He awoke with a scream. On top of the knoll, classmates hovered in a concerned half circle a few meters away. Only Draco had dared approach. He put his hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Are you alright my- friend?" Draco choked back the word 'lord'.
"Your father. In the forest. He brought back- No. He will bring back something. Something darker than Voldemort ever was."
"Then we need to stop him. If we go to my house- "
"No."
"What?"
"Whatever portal he opens is the key. Hermione is on the other side."
"Harry, come on. If this thing is as bad as you say... We'll get her back some other way."
"No. The runes. The magic." Harry struggled to remember the details, but it was already clouding under the murky haze that covers all dreams and the distortion of ripples in time that merely seeing the future brought about. Even now the Patel twins morphed and fused cycling through tens of possibilities.
All that remained clear was the Dark Lady's piercing eyes and a sense of the events.
"We need to change it," Harry said. "But the Death Eaters have to open the portal."
Firenze and Harly crested the hill. Both looked haggard but their auras shone in the visible spectrum and thrummed with magic. Tingles told Harry his must look much the same. Luna helped Harry to his feet. He found himself leaning on her supportive shoulders too heavily. She didn't say a word or even shift under his weight.
"Luna?" he asked. "You're not in our class. How did-?"
"You needed me. I came."
"That," Firenz said, "was unexpected."
"You be changing the nature of the run," Harly added. "It be more visceral. Like living, not watching."
"Well thank Merlin for that," Harry spat sarcastically. "I wouldn't want to merely watch my possessed body murder everyone and every thing I care for. Way better to feel it." Harry leaned over to hurl. The gathered students gave him more room. "I'm. Sorry Harly, Firenze." He wiped his mouth. "Please forgive my disrespect. I'm feeling a little disoriented."
"As are we," Firenze replied. "Come. We must warn the Headmistress and secure the Patel twins."
Feeling his distress and need before Harry had a chance to call them, three young male Pottee elves appeared beside him. These three had been his main Hogwarts spies and would know who he was talking about.
"Garry, tell McGonagall to raise the wards to full war time power and to gather all the students in the great hall. Come back with a list of any missing kids."
As the distance was very slight, Garry popped the eight students with him to the castle, leaving Luna, Draco, Firenze, Harly, and the other two elves with him.
"Kirby find Padma and Pavarti Patel. Do not bring them to the Great Hall. Take them somewhere defensible and defend them. The Shrieking shack would be good. Sirius should be home. Warn him.
"Rabby, figure out how many students over twelve are virgins. Consult with Garry to see if any are missing. Find them if safe to do so and return to me if not."
Kirby and Rabby popped away. Harry's four remaining companions waited silently for orders.
"What are our chances Firenz?"
"True Sight does not show visions of what can not be changed. Another failing of your prophets."
When I come in truth.
He shook off the nausea that Her voice ringing in his mind inspired.
"Good. Let's go talk to the centaurs."
"Mast- Harry, if the Star Gazers be in the bad vision, shouldn't we be not involving them?"
"No. We need to learn what they know. That ritual circle is in the forest. Plus, we can tell them what not to do." He turned to Draco and Luna . "You two should get somewhere safe."
"We're not leaving you," Draco said.
At the same time, Luna said, "we can help."
Harry thought for several moments. "Draco, didn't you start a dueling club some time ago? Dark Defenders or something?"
"Yes."
"Anyone any good?"
"About ten. Another five are pretty good with defensive spells but are rubbish on offensive. Although," Draco looked sheepishly at Luna "this one is probably the best in the school baring you and perhaps Snape."
"Snape isn't exactly a viable option. I don't know if he's still in the school."
"He's in the building." Luna said in her dreamy voice that brook no argument. "His loyalty is not to the Dark Lady. Besides," she said in her normal voice, her eyes returning to the present, "I have him for DADA next block."
Harry hadn't told her of the Dark Lady. Draco looked between his friends, utterly lost.
"We'll be fighting for our lives next block. Practical application makes a good intro to any class."
"Do we have time for jokes?"
"Right you are Draco. Back to work. Marty."
Another male house elf appeared. Harry conjured pen and paper, scribbled a quick note, sealed it with conjured wax, and pressed his ring into the seal.
"Take this to Amelia Bones directly. No one else at the ministry will be able to read it. Make a nuisance of yourself until she gets her butt into gear."
The elf grinned and popped away.
"Luna, I need you to protect the children."
"They have the faculty."
"Only three of which will be effective in a fight."
"I won't leave you."
"If you stay, you'll get me killed."
"You saw it?"
He shook off the urge to lie. "I know it. I have a- "
"Saving people thing?"
