The Enemy of My Enemy

by Morcelu

During the Battle of Hogwarts, a enemy who had been biding their time for centuries strike during the climax of the Wizarding Civil War and now threatens both Order members and Death Eater alike

2. Chapter 2

Having read other stories that pertained to cussing, I've downgraded this story to a T. I've also modified it's setup to give a idea who the paring is. (Those who read my work..know who that is :) Once again I like to think everyone who helped me on this and I will hope to start posting the remaining chapters of this story soon. I of course own nothing and please review*

Enemies of Enemies Chapter 2

Voldermort looked at the battle-wearied group and he himself couldn't escape the irony that he had originally given the order to kill them all and he had saved them through his Portkey.

"Where are we?" Voldermort asked, looking around, as he didn't have the time to create a proper Portkey and he had set it to follow the magic of an earlier apperation. The magic had been barely enough but he deduced that whoever had retreated wasn't foolish enough to retreat to somewhere that wasn't safe; when he saw the house, he knew it to be the rebuilt Burrow, residence of the Weasleys, from the reports his Death Eaters gave.

"Minerva," he said calmly, "How are your phoenīcēs?" The words were neither filled with care nor were they filled with hate; they were at best apathetic.

Minerva looked at the Burrow and didn't know what to think. The simple fact that Voldermort had saved them all was enough to cause confusion on her part. She would have expected him to save his Death Eaters for they were his followers, but when she looked around she saw Draco Malfoy holding Hermione Granger, Lucius Malfoy was assisting up Severus Snape. Bellatrix was being Bellatrix and she was looking over Lord Voldermort from a distance, indifferent to the others, which to Minerva was a vast improvement. 'Shame that it takes such drastic measures for this to happen.' The elder Gryffindor matriarch thought with regret.

"We have lost many of our members," she said with a heavy heart. "Hermione," she called as she went over to Draco, who was holding Hermione. "Are you OK?" She asked as she could see the crimson stain getting larger.

Hermione nodded as she motioned for Draco to put her down. "I'm fine, Professor McGonagall," she stated quietly as she motioned for Draco to put her down. "It's nothing but a scratch, you can put me down, Draco," Slightly confused as to why she was using his first name.

Draco began to put her down,thinking. 'Oh sure, now you play the hero. What is with you, Gryffidors?' Draco let his arms lower and allowed her to put her feet on the ground, but he knew something was instantly wrong, as she let out a cry and began to fall. Draco quickly took her into his arms again not being able to hold out a wince of his own, as he felt the tear in his shoulder again.

"Granger, Draco," Lucius called as he went to his son and noticing the darkening spot of his robes across Draco's shoulders. "Arthur." Lucius said as he turned to Arthur Weasley, who was looking at his family home. "We need beds for the wounded." Lucius then turned to Draco and he saw that Hermione had passed out in his son's arms. "Give her to me. I will take her to the bed."

Draco obeyed his father as his own eyes were growing fuzzy from the pain and he felt his head swimming. "Careful," Draco said barely audible as he gave her limp body to his father.

"Arthur!" Lucius snapped again. "Unless you want this little mudblood's blood to run all out on your grass, you will help me set up a place for her," Lucius said to the older man as Lucius then noticed that there were less red heads than there should be. "We can mourn later," Lucius said as he knew all too well the loss the man was feeling, as he too recalled losing his wife. "Right now, we need to save the ones we can," he added in a calm tone only he could maintain in this situation.

"You are correct, Lucius. Come this way," Arthur said as he entered into his house and looked at his kitchen, which, after the remodeling was expanded to fit an extremely large table that was used for family gatherings. Arthur then waived his wand and the large table disappeared; in its place appeared several beds and several items were transfigured into medical supplies. "Place her on the bed here," Arthur said as he indicated the newly formed beds.

Lucius placed her on the bed. "I'll get McGonagall. She's going to need tending to and that won't be possible with that shirt on," Lucius said as he turned out towards the door and into the yard. "Minerva, your Gry-" Lucius was saying as he was cut off by Draco.

"Hermione!" he stated with emphasis as he himself was barely able to hold himself aloft. "She is badly injured and she needs attending to," he gasped out as his own shoulder brought fiery pain with every breath but he would keep it together when he heard Lord Voldermort speaking over them all.

