Chapter 25: War Plans

Harry appeared in the snowy backyard of the Burrow. It was the first day of the winter holidays, and Neville and Luna were set to be married in a couple of days. He smiled at the odd house, remembering everything it represented to him. He started walking toward the back door, laughing at the sight of several garden gnomes having a snowball fight. He came to the back door and knocked. He saw Molly look out the small window next to it before it flew open.

"Oh Harry dear, come on in," she said, ushering him in with a smile. "What are you here for? I know school was let out yesterday," she said, leading him into the kitchen. "Are you hungry dear?" Harry smiled at her but shook his head.

"No thank you Molly, just finished lunch at Hogwarts. I actually came to talk to you and Arthur," Harry said, his voice holding a slight nervous tone to it. Molly put on a knowing smile and walked out the back door to get her husband, who was working in his shed. When they both sat down at the kitchen, Arthur gave him a smile, his eyes having a knowing twinkle.

"Hello Harry, nice to see you. What would you like to talk about?" he asked. Harry fidgeted in his seat for a few seconds before starting.

"Well, I wanted to talk about Ginny," he said. Molly gave him a nod to tell him to keep going. "I hope you know that I love her, and want only the best for her. As such, I wanted to ask if I could ask for Ginny's hand," he said quickly, his nervousness showing more and more. Molly broke out into a huge smile and pulled him into a bone-breaking hug.

"Oh of course you can! I was waiting for the day you did! Oh you finally are going to be officially part of the family," she gushed, releasing him. Arthur also pulled him into a hug.

"It is obvious you love each other Harry. I give you my blessing, because even if I didn't, Ginny would marry you anyway," he said with a small chuckle. Harry let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Do you have a ring yet Harry? When are you going to ask her?" Molly asked. Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. He opened it, getting a gasp from Molly. He smiled at the ring also. It was a platinum ring, with one large round diamond set on top, with smaller ones running horizontally along the band.

"It was the engagement ring my grandfather gave to my grandmother. I found it in my vault. I saw it and immediately picked it out. It's perfect for her," he said quietly. He looked back up to Molly. "I plan to ask her on New Year's Eve. I just hope she says yes," he said, the uncertainty clear in his voice. Arthur put a hand on his shoulder.

"She will Harry, she will."

ooOooOoo

It was New Year's Eve. Harry was dancing with Ginny under the stars in the Room of Requirement. That day when he went to ask Molly and Arthur was playing in his mind, and he hoped it wasn't a dream. He brought his attention back to the beautiful woman in his arms. Ginny was happily swaying to the song, her arms around him and her head lying against his chest. Her eyes were closed, and she was just enjoying herself. He smiled to himself, knowing it was time.

Harry pulled back a little and looked into her warm brown eyes, which fluttered open at his movement. "I hope you know how much you mean to me Ginny. I wouldn't have made it this past year without you. You have made my life worth living." She gave him a radiant smile, which turned into surprise when he got down on one knee in front of her and pulled out a small box. "I love you Ginny, and want to spend the rest of my life with you," he said, opening the small box showing the beautiful engagement ring inside. She gasped at the sight of it, a look of pure bliss appearing on her face. "Will you marry me Ginny?"

He didn't get an answer, instead she nearly tackled him, locking her lips to his. "Of course I will!" she said when she pulled back, a large smile on her face. He grinned back, before slipping the ring onto her finger.

ooOooOoo

Inside the Room of Requirement there was the obvious sound of two swords being smashed together in a fierce battle. If you were to have walked in, you would have been right, except that no one was holding them. In fact, they seemed to be floating in the air, moving of their own accord. On opposite sides of the room, two women stood, watching the swords do battle intently.

Luna smirked before she made her sword swing in an intricate pattern, knocking Lisa's sword out of her mental grasp. Lisa gasped before grabbing her head. She mumbled a few choice words, and the large headache she had slowly receded.