He grinned as she quoted words she had no business knowing Hermione said, and took both her hands.
"Please. I'm not asking you to leave the country. Just protect the kids."
"Where it's safe?"
"Where it's safe."
"You're not asking Draco to leave."
"Would if I could, "Harry said with a grimace.
"You and your bloody women." Draco rolled his as he made a snap decision to trust the girl he'd dismissed and abused for so long. "He's my Liege Lord. Lord Potter saved my mother's life. My bond and debt makes it impossible for even Harry to command me away."
Understanding the vulnerability the proud boy had shown her and feeling the familiar pang of loss at the thought of her own mother, she nodded, kissed Harry on the cheek and left.
"Alright, "Harry said after watching her walk away for a moment. "Lead us to the centaurs Firenze."
"I warn you, Harry, they will not give you a warm welcome with me accompanying you. Especially not with our bond." He shivered and rubbed the permanent scar in the shape of his previous head stallion's hoof in the centre of his chest.
"You and Harly are the first Runners in how long? I think they'll welcome us just fine. And if they don't, I have a trick or two."
Finding centaurs proved as easy as walking fifty feet into the forest. Fifteen surrounded them quickly and led them to a clearing were the majority of the herd had gathered.
"Outcast, how could these two legged foals convince you to face death?" said Magorian, the chestnut coloured, black eyed leader of the centaurs in the Forbidden Forest. He turned from watching the stars brighten as the sun set to face them. His jaw slackened and eyes widened to see a Star-eyed, clothed in a fine black dress, sitting on Firenze's back. Initially, he, along with the rest of the herd, was so struck by the wondrous development, that they didn't notice that he was magically bound, not just to Harly, but Harry also.
When that realization struck, confusion and outrage spread.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Harry made soothing motions as he would to a horse. If Magorian had caught on to the connection he would be furious, instead he found a little tension slip away.
"My name is Harry Potter. Harly Star-Eyed is in my employ. I gave her leave to break her bond with me to join Firenze. Instead, he decided I had given a gift great enough to include me in their bond as well. I meant no disrespect by accepting."
Taken in by the charismatic human foal, Magorian paused.
"That is a great boon." Whose gift he spoke of remained unclear. "Though your pretty words are
deceptions. Wizards do not employ the Star-Eyed. They slave them."
"Harry," Harly emphasized the familiar use of his first name, a gesture lost on the centaurs who cared not about the titles wizards insisted on, "does not be enslaving no-one. All fifty-one elves be given a wage, uniform, and even vacation long before he be freeing all the elves. Harry Potter be great friend to all house elves."
"This foal. freed all of the Star-Eyed?"
"You grow to content to ignore the rest of the world while you hide in the forest, Magorian," Firenze said.
Both centaurs pawed the ground as they stared each other down.
"Only those in England," Harry said quickly to distract from the rising tension. "I would like to improve conditions in other countries too. but England was the worst."
"I expect," Firenze said while keeping a wary eye on Magorian, "that many more Star-Eyed will seek the old ways once they have a chance to grasp the full meaning of their freedom. Though the nature of our bond with them may change if the majority choose to straddle both worlds as my Harly has."
"Harry welcome elves as family and friend. I would not leave Harry Potter to bond Firenze. I would not be doing for clothes neithers." All two feet of Harly stared down the centaur, challenging him to insult her beloved master. "He a friend to all elves and be betraying his own kind to fix wrongs of bad wizards."
"The bond between Runners is a marvelous thing, but not worth enslaving yourself."
"My bond was initiated and the parameters chosen by myself. It is one of friendship and loyalty as kin, not service." Firenze stood proud. "I would not break my bond to the man for readmittance to the herd nor to avoid any repercussions for the bond."
"Do not be ridiculous," said a lilting voice. A gorgeous centaur with the body of a dainty white mare and torso of a willowy blond with elf like facial features and full bared breasts made her way through the herd.
Harry had never seen a female centaur before. No one had. They were sheltered and fiercely protected by their herds.
He kept his eyes firmly on her face. Her lips twitched into a knowing smile.
"Firenze will of course be welcomed back with open and apologetic arms." She embraced Firenze for a long moment. "We have missed you. It was foolish to send you away, but you have accomplished much with the humans. Star-Eyed it is my great honour to make your acquaintance. "
"The honour be mine, herd mistress." Harly took the offered hand and used it to steady her leap from Firenze's back to the mare's.
"My name is Galadriel. I am pleased to meet you as well, young Harry Potter. My herd has been mistaken in describing you as a foal to me. You have the scent of a stallion." She gave him an appraising look. "What a shame you were born with two legs."
