Disclaimer: Conspiracy to commit Murder is a bad idea and it's always a good idea to make sure you know of a man's allegiance before you ask him to . . . uh . . . terminate someone.

Murder Most Foul

"Harry," Hermione stuck her head into his office. "Ms. Blake wanted to have a word with you if you have time."

"Sure, send her in." Harry said quickly.

"Major."

"Ms. Blake."

"Would you mind if I asked Ms. Granger to join us?"

"Not at all," Harry replied. "That is, if you'd like to Hermione."

"Of course." Hermione smiled at Harry as she took a seat across from him.

"What can I do for you Ms. Blake?"

"I'd like to ask your aid in plotting a murder," she said seriously.

"Who?"

"Something that I believe is near and dear to all of us," she continued. "Hogwarts." Hermione took a sharp breath.

"Go on," Harry said calmly.

"Several people have approached me about starting a new school for muggle born students," Daphne said. "The hope was that we could allow students to stay home and commute to school using the doors that the goblins were thoughtful enough to provide."

"What about the families of the current muggle born students?" Hermione asked.

"The response has been favorable," Daphne replied. "Especially when we mentioned that the school would be placed in the middle of a military base. There have been . . . questions about the security at Hogwarts."

"But Hogwarts is . . . oh." Hermione cut off. "Never mind."

"A safer place, a better environment, and the potential of spending more time at home."

"What about the pureblood reaction?"

"We haven't spoken with anyone with strong ties in the wizarding world," Daphne said. "We're hoping to keep it as quiet as possible until we're ready to act."

"I see." Harry's words sat in the room.

"Harry?" Hermione broke the silence, she didn't like the lost look on her friend's face.

"Hogwarts was always a symbol of hope to me," Harry said after a few moments. "It always represented an escape from my . . . relatives. It was always more of a home then what I had on privvy drive."

"I understand that Major, but . . ."

"Do it," Harry interrupted with his eyes closed. "Work fast, I want it open before . . ."

"We've got everything ready," Daphne said. "We've just been waiting on your approval."

"Get as many purebloods as you can," Harry sighed. "Killing their culture will go a long way towards completing our long term plans. Good work Ms. Blake."

"Thank you Major," she said sadly. "But after all this, do you think you could call me Daphne?"

"Yes, of course Daphne. And please call me Harry."

"Thank you Harry," Daphne said. "Perhaps we can rehabilitate Hogwarts if everything goes well."

"Perhaps," Harry said slowly. "Could you spare a few more minutes of your time?"

"Of course," Daphne said quickly.

"Could you put up a few more secrecy charms Hermione," Harry said to his friend.

"Yes Harry." Hermione spent several minutes casting every privacy and anti ease dropping charm she knew.

"What's this all about?" Daphne asked with a curious frown.

"Ms. Blake." Hermione broke off and shot Harry a pleading look.

"We have a proposal for you," Harry said easily. "One we hope you'll give every due consideration . . ."

IIIIIIIIII

"I need quiet," Dumbledore said loudly. "Thank you. I have spoken with Harry about his plan to face Voldemort on the field of battle."

"Did you get him to change his mind?" Molly asked quickly, the woman was close to tears.

"No," Dumbledore said. "But I have managed to get him to agree to something else. Win or loose, survive or perish, the Order will stand with him." Everyone was deafened by the voices of their companions, each one trying to be heard over the others. "Silence," Dumbledore's voice boomed. "I will not require you to stand by me in what may be a hopeless fight, but I will ask it. Who will stand with me? Who will stand with Harry? Who among us will put an end to the darkness that is covering our nation?"

"I will." Arthur was the frist to stand. "Molly, I want you to take the children someplace safe."

"You can't ask me to leave you Arthur," the woman waled.

"I've loved you since our fifth year," Arthur said tenderly. "And if it weren't for the children I'd never dream of sending you away. Please Molly, if I'm going to die then at least let me face my end knowing that you're safe."

"Yes Arthur," the woman sobbed.

"I'll be there" Remus was next. "James and Sirius would never let me hear the end of it if I didn't go, not to mention what Lilly would say if I let her son do this without me."

"I've got no place better to be." In ones and twos, the majority of the Order put up their hands and volunteered. The end was coming and they were determined to face it with a smile.

IIIIIIIIII

"You wanted to see me Minister?" Madame Bones asked.

"I want your men ready to arrest the winners after the battle between Potter and you-know-who," Fudge said firmly. "We can't let this threat to the wizarding world continue."

"You want me to arrest Harry Potter if he defeats Voldemort?" Madame Bones asked emotionlessly.

"Yes," Fudge agreed.

"On what charge?"

"We'll deal with that later," Fudge waved it off like it was unimportant. "The important thing is to get him quickly and to keep him away from the press until I've had a chance to get the correct story to the public."

"Minister . . . you do realise that Potter has more men then I do are you not?"

"What?" Fudge squeaked. "How?"

