Welcome back to the second segment of Book Seven! Conflict and war continue to escalate as Voldemort's forces grow stronger.

Enjoy!

PART TWO

Chapter One

After the calamity at Malfoy Manor, Harry and his companions decided to lay low while they contemplated their next move. Bill and Fleur welcomed them in with open arms and decent food to share around. Rachele agreed to stay only for the one meal before she headed back to Hogwarts. But before that, there were several matters she needed tohave cleared. In her haste to rescue her friends from the Death Eaters and through her grief of losing Dobby, she didn't notice the two extra tag alongs that Harry and Ron had saved from the Malfoy's dungeon. One was Mr. Ollivander, the seller and maker of all wands. The other was Griphook, one of the many goblins working at Gringotts. Harry wanted to have private conversations with both regarding a few recovered items but Rachele politely asked for a word first.

"I'll only be a minute with each of them." She told Harry. "I promise."

Harry nodded. "It's fine. Go ahead."

She walked up the creaky stairs and took the first door to the right. Quietly opening it, she stepped into a small room, spotting the stout form of the goblin perched on an armchair much too large for his size. She took a few cautious steps towards him.

"Hello Griphook." She greeted politely. Goblins were sketchy creatures, she found it was best to keep her manners around them.

"Miss Sullivan." He replied back to the teenager.

Rachele crouched in front of him. "Why were the Malfoy's keeping you prisoner?"

Griphook stared blankly at her. "What does it matter to you?"

"Lestrange is sick and twisted. She has her own motives besides Voldemort. You were only being held there by her command."

The goblin smiled grimly. "You're awfully obtuse Sullivan."

She shrugged. "I have my ways of gaining intel from my enemies."

"I was assigned to place the sword of Gryffindor in her vault."

Rachele stood up in alarm. "But Harry has the sword now."

Griphook smirked knowingly. "Indeed he does."

Knowing he wasn't willing to share valuable information, Rachele chose not to pry further. It was only then she noticed a deep scratch on the goblins cheek.

"That looks painful." She said gesturing to it. "Would you like me to heal it for you?"

Griphook held up his hand. "I appreciate the offer Sullivan but I would have to decline. I barely made it out of there, it's a nice reminder that I'm alive and can feel pain."

Rachele nodded. "I understand. Thanks for your time Griphook but I must be going. Plus Harry wishes to speak with you."

Griphook bowed his head in acknowledgement. "Always a pleasure Miss Sullivan."

Rachele exited the room a moment later, giving off a small shiver. "Sweet Merlin goblins never fail to weird me out."

"How'd it go?" Harry's voice sounded. He, Ron and Hermione had been patiently waiting near the door while Rachele spoke to their guest.

"Make sure you're blunt with him Harry." She advised. "Slippery little blighter that one. He's withholding important information."

Harry nodded. "I know, that's why I want to talk to him."

"Fair enough. I have to talk to Ollivander now. And Harry a moment of your time before I leave." When he nodded she entered the door opposite the one she just came from. Hunched over in the far corner of this room, and definitely seen better days sat the old form of Garrick Ollivander.

"Garrick." She called out softly.

The raggard man looked up and smiled. "Young Rachele Sullivan. My how you've blossomed into a rare beauty."

Rachele sat on the bed next to him. "Wish I could say the same. You look dreadful."

He chuckled grimly. "What remains of ones youth tends to be drained when tortured by the most evil wizard in the world."

Rachele frowned darkly. "He did this to you?"

"Don't fret my dear." He said patting her hand. "This foolish old man still has a skip in his step."

"Garrick." She gripped his hand. "You knew Albus for a long time. What was he like? You know. When he was younger."

Ollivander smiled. "Ah alas he never changed much. He was always gifted, a rare prodigy of his time. And as you know overly ambitious. He had the unfortunate knack of using unorthordox methods for the sake of preserving life."

Rachele agreed with a roll of her eyes. "Tell me about it. He would become so obsessed with the mission he would sometimes forget the difference between what was right and what was necessaary. 'One life to save millions.' He used to tell me."

"He meant well." He said bemusedly. "He had a good heart."

Rachele sighed. "Yeah I know. Despite his flaws he was a good father to me. And that's all that really mattered."

