"We are not retreating—we are advancing in another direction."
General Douglas MacArthur
40 minutes prior.
Lewis Llewellyn rubbed the sleep from his eyes and cursed the day he became a reporter. Of all the things to be doing on Christmas day, he was stuck in a room with the Interim Minister of Magical Law Enforcement Ben Laud who made drying paint look interesting. It wasn't that Ben wasn't interesting, no, it was that the Auror made Lewis sit in a chair in the corner of his office while he worked. This had suppose to have been an interview about the attacks last summer but Laud wasn't talking. Desmond Moody was kind to him though. They had had lunch together, a kind of mock Christmas meal consisting of reheated turkey and twice warmed mashed potatoes. But hey, Lewis thought, at least the bread was fresh.
"So…Minister Laud…as a Law Enforcement agent…do you ever, yaw know, enforce the law?" Lewis asked in jest. Laud wasn't going to start a conversation so he might as well should.
Laud looked as if he was about to answer him but before he could Desmond burst into the room, looking frantic. "Minister, there's been a sighting of the Dark Mark at Godric's Hallow."
"What?" Laud hissed.
"At least one confirmed dead, others wounded and the fighting is still going on. But I need your ok to send forces."
"Do it!" Laud demanded, grabbing his wand from his desk and storming out of the room. Desmond and Lewis in suit. "Contact Victory- inform her of the development. Call up squads B and C from Hogsmeade. Also get Mad Eye and Gideon informed but don't call them in just yet."
"What about him?" Desmond asked, pointing to Lewis.
Laud glanced at him. "Nothing gets printed till I say so. Got it?"
"Yes sir."
"He stays with me. He's my shadow now."
"Understood." Desmond nodded curtly. "Where are we going?"
"My first concern is the Minister's safety, as loathed as I am to admit it, we're going to his quarters."
"Already sent a detail of Hit Wizards and Guardians to his personal chambers. His wife is currently visiting family but his daughter is downstairs."
"Get her." Laud ordered. Desmond motioned to another Auror who nodded and obeyed. Lewis was scribbling everything down on his notebook. As Laud pushed opened the door, he called out angrily. "And someone contact Victory!"
35 minutes prior.
Victory Hawke sank into the chair in Dumbledore's office. She was hunched over, sitting painfully still and with a dazed look on her face. Albus' hand was on her shoulder, squeezing it tightly but only to keep her sitting. She looked murderous.
"How many are over there?"
"Of all guys: about seven we know that are trained to handle a good duel. Fletcher, Black, Ella Figg, Monroe, Shane and Quentin, his wife too."
"How many Death Eaters?"
The flickering image of Desmond's face in the fire hesitated. "At least twice that number. Four in the pub the rest running through the village causing havoc. Laud already sent reinforcements but we have yet to here from there."
"I'm going." Victory said, pushing off Dumbledore's hand. She turned to Kaiya. "Coming?"
Kaiya took a step away. "I stay with Potter."
Hawke looked betrayed. She glanced at Dumbledore. "I believe I have lost an Auror and you gained a teacher. One must admire the loyalty you inspire."
"Ambrosia you know as well I that this is just the beginning."
"To hell with Severus and his plan. I'll fall for it! My men are dying!"
"Think with your mind, not with your heart."
She glared at Albus. "You first." She turned back to the fire. "Keep me informed. I want to know it before Fudge does. Don't alarm him and his daughter though, keep it simple. Move out the forces at Hogsmeade. And make sure Fudge gets to Hecate!"
"Already done."
Dumbledore spoke. "Why Hecate?"
"It's a safety measure. If the Aurors feel the Minister of Magic is in danger, he is moved to a secure location. What place better then our own Academy." Victory was up and pacing, fingering the hilt of her wand anxiously. This time Albus let her walk. There was nothing else he could do to calm her. She hadn't been expecting this. Neither had he. Kaiya and Remus moved a little closer to each other for comfort. Kaiya felt safe when Remus was around. His love for her would be enough. But her mind was with her comrades at Godric's Hallow and Remus knew that. He knew she was trained for action and having to stand by to protect a child was not her idea of service. It was out of respect for Albus that she stayed.
He glanced out into the main hall was McGonagall was playing chess with Harry. The elderly teacher glanced up and read the entire story in Remus' eyes. Something was terribly wrong. She seemed to falter for a moment before picking up again with a well placed move against Harry's Knight.
Severus liked chess too, although it was more of the enjoyment of strategy then warfare. Severus liked to see ornate plans be executed seamlessly. The more perilous and dangerous the game plan became the better. Remus shuttered to think what Severus would attack next. "Okay Severus you've attacked our Pawns, now what?"