"Are you flirting with me, Galadriel?"
"It is my duty to find those most worthy to sire my foals. Perhaps with a bit of magic?"
None of the centaurs looked protective, jealous, or even disgusted. Their non-reaction snapped the last piece of the puzzle into place.
"This is your herd, isn't it? At best, Magorian is your second in command."
"And clever too. Magorian is what you would call my general. Female centaurs are very rare. I have foaled three daughters," she tossed her golden mane of hair proudly. "Two remain. My eldest has already established her own herd and went further south. The other two are twins, a rare blessing indeed. They are nearly ready to bear their first foals."
She gave him a long and considered look. Then, startling him out of his skin, she fondled his genitals through his jeans. "Yes," she said, "you would do fine for their first and produce strong offspring."
"I'm flattered," Harry said, "but I don't have the right equipment and am spoken for at any rate."
"Speak to your mare. It has been many centuries since wizard kind has gifted seed and we feel the loss as the magic dwindles in our blood."
"So then, it's happened before?"
"How do you think we gained magic? The Star-Eyed gave enough for the runs, but since our union with wizards we have been able to read the stars with more accuracy and heal the injured by tapping into the ley lines. Our healers grow scarce. I would strengthen my herd by tying it to you."
Harry cleared his throat and chose his words carefully. "My mare," he shook his head. "Hermione has been taken. Getting her back is part of the reason I've come to beg your assistance. The Run revealed risks involved. Risks that endanger the Forest and possibly the world."
"To lose one's mare is a tragedy above any other," Magorian said.
"We will not fight, but we will lend all tactical aid we can in finding your mare." Galadriel smirked to show she had caught Harry trying to avoid giving an answer to her request. "Perhaps our show of good faith will convince her to let my daughters make use of her stallion." She mercifully released his balls and they began to plan.
Harry described the ritual space.
Hanging his head in shame, Magorian said, "I know the evil of which you speak. A group of Dark wizards occasionally use a ritual space deep in the forest for unspeakable evil."
"What have you done to remove them?"
"We confronted them when they first made themselves known. Many died."
"When was that?"
"Perhaps a hundred years ago. Perhaps more."
"You've let dark wizards infest this forest for over a century?"
"Do not blame the centaurs for the failings of wizards." Magorian pawed at the earth.
"I don't. I will kill all of them for their failure. However, Godric Gryffindor made a deal with the centaurs when they first came to him for sanctuary. You were given the forest for as long as you were responsible stewards. You've broken that trust."
"Perhaps we have," Galadriel said, her hand held up to forestall Magician's heated response, "but you were not the one who had to order her children to die. I was young then. Our herd was only just beginning. I sent fifty warriors, forty of them my own sons, to the slaughter. One came back lame to give us the message. We would not be hunted if we turned a blind eye.
Only six of us remained, Magorian the only warrior among us, and then only a few years from a foal himself. I could not risk the rest of my herd, and if I had, we would have died. It has taken us this long to build our ranks and I still morn for my fallen sons every day."
"While I respect your loss, Galadriel, you've traded your lives for the students that go missing in the forest every year. No, all you traded was your pride. Forming an alliance with any number of the creatures of this forest could have routed the Dark wizards easily. If my memory serves, dragons called this forest home until a student attempted to steal an egg about thirty years ago and they nearly demolished the castle. You allowed this forest to become infested with evil.
"Though it brings me no joy, as heir of Gryffindor I revoke your stewardship. While you will not be asked to leave, you are nothing more than guests. To earn your home back you must find your spines and defend it."
The centaurs wanted to be furious, but they felt the truth of his words shift their relationship
with the land under their hooves and felt the fear that had been growing more than a century come to a head.
"Firenze and Harly will walk you through the plan of attack. Available Potter elves to me." Forty seven elves popped into the clearing. "The forest and shortly the castle will be under attack. Prepare with the centaurs. Draco, with me."
Harry apparated with Draco to the high table in the Great Hall. The boys stood on the solid oak table, causing the chatter of the eight hundred Hogwarts students to sputter and die.
The four house tables floated near the ceiling. Cots had been set up in orderly rows and, while covered in the knapsacks each student's had been given ten minutes to pack, most sat empty.
Friends huddled together. Professors stood in pairs by exits and windows. Ghosts and patronuses patrolled among students too frightened to be bolstered by the charms' uplifting presence. Anxiety and anticipation crackled through the air.
"We face a great danger," Harry said. Though he used no Sonorus Charm, the acoustics carried his voice easily in the silence. "Adults often keep the truth from us to protect us, but in my experience that only leads to kids underestimating the unknown danger and ending up dead."