Ollivander leaned forward. "Actually I've been meaning to ask. Why have I never had the priviledge of selling a wand to you?"

Rachele grinned. "I was certain you knew the answer to that one."

The old man smiled. "Oh most assured Albus left out no detail of your heritage. But an old wandmaker like myself always dreams of partnering every wand with each chosen witch or wizard."

Rachele shrugged. "I wasn't meant to carry a wand Garrick. Fate has set me apart from others in this generation."

"I've always believed that the wand chooses their owner young Rachele. But in your special case, perhaps it's you that decides who or what is the vessel to your powers. You are the Guardian of this Earth. It's possible all wands can sense your destiny and respect you enough for you to use them anytime."

Rachele laughed. "I can use whatever wand I want? Is that what you're saying?" She snorted. "Then it's a good thing I never bought one when I started school. That would've held up the queue."

Ollivander chuckled. "Nevertheless, I would've been honoured if you had chosen to purchase from my collection."

Rachele smiled. "Well if not me, then I'm sure my children and all those after will. You have my word."

A knock at the door interrupted them and a moment later Hermione poked her head inside. "Rach? Sorry to rush you but Harry's getting anxious."

Rachele sighed. "Fine, fine I'm coming. It was wonderful to see you Garrick." She gave her friend a gentle hug. "Take care of yourself."

Ollivander patted her back. "You as well little one." He said with a wink.

Rachele smiled and waved as she backed out of the room, allowing the other three to slip in after her. Promising Harry she still needed to speak to him, she headed downstairs to go find Luna. She found the blonde sitting at the table with Bill and Fleur, the three exchanged in a light conversation.

"Hey guys."

"Hello Rachele." Luna said in her typical dreamy tone. "Would you like a sandwich?" She held up a plate in Rachele's direction.

"Thanks." Rachele said taking the offered food before taking a seat. "So...how are the two newly weds doing?"

Bill put an arm around his wife. "Living the dream. Minus the war of course."

Fleur leaned into her husband. "Bill iz everyzing I ever dreamed of."

Rachele smiled. "Aaww you guys are cute."

"I 'erd you are also in love yes?" Fleur asked coyly.

Rachele blushed. "Yeah I am...but who did you hear it from?"

"Hermione." Bill answered. "She talks about you a lot. She briefly mentioned you're dating some chap from Slytherin. Um...Ricky Korvel or something?"

Rachele laughed. "Actually it's Robert Kordellus and yes he's a Slytherin. Don't see why that matters though."

Bill sighed. "I have to apologise for my brother's irrational prejudice. Out of our family he has a sore spot with anyone interacted with that house. Dumb prat has a hard time letting go of grudges."

Rachele smiled. "It's fine. I can deal with Ron. Even if he can be a giant pain in the arse." She mumbled the last part to herself then covered it with a bite out of her sandwich.

Just then Harry entered the room with Ron and Hermione trailing behind him. "Hey, we're done. You wanted to talk Rach?"

Rachele nodded with a mouth full. "Yrsh gmmmamin."

Harry chuckled. "Sure take your time."

Rachele finished her meal with two more very large bites before standing up. "Alright I'm good. You up for a walk?"

Harry shrugged. "Sure. Ron and Hermione?"

Rachele waved her hand. "Yeah, they can come too. The talk's not that private." Her dry remark caused a few chuckles. The group of teens exited through the front door and began trudging along the narrow path that stretched between the landscape filled with long grass. It was silent for a few minutes as they felt the chilly wind brush across their faces. It was a welcoming change after the grim events that had only recently transpired.

After walking a little ways, Rachele stopped and faced her friends; Harry in particular. "Listen guys. There's no point sugar-coating this. Things at Hogwarts aren't getting any easier. I'm keeping the Death Eaters and Dementors at bay, but it's only a matter of time before Voldemort is there with his entire army." She stared dead-on at Harry. "I know he's coming after you."

Harry frowned. "What do you want me to do Rach? Go crashing through the entrance like some valiant knight on a steed?"

Rachele rose an eyebrow. "Now there's an image. Might give Ginny a slight heart attack though."

Harry glared. "I'm serious."

She rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine. Look I'm not asking you to come right now. Trust me I can handle the stupid idgets that are there right now." She said this with a grin. "But we need some sort of plan for whenever you do."

Hermione nodded in agreement. "Shes right Harry. Snape will be anticipating your arrival. We need to be smart about this."

Rachele felt herself flinch slightly at Snape's name and the memory of that night in his office. The confession that had come from that man had surprised her to say the least. It was such a deep, hurtful fragment from his past she couldn't help feeling sympathetic towards him. For a long time she was silent as this rare sight of a broken man laid out his long repressed feelings to her. Feelings he was still holding onto. And she had promised, cross her heart and hope to die, to never breath a word of this forbidden tale of his past to anyone. Yet here she was contemplating strategies to sneak Harry Potter undetected into Hogwarts right under his nose. Go figure.

"What about Hogsmeade?" Ron's voice snapped her back.

"That's a good idea Ron. Hogsmeade has plenty of secret entrances leading to the castle."

Rachele shook her head. "No good, they're patrolling every single one. Believe me I've checked."

"How are we supposed to sneak in if all the passages are blocked off?"

Rachele tapped her chin in thought for a moment...and then it hit her. She looked at them with a proud grin. "Then we'll just have to create one."

Harry's brow furrowed. "Come again?"

She folded her arms and smirked. "We'll make a tunnel, a secret one only myself and the students know about. We'll connect it to a random store in Hogsmeade somewhere and once we figure out which one we'll let you know."

Hermione beamed. "That's brilliant! Only..."

Rachele leered at her. "Yeeeees?"

"What if they have some weird alarm system activated? Especially if they know Harry's coming."

Rachele shrugged. "I wouldn't worry too much about that. We'll get you in regardless."

"Can always count on you to be the confident one ay Rach?" Ron said grinning.

She gave a cute innocent smile. "I try!"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Shouldn't you be heading back?"

She poked her tongue out while giving him a cute salute. "Yeth thiir!"

Hermione giggled. "Say it don't spray it." She stepped forward to give her sister a hug. "I guess we'll probably see you back at school then?"

Rachele smiled and nodded. "Absolutely. I'll make sure to have everything good to go...uh..." She scratched her head. "Whatever the hell that may be."

Ron and Hermione laughed while Harry just sighed and gave her a dismissive wave. "We'll be sure to let you know."

Rachele grinned. "Catch you guys later!" She said as she disappeared from view.

"And there she goes again." Ron commented. "Wonder if she ever tires of flashing about like that all the time."

Hermione shrugged. "Who knows. Probably not as ghastly uncomfortable as apparating I'll bet."

Harry shivered. "Merlin I'll never forget my first time." He saw the devious grin on his friends faces and felt his face flush darkly. "I mean apparation guys! Come on!"

Hermione punched his shoulder. "We know what you meant Harry. Come on let's head back. Bill and Fleur are waiting."

Harry followed them back to the house with a scowl, muttering under his breath about how cruel best friends can be.

Flashing back into the dorms, Rachele noticed the room was empty save for a stripy round ball of fur curled up on her mattress. Not wanting to disturb the slumbering feline, she chose to venture downstairs in search of human company. At first she thought the common room empty as well, but upon a second glance she was pleased when she spotted her boyfriend sitting on the window perch with his nose buried in a book. She stayed put; choosing this rare opportunity to drink in his appearance. She began from the top, imagining herself dragging her fingers through his messy dark strands. She shifted to his eyes, those dreamy blue eyes that shone with endless love whenever he looked at her. She skipped the rest of his face (although she did briefly linger on the strong sharpness of his jaw) and pulled her gaze to his lips. She lost herself for a moment, feeling the memory of his soft lips caressing hers. She unconciously lifted her fingers to her mouth, already aching to have his mouth on hers. She couldn't help it; that guy was a damn good kisser. Regathering herself she continued her little exploration. Inch by inch she admired every bit of skin and muscle on her boyfriend's body. His neck, shoulders, collar-bone, chest, those delectable rock-hard abs she can never get enough of. His hips, legs and...speaking of rock-hard...she mentally slapped herself of her perverted thought. But even so her mind wandered shamelessly back to that night she surrendered herself to him and could still feel the imprint of his perfect body flushed against hers. A small blush unknowingly spread across her face.

