Chapter 53 - "It's Giant Season!"

Dan, Rupert and Emma swung their gaze toward Tom, who jumped, then tried to look innocent, failing miserably. He threw up his hands in defeat.

"How'd you know ?" he asked.

"Well, I didn't suggest anything to the twins," Rupert answered, turning to Emma and Dan. "Did either of you?"

"Well, you know I didn't," Emma huffed.

"And who's the outdoorsman in this group? Not I! I'm a city boy!" Dan cocked his head as he looked at his friend Tom. "Out with it!"

"Well . . . after thinking about what little they had to combat the giants . . " Tom started.

"Nothing!" Ron said, as the others nodded.

"Exactly!" Tom continued. "I thought . . . is there was any way of neutralizing or taking them completely out of the equation? So I thought, let's go for it! I made a few 'out of the box' suggestions, on the side, to Fred and George, as to some Muggle equipment that they could procure and use in the defense plans," he concluded with a shrug.

"And those suggestions were . . . " Emma waved her hand so he'd keep going with his explanation.

"High-powered hunting rifle, like they use on safari to bring down elephants and . . . an Army surplus flame thrower. . . a couple of other things." Tom winced, waiting for the outburst to come.

After a second or two he opened his eyes and looked at the other three. Emma was sitting with her hand over her mouth, Dan's eyes were wide open and Rupert was grinning like a fool!

"That was bloody BRILLIANT!" exclaimed Rupert, as Dan started to laugh. Emma sat there, shaking her head, even as a list of questions was forming in her brain.

Harry stood, facing his Muggle friends. "Hold the questions until later, Emma," even as she looked at him, mouth half open. "I know the signs, dear . . . but, you see, Fred and George obtained all of this equipment legally, with some of my money, and they were very good at following the safety rules and regulations for owning the rifle . . . at least in the United States."

Rupert turned to the twins. "You two traveled to America to get this stuff?"

"Easier to apply for and buy . . . too many restrictions here in England. And we couldn't just knick one, we wanted to do it properly. Sporting chance and all that." George replied, cheekily.

"There's an outstanding hunting equipment supplier over there, called Cabela's . . . it's a bloody marvel! We spent hours just wandering around looking at all of the merchandise; it's become our favorite store!" Fred added, enthusiastically.

"Oh, now I have to hear more about this bit!" Dan exclaimed.

Emma held up her hand. "Wait . . . one . . . minute! I need to know that it was only the giants and the Inferi that were thwarted with this equipment, or I'm going to be a bit upset with you lot!"

"Have no fear, Emma," Draco reassured her. "We used our weapons on those two groups only , but then we had other things to worry about; Dementors . . . bloody big spiders . . . my crazy Auntie Bella . . . "

"Oh. . . dear. Well, in that case, let's hear it, then." She settled back to listen to the next part of the tale.

X X X

"Draco, do you know what a rifle is?" Fred asked, as George opened a long case that was resting on the head table.

"I think it's some kind of Muggle weapon . . . like a . . . gun?" Draco answered.

"Correct," confirmed George, as he lifted a long and quite lethal looking rifle from the case. There were gasps from the group, but George held up his hand. "It's not loaded!"

"We are being really careful with this weapon, for our and your safety," Fred reassured them. "We have taken lessons, so, no worries."

George reached into the case and removed another, shorter tube which he proceeded to attach to the top of the barrel.

"This is a daytime scope, for seeing your target a bit better," George explained.

"Come here, Draco," Fred urged the blond Slytherin forward. "Take a look through it."

George showed Draco how to hold the rifle and then pointed out the doors. "Take a look at the door knob of the main entrance doors," he instructed. "Close your other eye."

Draco settled his cheek on the gun stock and peered through the scope, but almost instantly pulled his head back, gaped at the scope and then put the rifle to his shoulder again to take another look.

"It's like that door knob is right in front of me! That's bloody amazing!" Draco was grinning as he swung the rifle slowly around the room, checking out how large even the smallest details looked; gigantic and very close when viewed through the scope.

"We also have a night vision scope for you, with a laser target," Fred lifted the other scope from the case.

"That will allow you to see clearly in the dark and pin point your target," said George.

"I've read about rifles," Mr. Weasley said excitedly, then in the next breath asked. "What, exactly, is a kick?"

"Ah, that's the recoil, or backward force against your shoulder when you fire," Fred informed them.

