Chapter Twenty One

Remus Lupin stood at the very fringes of a field that stretched across a wide expanse. With his very keen eyesight, he could barely make out the shapes of the little house and out buildings that were the Burrow and the Weasley's home. From all intents and purposes, it appeared that a party was in progress, with gaily colored tents and flags cluttering in the small garden and lawns that surrounded the little house. He could even hear with his wolf hearing the sound of music.

He smiled for only a moment and then turned to Arthur Weasley. "The boys are doing a fine job Arthur." He was referring to Fred and George who had done a great deal of work in their back shop and had conjured up what appeared to be musicians playing music and house elves preparing tables and linen. It was all an illusion created by the twins using various devices and some very sophisticated transfiguration magic. McGonagall had supervised the whole thing and actually played a very small part . She was also pleased at their work.

The party had not yet started.

"Do you have everything in place?" Lupin asked and Mr. Weasley nodded. "Tonks is going after Harry and Hermione now?"

The ginger-haired man nodded again. "I still don't like the fact that they were left in the dark, Remus. They aren't children anymore and based on what happened at the Ministry of Magic in the Department of Mysteries I think we could have relied on them to stand in their own defense."

Lupin nodded, his eyes still studying the landscape. "I agree Arthur. They are much more skilled then the average seventeen year olds. Still, there are so few of us and there are so many of them that our chances are slim. That's if Voldemort takes the bait at all. Even Hermione sent me a letter this summer wondering why we would all get together for a wedding when it presented such an easy target for the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord. Perhaps it is too obvious."

Mr. Weasley shifted on his feet and folded his arms across his chest. "Oh, I don't know about that Remus. Voldemort has nothing if not a huge ego, as do the rest of them. Malfoy and his thugs broke up the World Cup Quidditch party if you'll remember. With Dumbledore out of the way he'll want to show off. His attack on us would be a launching platform for him to take over the wizarding world."

Lupin nodded. "However, our job is not to confront Voldemort head-on. None of us have the skills to match his. Everyone knows that we are to attack-run-hide-attack. Right? We are to play a cat and mouse game. Draw him out and make him use his forces and scatter them. It is what the muggles call guerilla warfare."

Arthur's eyes lit up at the mention of the muggle word. "Yes, I wonder why they call it that?" he murmured and then said, "Yes, we all have rehearsed and planned now for several months. Shacklebolt and Moody will be leading their group and we can count on them. McGonagall, Molly and I will take the others. Bill and Fleur and the others will be in charge of the young ones. It's all taken care of. We'll spread them so thin that they can't attack in force."

"The children...the young people have practiced apparating? No one is to be left behind."

"Yes, Remus. We have done all we can do."

"The Ministry?"

"Off chasing their tails," Arthur replied.

"Umbridge?"

"I have dealt with her personally." Arthur's face reddened and he turned away for a moment.

"Good." Remus said and sighed. "Tell Ron that he shouldn't feel bad about telling us about the prophecy and the Horcruxes. Heaven knows that we would be in worse shape if we hadn't known."

Arthur nodded. He smiled slightly, proud of his youngest son. Ron was courageous, maybe not the best student, but a loyal friend and a courageous boy. Arthur could not have asked for more. "You'll have to watch out for Fenrir you know," he mumbled.

Remus nodded. "I've been waiting a long time to take care of that problem."

"Just be careful."

Lupin turned and smiled at him. "The same to you."

"You know don't you that Harry still doesn't know about Snape," Arthur said.

Lupin frowned. "Yes, well that can't be helped. I trust that Snape can take care of himself. He should have known that Voldemort would double-cross him. Now, there isn't a wizard or witch that wouldn't know his face and think he is a murderer. The Daily Prophet did a job of spreading that around. However, if we all manage to survive this then I shall let them know that he is innocent of Dumbledore's murder."

"It's a good thing he came to you directly," Arthur said, now frowning himself. "I don't like him and never have. But if he knows how to destroy the Horcruxes then I will keep my silence. Who would have thought? A soul-eater!" He shuddered involuntarily and glanced at Lupin who was nodding in agreement.

"My sentiments exactly."

"You've found...ummm...you have a suitable means to pay...to pay the soul-eater?" Arthur stammered.

Remus' face grew grim and he took a moment before answering. "Yes, I think I do. There are a lot of terrible things in this world Arthur, including the Dementor's kiss. However, I would not wish this on anyone. However, Snape is confident he can kidnap her and use her as payment."

