Chapter Forty-Five

Gathering Allies

Minerva McGonagall made her way to the staffroom where Snape had called a start of term meeting, almost a month into the start of term which instantly had Minerva on edge. If she had been in cat form, she would have been bristling. Fortunately, Minerva was in human form so was not as obvious about her wariness as she would have been in cat form.

Snape was already present when Minerva entered the room. Minerva's lip curled at the man she had once considered a friend who then blindsided when them all and had murdered Dumbledore. Dumbledore who had trusted the apparently reformed Death Eater more than anyone, who had stood up for him when anyone questioned his loyalties.

Minerva had been wary of him at first but as time had went by, they had become well maybe not friends but certainly acquaintances and allies. And his betrayal had completely hurt her almost as much as Albus' death had, much more than she would have thought it would.

Naturally this meeting made her wary, but at least with them here the children would be safe. True enough the students were a lot more subdued, quieter and more well behaved than normal. There were years (especially during Snape's own school years) where Minerva would have wished for her students to follow the rules a little bit more. But not like this, never like this. Minerva couldn't stand the pale faces, stiffened backs, red-rimmed eyes and shaking forms that her students were displaying this year. And she could not comfort them, only tell them to do exactly what they were told.

But as much as she was worried about those children. It was the other reactions that had her more worried. Students like Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnigan who instead of trembling with fear, eyes were bright with anger, clenched hands, lips curled. It was those children (young adults really) who were likely to cause trouble that Minerva knew she would struggle to protect them from.

Looking around Minerva knew she wasn't the only one like this. Slughorn was pale, refusing to meet Snape's eyes. Pomona looked like she was torn between crying and hexing Snape where it hurt. Filius eyes were hard and steely, his pose one she recognised from his duelling circuit days. Hagrid was shaking with suppressed rage; it was only Pomona's calming hands and quiet words on him which had him not trying to strange Snape. Aurora looked thin with dark bags under her eyes. Septima looked terrified. Bathsheba shoulders were stooped, and she just looked resigned.

Sybil was swaying side from side, eyes clouded, and muttering about death and hope under her breath. Sybil had always had a problem with drink, but Minerva had only ever seen her this bad when had been fired from Hogwarts. It was Minerva who had dragged her away from her bottles to the staff meeting. Minerva didn't want to risk Snape's wrath on the younger witch should she not come.

Worse were the keenly felt absences of Charity Burbage and Albus Dumbledore. Albus who had been killed by someone they all trusted. And Charity who had gone missing over the summer – her body was never found but Minerva knew that given what she taught and who replaced her that she was dead.

Only Argus Filch and Cuthbert Binns were missing. Cuthbert being dead was not interested in the affairs of the living (or even those who had died in the last hundred or so years). Argus Filch either wasn't invited because he wasn't a teacher or more likely because the Death Eaters liked Squibs even less than Muggleborns.

'I want you to know what I expect of you this year,' Snape began coolly apparently not noticing the looks he was getting.

That was when Filch burst in, 'Professors, students running amok – they have blown up wall containing the new school rules plaque.'

'Alecto, Amycus, go deal with it,' Snape ordered.

'You can't order us around,' sneered Alecto.

'I think you forget your place, Alecto,' Snape said coldly. 'Unless you want to take it up with the Dark Lord.'

The Carrows shared a scared look and shuffled off. Minerva would normally be pleased about the disharmony in the ranks, but currently was just worried about her students. If they got caught causing disruption to the new order, they would be expecting much worse than even an expulsion. She was sure Longbottom was behind this – she was glad that he had finally come out of his shell but just wished it was in a less lethal way.

'Now, that they're out of the way, we can talk,' Snape said crisply.

At that moment Harry Potter ripped off his Invisibility Cloak and appeared in the midst of the staffroom. The other teachers gasped – Filius squealed and Sybil actually fell off of her chair (although that may be the cherry). Minerva realised straight away that the explosion was not just an act of mindless violence but Potter's plans. Minerva's first instinct was to plant herself between Potter and Snape and pulling her wand out.

Snape sighed, 'Minerva this is unnecessary.'

'I am not going to let you kill Harry, too,' Minerva said fiercely.

'Professor, it's okay,' Potter said.

'I am no threat to Harry, Minerva,' Snape said looking older than he ought.

'Do you really think I'd believe that after what you did to Albus?' Minerva hissed.

'You should, because it is true,' Potter said stepping out from behind her. 'Severus and I have been working together for months – if you don't believe me, we have a memory for you to witness.'

And on the table was Albus' Pensieve; she had thought it had gone missing in the chaos of everything that happened that June night. Snape pulled his wand out causing everyone to tense. A silvery image of Albus Dumbledore appeared from the basin.

