Chapter 44

Ginny

Harry was the chosen one. I was his girlfriend. Hermione would always be the smart one, and I would always be her friend. Ron was loyal, loyal to a fault and I was his sister. Mom was the Professor, and I was her daughter. Sometimes it felt like I wasn't anyone myself, only identifiable by who I was to those around me. So when Reyna, Frank and Annabeth told me that I was chosen to lead one of two air cavalry squads should it become necessary to defend the school from an all out attack by Voldemort's followers I admit it felt good.

I felt like I must be the most badass bitch ever!

My squad would consist of some of the best flyers in Gryffindor, as well as Ravenclaw, and we would potentially have Jason and Frank attached should the need arise. The other squad was to be led by either Fred or George, who decided to flip a coin then not tell the result. I would have Neville as my clean up flyer, while they would have Seamus, who had come on strong in both his flying and spell casting in the last several weeks as well as the best flyers from Hufflepuff and the rest of the Ravenclaw team.

Harry, Ron and Hermione were not assigned to anything. It was decided that since Harry had to be the one to kill Voldemort by the prophecy, he should be placed where ever combat with Voldemort would be most likely along with Ron and Hermione who refused to be separated. I wasn't asked if I wanted to be separated which frankly annoyed me to no end. But it was just another time I was just an identity relevant to who I was around. As a result those three had to cross train with everyone, but mostly air assault and infantry.

I wasn't worried about Harry. Where ever he went Annabeth, Percy, Nico and Jennifer were to always be near by under the plan that Reyna, Frank and Annabeth developed, and all fighting would be done after a barrage of spells and an umbrella of arrows, plus the air cav softening up and shaping the battle. If that didn't protect him enough then there was nothing that would. Reyna was in overall charge of directing the defense of the castle if necessary , with Hazel and Frank in charge of executing the ground defense plan drafted by the Americans, but mostly by Frank.

In addition to training to defend the castle, we trained for the quests we knew were coming. Here I was with Harry, along with Ron and Hermione of course, as well as Annabeth, Percy and Sirius. The Americans complained that these groups were too large but in the end their complaints fell on deaf ears. We wanted small enough to hide and big enough to hurt, and three of each with a member of the order seemed right. After all, they had gone to Rome and Greece with a group of seven, so we could certainly hunt horcruxes with the same number. As it worked out, although the training was useful, the teams were never used as such.

We began training after dinner every night and lasted until midnight, and all day on weekends. In addition to our own training, DA1 and 2 were tasked, along with Annabeth and Percy, with getting the new recruits up to speed so we worked twice as hard. Still it was worth it and we felt like we were doing something real and important. Our class studies were slackened due to Dumbledore's influence, with the exception of Defense against the Dark Arts and Potions, where if anything the intensity had increased. Herbology, Divination and Magical Creatures were periods of blessed relief.

Annabeth, Hermione and the Headmaster spent enormous amounts of time researching Voldemort's life looking for clues as to what the horcruxes might be and where they might be hidden but their work was frustratingly fruitless until just before time for us to leave for America. Speaking of the America trip, at first it was to be just DA1, a few other students (like George and Fred), my parents and the Order, however as more and more witches and wizards disappeared parents of students got scared and asked for their children to remain at school. As a result, pretty much all of our trainees, which by then numbered one hundred or so, were to go to the States. Getting there would not be a problem, however housing at the other end would as according to the Americans, neither Half Blood nor Jupiter could house that many extras. Neither was designed for guests. Leo and Jennifer solved this by building several new "barracks" in a village near the training field which had individual apartments nicer and better appointed than the regular rooms at Hogwarts.

Leo and Slughorn spent a great deal of time in Leo's shop and they devices they produced were miraculous. Strobe lights from arrows and bombs that would blind the enemy, pure explosive devices like mines which could be activated from afar which he had aerials plant all over the obvious approach routes to the castle, and my favorite, love bombs that sprayed an aerosol of love potion, as well as fear potions and potions that caused instant nausea to all that inhaled. In the end though Leo's greatest invention was a surveillance bug, that literally looked like a bug. It could fly into position from several hundred yards away and then transmit both video and audio feeds back to the Leodis. We immediately planted several at Malfoy Manor, but would see no productivity from them until just before the Christmas Break, when Voldemort briefly appeared there. He was gone before we could decide whether to attack or not and the bug that caught him was outside on a window and could not hear what was said.

Once the last of the non Slytherin students were far enough along in their training, a decision had to be made. Do we begin training Slytherin students despite the fact that we knew many of their parents to be Death Eaters? Snape was able to single out those that were, as well as those that were loyal to the school, the headmaster, and, if not loyal to Harry, at least determined to not assist the dark lord. It was decided that once Slughorn became an instructor he could assist in sorting those out that should be trained out of the list Snape was able to provide.

