A/N: You've waited a year for an update, so I'll put my apology at the end of the chapter. If you need a refresher...well, there's 19 chapters of somewhat carefully planned story here, so I don't know that I can do it adequately in a paragraph...Short version: attack on Hogsmeade!
Chapter 20: Waves
"My Lord, I understand the importance of breaking down Dragonsby's defenses, but are you certain I shouldn't be joining the attack?"
"My dear Bella, of course I'm certain."
"I'm not doubting you, my Lord. I'm simply not as wise-"
"Enough flattery, Bella. You are very well suited to assist me here, and there's no need for you in Hogsmeade."
"You're that confident in the attack?"
"Oh, we will likely lose the battle by a slim margin. But the damage we do will be pivotal in winning the war."
-0-0-0-
"Harry, what is that sword?" Cho Chang asked. Her voice seemed to falter. Harry assumed it was from shock at seeing a golden sword suddenly in Harry's hand.
Instead of responding directly to Cho, Harry addressed the group of fifteen students that stood behind him, awaiting orders and battle. "Keep your patronuses behind me until I kill the first Dementor, then I want them to rope in the Dementors. Bring them to me."
With that command, Harry took off at a sprint down the street. It was an eerie feeling—serene snow covering the beautiful town that had supplied so many wonderful days for Harry, all while he raced towards the demons that brought him to his knees in miserable memories.
But today, he had a weapon. As the Dementors neared, Harry swung his golden blade, testing the feeling in his left hand. Being right-handed, Harry expected the sword to feel awkward in his hand, but it was anything but. It was an extension of himself—which Harry could understand, given that it was fueled by his very soul.
Harry glanced behind him at the army of Patronuses following just a few steps behind him and let out a primal yell as the Dementors swooped down on him like a flock of birds flying in V formation. He swung his blade in an upwards motion at the foremost Dementor. The blade passed right through the creature's cloak as if it wasn't there, and then Harry felt slight resistance as the blade struck the Dementor.
A sickening slice sounded as a fatal prelude to the ever more sickening scream of the Dementor. An oily black liquid ran down the blade as Harry removed it from the Dementor, but it did little to dampen the bright glow of gold. If anything, the sword gleamed brighter with the Dementor's blood dripping down it.
The creature fell to the ground, and the world around Harry seemed to fall into slow motion. Dementors were surrounding him, now, but they no longer seemed sure of their attack. The openings in their cloak's hoods all seemed to follow their fallen comrade as it fell slowly to the earth, the scream dying as surely as the Dementor.
But Harry did not wait for their action; he took off at the nearest Dementor and raised his sword high over his head. He leaped into the air, and brought the weapon down onto the head of the Dementor, who was reaching its hand out towards Harry.
The Dementor's hand managed to touch Harry before his life ended immediately. However, unlike during the summer, when physical contact had caused Harry to lose all strength and nearly black out, today the touch only managed make his sword flicker for a moment with a silver hue. Harry felt no real drain in his strength, and the Dementor was not saved from its attempt to stop its assailant.
Harry pulled his sword out of the Dementors skull, and swung in a wide arc to his left as he spun on his heel. Meanwhile, he felt the presence of the Patronuses circling the Dementors that were encircled about Harry.
Harry had never before thought of Dementors as individuals, with varying personality types or desires. They had always just been evil, soul sucking creatures whose only thought and desire was to make him miserable. However, as a few Dementors took to the skies to flee while others seemed more determined to attack Harry, it was obvious that these creatures had individual thoughts.
This sudden realization that these creatures were more intelligent than he had previously thought did nothing to make Harry more merciful. He had crossed the point of potentially caring for these beasts over the summer when they left muggles dead in the streets, families torn apart. No matter how they thought, they were the enemy in this war, and needed to be killed.
So Harry set about doing just that. He rushed a Dementor, swinging his sword horizontally through its hood. The skull of the creature dropped helplessly to the ground while more oily liquid seeped from its now-open neck. Two Dementors attacked from behind, sending dark spots into Harry's eyes as he fell to the ground, his sword flickering silver.
But as Harry rolled to his back, his own Patronus came rumbling into the mass of Dementors and lifted one of the Dementors bodily into the air by its antlers and hurled it against the front wall of Gladrags Wizardwear. Harry took this brief pause in action to stab at the other Dementor who had forced him to the ground.
Another gut-wrenching scream filled the air, which Harry silenced with another swing of his blade.
The original group of Dementors, likely at three dozen strong, was now split up, fleeing, or dead on the ground. Harry noticed with satisfaction that a silver swan and falcon flew above the Dementors, swooping down at them to keep them on the ground. Some got away; but many others were kept in play. Meanwhile, a number of Patronuses had Dementors cornered against buildings, shouting in pain at the proximity of the silver animals.
Harry quickly ran from Dementor to Dementor, wielding his deadly weapon with fierce anger. These creatures embodied hatred, fear, and suffering, and Harry had had enough of that in his life. Within minutes, the Dementors were either slain, or had escaped the Patronuses and were fleeing into the town.
As his sword faded from his hand in golden mist, Harry turned to his unit, to find their faces filled with triumph, awe, and a little fear. No doubt the fallen Dementors and Harry's ruthlessness would spark fear in anyone. "Force them out of town; we'll have to split up now into groups of three. Hermione will be trying to send the next wave of Death Eaters right where we're standing, so get out of here. If you run into any groups of Death Eaters, don't be a hero. Run away from them. Just do your job of fending off the Dementors and dispose of the occasional lone attacker."
Immediately, his small crew got to work, splitting into groups, and heading into the residential portion of town, where the remaining Dementors were seeking refuge.
Harry didn't follow after them, however. He headed north-west. An army was approaching from the west where the Dementors had originated, and he saw flames in the distance. He needed to help Hermione get the battle into the street.
As he moved further west, on a street parallel to the main shopping street, Harry looked into the sky. There was still the occasional Dementor flying overhead, and Harry wished he had a broom to chase them.
As if reading his thoughts, three students flew overhead on brooms. Harry recognized one of them as the leader of group seven from his DART classes, Howie Paskin, a chaser for Hufflepuff. Harry ran after the group, as they flew westward.
He was grateful he did, for they soon came under fire from approaching Death Eaters, also on brooms. Harry saw one of the three struck by a red stunner and fall from the sky, her broom loosely held in her lifeless hand.
Still sprinting, Harry cast a levitation charm at his student, hoping to ease her fall. Fortunately, between the slowed fall and the snow-covered lawn on which she landed, the student seemed to be okay. Harry rushed towards her, shouting at the small home in front of which he ran. "If anybody's home, help us!"
A middle aged woman opened her door cautiously as Harry knelt down by his student, a young girl, likely in her fourth or fifth year. Harry thought her name was Andy. He quickly cast a charm to detect major damage done to the girl.
