Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, I am writing this fanfiction for my own amusement and make no profit, all characters in this story are the property of J.K Rowling, Scholastic, Warner Brothers, etc.
Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, London, 7/21/1997, 17:57
Harry stepped out of the fireplace at Grimmauld Place, the house was almost empty for once and he couldn't help but sigh at the thought that the Weasley family had finally gone back to their own home.
"Harry!" Sirius exclaimed happily when he barged through the kitchen door.
"Hey, nice to see the place Ginger free at last," Harry exclaimed happily.
"Not quite, you did send me a letter to meet you here, not an hour ago," Bill Weasley cut in as he walked into the kitchen followed by his fiance.
"Yeah, I need your expertise in a rather high-risk job I want to pull off," Harry said as he took a seat at the table.
Bill walked around the table and took a seat before looking Harry in the eye, " what's the job?" Bill asked looking deadly serious.
"I need you to break some wards," Harry said as he slid the schematic Daphne had given him on the ministry camp across the table.
Bill snatched the parchment up and looked it over, his eyes flicking back and forth across the parchment.
"You sent moi a letter as well?" Fleur asked while her fiance was looking over the diagram of the wards.
"Yes, if this job is successful I need to send upwards of fifty people across the channel by portkey, and I was hoping you might be able to help with that," Harry answered seriously.
"Zat many people at once could be a problem, I will talk to my papa and see eef he can make some arrangements for these people but I cannot make any promises yet," Fleur said thoughtfully.
"Thanks, Fleur, I would really appreciate that," Harry said genuinely.
So you're planning on freeing the werewolves the ministry captured?" Bill asked looking up from the parchment.
"Yeah, I need to get them out of there before the ministry falls to the death eaters," Harry said looking Bill in the eye.
"Okay, first of all, these wards are seriously powerful the only way I can see getting through them is if I used a wormhole and shut them down from the inside," Bill said after some thought.
"What's a wormhole," Sirius asked curiously.
"It's a ward breaker tool that forms a small tunnel through just about any wards there are," Bill explained distractedly.
"Why can't we just use the wormhole to get them all out?" Harry asked thinking he could easily make that work.
"A wormhole only works for a short amount of time before the wards overpower them and the wormhole collapses," Bill explained.
"Alright, so where do we get a wormhole?" Sirius asked.
"Gringotts, but they are pretty pricey," Bill answered.
"How pricey?" Harry asked.
"Three hundred galleons give or take, can I make a copy of these?" Bill asked indicating the parchment.
"Yeah go ahead," Harry said distractedly.
"The money is not really an issue, how soon can you get one of those wormhole things?" Sirius asked.
"A week while the goblins craft it, if I let them borrow these schematics they can make the wormhole specifically for these wards," Bill explained his eyes gleaming with excitement.
So dose that mean you're in?" Harry asked even though the answer was written on Bill's face.
"Yeah I'm in, breaking these wards should be a challenge," Bill said excitedly.
"Alright then we have to move before the end of the month," Harry said.
"The wormhole should be ready by the twenty-ninth at the latest so we could do this on the thirtieth," Bill said after thinking it over.
"How long would it take once you're in to drop the wards?" Harry asked pulling out a piece of parchment and a quill to take notes.
"Once I get in the wardroom it will take about half an hour, but we need someone to go in and check the place over so we know where the wardroom is and what kind of security they have," Bill said.
"I was planning on bringing Tonks in on this anyway, I could see if she can case the place for us," Sirius cut in.
"Count me in as well, I can 'elp Beel with ze wards," Fleur offered.
"No this is way too dangerous," Bill argued looking worried.
"I am a certified enchanter and 'ave plenty of experience breaking curses, I am coming with you" Fleur replied firmly.
"Alright, but you have to stay with me, I want to be able to marry you next month and I can't do that if you get yourself killed," Bill said softly.
"I will be fine, my fiance will keep me safe," Fleur said looking at him with a tender look in her eyes.
"Oh brother," Harry said rolling his eyes.
"You and your bird are just as sickeningly sweet," Sirius pointed out
"It's true," Fleur pipped in ignoring that Sirius used the hated word.
