"I hope the war doesn't impact school too badly," Hermione said anxiously. "This is our OWL year! We can't afford any disruption."

She and Dean had finished patrolling the train and joined them for a bit.

"You'll be fine," Ron said, dismissively. "You always pass with flying colors!"

"I only pass because I study hard for every exam!" Hermione retorted. "I don't know it all naturally! Any disruption to our studies could seriously impact our grades and, you three need top results to be an Auror."

"Dad says Lockhart lowered the requirements," Ron said with a shrug. "Make it a bit easier for us."

"I'm glad he did," said Dudley. "There's no chance I'll ever pass potions," he said.

"Well, you won't with that attitude," Hermione said, sniffily. "We all need to buckle down and study hard this year. I do hope Dumbledore has hired a good Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."

"Dad said he was having difficulty," said Ron.

"Maybe Moody will do it again?" Dean said, hopefully.

"I think he'll be too busy with Order of the Phoenix business," Hermione said.

"Snape could be given the job?" Ginny suggested. "He's wanted it for years."

"I hope not!" Dudley, Ron and Dean said together.

"Me too," said Hermione. "I bet he knows his stuff, but he's not exactly a good teacher is he."

"Daddy thinks the positions cursed," said Luna. "It's why we only have teachers for a year."

"Fred and George think so, too," said Ron, surprising Dudley since Ron was usually scornful about Luna and her father's theories.

He yawned and stretched widely, leaning back in his chair. "At least we've got one thing to look forward to this year," he said.

"What's that?" asked Dudley.

"Quidditch," Ron said. "No Triwizard Tournament, the House Cup is bound to be back on."

"That's something for you to look forward to," Dudley pointed out. "You're the only one on the team."

"Wood's left," Ron said. "One of you can try to be keeper."

"I'm more of a beater," said Dudley.

"Yeah, but Fred and George play that position, they're too good," said Dean. "You should go for keeper."

"I dunno, I've never tried it before," said Dudley.

"I'm going for chaser," said Ginny. "Maybe I can uproot Alicia or Katie or Angelina."

"Angelina is too good," said Ron. "She's the best in the school," he looked at Ginny for a few seconds scrutinizing her. "You might be better than Alicia or Katie though," he said, fairly.

"How about you Dean?" he asked. "Gonna try out?"

"I always saw myself as a chaser too," Dean admitted. "But with keeper free, maybe I'll go with that."

"Are you any good?" Ron asked.

"Dunno, I never tried it before," Dean admitted. "But you never know."

"How about you, Luna?" asked Ron. "Trying out for the Ravenclaw team?"

Luna tilted her head to the side and chewed on her bottom lip thoughtfully. "I can fly quite well," she said, matter-of-factly. "But I never thought about trying out."

"Go for it," said Ron. "You do ok when we have practice matches at the Burrow."

Dudley nodded in agreement. While Luna wasn't a great chaser—she wasn't anywhere near as good as Ginny or even Dean, she was competent enough, and the Ravenclaw team wasn't anywhere near as Gryffindor. He thought she might stand a chance.

"I suppose I'll give it a go," she said. "It might be fun to play against you."

"Just as long as you smash Slytherin," Dean said darkly. "I want them to finish dead last this year."

"I'll settle for them not winning the House Cup," said Hermione.

"Of course they won't, we will—we've got by far the best team," said Ron. "As long as we get a good keeper to replace Wood. He was great."

The lunch trolley came around and they all bought snacks. They pooled their money together to order a selection of treats to share, and sat back munching and watching the world go by.

Ron and Luna were playing a game of wizards chess—they were both very good players and evenly matched. Dudley was dozing, half asleep and leaning against the window. Hermione had her nose in a book and Ginny and Dean were talking quidditch tactics.

Suddenly the train shuddered and ground to a halt, so sharply that Ron's chess pieces scattered around the floor (Crookshanks chased after them), Dudley fell off his seat with a grunt of surprise and Ginny and Dean bumped heads.

"What's happening? Are we here?" Dudley asked, glancing around.

"Can't be?" said Hermione, picking up her book. "We've still got over an hour to go ..."

Suddenly, a voice echoed around the cabin. It seemed to come from everywhere at once.