"Severus, see to the wounded; Draco is wounded as are several others. Professor McGonagall, I think your young phoenix in there is need of medical attention. I will be placing wards around this area to make it secure. I managed to clear the magic signature so they can't trace us here, but I don't want to take any chances." The Dark Lord spoke as he raised his wand and began chanting in Latin, his wand sending dark lights covering the sky as the black tendrils began encompassing the Burrow and surrounding yard. A strong silence fell over the group as the wards were finalized. "I have set the first wards, we are protected within the grounds, as they will repel any Goblin assault but I want some Order members placing wards as well. The wards need to be Death eater Order member and end with a McGonagall's when she is able as the combination of different views of magic will reinforce it."

"I will go see Hermione then I will set my wards, Tom," McGonagall said as she saw her company and part of her had wanted to smile, as she saw Lucius Malfoy taking Hermione Granger from his injured son. McGonagall knew exactly what Lucius had been thinking earlier and both the elder wizards knew what even the two younger wizards didn't have an inkling about but now wasn't the time to approach them. "Neville, I want you to post your wards under Tom's wards; you know which kind I speak of," she said to the Herbamagus as Neville stopped looking around as he was thinking of Luna.

"Yes, Professor," he said, as McGonagall went into the house to attend to Hermione. Neville then looked towards the trees as he took his wand and began swaying himself as if he was a tree in the wind. "Frondis occulto ut conspectus," he cried out loud as magic leaves began to come off the trees and swirl above them blocking out the sun and encasing them in darkness for seconds before vanishing and leaving the wards in place. "That will prevent any spying eyes," he said with a bit of heavy breathing, as the wards were powerful and the effort had drained him more than it should, as he was still exhausted from the battle. "Luna," he said, barely a whisper, as he wonder where she had Apparated to.

"Impressive, Longbottom," Severus stated and he meant it. "There is a small number of people who can do that spell and for it to be successful is even more surprising. Severus said as he looked at his former master, Severus during a key point of the battle of Hogwarts had revealed his true side, and was actually battling several death eaters when the goblins had struck.

Voldermort looked at the Potions Master, a man whom he thought had been one of his most loyal followers. He now knew that Severus was once again in a delicate position. Voldermort though awarded him his forgiveness granting him life and a new role. for the Potions Master being just that, a master, meant that Severus was their closest thing to a medic and his extensive knowledge on how to cure basically anything that could be thrown at him also meant that every one of them would come to depend upon his knowledge in their future battles against the goblins. "Severus Snape. Traitor to a cause but loyal to us all," Voldermort said more than a bit amused at the irony. "I'm sure your knowledge as a battle medic will be put into use for us all, Severus, so you are absolved of your crimes against me due to the fact that we shall all need it." Voldermort knew Severus didn't care if he was officially pardoned or not but he spoke instead for the benefit of the Death Eaters that were gathered; they knew better than to go against someone Lord Voldermort had sanctioned.

Severus took the news with a stone face. He could care less than what Voldermort thought of his sins. He also knew that sad fact that Voldermort spoke the truth. and he knew that madam Promfrey when the goblins had attacked was assisting the wounded and now with the fact she wasn't with them that There was more than a high chance that she was dead and he was their new caretaker whether he cared for it or not, and he would be assisting both Death Eaters and Order members. "Your pardon is accepted," Severus stated to keep the tensions low at any cost because even though he had Lucius as a true friend along with Draco, other Death Eaters would want to flay him alive for his treachery. "I do agree with your words and I will attend first to my godson," Severus added as he turned his back to Voldermort and went to Draco. "Draco, take your shirt off, I need to see how bad it is," Severus said to his godson as he gave a look towards Lucius.

Draco lifted his robes standing there in only his black pants, as Severus looked over his shoulder. "Ok, that hurt like hell," Draco said calmly as he sat down upon a stool conjured for him by his father. "Well, doc am I going to live?" He stated as he felt Severus's trained hands examining him. Draco looked down to the Dark Mark upon his arm, as he flexed it and moved his shoulder to Snape's instructions.

"Yes, Draco, you shall live, but it needs to be cauterized as the wound is from a goblin-made curse, so our magic will only agitate it. I won't lie that this will hurt more," Severus said as he motioned for Arthur Weasley having just returned from inside allowing the women some privacy. "Arthur, please tell me you have pure iron within your house." Severus asked as he looked over Draco's wound. "It's going to take the pure iron heated to seal this wound otherwise it will grow worse and soon become infected. We need to fix this now."

Arthur nodded. "I have cold iron fire place utensils," Arthur said as he then turned to head into the house. Arthur paused though as he saw blonde coming from the trees "Luna Lovegood?" he wondered as he saw the young witch coming towards them from behind a tree where she had hidden. Luna though trembling, her wand was at the ready and pointing decidedly at Voldemorte Arthur quickly stepped in between as he raised his hands "It's ok, we're all here as one." He said with a confirming nod from Voldermort. "What are you doing here?"