"Lestrange?" Arthur managed.

"Bellatrix Lestrange," Remus replied. "Perhaps it is suitable revenge for killing Sirius. I know he would think so. But still... in times of war there are all kinds of victims, even witches as evil and mad as Bella." He grimaced and grew quiet. They stood in silence for several minutes.

Then there was a faint pop! and a small creature with the bulging eyes and large floppy ears appeared in front of them. Remus looked down and smiled at him kindly. "The house elves are ready then Dobby?"

"Dobby has them all ready Professor."

Lupin shook his head slightly. He had not been able to persuade the elf to call him anything but professor even though it had been a long time since he had taught at Hogwarts. "Good. Good Dobby."

"Hagrid and his brother are still at Hogwarts, Remus," Arthur said and stared at the elf absentmindedly. "Do you have further orders for him?"

Remus shook his head. "Not yet. I think eventually this will end up on the grounds of Hogwarts, and I don't know why that is, but I want him there keeping an eye on things. Having a giant...having Hagrid's brother on our side isn't so bad."

"No, you're right about that," Arthur agreed.

"Dobby you can go now," Remus said staring out at the field again. "Things should start happening soon." Dobby disappeared immediately, leaving them standing in the hot sun.

"We should be hearing about Hermione and Harry about now, don't you think?" Arthur asked shifting his weight and turning back to the graying man at his side. "We've just got to know that they are safe before this all begins."

Remus shrugged. "I can only do so much. Tonks will keep track of them and intervene if necessary. I don't want to make him a prisoner just to keep him safe. He'd fight that and do something rash that would put him in even worse danger. You know Harry."

Arthur nodded and sighed deeply again. "The eve of battle. It has come to this at last. Eighteen years ago we all thought that we'd have to fight a war and then the threat simply disappeared into thin air and we all heaved a sigh of relief. Of course, we lost people then...Lily...James." He glanced at Remus. "And we've even suffered losses this time, what with Sirius and Dumbledore and all. I'm really sorry Remus. It seems that you suffered more than others. You and Harry that is."

Lupin nodded. "Don't worry about me Arthur. I have known grief and sorrow my whole life. It doesn't make it easier but at least I think I can bear it better than Harry. Promise me that you will take care of him if something happens to me."

Arthur Weasley clucked, "Now, now Remus. We must trust each other. I expect that you will be there for my family in that case, too."

Lupin nodded. "You can count on me, Arthur. Speaking of families, have you heard from Percy?"

Arthur shook his head. "No, he hasn't spoken to me directly. Molly has gone to him several times that I know of. Of course, she didn't tell me about it but I know. He's still my child Remus and I can't write him off entirely although his actions have caused me the greatest pain of my entire life. I simply do not know how he has come up with his ideas...how he could turn away from us...from his mother. However, I will still accept responsibility." He stopped suddenly and flushed red again as if he had divulged too much.

Remus turned to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "No, Arthur. He is a man and he must be responsible for himself. You can only go so far in rearing a child before they become their own person and make their way in the world. Besides, we need to enter this battle with determination and not regret. All the other little battles have to be set aside for another time."

He pushed up his sleeves on his summer shirt and glanced at the sun. "We have a few hours until sunset Arthur. You're sure the invitations were sent to everyone...sure that He got the message?"

Arthur Weasley grimaced again. "Oh yes, he got it. He knows the hour and day."

Remus nodded and started off across the meadow. Arthur Weasley followed.

Tonks stood in the archway near the intersecting street between Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley. She was dressed in a disguise and was hardly noticeable. The fight on Privet Drive had unnerved her a little. There were so many of the Dark Lords wizards there, some Death-eaters, although not all of them.

She had chosen to remain hidden watching closely and ready to step in and take the brunt of the spells, even sacrifice herself if need be, if Hermione and Harry had been in real danger. They were all ready to sacrifice themselves in this battle. She felt she had the less risky job because Harry was still protected by his mother's own sacrificial protection; at least until midnight, and she was slightly amused at the fact that the Death Eaters and wizard's that had attacked them were probably still wondering at their lack of success in trying to kill them.

She followed Harry and Hermione at a discreet distance and wondered what was going on when they sat in the car for over an hour and did nothing. Then suddenly they took off and she followed on her broom until they reached the Leaky Cauldron. It was easy enough to go ahead off them and wait until they had crossed the barrier.