"Stay calm and don't leave the carriages!" the voice said. "The train is under attack. Close the blinds, make sure the doors are locked. Stay together and don't panic. We will handle this."

"Who was that?" Ron said, his jaw dropping open.

"Under attack?" Ginny said, darting towards the window. Dean grabbed her arm and pulled her backwards.

"Aurors," said Hermione. "Didn't you see them at the station getting on board?"

The train was in chaos, there were screams sobs and yells coming from the other carriages.

The Aurors

John Dawlish yawned. Guard duty was boring. He was one of the Aurors assigned to protect the Hogwarts Express. Shacklebolt had laid out the plan. They were to be stationed in the very first carriage, ready to spring to action if Voldemort tried anything. Shacklebolt said that they had recieved no word of an attack from Lockhart's spy in the Death Eaters, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

There were four of them—two full time Aurors, himself and Penelope Flint and their trainee Aurors. Dawlish had been assigned to mentor Cedric Diggory whilst Penelope Flint was mentoring her nephew, Marcus Flint.

Dawlish hadn't been happy about it, but he had to admit, Cedric was a bright lad—capable with a wand, asked good questions but knew when to keep quiet and just observe. He would make a good Auror one day.

They had just been tucking into their food when the train shuddered and ground to a halt. Marcus Flint fell to the floor and Cedric let out a yelp as his bag fell off a shelf and onto his head.

Dawlish acted quickly. This was an attack. He just knew it.

"Get ready!" he ordered. "Remember your training, stick together! Hold off the attack until the quick response team gets here!"

He followed his orders. First, he cast sonorus on himself and ordered the students to remain calm and remain inside. Then, he pulled out a bit of parchment. This had been charmed so that anything written on it appeared on a piece of parchment in the Ministry.

Hogwarts Express under attack, 5 miles west of the Forth Bridge. Unknown number of assailants. Send backup – Dawlish

The first two steps taken care of, it was time to fight.

"Remember, head for cover! On three—one—two-three!"

As he burst out of the carriage, jets of green light shot towards him. He fired a stunner, put his head down and ran towards the trees, diving towards them. He clambered behind one for cover. Cedric Diggory did likewise. Then, a second or so later, so did the two Flints.

"How many?" he asked.

"Three attackers," said Marcus Flint. "I saw them. Death Eaters."

Dawlish nodded. Death Eaters was obvious, clearly they were Death Eaters, but he didn't point this out. He was glad to have an idea of the numbers. It was surprising for Voldemort to attack with just three. There was something else at foot here.

"Diggory, with me, we'll hold them off," he said.

"Flints, watch our rear, make sure none attack us from behind,"

"Got it," said Penelope Flint.

Cedric Diggory and Marcus Flint nodded grimly.

Dawlish burst out of cover, firing a volley of spells at the Death Eaters who countered with killing curses. As he did so, Diggory popped out from behind a tree and launched a stunner which struck the middle Death Eater in the chest.

"Nice one," Dawlish growled.

He fired a stunner of his own and swore. One of the Death Eaters was already reviving the other. That was the problem with non-lethal spells, there was always a countercharm. Lockhart was doing a decent job as Minister, but he wished Yaxley had taken the job. Been able to use lethal force would make the Aurors jobs a whole lot easier.

Percy Weasley

Percy was in his office, writing a report when there came a whistling sound. He felt himself grow cold. That sound came from the Ministry's enchanted parchment. It could only be a request from one of the Auror teams for backup.

He got up quickly, upending his inkwell, but he abrely noticed as he sprinted towards the desk where the enchanted parchment was. His eyes widened as he read the message from Dawlish.

An attack on the train! Ron and Ginny and Fred and George were on it! There was no time to lose. He had to bring this to the Auror department immediately. Tehcnically, he was supposed to bring it to Minister Lockhart, but there was no time—his brothers and sister were in danger! Percy was usually a stickler for the rules, they were needed to keep order. But this time, he would have to bend them and go directly to Shacklebolt. He couldn't delay.

He sprinted from his office and collided hard with someone stood outside his door. It was Corban Yaxley.

"Sorry, Mr. Yaxley, I need to ... the Aurors, please, I'll be back soon," Percy said, trying to squeeze past the burly man.

To his surprise, Yaxley reached out a hand and pushed him hard in the chest.