Given the friendship that had developed the preceding year it was decided that visits to Beaxbatons Academy and Drumstrang were in order. It was readily agreed that Drumstrang's diplomatic party would be led by Dumbledore and Snape and would include Hermione, Harry and a smattering of the Americans. Ron was irritated by this and upon realizing his oversight Dumbledore included Ron and myself as well. Annabeth, Percy, Frank and Hazel would go for the Americans. Beaxbatons would likewise be led by Dumbledore, but Hagrid would replace Snape, and all the Weasley's available would go due to Bill's involvement with Fleur Delacroix, the Beauxbaton's champion from last years tournament. My brother Bill and her had been dating since they worked together at Gringotts over the summer.

Of course once Hermione learned Ron would be around the Delacroixes, she was added to the mission as well. Among the Americans the same went, but Piper and Jason were added, as well as Rachel, who coincidentally was the only one that could actually speak French without using babblefish or a similar spell. The remaining Americans simply could not be spared from training the new recruits.

The biggest problem is that no one knows where Drumstrang is and it is unplottable. Jennifer offered to simply teleport us there, as though it would be no problem for her, but Dumbledore decided against it. He felt that were its hidden nature exposed it would be an insult to the school as its unplottablity was intrinsic to its identity. This left the only solution being to invite them back to Hogwarts, but it would have to be secretive so that no one in the ministry asked what they were doing here again. In the end Dumbledore communicated via a portrait in his office that Igor Karkaroff and representatives of his students should meet Dumbledore at a particular location in Paris, there to apparate to a more private Hogwarts entrance to discuss matters of mutual interest. At the appointed day and time, Dumbledore, Harry, Ron, Hermione and a contingent of Americans flew off to the Eiffel Tower and retrieved our Scandinavian friends.

Introductions were made all around, with Igor and Viktor being the center of attention for the Drumstrang contingent. They had brought about a dozen students but Viktor was so well known from his quidditch play it was as though we had a celebrity in our presence. After a bit we went to the Leodis dining hall for dinner and talk.

"I confess Albus" Igor began, "I have been approached by several of my former colleagues and have been told that if I commit the resources of Drumstrang to their cause all will be forgiven and the dark lord will welcome us. Why should we fight for you?"

"I had hoped our friendship would be the bond necessary." Dumbledore smiled.

"As it should, but I tread a narrow path you must understand. Just as you must care for the well being of your students, I must look out for the well being of my own. His army numbers in the hundreds now, and is growing. He has reportedly convinced the giants to come to his side and send troops against you when the time comes."

"I believe your information is wrong. I have an agreement with Karkus, made through Hagrid and Maxine last summer, wherein the giants would remain neutral."

"Yes, but times change. Karkus is dead, Golgomath rules as of a few days ago, and his loyalties have always been with Voldemort."

"I see. That is disturbing news indeed. Never the less, we have been training, and would welcome both your students and the ladies of Beaxbaton to observe and join us. Between our students, the Order and our American allies I am confident of our ultimate victory. However, I would not mislead you, the road will be difficult and fraught with danger. You know only too well the power of the Dark Lord."

"And what of Severus?"

"His loyalty is unquestionable." Dumbledore replied, which was a nice thing to say given that Snape was seated next to him.

"There are rumors that you are training an army, so these rumors are true then?"

"No. They are not. Our American friends are training an army. If you like, after this delicious respite Miss Jennifer has prepared for us, I am sure Miss Hazel and her colleagues would give your students a walk through."

"We would be pleased to Professor" Hazel said.

"This little girl leads your army?" Igor laughed, and his students with him.

"No, I'm the quest leader for the American contingent. Reyna, Percy, Frank and Annabeth lead the various combat groups with Frank being strategic command and Reyna being in overall tactical command in the field. I lead all the combat, training and quest missions of our contingent, but do so with the consent and advice of those I lead. I'm like Eisenhower to their Patton, Bradley, Montgomery and Arnold. Why?" Hazel asked, some what confused it would seem. The rest of the Americans looked as though they were taken back by his words as well.

"Its just that you should be playing with dolls and learning to sew little girl. Leave the fighting to those who can do it!" Igor bellowed to the laughter of his students and the growing rage of the Americans.

"Igor, I suspect when you see" Dumbledore began, only to be interrupted by Hazel.

"No, its okay Professor. I understand." Hazel said, her voice filled with resigned sadness as she held up one hand to silence him. She climbed onto her chair and pointed at the biggest, meanest looking Drumstrang student. "You, you're Viktor aren't you? The great Viktor Krum? Tri Wizard Champion and greatest seeker the game has seen in many years? Tell me Viktor, I'm the American seeker, and as Igor says, just a little girl. Would you care to duel me?"

"You don't have the courage for a duel by Drumstrang rules. We duel to the death or surrender" Viktor replied. "And there is no honor in surrender." He grinned with his friends.

"Fine by me, I've already died once. Tell me Viktor, what is your greatest fear?" Hazel asked as she jumped onto the table among all the plates and goblets.

"What? I have no fear."