Several students and Hagrid nodded at his words. Other teachers either looked scandalized or sheepish.
"The truth is that there are Death Eaters on the grounds. They've been using an ancient ritual space in the Forest to sacrifice students for years."
Babbling cried out and sank to her knees. Her daughter had gone missing ten years ago. As her shock turned to gentle sobbing, Minerva went to comfort her, tears threatening her own eyes.
"I don't tell you this to frighten you. I tell you so you'll be ready. So you know what we will be fighting against. And I do mean we.
"The aurors have been called, we have Tonks and our faculty is exceptionally talented. But there are trained and experienced killers at our door. The aurors may not come in time, and if they don't we can't hide behind the adults. We have to protect ourselves, protect our friends, and protect our school.
More than anyone, I understand what I'm asking of you. Since I was old enough to walk I've been trained to fight evil. Every day of my childhood I fought against Voldemort.
The very last thing I want is to ask you to do is fight as I had to, but I have no choice. They are trying to raise something worse than Voldemort and we have to stop them before their darkness threatens every kid like us on the planet.
I beat Voldemort when I was only fifteen and I swear to you I will beat the spineless lackeys hiding in our forest. I will do my very best to ensure they do not make it to the gate, but if they slip past I need to know you will hold the last line of defense. Will you help me?"
A cheer went up. As they chanted, he used the courage, faith, and determination in the room to create fifty of his patronus infused stays. Unable to resist the flashy entrance, he had them spring from the stone steps below the table he stood on. These were not as durable or strong as his first. They would not last more than a month, but he needed to make many without exhausting himself.
The sentient statues followed the orders of his crystalline stag, with which he established a mental link. Ten remained in the hall while the others dispersed to patrol the castle.
Harry sagged a little at the drain, but felt a sudden surge from the most unlikely source. Lily, who was safely stowed at the Shrieking Shack, woke to act as a conduit. She fed him power directly from the ley lines.
He immediately checked their bond to make sure she hadn't hurt herself, but the little elfling felt fine. Better not to test it. He resisted the urge to create a hundred more statues and send word to the centaurs to stand down. There was no way to know if Lily would be able to do that again. He needed to conserve these new reserves.
With Draco, Luna, and the faculty's help, the students were broken into groups dependent first on proficiency with defensive spells rather than age or house. The top 50 students were each given a group of students to coach and support. Teachers circulated the entire hall offering tips and demonstrations.
"This is impressive Harry." Tonks said. "I never thought I'd see all the houses working together like this. Did you see that Zambini? He's teaching a group of Raven claws and Hufflepuff s a sheild spell without an once of derision. I know his mother. That is a miracle."
"It's amazing what the threat of death will do, but this is all for show," he added quietly. "They will not get past me. If they do, I have a small army of house elves riding pissed off centaurs."
Tonks burst out laughing, but grew uncharacteristically serious. "Joking aside, it is truly amazing what you inspire."
"He doesn't see himself the way we do," Luna said. She took one of Harry's hands then, surprising all of them, one of Tonks's. "That's one of the reasons he needs us."
"I've got a big enough ego already," he said. "I don't need credit for this. I only said some pretty words. Actually, they were terrifying words and my voice cracked twice. This is all them."
"It's sweet that you think that," Tonks said and kissed his cheek without a thought.
Luna frowned. How did she do that? It had taken her weeks to get close to and feel comfortable enough to hold Harry's hand. Even then she only did so when she thought he would take it as a sign of friendship or support. She needed Hermione back. Tonks was too wild to be a reasonable example and it was imperative for the proper future for Hermione to be with Harry for any major developments. Luna would have to talk to Tonks.
Perhaps after the threat of death had past. Yes. That was only prudent. She wasn't putting it off. She wasn't. Oh goddess. What would she say?
"Master Harry." Garry ran up to the trio with Rabby close behind. "We first be checking students against the school record so we not realize. "Garry pulled at his ears in agitation. "Then Rabby check against enrollment not just attendance."
"Who is it?" A golf ball of ice sat in his stomach as he looked out at the sea of determined faces practicing for war.
"Two whos. Daphne and Astoria Greengrass be picked up by their father this morning."
"Daphne?" Draco had joined them when he saw the pained look on Harry's face. Now his own wore one of frozen shock. "My father wrote to me yesterday. He'd settled on a- a price for our engagement. Gods Harry. I thought he had been so insistent on the celibacy clause out of some crazy old fashioned sensibility. But really it was for-
"I haven't even told her. I wanted to make it special. More like a proposal, you know. As if either of us had a choice."
Harry pulled his friend into a stiff hug. "We'll get them back," he vowed. "All three of them."