A/N: So I asked the question of how the battle of hogwarts could be improved on r/hpfanfiction and the many, many replies helped craft this chapter, and future ones. So in a word. Thanks everyone!

As usual, we'll be bouncing between Harry and Sirius until the end.

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The Enemy Within

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Sirius exited the floo with the poise of a lifetime's worth of practice, minus the twelve years of course. He'd been lamenting on that fact quite a bit lately, with his godson getting older each time he saw him. Even now, it felt unreal that his life had been on hold for that long, just over a decade. So much of his godson's life he'd missed.

He found Remus was waiting for him, his face carefully neutral as always.

He'd told his friend of the night's developments as soon as he'd returned home. The reception to his news had been typically quiet, or it would have been if it was just Remus there. Sometimes he still forgot that the Grangers lived with him, with their work taking up much of their time. Their reaction was not as restrained, but in the end they were mollified by his passing on of Dumbledore's words. They could evacuate the school if need be, the school was ancient, as were the protections around it.

What was left unsaid was the fact that their daughter would not flee and leave Harry to his fate if that time came.

He adjusted his Battlecloak slightly - travel via floo was not gentle by any stretch of the word - and nodded at his friend, leading the way as Remus fell into step beside him. The morning throng was much less dramatic later in the morning than it would have been come nine o'clock, thankfully. Moony never liked large crowds, his heightened senses would be overloaded by the press of bodies of multiple species that made up a functioning Ministry of Magic.

Officially, he was here for the day's Wizengamot meeting. Unofficially, he was here to inform the MInister upon the events of the night before. Their next stop would be Gringotts, not that he had any idea how his warning would go down with that lot - no matter how friendly he was with them.

They passed the security desk reserved for users of the Visitors Entrance, which, apart from adding an extra guard, had remained unchanged so far. Amelia, as a halfway measure, had introduced random sweeps of specific offices. There were plans for something more permanent, but that would take time and resources the Ministry didn't currently have. Something he knew annoyed her to no end.

He didn't bother taking in much around him, mostly to avoid the odd looks as he wasn't really in the mood to be Sirius Black today. He hadn't slept much after coming home from Hogwarts, even after FINALLY seeing what his godson had been doing with Dumbledore this year. A part of him worried that Harry would even adjust to a normal life after the war, his life so far had been trial after trial with hardships aplenty.

He made a note to remind him just how abnormal and special his life had been so far. Just because he'd been forced to mature before his time, didn't mean the rest of his life would be more of the same. Yet again, he thanked the old gods for Hermione, as he fully believed she would straighten him out in time. He didn't really feel like Harry's godfather any longer, not since Harry had been a baby. Now he felt more like a brother, uncomfortably like James, and what Lily had become.

"Level one please." Remus's soft voice interrupted his thoughts as the elevator attendant yanked the handle. He'd barely had time to realise where he was before the lift sped backwards and sideways like a particularly violent rollercoaster Lily had shown them before Harry had been born.

Infernal bloody contraptions.

They exited onto the rich royal purple carpet indicative of the administration levels. Despite the British Ministry of Magic's design of descending levels, Administration took up many levels ABOVE the Atrium, with many offices - including the Minister's - looking onto the Atrium and the bustle below. The International Portkey Terminal took up the whole other side of the Atrium opposite the floo's and on the other side of the golden fountain. Only the least important offices looked onto the Terminal. It was a known way for a boss to snub an employee they didn't like.

As it was, they remained on the lift until the last stop before it descended again, the topmost floor, the held the Minister's office, secretary spaces and various meeting rooms. The decor wasn't any different here, only with more opulent furniture, more befitting to host other heads of state, foreign dignitaries and the like.

They exited and walked down the long corridor to the furthermost office, where a secretary sat behind an intimidatingly large desk. The stern, older witch glanced at him blandly. "Welcome to the office of the Minister, do you have an appointment?"

He grinned in reflex to her grimness. "Sirius Black, we're a tad early."

