A collective gasp filled the room as a castle filled the map.
"How's that possible?" Hermione said open mouthed. "Surely it can't be a Fidelius Charm?"
"Jes, I vas vondering too."
Hermione turned to the heavily accented speaker. "Viktor!" Hermione exclaimed throwing her arms around the stooped shoulders of the Bulgarian seeker. "What are you doing here?"
The hook nosed man gently pushed the brunette away. "Perhaps ve shake hands," Viktor said extending his hand and giving a nervous look up at the table in front of the room. Hermione glanced up with her mouth forming an O before taking the Bulgarian's hand in hers.
"Vicky!"
Hermione quickly pulled her hand away and turned to tell Ron off. She wasn't prepared for what happened. Ron strode down from the table and threw his arms around the shorter man clapping him hard on the back. The tall, Chief Auror then pulled back holding the international seeker at arm's length with a huge smile on his face. "What the bloody hell are you doing here mate?" the redhead asked.
"Ron, language!"
"It is fine Hermione. I vas told Veasley vas hurt," Viktor said with sides of his mouth quirking up. "However, I see he is as ugly as ever."
"And you're still stopping Bludgers with your face," Ron said with a grin as he clapped the other man's shoulder's. Hermione shut her eyes and shook her head.
"Wait. You said my name right Viktor," Hermione said smiling.
"Jes, Veasley can be effective teacher," the Bulgarian said with a smile as he rubbed the bump on his hooked nose. Hermione turned to Ron and punched him in the arm. As she opened her mouth Viktor spoke.
"I am sorry to interrupt Veasley. Just know I bring Volkov and Vulchanov," he said indicating the two burly beaters standing nearby. "Ve vill help you." The tall red head clapped the dark haired man on the shoulders again and nodded his head. I'm dreaming. This is a dream, Hermione thought.
"Didn't miss anythin' I 'ope," boomed a voice. The three looked over to see a mountain of a man with a dozen people standing behind him.
"Hagrid!"
"'ello Ron. Glad ta see ya up," the half giant boomed while catching the Auror up in a hug. "Oh, sorry, I forgot ya was 'urt. Oh look, an' thar's Shaggy!" Ron watched as Hagrid got on a knee to receive kisses from the great dog. He was shortly joined by Charlie who was glad to see his old friend and mentor. I'm dreaming, Ron thought. I've ate something off. I'm still in bed.
"All that's left is for Luna to show up," Ron muttered.
"Hello. That's sweet of you to think of me Ronald," a dreamy voice muttered.
"Luna?"
"Once DA always DA," she said holding up a Galleon with a smile. Ron stared at the big eyed blonde with an open mouth. Looking behind her he saw most of the original DA members. At this time a scarred brown haired man walked up.
"Sorry we're late Ron," Neville said. "We didn't know when you were going to be able to get up. Some of the DA had a long way to go. Luna was in America. Imagine that."
"Oh yes, have you ever heard of Texas? It's very strange," she said furrowing her brow.
"Texas ain't part of America!"
"Shut it Tex," Ron said over his shoulder.
"Anyway, here we are," Neville said with a grin. "Hagrid caught me at Hogwarts. He kind of, you know, insisted he come. Sorry," Neville said sheepishly. Ron stood staring around the dozens of people in S.W.A.T. HQ. These people had no reason to be here. This was S.W.A.T business.
"I,uh. . ."
A small hand took his while the other took his arm. "You don't have to do it alone Ron," Hermione said with her soft brown eyes looking into his. "These people love you. Let them help." Ron looked at her sincere face and knew she was right. This isn't their fight,the Auror thought.
"I know what you're thinking mate," a voice said. Ron looked to see his best friend looking at him knowingly. "You're thinking it's not their fight," Harry said. "That's the same load of crap I told you, Hermione and Ginny. I'll tell you the same thing some very special people told me. You don't have to do it alone." Harry watched as he knew Ron took awhile to digest things. When Ron started to nod his head Harry embraced his friend. Just as Ron started feeling awkward and was about to pull away he felt another pair of arms around him. Then another. And another. Finally the mass of friends pulled away.
"Right," Ron said with a sniff. Looking around at the many eyes staring at him he cleared his throat and said, "Enough of the love fest. Let's kick some werewolf ass." Ron strode up to the map and placed his hands on the table. "Sarge," the fiery redhead said, "Give your report." All eyes were transfixed on the diminutive elf as she gave a detailed description of the inhabitants of the Wolfslair.
"Right," Ron said letting out gush of air. Looking around the room he continued, "Thanks Sarge. Well, with the twenty-seven of them we should be OK. We have greater number-"
"Chief Wheezy, I is sorry. There is more."
