Chapter 53: Reunion


When someone finally found him, it was Harry – who quickly sent off a white blur that could only be his Patronus to relay the message. Brogan had calmed himself, somewhat, and felt like himself again for the most part. He shifted his legs out of the way as Harry joined him on the floor of the crawl space he'd found. He pulled his knees up, resting his head on them as Harry sat across from him.

They were surrounded by books and a couple of old televisions that had clearly not withstood the challenge of working around magic. But there was a soft rug on the floor, and it was reasonably comfortable for a bolt-hole, Brogan mused.

Harry didn't say anything at first, just sat back on his hands and looked around, taking everything in. Brogan watched him, a part of him still feeling as though the last month had been spent in a dream-world where he'd been allowed to experience everything he'd ever wanted. And now today was the day that he'd been brutally awoken by reality.

"All right?" Harry finally asked, meeting his gaze.

Brogan sighed and buried his head on his arms. A moment later, and he felt Harry move closer to him until he felt the other man's arms wrap around him in a brief squeeze of comfort. Brogan bit back a bitter laugh and raised his head.

"I'm not sure I will ever be all right, again, to be honest."

Harry's hand lingered on his. "You feel…angry and bitter. And a bit lost. I'm not used to sensing that from you. It's a bit unnerving, actually. I mean, hell, Brogan, you're usually the one who calms me down."

Brogan took a deep breath and tried to pull his negative emotions back in, but Harry stopped him.

"No, please don't," the other man said, looking imploringly at him. "Feel what you need to feel. Get it out of your system. It's the only way. I know better than most, trust me."

But Brogan did not want to feel angry anymore. The emotions his father always stirred in him deserved to be pushed away, like the tainted things they were. He reached out and pulled Harry closer to him, holding his head in his hands. He wanted to memorize every line of Harry's face – from the near almond-shape of his beautiful, bright green eyes to the gentle way his lips parted when he expected he was about to be kissed. Brogan brought his eyes to the lightening-bolt shaped scar on Harry's forehead and frowned, tracing his finger over it gently. He wondered abstractly how something so beautiful could have been created out of such an evil deed.

"The only thing I want right now," Brogan murmured, bringing his eyes to meet Harry's, "is this." He brought his mouth down and kissed him.

As kisses went, it was rather brilliant, if Brogan did say so himself. Somehow within the cramped space, he managed to pull Harry onto his lap. Brogan lay back as they fit together awkwardly at first, but soon their bodies relaxed into it. He could feel Harry's hands in his hair, tentative at first, and then more definite as the kiss deepened. When they finally broke apart, Harry's eyes were wild and dark as he looked at him. He rested his head on Brogan's chest and let out a staggered breath.

"I reckon it didn't occur to either of you two wizards to widen the space up here?" Ginny asked as she into moved into the crawl space, shaking her head at them.

Brogan and Harry looked at each other and then laughed. Harry sat back and used his wand to make the space more prominent, and Ginny thanked him. She touched Brogan's arm, looking concerned.

"Are you feeling better then? You felt so angry earlier. It frightened us."

"Snogging helped a bit," he said, smiling at Harry, who blushed.

"I saw that," Ginny said, smirking at her boyfriend.

Still feeling as though he wanted to memorize everything about the two people in front of him, he pulled Ginny to him, holding her head in his hands as he had with Harry. Her eyes sparkled mischievously at him, and he chuckled, shaking his head. Ginny was so full of life – she was such a force of nature to someone like him. He rested his head against hers, bringing her warm brown eyes into sharper focus. Brogan still couldn't believe how they dilated now when she looked at him. He touched her cheek tenderly and breathed in her flowery scent that he knew he would probably still remember even on his death bed.

"What? I don't get a world-is-ending-snog? I have to say, I'm disappointed, Brogan –"

He crushed her to him, his mouth finding hers immediately. She grew soft and pliable against him and murmured his name softly as he pulled away, finally. He raised his eyebrow at her. Her skin was a beautiful pink color, and her eyes had taken on a soft, dreamy quality that he was rather proud of. He caught Harry's eyes behind her, and the other man was shaking his head, a smile on his face.

"Well," Ginny said, blinking back at him. "That was…some kiss."

"It was," Harry said from behind her, and he moved forward so that Ginny could rest back against him. Brogan let his fingers get lost into her hair, tugging on it gently. He needed to make sure they understood how much they meant to him—both together and as individuals.

Ginny put her hand over his and removed it from her hair. She kissed his knuckles gently. "We know, Brogan. We know. Now, are we going to have to go down there and have a talk with your wayward berk of a father, or are you going to tell us what is going on with him?"

Brogan frowned and sighed. He remembered he'd put the letters behind him on the floor and turned around to grab them. He looked at Harry and Ginny, warily at first, and then he felt silly – he knew he could trust them to understand.

"He gave me some letters he's had…letters from my Mum. He claims she asked him to stay away from me – that she didn't want him to be a part of our lives. It's most likely him distorting the truth or twisting it, but…"

"Do you want us to read them with you?" Ginny asked.

