Disclaimer: Doesn't the disclaimer definition say it all?
AU: Sorry for not updating for so long. That vacation I took really shook up my fanfiction vibe. Anyways, enjoy!
On Harry's birthday, he woke up very early and created a small image of himself under the covers with a few pillows. Ron didn't even move. Harry sniggered as he walked down the stairs. "This is going to be fun," he thought to himself. Nobody was awake yet. The kitchen was deserted. Harry chuckled again. He walked quickly and quietly to the living room and hid behind the couch. After a while he the quiet patter of many foot steps. Then, the twins and Bill popped out of the fire. Fleur and Angelina, Fred and Bill's girlfriends appeared too. Harry drew further behind the couch as they walked past. Then, he slowly and noiselessly followed behind them. The entire Weasley family (except Percy and Charlie) and a few Order along with Neville and Luna were staring at the stairs. Harry walked up and crouched behind the table. Moody was there, but apparently he was using both eyes to watch the stairs. He waited a few minutes and Moody said, "Where is that boy?"
"Probably still sleeping," Ginny giggled.
Harry drew his wand and stood up behind Moody. Then, he stuck his wand behind Moody's neck and said, "Constant Vigilance, Moody."
Everybody jumped about three feet in the air except for Moody. He chuckled happily, "I see you have improved in stealth. I tell you, you would make a great auror."
Harry looked at everybody's shocked faces. Then, he couldn't take it anymore. He laughed. When he was done, he turned back to the family. "Well?"
As one, everybody sang happy birthday. Then, Mrs. Weasley presented him with a huge cake. They all had a good time eating and laughing at Harry and his joke. When they had eaten all the cake they could eat (not much was left), they passed Harry present after present. Harry received a replacement broom (firebolt 100) from Remus, which surprised him. He asked where he got the money but Remus smiled and said, "Soon you will find out." Harry didn't press the subject. Ron and Hermione got him books on DADA. Fred and George (with a disapproving look from Mrs. Weasley) gave him two enormous boxes full of their latest joke products complete with over 15 parchments worth of instructions, tips, and ideas to how to get it to work.
All together, he got over twenty gifts, but there was one left. It was large and tightly wrapped. There was a letter with it. He tore it open and read it slowly:
This package contains something that will help you on your quest. But be careful using it. It is very rare and very dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands. Do not tell anybody except your close friends I gave you this. During the school year come to me sometime and I will help you learn how to use it.
Draco Malfloy.
Harry gaped at the letter. Then, before anybody asked to see it, he drew his wand and used a fire charm to burn it.
"Why did you do that?" Mr. Weasley asked.
Harry replied, "Because it is secret who gave this to me." He gave Ron and Hermione a look that clearly said, "Meet me later."
When nobody protested his burning of the letter, he opened the present. Inside, there lay a sword. It was complete with belt and holder. Harry picked it up and with great care, pulled out the blade. Everybody backed away with shocked and scared faces, but Harry gave no notice to it. He was too busy feeling the blade. It was light and perfectly shaped for his hand as if it were made for him. The balance was flawless. When Harry touched the sword's hand piece, he felt a strange warm feeling flow through him. It was like holding his wand for the first time. He lowered it slowly and placed it back in the holder.
"Who sent that to you, Harry?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Someone who I thought would forever be my enemy," Harry muttered.
"Who?" Mrs. Weasley repeated.
"I can't reveal their identity yet," Harry said firmly.
She sighed but didn't say anything. Then, everybody rose, congratulated Harry, and left to do their duties and jobs. They left the kids in the living room. Aranea, Neville, Luna, and Ginny were about to leave because they thought that the Golden Trio wanted to have a personal meeting, but Harry stopped them. He said, "You have proven yourself to be loyal and trustworthy. You are welcomed to join us in our plans and meetings."
They all grinned and sat back down. Harry explained the note and brought the new members up to date with what the prophecy said.
"So you actually have to kill him?" Neville said in awe.
"Yeah, and I ain't happy about it." Harry muttered.
"Well, what can we do to help Harry?" asked Luna. She seemed to have lost her dreamy voice and now spoke like a real human. Harry thought that it had to do with Neville. They were getting rather close this summer.
Harry looked up sadly and replied, "You guys have to keep the Death Eaters away."
"How can we do that, Harry? I thought we heard you say that Voldemort's army is over 10,000 strong if your vision is real," Ginny asked.
"We have to plan what to do," Ron said, "We need to sort out all these problems and organize them into an appropriate manner."
Again, they stared in shock at what Ron had just said. Hermione especially was surprised. She had always liked Ron, even when she didn't show it. Now he was maturing at an incredible rate! What's next? she thought.