"You are getting much stronger. You lasted much longer this time," Luna commented, vanishing the two swords. Lisa looked up and gave her mentor a small smile. The winter holidays were over, and school had started again. News of Harry and Ginny's engagement spread like fiendfyre in a library, causing many men and women to grief. Voldemort had stepped up small attacks, mainly against muggle towns or assassination attempts on Ministry employees. He was more successful with the muggle attacks, as they rarely had anyone protecting them. The Ministry only took small losses, mainly workers that weren't very high up in status, but they were increasing security. The Aurors now had a condensed training schedule and were passing into duty much quicker than before.

"Come, we must meet the others," Luna said, walking out of the room. They made their way to the Headmaster's office. When they walked in, they found the other Heirs and their apprentices, as well as their old apprentices, even Cho. Minister Bones, Head Auror Travers, American Head Battle Mage Chris Richards, Australian Head Auror Steve Whirler, and French Head Auror Claire Martin were there as well.

"Luna, Lisa, glad you can make it," Harry said, smiling at them. They were all seated around a large table, which was covered in a scaled down version of Hogwarts, Hogsmede, and the Forbidden Forest. "Now, we need to decide how we are going to set up a defensive strategy for the school. If we are going to finish this, I would rather it be here."

"Why is that Potter?" Travers asked. He still didn't understand why a seventeen year old was leading the war. The others from out of the country all looked at Harry as well, curious at why he wanted to fight at a school. Harry just smirked at him.

"Home field advantage," he said. At the other man's blank look, he shook his head, muttering something about purebloods. "It gives us the advantage. Hogwarts has many natural defenses, as well as having the Centaurs, Acromantulas, and Merpeople. If we want them to help, we need to be here," he said, looking the Auror in the eye. "Also, we know the grounds better than anyone, and the Death Eaters would have hard time keeping up with us."

"Understood," Travers said, albeit reluctantly. He had to admit, having it at the school would help.

"Now, we also have the Goblins, Werewolves, and our familiars, as well as the Aurors and Students," Neville said. "The third years and under will be sent to the Chamber of Secrets for protection, except of course for the three in the HE. Fourth years willing to fight will be stationed on the battlements, as archers to shoot long range," he said, waving his hand at the map. Black rings with the number four in them appeared in formation along Hogwarts' battlements. "The others will be sent to the Chamber. Fifth, sixth, and seventh years willing to fight will be spread out among the castle, as our second line of defense." Black rings with "DA" in them appeared around the castle.

"They will be staggered up the marble staircase and other smaller stair cases, with the strongest duelers in front. If a retreat is needed, the front students can back up, as the ones behind them cover the retreat, and so on towards the Chamber of Secrets entrance. However," he said, waving his hand to stop the small simulation showing the retreat, "they shouldn't even need to fight. They will also be guarding the secret passages into the school with the aid of a teacher."

"Aurors and Foreign fighters will be the first line of defense in the battle, arrayed on the grounds in staggered ranks. Retreat will work the same way as in the castle, only it will be centered toward the doors to the entrance hall," he said, causing blue dots to appear around the grounds, in staggered lines that lead toward the main entrance. "We will build walls along the grounds for cover."

"Each group of Aurors will have a commander, chosen by us," Neville said, indicating the Heirs. Travers looked like he was about to protest, but Minister Bones stopped him. "They will consist of certain Order members, Ministry staff, or HE members, but we will get to that later." He looked back at the map, which now had blue dots and black rings.

"The Centaurs and Acromantulas will be spread out around the forest, to prevent any attack from coming through there as well as stopping any retreat into it," he said, showing the orange rings with either a "C" or an "A" inside it appearing all around the forest. "The Werewolves and Goblins will be waiting for our signal to attack, which will most likely happen about ten to fifteen minutes into the fight. They will come in behind the enemy, effectively putting them into a two front fight." More orange rings, this time with a "G" or "W" inside it appeared in the outskirts of Hogsmede.

"The Merpeople will help guard the lake, and if we can swing it, the Griffins will help guard the sky," he said, getting surprised looks from many of the people there.