"I've had my people keeping track of the guards in Diagon Alley," Madame bones said. "Right now I can account for triple the amount of people I have at my disposal including Hit Wizards."

"Call in the retired Aurors," Fudge snapped.

"I've been activating the reserve," Bones continued. "And asking the others to remain on standby."

"So what's the problem?" Fudge demanded.

"I've been getting noncommittal replies from several of them, and outright refusals from others." Amelia replied. "It didn't make much sense to me until one of my former Aurors told me something."

"What?" Fudge asked with growing dread.

"She told me that the wizarding world had abandoned her, tossed her aside like garbage." Amelia said coldly. "She told me that as far as she was concerned, that we could all rot."

"Muggle born?"

"Along with a good portion of my Aurors," Madame Bones agreed. "She also told me something else."

"Let's have it," Fudge sighed.

"She told me the Harry Potter had accepted her and that she'd stand with him," Amelia said with a small smile at the Minister's discomfort. "I've done a bit of checking and I've found that nearly every muggle born and half blood former Auror below the age of sixty has joined Harry Potter's forces. And that a good portion of the purebloods have also joined them."

"Purebloods?" Fudge asked sickly.

"We're a close knit family," Bones explained. "You don't forget people who have risked their lives to save yours. Will that be all Minister?"

"Yes Madame Bones," Fudge said slowly. "That will be all."

IIIIIIIIII

"Let's go get some icecream Harry," Hermione said suddenly. Her friend had been uncharacteristically silent since their meeting with Ms. Blake.

"You go ahead," Harry muttered.

"I'd rather not go alone," Hermione said. "Please?"

"I'll send Mundy," Harry said without looking up. "And maybe a few of the new men."

"Harry please," Hermione begged. "What's wrong?"

"Hogwarts," Harry breathed.

"Oh."

"I can't believe . . . "

"It might not work out like that," Hermione said gently. "If all goes well then we can connect the goblin doors up to the new school so that students can go back and fourth."

"You really think the Governors will allow that?"

"I really believe that if all goes according to plan that they won't have a choice," Hermione said firmly. "Not after the decrees that Fudge rammed down their throats. If everything goes well then we won't be killing Hogwarts, we'll be saving it."

"Really?" Harry asked hopefully.

"Hogwarts is too valuable to drop," Hermione said firmly. "Just the Library would . . . "

"That's my girl," Harry said with a laugh. "Bet you thought the whole thing up just so you could find a way to keep the library in use."

"It's a valuable resource," Hermione tried to defend herself.

"Come on." Harry stood and offered Hermione his arm. "Let's go get something to eat."

"And then we can get some ice cream," Hermione said firmly as she took his arm. "Ok?"

"Of course."

IIIIIIIIII

"Augusta," Madame Bones greeted the old woman as she walked through the door into the Longbottom home. "Thank you for having me."

"You're always welcome here Amelia," Neville's grandmother replied. "What brings you here?"

"My niece is missing her boyfriend for one," Amelia said with a smile. "Where have you hidden young Neville?"

"He's off with his grandfather," Augusta replied. "They're bonding."

"Finally told him huh?"

"It was long past time," Augusta sighed. "My little baby grandson became a man overnight."

"They do that," Amelia agreed with a smile. "Neville and Alastor will be back for supper if you'd like to speak with them. Until then, would you be so good as to join me for tea?"

"Of course Augusta."

"Good, it gets so lonely around here with my boys out of the house."

IIIIIIIIII

"Dangerous you say?"

"Very," Fudge agreed. "I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Potter and his men planned to go after the Muggle world after they've rolled up the wizarding world."

"Something must be done then," the man in the grey suit said quickly. "Since you have all that experience dealing with . . . Potter did you say his name was?"

"Yes Potter," Fudge agreed.

"Well since you've got all that experience dealing with Potter, what do you suggest we do?"

"I think it best that we wait until he's had a chance to deal with you-know-who," Fudge said with a wink. "And then . . ."

"Afraid I don't," the man in the grey suit said with a frown. "Sorry who?"

"You know," Fudge said quickly. "The dark thingy . . . vol . . . you know." Fudge waved his hands helplessly.

"Vole mart?"

"Close enough," Fudge agreed. "As I was saying, we wait until they've had a chance to fight and then you take the winner with one of those . . . uh . . . nuks I believe you call them."

"Nuts maybe?"

"Yes that's it."

"Have no fear Minister," the man in the grey suit. "I'll personally make sure that Potter gets what's coming to him after he's done with the fight."

"Excellent," Fudge purred. "You know, I never hated the muggle world like some of my fellows."

"Oh?"

"Yes, unlike most wizards I know how valuable muggles can be if you find the right one to talk to."

"Glad to hear you say that Minister," the man in the grey suit replied. "You don't know how much I like to hear things like that."

"You know . . . you do a good job for me and I might be persuaded to put a word in the Prim Minister's ear about you."

"Be still my heart," the man in the grey suit said dryly. "What do you think about . . ."