"Arthur, the iron!" Severus said to remind him that he needed it to help Draco. "Ms Lovegood will be here when you return, I assure you." Snape spoke as if he was talking to one of his first years.

"Um, of course," Arthur stated as he rushed towards his front door to his fireplace where the iron was kept. "I'll return shortly."

Severus rolled his eyes. "Merlin, help us all." He then turned his attention to Luna. "Arthur does raise a very important question, what are you doing here? I thought you would have Apparated to your own family home instead of the Burrow after you left the battle."

Luna still feeling weak just nodded as she suddenly felt the strong arms of Neville around her and she leaned heavily on him for support. "I had thought about going home, but then I remembered how the Burrow used to be the center location for the Order of the Pheonix and I thought this would be a safer place than my own home. So I Apparated here," Luna said with a solemn voice, the dreamy quality almost all but gone as she held onto Neville.

"Good for you that you did, child." Bellatrix said as she came upwards from where she was looking over the property. "This place is actually easier to defend than your place and there is something special about this place." Bellatrix then looked at the sky. "Lord Voldermort, I will place my own wards under Longbottom's and merge our counter magics to make them stronger," Bellatrix said as she knew that Nevilles magic would contest against her own but the older magic that both used to protect those underneath would cause the wards to grow even stronger. "Furoris Natus Universus" Bellatrix barely spoke in a whisper as her wards were placed above and her magic came into contact with Neville's. There was a brief feeling of conflict before the wards settled just in time for Arthur Weasley to come back, holding a flat iron rod used to tend to the fire place.

"I need someone to heat this," Severus said as he took the rod from Arthur and looked at Draco. "Lucius…" Severus was about to ask when Ron and Harry stepped up. Arthur looked at them both; Ginny was still on Harry's arm and he could see the redness in her eyes, showing that she clearly had been crying. "Ginny, I think you should go help Professor McGongall with Hermione. Bellatrix, could you take Ginny and Luna in there?" He obviously didn't want the girls to witness what they were about to do.

Bellatrix looked to Voldermort as Voldermort nodded and consented to the request. "Ginny, Luna, I think we can leave the boys to their toys." Bellatrix looked at what was about to be a very hot poker with a lustful look as she liked giving pain and it mattered little that her nephew was about to be the recipient. "We need to help the mu- I mean Granger." She corrected herself as she saw the look her nephew gave her and she honestly didn't want to start an argument right under her lord's nose. "We can go help them in the house as they tend to my nephew out here."

Neville was torn as he watched Luna go with the woman that had tortured his parents. He had wanted to kill her so much but he also knew that she was a damn good fighter and they would need her so he kept his tongue quiet as Luna gave him a kiss and started to go inside. "I told you I'd come back for another one," Neville said with a smile as he watched them walk away.

Draco rolled his eyes and once Bellatrix had gotten Ginny and Luna to the house he finally spoke up. "Well, as much fun as this is, I'd like to get this over with because I'm not looking forward to this." he said with a grimace as he looked at Harry and Ron. "You two can cast fire spells, can't you?" said he asked with his typical arrogance. Just because he took a hit for Hermione, didn't mean he started suddenly playing nice with the wonder twosome. "If not I'll do it myself," he added with a grimace

Harry looked at Ron as he narrowed his eyes. "Ecamini" Harry said with more than a bit of wrath in his voice as the iron poker in Arthur's hand instantly reddened and began to heat, then hearing Ron repeat the incantation beside him, watched it glow white with heat. "Oh, the forge spell should make it just right," Harry said then actually grimaced as Arthur held the poker to Severus.

Severus took it , looked at the shoulder wound, leaned over and whispered to Draco. "I wish I could say this won't hurt at all, but this will hurt." He then paused as he rapidly blinked his eyes. "Very much so." Severus then held the iron poker with its white hot tip to Draco's shoulder and shut his eyes as the sound of searing flesh could be heard before Draco's scream erupted as the ancient technique healed the wound. "It's finished, Draco."

Draco nodded as he felt nausea come up from the pain. It was nothing he had felt before; even the Cruciatus wasn't as bad as that searing pain had been. "I will fucking kill every last one of them," Draco said between gasps for breath, as the pain finally started going numb from the shock.

"Drink this," Lucius said as he held out a flask that he kept underneath his robes and handing it to Draco. He nodded as he saw the Draco's face contort as the Firewhisky hit the back of his throat. Lucius then looked at the darkening of Ron's shoulder. "Ron, that is goblin spell as well, is it not?" Lucius then looked at Severus. "Ronald, remove your shirt," Lucius said in a tone that didn't border any argument.