'Severus, you must be the one to kill me,'

'What?' surprising it was Slughorn who burst out.

'Explain,' Minerva said lips thin.

'Last summer Albus encountered an artefact of the Dark Lord's which cursed him,' Severus explained. 'I was able to constrain it to his hand, but it was spreading quickly. By the time I killed him he had perhaps a month to live, two months if he was very lucky.'

Minerva remembered the dark markings on his hand that Albus said he got in the duel. And how tired and weary he had seemed to be. Minerva had tried to help him, taking more and more of his duties. Minerva had been worried about Albus thinking his old age was finally catching up to him. Why, oh why, did Albus not confide in her. But Minerva knew that that was Albus' way; his secrets had secrets.

Minerva breathed in, 'and he asked you to kill him.'

'He wanted me to sell my loyalty to the Dark,' Severus said grimly, 'so I could protect the children when Hogwarts fell.'

'That was cruel of him,' Pomona said softly.

'It is what it is,' shrugged Snape looking awkward.

'He's right, Severus,' Potter said.

Their eyes met and they shared a soft look. Minerva blinked at this – how close had the two become over such a short period of time. It was something that she would never have expected any Snape or Potter to be standing so close, looking so supportive. But she supposed that desperation made strange bedfellows.

Minerva frowned, 'and he did not think to tell any of us – we could have prepared.'

'Yes, well, Dumbledore, loved his secrets,' Potter said (was that bitterness?).

'And he told you?' asked Minerva.

'Eventually,' muttered Potter. 'He felt he had no choice. Look this isn't the point – we only have so long before the DA are no longer able to distract the Carrows … and I don't want them to do so longer than is necessary.'

Minerva nodded knowing that Harry and Severus wouldn't have revealed themselves like this unless it was vital. Severus was far too cautious to do that. They must have a plan to end You Know Who and all his evil.

'We can't tell you everything,' Potter said. 'It's dangerous! If the Dark Lord finds out, it is all over. But we have a plan, and this time he will die for good! If we can plan it right, we can lure him and his followers into a trap.'

'Here?' asked Filius.

Severus nodded, 'Hogwarts is the most defendable place we know.'

'And more to the fact we know it!' Harry said.

'But the students! We can't have a battle here!' Minerva said appealing to Severus.

'In the winter break when the vast majority of students are home and safe, we can,' Severus said. 'And those who remain I will organise a day-trip. If I could ask for volunteers to chaperone them?'

'I'll go,' Slughorn said.

'And I,' Trelawney said.

'Good,' Harry said.

'Take advantage of the next three months to shore up our defences ready to be activated at a moment's notice,' Severus said.

'Work with Neville and the DA to form protections around Hogwarts,' Harry continued. 'I already have them organised into teams – help them.'

'Filius,' Severus said, 'you were a champion duellist, and Minerva, you worked with the DMLE, help them with strategy – we need to make Hogwarts as defensible as possible for when the battle comes.'

'Until then keep your heads down, and pretend to fall in line,' Severus said.

'And the DA?' asked Minerva. 'Are they going to participate?'

'I'd like to see you stop them,' muttered Harry. 'Look this is the world we have to live in, it is our fight as much as any of you, I've been fighting this fight since I was eleven-years-old! Besides most of the DA are sixth and seventh years – adults in the eyes of the law, or at least almost there. Plus, if we are to win, we will need as many people as possible.'

'Some will die,' warned Minerva.

Potter took a shuddering breath, 'I know … I hate it … I wish there was another way. But vanquishing him will not be enough, not this time, the Death Eaters are too entrenched even if I managed to kill him in a straight duel it would not change the fact that the Death Eaters have control over everything. We need to defeat them as well.'

Minerva closed her eyes wishing that a miracle would just magically come again. But even last time the miracle did not come without horrific sacrifice. Potter was right the only way to end the Darkness once and for all was to fight.

Minerva nodded, 'okay, whatever you need, but I refuse to let anyone under the age of seventeen fight – they can help prepare but that is it.'

'Well, you can tell them that!' Harry retorted.

~oOo~

Draco Malfoy was sitting outside in a clearing just within the Forbidden Forest. Luna was sitting beside him, and they were feeding the Thestrals. Last year Draco hadn't been able to see them, but thanks to Dumbledore's death – murder – he now could.

Draco closed his eyes. All the years of wishing that Albus Dumbledore was gone and Professor Snape was the Headmaster. Yet now everything was so wrong, so, so wrong. Sure, the Slytherin House ran the roost as Draco had always wanted to, always felt he deserved. But the air of fear and pain and sadness in the familiar corridors of Hogwarts was so suffocating that Draco found himself hating it.