"Rach? You okay there?"

Her already wide orbs snapped up in surprise to see Robert's amused eyes staring at her. "H-huh? Wait...what?"

His smile widened. "You look a little flustered."

Rachele coughed. "I'm just worn out. I've been running around like a crazy person."

Robert tossed his book to the side and stood up. "Really now?"

Rachele looked away, embarrased. "Yeah...really." Damn that smirk, he could see right through her pathetic lie.

Robert walked towards her with agonisingly slow steps. He only stopped when they were inches away, a slither of space between them. All Rachele could do was stare at his chest; she knew if she looked at his face she would lose all control.

"Then why don't I believe you?"

Rachele's entire body twitched at his sultry tone. Curse him and his deep, sexy voice!

"I...uh...I...I don't know." She clenched her fists; so much for maintaining control. Her eyes closed shut tightly when he cupped her cheek. This was it. She was done for. Any longer and...

"Hey... it's okay."

And just like that all those riled up sensations vanished in an instant. This time she was able to look up where nothing but love and understanding gazed right back at her. She stood in stunned silence as he affectionaly brushed back her fringe.

"Listen Gryffindor, you don't have to worry. You wanted to wait and I respect that. I'd be a total prat if I didn't abide by a promise I made to the love of my life."

Rachele's bottom lip trembled. "Oh Robbie..." She buried her face in his shirt with her arms wound tightly around him. "I..." She sighed. "Thank you."

Robert chuckled, gently hugging her waist. "Hey you're not outta the water yet. Don't think I didn't notice you checking me out just now."

Rachele's face turned scarlet. "Shut up. I'm allowed to appreciate how hot my boyfriend is."

Robert grinned. "Don't feel bad. You have no idea how crazy you make me sometimes."

Rachele looked up at him curiously. "Really?"

Robert ran a hand down her hair before settling on her lower back. "Rach, you're gorgeous. It's unfair to every other girl just how stunning you are."

Rachele blushed cutely while tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "Oh...golly. I-I-I don't know about that."

Robert smiled. "You're also modest about it which only makes you hotter."

Rachele's blush deepened. "Robbie..." She honestly had no idea how to respond.

Robert's eyes grew dark. "Can I show you?"

Rachele stared at him. "What?"

He grabbed her waist and pulled her tightly against him. "Just how much you drive me crazy." He bent down to whisper in her ear. "Don't worry...I'll keep my promise."

'Hell that's good enough for me.' She thought to herself just as his lips crashed on hers. Her gentle Robert was gone, in his place was this urgent and desperate animal. He pushed and prodded at her mouth with his tongue so much she was compelled to part her lips and grant him entrance. For a minute it was nothing but this battle of dominance between mouths and tongues until Robert started backing her up the stairs. Before she knew it they were in the dorms (boys or girls she wasn't too sure nor did she care) and collapsing on a random mattress in a tangle of limbs. Rachele found herself crushed between her boyfriend and the floor which she didn't mind in the least. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and her legs around his waist to pull him closer as their make out session became heavier by the second. They only paused briefly so Robert could wrench both of their shirts off. Rachele hungrily ran her hands up and down his toned stomach while his hands wanderd aimlessly over her stomach and back. His fingers did brush her chest area a couple times but he refrained from exploring into a action that might spiral out of control. So for the next several minutes they kissed, pressed and grinded against each other. In the end it was Rachele who brought things to a halt and the couple lay side by side breathing heavily.

"Wow..." She gasped. "I think that was more intense then when we did go the whole way."

Robert laughed. "It was our first time...can't help taking it easy."

"Well then." She leaned on her elbow so she could face him. "After this war is over..." This time it was her time to whisper in his ear. "You can go as hard as you want."

Robert grinned. "Can't wait. Now you see how crazy you make me?"

Rachele smirked. "I have a pretty good idea." She kissed him softly.

"Rachele? Robert? You guys up here?" They're eyes widened at the sound of the new voice. It was Ginny.