"Griffins?" Richards said, a smile on his lips. "How are you going to get them to help in the fight?" Neville smirked.

"You haven't met my familiar have you?" he asked. Richards shook his head. "Well, he is a Griffin by the name of Regin, and if he asks, he should be able to get some others to join him." Whirler laughed.

"You kids are ridiculous. What's next, a dragon?" he said, small chuckles still escaping his mouth. When he saw the grins on all of the Heirs, a face of disbelief appeared on his face. "You can't be serious…" he drifted off.

"Actually, we are. My familiar is a Chinese Fireball by the name of Ignis. You will like her," Ginny said, laughing at the incredulous expression coming over the Auror's face.

"Anyway, the Griffins will have the sky, along with Ignis. We are not going to have Ignis try to get another dragon to help, because they are too unpredictable. Griffins are stalwart fighters for the light. A dragon fights anything that moves." As he said this, transparent orange spheres with the letter "G" appeared over the replica, along with a slightly larger one with a letter "D" in it.

"We have already started laying traps on and around the grounds. Such things as Devil's Snare and Venomous Tentacula are spread out outside the gates. Our very own Weasley Twins have developed some magical weapons that will help do some damage," Neville said with a feral grin, remembering the mines the twins created that will emit a large explosive hex when triggered.

"How are we going to get him to come here?" Minister Bones asked, looking skeptical. Harry and Neville looked at each other. Harry turned to her.

"We have an idea, and it will make Hogwarts into a target he wouldn't pass up."

ooOooOoo

Voldemort sat back in thought. His recent efforts had not been going as well as he hoped. His attacks on muggles were easy, as they rarely had any resistance to offer. His plan for an army of inferi was well in the making. His assassination attempts however, were not working very well. He had successfully taken out a couple Ministry employees, however they were lower level workers, and easily replaced. He had yet to kill someone far more influential. The loss of Wormtail, while not unexpected, put a little strain on his spying efforts. While he was useless in a fight, he was the perfect rat.

He beckoned to one of the Death Eaters standing by the door. The man quickly walked up and knelt before him. "You arm," Voldemort hissed. The man shivered involuntarily and held out his left arm. Voldemort pushed back the Dark Mark and touched his wand to it, causing the man to scream in pain. Voldemort smirked, thinking about how lovely that sounded. Five minutes later, a man walked in, and knelt before him as well.

"What do you need, my lord?" Draco said, his voice and face neutral. Voldemort signaled for the two others to leave the room, leaving only Draco and himself.

"I need to know what is happening at Hogwarts. If I am to take it, I need to have an advantage. And as much as I hate to admit it, having all the Heirs there will make it incredibly hard," Voldemort said, his face taking a look that said it was physically painful to admit what he did. "I need to know when the Heirs will be missing from the school. Only then, will I strike." Draco grinned to himself.

"I understand my lord. As Head Boy, I will be informed if they are going to be missing. I will inform you immediately if two or more of them are away from the school," Draco said.

Voldemort smirked. Draco was already becoming better than his father. He had a quicker mind, and was putting it to use. "Very well young Malfoy. Now get out of my sight," he said. Draco hurried out of the room.

ooOooOoo

"What is your idea?" Claire Martin said in her French accent. Harry was about to speak when Neville looked up and at the door. He turned to it to see a black panther walk into the room, a scroll tied around its neck. Harry just smirked when the Aurors and Minister all stood up and drew wands.

"Calm down, it's merely Swiftpaw," Harry said, making up the name on the spot. The panther walked up to him. He gave it a pat on the head and took the scroll from it. The large cat walked back toward the door, purring as it weaved through Ginny's legs. "Stop it you damn cat," Harry said, smirking at it. When no one was looking, the cat winked, before running out the door. 'I'll get Draco back later,' he thought as he saw the amused look on Ginny's face.

"A pet of yours Harry?" Minister Bones asked.