IIIIIIIIII

"So what do you wanna do now?" Harry asked.

"I guess we could . . ." Hermione cut off at the shout.

"HARRY."

Harry's hand instinctively dropped to the but of his pistol as he turned. "RON," he yelled back cheerfully. "How have you been."

"Glad I found you mate," Ron said breathlessly. "Been walking up and down this street hoping to run into you. "Hello Hermione."

"Hello Ron," the girl replied.

"I'm with you Harry," Ron said firmly. "Till the end."

"What are you talking about Ron?" Harry asked with a frown.

"Mum's been keeping a close eye on me," Ron explained. "Or I'd have been here ta join you sooner. Only got away now cause she's been with dad all day. I heard them talking and I know what your plan is, I won't let you face the end without me Harry. I'm with you . . . to the end."

"Just what do you think is going to happen Ron?" Harry asked oddly.

"You're going to take Voldemort down with you," Ron said tightly. "Harry we've been friends since that first year on the train, might as well be together in the end."

"Ron, come with us." Hermione said with a long suffering sigh. "We'll explain things."

"Hermione what . . ."

"You boys always have to be so dramatic," an annoyed Hermione interrupted. "What makes you think I'd allow Harry to go off and get himself killed?"

"Didn't know you were here too," Ron muttered. "Figured you were safe at home."

"So you were going to get yourself killed with Harry without me?" Hermione's voice took on a dangerous tone.

"Uh . . . didn't really think it through," Ron offered weakly.

"Just like Ron," Harry laughed. "Comes up with a course of action and damn the details."

"Hmph." Hermione couldn't hide the smile growing on his face. "It's good to see you Ron."

"Let's get a table at that cafe," Harry suggested. "Settle things there."

"Whatever you think is best mate," Ron agreed. "Just know that you're not talking me out of this, you go, we go." The three of them found a table and made their orders.

"First thing you need to know is that I'm not looking to take Voldemort down with me," Harry said. "I wouldn't be getting in this fight if I didn't think I would be able to win."

"But the Order . . ."

"You're getting your information from the Order?" Hermione asked incredulously.

"Well they do have Dumbledore," Ron muttered.

"Dumbledore is a good man but he doesn't have what it takes to win a war," Harry said.

"I still wanna be a part of this mate," Ron maintained stubbornly. Harry caught Hermione's eye and motioned towards the bathroom with his chin.

"I'll be back in a few minutes," Hermione said. "I just have to go powder my nose."

"Hermione and I have gotten closer in the last few months," Harry said to his friend.

"Good on you mate," Ron said with a grin.

"And the fight isn't as safe as I've led her to believe," Harry continued. "Don't get me wrong, I think we'll win but . . ."

"But battle is never a safe place to be," Ron said solemnly.

"Hermione doesn't know but she's not going to be on the front line," Harry continued. "And I'd feel better if I knew there was someone I could trust watching her."

"Keep her from fighting and to protect her if everything goes wrong," Ron said slowly. "You can count on me mate."

"I knew I could Ron," Harry said thickly.

"Shh, she's coming back." Ron hissed.

"Our drinks get here yet?" Hermione asked brightly.

"Not yet," Harry replied. The three friends talked for the next couple of hours and caught up on everything that had happened since they'd last seen each other at the end of the school year.

"I gotta go," Ron said with a glance at the clock. "I'll see you at your building in a week."

"In a week," Harry agreed.

"Well?" Hermione asked after Ron was out of the earshot.

"I told him that he'd be your bodyguard," Harry said with a smile.

"You utter bastard," Hermione said in shock. "Ron will stay safe so long as I do is that it?"

"Never thought of that," Harry said with a sly grin. "Sorry Hermione, looks like you're not going to be there for the battle after all."

"I'll get you for that Potter," Hermione growled.

"You'll try."

AN: Had planned to use Ron a lot more then I did, omake about that is below.

Omake: They try to grow up so fast.

"And just where do you think you're going?" McLain demanded.

"To the battle," the little girl replied.

"No you don't, you remember what I told you about that."

"That you're a smelly old fossil that needs to recapture your youth before the icy grip of death drags you to the underworld?"

"Go to your room."

Omake: Below was written before I thought things through. Was going to have the Ministry crew join Harry before the story took on a life of it's own. Was going to include Ron until I started thinking about Molly Weasley and I came to the conclusion that there was no way that she'd allow one of her children to go off to fight. Especially not one of her youngest babies.

"What happened?" Harry swallowed the lump in his throat as he looked down at the body of his oldest friend.

"Lieutenant Weasley insisted on going in first," the men avoided Harry's eye. "He kicked down the door and they hit him with a hex, didn't even have time to get a spell of his own off."

"I see," Harry nodded. "Who are they?"

"We think these are the men who killed Lieutenant Weasley," the troop indicated the line of prisoners.

"Ok," Harry nodded. "Shoot them."

"Yes sir," the men nodded.