"M'am," Harry said calmly as he lifted Andy in his arms. "Can I ask you to care for this girl while we hold off the fight?"
The woman stepped out on her front porch and nodded softly, her eyes darting to his scar. Her face glanced back at him and appraised him with a slight look of awe. "Of course. Good luck, Mr. Potter!"
Harry shrugged off the woman's strange expression and nodded as he handed Andy to the woman and hurried back to the broom that Andy had been riding. He scanned it quickly. It was new—a Comet 720. Harry guessed Hermione had convinced the owner of Quidditch Goods to loan them a few brooms for the fight.
He mounted the broom, and with a glance into the sky, kicked off, into the brisk air. Harry cast a quick warming charm on himself, wanting his body to be as fully functioning as possible. He quickly sped towards the aerial fight taking place between Howie, another student, and three Death Eaters. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry noticed a Dementor racing towards the melee as well.
Without another thought, the golden sword of Gryffindor rematerialized in Harry's hand and he angled at the incoming Dementor. The creature seemed to recognize Harry, or at least the weapon of its companions' demise, and shrieked in fear as it turned to escape Harry.
But it was no match for Harry's speed or will, and Harry gained on the creature, his sword raised high. The Dementor took a sharp left, hoping to avoid Harry's sword, but the seeker had experience following a much quicker object, and anticipated the Dementor's movement with ease. He brought his sword down sharply, slicing into the torso of the Dementor.
The creature cried out into the cold air, and fell from the sky, black oily liquid trailing behind.
"He's killed it!" a shout sounded from behind Harry. He turned quickly to find the Death Eater who had shouted being struck by a stunner from Howie. The distraction had led to being hit, and his cloak billowed behind his body as he dropped fifty feet to his probable death.
The sword dissipated once more from Harry's hand, so he moved it to the front of his broomstick, leaving his wand arm free. Harry raced at the remaining two Death Eaters, shooting curses of increasing power as he flew. Rather than spend any time or energy raising a shield, Harry simply flew between the curses being lobbed his way. One Death Eater was hit by his bombardment charm, and didn't have the strength to hold onto his broom as he was blasted through the sky. The other Death Eater avoided a detonation charm, but his broom did not, exploding into pieces under him. Harry was in his element, and nothing short of a Dragon could take him out of the sky.
A horrible roar filled the air, and Harry closed his eyes in despair. Or maybe a Gargoyle, he thought, remembering the terrible damage the last one had done to him. He looked to the horizon to find not one, but two Gargoyles flapping their great wings with a single destination in mind: him.
"Get out of here," Harry said to his students. "Continue to help Hermione, and steer clear of the Gargoyles."
"But Harry…"Howie started, obviously thinking that Harry had no chance against the stone behemoths. Yet the boy looked at Harry with an expression with no doubt on it.
"It's alright," Harry responded quickly. He needed to get them out of harm's way. "You think I haven't learned how to fight these better since the attack on Hogwarts?"
The fact was that Harry had learned quite a bit more about fighting Gargoyles; even so, two Gargoyles poised a much greater challenge than he thought he could take on. But the two students flew away from him, towards the burning homes below. Harry wished he could go help them, but he had a bigger challenge at this time.
With that thought, Harry raced towards the incoming creatures, his wand raised high. In his previous fight, Harry had had no idea how to harm the Gargoyles. He had needed to think outside the box to bring it down. Since the fight, he had at least learned a couple of spells that could cause them some damage. In addition, these Gargoyles didn't look to be as gargantuan as the last one had been. Harry figured they must be a younger pair from the clan.
Harry dipped down as the Gargoyles neared him, turning his body underneath his broom as he did so. The Gargoyle on the left struck out with his left claw, but left his attack just short of Harry, who shouted, "Torno" while swinging his wand. The creature screeched deeply in pain as its stone arm fell from the sky, having been cut clean off.
Harry quickly pulled up on his broom, which sent him hurtling towards the ground, having been upside down when he made the move. It proved a smart adjustment, as the tail of the Gargoyle narrowly missed him. Harry recalled his broken collarbone from his previous fight, and was grateful he had learned from the experience.
What Harry had not experienced before, however, was a second Gargoyle, which currently dove at Harry from the sky.
Harry slowed his descent enough to allow the diving creature to catch him. The Gargoyle opened its stone jaws as if to bite off the tail of Harry's broom, but Harry would have none of that. He jerked up on his broom while aiming his wand at the left wing of the Gargoyle and cast a binding charm.
Having missed its target, the Gargoyle spread its right wing to pull out of its dive. With its left wing bound to its torso, the Gargoyle swung wildly towards the ground, only managing to break the charm with its mighty wing and pull out of the dive just in time. The momentum of the fall took it into the ground, where the Gargoyle carved a healthy chunk of the street out from under it. With a roar, the creature leapt back into the air, its wings pumping madly.
Looking towards the ground Harry noticed another wizard climbing into the air atop a broomstick. He was clad all in purple, his white beard flowing in the wind.
Keeping one eye on the Gargoyle above him, and another on the Gargoyle taking flight again, Harry couldn't help but think what a strange sight it was: Albus Dumbledore on a broomstick.
"Harry," the old man called out as he neared, his eyes also gazing warily at the two Gargoyles surrounding them. "Your students need you."
"But the Gargoyles! Surely you can do more good on the ground!"
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "You doubt my flying skills, Harry?" The old man looked Harry in the eyes and his own eyes twinkled. A look of pride came over his face before Harry responded.
Harry felt a small smile tug at his lips despite the direness of the situation. "Not that I don't appreciate your quick response…"
"Harry," he replied calmly, though the Gargoyle above them was fast approaching. "This is now your battle, and your army awaits further command." With that, the man raised his wand and performed an intricate motion while muttering a long incantation. Harry didn't wait around to see what the spell did as he headed immediately to the burning buildings below. But the pained guttural roar of the Gargoyle behind him indicated the curse was none too pleasant. The spell was enough to make Dumbledore the focus of the other Gargoyle as well, and Harry left the battle in the sky.
Zooming low, just above the rooftops of the home, Harry began to see an oddity about the homes that had been lit on fire—they weren't being destroyed. In fact, the scent of burning wood was fainter than it should have been, and the smoke didn't drift in the direction the wind was blowing. Finally, the heat from the fires was warm at most, but given the size of the flames, Harry shouldn't be able to get that close without an uncomfortable amount of pain.
Harry realized with a smile that Hermione didn't need his help. She had come up with a way to protect the village while funneling the incoming Death Eaters down the main street.
As the Death Eaters arrived, they found homes on either side of them in flames. This gave them no reason to wreak havoc on them, and they pressed forward, instead, seeing the great success on the street.
But the flames were fake. Now, as Harry flew closer overhead, he saw small groups of students casting illusion charms on home after home as they seemingly went up in flames. Meanwhile, a second aerial team flew by, keeping flying Death Eaters from cottoning on to the ruse. They also flew down to various groups of students on occasion, giving instructions from their observations up high.