She pulled a pair of dainty spectacles onto her nose and observed them both through them before consulting a large scroll with a quill that zoomed across its surface, adding and scratching words out as they watched. "It appears so." With a somewhat dismissive movement, she waved them through, her eyes already upon a stack of papers zooming towards the desk from elsewhere on the floor.

They entered to find the Minister bent over yet more stacks of parchment, her monocle dangling uselessly. The office itself was odd, an ostentatious gold trimmed hearth matched gaudy but comfy looking furniture. The rest of the room was bare, save for a bookshelf full of legal volumes and an old sideboard that clashed with the rest of the furniture.

She noticed his eyes. "It's getting there Black."

"I noticed the new addition." He replied, does it still have that secret-"

"Not another word." She cut him off bluntly before turning her eyes to his companion. "Good to see you Remus."

He nodded. "Minister."

She pointed at a small lounge area near the fireplace where they sat, she joined them moments later. "I'd offer refreshments but I only have a few minutes before the Wizengamot sits."

"You may need something stronger." He said darkly. "There have been some recent developments which will probably throw your plans for a loop."

She glanced sharply at him at that. "Go on."

"I retrieved that last… object with Tonks. It was destroyed but… Harry had a vision."

Amelia looked at him sceptically. "A vision you say?"

As he struggled to find the words to explain Remus jumped in. "Harry shares a sort of… connection with Voldemort. In the past these… visions, occurs when Harry is asleep and Voldemort feels powerful emotion. It allows him to see into his mind, through his eyes. He saved Arthur Weasley when he was attacked by Voldemort last year due to seeing it happen in his sleep."

Sirius saw the question on Amelia's lips. "Recently, it has become debilitating, and he cannot open the connection at leisure."

"And you haven't told me this before because?"

"You didn't need to know." Sirius said sharply, rallying to defence of what little of his godson's privacy was left. "Nevertheless, what he saw last night was worrying. Voldemort now knows that we know about his Horcruxes, and is moving forward with his plans to attack us. We don't know where, but Dumbledore suspects it could be Gringotts as they have now aided us openly."

The British Minister for Magic spent some time digesting this information. "I'll make sure Robards moves up our own plans." She replied with a knowing nod at Sirius.

Remus glanced between the two. "Spies?"

Amelia frowned at him for a moment before nodding. "We cannot respond properly if information leaks out of this place like a rusty cauldron. The first war showed that. Vetting trustworthy people to put our plan into action has taken too long, and now-" She gestured to Sirius. "We are out of time. The sweep will begin tomorrow." She finished firmly.

She checked the plain clock above the golden mantle, grimacing. "Any other bad news before we part Black?"

"Hogwarts is now in lockdown, the Final Wards have been activated and will be in place for the foreseeable future. No communication or travel in or out." He smirked slightly, thinking of the two-way mirror he'd given Harry.

She nodded distractedly and rose. "Good to know. Now-"

Whatever she was about to say was cut off by a distant scream that drifted through the double wooden doors of the Minister's office. Remus's wand was in his hand instantly and he moved to the door with purposeful steps. He withdrew his own wand from the holster that sat upon his left hip. Amelia's wand flew from the desk and into her outstretched hand, eyes growing hard.

Remus made to open the door, but the Minister stopped him, sweeping past and stepping up to the double doors. She wordlessly tapped a specific pattern upon the rich wood, much like the Diagon Alley entrance in the Leaky Cauldron. As she finished the solid wood first slowly turned opaque, then as clear as glass.

They all peered through the clear doors to find and odd sight: Two secretaries, adorned in their usual long dresses were locked in combat with a third, and Percy Weasley - the Wizengamot Administrator no doubt had been on his way to escort her down to the meeting that was due to meet in a few minutes.

In the few seconds they watched, one of the secretaries Percy and the other were fighting began to change, the dark beard giving a clear tell of the situation. Numerous Administrative staff lay dead or dying, some slumped over desks, others on the floor, wand in hand.

Amelia made to exit but Remus beat her to it, something which - to his amazement - she snarled at before following him. Remus, as soon as he was clear, shot two Piercing Hexes at the bearded secretary and one of the silver streaks struck home. The man fell to the side with the force of the hex, gasping. Percy barely paused, landing a spell on the witch - who's hair was darkening by the second - turning her robes to stone, crushing her.