Not that home was any better with the Dark Lord, his crazy aunt and the masses of deranged Death Eaters who were not the glorious Dark wizards his father had told stories about growing up. Draco had been so relieved when his father had come home, his father always fixed things. Instead, his father was pale, weak, and jumped at his shadows and screamed himself several times in the night. Sometimes it felt like even when he was there, he wasn't really.

It was only when he was here outside in the cooling Scottish autumn air with Luna did Draco ever feel at peace. Luna smiled at him and held his hand seemingly just knowing what he was thinking without him ever having to say it. She was the last person Draco would have ever thought about dating – too strange – but she was the best thing that had ever happened to him and far more than Draco had ever deserved.

But Draco was also worried about her. Draco knew that his girlfriend had been part of Potter's DA two years ago and was sure she would continue being part of it now. Just last night the DA had set fire to the doors to the Great Hall containing the plaque. Snape's griffon had been blown into little pieces. The Dark Arts corridor was unable to walked down due to blinding light that reverberated. The Muggle Studies classroom was covered in a substance that looked sickeningly like blood that seemed unable to be removed. The whole school had been graffitied with DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY STILL RECURITING, HARRY POTTER OUR HERO, WE DO NOT BOW TO MURDERERS, SNAPE IS NOT MY HEADMASTER.

But under Umbridge the worst thing that happen would they be expelled. If the Carrows or Snape found out they would kill her. But he knew he couldn't control Luna that wasn't the way it worked. Plus, more than that Draco admired what she was doing too much. Draco knew he was not brave enough to do what she was doing, ever.

'Draco,' Luna said softly giving him an oddly piercing look.

'You're being careful aren't you,' Draco said softly. 'I don't want to lose you.'

Luna was quiet, 'things cannot continue like this … there is so many wrackspruts … it hurts … You Know Who he has to be stopped.'

'He can't be!' Draco said voice cracking. 'He's too powerful … it's over. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just kidding themselves. Don't kill yourself for a fool's hope.'

Luna was quiet, 'I do not believe that … as long as there are still people willing to fight there is still hope.'

'Do you really believe that?' asked Draco desperately.

Luna nodded, 'I do. What about you, Draco Malfoy? Are you going to say nothing and suffer eternally, even if you survive?'

Draco gulped, 'I'm not as brave as you, Luna, never will be.'

Luna smiled softly, 'we have enough fighters, we need thinkers, planners.'

Draco blinked, 'what do you want, Luna?'

'Harry Potter has a plan,' Luna said. 'He wants us to combine our skills to defending Hogwarts. You are very good at Potions.'

'You've seen him?' asked Draco shocked.

All the years of despising Potter and wishing he wasn't at Hogwarts but now one word from him and Draco found himself feeling the hope he hadn't felt in about a year. If anyone could stop the Dark Lord, it would be Harry Potter. Draco may not like the Gryffindor's golden boy, but he knew he had survived everything that life and the Dark Lord had ever thrown at him.

Luna, however, just smiled mysteriously, but Draco knew from the way she had smiled that was a yes.

'What is he planning?' asked Draco.

Luna smiled but it was a smile tinged with sadness, 'war.'

Draco sighed, 'will you fight?'

Luna nodded, 'I will.'

Draco felt his throat stuck. He didn't want to stay behind as Luna went off to fight. But the idea of fighting the Death Eaters left Draco feeling ill. He guessed he just wasn't brave, not like Luna was. She always had been so brave and free, willing to be who she was and not caring what anyone thought of her, willing to fight the Dark Lord. Draco was still too scared to tell his mother he was dating crazy Xenophilius Lovegood's bizarre daughter.

'Draco,' Luna said grey eyes soft as she took his face in her hands, 'you don't have to come with me.'

'You won't think any less of me?' asked Draco.

'Oh, Draco,' Luna said softly. 'Nothing will make me think less of you. I love you. Besides, I think we are going to need healers.'

Draco smiled, 'I don't deserve you, Luna.'

Draco kissed Luna who kissed him fiercely back. For someone who seemed so serene Luna was a surprisingly passionate kisser. Yet, the worries for the future remained in Draco's heart but he knew whatever happened he would follow Luna Lovegood even if he could never do what she did.

Harry, Severus and Bill were in the meeting chambers with King Ragnok, Queen Amethyst and four advisors of some kind. Harry and Severus had once again gone over the plan with the goblins. It felt like he had said this repeatedly (and it wasn't over yet). King Ragnok's black eyes were unreadable, his expression hadn't changed at all in the telling.

'Will you lend us your aid?' asked Severus.

'It may work,' King Ragnok said. 'But why should we sacrifice our lives for wizards who have done nothing but harm us?'

'Because things are not going to improve unless we all work together to make them improve,' Harry said quietly. 'I know you have no reason to trust us, and the truth is that we need all the numbers we need. But you know that the world run by the Dark Lord will make everything worse for everyone who is not Pure!'