Harry took off up higher into the air to get a better look at the results. He was happy and proud to see the majority of the Death Eaters arriving from the east staying on the main street rather than diverting into the town—which appeared to be burning quite spectacularly now.
Harry smiled broadly and scanned the ground for Hermione, but was distracted by large movement on the horizon. To Harry's right, groups of Giants were now marching out of the forest and into the clearing before the town. Harry's smile slipped off his face, and he pushed his broom forward with as much speed as he could. It was nothing compared to his new Lightningbolt, but Harry arrived to that edge of town just moments after the Giants did. They had already done significant damage by the time he arrived. Harry felt relief at seeing the homes that were destroyed empty.
And he soon realized why, as Ron and nearly a dozen of other students attacked the Giants from behind. They had disillusionment charms cast on them so the Giants hadn't noticed as they moved in from behind.
Harry decided to buy the students a few more moments by attacking the foremost Giant head on. This Giant was the largest of the bunch, and likely the leader, based on his size and position. Harry had to be careful, for there were three other Giants flanking the leader, all of whom had noticed Harry, and eyed him warily like he was an irate bee.
Harry raised his wand and aimed for the eyes of the Giant. He doubted anything could break through the magic resistant skin of the Giants—even at the most vulnerable parts of their body. However, Harry had long discussed and practiced methods of attacking various magical creatures for moments just like this.
A thick, sticky liquid emerged from Harry's wand, covering the Giant's face. The Giant growled angrily and brought his massive hand up to wipe away the goo blocking his vision and putting a foul taste in his mouth. He was not very successful, as he tried to pull away the honey-like substance, and found it firmly stuck.
He let out a much louder roar, and the infamous impatience of the Giants shown through as he began swinging his club blindly in the air instead of trying to solve the issue at hand. Harry easily backed away as the club swung back and forth, even hitting a second Giant which had moved forward to assist her leader.
Soon, four of the seven present Giants were pressing forward to their leader or Harry, and many sustained injuries from the wildly swinging club.
Harry continued his indirect magical assault by placing a slippery charm on the ground. After the first Giant fell, all hell broke loose as they began attacking each other in an attempt to escape the slippery ground and swinging club.
Harry glanced up at Ron's group and found them handily taking care of the three unoccupied Giants. He soared around the scuffling group he had occupied and found Ron knocking out a Giant with a large stone he had repeatedly banished into the massive creature.
"Looks like you got this covered?" Harry asked quickly.
Ron swiveled around and a smile came to his face. Before he responded, his smile faltered when looking at Harry. "Of course," he said after a beat, and glanced at Harry's group of fumbling Giants. "Thanks for the distraction. We'll clean them up."
Harry nodded, too distracted to worry about Ron's odd reaction to seeing him. "After the Giants are tied up, make your way through town. Send a scout to see how the battle is going at the Three Broomsticks. We may need you to attack from behind."
"Alright," Ron confirmed, while conjuring up ropes to tie up his fallen Giant. He then glanced at Harry. "How's Hermione?"
Harry smiled. "She's done her job brilliantly, so far," Harry replied before soaring up high into the air once more.
Ron turned back to the remaining Giants, a look of relief on his face.
Harry grinned and turned about to head back to the main fight. Flying over the town, it wasn't hard to see that Hermione's plan was still working. There was now a battle taking place at the Three Broomsticks. From his distance, Harry couldn't see specifics, though it looked like both sides had put up barriers and were at a sort of stalemate.
Harry caught a purple light in the corner of his eye and went into a sharp dive to avoid whatever spell was headed his way. Pulling out of his dive to locate the attacker, Harry spotted Avery hurtling towards him, another spell on his lips.
Harry acted the aggressor and charged right back at the man. He launched a pair of curses at Avery, who dodged them in flight. He hadn't yet launched his next curse, and Harry worried what spell he was conserving his energy for.
Deciding not to take a risk, Harry pulled up sharply and looked back to see Avery pull up after him.
Harry dove quickly and put the speed on. Harry knew Avery—no matter how good a flyer—could not match Harry's speed. Harry conjured a large net out of his wand that headed right for Avery. It was never Harry's plan to capture Avery, but rather send him in a wider arc than Harry was taking to circle back around in the dogfight.
A green light passed by several yards from Harry, and he knew Avery recognized he wasn't getting any closer. Fortunately for Harry, hitting a flying target at the speeds they were traveling would be more difficult than successfully stunning a Giant with a simple "Stupefy" spell.
Harry continued his aerial loop, knowing he was catching Avery from behind. Now, Harry had the upper hand and Avery was the one running. Harry launched a couple of more low powered curses, knowing he wouldn't hit Avery, but sending a fear and panic into the Death Eater and waiting for the mistake.
The mistake came as the older man tried to gain the upper hand again, and pulled the broom into a sharp turn. Without both hands on his broom, the turn would have launched him to the ground far below. Instead, he sacrificed a pivotal second to keep his wand hand attached to the broom's end, and that extra time gave Harry the opening to hit Avery with a banishing charm.
The man was launched clean off his broom and fell over forty feet to a rooftop, where he landed on a brick chimney with a sickening crunch. His body bounced like a ragdoll off the structure and hit the ground, likely dead or mortally wounded.
Harry felt a sick feeling in his stomach at the sight, and was about to set off when he caught sight of another Death Eater.
Blonde hair, black robes, and a slight smile—as well as Harry could see from fifty feet anyway.—Lucius Malfoy gazed up at Harry. The two stared at each other for several long moments.
Harry had this man's memory in a contained vault. Lucius had the password. Despite two months of tinkering, Remus had gotten nowhere with opening the vault, which Harry supposed was the point. And now, Harry had a chance to get the password. A swelling feeling in his chest compelled Harry forward to collect the memory at any cost.
But then Harry heard screams and looked back up. Near the gates of Hogwarts, where the younger and untrained students had retreated, the Forbidden Forest's fringe seemed to be moving. It took Harry a moment to realize the forest wasn't moving, but rather creatures were emerging from it. Acromantulas.
Harry glanced back at Lucius, who had his arm extended and palm open as if to say, "Until next time." Harry thought the communication odd, but set off to the gates of Hogwarts. He tried to ignore the nagging feeling that he had just ignored one of Magic's promptings.
Ass Harry arrived at the gates, he saw many Hogwarts professors warding off the spider invasion. However, they were distracted by trying to keep the students behind them safe and moving forward. Many students were frozen in fear at the mammoth size of the insects scuttling towards them.
Harry swung his wand overhead, calling on his most recent training with Sirius on elemental magic. Casting a bolt of fire was simple. Generating a fire wall of protection was another, and something he had only begun to get the hang of.