Amelia disarmed the unknown screaming witch, stowing the wand in her cloak.

He moved to the nearest body, the Minister's private secretary and checked for vital signs - at least that lecture he'd been there for - and found there to be none. His lip curled in fury, after working so hard to prevent this sort of thing happening, fate apparently had other ideas. He checked the other bodies, a grim line forming where his grin once was, while also listening in as the Minister tried to find out what happened. She also undid Percy's spell, bound the witch and silenced her with a few wordless flicks of her wand.

"I heard screams before the lift doors opened." Began Percy, adjusting the spectacles on his sweaty nose before continuing. "They must've heard the lift because they attacked me the instant they saw me." He waved a hand towards a pile of scorched and burning parchment strewn before the lift doors at the end of the corridor. "Then Celia attacked them and then you three turned up." He looked the Minister up and down. "You really should leave Minister-"

"I must ascertain the situation, Weasley!" Amelia snapped back. "There's been no word so far, from any Department Heads."

"But-"

"I take it you remember my position before becoming Minister?"

Percy grimaced. "Yes."

"Then we," She gestured to Remus, herself, Percy and himself. "Will see if this is an isolated incident or not. Celia was it?" The young blonde witch nodded mutely. "I understand if you wish to remain here, but…"

Celia shrugged uncomfortably. "I know a thing or two, I'd rather stick with you lot."

Amelia nodded. "Fine." She shrugged off her Ministerial Cloak, revealing the bone white blouse beneath, and summoning a pair of old Auror boots from her office with a flick of her wand. Transformation completed, to the slight shock of those who witnessed it, she led them away from the lifts and to a wide stretch of bare wall. With a few more taps, it revealed a wide set of stairs that looked like they hadn't been used in a century.

Amelia glanced at them, taking in their surprise. "A remnant of the old Ministry, before lift's were invented and installed. Now -" She brandished her wand at them. "Stunners first, Shield's second, lethal spells third, got it?"

There was not a word of argument among them, he and Remus moved to flank their Minister, with Percy and Celia falling back. Amelia Bones led them into the stale air, her wand already lit, illuminating the darkness beyond. He watched her out of the corner of his eye.

It was hard to believe she was not even a decade older than him, responsibility settled easily upon her shoulders in a way that made him momentarily jealous. Yet again, he wished he'd followed in her footsteps and stepped up to take care of Harry the instant the opportunity arose. At least he'd be safe at Hogwarts, and he resolved to make it through whatever was happening to see his boy again.

Remus looked to be thinking along the same lines as he sent a Patronus off, the Wolf bounding through the marble wall. He then nodded at him, at least someone would know what was happening here.

Harry could feel his eyes drooping, laden with the sleep he hadn't had the night previous. As much as he loved spending alone time with his girlfriend, life tended to get in the way, much like the force of nature that Deputy Headmistress, Head of Gryffindor House and Transfiguration Professor Minerva McGonnagal was.

Hermione was beside him of course, looking far more rested than she had any right to be. She'd gone through her own ordeal the previous night, and had become stronger for it - if the look in her eye was of any indication.

The announcement of the Final Wards being activated had certainly caused a stir at breakfast. Of course Dumbledore couldn't reveal the real reason behind an action that hadn't been used since just after the Castle had been built. Being informed that owls would no longer be able to reach students had caused much more of a stir, with many students taking exception to effectively being cut off from friends and family. Only the Headmaster's strident promise that this measure was only temporary, mollified the masses.

"Elemental Magic," She began, her accent utterly unmoved by the same early morning woes he was suffering from. "is a sub-branch of Transfiguration is among the most ancient of magicks, only surpassed by Ritual Magic. Now, what is an example of Elemental Magic?"

"Aguamenti?" Seamus offered from behind him.

The Professor looked to be expecting this answer, barely batting an eye. "Incorrect Mr. Finnegan, can anyone tell us why?"

