A/N: I have no excuses that you haven't already heard. I'm only sorry that I couldn't get this up as fast as I wanted. Just enjoy what I have and I'll try to do my best to get another chapter up soon. I start college again really quick. At least this is my last year. * glares at muse *

Chapter Thirty-Three: Inferi

For once, Harry and his friends didn't sit up front in Defense. They didn't sit in the back either, but rather in the middle. The classroom had pictures of wizards and witches in various predicaments. One wizard was on the ground, writhing in pain as another wizard cast a curse on the man. Another picture showed a walking corpse tearing into a witch.

"What is that?" Ron asked out loud, wrinkling his nose.

"That, Weasley, is an Inferi," a cold voice spoke.

Ron jumped as Snape walked into the classroom, robes billowing out behind him. "An Inferi is what Muggles refer to as a reanimated corpse. A powerful witch or wizard can cast a spell in a graveyard and take control of the skeletons in the ground."

"Who would do such a thing?" Terry Boot piped, looking pale.

"The Dark Lord," Snape hissed. "Dumbledore would like for me to teach you about what the Dark Lord will be using in the war. As I understand it, you were introduced to the three Unforgiveable Curses, but I will show you them again, so as to refresh your minds. But first, I will talk more about Inferi, for we are told he is using them again."

He powered up an old projector using his wand and began speaking about the history of the Inferi. "As far as the wizarding world knows, the Inferi have been in use as far back as Egypt. An Egyptian wizard created the spell to reanimate corpses for use in battle. In the 15th century, the spell became labeled as dark magic, as the caster bends the laws of nature to take a corpse and give its bones life. The spell lasts as long as the caster has complete focus of the army."

"Sir, does Inferi have anything to do with necromancy?" a Ravenclaw asked.

Snape glared at the interrupter but answered the question. "It is related to necromancy, yes, but there are several ways in which it isn't. Inferi are nothing but bone and flesh, mutilated beyond recognition. In necromancy, there has to be a body to bind a soul to. For example, a necromancer cannot call a corpse that is over a few decades old. Does anyone have a guess why?"

Hermione's hand shot in the air but it was Draco who answered. "The body decays in the ground, so there wouldn't be much for the necromancer to call forth."

"Ten points to Slytherin," Snape replied. "But yes, the more the body is decayed, the more power the necromancer uses. A necromancer calls a soul back into its original body and communicates with it. An Inferi knows nothing of what it used to be, only what the caster wants it to do: kill."

The bell rang, snapping the students' attention back to the school. They stuffed their books in their bags and hardly heard the assignment Snape snapped out.

"Blimey," Ron said as the trio exited the room. "I wouldn't want to run into an Inferi."

"They do sound nasty," Harry replied.

"At least we are being taught something," Hermione piped up. "Professor Snape sounds like he knows what he's talking about."

Ron looked at her as if she sprouted antlers on her head. "Uh, Hermione, of course Snape would know what he's talking about. He IS a Death Eater after all."

"But he spies for the Order. He isn't a bad man."

"What if he's lying? He's good at that. I bet he could fool Dumbledore."

Harry mentally blocked out his friends' banter, having been used to it for 6 years now. Besides, he wouldn't want to get in between them again, for he would side with Hermione. Despite the obvious hatred between the older man and the young Gryffindor, there was a level of respect and Harry knew that Snape was sacrificing a lot for the side of the Light by spying on the Dark. Not many men and women would do that.

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"Enjoying your new position, Snape?" Sirius replied, leaning back in his chair so it was on two legs. His girlfriend glared and muttered about immature idiots who acted half their age.

"Stop baiting him," Remus berated.

Dumbledore took this moment to enter the meeting room, halting all conversations immediately. "Thank you for waiting, everyone. I'll not make this a long meeting, as some of you have other plans for the evening. Kingsley, how is the situation of gathering more followers at the Ministry?"

"Not too well, Dumbledore," the dark-skinned Auror started. "Even with Fudge out of the building, there is a lot of suspicion everywhere. No one knows who to trust. However, there are a couple I am currently scoping out to see if they have any valuable information."