Rachele scrambled off Robert and looked around frantically for her shirt. "Crap she was teasing me enough before. Can only imagine what she'd say if she saw us now." She spotted her discarded garment and hurried over to snatch it up before quickly putting it back on. Robert was halfway through putting his own on when the door swung open revealing the last person they were expecting.

"Oh..." Rachele grinned sheepishly. "Hi Neville."

Neville's eyes darted between her and Robert. "D...did I interrupt something?"

Rachele stood up and smoothed her clothes down. "Not at all. Everything alright?"

Neville stared for a moment before shaking his head. "Death Eaters are acting strange. They're more persistant with keeping everyone in order. They have most of us assembled in the hall right now."

Rachele growled. "Damn it all to hell. They only do this when they know I'm absent. Bloody cowards."

"What's the plan Gryffindor?" Robert asked.

Rachele looked between the two males. "It's only a matter of time before Harry returns. We need to figure out a way to smuggle him into the castle."

Neville scratched his head. "But every entrance is blocked or being patrolled. Even in Hogsmeade."

Rachele grinned. "That's why we're going to dig a new one. Neville go find Ginny and Claudia and bring them up here." She smiled deviously. "It's time to relocate."

A short while later, Rachele left the common room with a select few she trusted the most; Robert, Claudia, Ginny and a determined Neville who had strongly insisted he tag along. 'I've barely been any help all year' He had said rather valiantly Rachele was unable to deny his request. The five teenagers crept along the fire-lit corridors, keeping ears and eyes alert for any sound or movement.

"Stay sharp everyone." Rachele whispered. "We're almost there."

"Almost where?"

She grinned at Claudia. "You'll see."

It was another minute before Rachele brought everyone to a swift halt outside a large double door. She wore a proud smirk while her friends just looked outright confused.

"Uuhh... I've never seen this door before. Is this the Room of Requirement?" Neville said scratching the back of his head.

Rachele chuckled. "Not exactly. Watch this." She reached forward and pulled the on the big brass door knobs before leading everyone inside. "May I present the new quarters for the resistance." The room was massive, definitely big enough to fit all students from all four houses. There were bunk beds galore and plenty of space to move around in. It was the perfect hideaway.

Claudia came up to her best friend. "Wow Rach, how did you find this place?"

Rachele grinned. "I didn't find it exactly. I kinda created it." She winked.

Ginny beamed. "That's brilliant Rachele! Why didn't we think of this earlier?"

Rachele shrugged. "I dunno it's been a really distracting year. Besides this room goes along with something I've planned with Harry."

Ginny's eyes lit up. "You've talked to him? Is he alright? When is he coming back?"

Rachele smiled. "Easy there girly one question at a time. Yes I've talked to him. Yes he's perfectly fine and I'm pretty sure he might be coming back soon..." She wobbled her hand. "...ish."

Ginny grinned. "That's good enough for me!"

Rachele chuckled. "Alright well you guys get yourselves settled. I'll round up everyone else."

Transferring all the students to the new room didn't take very long, especially with Rachele sending each person there in an instant with the snap of her fingers. When she was sure everyone was safely tucked away, she knew there were more pressing matters to attend to.

Not long after she had returned to the school, Harry had informed her of a new mission that startled her beyond words. He, Ron and Hermione were planning on sneaking into Gringotts and breaking into the vault of none other than Bellatrix Lestrange herself. Harry and Griphook would hide under the invisibility cloak, Ron was disguised as a older, devious Death Eater and Hermione used Polyjuice Potion to transfigure herself into a identical version of the said dark witch. Rachele was quick to shoot this plan down, claiming it was dangerous and way too reckless. Her concerns related mostly with the goblins. They may have simple jobs as bank representatives, but they were highly intelligent creatures and no small infiltration plan would fool them. Even after her attempts to explain all this, Harry replied with a single response that snuffed out all other possible arguments she might've vocalised.

'Bellatrix's vault contained one of the Horcruxes.'

She had muttered curses to herself as she reluctantly agreed that while it was extremely life-risking, it was a profound step closer to killing the world's largest threat. So with a heavy heart she gave three of her closest friends her somewhat wavering support to go ahead and do what they have to do. She promised Harry that she would continue to watch over his friends at Hogwarts and would be more than ready for his anticipated return.