"What are you ..." Percy began. His eyes widened. Yaxley had his wand out.

"Obliviate," said Yaxley.

The Dementors

The Dementors, 20 strong, waited among the trees as the train approached. Lord Voldemort had given them their orders. Wait until the train stops. Wait until they see the Aurors battling his Death Eaters and then attack.

He had grilled it into them over and over again-attack only the mudbloods. The Dark Lord had a list of names and descriptions from the imperiosed Ollivander of new mudblood students. He had also given the Dementors other targets in other years-Hermione Granger, Dean Thomas, Justin-Finch Fletchley, Colin Creevey, Dennis Creevey and more. They were the targets. Voldemort had expressed that no pure blood or even half blood was to be kissed. Only the muggleborns.

The Dementors had agreed. They were intelligent creatures, able to follow orders and sense the presence of others. A pair of Death Eaters, Antonin Dolohov, and Thorfin Rowle were accompanying the swarm of 20 Dementors. It was going to be there job to held seek out the muggleborns and direct the attack. The Dementors had instructions to follow their lead.

At the front of the train, there came flashes of red and green light. The battle between the Aurors and the Death Eaters had begun.

"Go," said Dolohov, pointing at the train. As one, the Dementors glided towards the Hogwarts Express. It was time to feast.

On the Hogwarts Express

Ginny screamed as she peered out of the window. "Dementors!" she cried. The scream was echoed along the train as other students saw the approaching swarm. "Where?" Ron demanded, pushing Ginny aside. "Blimey! There's loads of them!"

At that moment, the door to their carriage burst open. Immediately, Dudley, Dean, Ron, Luna, Ginny and Hermione leveled their wands at the door.

"Hey! Hey! Be careful!" it was Cassius Warrington, the Slytherin Year 7 prefect.

"What do you want?" Ron demanded.

"The prefects are to patrol the carriages, keep the students inside and calm," he said, addressing Hermione and Dean. "The Head Boy and Girl are trying to keep them at bay. Come on!"

"Wait!" said Dean. "We can help?"

"Help?" Warrington sneered. "You can help by following orders, keep the students calm and ..."

"We can cast a patronus!" Dean interrupted.

"You can?" Warrington demanded.

"Most of us can," Hermione said. "Let us go out there, let us help hold them off."

"Well ... Warrington began.

"They can't do it alone!" Hermione said, fiercely.

"Can the rest of you?" Warrington demanded, glancing around.

"Yeah," said Dudley nodding.

Warrington stared at him for a few seconds, his expression was blank. "Go," he said, giving a small nod. "Anyone who can cast a patronus."

There was a scramble as Dudley, Ron, Dean, Hermione and Luna moved towards the door. Ginny moved to follow, but Ron pushed her back "Stay here," he hissed.

"I want to help!" Ginny shouted.

"Can you cast a patronus?" Warrington demanded.

"No, but ..."

"Then you can help by staying here," he said. "Actually, come with me-help me keep the other students calm."

Ginny looked for a few seconds like she was going to argue, but finally gave a nod of her head. "Fine," she said.

Dudley gave a small nod and he and Ron leapt out of the carriage.

Already, Hermione had cast her otter patronus and was driving it at the approaching Dementors. Dean's falcon Dementor was swooping around them and Luna's hare was gambling forward. There were two other patronuses already there, a crow and a cat. The head boy-Roger Davies-and the head girl-a Hufflepuff called Patricia Stimpson were already fighting.

"Come on!" said Ron. "Expecto patronum!" his terrier patronus shot out of his wand and darted to join the fray.

Dudley closed his eyes. He had always struggled with this spell. "Expecto patronum!" a cloud of silver shot out of his wand. "Come on ..." he growled. "Expecto patronum!" this time, it worked and his warthog patronus gamboled forward.

"Expecto patronum!" a new voice shouted, Dudley glanced around to see who it was and nearly fell over in shock. It was Draco Malfoy.

"You!" he shouted.

"Shut it, Dursley, I don't want to see these bastards get my mates!" Malfoy shouted as he directed his patronus towards the swarm of dementors.

Dudley was amazed, both that Malfoy was helping them and that he could cast a patronus. His patrons was the largest Dudley had seen, with strong wings and a long, snake-like neck. A dragon. A silvery dragon, though not as large as a real dragon, it was still a good 10 feet long.