Ron winced as he knew he was about to get the fire treatment as well and he was cursing the goblins for the curse that had split his shoulder. He ripped his shirt off, letting out a stifled cry as he tried to put up a display of bravado because Draco had gone through the ordeal without much sound and only let out a sound at the final moment of actual contact. "Just make it quick, so it can start to heal," Ron stated through gnashed teeth.

Draco held out his flask to Ron as he nodded. "Drink that, it will help," he said with a grimace as the cooler weather threatened goose bumps upon his shirtless form. "Oh, by the way that's going to hurt like hell." Draco then smiled as he watched Lucius heat the iron rod again and place it against Ron's shoulder as he was distracted by Draco.

"Fucking Merlin's beard!" Ron yelled as he felt the red hot poker sear his skin, the wound cauterizing against the magic. "Damn, that hurt," he said as he felt the nausea come over him and, unlike Draco, he begin to vomit onto the grass. "Ugh, that will wake you up in the morning," Ron said before taking another shot of Firewisky.

"Now that that's over with, I will go tend to my own wounds," Lucius stated as he bowed to Lord Voldermort, who just waived him off. "I will be just in the rear of the building should you require me, my Lord." Lucius spoke to Voldermort before exiting from them, making sure they couldn't see the tears of mourning that were already dampening his eyes. He went around the corner of the house fighting his tears so they wouldn't fall.

"They will come eventually, Lucius, you shouldn't be ashamed of them," Remus Lupin said as he was now back within his human form knew the pain Lucius would be feeling and had moved to comfort the heartbroken Death Eater. "I saw her death and I know that you loved her dearly; there is no shame in mourning. I don't care what your Death Eater code says." he added through tear stained eyes.

"She wasn't supposed to die; she wasn't even supposed to be near the main wizards battle," Lucius snapped as his eyes turned redder and the tears came down. "She told me long ago that she wanted out. I told her that it was better for the family that we stay in," Lucius said as he fell heavy upon his snake head cane, his blond hair covering his face as the dry sobs racked his body. "This is all my fault, had it not been for me she would still be alive, my guiding star." Lucius grieved over his wife the tears coming freely. He would not disgrace his love for her by not mourning her and he damned anyone who thought he was weak.

"Lucius, it is not your fault. This is all our faults, we all share in this blame as we were fighting too much amongst ourselves to see the real threat of all these years and when it reared its head we couldn't fight back," Lupin stated as he walked quietly beside the grieving man. "I do know this, Mr. Malfoy, we will avenge them, every one of them. Fenrir and I fought side by side when it came down to it and, no, we weren't even considered friends but I believe we shared the wolf pack mentality that the pack is more important than the lone wolf and, Lucius, believe me that Lord Voldermort sees this too. I will fight by your side so that we can avenge your wife. Will you fight by my side so that I can avenge my fallen brothers?"

Lucius dried his tears as he helped himself to his feet and the blood red eyes there shone a fury that was matched in Lupin's. "Yes, Remus, I will fight by your side and by my friend Severus's side. You had your Marauders, I had Severus and I don't care that he was never for Lord Voldermort. He is still my friend and I will be sure that he knows it as well. If I am correct Lord Voldermort will probably be saying all this as well shortly and I think everyone will be given a chance to come to terms with this. I suggest now though that we return to the others and see about helping where we can.

Lupin nodded as he joined Lucius and walked back to the remaining crowd. He couldn't help but think of the irony portrayed here. Harry Potter was standing next to Lord Voldermort. Ronald and George Weasley were talking with Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape. Lupin also noticed Neville Longbottom venturing over to one of the trees. Lupin would inquire later but now he wondered about their female counterparts.

Severus, seeing Lucius's eyes, could tell that he had been mourning for his wife and unlike most of his friendships his with Lucius had been genuine. He reached out and hugged his Slytherin brother. Damn the Dark Lord and anyone else who thought them weak, for Severus knew all too well the pain of losing a loved one. "Don't worry, my brother," Severus said quietly to Lucius. "We will avenge her and make every one of those bastards pay."

Lucius returned the hug to Severus as he looked over at Lord Voldermort, knowing that this display of weakness would have earned him a Cruciatus at the least and maybe a Kedavra, if Voldermort had been in a poor mood. What shocked him most was the fact that Voldermort was seen contemplating what Lupin had said and was looking at how solid of a fight group they had there; he thought that if they had worked together the goblins wouldn't have stood much of a chance against them all.