Harry found that being on a broom actually assisted him in casting the spell. Rather than moving his wand steadily to build the wall at a proper pace, he was able to keep his wand in one position and slow his speed to match the wall construction requirement.
Teachers and students looked on as Harry Potter flew in front of them, a wall of fire spitting from his wand and creating a massive barrier or death trap to the Acromantula converging on them. After a second pass to thicken the wall, Harry began launching single blasts of flame into the now grouped cluster of spiders. Many of the smaller creatures fled in fear, while the larger of the species seemed impervious to the blasts.
After a few moments of laying down fire, Harry soared back over the fire wall and landed near the gate. Professor McGonagall was there, shepherding students back to the safety of the castle.
"Thank you, Mr. Potter," she said in a tight voice, her wand still raised to ward off any creatures who dared go around the wall or even through it. When she glanced at Harry, her hand lowered slightly for a moment. She cleared her throat and raised her wand once more before continuing. "I think you've bought enough time for us to get the rest of the students back to Hogwarts. Kingsley sent a message not long ago that they were holding the line at the Three Broomsticks. Perhaps they need your assistance?"
Harry nodded and glanced around at the remaining people at the gate. "Can I steal Luna from you?" He asked, spotting her and Neville bringing up the rear of the caravan.
"Of course. Why?"
"Dunno yet," Harry responded and raced forward to Luna.
The girl waved at him as he neared her and seemed to know before he asked her that she needed to come with him.
"You look different, Harry," Luna began, before saying another word. Then, without waiting for any sort of response from Harry—who frankly had no response to her statement—she changed the subject. "I suppose I'm needed at the battle?" she asked as Harry slowed down and dismounted.
"I guess so," Harry said, knowing that Luna had developed some tremendous healing skills over the past several months. He hoped that was not the reason he felt that she was needed. But in any case, he motioned to the broom and she saddled up in front of him.
"Make sure everyone is safe and the gate is protected," Harry told Neville before lifting off the ground again. Neville didn't react to what Harry asked of him, but simply stared back, his mouth slightly open.
Flying with a second person was very difficult. Harry could not travel too fast for fear that any adjustment in Luna's weight distribution would send them diving to the ground. He couldn't go too high for the same reason. But the method of travel was still much faster than walking, as they hurried toward the ongoing battle at the Three Broomsticks.
Nearing the barricade, Harry noticed immediately that Ginny was not present and that Kingsley was leading the fight. Aurors, members of the Order, and student all gathered together firing curses, raising shields, and building the barricade. But as great a sight of camaraderie as it was, Harry could not enjoy the moment, as his chest constricted in fear.
"Kingsley!" Harry shouted as he and Luna dismounted. The Auror turned to him and a slight smile came to his face. Kingsley looked at him closely before his smile grew even broader. The pair had built a strong mutual respect after the battle of the Ministry. "Where's Ginny?"
Kingsley motioned him over to the barricade, which Harry noticed was made up of furniture from many stores nearby, most plentifully the chairs and tables of the Three Broomsticks. Harry heard a student shout out "Blasting" followed by two members of the order throwing up a large shield. Harry heard the reverberating sound of the blasting curse hitting the shield.
Kingsley kept his eyes watching the battle as he addressed the pair of newcomers. "We've been at a bit of a standstill for a while now," he responded. "A few of the Death Eaters have tried entering No Man's Land, but they don't make it very far." Harry followed his eyes and found several bodies lying in the street between the two barricades.
"Ginny led a group behind the southern stores to flank the Death Eaters from behind. That's when we'll make our move."
Harry felt himself relax slightly, though still very frightened at the idea of Ginny leading the attack. "You let her go—"
"Oh don't start with me, boy," Kingsley cut him off with a smile. "First of all, you have no right saying she's too young after the stunt you pulled at the Ministry. Second, if you'd have seen her earlier, you'd know I couldn't have stopped her with anything less than a stunner—and we both know that wouldn't end well for anyone."
Harry felt a smile come to his face. Ginny had told off Dumbledore, and had likely done the same to Kingsley. Harry couldn't be upset with the girl for the same reasons he was in love with her.
Ignoring the thought that had just come to his mind, Harry decided instead to begin acting again. "How many can you spare to follow me around the north?"
Kingsley sighed. "We're mostly playing defense right now," he said. As if to prove his point, another student shouted out "Killing" and an Auror banished a table from the barricade to fly forward and meet the killing curse in the battlefield. Hestia Jones then moved quickly to replace the table in the barricade. Meanwhile, a second Auror tried to cast a counter curse at the attacker, but the opposing barricade quickly put up a shield to defend itself.
"I can't spare more than a couple," Kingsley concluded. "After all, we want our numbers to be effective when the attack happens."
Harry nodded. He noticed Tonks and Remus down at the other end of the barricade. "Give me the love birds and I'll take Luna. We'll hurry to catch up to Ginny's forces."
Kingsley called out to Tonks and Remus before filling Harry in. "You probably don't have more than a couple minutes. I'll send up a red spark before we lay down heavy fire."
Harry nodded as Tonks and Remus approached. "Can you guys keep your hands off each other long enough to make this a three pronged attack?"
Tonks grinned as Remus rolled his eyes. "Can't say we'll be completely effective," Tonks responded. "the full moon approaches and this guy gets a little frisky around this time."
Remus gave an exasperated sigh. "Tonks, now is not the time."
Tonks waggled her eyebrows at Harry. "That what I have to keep telling him."
Luna snickered behind Harry, who had a grin on his face. "Let's go then." They started heading toward the other side of the street. "On your mark, Kings," Harry said over his shoulder.
The group made their way across the street and down the alley between Zonko's and a restaurant Harry had never been to. Behind him, Harry heard Remus and Tonks talking in muted tones, and it sounded like they were talking about him. Harry ignored them and led the group, creeping through the alley until he reached the back of Zonko's. He peered cautiously around the corner to see a Death Eater just a few feet away.
The man shouted "Stupefy" in an accented voice before turning tail and running back the other way. Harry leaned back behind the wall as the red stunner zipped past him and he took off sprinting after the man.
The Death Eater tried to take a sharp turn around the other side of Zonko's, but slipped on the powdery snow. He scrambled on his hands and knees to get to safety, but Harry hit him with a slowing spell before he could get behind the wall. Harry quickly disarmed the man and constricted him with ropes.
"A scout, no doubt," Tonks said as she came to stand next to Harry. "I hope Ginny's group wasn't caught by any."
Harry looked around in the alley as well as up to the rooftops. In his simulated battles of Hogsmeade in the past, he had used the rooftops to gain tactical advantage. However, he had left the broom with Kingsley, and the apparation ward that was in place made it difficult to get up there. Instead, Harry pressed forward.
"Keep your eyes out for more," Harry said. "We can't let them tip off the main group that we're coming."
