a face full of Stinksap. Mere seconds after Harry was hit; a girl emerged into the compartment, whose face immediately went red, and after a few short words turned and left, still red in the face.

'Hey Sarge!' Called the soldier who had the binoculars, 'Hotel Papa just had a visitor. From what I can tell looked like Ravenclaw, I think she plays on their Quidditch team.'

'Kilo Lima, Hotel Papa just had a visitor, Ravenclaw Quidditch player. Advise designate as "Charlie".'

'Delta, designation "Charlie" confirmed. Okay, Hotel Golf and Romeo Whiskey are headin' back towards y'all.'

'Roger that Kilo. So far no visit from Delta Mike and his group.'

'Roger that Delta will keep that in mind. Delta, go on ahead and prepare for tonight and we'll meet up with you there.'

'Roger that Kilo, Delta out.'

The helicopter that had been flying parallel to the to the car that Harry was reclining in titled forward and sped off in the direction of Hogwarts. Taking up its position was a virtually identical Blackhawk that remained there until the end of the journey where it peeled off just before reaching the train station.

As the train came to a stop the passengers began to make their way out of the passenger cars and onto the station. Unnoticed by all the students was the helicopter hovering above the station, masked by the night. All of the cars were pouring students out, except for one. A student who was standing halfway through the doorway blocked one car, from what the soldiers in the Blackhawk could tell it looked as though Harry had noticed that instead of Hagrid it was Professor Grubby-Plank who was assembling the first years. After a few seconds Harry had realized that he was blocking the doorway so he stepped out onto the platform.

Harry and Ginny began weaving their way through the crowd to the carriages. Meanwhile Hermione and Ron were off performing their duties as Hogwart Prefects. After ruining Malfoy's attempt at bullying a group of first years Hermione and Ron set off in search of Harry and Ginny. Before they had found Harry, Hermione grabbed Ron's arm and pulled him over to the side and asked, "Ron, do you get the feeling that we're being… well being watched?"

Ron looked at Hermione as though she were crazy. "Being watched? Of course we're being watched, we're school prefects."

Hermione rolled her eyes at this. "I know that Ron, but I don't mean being watched like that. It's like we're being watched by…" she paused as she tried to think of the right words, "It's like someone's watching us, someone or something that is unseen, something hidden," by this point Hermione was speaking so quietly she mind as well have been talking to herself. Meanwhile Ron looked as befuddled as before.

"Hermione are you feeling all right?"

'Yes Ron, I'm perfectly fine. It's just—oh, never mind. Let's go find Harry."

Ron eyed Hermione nervously as they continued towards the line of horse-less carriages. When Hermione and Ron found Harry Hermione quickly stepped into the carriage meanwhile Harry was pointing something out to Ron but appeared to be having no effect on Ron except to increase the look of befuddlement. Finally Harry gave up and the two boarded the carriage. Inside the carriage Hermione sat staring out of the window into the night sky searching for the source, or at least some clue as to this unease.

'Delta, status on First Years?'

'Kilo, first years are moments from reaching the boats.'

'Roger that, Delta, convoy's moving. Signal back when the first years are across then we'll move into position for the final part.'

'Affirmative Kilo, Delta out.'