Brogan stared at the letters, almost feeling a compulsion to throw them away from him. He looked at Harry and Ginny. "They're just letters. I know I shouldn't be scared of them, but…"

"They have the power to change your view of your Mum completely," Harry murmured, his eyes bright in understanding. "Do you feel ready for that?"

Brogan traced his fingers over his mother's loopy writing again and frowned. Was he? Did it matter, in the end? What had happened so long ago? Would it bring his mother back? No. But it could give him a father again. Sighing in frustration, he shook his head.

"Would either of you think I'm a coward if I don't read these tonight?"

"Of course not!" Ginny said, sounding offended. "Who do you think you're dealing with here? I don't want you to read them and then not have your head in the game for tomorrow."

Harry nodded his head in agreement. "Save it for when we have some downtime."

"So, six months from now?" Ginny asked, smirking at Harry.

"Have we er, figured out the sleeping arrangements yet?" Brogan asked as they all started getting up. If he had to sleep by himself, he would, but a small part of him didn't want to be alone tonight.

"I think," Harry said, holding out his hand to Ginny, "that we're to all go to our special rooms like good little boys and girls and then switch after the lights go out. Tonks causally let it slip there are no family members on our floor, in case we were still missing, and I quote, our 'freedom'."

"I love Tonks, have I mentioned?" Brogan said, smiling brightly, suddenly feeling much cheerier inside.

Ginny chuckled. "There was a time I think I wanted you to say that for real."

Brogan shook his head at her. "Aye, don't remind me. Don't go into the match-making business after all of this done, all right, Ginny? You're terrible at it."

Harry kissed her quickly as she opened up her mouth to argue, and Brogan considered himself lucky that the other man could think on his feet so well. Ginny's eyes still flashed at him when they broke apart.

"I think Harry just saved your sorry arse."

"His arse is not sorry, and you know it," Harry said, pushing her gently in front of him to get them out of the crawl space.

Once they were in the main hall, they all straightened and sighed, with Harry and Brogan each rubbing their necks from being crouched down for so long. Ginny said she'd see them in a little while and slipped into the room she shared with Hermione.

"What time do we leave tomorrow?" Brogan asked as they entered their room. Ron looked up from the book he was reading on his bed.

"Early," Harry replied. He looked at Ron's side of the room and then at the other bed. Harry finally took the one across from his best friend, which left Brogan the one to the right. He sat down, testing the mattress's firmness and caught Harry watching him, a smirk on his face. Brogan rolled his eyes and glanced at Ron.

"What are you reading, Ron?"

"Something Hermione thinks is important." Ron closed the book and smiled. "It's sort of dry. Everything all right, Brogan? Uh, with your Dad?"

Brogan nodded. "He's…we have a complicated past, that's all. We're not close. It was a bit of shock seeing that he was behind all of this."

"I bet," Ron said, nodding. He glanced at Harry. "Did Harry fill you in about where you'd be sleeping tonight?"

Brogan frowned as Harry chuckled, a look of amusement on his face. "I sort of did, Ron." Harry's eyes sparkled at Brogan's. "You're going to be sleeping next door. Ron and Hermione apparently need some alone time."

Ron snorted. "Like you and Ginny aren't going to be getting up to whatever in here, too. Please, Harry." The redhead turned to Brogan. "Sorry, mate. You need to get yourself a girl, you know?"

Brogan didn't glance at Harry as he nodded solemnly at Ron. "I think you might be right, Ron. It's getting lonely, always being the odd person out."

The charm on the clock went off, and Ron made a show of yawning and stood up. "Well, better switch with Ginny. Don't have too much fun tonight, Harry. You two need to rest for tomorrow."

"I could say the same to you," Harry said. "Don't wear Hermione out too much. We may need her quick-thinking."

"Blimey, she's the one who wears me out!" Ron said, shaking his head. "It must be because she's so…bookish, but she has stamina, that one." A note of pride had crept into his voice, and Brogan saw Harry grimace.

"Please, just…stop right there, Ron. We'll see you early in the morning, yeah?" Harry said as he started getting ready for bed, removing his shirt, first. Brogan tried not to stare, but it was hard not to. As though feeling his gaze, Harry glanced at him, a knowing look on his face. Their door opened, and Ginny came in, already in her dressing gown.

"Get over there, dear brother. Your lady awaits," she said to Ron, pushing him through the door. Ron barely managed to get out a sputtered goodnight before she used her wand to lock it and cast a Silencing Spell. She turned and smiled at them.

"Won't he wonder why you've locked me in too?" Brogan said, laughing.

"Trust me, after he sees what Hermione is wearing, he won't remember his name."

"Hermione packed lingerie?" Harry asked, sounding confused.

"No, I bet she has a Quidditch uniform," Brogan said, imagining it.

Ginny laughed at him. "Nice one. Actually, we found a wardrobe full of new clothes for us to wear over there. I'm not sure what your father thinks is going to happen here, but, well…" Ginny dramatically untied her gown with a flourish, and let it fall to the floor. She was wearing a sexy, short, royal blue chemise, and it fitted every one of her curves perfectly. Brogan felt all of the blood in his body traveling one direction, and a glance at Harry indicated the other man was right there with him.