"Well now you do! You're afraid of going home and telling your mommy that a little girl kicked your ass in front of all your friends. Accio!" Hazel hissed and all the wands and staves of the Drumstrang contingent flew to her and into her upheld survival bag, which was shaped like a heart with a "Hello Kitty" icon.

"I hear you're a good flyer, the best they say!" Hazel laughed as she pointed her wand at Victor and he rose quickly into the air while she drew her saber and popped her shield. She flung him gently about the room, not yet causing any harm, while continuing to shout and laugh as though throughly insane. "Do you want to learn to fly? I know you can with a broom but my way is so much more exciting!"

Krum was clutching his throat as if he were being choked by an invisible hand flinging him about the room, and the rest of the Drumstrang group sat in stunned silence.

"What's the matter Viktor? Oh, that's right, a little girl can't beat you and she sure can't lead an army! She's not good enough! Isn't that right? Tell me Viktor, do you still want to duel to the death? I've been dead and I've been to the underworld, I'm not afraid to go back. When I die I will be riding through the carnage of battle on the back of a god! I know I shall spend eternity in Elysium with the heros. Do you have that kind of courage Viktor? I could drop you on your head now! It would make a nice satisfying splat when your skull cracked open and your brain splatters across the table. It is a noise I've heard before!"

At this he fell towards the floor gasping for breath until he was again yanked into the air, this time upside down. Hazel was really worked up and slamming Viktor into the walls and rafters as he hung in mid air as if an invisible giant were grabbing his ankle and flinging him about like a rag doll. Each time he hit a wall or rafter there was a yelp and a sickening noise of his flesh being smashed.

"Next thing you know you're at the River Styx and Charon is asking you for drachmas. Then the Fates will ask you why you died like a coward, too scared to stand with your friends, how you betrayed their friendship with your gutlessness. How about it? You ready for that conversation? Are you all about dressing in uniforms and trying to be threatening while not really standing for anything? You and your Igor would turn your back on friends just because you think working with Voldemort would be easier? It is sickening to those of us who have felt the fear of battle and known the glory of victory. Those are things that cowards like yourself and Igor here will never understand. Do you hold your honor to be so trivial as taking the safe, easy way? That is the work of a chicken! A sniveling low life coward! You would not last a minute in the 12th Legion. Lupa would dine on your entrails before your first night ended! Would you like to surrender now? Or would your rather die and let the world know that a little girl kicked your ass and you died as a frightened little boy? Which one Viktor? My time and patience grows short! Surrender like a mouse or die like a rat, I don't care which, you choose!" Hazel screamed as Viktor was now dripping blood and moaning from the rafters, hanging limp and upside down.

Viktor's colleagues were as white as ghosts and all were impotent without their wands and staves to do anything about it. When a couple rose to perhaps grab Hazel every American wand and half the swords were out. The offenders sat back down and remained seated, but Frank, Annabeth and Percy remained standing with their weapons drawn.

"He is unarmed, it is not a fair fight!" one of his classmates shouted.

"We're Americans. We don't believe in fair fights." Leo replied calmly with a Texas accent.

"He yields!" Igor shouted.

"Not until he says it. I don't want him coming back later and saying he never surrendered. How about it Viktor, does the coward you follow speak for you or do you have your own voice?" Hazel shouted.

"I yield! I'm sorry, I should not have shown you disrespect! It was wrong of me." Viktor said, his voice sounding full of fear, pain and sincerity.

Hazel gently lowered him to the table.

She then turned and walked to Igor's seat, standing on the table in front of him in her school girl uniform, once again looking like just the cutest "Hello Kitty" fan you ever saw, pointed her wand at his gigantic ugly nose and said, her voice calm but somehow still filled with all the rage she could muster, "Professor Dumbledore has always treated us as equals in this cause. You don't have to, nor do your students, but don't ever doubt my resolve to lead my team, and don't doubt that I would die for any one of them or the students we have trained. If I would die for them, then you may rest assured I will kill for them. We will destroy Voldemort, his army and his followers. You do not want to be on his side. If you join us, fine, I will fight beside you as if you were my brother, but if you don't and I see any of you on the battlefield, I will destroy your souls and cast the remnants to feed Tartarus. On this you have my word. Jennifer, Will, please heal Mr Krum. If you will excuse me Professor Dumbledore, I fear my dinner is ruined."

Hazel then jumped from the table and marched out, I think to cool off. The room was deathly quiet except for Will and Jennifer singing healing chants and casting healing spells as everyone looked at each other, not quite knowing what to say.

"I wouldn't piss her off again. The Americans she commands and the Brits that are loyal to her would not go as easy on you." I said as Frank, Annabeth and I left to make sure Hazel was okay.

We found her by the pool, dipping her feet in the water and giggling.

"How did I do?" She laughed.

"You were fantastic!" Frank grinned, his eyes full of adoration.

"I think we've created a monster!" Annabeth added with a laugh.

"One thing is for sure. They won't be fighting for Voldemort."

I grinned as I thought to myself, "Nope, I was wrong before. Hazel is the most bad ass bitch ever!"