"Wow!" Dudley said, impressed against his will.

"We're going to fight too!" a voice called. It was Susan Bones, followed by Ernie Macmillan.

"You can cast patronus?" Roger Davies shouted.

"Yes ... well ... kinda," Susan said. "Non-corporeal, but it'll help."

"Stay back in reserve!" Davies ordered, directing his own patronus to the right where the Dementors were trying to break through the defensive line.

Then-a jet of green light struck him in the chest. His patronus blinked out of existence.

"Death Eaters!" Ron shouted as a pair of cloaked figures shot out of the woods, firing spells down at them.

"Shit!" Malfoy swore, diving to the ground as a spell shot over his head.

"Keep the patronuses on the Dementors," a strong, loud voice called, taking command of the situation. It was Dean Thomas. "The Dementors are the biggest threat! We can't let them through," he looked over his shoulder.

"Macmillan, Bones-get some of the prefects out here! We need someone to keep the Death Eaters away!"

"No need!" a voice said. Cassius Warrington was striding forward, with him came Ginny Weasley, Cho Chang, Lavender Brown, Tracey Davies and, to Dudley's surprise, Pansy Parkinson.

"Good," said Dean. "You lot keep the Death Eaters away, be careful-they're shooting to kill."

"So am I!" Tracey snarled. "Avada Kedavra!" a jet of green light shot out of her wand at the Death Eaters who dived to the side to avoid it.

"Tracey!" Hermione shouted, shocked. Her patronus flickered and almost disappeared.

"Hermione! Focus!" Dean ordered.

Dudley could scarcely believe what he was seeing. Dementors attacking. Death Eaters attacking. Roger Davies dead. Slytherins fighting alongside him. Now, Tracey Davies using a killing curse!

Dudley took his eyes off the Dementors to follow Tracey as she darted forward, firing spells at the two Death Eaters who had dived for cover.

Dean swore. "Somebody get her, she's going to get herself killed!"

"I'll go," said Warrington and ran forward.

There came a scream from where Tracey had ran, and then a yell from Warrington. A trio of Dementors were approaching them.

"Malfoy, take care of it!" Dean ordered.

Dudley found himself shocked once more. Malfoy obeyed! His huge dragon patronus dived at the Dementors, scattering them. Meanwhile. Warrington had roughly grabbed Tracey by the neck and dragged her behind a thick tree for cover, a killing curse hit the ground where she had been a moment before.

"Dud! Focus!" Dean snapped.

Dudley shook his head quickly. His patronus has been about the fade. He focused on keeping it there as he sent it to stand beside Luna's hare.

All around him were yells and shouts as the battle went on. Dean had separated the fighters into two groups-Dudley, Dean, Ron, Hermione, Luna, Malfoy and Patricia Stimpson were keeping the dementors at bay. Meanwhile, the others fought the Death Eaters. Lavender was throwing spells with reckless abandon, her face contorted with rage. She had partnered with Cho, Dudley saw. Cho cast defensive charms and conjured a shield to protect each of them, while Lavender hurled hexes and curses at the Death Eaters.

Dean glanced over. "We need to get Warrington and Davies back here!" he ordered. "Parkinson, Ginny-fire as many spells as you can, keep their heads down. Macmillan-go to Warrington."

"Got it!" said Ernie.

Pansy gave a small nod and simultaneously, she and Ginny fired off a volley of stunners, impedimentas, disarming spells and more to keep the two Death Eaters down while Ernie sprinted towards Warrington and Tracey. Out of the corner of his eye, Dudley could see Tracey trying violently to throw off Warrington so she could fight the Death Eaters, but he was holding her tight.

"The line's broken!" Stimpson shouted, she had collapsed to her knees as the effort of keeping her patronus active fell from her. The Dementors surged, swarming towards the back of the train.

"Dudley! Luna! You two cover it!" Dean ordered.

"Come on, Dud!" Luna said, running forward with her hare in front of her. Dudley didn't hesitate, he ran after his girlfriend, directing his warthog patronus to head off the four Dementors who were attacking the rear of the train.

Aurors

John Dawlish was worried-the quick response team should be here by now and, at the rear of the train, he could hear yells and screams as Dementors attacked. This was a mess.