"Bloody hell," Brogan murmured.

Harry moved forward and reached out to touch the material, and Brogan saw a distinct hunger in his eyes.

"I take it you like it, then?" Ginny asked Harry, her eyes filling with humor. Harry merely nodded his head. Ginny looked at Brogan. "And you? How about it?"

Brogan moved so that he was standing next to Harry, and allowed his eyes to travel down her body. He licked his lips as he took in the swell of her breasts – breasts held in his own hands many a time, yet somehow, in this get-up, they looked brand new to him. The silky shimmer of the chemise looked terrific against her freckled skin. He brought her eyes back up to her face, and she raised her eyebrow at him.

"Did you just look at me like a piece of meat, Brogan Caley?" she asked, sounding disappointed. Brogan immediately felt his face heat and started to apologize profusely.

"Oh, no, God, I'm sorry, did I? You just look so incredible, but not like, I mean, I still respect you and…you know, wow, Ginny, that lingerie is, um, Harry? Some help here?"

Harry and Ginny looked at each other and then laughed as they pulled him into an embrace.

"You are such a gullible sod, sometimes," Harry murmured, kissing his neck. Ginny nodded, kissing his other side.

"I'm having you on, Brogan. Actually, the way you looked at me right now thrilled me down to my toes. Come on, give us a kiss."

Brogan felt relief and did as she asked, and the three of them enjoyed their night very much. And later, with Harry spooning him on one side, and Ginny curled in against him on the other, Brogan's mind drifted again to the letters that his father had given him. He frowned to himself and felt almost tempted to sneak out to read them somewhere, on his own. But Harry sighed behind him as though sensing his discomfort. The other man threw his arm around him and kissed the back of his neck before becoming still once more. Brogan sighed and knew that whatever was in those letters could wait until they were back from Hogwarts. He was where he needed to be for the moment, and Brogan was damned if he'd let his father ruin this, too.

o-o-o-o-o

Harry took one last look at the Map and folded it up, slipping it into his back pocket. With a determined air, he turned and faced his friends. They were in the Hog's Head, the only place in Hogsmeade the Death Eaters hadn't been able to get into, oddly enough. The Aurors previously sent to watch the castle had discovered it quite by accident. The Ministry was now using it to its full advantage.

They had separated from the rest of the Order – Fred, George, Bill, and the others were to be the distraction team, along with more Aurors. Harry, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and Brogan, as well as Tonks and a young Auror named Bixby Salters, were the main group breaking into the castle via the secret passage. Harry knew nerves were at a high point, and he wanted to reassure them. He cleared his throat.

"Right. Once we get to the end of the tunnel, we are heading down towards the dungeons. That's where they're being kept, according to the Map. Ron, Hermione, and Tonks, you three go in first and knick as many students as possible. Use your Portkeys; if they don't work for whatever reason, head back the way we came in. Me, Ginny, Brogan and Bixby will be lookout behind you, and we will take out anyone who tries to stop you. We will guard the hallway until every last child is removed. Any questions?"

Harry looked at each of them in return, noting Ginny's eyes were shining with pride at him. She had dressed as though they were heading into battle – her hair was tightly pulled back so as not to get in her way, and she wore a pair of calf-high dragon hide boots over her slim black jeans, that had a matching jacket that stopped at her waist making her look trim, fit and ready to, quite frankly, kick arse. The clothes were more gifts from Brogan's father. Hermione was dressed much the same, except in brown, and looked ready to take down Voldemort himself. Harry smiled at them.

"I know this is a scary situation, and it's okay to feel nervous. I'm nervous, too, believe it or not. Don't let this calm exterior fool you," Harry paused, noticing a brief grin flash across Brogan's face. "But the trick is to embrace your fear and fight through it anyway. All that matters is saving those students. Just think how you would feel if that were your sister or brother or even your friend up there, held captive in the dungeons of a place you used to consider your home. Voldemort has crossed a line in taking over Hogwarts, and I intend to show him that he is wrong and not as strong as he thinks."

Bixby the Auror looked mildly impressed, and Tonks winked at him. Harry nodded at Brogan, who would be Apparating them in small groups to the abandoned Honeydukes shop. Out of all of them, he made the least amount of noise while Apparating, having been doing it longer than the students. Of course, Tonks and Bixby were Apparating themselves to make sure no one was there waiting for them.

Tonks went first, who winked at all of them, and Bixby followed quickly behind. A few moments later, Tonks' Patronus came tearing through the wall of the Hog's Head, growling at them and then disappearing the way it had come. That was their signal that everything was good to go.

"Blimey," Ron said, watching the Wolf-Patronus disappear. "I thought her Patronus was a hare? When did it change to that?"

Harry shared a grin with Ginny and Brogan. "I think she's developed an affinity for wolves, for some reason," Harry said to his best friend.

Brogan went to Hermione and Ron and told them to hold hands. He looped his arm around Hermione's, and they disappeared a moment later. Ginny turned to Harry and smiled at him.

"Before all hell breaks loose, can I just say that watching you take charge is one of the sexiest things I have ever seen?"