"We were told some rifles, particularly shotguns, can knock you over backward if you're not braced correctly," added George.

"Which is why you'll have to keep the butt snugged into your shoulder, Draco," Fred instructed him, as he showed Draco how tightly he'd have to hold it against himself.

"We'll take you outside and let you get used to firing it later," George told him, as he put the rifle back into the case.

"Okay, but how do you know I'll be any good?" Draco asked.

"Well, with your Seekers reflexes and eyesight, we thought you'd be a natural," Fred answered.

"Except in reverse; you won't be flying after a tiny object, but you'll be sending a tiny projectile to a BIG target," George grinned.

Draco shrugged, grinning. "Makes sense to me, I'm keen to have a go."

"Splendid!" Fred replied.

"Lucius?" George turned to Draco's father, as their new sniper sat down.

"Yes?" Lucius rose and came forward.

"This is going to turn you into a human dragon, Lucius, old man!" George clapped him on the shoulder.

"Really? That sounds . . . quite terrifying, to tell you the truth," Lucius replied. "How are we going to accomplish this?"

"Glad you asked, Lucius," Fred answered, as he lifted an army flamethrower backpack and tank from the inside of a large crate.

"Merlin's baggy knickers!" Lucius gasped, then laughed.

"Impressive, isn't it?" George asked, as he helped Fred put the pack on Lucius' back and tighten the straps.

Lucius hefted the tank and shifted the pack until it felt comfortable. Then the twins showed him the nozzle and how to hold it.

"Now, when this is loaded with fuel and charged, it can throw flaming liquid fifty to eighty meters," Fred told the watching crowd.

"In other words, if you had a target standing in the doorway, it would be toast!" George grinned.

"So, I won't have to be all that close to the Inferi to inflict harm? Excellent!" Lucius was studying the controls and nozzle. "And it's not particularly heavy, either."

"Well, it's empty . . . but when filled, that will add considerable weight; we can apply a levitating charm to help," replied Fred.

"Oh, splendid!" Lucius grinned, as the twins helped him remove the backpack. "I assume we'll also be doing a bit of practice?"

"Yes, we might just have you clear the approach road of snow and ice, for starters," answered George, which caused Lucius' eyes to pop open.

"Just kidding," Fred informed him. "We'll have to do this out of sight of anyone in Hogsmeade with a view of the grounds, so maybe one of the courtyards, Headmaster?"

"If you promise not to torch the shrubbery," Albus said, twinkle firmly showing in his eyes. "Filius, perhaps a few flame proofing shield charms might not be remiss?"

"Indeed!" squeaked the diminutive Charms Professor.

"Also, we aren't expecting you to stand there in the middle of the lawn, facing the Inferi alone," George grinned.

"Well, that's good news; I was a bit worried about that, truth be told," replied Lucius, nodding.

"YOU were worried," Narcissa squeaked! "Ha!" Lucius turned and winked at her.

"Have no fear, Narcissa," Fred exclaimed. "There won't be a hair out of place!"

"We've got a plan!" George announced.

"Remember the cargo net at Grimmauld Place?" Fred asked.

There were nods, laughs and a few snorts; from three Wizards who knew the net VERY well .

"Any way, we've had a really big, long, re-enforced, fireproofed net made, specifically to stretch across the lawn between the Forest and the Castle base," Fred started.

"Which will funnel the Inferi into a 'holding pen', lined with additional products of ours," George continued.

"And I will be in charge of firing off those products and incinerating the Inferi from a safe distance," concluded Lucius.

Fred and George nodded. "Exactly!" they chorused.

X X X

"Seamus, come here mate," Fred called, after Lucius had regained his seat.

Seamus literally bounced to the front of the room, rubbing his hands together.

"We expect you will be able to use all of the goodies we brought you, but we also have a few suggestions," Fred said, putting his arm around Seamus' shoulder.

"And what might they be?" the Irish Gryffindor asked, eyes gleaming.

"We know you did a splendid job of blowing the bridge the last time, without much time or materials, so that's not our worry," George said, looking thoughtful.

"No, we're going to have you do a bit of corralling of your own, if you don't mind?" Fred inquired.

"Just tell me what you want, I'll get it done," Seamus answered, looking from one twin to the other.

"Well, we know a good number of the Snatchers will go down with the bridge, but there will be a fair number left standing at the stone circle, looking for another way to get into the castle," Fred started.