When she returned to their hideout after every student was secure, she grabbed Robert and Claudia to quickly inform them of Harry's whereabouts.

"Tad bit risky isn't it?" Robert asked with concern.

"Extremely, especially with it being Bellatrix's vault of all people." Rachele replied with a sigh. "But I believe in them, I know they'll succeed. After all these years I find Harry to be a rather driven person. When he sticks his mind to something he becomes a stubborn arse mule about it."

"What about Ginny?" Claudia enquired. "Should we tell her?"

Rachele shook her head. "No. I promised Harry I'd let him talk to her when he arrives. He has a bunch of things to tell her anyway."

"Like?"

Rachele's eyes darted around before she leaned in to whisper. "Harry's gonna tell Ginny he loves her."

Claudia make a small 'aaww.' "That's adorable!"

Robert grinned. "Took their sweet time didn't they?"

Rachele rose an eyebrow at him. "We, of all people, can't talk Robbie."

Robert chuckled. "Touche."

"So what's the plan until Harry gets back?" Claudia asked quietly.

Rachele glanced along the room's perimeter. "Figuring out a way to sneak him and the others back into the school. I need to find out which shop in Hogsmeade has the most straight and narrow path that'll lead directly here." She tapped her chin. "I have to do it quickly, and without setting off any of their alarms."

Robert grinned. "Don't think that'll be an issue for you."

She shrugged. "Probably not." She muttered staring distractedly at the ceiling. "It's pretty early in the morning. If Harry's plan goes smoothly he should hopefully arrive either late tonight or tomorrow."

Robert's eyebrows furrowed. "How do you know that? Do you know what his plan consists of?"

Rachele smiled mysteriously. "I know Harry well enough to speculate his timing of things. Don't you worry." She grabbed each of their hands. "I'm gonna nip out to Hogsmeade real quick. I'll be an hour or two, tops. Do me a favour and keep everyone in here distracted; they can't know anything just yet."

Her two closest friends nodded. "You can count on us Gryffindor."

She smiled at them. "Great...oh feel free to tell Ginny that Harry will be back soon. That girl needs as much positive reinforcement as she can get."

Claudia gripped her hand. "We've got this Rachele...you do what you need to do."

"Alright. See you in a couple hours." She bid her goodbyes to them, using them as a shield to quickly teleport away without anyone noticing. Once they were sure she was gone, Claudia and Robert wandered over casually to find their female ginger-head friend and tell her the good news.

The village of Hogsmeade was not the bright tourist attraction it was the year before. Shops had been worn down and abandoned due to being over-run by Voldemort's followers. They had the area tightly secured with at least two Death Eaters guarding each building, one standing still with steely eyes darting around and his partner pacing back and forth, most likely with the anxiousness to fight or kill something.

Rachele studied all this from behind a wall, one of the few unluminated from the orange rays of the now setting sun. Dusk was well on it's way and she knew it was only a matter of time before Harry would be infiltrating his way back into the school. And it was her job to guaranteed that he did so successfully. Mentally cloaking herself in invisibility, she snuck across the road and headed for a beeline straight for a small back door path that would lead to the one place she knew the invaders had no clue about. The door to this particular shop was worn and knackered with bits of loose wood that would give one the worst of splinters. Rachele gave the knob a small tug and was unsurprised to find it locked. Pushing her magic into it, a small click was heard and she easily pulled the door open before slipping inside. The inside barely resembled a shop anymore, more like a dinky dust covered hotel that looked like it hadn't seem the light of day for decades. She then spotted an old plate on a table with scraps of food that appeared relatively fresh. Leaning over she gave the remnants a cautious sniff, surprised that this abandoned meal was still edible.

"Which means someone was here."

"May I help you with something young lady?"

Rachele whipped around in defensive alarm. When her eyes landed on the figure, they widened to the size of saucers, unable to register just what or who she was seeing. There was no mistaking this person, from the long white beard all the way to the twinkling blue eyes.

"A...Albus?"

End of Chapter

We're closing in on Harry's inevitable return. They're taking slow steady steps to help him sneak in without the Death Eaters noticing.

And who is this stranger who holds such a striking resemblance to Rachele's old mentor?

See you next time!