Harry shook his head at her, not wanting to get distracted. "Stay close to me, Gin. If you get hurt, stay behind, or better yet, get the hell out of there, don't worry about anyone else, including me and Brogan. There is no shame in running. Don't stop; don't try to help. Just go, Ginny. Knowing that you're safe will keep me going."

She opened her mouth to either agree with him or tell him off, and Harry wasn't sure which, because right then, Brogan popped back into the room. He walked over to them, looking at Ginny's open mouth, and taking in Harry's somber expression. Brogan held out his hands, and as they each took one, their connection opened up fully. Harry knew Brogan was filling them both with as much calm as he could. He suddenly felt heartened and ready to put their plan into action.

Ginny pursed her lips at Harry but nodded her head just once. Harry gave her brief smile and squeezed her hand. They both looked at Brogan.

"Are we ready?" Brogan asked, looking between them.

"Yes," they both answered, and suddenly Harry's felt the squishy-squashy feeling of being pulled through a tube as Brogan Apparated them both.

o-o-o-o-o

Percy led the small party of Death Eaters to the edge of the Forbidden Forrest. Strange noises had been heard coming from behind the first copse of trees just a short while ago, and they had been sent by the Dark Lord to investigate. Amycus and Alecto Carrow were practically bubbling with glee next to him, anxious to grab whoever was here, stirring up trouble. A loud wailing moan was heard from the right of them, and Percy nodded at the siblings to head that way to check it out.

Percy looked at Avery Jr next to him, as a loud thump was soon heard in the opposite direction. Knowing a diversionary tactic when he heard one, Percy nevertheless kept his thought to himself and sent another batch of his party to investigate the other side of trees.

Avery stood next to Percy, not saying anything. Out of all of the other Death Eaters, the junior Avery was one of the few of them that didn't treat him with disdain or outright hatred. Percy had never been able to figure out why, exactly.

"What do you reckon? The Order of the Phoenix have come to drive us from our free and lavish Hogwarts accommodations?" Avery finally asked, staring at something in the distance that Percy couldn't see. He was about to answer when they heard Alecto and Amycus start shouting for assistance. Avery took off at a dead run, and Percy pursed his lips as he followed him.

When they found the brother and sister, Percy almost laughed out loud before remembering who he was with. As he watched the duo struggle to get out of the large net of bogies that had landed on them, Percy looked around, feeling the hair on the back of his neck start to stand at attention. A red flare of light when whizzing by them then, and he knew with utter certainty that they were under attack.

Suddenly, firecrackers were going off left and right around them, and Percy cursed his brothers' lack of originality. He changed his mind however, when, a few moments later, a giant floating head started chasing the other Death Eaters through the forest, snapping at them with its huge teeth. Now that was something you didn't see every day.

"Where are they casting from?" Avery yelled to him from the other side of the Carrows. Percy shook his head – he couldn't tell either. Suddenly there was a loud cry, and Percy finally saw their attackers coming at them through the trees. He saw the maroon colored robes of the Aurors intermixed with a few more recognizable faces and swore.

"Avery, get behind me! We'll cut them off before they can get to the edge of the forest!"

Green and red spells started filling the air in earnest as the two camps started fighting. Percy, for his part, made sure most of his spells missed their mark, but knew his other Death Eaters were trying to maim or kill. What was the Order playing at? Their attack was all wrong – too out in the open – and they had to know most of the other Death Eaters were still in the castle. Avery cackled briefly as he hit one of the Aurors dead on, the man's face collapsing into an astonished grimace. A loud siren noise was heard and everyone seemed to stop as they grabbed their ears to cover them. Percy looked up to see where the noise was coming from and a slight movement in one of the trees caught his eye. He now had an idea about where Fred and George had been hiding.

"Right then," Percy muttered. He aimed his wand to the left of Fred and whispered a spell that would cover them from everyone else. He caught Avery's attention and they started moving back towards the castle. This was wrong, somehow. The Aurors didn't seem interested in following them – they merely appeared to want to slow their progress. Wondering what he was missing, Percy nodded to his other Death Eaters to stay and fight if they wanted.

"I'm going to tell the Dark Lord what is happening," Percy said to Avery and the other man opted to join him. They slipped out of the forest near Hagrid's old hut, and Percy was unsurprised when no one seemed to follow them.

o-o-o-o-o

Harry stopped at the exit to the hallway and double-checked the Map. There was no one about, but that didn't mean there hadn't been an alarm or charm placed around the statue of the one-eyed, hump-backed witch. This would be when either their plan would succeed or end before it had even started. Figuring there was nothing else for it, he turned and made sure everyone was paying attention.

"Here goes," he murmured, and quietly entered the hallway. Nothing happened. Releasing a deep breath, Harry turned and nodded at the others to come out as well. He looked down at the Map, and the only person he saw anywhere near them was someone named Thorfinn Rowle, two floors down and to their right. Harry barely glanced at the floors above them, not seeing any black dots moving. He saw the tiny dot of Tom Riddle moving back and forth in the center of the Great Hall, with a small number of Death Eaters concentrated there. It didn't appear anyone had been notified of their entry into the castle and he wanted to keep it that way. Harry let Tonks, Ron, and Hermione get up ahead of them and nodded. He was flanked on his right by Brogan and Ginny on his left, with Bixby bringing up the rear. They had no trouble getting to the staircase – it appeared to have been waiting for them.

