Chapter 52 : Devious Deliveries

'POOF!'

Green smoke belched from the fireplace in the Headmaster's office as Neville arrived back at Hogwarts on Boxing Day.

"Happy Christmas, Mister Longbottom," called Minerva McGonagall, as she rose from the chair behind the headmaster's desk. "Did you have a good holiday with your Gran?"

"Yes, and I went to visit my parents on Christmas Eve. Mum was enjoying the lights on the tree and Dad seemed a little more aware, too, that something was different in the ward."

"Well, that's a good sign then, isn't it?"

"Yes, but I've learned not to get my hopes up; I know they just have good days and bad days. But I do think they know who I am, at least," Neville added.

"They'd be proud, Neville," Minerva replied, as she came down the steps from her desk. "Any signs of trouble?"

Neville knew exactly what she meant and shook his head.

"No visits from the Ministry or anyone else, but I wasn't waiting around, on the off chance someone did show up to question me. If they know Professor Snape is recovering, I think they'll let it slide."

"Indeed. Well, I was just heading down for luncheon. Care to join me?"

"I'd be delighted, Professor," smiled Neville.

"Leave your trunk, the House Elves will take it up to your room."

Nodding, Neville stepped forward and opened the door, bowing Minerva through.

"AH, chivalry's not dead," she giggled, as she swept out, heading for the spiraling stairs.

"I should think not . . . Gran would have my hide!" laughed Neville, as he closed the door and followed her down the stairs.

X X X

"Neville!" Seamus called, when he spotted his classmate entering the Great Hall with Professor McGonagall. The others seated around the table added their greetings and the two took their seats.

"Happy Christmas, everyone!" Neville looked around, smiling. "Anything new and exciting going on that I need to hear about?"

"Only that we're getting a shipment of some kind from the Weasley twins today. Hagrid's going to meet the Knight Bus and help them bring whatever it is they developed to help us, up to the school," Seamus informed him. "I know part of it is the stuff for rigging the bridge, but we're in the dark as to anything else they've got," he added, shaking his head. "Whatever it is, I almost pity the Death Eaters and Snatchers who will feel the effects of their products. ALMOST."

"Here, here," Neville laughed, having been the victim ( guinea pig ) of several of the twins 'newest products' over the years. "Where's Professor Snape?"

"Coming!" came the call from Healer Treiber, as Severus and she came through the doors and headed toward the table. Severus was walking by himself, using a cane for balance, making slow but steady progress toward the table, a determined look on his face. He sank onto his chair and gave a sigh of relief before looking around at the gathered teachers, students and guests.

"Good morning," he intoned.

"Good morning, Professor Snape," the students chorused, wide grins on their faces.

"Cheeky blighters," he mumbled, as he turned to hook his cane on the back of his chair.

"Good morning, Severus." "Morning." "You're doing well, I see." "Good morning." The teachers added their greetings.

"Good morning, Healer Treiber. I bring greetings from your fellow staff members at St. Mungo's," Neville told Katie. "They hear you've been working wonders with Professor Snape and if this is the proof, I'd say those reports were spot on!" he added.

"Oh, well . . .Thank you," Katie blushed. "Severus has worked very hard on his recovery. I'm just making sure he doesn't over do and push himself too hard, too quickly. My work here will be done by the end of holiday," she concluded, with a sad smile.

Severus turned to her, frown wrinkling his brow, having just realized that she would, indeed, be soon leaving to go back to her work at St. Mungo's. She glanced up at him and then looked down at her hands folded in her lap.

The food had appeared on the table and everyone was busy filling their plates and discussing their plans for the day, so Severus leaned over and whispered to Katie.

"Do you think it will be safe for you to return to London?"

"Of course. The Ministry isn't interested in me any longer and your rehab is almost done. . . there's no reason for me to stay," she replied, before turning to look him in the eye. "Is there?"

Severus was at a loss for words, but mentally took a deep breath and, for once in his life, said what he honestly felt, not what he knew people needed to hear. "I can think of a few; some practical, some for safety sake and one personal. . . . I . . . don't want you to leave. It's totally selfish of me, I know, but . . . "

"Severus . . . I . . ." She stopped, took a deep breath and then continued. "I don't want to leave, either." She smiled. "For several reasons, too. But I must. However . . . I will come back," she whispered, as her hand closed over his. "I mean that, I will come back to you."