"Alright then if you're all going to be mean I need to get back to the pack," Harry said with no real heat.
"I'll send word when I place the order for the wormhole so you can pay for it," Bill said with a smirk.
"Okay just send me an owl and I will send you a bank draft," Harry said looking at Bill before turning to his godfather, "Sirius please send Tonks over to the cottage sometime tomorrow," Harry said as he stood from the table.
"I will bring her with me when I come by," Sirius assured him.
"I will be going to France ze day after tomorrow, I will let you know what papa says," Fleur said as she leaned her head on Bill's shoulder.
"Thanks for your help all of you, this mission is very important to me," Harry said before stepping into the fireplace and disappearing in a flash of green flames.
Black Cottage, Wales, 7/22/1997, 11:28
Harry sat in the game room engaged in a game of chess with Justin, he was getting his ass kicked, the blond 0 was very good at the game and had been beating him all morning.
"So did Bill agree to help?" Justin asked casually.
"Yeah, we should be able to pull it off next week," Harry said as Justin's queen took his last knight.
"Damn it, how are you so good at this?" Harry demanded.
"I've been playing chess since I could walk, I actually completed in chess tournaments in primary school," Justin said as his queen checked Harry's king.
Admitting defeat Harry tipped his king over and said, "I'm done, this getting embarrassing."
"Wotcher, Harry," Tonks said as she came through the doorway.
"Hey Tonks, how have you been," Harry said looking up at the pink-haired auror.
"Wotcher blondie," Tonks said winking at Justin.
"She was wearing cutoff denim shorts, a tight fitting 'Van Halen' tee shirt, and flip flops, clearly today was her day off.
" So Justin are you seeing anybody?" Tonks asked batting her eyes at him.
"I'm going to run upstairs, nice to see you, Tonks," Justin said before he quickly walked out of the room.
"What was that about?" Harry asked.
"He's cute," Tonks said with a shrug as she took a seat next to him on the couch.
"He has a thing for Daphne," Harry said shaking his head.
"So Sirius said you wanted my help with something?" Tonks asked changing the subject.
"Yeah, I need information about the werewolf holding facility, the wards, the security everything," Harry said looking Tonks in the eye.
"I've only been there a few times but that place is a fortress," Tonks said seriously.
"I have a rough idea of the outer wards but I need to know where the wardroom is and an accurate schedule for the auror patrols," Harry said hoping that she would agree to spy for him.
"I am currently riding a desk at the moment since my partner was assigned to guard the prime minister, so I could volunteer to work at the camp in the next couple of days," Tonks said thoughtfully.
"That would be great," Harry said letting out a relieved sigh.
"But I want in on this, the way the ministry is treating those people is disgusting," Tonks said looking him in the eye.
"Alright it's fine with me but you need to talk to Sirius, he's in charge of this" Harry told her happy that she was agreeing to help with this.
"Harry, lunch is ready," Lavender said as she came into the room her eyes going amber when she saw Tonks sitting beside him on the couch.
"Alright, are you hungry?" Harry asked looking at Tonks.
"Yeah, I could eat," Tonks said as Harry stood up and walked over to Lavender and took her hand.
"Tonks has agreed to help," Harry said as Tonks joined them at the door.
"Thank you, Tonks," Lavender said genuinely.
"Yeah, just so you know I think of Harry as my cousin and I have no intention of stealing your man," Tonks said to Lavender as they walked up the stairs.
"I know, I just can't shut off these damn instincts," Lavender said softly her eyes shifting back to her normal blue.
"I think of Tonks like my older sister or something," Harry commented casually as they entered the kitchen.
"No, you think of me as a cousin, it makes the thought that I wanted to jump your bones a few months ago less gross," Tonks exclaimed.
"Yeah, we're not talking about that," Harry said pointedly as they entered the kitchen.
Tonks went over and took a seat next to Justin getting a slight glare from Daphne in the process, Harry led Lavender over to their usual spot at the end of the table.
"So what's new this morning?" Harry asked the room at large.
"I found out that Colin likes it when I tickle his-
" I don't want to hear about that Luna!" Harry exclaimed cutting her off midsentence.