'You may be right,' King Ragnok said. 'But in return I would like my warriors to be supplied with wands … and trained how to use them.'

'A difficult ask,' Harry said. 'But I will see what I can do.'

/

Kingsley Shacklebolt had been surprised when Bill Weasley had contacted him saying that Harry Potter wanted to speak to him. It had surprised them all that Bill was in contact with Harry. But it was good that Potter hadn't completely gone it alone with only two barely legal wizards on his side.

After Alastor's death Kingsley had taken over as the Head of the Order of the Phoenix due to being the most experienced member amongst them. He had to go into hiding shortly afterwards being a known member of the Order … but he was able to keep in contact with some members with the Weasley twins' illegal wireless network.

They hadn't known whether Harry was alive or dead. They hoped of course for the former and certainly in this case no news was good news. But when all they had to go on was rumours (some completely ludicrous) you couldn't help but fear.

So, when he had arrived a couple minutes later at The Woolpack, a Muggle pub in Stroud, Gloucestershire that Harry had suggested they meet, and he had seen Remus Lupin already present with a drink of hot chocolate. Kingsley immediately made his way towards the tired looking werewolf. The Lupins hadn't been forced into hiding, yet, but it was only a matter of time.

'Hi, Remus,' smiled Kingsley. 'Harry, invite you too?'

Remus nodded, 'yes. I just hope he's okay?'

'The fact he is alive is good enough,' Kingsley said. 'How's Dora?'

'Pregnant,' admitted Remus brows furrowing.

'Not planned, I guess,' Kingsley said.

Remus let out a snort that sounded like a hysterical laugh, 'this is the worst time for it … I … they deserve better …'

'She chose you,' Kingsley said smiling softly.

Kingsley was going to say more when two figures entered –those green eyes and messy black hair were unmistakable. Harry and Hermione looked well in casual Muggle attire, almost as though things were normal. Kingsley did notice that Ron wasn't present which worried him.

Harry and Hermione made his way toward the two of them. Remus immediately grabbed Harry into a tight hug whilst Hermione shook Kingsley's hands. When Remus finally let go of Harry, he shook his hand too.

'How are you?' asked Harry.

'Surviving,' Remus said. 'You?'

'As well as can be expected,' Harry said.

'So, what is this about?' asked Remus.

'We have a plan to defeat the Death Eaters, and the Dark Lord,' Harry said seriously. 'I know how to defeat him. We think that he will be present at Hogwarts in the winter holidays. I have the DA and McGonagall preparing defences for Hogwarts. Will the Order stand with us?'

Remus was frowning, 'how do you know that he will be there? If it's your connection – you know it can't be relied on.'

'It's not the connection,' Hermione reassured them.

'I just know after a certain event he will want to check on Hogwarts,' Harry explained.

It was clear that Harry knew more than what he was willing to explain. It wasn't something that Kingsley wasn't used to having worked with Dumbledore for years. However, that didn't make it any less frustrating.

'The Order will support you,' Kingsley said. 'We will follow you to your deaths. I may be in charge … but Dumbledore made it quite clear that you were our only chance of success.'

Harry nodded closing his eyes, 'I wish it hadn't come to this … I wish we had been able to stop it before they took over everything … but it is too late for I wishes. What about the Aurors? Will they aid us?'

Kingsley nodded, 'they will. They already want to. They are just wary to do anything that will damn their families unless they are guaranteed success.'

Harry nodded, 'when the time comes let it be known I am fighting, but you know my opinion on forcing anyone to fight with me.'

Kingsley nodded.

'Remus, do you know if any werewolves will support us?' asked Harry.

Remus hesitated, 'werewolves have little love of humans … but the Death Eaters have had control over the Ministry for the last few months and things are worse for us than even under Umbridge. I am promising nothing, but I may be able to convince some for aid.'

'Do, what you can,' Harry said.

A few weeks later and Ron was pretty much back to normal … he was still walking with a small limp but they were told that should disappear soon enough. Currently, Severus was at Hogwarts, Ron was pacing the room to build up his strength, Harry and Hermione had cleared to room and were training for the battle that would come. Everything was calm.

Until Bill arrived with an unknown witch. Harry was tense not liking the unknown in his safe place. Still Harry trusted Bill not to betray them, and he could always step across the wards if the worst came to the worst.

'Harry, this is Genevieve Ollivander,' Bill said. 'We went to school together.'

'I heard you were needing a wandmaker for your revolution,' Ollivander said.

'You are willing to help us?' asked Harry.

Ollivander nodded, 'they took my grandfather, he's probably dead.'

Harry nodded, 'and you will supply goblins with wands?'

Ollivander nodded, 'if that's what it takes.'