They continued up the alleyway, careful at each alleyway to check for more scouts. When they reached the alleyway that opened up behind the Death Eater barricade, they cast disillusionment charms on one another and moved slowly. That charm was imperfect, of course, but with the distraction that Kingsley would be making soon, a ripple in the air would be hard to catch. Harry slowly poked his head around the wall that separated them from the Death Eaters.
Much like Kingsley's army, there were a number of Death Eaters with various roles at the barricade. Some were on the offensive, trying to time their attacks and strategize the best way to get past the other barricade formed. Then there were defenders. And finally a number of spotters, who called out the proper shields, wards, and charms that were needed for holding the barricade.
It was a unique style of fighting that Harry hadn't experienced, but had trained his students on based on instruction from Sirius and some reading he and Ron had done on the battle formation. Apparently, these standoffs and group work had been quite common in the first war.
Hearing a high pitched whistle like a firework, Harry looked up to see the red signal. "Let's move," Harry whispered and started forward. As they stepped into the alley, Harry heard shouting and the Death Eaters began calling out that an attack had begun.
The group moved quickly and silently up the alley. They emerged into the open street once more to find all Death Eater eyes and wands pointed decidedly across no man's land, firing various curses and raising shields.
Harry glanced at the other end of the street to see Ginny emerging with a group of ten or so fighters, and they all began shouting curses. Harry took this as his signal to begin, and his group added a third point of attack.
It took the Death Eaters several long moments to realize what was happening, and then the confusion followed. In this short time, Harry had been able to stun two unsuspecting Death Eaters and hurl a blasting curse into the barricade, which effectively weakened their defense and hurled two more Death Eaters into a crumpled and injured heap some fifteen feet away.
Tonks and Remus had likewise wreaked havoc in the short time, and a brief glance down the street told Harry that the other unit had launched a successful attack as well.
But then the Death Eaters gathered themselves and launched a counter attack. It left them open to the incoming army from the other barricade, but it put Harry's and Ginny's group on their heels as they retreated back into the alleyways and down the street with shields raised and feet back pedaling.
The Death Eaters still heavily outnumbered them, despite taking a large hit in numbers. But if Kingsley's group could take advantage of the distraction, the tides would shift immediately.
"Luna and Remus, you're our shield," Harry commanded, holding his ground. Their disillusionment charms had faded with their focus on more important spells. But that was fine, because they could more easily work as a unit, now. Harry and Tonks lay down heavy fire while Remus and Luna were able to shield the group from the most dangerous attacks. They were able to push forward and claim their admittedly weaker side of the barricade.
At the same time, Harry heard Kingsley shouting directions to take the barricade. They were just moments from succeeding, and the enemy could see it, too.
Death Eaters began running away, launching dangerous curses as they ran. Harry watched down the street as Ginny and Colin fought off a number of retreating Death Eaters. Harry could tell the enemy was desperate, for they were expending great energy with their curses, sending multiple killing curses and blasting charms.
Fortunately, Ginny was well prepared with objects and quick shields to defend herself with. As the Death Eaters were more concerned with retreating than killing her, she was able to withstand their blows.
But then a blasting charm just missed her, and Harry's heart stopped. Had the curse hit her shield like others had, she would have controlled the impact and power. Instead, the ground erupted, and Harry watched Ginny get launched into the sky, while Colin was sent flying right through the window of Quidditch Goods.
Ginny's body came hurtling back to earth and hit the ground with a sickening force. Harry broke formation and sprinted toward her on the other side of the street. He vaguely felt Luna at his heels and partially understood that he was sending curses and hexes left and right, fending off any Death Eater who wanted to finish Ginny off.
In the back of his mind, Harry heard someone shout "Get it up," but Harry had tunnel vision at the moment and couldn't be bothered with what that meant.
Harry reached Ginny and fell to his knees. Again, he felt Luna near him, likely protecting him. Harry quickly waved his wand over Ginny, doing a basic diagnostic charm and breathed a sigh of relief that she was alive, if badly hurt. There was blood running down the side of her face, and her breathing was so light he might not have seen the rise of her chest if not for the light puff of breath visible in the cold air.
After checking that her neck and back were uninjured, Harry put an arm under her neck and knees and lifted her limp body. He needed to get her to safety. Finally, his senses began to come back to him and Harry realized dozens of Death Eaters were sprinting away from the fight, away from Hogsmeade. They were retreating.
Harry ran inside Quidditch Goods and set Ginny on the table. He brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers and pushed her hair out of her face. He wanted to stay here and just stare at her until more advanced healers could arrive to look after her. But he knew he had to see to the battle, and ensure its end.
Luna was now inside the building as well, but she was checking on Colin. One glance at the boy, and Harry knew it didn't look good. There was blood everywhere, and an arm appeared bent at an extremely odd angle. Luna glanced up at him with a question in her eyes.
"Ginny should be fine," Harry answered. "If you stabilize Colin, take a look at her. I imagine healers will arrive as soon as we secure the town."
Luna nodded, and Harry rushed back into the street and took in the scene before him. Harry's students, the Order, and some aurors were racing down the street after the Death Eaters. High in the sky a Dark Mark looked down on them all, taunting them. But Harry felt a small bit of joy swell in him. They had lost people, surely. They had taken a hit. But that Dark Mark had gone up as a signal to retreat.
They had won. There would certainly be a cost, but Harry knew that was the essence of war. And the victor of the war would end up being the ones who paid a little less.
Harry glanced down the street at the retreating enemy, a sense of satisfaction filling him. Then, a flicker of light caught his eye, and Harry looked up.
High above, a Gargoyle fell from the sky. A few Death Eaters down the street looked up just in time to see a giant, stone, beast paint a shadow over them before they were crushed under its massive weight.
The others still retreated, glancing up above to see a triumphant Albus Dumbledore, beard and robes flowing in the wind as the other Gargoyle flapped its wings in retreat.
-0-0-0-
Lucius sat in the Minister's office with a number of Voldemort's inner circle. Voldemort had yet to arrive, and the Death Eaters present were nearly silent, awaiting their master's temper and punishment.
Lucius didn't much look forward to the punishment. From personal experience, he could say with certainty it did nothing to help his performance. If anything, it inhibited his performance, because he second guessed every action for fear of how his Master would react.
Harry Potter's inner circle had no such inhibitions.
Lucius had opted not to rush into the scrum in the shopping district. He had stuck with the initial plan of running into the residential area of the town and inflicting damage there. Not that he had done much damage, of course. Lucius had spent far more time watching Potter and his army.
The door slammed open then, and Lucius felt Crabbe and Rookwood startle to his side. The Dark Lord and Bellatrix entered the room in a fit.
"Avery," Voldemort snapped. "Report on your failings!"
Silence met Voldemort as he reached the Minister's chair and turned to face his minions.
"Avery was killed by Potter," Lucius responded calmly.
Voldemort's eyes narrowed in hatred. "How the hell did he get himself killed by a boy!"