"Hmm, well I also found out that there is a pair of thestrals living in the forest," Luna said unperturbed by his outburst.
"Really, aren't those dangerous?" Rose asked looking worried.
"No they are very gentle creatures, just try to avoid them when you're in your wolf form they may not be as gentle then," Harry said with a grin.
"Did Bill and Fleur agree to help with the werewolf camp?" Astoria asked curiously.
"Yes, we should be on for next week sometime," Harry said happily as plates of food appeared in front of everyone.
"So who all is going?" Justin asked blushing slightly as Tonks' arm rubbed against his.
"Me, Tonks and a bunch of order members," Harry answered.
"And me," Lavender spoke up.
"What, no this is way too dangerous and you aren't even trained in fighting," Harry argued.
"I don't need to be, I can change into a five hundred pound killing machine," Lavender rebutted stubbornly.
Harry knew he had reached a fork in the road as far as this conversation was concerned, if he took one path and agreed that she could come Lavender would be very pleased with him for letting her take part in something this important and all would be well between them.
However, if he dug his heels in and forbid her from coming along they would most likely have a very big fight before he would eventually end up caving and letting her come along anyway.
The end reslt would be the same, the question he asked himself was simple.
'Would it be worth it to be stubborn about this and end up sleeping on the couch for a couple of nights when there was no way he was ever going to win this argument?'
The answer to the question was simple as well no matter how much he didn't like it.
'No, it was definitely not be worth it.'
Harry knew he would have to let her come along, they were equals as far as the pack was concerned and she would not take no for an answer on this, she deferred to him on most mattters but he knew she would not let him exclude her from this.
Even though he would give anything to keep her safely at the cottage while he went on this mission, he knew he would have to take her with him.
"Fine, but you have to stay with me the whole time, this is going to be very dangerous" Harry said resignedly.
Lavender beamed at him before leaning over and kissing him on the cheek, "I will don't worry," she whispered softly into his ear.
Justin raised his wand in the air and cast a spell that made a sound like a whip cracking that sent Tonks into a fit of giggles.
"Shut it, Justin," Harry groused making the others at the table laugh lightening the tension a bit.
"So any chance I can get in on this mission?" Colin asked hopefully.
"No, no one else in the pack will be going," Lavender said firmly.
"Harry?" Colin asked hopefully
"I just proved a minute ago that I suck at arguing with her," Harry said with a shrug before popping a crisp into his mouth.
Harry saw Justin raising his hand to cast the spell again and shot a stinging hex that missed his hand by millimetres, Justin hastily put his wand away.
"That wasn't very nice, Harry," Luna scolded looking very amused.
"Can't have dissension in the pack," Harry said with a grin.
"So have you gotten in touch with my contacts yet?" Daphne asked changing the subject.
"Yes, I sent them an owl to meet me at the shrieking shack tomorrow at noon," Harry answered
"Good, I'll come with you to the meeting I know how to deal with those two," Daphne said.
"Alright," Harry said gratefully, he was more than happy to let Daphne do the talking.
"I had better hit the road, I'll let you know what I find out," Tonks said getting up from her seat and running her hand over Justin's shoulder on her way out of the room.
"Thanks, Tonks, be careful," Harry called after her.
"I will. I should be by to see you soon," Tonks called back 0 She he0aded for the fireplace.
The rest of lunch went by quietly, Harry's mind remained on the mission to free the werewolves from the ministry internment camp.
The Shrieking Shack, Hogsmeade, 7/23/1997, 12:04
Harry and Daphne stood in front of the shack waiting on the two men to arrive.
"Say out of curiosity are these two the blokes that put those Gryffindor shits in the hospital wing last fall?" Harry asked curiously.
"Indeed, they did a very good job I must say," Daphne said with a grin.
"Yeah, me and Astoria found them that day I had to drag her to the Three Broomsticks so we didn't catch the blame," Harry said with a scowl.
"My sister is a magnet for trouble," Daphne said as two 'pops' were heard not far away.
Harry's wand slipped into his hand just in case this wasn't who they were expecting, he was number eight on the ministries wanted list after all.