"Which means, they'll turn toward the gate where the path to the Quidditch Pitch starts and that's exactly where we want them to go," George said with a wicked gleam in his eye.

"But . . . but . . . " Madam Pince started. "The library is right there! The books! You can't let them anywhere near that gate!"

"They'll never make it, dear Madam," Fred bowed.

"The library and its contents will be safe and sound," George assured her.

"Trust us!" the twins said together, although there were a few snickers.

The school librarian looked to Albus, but he nodded, smiling.

"Between our protective spells and the twins' plans, the library will survive," he reassured her.

"What we think would be a good idea would be to push that group toward that stretch of lawn by setting off a barrage of our fireworks on the side of the stone circle that overlooks Hagrid's hut, giving them the incentive to head past the Owlery and toward the Quidditch Pitch gate," George began outlining the plan.

"With all the noise and smoke behind them, they won't notice what they're running across . . . another giant net. When they get in the middle, you'll set off the rockets that will shoot the front half of the net back toward the stone circle, over their heads and it will cover them like a blanket," Fred explained, as he held up a drawing, showing the net enveloping the Snatchers.

"The edges will seal, the net will have 'Anti-Apparation' charms applied and they'll be stuck in a big net envelope!" George grinned.

"Also, they can't cut or rip their way out! Bob's your uncle, that lot taken care of!" Fred concluded, nodding agreement with his twin.

"What about the Acromantulas coming out of the Forbidden Forest?" Ron asked.

Fred walked over to the table and picked up a small hand-held crossbow and loaded a modified version of one of the Weasley's rocket fireworks and turned to show his brother.

"We want to find five or six members of the D.A. to man the battlements on that side of the castle and use these to change the spiders minds about joining in the battle," Fred said grimly.

"Even if you don't hit them, the explosions, fire and smoke might be enough to persuade them to rethink the attack," George added.

"I'll take a crack at it," Ginny volunteered.

"Me, too," Luna said, raising her hand.

"Splendid!" Fred grinned.

"Excellent!" George said, rubbing his hands together.

"We'll get a few of the others to help," Ginny added.

"Justin Finch-Fletchley?" Luna offered.

"Ernie Macmillan," Ginny suggested.

"The Patil twins will like this," Luna added. "Something they can do together, like George and Fred."

"Okay, we'll do some practicing on the sly when they get back from holiday," Fred agreed.

"We won't set the fireworks off, but you'll practice shooting, get used to the crossbows," concluded George.

Ginny and Luna nodded and then put their heads together, talking quietly.

X X X

"Anything for me to do?" asked Narcissa.

"Ah, well, yes there is . . . " Fred started.

"It might not be necessary . . . " George continued

"But if needed . . . " Fred shrugged

"Could prove invaluable." George nodded.

"What is it?" Narcissa looked from one to the other.

"Standing guard over Draco," Fred told her.

"Covering his back," George said.

"He's going to have to concentrate on his targets," Fred explained

"So, if he knows no-one will be coming at him from behind," George continued.

"He'll be better able to get the job done," Fred finished.

"Ah, I see . . . so my 'mother tiger' side gets a workout, eh?" Narcissa grinned.

"Exactly!" the twins said together, grinning back.

Draco rolled his eyes and looked over at his father, who shrugged, shaking his head.

"Actually, we don't think anyone will notice Draco's location and the sound of the rifle shots will be swallowed up in all the other noise that will be happening," said Fred, looking thoughtful.

"What with Seamus' explosions and the sounds of Death Eaters crashing into Plexiglas barriers, no-one will pay any attention," George added, wiggling his eyebrows.

"But . . . " Fred got serious as he faced Narcissa. "We are concerned about . . "

"Dementors," George concluded. "We don't know how many Voldemort has under his command."

"Can you do a 'Patronus Charm'?" Albus asked Narcissa.

"I don't know, I've never attempted one," she answered truthfully.

"We'll try that later," Albus assured her. "I think the boys had something else in mind, though, didn't you," the Headmaster inquired, as he turned back to the twins.

"Oh, indeed we did!" Fred giggled, even as George delved deep into the larger crate once more.

"Here it is!" came his muffled voice, from the depths of the wooden container.

Straightening up, George turned to show the crowd a truly bizarre looking weapon: part rifle, but with a box shaped container above the barrel and a cylinder of some sort strapped to the bottom. There was no shoulder stock, to speak of and no sighting scope.

"What in the world is that?" Narcissa asked?