It was strange to be moving through Hogwarts, as quiet as it was. There were no sounds that Harry could hear that he associated with the castle at all. He realized with a start that all the portraits were empty.

"Aye," Brogan murmured next to him. "I noticed it when we got here. It's as though everyone just…got up and left. It's giving me the creeps."

Harry nodded in agreement, and they finally reached the bottom floor. This was where it was tricky. Checking the Map again, Harry put his hand up to signal the others to stop. Harry prayed with everything he had that the doors to the Great Hall were not open or their little band of rescuers was about to be seriously stuck, right out in the open.

Ginny looked over his shoulder at the Map, frowning. "We'll have to do it in groups. Send them first, so they can get on with the reason we came."

Harry agreed with her assessment and nodded. He went to Tonks and told her how they would do it. Ron gave a low whistle.

"Once we separate, we might be sitting ducks," Ron said, studying the Map. "Or we could get separated permanently. I don't like it, but you're right, it's the only thing we can do. Maybe they're in there having their Death Eater tea and biscuits, and we'll skirt by unnoticed."

"Here, let me just do this…" Tonks screwed up her face for a moment and then was looking at them through the eyes of her aunt, Bellatrix. Harry saw Ron and Hermione pale considerably, as did Brogan. Tonks winked at them, and Ron made a face.

"Bloody hell, Tonks, don't do that with that face. You don't know how disturbing that just was."

Watching the Map, Harry made them get ready to move and fast. When it appeared that no one was about to come through the entrance, Tonks opened the door and looked towards the Great Hall. She looked back at them.

"The doors are closed. It's now or never."

"Go!" Harry murmured excitedly, and the three of them took off across the floor. He waited until they had made it to the stairwell that headed down and then released a heavy breath. Harry glanced at Brogan and Ginny. "You ready?" They both nodded as did Bixby. "Okay, Brogan, you go first with Ginny. Bixby and I will follow."

"We shouldn't separate!" Ginny hissed at him.

"We can't go tromping across the Entrance Hall like a pack of hippogriffs," Harry hissed back and indicated to Brogan to take her hand. He nodded once, and they too, headed across the floor, quickly and quietly.

Harry waited for a beat, and then Bixby nodded at him that he was ready. Looking at the doors one last time, he and Harry started making their way across the Hall. They were about halfway there when they heard the front doors of the castle begin to open.

"Shite!" Bixby muttered beside him, and Harry couldn't agree more. They both sped up, practically running now, their feet making noise as they crossed. Harry, who cursed himself for not thinking of it before this, cast a sound-reducing spell. They just made it to the stairwell as the Hogwarts doors were flung open wide.

"Did you see that blighter's face when I took him down? The Dark Lord will get a kick out of this. What a pathetic attempt." Harry didn't recognize the man speaking, but he knew the person he had been turning around (thus missing his and Bixby's less than graceful run) to talk to. It was Percy Weasley.

Harry looked at Ron and Ginny, seeing their realization hit them at the same time; Ron's mouth opened and closed rapidly, and Ginny had two bright spots on her cheeks as she bit her lip. Before Harry could reach her, Brogan touched her arm, holding her back. Harry breathed a sigh of relief as Ginny's expression cleared, thanking whatever deity existed that they had an Empath in their midst. Hermione and Tonks had held Ron back as well.

"The Dark Lord will wonder why the Ministry has attempted to execute such a disastrous plan to sneak onto the grounds," Percy said, glancing around. Harry raised his hand without thinking, and Disillusioned them all in an instant. He heard Hermione suck in a quiet breath as the cold water-like feeling trickled over them. Harry watched as Percy stared at their stairwell, suddenly frowning. He felt as though everyone behind him held their breath, afraid to breathe. Percy's eyes narrowed and then flicked to the man next to him, who was also now looking their way.

"What is it?" The unknown Death Eater asked, starting to squint and move closer. Harry watched as Percy put a hand out to stop the other man.

"Nothing, just the castle playing tricks again. Come on. He'll want his report."

They watched the two men enter the Great Hall, with Percy taking one last look in their direction. Harry couldn't see the other man's eyes due to the glint of light off of his glasses, but he felt as though Percy was trying to communicate something to them. Harry watched as Percy tapped his finger on the door three times and then closed it behind him.

The whole group moved into the stairwell's safety, and Harry released them from the Disillusionment Spell, his head giving a slight whinge. Apparently, it took a lot of power to Disillusion seven people at once.

"Bloody hell, Potter. That was impressive." Bixby said, marveling at him.

Harry frowned. "It was, especially since I didn't even realize I was going to do it beforehand, but I'm glad it worked. Come on, let's get down there. Something tells me we don't have a lot of time if some of them are back from the forest already. Let's hope it'll be enough to distract them."

They hurried down the stairs and stopped as they reached the level of the Slytherin common room. As always, the persistent sound of water could be faintly heard, and the temperature dropped by about ten degrees. Harry pulled open the Map again and nodded towards the end of the hall.