Severus nodded, not trusting his voice at that moment. They both turned and started their breakfast, totally unaware that the entire crowd at the table had been surreptitiously watching their little drama unfold, even as they, themselves, chatted and ate. There were not a few silent nods and small smiles passed between the others; happy for Severus and pleased that his future looked brighter than it had in all their collective memories.

X X X

CRACK! HONK,HONK! rumble, rumble. SCREECH! POW!

The Knight Bus appeared outside the gates to Hogwarts and lumbered along, belching smoke and swaying precariously as it settled to a stop, the back door flying open. Ginny Weasley stepped out onto the platform and hopped off the step.

"Here comes Hagrid," she called back into the interior of the violently purple, triple-decker bus. "Looks like he has some others with him!"

"Splendid," said Fred, as he backed out of the door, using his wand to float a large crate through the narrow opening. "Ginny, could you get those bags that are stored right behind Ernie?"

"Sure," replied his sister, as she scooted back inside.

"Has Hagrid remembered the cart," asked George, as he, too, brought a crate out and set it down on the roadside.

"Yes, one of the larger baggage ones," answered Fred, before he disappeared back inside the bus to bring out a pile of boxes.

"Don't forget our luggage, Fred," called his twin, as Ginny came out, loaded down with half a dozen shopping bags emblazoned with the 'Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes' logo.

Just as all of the crates, boxes, bags and luggage were finally unloaded, George yelled to the ancient Wizard driver. "TAKE IT AWAY, ERNIE!"

HONK,HONK! rumble, rumble. POW! CRACK! and the Knight Bus disappeared in a puff of smoke.

X X X

"Hagrid!" Ginny ran up to the huge man and threw her arms, as best she could, around him. "Happy Christmas!"

"Happy Christmas to you, too, Ginny. Fred! George! Good to see you!"

"Hagrid!" Fred and George shouted and waved.

"Careful there, Ginny, you'll knock him over," chided Neville as he walked up to the gates and gave Ginny a hug. "Hey George! Fred!"

"Neville! Hey Seamus!" called Fred.

"Dean! Remus!" George waved.

"What have you brought?" asked Seamus, eyeing the crates and boxes piled by the side of the road.

"Ah, all in good time, Seamus!" kidded Fred.

"We'll reveal the goodies at the castle," added George.

"Well, let's get these loaded, shall we?" Hagrid said, having turned the wagon around and headed it back toward the school. "Ginny, would you hold Tenebrus' harness, please?"

"Sure Hagrid," replied Ginny, walking over and taking the leather strap in her hand. Even though she couldn't see the Thestral pulling the wagon, she could see its breath in the frigid air. "Hello, Tenebrus." She reached out and petted him, receiving a nudge from the invisible, winged horse-like creature.

X X X

After all of the 'merchandise' and luggage was loaded and the gates closed, locked and warded, the group made their way down the snowy approach road.

"There's going to be a demonstration in the Great Hall, but all of this will be stored in the Room of Requirement, to keep it safe," Fred told them.

"We've put a lot of thought into what you'd need Seamus, so by modifying some of our better fireworks, you're all set. And a few things to add to the confusion and make them think they're inflicting more damage than they really are," George explained.

"Explosions, smoke bombs and flames of all sizes and shapes." Fred grinned.

"All safely controlled by us, of course," George added, looking smug.

Dean, Seamus and Neville exchanged looks and grins as they trudged along.

"Although, Neville," Ginny started. " I really would suggest you don't stand there and taunt the Snatchers like you did the last time."

"I think that was just in the movie, Ginny," Neville replied, frowning. "But you're right in any case . . .we'll have more important things to worry about."

"I can't wait to see what you have for us," Seamus was rubbing his hands together, wondering what he'd have at his disposal to rig the bridge. . . and anything else he could think of . . . and he'd be thinking of a lot! "BOOM! HE!HE!HE!"

"It's not all about blowing stuff up, Seamus," Fred cautioned him.

"We've also thought about protecting things," George added.

"The Headmaster and Professor Flitwick are going to do re-enforcing spells to the castle. What could you add to that?" Remus asked.

"Oh, we know they are and those spells and enchantments will be really excellent, but we're going to be installing backup for those spells," George grinned.

"Especially in the library, as there's no way to move all of those books to safety without giving away the whole plan of preparation," Fred continued.

"Can't let the Slytherins get any ideas about what's coming, can we?" snickered George.