He took a deep breath. "Flint-Marcus Flint," he said.

"What?" the young Auror asked.

"Apparate to the Minsitry, get the Aurors. They haven't gotten my message."

"Ok," he said, and there was a sharp crack as he apparated away.

"Flint, what's happening back there!" he asked, firing a stunner at the three Death Eaters.

"Dementors," Penelope Flint said.

Dawlish swore. Just when things couldn't get any worse.

"The Head boy and girl are fighting back-patronuses," Flint said.

"Do they need help?" Dawlish demanded. He didn't want to split his forces any further. If he sent Flint to help fight the Dementors, then that would leave just himself and Diggory to face the three Death Eaters.

"Not yet, they're holding the line," she said.

"Good, join Diggory and I, we need to take care of these. The Head boy and girl can handle the Dementors," he said, hoping he was right.

"Others are fighting too," said Flint. "There's a whole lot of patronuses out there."

"Good," said Dawlish, grimly, "We just need to keep those at bay until Marcus brings the Aurors ..."

Dudley

"Luna!" he cried. His girlfriend had collapsed and her patronus flickered out. The effort of fighting had drained her. He rushed to her side and knelt beside her. As his concentration lapsed, so did his patronus. It blinked from existence and everything went cold.

"Expecto patronum!" he shouted, a puff of silver-but nothing happened. They were approaching now. Five of them. He was growing cold and sweaty. He could hear Tom Riddle laughing in his head. He could hear the hiss of Slytherins serpent.

"Expecto patronum!" nothing happened.

Then, the coldness lifted as a huge, silver shape flew overhead, it circled once before diving the dementors, driving them back.

Malfoy

Malfoy stared for a few seconds. The mudblood oaf and his airhead girlfriend had collapsed. The Dementors were coming. He smiled. He hated Dudley, for far too long he had waited to see the mudblood get what he deserved. He had made his life a misery during their time at Hogwarts. Bullying him, tormenting him, encouraging other to torment him. He had had his father arrested. His close friend, Gilderoy Lockhart, had thrown his mother behind bars. It was thanks to Dursley that he now had to live with his grandfather.

Dudley deserved this. If anybody deserved the Dementors Kiss, it was him.

He stared as Dudley fell back, tried and failed to produce a patronus. The Dementors were closing in. The end would be soon.

He swore softly. There was a flicker of conscience within him. Leaving Dursley to be kissed by the Dementors was wrong. It wasn't the Malfoy way. When he got revenge on Dudley, it would be one-on-one, man-on-man-not watching in the wings while Dementors finished him off. Hardly knowing why he did it, he raised his wand and directed his patronus to charge down the Dementors attacking his long-term rival. "I'm going to regret this," he muttered, immediately regretting the decision to save the boy he hated so much.

Augusta Longbottom

Augusta Longbottom remained hidden, watching the scene unfold, waiting for her moment to strike at one of the three Death Eaters who were dueling the Aurors. She had arrived on the scene less than a minute ago.

She was a very talented witch with a lot of resources, and she had put those resources to good use by bribing the newest trainee Auror, Marcus Flint, to send her a message when the Death Eaters launched an attack. Augusta had no idea whether Marcus Flint was a talented Auror, or even what he was like as a person, but he was certainly greedy. He had rapidly agreed to tip her off once he saw the galleons on offer.

It had been a worthwhile investment. He had sent her a message—a quick garbled messaged on a scrap of enchanted parchment she had purchased, but the details were enough. And so, she had arrived on the scene. Now, she waited—as much as she wanted revenge on any and all Death Eaters, she had to do this right. She had to pick the right moment to strike.

She gripped her wand tightly and waited. She had to time this just when they started apparating …

The Aurors

"Spread out!" Shacklebolt shouted as his team apparated into the area. He had received word from an almost-breathless Marcus Flint about an attack on the Hogwarts Express. He had quickly summoned every available Auror and made ready to apparate there.

When he arrived, it was chaos. The front of the train was on fire. He had no idea what spells had hit it-he suspected fiendfyre, but the driver and anybody else inside must surely be dead. At the front, he could see Dawlish, Diggory and Flint duelling three masked Death Eaters. At the rear of the train, a blond boy was directing a dragon patronus to charge a group of Dementors.