"This, boys and girls, is a paint gun, used in a Muggle game called, oddly enough, Paint Balling." George turned and shot off a few rounds at the nearby wall.

Bap! Splat! Bap! Splat! Bap! Splat! Bright yellow paint splattered onto the wall in big round patches, then started to slowly drip toward the floor.

"And I'm supposed to use that to keep Dementors away?" Narcissa asked in astonishment.

"Well, not with the regular ammo . . paint balls . . but with a special, explosive, fiery kind," Fred informed her.

"Which should make for some interesting aerial formations . . . I don't think fire and Dementors robes go together too well," said George. "but we'll see.

"You two are certifiably insane, you know that?" Narcissa said, as she walked forward and took the air gun from George.

Bap! Splat! Bap! Splat! Narcissa squeezed off a couple of rounds, then stood there grinning, before turning to the twins.

"Oh, I like this . . . I like this a lot!" she told them, taking out her wand. "Scourgify!" She waved her wand at the wall and the paint disappeared. "So, I'm only allowed to use this on the Dementors?"

"Yes. Unless you see one of the spiders coming your way," Fred told her.

"Then feel free to shoot at them, also." George instructed her.

"Wicked," Narcissa stood there, looking like this was the best Christmas present she'd ever received. "Wait, did you say Muggles use these for a game?"

"Yes, they dress up in military camouflage, go out in the woods and shoot at each other, while playing a game of capture the flag," Fred informed her.

"They only use paint filled balls, and they hurt when you get hit, too." George said.

"Voice of experience speaking?" Narcissa laughed.

"You know it and we've got the bruises to prove it, too!" answered Fred.

X X X

"Now . . .last but certainly not least . . ." Fred turned to face the audience.

"Professor Trewlawny . . . could you come here, please?"

"Oh, dear . . . " Sybil muttered, as she shuffled forward. "Those Muggles weapons scare me . . . I don't think . . . "

"Have no fear, Professor," Fred reassured her.

"We happen to have it on good authority . . ." George said, leading her front and center.

"That you have a wicked aim when it comes to throwing your crystal balls down on Death Head noggins!" Fred laughed at the look of surprise on her face.

"I do?" Sybil gasped

"Yes indeed, but . . . it seemed a pity to put those glorious globes in jeopardy of being smashed, so . . . " George said, before pulling a shiny, metal, u-shaped contraption, complete with handle grip and tubing, out of one of the smaller boxes..

"This, my dear Professor, is a sling shot," Fred began. "And in the right hands . . "

"Yours," George stage whispered, nodding his head.

"Very dangerous!" Fred finished.

"But, I don't know . . . " the Divination teacher was backing away, but George stopped her and turned her to face the open doors, and pointing at a statue, holding a lantern, standing in the hall. "Watch this."

Fred reached into the box and pulled out a bag of large marbles, settled the slingshot's brace on his forearm and then loaded the marble into the patch of leather in the middle of the tubing. He lifted his arm to shoulder height, pulled back on the marble and aiming out the door, let loose of the leather bit. The marble shot out quicker than anyone watching could follow, and before they could even start to turn to see where it had gone, they heard a crash from the hallway.

"Reparo!" called out Professor Flitwick, pointing his wand toward the doors.

"Sorry about that!" Fred had the decency to blush.

"Don't know your own strength, brother," laughed George.

"You really think I could learn to do that?" Professor Trelawney asked, as Fred handed her the slingshot and bag of marbles.

"I think you're going to be our 'Ace in the hole', Sybil, old girl," answered George, as he planted a loud kiss on her cheek.

"Just picture each target as Dolores Umbridge's bum," Fred whispered in her ear, which caused her to shriek with laughter as she sat down.

"Tykey?"

"Yes, Mister Fred, sir," answered the House Elf.

"We are going to come down and discuss some things with all the House Elves later," he informed the little creature.

"Yes, Mister Fred, sir."

"But we wanted you to see what our plans were so you all can discuss them and we'll answer your questions then, too," George added.

"Yes, Mister George, sir."

"And that, ladies and gentlemen," Fred began.

'Witches and wizards," George continued.

"Concludes our presentation for the evening," Fred ended.

"Any questions?" George looked around.

Hands shot up all around the room, with Arthur Weasley doing a fair imitation of Hermione's arm raising quickness.

"You had to ask!?" Fred hissed out of the corner of his mouth.