"There should be a tapestry of Bartholomew the Wizened up ahead, and the children all seem to be behind it."

"There's no one guarding it," Ron murmured. "I don't like this."

Harry had to agree. It did seem odd. "Everyone, wands at the ready," he said as they approached the tapestry. He heard Hermione tsk in disgust, and saw why a moment later. The tapestry depicted a wizard (Harry assumed it was Bartholomew), standing over a group of frightened-looking house-elves, brandishing a giant snake that looked like a whip. It was as though he were about to strike at them with it, and there was a look of utter joy on the wizard's face at the thought. Harry felt a swell of nausea and looked away.

Tonks and Bixby stepped forward, casting detection spells. A soft and green hazy film floated off of the tapestry. Tonks frowned.

"It's set to go off as soon as someone who doesn't have the Mark dares to cross it, I think. There's some interesting spell work in this. Bix?"

The Auror nodded his head. "Yeah, they've layered spell upon spell, specifically tagging it to their blood. Or to You-Know-Who's blood. Which I am not sure I even want to think about how they did that. The amount of blood they would need for this would be substantial."

"Great, now what do we do?" Ron asked, glancing at Harry. "We can't hang about here all day, trying to break through it."

"Maybe we could grab one of the Death Eaters and make them open it for us?" Ginny mused, looking thoughtful.

"Oh, well, that shouldn't be too much of a problem," Ron said sarcastically. Harry raised his hand to indicate that the two of them shouldn't start to argue. He looked at Brogan and Hermione.

"You two got anything? You're the cleverest of all of us, by far."

"To be honest, I'd be afraid to try – it might go off the minute we attempt anything," Brogan said, frowning at the wall. Harry saw Hermione nod her head in agreement.

"He's right, Harry. It's far too dangerous to start trying to dismantle it."

Harry swore in his head and thought about what Ginny had suggested. Maybe if they could go back up and grab Percy…

Just then, a noise from behind them made them all jump, and Harry had them back up against the far side of the wall, where the light was darkest. Concentrating again, he tried to replicate what he had done before, and Disillusioned them. This time it wasn't as quick as before, but still good enough. They watched as someone with a dark robe and hood came towards them, moving confidently down the hallway.

"Oh, hell," Ron whispered behind him, and Harry suddenly knew who it was beneath the hood. He gripped his wand in his hand, prepared for anything. He saw Ginny do the same, a look of determination on her face that he recognized well.

"He's probably here to help us," Harry whispered to her now, and she frowned at him.

"Constant vigilance, Harry," Ginny said simply.

Percy stopped just before he reached where they were standing. He let the hood fall back and then kneeled.

"Whoever you are, I am turning myself over to you. I can help you rescue the children." Percy's voice was rough and low. A moment later, he lay down his wand in front of him and pushed it away. It made a clattering noise as it rolled. Harry looked down as it stopped right in front of him, and he glanced at Ron and Hermione in disbelief. Bixby stepped forward and grabbed it, aiming his wand at Percy. He nodded at Harry to drop his spell.

Percy seemed unsurprised to see a wand pointed at his face, but Harry could tell he was a bit surprised by seeing his brother and sister doing it as well. His brown eyes (how had Harry never noticed Percy had brown eyes like Ginny's?) flashed at them, but he said nothing, his face a neutral mask.

"I am Bixby Salters, and I am placing you under arrest by order of the Ministry. Auror Tonks, you are witness that the suspect has given himself up to us? And that I now have his wand within my possession?"

Tonks nodded. "I am. And I do. But we have extenuating circumstances here, don't we, Harry?"

Harry nodded his head even as two very thin, yet sturdy looking ropes flew out of the Auror's wand and wove themselves around Percy's wrists. Harry saw Percy cringe as though in pain. He glanced at Tonks and Bixby.

"Auror Salters there are things here you don't understand. We have reason to believe that Percy Weasley has been working as a spy within the ranks of the Death Eaters for the Order of the Phoenix."

Salters looked at Harry in disbelief, and Tonks nodded her head at her fellow Auror. "It's true, Bix."

"He just gave himself up. I'm following protocol. We can sort all that out later. Sorry, Potter, but Tonks knows what we're supposed to do."

Tonks pursed her lips at her co-worker and indicated to the rest of them that Bixby was correct.

Percy looked at Harry for the first time. "It's fine. I don't need my wand or hands to let you into the holding cells. I just need to walk through the barrier."

Suddenly Ron stirred next to Harry, as though just waking up. "Perce…are you…okay? Can we really trust you? I know what Bill told us, but…" Harry saw a flicker of hopefulness flash across his best friend's face.

Percy studied his brother for a moment. "You don't have to, of course, but I think Harry wants to. He'll be able to tell you if what I say is true."

Harry narrowed his eyes at Percy. The two men stared at each other, and then Percy lowered his head slightly. Harry used his Legilimency skills, reading the other man's thoughts. He pulled back after a moment, and looked at Ron and Ginny, nodding. Percy was indeed himself.

"We don't have time for this. We must get the students out now," Percy growled impatiently.

