Chapter ten

'I'll explain when I see you tonight, make sure you bring the goblet and diadem, we'll bring the other item. If there is only the snake left then this war might be over before it gets worse.'

'Yeah, but we need to get to the snake, he keeps it with him. Okay, I'll go now, oh where do you want to meet and what time?'

'The shrieking shack, it's the safest place, we'll make it ten, then we can go up to the castle from there.' Minerva said.

'Okay, thanks professor, I'll see you all tonight.'

Harry waited until everyone said goodbye before he hung up, 'So the fifth will be gone by tonight, that is good news.'

'It is, but we will still need to take care of his supporters. Even if he is killed they might just elect a new leader.'

'Malfoy basically took over last time, but it wasn't official or anything. They won't let it go, they will believe they can bring him back again. I normally wouldn't kill anyone but I've seen what that lot will do, they will kill, but they also like to torture. I was fourteen and being tortured by Voldemort, they all thought it was hilarious. They will kill children as easy as someone your age, they don't care. There are some that really get off in torturing muggles or muggleborns.'

'That's why they need to be taken care of and under our laws for terrorists we can shoot to kill if they resist. You told us they will go out fighting so it's kill on sight.'

'They will, nothing will stop them unless they fell like they couldn't win then they will try to escape.'

'Most cowards will run when cornered. Since you told us it might have to be you, we were able to get you a guarantee that if you were to kill, whether by magic or a gun, then you will be safe from prosecution. But now, why did you tell them we're your bodyguards?'

'They would object to having non magicals around, they may even use magic to make you leave. They used to follow Dumbledore's orders about me even when it meant being left in an abusive household. I'm just being cautious and to make sure I have some backup in case they try to keep me there. I care about all of them, but I don't trust them, not anymore. I know they will do all they can to stop Voldemort and his supporter, but there are some who believe as Dumbledore did, that everyone deserves a second chance. Death eaters and some supporters don't deserve it, they will kill and feel no remorse. I trust you two more than any of them, you haven't tried to tell me what to do, you haven't tried to lock me up and you haven't lied to me. You listen to my opinions and you give me yours, we talk it over, they never did that, they just followed what the old man wanted.'

'We serve queen and country Harry and you've proven to us that you want to protect the country and the people, all people, magical and non-magical, that's all we needed to know. But you also have more information than we do so it works for us and for you,' John said.

'Since we have to drive and it will take we have a couple of hours we best get going.'

'I could apparate but I have never taken anyone else by side-along, I wouldn't want to risk it.'

'We can practice that at a later time, let's go.'

James left a message about their trip and what they were doing. Then Harry, John and James headed down to the garage and got into the same black car they used when they picked up Harry.

Harry told John who was driving to head towards the Scottish highlands, he would direct them to Hogsmeade once they got closer. During the trip they talked but they mainly talked about other things, like what they did outside of work, what they liked to do as a hobby, the two agents even told Harry about their family. When they got to Hogsmeade they parked at the back of the Zonko's. Harry cast a disillusionment charm over the car, just in case death eaters turned up.

'Don't tell me that ruined castle is Hogwarts.'

Harry chuckled, 'It's not what you believe, and those are the charms to prevent muggle's or non-magical people seeing the true castle. I brought you past the charms so you are not affected by the one that would make you turn around and leave. But one of the charms also stop you seeing the students when they are on the grounds.'

'How many students are normally there?'

'Anywhere between five and seven hundred, those numbers dropped when he returned. A lot of muggleborns stayed away, eleven year olds didn't take up their spots at Hogwarts, even some halfbloods left. If he dies properly this time then many will have kids so that number will rise. Come on, we have to walk around to where the shrieking shack is.'

The three started walking, 'Why is it called the shrieking shack?' James asked.

'Most people believe it's haunted, but it wasn't, Remus used to use it for the nights he changed. Dumbledore allowed the rumours of mean spirited ghosts to continue. It kept anyone from going there, especially on the wolf nights. Back when Remus was a student the potion he used to take wasn't as good as the one now. He still became a full werewolf, just the transformation wasn't as painful. Now though he can curl up as a harmless wolf. Greyback and his lot are the ones that need taken care of, they are dangerous and you won't survive a fight with one. If it's a full moon they will turn you,' Harry pointed, 'There is the shack.'