"George!" Ginny spoke up. "The Malfoys are Slytherins and they're here, working hard to help any way they can. So, drop the House rivalry rhetoric right now! Both of you!"

She glared at first one and then the other of her brothers, who had the good grace to blush and then nod agreement. They knew the signs of her temper coming out, so they were swift to realize their mistake and rethink their attitude, before she went off on them totally.

"You're right, Ginny. Sorry. Old habit," Fred replied.

"We've not been here in a bit; forgot about all the changes," explained George.

Ginny visibly relaxed and then took hold of one of each of her brother's arms and they walked, in companionable silence, up to the castle.

X X X

As they reached the causeway, they saw Professor Flitwick and Albus Dumbledore standing on one of the interconnecting bridges; pointing and talking, obviously discussing the strong and weak points of the ancient stone buildings. A shout from Remus caused them to turn and then wave hello, before returning to their calculations and note taking.

"When you stop and actually look at the school as a whole, it really is rather a lot of stone, wood and glass to protect, to say nothing of the inhabitants," Neville voiced the thoughts of most of them, as they took a moment to look around at the towering walls and towers, archways and bridges, battlements and greenhouses.

"Then I think we're smart to leave the Headmaster and Professor Flitwick to do their thing," George said.

"We've got our own brand of expertise to put to use," added Fred, as everyone helped move the crates, boxes, bags and luggage into the entrance hall.

X X X

"Hey! They're here!" shouted Ron over his shoulder, then he leaned over the balcony to get a better look at the pile of supplies now sitting at the center of the hall. "Fred! George!" he waved and then came thundering down the stairs to throw his arms around first one twin and then the other. "Welcome back!"

"Bit quieter than our exit . . ." Fred laughed

"A bit anti-climactic, really . . ." said George.

"Until we show you . . . " Fred pointed at the pile.

"What's in that lot . . ." finished George, nodding.

"I can't wait," enthused Ron. "Dad told me a bit, when I talked to him on the CB. Mum and he will be here for dinner."

"Ah, good, then everyone who should see our demonstration is accounted for." Fred announced.

"Yeah, and this could well be a high water mark in our careers!" George added.

"Somehow, I doubt that," laughed Harry, as he and Hermione reached the bottom of the steps.

Ginny walked over and threw her arms around Harry and kissed him, which immediately made him forget the rest standing there, as he returned her greeting. Even the wolf whistles and rude remarks didn't faze them, until the arrival of Peeves, who threatened them with a bucket of water.

"PEEVES!" George shouted.

"DON'T YOU DARE!"Fred yelled.

"We won't let you help us," George informed the poltergeist.

"And we mean it!"Fred added.

Immediately, the water bucket was carefully set down outside the door to a nearby broom closet.

"And what can Peeves do to be of help to the famous Weasley twins?" the pesky poltergeist asked, floating upside down in front of Fred and George. "Lots of bangs and crashes, Peeves is hoping."

"More than even you could imagine, Peeves, old boy," Fred stage whispered, looking left and right, then signaling the apparition to come closer.

"We have a big job for you, if you really want to help," George added, eyebrow raise.

Peeves flipped over and then bowed deeply to the twins.

"Peeves would be honored to help the famous Weasley twins, Peeves is at your service!"

"You know," Ron said, turning to Neville. "I'm starting to feel sorry for those Death Eaters.

Neville looked back at Ron, then both of them said, "Naa!" and cracked up laughing.

X X X

That evening after dinner all of the inhabitants of the castle were gathered in the Great Hall, with various expressions on their faces as the Weasley twins stood on the dais with their stock of weapons on the staff table behind them. They had spent a couple of hours getting everything ready to show the others and even Peeves was eyeing the piles with a bit of trepidation.

"Okay, everyone! If we could have your attention." Fred stepped forward, clipboard in hand, George taking his place next to the table.

"We have brought most of the provisions for the defense of Hogwarts with us tonight and will give you brief description of what they are and how we think they can be used," Fred began. "A lot of the pyrotechnics are known to the students and staff, but let me just say, we've made them about four times louder and they are longer lasting, also. Especially if someone is foolish enough to try and get rid of them with a 'Stunning' or 'Vanishing' spell; only makes them last longer and grow bigger."

Katie turned to Severus with mouth wide open in surprise, but he just rolled his eyes.

"That's just the fireworks," he said, shaking his head. " I shudder to think what else they've come up with for our defense."