Harry nodded at Bixby to allow the other man to stand up. He walked Percy over to the tapestry, and then suddenly, it wasn't there anymore, and they stood before a bare, grey wall of the castle. Percy nodded at the door.

"The door will work now. The Dark Lord never considered that someone other than his loyal followers would ever get this far. It's quite an oversight of his, to be honest. But then again, he always underestimates everyone that isn't him."

Tonks opened the door and stepped in, cautiously. Harry immediately heard the soft noises of children crying. He looked at Ron and Hermione, indicating they should follow Tonks. Brogan stood with his back to the door, his eyes keenly on the hallway behind them. Ginny was staring at Percy, a myriad of emotions in her eyes as she stared at her brother. Harry looked at her, and she met his gaze. She turned the same way Brogan was facing with a slight nod, and the two of them kept watch on the hallway.

Harry moved forward and looked into the cell, for that was exactly what it was. He had never thought Hogwarts would allow an actual dungeon, with bars and rough, uneven floors. Chains hung menacingly from the walls, and it was dank and extremely cold. Harry could already see his breath forming in the air.

Hermione and Tonks were opening the first cell, while Ron worked on the second. The crying noise intensified as the students eventually realized they weren't dreaming – that someone was there to rescue them.

There were fifteen students in total, most of them very young – Harry thought the oldest was a fourth-year he knew from Ravenclaw. There were no Slytherins in the cells, nor were there any Gryffindors. Harry stepped back and looked at Percy.

"Is this all of them?"

Percy nodded. "Yes, all that are left. The Dark Lord… toyed with a few of them after he returned the two to the Ministry. He was angry that nothing had happened."

Harry swallowed roughly, not wanting to imagine it. Tonks looked over at them.

"Weasley, do you know if we can still use Portkeys down here?"

Percy frowned. "I didn't realize that was something that had been changed." He looked at Harry. "McGonagall's doing?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. She told Remus she argued with the castle most of the night before it allowed her to let it happen."

"He won't be happy when he realizes."

"I don't give two figs what You-Know-Who thinks about it," Ron said, coming over. He had five of the students with him. He looked at Harry. "Five per each Portkey - should work, right?"

"We don't have any other options. Tonks? You try it first."

"Right," the Auror said and pulled the Portkey out of her robe pocket. "I'll send a Patronus back to indicate we've made it safely back to the Hog's Head."

Harry watched as she collected her students together, taking the youngest ones first. A first-year with blonde hair was staring at Harry, using the back of his hand to wipe at his nose.

"You're Harry Potter," the boy said, sounding awed despite the circumstances. Harry kneeled in front of the boy, who was wearing a Hufflepuff crest on a robe that looked like it had seen better days.

"I am. What's your name?"

"It's Harry, too. Harry Hawthorne." The little boy's chin wobbled as though he was about to cry again, and Harry tried to smile at him, to reassure him.

"Well, Harry Too, this is Tonks, and she's going to get you to safety. She's a Metamorphmagus. Do you know what that means?"

Little Harry shook his head and stared up at Tonks in wonder. Harry watched as Tonks changed her nose a few times, one of her favorite tricks, and heard the children gasp. Harry nudged the boy to stand with the other students.

"You're almost out of here, Harry. Can you be brave for me?"

He watched as the boy swallowed roughly and then looked at Tonk's waiting hand. He nodded slowly.

"Hufflepuffs aren't brave usually, but I can try," he said, his voice sounding small. Tonks tsked at him.

"Who told you that, young Harry? I was a Hufflepuff, and now I'm a big, bad Auror. I bet you have plenty of bravery you don't even know you have. Come on, you lot. Hang on."

Harry stood back up and stepped clear of Tonks and the students. She pulled out a child's sock and told the students to all make sure they were holding onto her in some way.

"Here goes nothing and everything," Tonks said and activated the Portkey. A moment later, a small wind blew through the cell as she and the students disappeared.

"We have to hurry up," Percy said again from the break in the wall, and Harry nodded at him. He looked at Ron and Hermione to get ready to leave with their groups. A few moments later, Tonks's Patronus showed up, barking out a short growl only once before it disappeared. Ron and Hermione looked at each other, and Ron indicated she should go first. She was about to tap her Portkey when Ginny's voice startled them.

"Someone's coming!" she whispered, and Harry looked down the hallway, swearing. He looked at Percy, who had a determined look on his face. He met Harry's gaze.

"Let me go," the other man said simply, looking down at his hands. "I can buy you the time to get out."

"He'll know you helped us," Harry said, frowning.

"My life has been forfeit for a long time now, Harry." Percy had such a sense of – fatal acceptance about him that Harry couldn't help but wonder if the other man just wanted everything to be done with already.

"Harry?" Hermione's voice broke him out of his reverie. He turned to her.

"Go, go now. Ron, as soon as she's gone, take your group and go. We'll see you back at the Hog's Head."

Ron looked like he wanted to argue, but one of the smaller children in his group started crying again, and Ron turned to comfort him. Hermione and her group disappeared a moment later, and Harry joined Brogan, Ginny, Bixby, and Percy at the tapestry.