"I'm not surprised." The older man turned to the Potions Master. "What is Voldemort up to?"

Snape raised a hand to rest on his chin. "He's quiet, which seems to be the norm. The Dark Lord's plans are not working to his liking, though there haven't been any killings of his minions."

"I think we should keep foiling his plans so he takes out all of his followers for us, save us some trouble," Sirius added, smirking. Only Tonks laughed at his comment.

"They are mainly idiots who are seeking power," Ainsley said. "Luckily most of their spells haven't hit their marks."

"Or let them finish themselves off," Sirius muttered, leaning back in his chair. Alex growled and kicked her foot out, knocking the chair backwards so the dark-haired man fell backwards. "Ow! Alex!"

Dumbledore smiled slightly. "Does anyone else have any other news?" No one spoke. "Dismissed. Remus, would you stay behind please?"

Ainsley smiled at her mate and helped Alex drag her boyfriend out of the dining room. Once only Dumbledore and Remus were left, Dumbledore spoke. "Remus, I have a mission for you. You cannot tell anyone about what you are doing, including Harry, Ainsley, Sirius, and Alex."

"What do you need me for, sir?" Remus asked warily.

"We need more forces on our side. The giants won't help and we know how the goblins feel about humans. I have sent an emissary out to the vampire clans to see if we can gain more allies."

"You want me to see about the werewolves."

Dumbledore nodded. "I know it's a lot to ask of you but we need more allies. As you are aware, werewolf packs are suspicious at best and don't let members join easily. You must find a pack, join them, and see if any are thinking about siding with us. You are the best candidate, as you are calm and intelligent and persuasive if need be."

The werewolf turned away, his thoughts swimming. He had thrown up a barrier so his Brother and son wouldn't know what he was thinking. He knew this needed to be done, but he couldn't help but feel reluctant, as he gained a family recently. His inner wolf was agreeing with Dumbledore, saying that his pack needed to be protected and if they could get more help in the upcoming war, his pack would be more protected against harm.

He let out a sigh, staring straight into solemn blue eyes hiding behind golden-rimmed glasses. "I'll do it."

((((_)))))))

Harry put his quill down and rubbed his forehead. He could feel a headache coming on, and not one caused by his scar, thankfully. Though he loved Transfiguration, McGonagall loved to assign long and difficult essays. He could understand why. Transfiguring items required precision and concentration. Lots of things could go wrong if you couldn't concentrate and complete the spell correctly.

He was pulled from his thoughts when he felt something nudge him. The dark-haired Gryffindor looked up to see Hermione shove a book closer to him. "That should help," she mentioned, smiling. "I've already finished that essay."

Harry smiled. "Thanks Hermione." He glanced around to the empty seat next to Hermione. "Where's Ron?"

"The kitchens," the bushy-haired girl replied, rolling her eyes. "He was complaining about being hungry and the normal issue of sitting still in a stuffy library. Honestly, how does he expect to pass his classes if he can't do his homework? Magic isn't something you can just wave a wand and expect things to happen just the way you want it. If that were so, even Muggles could use magic."

Harry snickered as Hermione ranted about their friend. "It wouldn't be Ron if he didn't complain about something."

She deflated a little and smiled tiredly. "True."

Harry jumped back into his essay, pulling the book Hermione gave him closer. He was nearly done with the essay when Ron came back, a pleased smile on his face.

"I love house-elves!" he proclaimed happily. "They gave me a lot of food."

Harry peered over his glasses to see Hermione look unhappy. Sure, she had slowly gotten over house-elves receiving no pay and benefits but it still upset her greatly. He could tell she would make a wonderful addition to the Ministry as to how magical creatures were treated.

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Oh my God, it was like pulling teeth at best to get this chapter finished. UGH! I can't wait to get this year over with so I can plunge into the war. Anyway, thanks again for waiting so long. I don't deserve you guys, really I don't. I will do my best to get another chapter squeezed out soon. Thanks also for all the reviews, favorites, and everything else. You guys rock!