Because he cared for his life, Lucius did not point out that Voldemort himself had been bested by the boy a number of times now. "He was foolish enough to engage Potter in the air, on a broom; that is, of course, one of the boy's strengths."
Voldemort slammed the table with his fist, and Bellatrix loudly responded. "Can't anyone but the Dark Lord or me lead a successful attack?"
Therein lay the question that Lucius had asked himself many times. And while observing Potter's army, he found that not only could Potter be successful in battle, but his little friends could too.
Crabbe feebly replied to the accusation. "They was expectin' us, they was. Had a barricade built an' everythin'."
"Then why did you attack it?" Bellatrix responded, and Lucius held in a chuckle. The Granger girl had fooled them all with an impressive distraction. Lucius had even thought that many homes were in flames for a time. In reality, only a few of the fires had been caused by Death Eaters, and Granger had allowed them to burn so the Death Eaters wouldn't give the rest of the fires a second thought. Lucius had purposely failed to alert his comrades of this after he realized it.
"We was already burnin' down half the village, so we figured we could take out their resistance. We didn' think they had so many."
Voldemort rolled his eyes at his lackey's response. "And what of our creatures' influence?"
Lucius had caught the end of Weasley's takedown of the Giants. He figured Potter had assisted in that particular battle, though. He had not yet heard a report of the Acromantulas.
"Dumbledore took on the Gargoyles," Rodolphus Lestrange responded, relieving Crabbe of having to reply. "He killed one, and the other fled. I haven't heard from their Clan since. I don't know if they'll stay with us after a second hit to their numbers."
Rabastan took over for his brother to continue the report. "The Acromantulas were warded off by a fire wall that Potter created. Even before he arrived, though, the teachers had the gate pretty well defended. Most of the retreating students would have gotten through before anyway."
Lucius decided to jump in at this point. "It seems timing is a common theme here, my Lord. Weasley had time to reach the Giants before they did much damage. He and his group limited them with Potter's help."
"Was Potter everywhere?" Voldemort shouted. Lucius had to admit Potter had been all over in the battle. But, more impressively, his people were everywhere, doing the right things. Potter didn't need to do it all. And therein lay the true power of Potter. He was a natural and brilliant leader. He had trained his people the right way, and prepared them for the moment. Voldemort may have recruited an army to take the Minstry, but Potter had trained one to defend a town.
After receiving no reply, Voldemort asked a more pressing question. "Why was the timing so off? Did my Dementors do nothing?"
Silence met Voldemort's question. After a beat, Voldemort filled the silence angrily. "Well?"
It seemed it was Crabbe's turn to respond, once more, to bear the worst of the news.
"Potter killed them, my Lord."
Lucius had only seen Voldemort show fear on two occasions. During the first war, Dumbledore and he had dueled, and Dumbledore had an obvious edge in the fight. Then, during Voldemort's graveyard resurrection, when Potter had them locked at the wands, and ghosts began emerging from Voldemort's wand.
Never before had Lucius seen such fear on Voldemort's face as he did at that moment.
And Lucius knew why.
"How?" asked the man, his voice cold and scared. Perhaps the others in the room wouldn't think it fear, but rather fury. But Lucius knew better.
"He had a golden sword," Crabbe said. "I saw him in the sky kill one of 'em. And we passed a bunch of 'em dead in the street, too. We saw lots of 'em fleein' when we arrived."
"Wormtail!" Voldemort shouted suddenly.
The door opened again, much more slowly this time. "Yes, my Lord?" Asked the small man, hunched over at the doorway.
Voldemort immediately stood from his chair and walked around the table. "Follow me," he said, before exiting the room, Wormtail hot on his heels.
Lucius caught a look of doubt on Bellatrix's face as she watched her master depart. Lucius could never think of a time when his most loyal follower doubted Voldemort's actions. Perhaps she had not expected the battle to go quite the way it had.
Crabbe let out a long exhale, clearly grateful he wouldn't have to face his Master's wrath . Lucius shared that gratitude, but couldn't help but wonder just what Voldemort was up to now that he knew Potter could kill Dementors.
Could destroy his means of immortality.
-0-0-0-
Fred and George led the way to the Room of Requirement. Following behind them, Ron's dad held his mum tightly with his left arm. Her head leaned against his arm as they walked down the corridor. Behind them, Bill was steadied by his fiancée. He had taken a nasty curse to the ribs while chasing the Death Eaters out of town. He was fixed up fairly easily-unlike Ginny-but Ron could tell by his walk that he was still very tender, and likely would be for some time.
And following behind all of them, Ron held Hermione's hand in his own. He glanced over at her and they shared a small smile.
In a dark and morbid way, Ron figured he should be grateful for the battle. Their date had been going quite horridly. It was awkward. It was hard to keep conversation going. Which Ron found very odd, for they had been to Hogsmeade a number of times together without Harry, and had never wanted for conversation.
Ron knew it was likely his own fault. The added pressure of actually being on a date with his best friend had proven too much. He couldn't stop thinking about not blowing it long enough to listen to her, or engage her.
But then Harry's voice had boomed through the town, calling them to arms.
Fred and George reached the entrance to the Room of Requirement and began pacing back and forth to summon a room. A door soon appeared and the family entered to find an expanded version of the Burrow's sitting room. It was nice, and familiar, and seemed to set the family at ease immediately.
Ron and Hermione found a love seat and sat close together. Ron reached out and pulled her tighter to his side, and she rested her head on his shoulder.
During the battle against Death Eaters and Giants, Ron had come to an astounding conclusion. It could all end in a moment. Did he want to leave life with a regret? Did he want his final moments with Hermione to be those of worry, fear, and insecurity?
When the battle ended, it was clear to Ron that he needed to live every moment with her as if he might not have another-because that terrifying thought was a legitimate possibility. He had been scared and uncertain for too long.
So he had raced to her and wrapped her in a tight and warm embrace when the battle was over. It was no awkward or uncomfortable hug as they had shared a number of times. Instead, she melted into him, and for the first time, Ron thought she belonged there. In his arms.
They hadn't left each other's side since. In their brief visit to Ginny after she had been properly looked at by Madam Pomfrey and stabilized. In the Great Hall for dinner. And now, in front of brothers who would likely mock him for this new development.
"It feels a bit like a dream, no, doesn't it?" Hermione said softly.
Ron leaned away from her slightly to peer at her. "What do you mean?"
Hermione looked up at him with a small smile. "It feels like we're at the Burrow," she said. "Your family is here. And the idea that we just fought for Hogsmeade feels so unreal-like a dream."
Ron let out a light laugh. "I hadn't thought about it. But now that you say it, it does feel a bit like Ginny and Harry will be walking through that door soon, making some inappropriate comments."
Ron's mum stirred in her seat and looked at him. "Do they do it in front of you?" she asked with a slight smile. "I've only heard them when they don't know I'm listening."