"What have I done?" Voldermort said softly to no one but himself as he turned to Snape. "Snape, I believe Minerva needs your assistance inside with the girl." Voldermort then started walking to be by himself. Crabbe and Goyle tried to follow him, but he held his hand up motioning that he wished to be alone with his thoughts and walked off without his two body guards.

Severus looked at Voldermort as he walked away and his sharp hearing tuned from years of teaching children heard his doubts but he just wasn't willing yet to bet on Tom Riddle feeling remorse. However, watching the way the older wizard walked, he wasn't exactly leaving it out of the equation either. "Very well." Severus then looked at the younger men there. "Please do not come in till you have been instructed to, for I do not know the full extent of Ms. Granger's injuries. If I have to perform advance treatment you will just be in the way and will undoubtedly cause more harm than good. I do trust you can understand those simple facts, even you, Potter," Snape said with his tone of authority that left the younger group nodding their heads. Snape nodded his head as he then went inside the house expecting to see Hermione laying upon a bed with perhaps a deep wound on her side but hopefully nothing too bad. "Minerva, how is she?" he asked.

McGonagall looked up from the bed. She had been trying her best at healing the wounds and, though she was an accomplished Transfigurist, Healing Charms were not her strong suit. The other witches had been kept away by Bellatrix at her request, for what had appeared to be just a side wound, was actually a very deep wound and internal organs could be seen. McGonagall knew that if left to just her, Hermione would die on that bed and it was a miracle at all that she hadn't died on the battle field.

"She is bad, Severus, really bad. I don't know what to do here, she has lost a lot of blood, the wound itself is grave, she has started to have a fever and I fear, due to the fact that I can actually see her inner organs, that she has massive internal bleeding as well," McGongall said as she broke down, afraid she was about to lose one of her favorite students.

"This is not the time to be breaking down on me, Minerva," Severus quickly barked to her. "Let me see her." Snape then dashed to her side as he pulled away the blood soaked bandage. Looking at the gash that revealed her lower intestines along with her appendix, Snape knew now that she was in trouble. He first cast a scan spell that told him the full extent of the damage and it only confirmed what his earlier instincts told him. "Ok, I can heal most of this, but I need you to find someone that can do a blood transfusion, for I do not have the ability to replenish what she has lost." He then cast another charm. "Damn it, Granger, why must you always be such a hard case? Minerva, she is O negative, meaning she has a rare blood type. I need you to go to everyone outside and cast Sanguis Veritas. It means blood truth; it will reveal their full blood history, gives pure blood or muggle blood but most important right now is that it gives type. We need someone that is a O negative blood type. Please do not make me tell you how time is of the essence here."

McGonagall nodded her agreement as she cast the blood telling spell first upon herself and sighed as she found herself an A positive. She burst outside and saw that Bellatrix had brought the girls outside now that Severus had finished with the guys and was taking care of Hermione. "I want everyone to listen up," Minerva stated to all gathered on the lawn. "I need you all to line up so I can cast a charm; Hermione is in need of a blood transfusion or it is simply she will die without it. I need everyone to line up so we can test your blood types."

"I will decline." Lupin immediately spoke up as he knew his Lycanthropy would be transferred if he gave Hermione his blood and he didn't wish his condition upon his worst enemy, even though that person was now dead and had in fact given the condition to him. "I cannot give her my blood for my condition will be passed on and I refuse to let that happen."

As much as it pained Minerva to lose a potential blood donor she nodded her acceptance to the werewolf and looked at the others, who were hastily forming a line, Harry being the first in line, followed by Ronald and the twins after him, with Lucius Malfoy ending the line. McGonagall looked upon all of them and moved her wand in a wide arc catching them all upon the spell. Her eyes lit up, as she quickly read one that had been a perfect match. Her eyes dimmed as she looked down and saw first blond flowing hair. "Lucius, your blood type is a match The girl in there will die if you do not consent to a blood transfusion."

Lucius looked at everyone surrounding them, the looks of hope in the eyes of the Order members, the look of apathy in the eyes of the Death Eaters. It was the pleading look that he got from his son, a look that Draco seemed to realize he was giving, then masked his face behind that of indifference. when Lucius finally nodded and spoke. "Very well, I shall consent to this. After all it will be a vast improvement upon her blood."

Minerva didn't even feel like reminding him that he had been chosen because they were perfect matches for each other. "Very well, Lucius. Please follow me, Severus is inside working on her right now." Minerva, turning with a speed that denied her old age, quickly reentered the house and saw Severus working upon Hermione. A blue aura outline of her body floated above and Severus was watching it as he worked upon her wound. "Severus," Minerva said softly as not to startle him while he worked. "We do have a match here with Lucius."