In the middle of the train, a group of students directed their patronuses to hold a defensive line while another group exchanged spells with a pair of Death Eaters.

It took just a few seconds for him to assess the situation.

"Squad One-assist Dawlish," he ordered. "Squad Two-Patronuses, rear of the train. Now! Squad three! Patronuses, center of the train. Squad Four-on me, we take the Death Eaters in the middle. Squad Five-check the train for injuries! Go!"

And without waiting to see if his orders were obeyed, Shacklebolt ran forward and fired a stunner at the two Death Eaters with Tonks following close behind.

Augusta Longbottom

More Aurors had arrived on the scene. The time was now. Augusta pointed her wand at the three Death Eaters. She had been slowly edging closer, moving surprisingly silently for a woman of her age.

One apparated, then the other. Now—she pointed her wand. The third Death Eater just started to rotate.

"Stupefy!" she hissed. The spell hit him in the back, knocking him forwards.

As quick as a flash, she darted forward and gripped the unconscious figure by the arm. She revolved on the spot and apparated to the basement of the Longbottom house. She had done it. She had captured a Death Eater.

She tossed the unconscious figure to the floor roughly and stared at him with distaste. "Pathetic," she muttered and gave him a sharp kick in the ribs. After taking off her fur-lined hat and gloves, she gave her wand a wave, securing the man with tight ropes. She was taking no chances. She knew that Death Eaters were not to be underestimated.

"So, who do we have here?" she said to herself, bending down and yanking the man's mask off.

Her eyes widened with shock and she felt a sudden surge of pleasure as she revealed the face of Rabastan Lestrange. She could scarcely believe it. This was one of the four who had tortured her son and daughter-in-law into insanity. He was one of the Death Eaters she had been most longing to get her hands on the most and here he was—unconcious and in the basement of her ruined home.

Double checking that Rabastan was secure, she raised her wand. "Enervate," she whispered.

The man's eyes opened and he tried to stand. "What's going on?" he struggled against his bonds. "Who are … what do you think you're doing? Do you know who I am?" his voice got louder the more he struggled.

"I know very well who you are, Rabastan Lestrange," Augusta said. He walked towards him so she was looming over the prone figure. "Do you know who I am?"

The man's eyes widened with shock upon seeing her.

"We're going to have a very long, overdue chat Rabastan. And you are going to tell me everything you know. Now, speak, where is You-Know-Who?"

Rabastan swore at her.

Augusta smiled. She had been expecting that response. Indeed, she had been hoping for it. The Death Eaters had taken so much from her—her son, her daughter-in-law, her grandson and now her home. They deserved everything that would happen to them. To time for mercy and restraint was over. Sometimes, it took a monster to defeat another monster. Augusta had lost so much, it was time for her to become the monster. Let them fear her.

"Crucio," she said.

Dumbledore

There were still prisoners at Azkaban. Lord Voldemort had only broke out his Death Eaters. The rest of the prisoners here had been left to rot. There were a handful of Minister employees keeping guard over the remaining prisoners and a handful of Dementors-old wretched ones who lacked the strength and energy to travel far, so still prowled the halls of the prison.

Dumbledore was here to see one specific prisoner, Morfin Gaunt. He had been imprisoned long ago for murdering three muggles-the Riddle family. Dumbledore suspected that Morfin wasn't the one responsible. That's what he was here to find out. It had taken a while, but finally, he had gotten permission from the Ministry to visit the prisoner. He followed his Ministry guide down the cells. Many were empty, but a few were occupied. Non Death Eaters, now, they were going to be given the Draught of the Living Dead and detained elsewhere.

Dumbledore was unsure whether it would work, but it was clear that they couldn't keep Death Eaters at Azkaban any more.

"Here he is, Professor," his guide, a middle aged witch said.

There was one of the most wretched men who Dumbledore had ever seen sat inside. Much of his hair had fallen out, what little remained was cluttered around the back of his head and was long and greasy. He was blind, Dumbledore saw with a small shudder, and was sat slumped against the wall.

"Morfin Gaunt," said Dumbledore.

He may have been blind, but the man could still hear. His head shot up at the mention of his name. "Who are you?" he rasped and coughed suddenly.

"I am Professor Albus Dumbledore. I am here to talk about Tom Riddle."