Ron laughed, surprised at the gossip in his mum. "Oh you don't know the half of it. Those two have no shame. Or filter," he added, his face screwing up in disgust.
"So are they...together?" Ron's dad asked. The whole family now seemed very interested in the conversation. Ron figured it was because they wanted to think of a happy ending, especially with Ginny resting painfully in the hospital wing. No one had really seen Harry since the end of the battle but for the short visit to Ginny that he made with them. He had been all over the place trying to assess the situation and planning their next move. It was strange to Ron just how involved he was, even if he did lead the successful defense of the town.
"No idea," Ron responded truthfully. "The way they act, they might as well be together." Ron thought of his recent conversation with Harry, when he revealed his feelings for Ginny. "I used to think they were just friends. But he likes her, that's for sure."
"No," Hermione said softly at his side. "He loves her. And that might be why they're not together."
-0-0-0-
Just outside of the Hospital Wing, Harry bumped into Abby. Her face was full of stress and worry, and Harry wrapped her in a hug when she rushed to him in the hallway.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Harry," Abby gushed. Harry thought he felt her tears as she buried her head on his chest.
"Me? I'm just glad you are alright," Harry responded as they broke their hug. He still cared for this girl deeply, even if those feelings were no longer romantic. She had meant a lot to him.
"I would hardly call myself alright," she said softly and Harry squeezed her arms. "I didn't get it before. But I do now."
"Get what?" Harry asked.
"Why you broke up with me. Why you said you couldn't be who you needed to be with me. I'm a coward."
Harry shook his head. "You were out there fighting every bit as hard as me. That you were scared doing it proves your bravery, not cowardice."
Abby shook her head and a small smile came to her lips. "Thanks, Harry. But I can see the difference between what I am and what you need." Her eyes darted over to the doorway to the Hospital Wing. "I just wanted you to know that I understand now. You need something a bit different than I can offer. And frankly, I need something different, too."
Harry smiled back at her, unable to contradict her. "I'm glad you're okay," he reaffirmed, instead.
She nodded and backed away from him. "Goodbye, Harry."
Harry watched her walk away, grateful that she had found closure. But as he turned to the Hospital Wing, he understood exactly what she thought he needed. And she was right. He strode into the Hospital Wing.
"Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey stopped him before he made it far. "Visiting hours are over, and we are quite full here as it is."
Harry simply raised an eyebrow at her. He respected the woman, but there was nothing that would stop him from seeing Ginny. Alone, this time.
Madam Pomfrey must have sensed his determination, for she bustled slightly at his reaction to her resistance. Harry remained silent.
With a huff, the matron whispered fiercely at him, "You will remain calm and not wake any other patients!"
Harry nodded his thanks before moving straight to her bed and pulling the curtains. Her eyes fluttered open at the sound. Harry cringed, knowing she needed her rest, but selfishly needing to be with her.
"Hey Gin, how do you feel?" Harry asked softly as he slid into a seat next to Ginny. He waved his wand at the curtains around the bed, effectively blocking all sound from exiting the quarters.
A very weak smile came to her bruised face. The bludgeoning curse had not hit Ginny directly, thanks to her shield, but the repercussions of being near the spell were not easily healed.
"A bit like one of Fred and George's practice dummies from their Beater days, I imagine."
Harry let out a light laugh, amazed at the girl's strength and attitude in this painful situation. "You scared me to death, you know."
The description of his state at the time of her injury was apt. Harry might as well have been dead, for how useful he'd been in those terrifying moments. He'd gotten tunnel vision, and that scared him.
"A little payback, is all," Ginny said, an eyebrow quirked. "For making me worry about you so many times."
"Yes, I suppose a little of that was in order. I can think of better ways to make me pay for my hospital visits though. Maybe my own hospital visits?"
Ginny closed her eyes again, but the smile remained on her face. "It seemed like just last week our roles were reversed."
"Yeah, it was. Only I was unconscious when you visited. Sorry about that, by the way."
"We can blame Ron," Ginny said, and a slight scowl appeared on her face. "Besides, it was still a good visit."
Harry reached out and brushed Ginny's hair lightly out of her face, careful not to touch her injuries. "You didn't have your way with my limp body, did you?"
"No fun to be had in that state, Harry," she joked, and Harry let out a laugh.
"So what did you do during your visit? Declare your undying love to me?" Harry's smile faltered when Ginny's did.
But her smile quickly returned as her eyes opened. "That will remain between me and your subconscious, thank you very much."
Harry laughed again, but now that the question had been spoken, he had to wonder what he would be saying at this moment, should Ginny be unconscious.
He would apologize to her, something he knew she would never accept in her awakened state. He would lament putting her in the position that she was in. Beg forgiveness for the pain she felt, and the weeks of physical and emotional healing that would follow.
Then he would thank her, and admire her bravery. He would tell her how great she did out there.
"You were amazing out there, Ginny," Harry said, deciding this part should not be withheld because she could respond. "I can't tell you how many lives you saved doing what you did."
"I only wish I could have done more," Ginny said after some silence. "I heard the numbers, Harry. There was so much more I could have done. Colin was there to my right, and I could have easily cast the shield further down…"
She trailed off, obviously getting emotional. Colin was still in critical condition at St. Mungo's. Harry nodded and took Ginny's hand. "A wise girl once told me we can't live our life using hindsight, or we'll go crazy. You're right, we both could have done better; when isn't that true? Given the situation, you did a damn good job Ginny. Better than anybody could have done."
Though a tear slid down her cheek, that ghost of a smile returned to her lips. She was so strong.
If she were unconscious, Harry didn't doubt he would proclaim his love for her.
But therein lay the complexity of it all. Could he do so to her face? Could he actually engage in a real relationship with Ginny Weasley?
Today had marked a momentous day in Harry's life. While he had technically accepted the role of Leader of the Light weeks ago in the Department of Mysteries, today was the day that Harry accepted it in his very soul. Without that conscious decision, he never would have been able to cast the Telum, or lead the town in a counter attack. He never would have received the strength to move free of his injuries. He may not be alive, much less the hundreds of students who emerged victorious.
So how did his reception of that duty affect his friends, teachers, or enemies? Where did that choice put him with Ginny? He had temporarily forgotten that responsibility when she had gotten hurt. He had left it all behind for her. What would Magic say about that?
"I want to tell you about my trip to the Ministry, Ginny." Harry decided that such questions could not be answered on an island. He needed her input to it all. For all he knew, Ginny would want to keep her distance after he told her about his calling. Harry shook his head. He knew better.
"I've been wondering for weeks what you were doing there in the first place," Ginny said. "You have no idea how much that curiosity has affected my schoolwork."
Harry laughed again, grateful again for Ginny's attitude. "I had a dream I should go there," Harry said. At Ginny's sharp look, he quickly explained himself. "It wasn't from Voldemort this time. Not even close.