"Oh, dear," Katie replied.

"We also have shield vests and gloves for everyone, which, along with your 'Felix Felicis' doses, should pretty much protect all of you from the worst of the spells." Fred consulted his clipboard. "Ah . . . Headmaster, we have something for you and Professor Flitwick to reinforce your spells around the windows."

"Oh, that's sounds promising," Professor Flitwick responded, wiggling with anticipation. "What is it?"

"Plexiglas." George answered, lifting a sizeable piece of the clear material.

"Plexiglas?"Harry said in astonishment. "Where did you ever learn about . . . "

"From Rupert or Tom, I'll bet," Hermione replied, grinning widely. "Any other Muggle items in that pile?"

"Muggle idea?" Arthur Weasley sat up and looked around eagerly at his sons supplies.

"A few, Dad," George laughed.

"We'll get to them in a minute," Fred added.

"First, a demonstration!" George placed the piece of Plexiglas behind a small frame of window glass sitting off to the side.

"You see, we think the Death Eaters will try to gain entrance to various parts of the school by 'Apparating' through the windows. They believe once our defensive spells are broken, they'll be able to break in anywhere they please, and don't mind breaking through a bit of glass to do it." Fred explained.

"However, if there's another, 'invisible' barrier just inside that glass . . . BANG! . . .that will ruin their day instantly." George then turned toward the window and chucked a large rock at it, shattering the glass, but, surprisingly, the rock bounced back, rolling down the dais steps and coming to a stop in front of Headmaster Dumbledore. He bent over and picked up the rock, hefting it in his hand, nodding.

"And you've brought enough for all of the windows?" Albus asked.

"Enough for the major ones, nearest the Great Hall and all of the larger ones in the main hallways," George answered.

"Once they see what's happening, when their comrades try to get through the windows and fail, they'll probably give up on that option," Fred concluded.

"Some of those failures will be quite graphic," George added.

"When they bounce off and fall to their deaths in the canyon," Fred finished.

"Yeah," Ron spoke up. "That would discourage me from trying to get in that way."

"Which is where you, Peeves, will come in," Fred turned to the poltergeist. "We want you to work with Professor Sprout."

"Really?" Peeves floated over to the Herbology teacher. "And what do you have that Peeves can help with, Pouty Sprouty?"

"Peeves," Pomona Sprout, ignoring his nickname for her, motioned him closer. "Venomous Tentacula plants, to be placed, in groups, at strategic places around the castle, for you to drop on any Death Eater or Snatcher you see fit." She grinned at the poltergeist and winked. "I've been growing a bumper crop for months, but, as they cannot harm you, Peeves, you are in charge of throwing them . . . and . . .mandrakes, too."

"Peeves is honored!" He bowed to the Herbology teacher."Peeves will be especially accurate with his aim, too!"

"I'm sure you will be." Professor Sprout acknowledged. "We'll go check on their progress tomorrow morning, shall we?"

Peeves nodded eagerly and then zoomed off, cackling to himself.

"So that's why green house three has been off limits," Neville spoke up. "I wondered what you were up to . . . sneaky!"

Pomona Sprout blushed. "I can keep secrets, too, you know!" she said, smugly.

"Right," George said. "She's been working on these plants for way over a year, knowing that they would be used to defend the castle."

"And Professor Sprout even suggested adding a few of her nastier specimens to our 'Portable Swamps', which will be placed in various minor hallways to impede any 'long way round' infiltration the Death Eaters might try," Fred added, grinning.

"I take it back, Ron," Neville said. "I am beginning to feel sorry for those poor sods."

"Yeah, it's going to be a bad day to be them!" Ron nodded. "What's next, guys?"

"We've got special jobs for Draco and Lucius," Fred informed them.

"If they are willing to train a bit," George continued.

"We did have Remus in mind to work with Draco," Fred said, with a glance at the former D.A.D.A. Professor.

"But, after hearing of Lucius joining our ranks," George continued.

"We figured a little father/son bonding was in order," Fred added, turning to face Lucius.

"Plus, we think this is something you two will like," George grinned.

"If you don't mind taking on the giants and the Inferi?" Fred turned to the blond Slytherin father and son.

"With Muggle weapons," George finished.

Draco and Lucius sat there, mouths open, then a wicked, calculating gleam came into their eyes. After looking at each other and nodding Draco leaned forward. "What do you have in mind?"