New Guardian, New Life
By: Sheltie
I still don't own Harry Potter
Chapter 25
Harry sighed as he stood up at the podium. He was going to tell the DA about the attack. He was now having second thoughts about this, but with a look from Hermione he knew that it was only right to let them have a choice.
"I thank you all for staying here tonight, I have some very big news for you all. I have just gotten word that Voldemort is planning an attack on Hogwarts" Harry said.
Murmurs and whispers were heard in the crowd.
"What we going to do about it?" one asked.
Harry brighten when he heard this, because it was 'we' not 'you'.
"We have been training very hard, and I appreciate it immensely. But what we need is for you to step it up. I know that I'm asking you all a lot, but this is very serious. Voldemort and his followers will not just fall over easily. You all will have to be ruthless in your attacks and that means you might have to kill. I know I can't make any of you do that so I'm giving you all a choice. You can either stay here and keep training or there's the door. You all have the right to change your mind any time. Just keep in mind that what I've told you shouldn't leave this room," Harry said.
No one moved, which made Harry feel better and worse at the same time. It made him feel good that he had their support, but it sadden him that some might not survive. He got down and looked at Hermione, she smiled at him and pulled him into a hug. She knew what he was feeling right now.
"You don't have to do this right now" Hermione said.
"I know, but I have to" Harry said.
Hermione nodded.
Harry waved the Weasley twins over as Hermione got the Longbottoms to come over. Once they were all there Harry began.
"Okay guys, I called you all over because we need you diabolical brains," Harry said.
"Whatever you need-"
"We live to serve-"
"Oh wise leader"
Hermione rolled her eyes as Harry smiled. Leave it to the twins to lighten the mood.
"What we need from you guys is for you team up with Alice and Frank and plan a few surprise for the Death Eaters" Harry said.
Hermione rolled out a map of the grounds of Hogwarts.
"Frank and Alice will provide you with spots that would make places to put trap and all we need you two to do is think of something to trap the Death Eaters in to slow them down or incapacitate them completely" Hermione said.
"Frank, Alice, you two can help and provide ideas for the twins to make their traps more successful" Harry said.
The twins and Frank and Alice were amazed at how detailed this plan was.
"That's all fine, but I thought you were going to have your spy provide Voldemort with faulty intel and lead them down to some tunnels or something" Frank said.
"That's part of the plan, but we don't think Voldemort will fall for it completely, so we'll have back-up plan just in case" Hermione said.
"That's my Hermione, never have just one plan" Harry said smiling at his wife.
Hermione blushed and smiled. The couple then left giving the Longbottoms and twins some time to plot and plan.
/Scene Break/
Dumbledore sat waiting in a private room at the Three Broomsticks waiting Draco to show.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy" Dumbledore said pleasantly.
"Sir, I'm glad you got my letter" Draco said.
"That I did, now what is the new you have for me?" Dumbledore asked.
"The dark lord has given me a task" Draco said.
"And the task is?" Dumbledore asked as he leaned over the table.
"I have to provide a way into Hogwarts and tell him all the security measures that are in place," Draco said.
Dumbledore leaned back in his seat. He didn't think that Tom would make a move like this yet, but it didn't matter since he could use this to get control of Harry. Yes, Harry would need guidance.
Draco sat there and he could practically see the gears working in the old man's head. It was amazing how stupid the so-called strongest wizard alive could be.
"What should I do sir?" Draco asked.
Dumbledore was jarred from his thoughts and he frowned.
"This will take some time Mr. Malfoy, did Voldemort give you any deadline?" Dumbledore asked.
Draco shook his head.
"Good, we have time. I need to think about this some. I'll send you an owl when I have an answer" Dumbledore said.
"Yes sir" Draco said.
Dumbledore left first thinking of ways to approach Harry with Draco leaving just minutes later.
/Scene Break/
Draco returned and gave his report to Harry and Hermione. He sat down with his girlfriend Ginny, who was holding him tight.
"So the old man was already plotting how to contact me," Harry said.
"Yeah, it was weird, I could actually see the gears in his head turning" Draco said.
"Really, I can see Hermione's all the time" Harry said smirking.
"Prat" Hermione said as she punched her husband in the arm.
Draco and Ginny watched in amusement.
"Alright, Harry and I have a few plans going, but we have yet finalized them. So what we need is for you to be patient. I know that is a lot to ask right now, but I have a suggestion," Harry said
Ginny and Draco leaned in.
"Go find a broom closet" Harry said smirking.
Ginny and Draco were blushing bright red at this suggestion.
Hermione rolled her eyes, she knew what her husband was going to do thanks to the bond, but still she thought it was an immature idea.
"Come on love, I think it's a brilliant idea. Besides I'd like to do it too" Harry said.
"Harry, we have too much to do to be doing something so juvenile" Hermione said.
"Whatever Hermione, I still plan on doing it with you Hermione" Harry said.
Hermione could only smile and wonder when Harry might try it.
/Scene Break/
Susan sat in the Room of Requirements playing with the hem of her robes as she waited for Hannah.
"You wanted to see me?" Hannah asked as she entered.
"Yeah, I just thought we could talk here since no one can interrupt us" Susan said.
Hannah nodded and shuffled over to sit in the chair nearby Susan.
"I talked with Neville" Susan said.
Hannah tensed.
"It's okay Hannah. Neville is a very understanding boy," Susan said trying to calm her friend.
"What does he think of this?" Hannah asked nervously.
"He doesn't care one way or the other. He's going to let me decide" Susan said.
Hannah's shoulder relaxed as she heard this. She knew her friend would do the right thing.
"Right now there are too many things going on and with Voldemort preparing an attack I can't make a decision now. But I promise that after al this is over that we'll sit down me, you and Neville and we'll all come to a decision" Susan said.