Then she stood for a moment, hesitating. Hermione had gone one way and Harry had entered Knockturn Alley. She knew she needed to follow Harry but she was deeply worried about Hermione taking off on her own. She believed the girl was very bright and gifted and well versed in charms and spells but she would not survive an attack if she were by herself. The witches and wizards that stood against her would be very skilled, battle-worn and most of all; evil.

Tonks pulled out her wand, stepped into a dark recess in the street and sent her patronus out to Remus informing him of her whereabouts and that she was on Harry's tail. She noted that Hermione was alone and headed for Gringott's.

Then, pulling the cloak around her and over her head, even with the heat of summer engulfing her, she stepped into the fetid, dark street of Knockturn Alley.

Snape had put a binding charm on Bellatrix Lestrange and was dragging her along the ground in an old-fashioned muggle-way. Since he was half-muggle, it was something that he remembered as a child having been done to him and it pleased him at the moment that it was humiliating to her rather than causing much physical harm.

"He will kill you in a most unpleasant way, Severus," she grunted while struggling with the bonds.

"Perhaps, Bella," Snape said, in a conversational way. It didn't take much effort to drag the small woman. "But you will not be present to witness it. I have a very special surprise in store for you."

They were now in Knockturn Alley and he was looking for a street name on the posts on the corner. She didn't make an effort to scream, even though there were people nearby. Her arms were pressed tightly to her sides and she walked in petite steps when he stood her up on them.

"Snape, let's talk," she said coyly. "Our Lord doesn't know what you've done. And I will never tell him if you let me go now. He is ready to attack and has an army. Join us now and you will have wealth and prestige and...and...respect."

Snape looked at her, eyes narrowed. She had chosen the word carefully, obviously knowing that it was what he craved, or what she thought he craved. All the purebloods had misconceptions about the mixed bloods. They all thought that what a mudblood wanted was what they wanted.

"I have my prize," he said finally and softly. "Whether I am dead or alive I intend to use you to pay a debt that I have owed for most of my life. What I want is a clear conscience and a release from guilt."

Bella looked at him with her wide eyes and she half-smiled and half-frowned. He was talking in riddles as far as she was concerned and his answer silenced her momentarily.

She looked around and studied the street.

"Where are we going?" she asked. She was familiar with Knockturn Alley but there was no shop or establishment of interest here in this section.

He turned and waved his wand to silence her. The gag worked immediately. He wanted it to before he told her of their destination. "There is a man here, up these stairs." He motioned to the stairs that were attached to the outside of the building. "He is called a soul eater, or perhaps you know them as sin-eaters." He watched as her eyes grew wider and she began to struggle against the charm that bound her.

"Oh yes, Bella. Azkaban was a picnic compared to him. Why you ask are we going there?" he watched her nod her head. "Have you never wondered how the Dark Lord managed to survive the night he tried to kill Harry Potter? Oh yes, Lily Potter sacrificed herself to save the child, but it wasn't her sacrifice that made it possible for him to be resurrected. No, Bella," he heaved her up onto his shoulder and started to climb the stairs, "it is because Tom Riddle made seven Horcruxes. He is more or less invincible and immortal unless these six parts of his soul are destroyed. I'm sure you know that a soul eater is the only one that can do the job." He placed her on her feet at the top of the stairs. This time the expression on her face was close to the expression of madness. "He wants to taste what it's like to be a pureblood." Snape said the last with a dry sarcasm and then waved his wand to levitate her off her feet. He left her hanging in midair and stepped into the room.

He was immediately taken back when he saw Hermione Granger sitting in a chair across from a loathsome creature that smelled up the place like month-old garbage left rotting in the sun. He waved his wand and put a silencing charm on her and held her by the shoulder. "Harvey Morocco."

"Severus Snape. What do you want? Why are you here?" The dwarf-like creature cowed a little and whimpered.

"Have you agreed to anything, asked for anything?" He was speaking to her. She shook her head while still being held by his grip on her.

"Very well," he said and turned back to Morocco. "I have someone here for you. She is outside. If I am right, this young woman has already explained out need to you."

He raised an eyebrow and the squirming, filthy man nodded. "This better be good Snape. This better be a real treat."

Hermione struggled and pulled away and fled the room. Snape looked once more at Morocco and said, "Bellatrix Lestrange."

The man's face lightened. "Oh, yummy."

Snape followed Hermione outside.