"Lucius Malfoy, how does it feel to know you are the same blood type as a muggle born?" Severus said at the expense of his friend as he made another delicate wand move and repaired a sliced artery. "Never mind that now, I do need you to lie down on that bed and remove your robes so that I can start the blood transfusion." Severus turned his attention to the floating aura diagnostic again. His thoughts were going a thousand miles per minute as he had been able to summon a few potions from his store room that were enchanted to come at his call and as he watched the blue pulse given off by the diagnostic Severus knew that Hermione's pulse was dropping. "Do not dawdle, Lucius, we do not have much time."

Lucius Malfoy looked at the diagnostic and could see that Hermione was in indeed more trouble than they originally thought. Thus, after Severus' command, he quickly shed his outer robes and rolled up his sleeve as the bewitched articles that Severus had managed to create began their work; cotton swabs doused in alcohol began rubbing over his arm as a hollow needle hovered over his vein. Lucius could see that Hermione was already connected to the transfusion device and would be receiving his blood shortly. Letting out a sharp gasp as the needle punctured his skin, he watched as the magic began and the transfusion started. "I guess I feel as if I've just been stabbed by a large hollow point needle," Lucius stated calmly. His eyes were looking at the diagnostic and, although he didn't have the same training as Severus, he knew that the mere fact he was using a diagnostic spell meant she was in bad shape. "Severus," the elder Malfoy spoke quietly so that McGonagall against the far wall couldn't hear him. "Just how bad is she?"

Severus, without even stopping his wand movements, responded just as quietly. 'Severe lacerations, deep punctured wounds, massive internal bleeding, organ and tissue damage. I luckily can repair most of it, but she will be out of the fight for some time and had not Draco taken that shot and protected her we wouldn't be having this conversation but mourning another death," Severus stated calmly. "However, with your blood transfusion and the fact that you do have strong magical reserves and you are a perfect match your blood's magic will bond with hers and increase the healing. You are essentially saving her life."

"Very well, a life debt. I can always foresee a use for one of them," Lucius said calmly, though thinking what he would collect one day. "Irony is a powerful thing, isn't it, Severus? Draco Malfoy carries her off the battle field as if she was a blushing bride cradled in his arms and I, Lucius Malfoy, give my life blood to save her life on the operating table. I bet not even Rita Skeeter could have written this up," Lucius stated mildly amused as his eyes closed. "Let me know when I've given enough. I will attempt to rest." Lucius spoke as his breathing became deeper and more relaxed.

Severus spent the next five hours going over and over delicate spells and wand movements. Performing surgery by magic was taxing always but after having fought a battle, then having to do the complicated magic left him to where he could barely stand, as he walked outside with Lucius Malfoy by his side. Severus had given him an arm bandage so that his arm could heal and wouldn't bleed. "I have managed to repair her internal organs and the surgery went well. She is resting now and I do not think she will be awake for some hours. She is to have no visitors for at least several hours after she awakens, so she can recuperate without talking overly much, as I am certain that talking will only agitate her wounds. The final good news is she will live to fight another day. Draco, you and your father saved her life," Severus said to his godson.

Voldemort had been sitting upon a table that the Weasleys kept outside for outdoor eatings and he had spent the last several hours going over his ideas and plans. Although he didn't like muggles, for all the atrocities he had committed, he still hadn't even touched upon the massive atrocities and genocides of muggles. He knew now that that a different set of ideas and policies would have to be taken, for if they did not, the wizarding world would face annihilation, and just as he wouldn't allow muggles to destroy them, he knew he had to change or the goblins would do it. "Very well." Voldermort stood up and walked to McGonagal. "Minerva, I wish to make this formal and I propose an armistice; our fighting has almost led to our destruction and I see that now. I will be the first to offer this flag of truce so that we may turn to the real enemy, the enemy of us both." Voldermort stopped there as the Quaffle was on her side of the pitch now.

"Voldemort." Minerva stated as she felt that, even though it was not his real name but a name he had chosen, she would recognize it as she felt the eyes of everyone upon them; this was an impromptu meeting of two generals and a peace conference now. "I agree to the terms of an armistice and that no Order member shall attack a Death Eater as long as the armistice is in place." Minerva stated with a tone of command and authority that every Order member now knew this to be law and that here at the Burrow and not on the grounds of Hogwarts did the wizard civil war end.