Two enormous blokes wearing dark black robes approached them, the one on the left had blond hair, the one on the right had brown hair and a full beard, both looked to be in their mid-thirties.
"Miss Greengrass always a pleasure," the blond man said as he bowed his head before glancing at Harry, "Karl Smith at your service."
"Hello, my name is Harry," Harry replied offering his hand which Karl shook firmly.
"This is my partner Marco Snyder," Karl said gesturing to the bearded man.
"Pleasure to meet you," Harry said shaking Marco's hand as well.
"Say weren't you the winner U-13 duelling championship in ninety-three?" Marco asked looking him over.
"Yeah, I had to compete in France because the British circuit was a joke," Harry said a bit surprised the man knew who he was.
"Alright to business, what is it you need us to do?" Karl asked.
Harry noticed the man had a slight accent but he couldn't place it.
"I am putting a team together to bust out the werewolves the ministry imprisoned back in May," Harry explained.
"You'll need some serious talent to pull that off," Marco cut in.
"I already have a ward breaker and someone casing the place from the inside," Harry explained.
"So what do you need us to do?" Karl asked.
"I just need you to incapacitate the auror team before they can call for backup, my people will take it from there," Harry explained.
"How many Aurors are we talking about?" Marco asked writing notes in a small notebook.
"Sixteen give or take, the have two roving patrol around the compound perimeter and four guards on each of the two cell blocks," Daphne cut in reading off of her notes.
"Alright, the patrols will be pretty simple to deal with, the stationary guards might be a little more difficult," Karl said thoughtfully.
"I'll let you use one or two of my people, one of them's an auror and can probably help with the guards on the cell blocks," Harry suggested.
"That could work, if they can get us in the cell blocks we shouldn't have much trouble," Marco said looking at Karl who nodded in agreement.
"Alright, we'll take the job but we want half of our fee now and the other half when the job is done," Karl said looking at Harry expectantly.
"Okay, that sounds fair," Harry said pulling two sacks of gold out of his pocket and tossing them to the two men.
Daphne had told him the way these two conducted business so he had come prepared and had two sacks with two hundred and fifty galleons in each.
"When are you pulling the job?" Karl asked as he pocketed the money pouch.
"We're waiting for my ward breaker to get a wormhole custom made, it will probably be ready by next week," Harry said.
"We also need the standard vows of silence on this," Daphne cut in getting nods from the two men.
"Thanks, Daphne," Harry said gratefully.
"Don't mention it," Daphne said looking pleased.
Harry and daphne watched as Karl and Marco drew his wand and swore oaths to not speak of anything discussed here today or anything involving the job.
"So how do we know when and where to go?" Marco asked.
"This is an enchanted coin, when we're good to go back I will send a message through my coin, the time and location will appear on the face side of your coins, the coin will burn hot for a minute when I send the message so keep an eye on it," Harry said as he handed them each a fake galleon.
Luna had explained about the D.A galleons and how Hermione used the protean charm to link them together, Harry couldn't deny that it was a great idea and quickly created a set of coins in preparation for the upcoming mission.
"Good, we'll be ready," Marco said before him and Karl disapparated with a soft, 'pop' 'pop'.
"Well done Potter, would you like to grab lunch while we're here?" Daphne asked.
"Yeah, could you transfigure my face," Harry said liking the idea of visiting the three broomsticks.
Alright, you're about to look like a Greengrass cousin," Daphne said with a smirk.
"Fine, but Astoria can never hear of this," Harry said making Daphne smirk even wider.
"You two bicker worse than siblings, the last thing I want is for it to get worse," Daphne said as she ran her wand over his face.
Harry waited until she was finished before taking the hand mirror she was offering him, he nodded appreciatively as he saw his hair was the same shade of blond as hers, it was no longer messy and had a slight curl to it, his eyes were the same icy blue as hers, his cheekbones were higher, and his skin tone had lightened a couple of shades.
"Not bad," Harry complimented handing the mirror back.
"For the rest of lunch your name is Nathaniel," Daphne said as she led the way down to the village.
Harry sat at a table in the corner with Daphne, both of them were enjoying a french dip sandwich and crisps.