Harry broke the silence, "Ron, you are absolutely right. We have to plan. We are outnumbered and less skilled than Voldemort's forces. I saw what his forces were doing. They were training and building and preparing."
"What about the DA?" Hermione asked.
"What's the DA?" Aranea asked.
"A secret defense group that we created last year," Luna replied.
"Can I join?" Aranea asked.
Harry replied, "Any student loyal to the cause of defeating Voldemort is welcomed to the DA with open arms. It doesn't matter what house your in, or what your skills are."
The others nodded in agreement. Then Harry cleared his throat and said, "Back to the topic. The DA will be a valuable tool in fighting Voldemort, but we have only a small amount of members. We need all the students of Hogwarts to join and train if we can even begin to fight Voldemort. There are over 280 students in the school. That is a tiny number compared to the army Voldemort has. Plus, they are just kids. Not soldiers. We need real wizards to fight this battle."
"The Order and Ministry are also few in number. My guess is that we have about a couple hundred more adult wizards ready to fight," said Ron.
"That is only about five hundred fighters!" Hermione cried.
"Exactly." Harry muttered, "There are many more wizards in England. If we could just convince them to stop hiding in corners when Death Eaters arrive, we might have a chance."
"What about wizard's from different countries?" Aranea asked, "Maybe we can ask for reinforcements from Durmstrang and Beauxbaton."
"That is actually a good idea," Harry said, "Hermione, can you call Victor and ask him if he could persuade the Headmaster to prepare Durmstrang for war?"
With a look at Ron, who was looking away, Hermione said sadly, "I can write, but he is not a student anymore. He graduated two years ago. Maybe he can try to convince the Head, but I can't promise much."
"And Fleur is here in England with Bill, so we have no contacts from Beauxbaton," Ginny said.
"But Madame Maxime is friends with Hagrid and Dumbledore. Maybe they could convince her to prepare the school. After all, no place is safe from Voldemort anymore." Neville said.
Harry looked up, "I have noticed you guys are saying Voldemort's name without hesitation."
His friends, particularly Ron, grinned with pride, "We have learned from you and Hermione that fear of a name only creates fear of the thing itself." Luna said. The others nodded.
"Back to subject. If we get foreign aid, we have a much better chance because the Aurors and ministries won't be in such chaos as England's ministry."
Then, Harry leapt to his feet and shouted, "Dobby!"
At once, there was a crack and Dobby stood there grinning, "What would Master like?"
Harry laughed, "Call me Harry if you are able too, Dobby. At the battle at Gringotts, you rounded up Hogwart's house elves to fight. How many are left?"
Dobby's ears drooped sadly, "Ah Harry. We house elves fought bravely but twenty-three were killed or injured in the fight. Still, the house elves are loyal to Dumbledore and you too Harry. There are at least ninety left ready to fight for you"
Harry turned to his friends, "I think we are on to something here."
"Yeah Harry. If we enlist the help of anybody or anything loyal and ready to fight, we will soon be a powerful fighting force!" Luna said.
"Well, we need to start now and build up our forces as soon as possible. I have a feeling that this year will be a crucial time of the war." Neville said with a brave look on his face.
Harry smiled at his friend. Neville had grown and matured physically, mentally, and magically. Indeed, Harry trusted Neville with his life. He knew that since Bellatrix's death, Neville had come out of a shell of fear and was ready to fight. Harry snapped back to reality and turned to Dobby, "Stay at Hogwarts, but find as many free house elves and elves enslaved to good families and try to get them and their masters to fight. We need as many as we can get."
Yes, Harry Potter, sir, Winky will help with convince the enslaved elves and their masters. I will talk to free elves," with a crack, Dobby was gone.
Harry began to lay out the plans they had made, "Hermione, write to Victor. Ron, call Hagrid. I'll find Dumbldore and include him in our plans. Neville, I need you to research and buy as many spell books that contain offensive and defensive magic. I'll provide the money. Luna, Ginny, you guys need to call as many wizard magazines and newspapers and try to get as many as you can to write stories about Voldemort. Warnings, defense spells, and especially encouragement to stand and fight this war should be written. If you need to, write them yourselves. Hermione can help you. Aranea, I know that this is going to be hard, but I need you to talk with the Slytherins when you reach Hogwarts. Draco might help you. He is the one who sent me the sword."
"Draco gave you the sword?" Ron asked with a stunned and suspicious look on his face.
"Yeah, That is something else I need to do. Figure out this sword and its properties." Harry said.
"Are you sure it's safe?" Ginny asked.
"I'll take it to Dumbledore and let him decide." Harry responded.
As one, they rose and separated to do their tasks. Ron turned and whispered, "You are a born leader Harry. Without you, we would already be dead. Thank you." Then, he turned and walked to his room to get his owl, Pig.
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