"Oi! Weasley, what are you doing? The Dark Lord wants…" The Death Eater coming their way stopped, his mouth falling open. "Bloody hell. Stupefy!"

Then everything seemed to happen at once.

Harry felt the air move behind him, and knew Ron had activated his Portkey. He grabbed Percy's arm and pulled him out of the way, the red blast from the Death Eater's wand barely missing them. Bixby, standing on the other side of Percy, was not so lucky, and crumpled unconscious to the ground. Brogan and Ginny had started firing answering spells back at the Death Eater, but Harry knew it was already too late. He could hear the sound of other Death Eaters coming down the hallway behind them. While helping the children, he had forgotten to check the Map.

"Let me go to them. I can buy you some time," Percy muttered next to him. Ginny glanced back at them as though sensing her brother's decision.

"You're coming with us," Ginny said, her voice carrying, and Harry knew that she would not let them leave the castle without Percy.

"Uh, Harry?" Brogan said after a moment. "We could use some of your super shielding right about now. This tosser is quick."

Harry stood behind Brogan and raised his hand, encasing them with another Shield Charm just before another red spell could hit them. Brogan stepped back, his arm brushing against Harry's, and the Shield Charm grew even more robust. Harry watched as Ginny turned towards her brother, flicking her wand at him to release him from the Ministry ropes. Brogan and Harry backed up together, firing off spells as two more Death Eaters joined the first. Harry noticed one of them was Snape, and felt his anger suddenly crest inside him.

"Not now," Brogan murmured beside him.

But Harry couldn't resist – he sent a powerful stunning spell in Snape's direction, and felt gratified when it appeared to hit its mark… but then frowned when he realized Snape had managed to block it at the last second with Shield Charm of his own. It wavered as it took the full brunt of Harry's spell, but held. Snape's eyes widened momentarily as though in surprise and then narrowed as his face twisted into an arrogant sneer.

"Fuck," Harry muttered.

"Come on, Harry, you can get even later," Brogan said, tugging on his arm. "Let's get out of here before this becomes a full on attack. Death Eaters multiply like rabbits."

"Harry! One of you needs to help us with Bixby. He's dead bloody weight," Ginny said from behind them, and Harry suddenly remembered one of their group had fallen. He nodded at Brogan, who turned around to help as Harry reinforced his Shield. His head gave a strong whinge of pain, and he almost felt as though he had been physically punched. Harry had the feeling that they had to get out of there now.

"Ginny, Portkey!" he yelled, not turning to look at them. Snape and the other Death Eaters were advancing slowly, each focusing their spells at the center of the Harry's Shield. Harry's head throbbed again.

"Then get over here, you git! I'm not leaving you," was her answer, and he realized they were quite a few feet away from him. Harry hadn't realized he had walked forward, towards the Death Eaters, instead of away from them. A moment later, with his head pulsing, he understood why.

Voldemort was almost there.

Harry felt a strange sort of calmness hit him then – an almost peace that was total in its sensation. Suddenly, he heard Voldemort's voice in his head.

"Yes, Harry. Stay. Let them go. Save them. Stay with me, and we'll have a little chat."

"Not on your life," Harry muttered, and tried to back up again, but the voice in his head grew more persistent.

"Now, now, I have done the polite thing, Harry Potter. Are you not even wizard enough to follow the basic rules of social niceties?"

Harry stopped moving, feeling confused. Voldemort had a point – wasn't it awfully rude of him to break into the castle to rescue the students and not even stop for a chat? He stared down the middle of the hallway, as though captivated. He didn't hear Ginny or Brogan calling his name. Harry saw in his peripheral vision that the Death Eaters had stopped casting spells. He suddenly had the strangest idea that he should drop his Shield Charm. Why had he cast one again?

Harry watched as Voldemort entered the hallway as though floating, his robes trailing behind him. His red-viper like eyes beckoned to him, and Harry felt himself step forward. They were just going to have a little chat, that's all. No harm could come from that, surely?

Suddenly, Harry felt something warm and steadying at his waist, and he tore his eyes away from the image of Voldemort to see a small arm wrapped around his middle. Ginny was looking up at him, her chocolate-colored eyes filled with concern. A second warmth joined hers at his back, and Harry was suddenly able to turn his head to look at Brogan. The other man's blue eyes seemed to be asking him something, or, no, maybe they were trying to tell him something. Something important.

"Harry Potter, you are mine."

Ginny's hand moved upward until it was touching Brogan's, and all three of them were fully connected. Harry's head gave a sharp pulse of protest as he suddenly came crashing back to himself. His body felt suddenly flooded with sensation.

He felt rather than saw Ginny turn her head toward Voldemort as though in challenge. As he looked at her, Harry saw her narrowed eyes and tight expression. He had never seen her look so fierce.

"No, I think you'll find that he's ours," she said out loud, and then they were pulling Harry back until he was in between the two of them. He saw Brogan abruptly turn and grab hold of Percy and Bixby, as Ginny tightened her grip. Harry noticed Snape and the other Death Eaters start to advance on them again but before another spell could be cast, Ginny activated their Portkey and an ear-piercing scream was filling his head as they were jerked away by the pull of magic.

o-o-o-o-o