"So I have to ask, what's the deal with you and Justin?" Harry asked after a few minutes of silence.
Harry had noticed in the last couple of days that Daphne and Justin had been spending a lot of time together.
"He's decent company and he does pretty much whatever I want him to," Daphne said with a shrug.
"He knows that you're betrothed," Harry pointed out.
"But I'm not betrothed anymore," Daphne said matter of factly.
"Since when?" Harry asked in surprise.
"Since the head of the family that signed the betrothal contract was killed attacking a property I was staying in nullifying the betrothal contract," Daphne explained before popping a crisp in her mouth.
Harry waved at Rosmerta and raised his tankard receiving a nod from the barmaid.
Harry waited until the barmaid brought them refills on their butterbeer before speaking again.
"Justin is going to be over the moon about that," Harry said before he took another bite of his sandwich.
"You will not tell him anything, I don't want him thinking he has a chance with me," Daphne said seriously.
So you aren't interested in him?" Harry asked sounding confused.
"That's none of your business, I just don't want him to get all weird around me," Daphne said as her cheeks turned pink.
"Alright, I'll keep my snout out of it but I think Tonks is interested in him," Harry said with a smirk.
"Hmm," Daphne said before going quiet.
Harry had to admit that seeing the always stoic Daphne Greengrass look flustered was very amusing.
"Wipe that smile off of your face, Potter," Daphne said testily.
"Sorry, I've just never seen you so indecisive before," Harry said with a shrug.
"Savour it Potter you won't see it again, now let's get back to the cottage," Daphne said as she rose to her feet.
Harry took out a galleon and placed it on the table before following her out of the bar.
They both walked down the high street heading towards the edge of town, "I think this is far enough," Daphne said before disapparating with a soft 'pop.'
Looking around to make sure he wasn't being watched Harry brought his wand up to his face and cancelled the Transfiguration before spinning on the spot.
Black Cottage, Wales, 7/26/1997,13:47
Harry and Lavender were out on the lawn sparring, Harry may have caved to his mate's demand to accompany him on the mission, but he was going to prepare her as much as he possibly could rather she liked it or not.
"You're going too fast," Lavender whined as she barely dodged a stunning spell.
"I'm sorry, but this is what a real fight is like," Harry said as he continued to fire spell after spell at her.
"That has got to be bad for your relationship," Tonks's voice came from behind him.
"She's going with us on the mission, so I was trying to give her a taste of what a real fight was like," Harry said with a shrug as he lowered his wand and received a glare from a sweaty dishevelled Lavender.
Her werewolf reflexes aided her in dodging his spells, the problem she had was his werewolf reflexes made it so he could send his spells at blinding speed so that she was constantly in motion, though he was proud to say he wasn't able to land a single spell on her.
"Oh he will pay for this later," Lavender said mumbled grumpily.
"So what's up Tonks," Harry asked hoping Lavender wasn't serious.
"I visited the holding facility yesterday," Tonks said as she reached into the inside pocket of her robes and pulled a roll of parchment out.
"What's this?" Harry asked as he unrolled it.
"That is a rough map of the compound and the location of the wardroom as well as next weeks rotations schedule," Tonks said as he perused the parchment with interest.
"Excellent, any word from Bill?" Harry asked as he lead the two ladies back to the house.
"Yeah, he said the wormhole should be ready the day after tomorrow," Tonks said as they stepped through the door.
"I'm going to go take a shower," Lavender said before she darted up the stairs.
"Oh, you are so not getting any tonight," Tonks said with a smirk.
"If she's coming with us she should know what she's getting herself into," Harry said with a shrug.
"So how did she do?" Tonks asked curiously as they headed to the game room.
"She is so fast I couldn't land a spell on her?" Harry said with pride.
"That's good," Tonks said as she pushed the door open and stepped in.
Harry followed her in and took a seat on one of the couches.
"So what's the plan, I figure we will be doing this soon?" Tonks asked.
"If all goes to plan we will begin 'Operation Werewolf Liberation' late Thursday night and early into Friday morning," Harry explained.
"So this will be codename O.W.L?" Tonks said with a snort.