"I'd actually been dreaming about returning for a month. The dreams were so full of hope and guidance, I knew it was a good thing this time. Still, I asked Dumbledore about it, and he sent me right through the floo and the next thing I knew, I was standing in front of the locked door in the Department of Mysteries."
"He knew what your dreams were about?" Ginny asked with furrowed brow.
"He'd had them decades ago. Very similar ones, at least."
"And the door unlocked for you?"
Harry nodded, and thought for a moment about how to explain his calling. "Inside was a personification of Love. Of Magic, Power. She used my mother as a means to relate to me."
"You saw your mum?" Ginny asked, unbelieving.
"Not quite. It was her memory, her love for me, her sacrifice. And Magic told me about a war between light and dark, and that for the good in man to defeat their evil, her guidance was necessary."
"She was there to guide you to stop the attack at the Ministry," Ginny finished.
Harry took a long breath. "Not just at the Ministry," Harry suggested. "She asked me to be that guide in this war. A Leader of the Light."
Silence prevailed in the curtained off room as Ginny processed this information. Harry waited for her response patiently, but feared her reaction.
"I want to complain right now, Harry," she started rather calmly after a long time.
"You do?" Harry asked, a little surprised by her response.
"I want to be angry that so much is being asked of you. I want to cry a little bit, too," she said, but Harry noted the strength in her voice was far from tears. "But I've never been so unsurprised by news so big."
"You expected this?" Harry asked, shocked. She had had a similar reaction to his telling her the prophecy.
"I'm surprised, shocked, blown away, really, that the calling is an official one given by a greater power," Ginny said in a matter of fact voice. "That this duty is being given to you is..." Ginny laughed, but without much humor. "Is the only thing that could happen. And you are the only one who could succeed, and despite the responsibility and power, stay one hundred percent you."
She turned her head, and though Harry knew her to be in such great pain she looked him right in the eye without flinching. "I'll gladly follow wherever you lead, Harry."
Confidence, energy, and gratitude filled Harry at her words, and Harry leaned down ever so gently and kissed her softly on the tip of her nose. He pulled back and they smiled at each other.
Yes, Harry Potter loved this girl. He was still unsure of what he could do with these feelings. But he knew that they could figure it out together, and he didn't doubt that she would support him no matter what happened. And that only reaffirmed his love of her.
-0-0-0-
Albus walked through the Hospital Wing, observing the many students who required medical attention after the battle. It nearly brought the old man to tears. He could have prevented this. He could have prevented the four student deaths, the seventeen injured, and the hundreds mourning. He was headmaster, why hadn't he simply canceled the Hogsmeade trip in light of the Ministry attack and Voldemort's bolstered numbers?
He knew the answers of course, as he had long debated whether to cancel the trip or not. The town of Hogsmeade was relatively protected. The apparation wards would prevent any immediate attack, the alarms would alert him to any intrusion of those wards in time for the Order to arrive, and prevent students from harm while starting a relatively strong counter-offense. Despite losing the floo system within the Ministry building, the government had been able to retain control of the floo network elsewhere even when forced from their main base of operations. That gave the Aurors and the Order the upper hand in defending these towns.
He never thought Voldemort would be foolish enough, prideful enough, to attack Hogsmeade. Surely he knew he would lose more than he killed in that battle. Even if Harry's army of students hadn't done such a wonderful job of protecting the town, Albus was sure they would have come out on top in that battle. Why would Voldemort attack?
Albus had made his decision off of a mixture of logic and feelings. It didn't make sense for Voldemort to attack, and Albus had just wanted to give the students a little hope. A little break from the fear of the war. A nice Valentine's day in the town. But that was the grand irony of it. He had only brought them right into the war.
Albus sat down on a chair, still gazing over his injured students. Logic and feelings, for years it had been the recipe for success. He would gather intelligence, and then let his feelings decide what to do. Or rather, let Magic guide him.
But Magic was no longer with him. It was with the boy currently at Miss Weasley's bedside. And he had done a marvelous job with it. Though Albus would never exchange a student's life for Death Eaters' lives, no matter how plentiful, Albus had to acknowledge the great success that this battle was. Four students, three Order members, and twelve citizens of Hogsmeade had fallen. The early estimates of enemy casualties was over fifty and still counting. Albus wouldn't be shocked if Voldemort's army of over three hundred strong had been cut by a third today. That didn't count the Dementors' retreat to Azkaban and the Gargoyles' departure from his forces, assuming Albus' early reports were true.
Harry had trained his students well. They had the advantage of defending instead of attacking, and used the advantage as well as possible. They also had the advantage of taking the Death Eaters by surprise. They had been expecting a bunch of students running and screaming in fear. Instead, they got a well organized army, albeit individually less talented than their enemies.
The army had been so devoted that when Albus had flooed into the Three Broomsticks and told the students fighting there to go back to Hogwarts, they ignored him. Miss Weasley had even told him to go do something more useful, and that "we've got this." Albus thought it a bit ironic that just a year earlier, the Defense group had been known as Dumbledore's Army, and now it ignored him.
Then again, that's the way things were supposed to be now. There was a new leader. And Albus knew he had better start letting the young man lead, or risk more disasters like today.
Already, Harry had been taking incredible initiative. He'd contacted Sarah to do an interview and an article in the Prophet to reach out to the wizarding community regarding the attack. He'd talked to Severus about some strange observations he'd had of Lucius Malfoy. They'd set an appointment to discuss a plan about how to figure out what Lucius was thinking.
All of this was done without Albus' counsel. And even Severus had reluctantly acknowledged that the young man was no longer an arrogant boy in way over his head. Albus had to wonder if the whole Order of the Phoenix now regarded him as a leader like Albus.
And when Albus linked all of these thoughts together, Magic's parting words to him made infinitely more sense. The Ministry was regrouping, the country would stand strong when the article hit the presses tomorrow, his students were Harry's army now, and the Order would listen to, and obey Harry's word.
Harry had made more waves than Albus could ever hope to make at his advanced age and damaged reputation. Albus understood at last why the torch had been passed before it was his time to go. Harry was the better man, and the better leader now. And Albus had better follow him.
A/N: I can't begin to express how sorry I am about the delay of this story. But just know that my own frustration exceeds any of yours. I've never experienced writer's block before—and it has been a real bitch this past year. I have been so upset about the long hiatus, that I've actually been sitting on two and a half chapters of the story for over six months, wanting to finish the whole story before I posted. But in those six months I've done nothing more than reread the chapters and delete portions of them. In fact I'm a little nervous that this chapter has large portions missing because I went through with the red pen and forgot...but I just needed to get something out there. Ergo, I posted this chapter, hoping that getting some of it out there will jumpstart my creativity and motivation. Anyway, you don't want to read all of my relatively inconsequential problems. Just know I'm sorry, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter.