For his Friday classes Harry made a small change in his teaching. He decided to play what if with his sixth and seventh year students, "First I want you to think about this question for a few minutes, what would you do if Hogsmeade were attacked tomorrow while we are all there?"
Hermione immediately raised her hand, "No answers yet please just think what you would do."
After five minutes Harry said, "Ok, now anyone want to volunteer what they would do?"
"First," Hermione said after being called, "I would protect the students by sending them into the buildings. Get them out of the street where the fighting will be."
"Ok, anyone else?" Harry asked and received no response, "ok now let's alter the situation, someone is attacking Hogsmeade while we are there and they start by setting buildings on fire. What then?"
Blaise asked, "Send the younger kids to the school then stand and fight the attackers?"
"Ok," Harry said, "Anyone else?"
"I have a question." Draco said, "Why are you asking?"
"You remember Mad Eye Moody?" Harry asked, "What was his mantra?"
"Constant vigilance." Ginny said.
"Which translates into always watch," Harry said, "but we can do more than just watch, we can prepare. No one was prepared for the attack on the express when we arrived. What's saying we won't be attacked tomorrow? Were they, as the Ministry suggests, a single group just wanting to cause trouble? Or could they be part of a larger group that will try again?"
"Isn't that a bit paranoid?" Dean asked.
"It's only paranoia," Harry said, "if they aren't really after you." The class chuckled but Harry continued, "I had not thought about what would happen if the express was attacked I just acted, and I trusted my friends with my back. Had this been two years ago I would have acted differently."
"What would you have done differently?" Draco asked.
"First I would have gone to the Slytherin cars for the older students and made sure they were out of the picture." Harry said, "Then I would have consulted Hermione to see if she had figured out a plan."
To their credit no one in the class asked why he would have done it this way. They all understood the animosity that had been there. There were several wondering the opposite and one finally asked.
"Harry, why didn't you do it this time?" Neville asked.
"Do you mean why didn't I check the Slytherin's first?" Neville nodded and Harry said, "No need. We all lost so much in the last year or two I knew that none of them would take the chance to be kicked out of school when they had just received such a generous offer to help them with their futures. They are Slytherin after all, self preservation is vital."
"That's a large assumption on your part don't you think?" Neville asked.
"True it was." Harry admitted, "But was I wrong?"
"No." Draco said, "I was planning on staying as far from you this year as possible. I didn't want anything to mess up my chance at getting good NEWT's now that I won't get top job just because of my blood status and family."
"None of us want to take any chances." Harry said, "We all just want some peace. So what will we do if Hogsmeade is attacked? We've had a few good suggestions but there are a lot of holes in those. As seventh years the rest of the school look up to us to direct them. How will we do this?"
"First I think we need to make sure just who is going to leave the castle and who will be staying." Neville said.
"Excellent," Harry said, "If we know how many are there we know how many to protect, and we know when we have them all safe. Anything else?"
"Keep eyes open." Seamus said, "The more eyes looking for trouble the quicker it will be spotted."
"Yes." Harry said. "Good point."
"Have a plan in place to get the younger ones to safety," Hermione said, "but keep it open enough that it can be changed if necessary."
Harry nodded, he liked how this was going.
"Pick teams of fighters and protectors," Draco said, "So the fighters know they can fight and not worry about who is protecting the younger kids."
"Designate someone to alert teachers in case of an attack." Neville said, "Someone who knows how to do that patronus message thing."
"Excellent everyone." Harry said, "So now that we have a plan that seems fairly complete, or next goal is implementing it. You said designate fighters and protectors, so who will that be?"
"You obviously." Draco said.
"Ok but what if I'm out of the picture?" Harry said, "I'm the first person they attack and they come from behind and I'm unconscious, what's next?"
"I would think that the seventh years would lead the fighter portion." Ginny said, "Leave the protecting to the sixth and below. Give them instructions on what to do with the other students if we have to fight."
"Ok," Harry said, "Would you have all the seventh years fight? Are there any sixth years that are good? Why divide it that way?"
"Well most of the seventh years have experience." Ginny said, "And even though there are good fighters in the sixth year group we need good people to protect the younger students. If they are headed back to the school we want a few good fighters along the way to protect them in case someone comes from the forest. Or to protect them inside the buildings if that's where they go. And it will be easier to know if everyone is doing their job because we know what year each person is in."
"Well organized." Harry said, "Ok, who will send the message, and don't say me because I'm already designated as a fighter."
"Not to mention out cold." Luna said.
"I know how to do it." Hermione said, "So does Ron."
"Why don't you both do it." Dean said, "One of you sends to the Headmistress and the other to the Deputy. That way if one of you is knocked out in the initial attack we're still covered."
"Great now, what to do with the students?" Harry asked.
"I still think getting them out of the street is sound." Hermione said, "We have seventeen buildings that they can be in at any given time. We can divide the sixth years to a few per building, and assign buildings for them to cover."
"So what if all the sixth years are at the three broomsticks?" Harry asked, "Do they leave the building and run for others? If I'm designated to guard Honeydukes and I'm at Madam Puddyfoots do I leave or wait for the people who are suppose to guard this building to show? If I wait who is taking my place in the other building?"
"Are you picking on Hermione?" Lavender asked.
"No," Harry grinned, "just playing what if. If no one see's the hole in the plan it can't be fixed. I don't know all the answers I'm just helping you make a plan."
"Maybe we should ask the sixth years for input." Lavender said, "They could have better ideas than we are having."
"Well it was my plan to repeat this subject in my next two classes." Harry said, "But let's keep throwing out ideas and we can discuss the plan later tonight at dinner or tomorrow at breakfast. I'll try to make an announcement tonight by five thirty."
"Come on you guys," Padma said, "The only ideas so far are from Gryffindor and Slytherin. What are we Claws and Puffs going to add? I think you can add fifth year to the protection squad. And just tell them to try and have a certain number of protectors per building."
"If we know how many students, protectors and fighters we have," Hannah said, "we could line the road from Hogsmeade to the school with fifth and sixth years and designate several to count as they proceed up to the school. As the count of students is completed the front protectors can inform the fighters that they can pull back."
"What about the residence of Hogsmeade?" Ernie asked.
"I don't think we can count on them," Luna said, "Adults generally like to let the Aurors handle things. We would be the same if Harry wasn't making us think instead of succumbing to the effects of blubbering humdingers."
"I think you're right Luna," Ron said over the grumbling of several others, "when Harry, Hermione and I arrived in Hogsmeade before the battle we set of the caterwauling charm. The only resident that came to our aid was Aberforth. The rest stayed hidden."
Harry's sixth year classes went similar to the seventh year class and that evening at dinner Harry asked Minerva if he could make an announcement. Once he told her the subject she agreed and Harry applied a sonorous to his voice.
"Excuse me everyone. As an exercise for DADA class we have instituted a plan for the protection of students in case of an attack on Hogsmeade tomorrow. I decided to have this exercise because of the attack on the platform at the beginning of school. Our classes today consisted of making a plan and setting up its parts. So if you will bear with me for a few minutes I will lay it out for you. The first and second years should stay and listen just for the experience and I would like your thoughts on this in next week's classes." Harry spent a few minutes going over the plan of action and stating each year group's jobs. He concluded by saying, "We split the jobs up by years for two reasons. It's easier to explain quickly and there is no question if you are doing the right job or not as we generally know what year everyone is in. Any questions?"
A third year raised her hand, when Harry acknowledged her she asked, "Do you think Hogsmeade will be attacked?"
"I honestly don't know." Harry said, "But if I were the one planning on attacking someplace I would not choose Hogsmeade. For the simple reason that you can never tell what kids will do. And you have a lot of battle hardened people running around here this year."
"What do you mean you can never tell what kids will do?" A first year asked.
"I mean," Harry explained, "sometimes kids act without thinking about the consequences. Have you ever know someone to run from a teacher when they are in trouble? How about a kid that is still ready to hex their opponent even though the teacher is standing right there. Two completely different reactions to the same situation. I just wouldn't know if you would run screaming or hex me."
"How many kids are going to Hogsmeade?" Dean asked.
"I have a list, by year that I will provide the sixth year prefects tomorrow at breakfast." Minerva said.
"Remember the plan, if everyone is watching for trouble we can hopefully stop it quickly." Harry said, "So if you spot any trouble let an older student or teacher know and pass the word quickly so the fighters can get into position."
Harry and Ginny decided to spend that Friday evening in his office having a private study session. Ron and Hermione had made plans for a private study session of their own in a classroom on the other side of the castle. Harry was sitting in his chair with Ginny on his lap, they were talking a little and snogging a lot. But Harry took time to make a list of things he wanted to pick up in Hogsmeade, in case the Aurors decided to utilize their help before it was actually needed.
Saturday started out quiet enough. Harry and Ron decided to get going early to meet the Aurors that were coming, of course that meant Ginny and Hermione were up early too. They ate a quick breakfast and were at the gates when they opened.
"Good morning," Minerva said, "You're up early."
"We wanted to meet the Aurors and see if they had any directions for us." Harry said.
Ron yawned, "No, you wanted to, I wanted to sleep." Two pops indicated the arrival of the Aurors as Harry rolled his eyes at Ron.
"Good to see you are punctual." The first Auror said, "If you don't mind head on down to the town and we'll wait here for the younger kids."
Harry nodded but didn't move. Ron was watching him and also refrained from moving. If Harry was waiting on something he wouldn't move away.
"Are you going or not?" the Auror asked.
"I believe he is waiting for security protocol." Minerva said.
"My protocol is with you not with him." The Auror said.
"All the same he won't be leaving until I allow it." Minerva said.
Before the man could say anything there were two more pops. Harry quickly stunned the first man and Ron took out the second then they turned their wands on the next two. The two who had just arrived looked at the young men that had their wands trained on them, with two others on the ground unconscious and they said, "Aurors from DMLE. Minister Shacklebolt sent us to patrol Hogsmeade for today's visit. The security code is constant watch makes for safer lives."
Minerva stepped forward putting a hand on Harry's arm and he lowered his wand, Ron did the same, "We believe these two may have been up to something. They tried to pass themselves off as Aurors but didn't have the code."
"Well done." The first auror said, "Looks like you weren't wrong about today's visit. I hope this is all of them though. Johnson take these two and send a replacement."
The man named Johnson picked up the two wands, pocketed them, tied up both men and whisked them away with a portkey.
"I'm Auror Bridge." The man said, "What made you stun them, did they make a move?"
"No." Harry responded, "You could have easily been reinforcements for them as aurors. I thought it best if we not let ourselves get outnumbered. I also didn't want them to get away. They were trying to get rid of the four of us by sending us to watch in Hogsmeade, they seemed to know we would be working with you. We refused to leave until they gave the security code which they didn't have."
"What would you have done if they were the aurors and we were the bad guys?" Bridge asked.
"We would have woken them up eventually." Harry said.
"Were you the one that insisted upon the security code?" Bridge asked.
"No, that was Professor McGonagall." Harry said.
"I only thought of that when Harry asked me how we would know if you were the aurors or imposters." Minerva said, "He is the DADA professor and is using this weekend as a lesson for his class. They have set up a security system in which older students will watch younger ones. And everyone will be watching for trouble. They have mapped out several routes of evacuation if needed."
"Impressive." Bridge said.
"Well it was the combined work of the sixth and seventh year DADA classes." Harry said, "I proposed the question, what would we do in an attack if there were no aurors present. This plan was their creation, I only led it a little."
"Most people don't think that way." Bridge said.
"I've seen too many people roll over and let the death eaters take control, even when the death eaters were outnumbered." Harry said, "If they would just use what they were taught in school they could defend themselves and get away. So I intend to teach my classes in such a way that they know they have the knowledge and the ability to stand up for themselves."
"I can understand where you're coming from." Bridge said a pop made the man look back "Here is auror Michaels."
"Bridge, Johnson popped in with a couple," Michaels said, "You weren't here five minutes, you are good."
"We didn't do it." Bridge said indicating Harry, "He did."
"I only got one, Ron got the other." Harry said.
"Oh," Bridge glanced at Michaels and continued, "What are your plans for today then?"
"We plan on just hanging out and keeping an eye out for trouble." Harry said, "We didn't know if you would have any instructions for us."
"Nothing more than that." Bridges said, "We'll head down you can accompany us if you wish."
"They will catch up to you." Minerva said, "I wish to have a word first." The two Aurors left the small group, Minerva turned to the two teen boys, "Well done."
"Thanks." Ron and Harry said together.
A few sixth and seventh years made it to the gate, "What's going on?"
"We've already had the first attempt." Minerva said, "Harry and Ron were able to stop them. There are two Aurors already heading down to the village these two can point them out if needed."
The rest of the day went well. No more problems interrupted the event.