"Huh, that's a lot shorter, okay we can call the mission owl," Harry said as he pulled the parchment and found where the wardroom was located.
The wardroom was located almost dead centre of the compound in a repurposed utility shed, and there were always two Aurors stationed on either side of the entrance door.
"Did you get a chance to check out the inside of the wardroom?" Harry asked looking up from the parchment.
"No, it's considered a high-security area, only level ones can enter," Tonks said regretfully.
"Oh well all we have to do is get Bill and Fleur into the wardroom," Harry said with a shrug.
"That shouldn't be very difficult, Savage and Dawlish will be guarding the door Thursday night," Tonks said confidently.
"Yeah I hired some mercenaries to take out the auror contingent, I was hoping you could work with them," Harry said changing the subject.
"They're just stunning them right?" Tonks asked worriedly.
"Yeah, well unless Yaxley is there, then you can cut his fucking head off for all I care," Harry said with a grin.
"He won't be, he's still on medical leave thanks to Xeno," Tonks assured him.
"I need you to take a copy of this to Sirius so he can prep the order team and please make sure Bill takes a look as well," Harry said duplicating the parchment and handing the copy to her.
"Fine, but I want to stay for dinner and flirt with that blond kid," Tonks said as she slipped the parchment inside her robe pocket.
"Alright but I think Daphne's interested in him," Harry warned.
"Tough," Tonks said with a shrug.
'Oh this wasn't going to end well,' Harry thought with a sigh.
Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, London, 7/28/1982, 17:45
Harry stepped out of the fireplace in the kitchen, sitting at the table was the order team and Sirius.
"You're early but everyone is here already so we might as well get started," Sirius said when Harry took a seat at the other end of the table.
"Everyone this is my godson, Harry. Harry this is Hestia Jones," Sirius said indicating the dark-haired woman with a rounded face, pale skin and, deep green eyes sitting to his right
"Moving on we have Sturgis Podmore, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Charlie Weasley," Sirius said indicating the three men on his left.
Sturgis Podmore was a man in his early thirties with sandy blond Hair cut in a way that made his head look like it was thatched.
Harry had met Kingsley Shacklebolt a few times before, he was dark-skinned with a bald head and wore a large hooped earring, he was known as one of the best fighters in the order.
Finally, there was Charlie Weasley, he was built like Fred and George, short with a stocky build and dark tanned skin, he had burns all over his arms and a deep scar on his left cheek, and just like all the other Weasleys, he had the signature red hair.
"Pleasure to meet you all," Harry said in greeting.
"Pleased to meet you, are you of age yet?" Hestia asked with a smirk making Sirius scowl.
"Enough of that Jones, he's way too young for you," Sirius said grumpily.
"Don't get all Jealous Sirius, I thought Potter put on a good show the other night," Tonks spoke up.
"Okay we're getting off topic here," Harry cut in before Sirius could reply.
"Yeah okay, Bill you're up," Sirius said happy for the change of topic.
"I have the wormhole, it should open a hole in the wards for about ten minutes," Bill explained as he placed what looked like a foot long section of wooden pipe on the table.
"Alright, we will be splitting into three teams; Bill, Fleur, and Charlie are going to take out the two Aurors guarding the wardroom before they begin collapsing the wards."
"Tonks, Shacklebolt and Harry's mercenaries will take care of the roving patrols and the guards on both cellblocks hopefully before the wards come down.
"The final team will wait for the all-clear before moving in and splitting up between the two cell blocks, they will free the prisoners and wait until the ward team drops the wards. Then they will start portkeying the prisoners away in groups of three to France," Sirius explained.
"My papa was able to secure a large property near the alps that should be large enough to accommodate all of zem, ze French ministry will be coming in to interview them in ze next few weeks," Fleur explained softly.
"Why would they interview them?" Harry asked suspiciously.
"Ze ministry has a program to supply all werewolves with wolfsbane provided they are employed," Fleur explained.
The meeting lasted for most of the evening getting all of the fine details sorted out.
Harry passed everyone an enchanted coin, this went over well with the team as it would help synchronize the different team's movements.
As Harry sat there he had a very good feeling about this mission, he was confident the operation werewolf liberation would be a success.