"Very well, it is concluded and no Death Eater shall attack an Order member as long as the armistice is in place. The Armistice of the Burrow is now in effect; anyone breaking said agreement shall answer to me or Minerva McGonagall and be brought up on charges of violating an armistice agreement." Voldermort then sighed. "Minerva, call me Tom, Lord Voldemort died back at Hogwarts," Tom said as he began to cast a glamor charm upon his body. The nostril slits disappeared, as did the bald gray skin. Replacing it was a white head of hair and a short well-trimmed beard and mustache, brown eyes replaced red slits and strong firm hands replaced his long spidery fingers. Tom, feeling as if the glamor charm was complete, said, "I now wish to call a war meeting. My wish is that I have Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius Malfoy and Vincent Crabbe Sr. accompany me as advisors. Whom do you wish?"

Minerva's eyes had widened at the glamor charm but now was not the time to comment upon it. "I will have Arthur Weasely, Remus Lupin, and Severus Snape as my advisors. We can use one of the upper rooms of the Burrow for our conference," she stated as she turned to look at the three men she had spoken of. Severus was sitting down relaxing, his eyes closed as he was rebuilding his magical stores. Arthur Weasley's face was grim and Remus' eyes looked almost feral as he knew this was a war conference, and in which the last war was not about killing those they had fought against but capturing and detaining. This war would be about who would be left standing at the end.

Neville Longbottom had spent the last hours conversing with the trees and had withdrawn from everyone as he fought for the most up to date information regarding the Goblin assaults around Great Britain. This last bit of information had caused him to panic as the trees howled in anguish as they gave him the information. Neville turned from the trees to the group and watching six of their number enter the burrow, he rushed to where Harry and Draco were speaking about different tactics of trying to retake Hogwarts. "London has fallen!" Neville said in rushed breath as he leaned against his knees to ease the nausea coming from the oncoming panic attacks. "They didn't just attack Hogwarts, they only started there. London has fallen, most of it in ruins," Neville spoke. "They attacked muggle and wizarding London and their magic has left it devastated."

Harry couldn't believe his ears and, judging from the others' looks around them, they couldn't either. Harry watched as Luna gave Neville a hug; her soft cries could be heard as he felt Ginny wrap her arms around him. "How can the goblins do this, won't this anger the other nations? I mean this is an all-out declaration of war. I remember in History of Magic that we have allies all around the world. They can't possibly hope to go against the world, can they?' Harry said in disbelief, because he knew that, just like muggle Britain was allied with nations such as America, the wizards had a strong ally in the American wizarding world as well.

"That's just it. That's not the worst news I received," Neville stated. He was glad for the support Luna was giving him right now, as he didn't know that he could stand on his own two feet. "I need to get into that meeting they are having. They need to know this information." He then stood up. "I will give the rest of the information to those inside. I think that you all should hear this , so come with me." Neville went around to the front door avoiding Hermione in the rear of the house and entered. "Where did they say they were having the meeting?" Neville asked as he looked around the empty front living room.

"One of the upper rooms," Draco Malfoy responded as he was wondering what could be worse than hearing that London had fallen. Surely the goblins hadn't resorted to using such muggle weapons as nukes, have they? The mere thought of those vile weapons sent shivers down his spine. "I hear their voices coming from here." Draco then proceeded to knock roughly upon the door and, hearing Tom's voice cry out enter, the entire entourage entered the room that had been transfigured to have a round table that seated Death Eaters next to Order members and it was clear they had interrupted an important meeting. "Neville here has news from the outside," Draco stated calmly as he met his father's eyes.

"London has fallen," Neville said once again as the cries of outrage from those present at the table rose. "The goblins have left it in ruins. I was conversing with the trees getting information from the outside world. As the goblins were attacking, they attacked swiftly and with a multitude of attacks. They attacked from the air using dragons they have captured and from the ground with the spells of goblin magi. I am placing an estimate by the damage done that the trees spoke of that it is most likely an eighty-five percent casualty rate." Neville waited for that shock to hit home as he then prepared to give them the worse news. "I wish that was the worst information I could give you." Neville then let his head down. "We will not be receiving any outside aid. The goblins have sunk Great Britain. They found the ancient magic used by Atlantis and the trees tell me that to the outside world a devastating earthquake struck our island and we have all perished beneath the sea; all are accounted as dead."

You could have heard a pin drop in the room, as they all were struck mute by the news, each one going over and over in their minds just how the goblins had done it and thinking of the loss and death toll that had effected them. Minerva was the first to break the silence as she looked at her advisors then at the Death Eaters sitting with them. "We are alone-" she started, but she was stopped by Tom.