Hannah nodded, as she could see that there was too much going on to be able to think about this carefully.
"I understand, and I'll wait" she said.
Susan smiled, "good, now we must work on those new spells madam Pomfrey showed us."
Hannah nodded and pulled out her wand.
/Scene Break/
Dumbledore sat back in his cottage going over what his thoughts. He needed to make this move a masterpiece for it might be his last. He needed to find a way back into the castle, confront Harry and get him to cooperate. After that happened then he could get his weapon away from that Granger girl. But he had to do it subtly, he knew that Harry and Hermione were very powerful and who knows what they've learned by now. That and he had to figure out who else would be in his way. Harry was as isolated as he was before. No, Harry had surround himself with allies and none were willing to Harry at any cost. He first thought that he'd have to use the Imperius curse on one of them, but knew that would lead to some sticky situations. Like what if they could fight it. Then there was the option of using memory charms and potions to make them do his bidding. He'd he need Snape to make the potions, but his potion master was incommunicado and Dumbledore had no way to contact him without arising suspicion. Yes, this would be difficult, but not impossible.
/Scene Break/
Harry, Hermione, McGonagall, Tonks, Lupin, and Amelia sat around a table with maps and notes strewn about. They were having a meeting discussing plans that would be implemented, not to mention brainstorm new ones.
"I must say Harry, Hermione that this is well-thought out" McGonagall said.
"Thanks professor" Harry said.
"Yes, I have to agree. I really like how you have several back-plans just in case Voldemort doesn't go by the script" Amelia said.
"Well, you have to thank Hermione on that. She always has a plan B in the wings" Harry said.
Hermione blushed at the praise.
"Right, Remus, how is the plan for the evacuation if we need it?" McGonagall asked.
"There are a few tunnels out of the castle, which we can use. But the problem is that they are in terrible condition and I don't know if they will be fixed in time" Lupin said.
"We'll have a few house elves do that. Remus, you supervise them in the repairs" McGonagall said.
Lupin nodded.
"Alice and Frank are working with the Weasley twins to create some traps that with definitely slow down the Death Eaters if they try to get to the castle through the grounds" Hermione said as she rolled out a map.
"Here is where they plan to have traps placed. Now I don't know what the twins have planned since all they do is grin madly when asked" Hermione said.
"Yes, smiling Weasley twins are not a good sign" McGonagall said knowingly.
"Maybe I should help them with that, I'm sure I can be of some help" Lupin said.
"Only if you can Remus" Harry said.
Remus nodded, he knew he had a lot on his plate to help with and couldn't afford to have anything half set.
"Right, Amelia how are things going at the Ministry?" Harry asked.
"I have set measures in place just in case an attack happens. And I have in place teams ready to go if we're called away" Amelia said.
They all knew that Voldemort might draw their attention away with an attack somewhere else.
"Great, Hermione and I are setting things up so Draco and give Voldemort some false information," Harry said.
"Draco is also waiting on Dumbledore. The old man is right planning on how to get Harry back" Hermione said.
The adults were amazed how well these two teens were playing both sides. They were doing this like pros.
/Scene Break/
Luna and Daphne made their way to an unused classroom ready to perform the last ritual needed to free Fawkes.
"Is everything ready?" Daphne asked.
"Yes, I went over the equations several times just to be sure" Luna said nervously.
"It's going to be alright Luna, we've worked out the problem" Daphne said reassuringly.
"I hopes so," Luna said not feeling as confident.
"Lets get this done. The sooner we finish this the sooner I can get back to Tracey" Daphne said tying her hair back.
"I'm sure Tracey will understand once she knows" Luna said.
During the time that Luna and Daphne had spend together working on this ritual Luna found out that Daphne and Tracey were more than just friends. She found out this fact one night when she barged into Daphne's room wanting her to look over some equations and found both Slytherins in a very compromising situation. Luna kept silent about it since she knew that it wasn't anyone else's business and she knew that the two Slytherins liked their privacy.
"Alright, ready?" Daphne asked.
Luna nodded; she had tied her hair up also like Daphne. The two girls lit some candles and drew the runes needed.
"Well it's now or never" Daphne said.
Luna took a deep breath and she and Daphne began chanting in an ancient language. The runes on the floor began to glow.
/Scene Break/
Fawkes' eyes were closed as he slept, but awoke quickly when he felt a surge of magical energy. He felt the last of his bonds weakening and began to trill enthusiastically, like he was cheering the two girls on.
/Scene Break/
Sweat was pouring form both girls' foreheads as they chanted and poured their magic into the ritual. Both girls were feeling light-headed, but neither would quit. They wanted to get this done; they had to get this done. Daphne was the first to slowly lose her balance, but she kept up the chant, she even poured more of her magic into it. Luna sensed this and was quite worried that her friend might be over-doing it, but she could stop now. She just had to concentrate on what she was doing and hope that it would end well.
/Scene Break/
Hogwarts felt both girls draining their cores and decided to help out. She didn't want to lose two gifted students, not to mention her master and mistress would be very upset if anything happened to Luna. So Hogwarts poured out a lot of her stored magic to help the ritual. Hogwarts knew that she couldn't finish it for them, but anything she could do to help would be appreciated.
/Scene Break/
Luna and Daphne were both now soaked in sweat and very tired. They knew they were close to the danger point of over-exhausting their cores, but they wouldn't quit. When they felt new magic pouring in they knew Hogwarts was helping out again. They both mentally thanked the castle for her help.
When the final lines were said both girls collapsed neither one moving.
End of chapter
A/N: that's the end of this chap. Sorry for leaving you hanging, but I was wiped out and needed to stop and sadly this is where it had to end. My next chap will have the beginning of the battle. Thanks for reading and please review.