"Yeah, and that reminds me, I need to get him neutered," he muttered, causing all the Heirs and apprentices to burst into laughter. The Aurors and Minister were looking at them like they finally went off the deep end. When they got their amusement under control, Harry opened the scroll. A feral grin appeared on his face. "It seems that my idea is going to work perfectly. The only thing now is when to put it into motion."

"You didn't answer my question," the French Auror said, looking a little annoyed.

"Sorry but I'm not going to," Harry said. He held up a hand, stalling arguments. "This will be on a need to know basis only, and since you are only here to represent the French Aurors, you don't need to know." Claire sat back, an irritated look gracing her face. He looked over to Neville. "When do you think?" Neville stroked his chin in thought.

"I would say no full moon and during the day. That way, no transformed werewolves and the vampires will have a hard time participating. The magical vampires will be able to use spells to let them be in the sun, but those spells wear off after an hour or so, which means they will have to rotate their attacks, using less than their full potential," Neville stated.

"How about the new moon in March? No transformed werewolves, less vampires, and warmer weather," Harry said, looking around to the others. He received nods from everyone.

ooOooOoo

"Alright everyone, today we are going to do something a little different," Neville said, standing up in front of the DA. The near two hundred students turned their attention to him. "Professor Potter and I have been developing a strategy should the school ever be attacked," he said. The students seemed to sit up straighter. "And I will tell you this, the school will be attacked." There were several sharp breaths at that statement.

"Since we are sure of this, we have developed a strategy in which to defend the school from larger and more powerful numbers. Ideally we would like to know of the attack before it happens to prepare, but that cannot be guaranteed. This is the basic idea." As he said that, a map of Hogwarts appeared on the wall behind him. He showed the basic positions and how the retreating would work. He received a handful of complaints from the third years about being left out, but explained that if the Death Eaters were to get into the Chamber of Secrets, they would be the last line of defense.

"Now that you have the general idea, lets practice," he said. The room started spinning and soon they were standing outside on Hogwarts grounds. "The Room of Requirement we found out has very few limits. The space limit is just large enough to fit in the entirety of Hogwarts. As so, we will be able to use it to practice without being in the public eye." With that, Neville, Harry, Ginny, and Luna started to move people into position and demonstrate the movements required for an effectively covered retreat.

An hour later, Harry called the practice to a halt. "Good," he said, walking in front of the group. "We will practice this and other scenarios every lesson. Also remember that each person will be issued a belt with a number of things on it. It will have a restorative draught and a pepper up potion, as well as a portkey to the Chamber of Secrets hospital wing." His face took a hard look as he appraised them. "Do not feel ashamed if you have to use that portkey. If you are injured and cannot keep fighting, you will use that portkey. Better off getting healed and fighting another day than dying when you could have prevented it."

ooOooOoo

"Are you sure we are doing the right thing Gin?" Harry asked. She turned from her place at her desk, and looked at her fiancé. He was hunched over on one of the couches, looking at the floor. She opened her empathic abilities just slightly and felt the worry and tension rolling off him in waves. She walked over and sat next to him, wrapping her arms around him. "I can't stop thinking about how some of the students will be killed, and it will be my fault for putting them in the battle in the first place," he said, looking into her eyes. She saw fear for the first time in a long time on his face.

"I think we are Harry," she said soothingly. "They deserve the chance to fight for their freedom, and would be very unhappy if they were not given the chance. It isn't your fault for everything that happens in this war Harry. Even you can't save everyone." Harry just sighed.

"I wish I could. Hopefully, the DA won't even need to fight. If we can hold them outside the castle, none of them will be put in danger," he said, a small amount of hope entering his voice. He looked at Ginny again and smiled. "When did you get so wise?"

"It isn't that hard to sound wise when talking to you Mr. Potter," she teased, giving him a gentle shove. He merely grinned before pinning her to the couch.

"Is that so, Mrs. Potter?" he growled playfully, his face inches from hers. She gave him a radiant smile.

"Mmm, I like that. Something I will have to get used too soon huh," she whispered. She put her hands on his chest and pushed him off her. "Now stop distracting me, I have to grade these essays," she said, laughing at the pout on his face.