"Oh, I'm sorry Sarge. I thought you were done," Ron said respectfully. "Go ahead."
"There is children there."
"What?" Ron asked.
"There is children there," the tiny elf said pulling her ears.
"How many?"
"Six Chief Wheezy. Four girls and two boys."
Hermione watched as Ron stood silently in front of everyone gathered. The tall redhead looked down at the map of the Wolfslair before speaking. "Where are they?" he asked quietly.
"They is in the great hall," Winky said pointing to the third floor of the main building in the small castle. The Gryffindor looked around the room before his eyes locked on Hermione's.
"This is now a rescue mission. If you're not ready to move in half an hour get out," Ron said with a cold voice. No one in the room moved. "Okay, we're going to attack from several sides. Seamus, I need your lot to go through the front door."
"That's how we like it Ron," the sandy haired youth said.
"Good. Make sure you're wearing shield cloaks. You're going to get the brunt of it. Do you think you can blow through the front gates?" Ron asked. Seamus looked at the map of the castle with a thoughtful look while shaking his head.
"Well Grawpy could knock tha' down no problem Ron," Hagrid boomed.
"Um, okay Hagrid," Ron said quizzically, "How are you going to get him there?"
"A portkey," Hermione said. Turning to Hagrid she said, "Make it a bicycle. He likes those." Ron looked at her and the brunette turned pink.
"Leave it to us dear brother," George chimed. Grabbing Percy by the arm he called out as he drug the older Weasley from the room, "We'll have your giant and that great dirty bastard will know just who came knocking."
Ron stood with a stunned look on his face. "Okay, so, Seamus, your lot is coming through the front door-"
"Weasley-san, excuse me."
"Uh, yes Prince Yamamoto?" Ron asked with a perplexed look.
"My Ninmagi and I could come in from the north wall. There is much cover and it butts against the hill. We could be inside before the giant knocks. It would be a great honor," the stout Asian said. Ron turned to the map and saw the wisdom in the prince's words.
"The Carracas could go with Prince Yamamoto Chief," Rook said while motioning with his head at the four dark men towards the Japanese prince. "It's their sort of work." Ron nodded his head.
"After the giant knocks Chief me and my boys can be on that rooftop," Tex said.
Ron looked at the castle map and saw that the main keep had a flat roof. "Can they fly?" Ron asked.
"Shoot Chief," Tex said pushing his hat back, "Does a frog have water tight butt?" The room chuckled. "You just give the word and we'll be on that roof faster than you can say Harpies have hooters," Tex finished. The room broke out in laughs again as the tall Texan flinched after being punched hard by a pony tailed blonde. Looking a little sheepish the scruffy Ranger glanced over at the youngest Weasley and said, "Sorry Kid."
"Jes, Volkov, Vulchanov and I are the best fliers. Ve vill stay in the air and make sure no one leaves the ground," the Bulgarian seeker said.
Ron noddded his head again. "Good. Okay," Ron said while studying the map. "Hermione, can the Anti-Apparation Net cover the castle?" Ron asked. The brunette nodded her head. "Good," Ron said turning to the elf that was still standing next to the map. "Sarge, once the Anti-Apparation Net is up wizards and witches won't be able to apparate in and out of the castle. Do you think you could find some elves that might want to help?"
"Yes, Chief Wheezy!" the elf said excitidley before disappearing with a pop. The Chief Auror then turned to the room looking about. His eyes settled on a group.
"Ginny," Ron said stepping towards his sister, "You, Hermione, Luna, Lavender, Hannah and Gabby are with me, Harry and Neville."
"Why?"
"Because we're going for the kids. The last thing they need to see is a bunch of hairy, scary men. I figure a load of pretty girls is better," Ron said. Hermione was beaming at Ron when a series of pops broke the silence. A dozen elves stood on the map platform.
"Kreacher?"
"Kreacher is proud to serve the most noble house of Wheezy," the old elf said a bow.
"Sarge? What's this?"
"I is sorry," the elf said hopping about. "There is more coming."
"More?" Ron asked open mouthed staring at the gathered elves.
"I is telling them children are in danger!" Sarge squeaked. As if in response another half a dozen elves appeared. Ron looked about and his eyes set with determination.
"Right. Sarge, you're in charge of the Elf Brigade," the red head said with a voice of authority. "Each team will have a rescue elf. Learn who your buddy is. If you get injured they'll be the one pulling you out. Doc, we'll need medical support."
"HIT has a ward at St. Mungo's," Seamus said.
"Yeah, we can use that Chief," the stout Hufflepuff said. "The Rescue Brigade can stage from there. Cho and I will be ready."
Ron gave a final look around the room before saying, "Let's finish this."