'Shack is right, so you can get inside the castle from there?'

'Yes, there is a tunnel that leads to the grounds, we just need to still the branches of the whomping willow. That tree will keep fighting until you are knocked unconscious.'

'It seems the magical world has a lot of dangerous things, more than I thought.'

Harry nodded as he led the two agents into the shack, to find it already full, 'Hi.'

Harry was engulfed in Hermione's arms, Ron was also hugging him, the twins surrounded them as well.

'Why don't you lot let him breath,' Arthur said.

'We don't blame you mate, we haven't been the best of friends.'

'It's fine Ron and Hermione, stop worrying about me, I've been good, best I've ever been. Since I left I realised I'm happier in the muggle world than I ever was in the magical world. Plus, they have pizza and coke.'

'Harry,' Hermione sniffed as she hugged him again.

'I'm fine mother, really.'

'I'll give you mother, Harry James Potter.'

'Yes boss,' Harry smirked.

'And don't you forget it.'

'Can we get on with it, we are here for a reason.'

'Oh come on Mad-eye, you have to have some fun in your life.'

'There is a war on Potter, it's not the time for fun.'

'If we don't have fun while we can we could die before we do have any fun. That's why I told the twins that we could all do with a laugh when I gave them the triwizard money.'

'So it's your fault I have to put dozens of students in detention for using joke items.'

'Sorry Professor, I just gave them the money to start their shop, they make the stuff. Anyway, this is Agent Green and Agent Smith, bodyguards and helping me learn muggle ways to deal with Voldemort if I have too.'

The two agent's nodded towards the room full of magical people, they were a bit concerned about the man with one eye that seems to move.

'Even though most witches and wizards would never use muggle means, this time it may give us the advantage over Voldemort and his death eaters. They are all purebloods, they would not have the slightest idea what the muggles have.' Kingsley said.

'I know most witches and wizards won't like it but I don't really care what anyone thinks of me, not anymore. But Kingsley, Voldemort's a halfblood, his mother was a witch, well, a squib, his father was a muggle. She used a love potion on him that's how they got married. He left her when she stopped using the potion, she lost the will to live, died just after giving birth to him. The thing is, the death eaters may not know about muggle weapons, but Voldemort would. He lived through the London bombings during world war two. Anyway, that's a story for another time, let's get down to the chamber of secrets. But Ginny, are you sure you want to face that?'

'I'm sure, I need to. I still have no memory of that time. I sort of want to put that to rest.'

'We didn't want Ginny to go down there but we realised it is something she needs to do. She knows how close she came to dying down there, it was thanks to you that saved her,' Arthur said.

'And why I ended up a fangirl,' Ginny shrugged, 'Hermione and I spoke, I realised I didn't really fancy you the way I should, you were the-boy-lived, you were my hero.'

'I'm no one's hero, but I'm glad we can still be friends Ginny, just don't hex me like you do your brothers.'

'You don't get out of being hexed, you're not my boyfriend anymore.'

'Come on, let's go.'

Everyone followed Mad-eye through the tunnel and out onto the grounds. Minerva moved her wand over the two muggles, but only after Harry told them she would never hurt them.

'Wow,' the two said together.

'So you see the castle how it really is,' Harry grinned.

'Yes, imagine going to school there.'

'Just imagine life threatening danger, and a lot of ghosts, mostly they are harmless, except Peeves, the poltergeist. Come on, we've got a date with a dead snake.'

This time Harry led the group through the castle and into the girls bathroom, 'Hello Harry.'

Harry looked up, 'Hi Myrtle, still haunting the girls' toilet's I see.'

'It's my home, so do you think one of you will die down there so I can have some company?'

'No, the basilisk is dead Myrtle, you're out of luck.'

'Oh, pooh, how about sharing a bath with me again?'

'Once was enough Myrtle, now we're busy, go keep Peeves occupied and away from us.'

As myrtle left everyone stared at Harry, 'You shared a bath with Moaning Myrtle,' Ron said, the twins chuckled, some of the others laughed as well. All Harry could do was blush as he turned away to face the sink. He knew the twins would never let him live that down.