"We are not alone, we have each other and I see some of the most powerful wizards in the world here. We will take them on if we work together. I see the question now is how. When I was starting out I started learning everything I could from everyone I could, for there is no such thing as useless information. What we need to do though is learn from each other. I know what I am about to suggest will be drastic but, damn it, this is a time for drastic measures. Arthur Weasley, take Draco and teach him of your muggle weapon armory that I know you keep burried underneath the Burrow."

Arthur had been quiet and was running over all the items he had available to him. He knew that the older wizard had been using a silent Legilimens on them,. Riddle was looking for answers in everyone and the very front thoughts of Arthur had been his weapon cache and his recent aquisition of several SAS weapons would be useful indeed. "Very well, I will show and teach Draco what I have."

Riddle nodded his head as he looked at Draco. Draco understood this was an order and he nodded his head as he accepted. Voldermort nodded shortly as he then turned to Bellatrix. "Bella, I want you to teach Harry Potter"

The entire room was in an uproar; both Bellatrix and Harry came to arms. "I will not teach Dumbledore's prodigy!" Bellatrix let out as she folded her arms and she stared down Potter; a smirk was on her face as she was shaking her head. "I will not be teaching him, I know what I am capable of and this boy can't even come close." Green light started playing upon her fingers as she laughed. "He is simply too good to learn what I can teach," Bellatrix said with a laugh.

"I wouldn't learn from you if you were the last person on this planet. You killed Sirius and I don't know how many other people, you bitch," Harry spat out, his eyes filled with rage at the mere thought of learning under the woman.

Bellatrix put a finger to her chin as she seemed to be deep in thought. "You know, I don't know either, as I've seen to lost count over the years." Bellatrix then looked to think even harder as she started counting on her fingers trying to remember all the ones she had killed. She turned to Lucius. "Lucius, do you think I should include the Longbottoms, I mean technically they aren't dead but they have no life?" Bellatrix then put her finger back to her mouth and pouted, trying to figure out if she should count Neville's parents."

"Enough!" Tom spoke over the calamity. "As I said, these measures will seem drastic and, Harry, like it or not, Bellatrix is one of my best fighters. She can teach you how to properly cast a Killing Curse." Voldermort then looked at the room. "Which is something I think everyone in this room should learn, by the way. Harry however, you can learn so much under Bella. Now we are all that's left and we need to start learning from each other or I believe the American Ben Franklin said it best when they fought for their independence- We must hang together, gentlemen...else, we shall most assuredly hang separately.That is the situation we are in now and, Bellatrix, to you this is not a request but an order. Harry, I ask because I cannot order but I ask that you allow Bellatrix to teach you the Dark Arts, for you are aware of the balance that even the great Merlin had. I would deem you a fool if you thought he didn't kill to preserve those around him." Tom sat back in the chair and awaited their responses.

Harry sat down dejectedly as he knew Riddle was right. They would all benefit from knowing the darker side of magic, for they had grown lax. He knew from earlier that a Expellarmuswould not faze a goblin bent on killing you. "Very well," Harry said softly, barely above a whisper.

"I didn't hear you," Tom said to the room as he had to be sure of Harry's commitment to them and he didn't want any doubt from anyone.

"I said I would do it. I'll learn the Dark Arts," Harry said loudly to the room, seeing McGonagall hang her head, "When do I start?" he said now quieter as he felt as if the weight of the world was placed back upon his shoulders.

"After you've gotten some rest. Draco, that goes for you as well, and for everyone else." Severus stated with authority "Being responsible for you lot now, I won't have you destroying yourself due to lack of sleep. Minerva can place her ward over the place and everyone else can get some sleep, then, woman, you as well." Severus knew that they were all exhausted and the day's events were a lot for the mind to process and he had ordered them all to sleep to avoid shell shock.

"Very well, then I say this meeting is concluded. Everyone, get some rest and then we start our work on preparing our counter strike." Crabbe stated to the room and stood up and was followed by everyone else. They exited the room and were given rooms by Arthur. Harry, Ron, Neville and Draco sharing a room, while Ginny and Luna were given one, and then everyone else was paired.

Severus went to the back room to check on Hermione and he set an alarm spell, as he fell asleep in an adjoining bed so he could be near Hermione in case she worsened. The last words he heard before sleeping was McGonagall's ward being placed. "Furia de Caducus Servare" Severus heard and he whispered. "Spirits of the fallen, do please keep watch over us, for we will need all the help we can get," Severus said just as he fell asleep.