Silence filled the classroom, even with his own exhaustive study, he hadn't paid much attention to the theory of the spells he used. Something told him it had something to do with Charms though. "Is it how they work?"

"Yes, but how?" She pressed.

He could only shrug, in response. Hermione's was quill already scribbling away, they all had known their Professor long enough to know she was about to elaborate.

"The singular reason 'Aguamenti' is a charm, rather than any kind of Transfiguration is that, like every other Charm: It merely gives the illusion of creating drinkable water, when in fact it borrows such water from the nearest natural source, altering it slightly enough to drink. To replicate it using this class's discipline would be to change the very air, to will it into being, adding ever so slightly more water to the world. One creates it, the other borrows it. It is the same reason that any water created in this class is toxic to ingest, and will disappear eventually for… the usual reasons."

The sounds of scratching quill's filled the room as everyone, including him, took notes. This was the reason he still attended some classes. The ice spears he could create were not drinkable, it seemed like useful information for the future.

"Elemental Magic is the manipulation of everything that makes up our world, the Air and the Earth. Fire and Water are merely subsets of each of the first two respectively. Creating each on their own is far more difficult than using what is available. Combining multiple elements can also be a shortcut to more complex magic. Over the next month, we shall explore the basics of this particular art. I expect the greatest care, control and focus over this time. I'll say this again; magic, can and will, consume you on a whim."

He had a sudden vision of Dumbledore, holding Voldemort within a floating sphere of water.

At that moment, the very person he'd just thought about appeared in the doorway. "Words to live by indeed Professor." The class looked up at his sudden appearance. "I'd like to borrow Mister Potter and Miss Granger if I could?"

"Of course Headmaster." McGonnagall replied unmoved, waving him and Hermione away.

Dumbledore didn't bother taking them back to his office, instead entering the nearest empty classroom in the next corridor. When they followed him, they found the room already clear of dust, and the old man sitting upon one of the threadbare couches that had found its way into the disused classroom. Behind them the door shut of its own accord and he sent the Headmaster a questioning glance.

Instead of disclosing the apparent rush for this impromptu meeting, he gestured for them to sit opposite him. They did silently upon the opposite, and just as threadbare couch. They were in one of the rare rooms in the castle that had become a semi-private lounge, mostly for those whose friendships were not divided by House. At least that was what the public use for those rooms were, broom cupboards were for the novice couples of Hogwarts.

Dumbledore's voice lowered conspiratorially. "I've just received word that there has been an attack in the Ministry of Magic mere minutes ago. Sirius and Remus are there currently, with the MInister."

A muscle twitched in his leg as if part of his body wanted to get up and go to the Ministry to help. The other part of him realised he didn't have the full story, so he remained where he was to hear the old man out. Hermione's hand and latched on the leg that had twitched, probably to keep him in place.

"I don't have a clear picture of what happened, and neither do they." Dumbledore continued. "They will let me know when they know EXACTLY what is happening, in time."

"So what do we do?" Hermione asked

"You BOTH, will stay in the Castle, and will not try to escape and travel to the Ministry." The Headmaster said forcefully. "What you CAN do, is keep an eye on that ingenious map for me. Until we know more, continue your day. I will keep you informed Harry." He said with a knowing glance at him, as if he could sense how suddenly jittery he'd become.

He nodded and with that, Dumbledore rose and left with barely a nod to acknowledge his leave.

Now alone, he sagged against the cushions, exhaling. Hermione threaded a hand through his perpetually unkempt hair. "They'll be fine."

"I know, it's just the not knowing bit."

"You know I don't like not knowing things." She deadpanned.

He could only snort in amusement. "But how would you learn!? You love learning!"

Her eyes narrowed at him, probably sensing his double-entendre. "I believe we agreed to not speak of that in public."

He waved a hand, enjoying their banter greatly. "But we are in private, this is hardly public." He couldn't help but eye the part of her neck that was unhidden by her hair.

She noticed his gaze, and sniffed. "A thousand cleaning charms wouldn't let you take me upon this couch Harry Potter. God knows what's happened on these over the centuries."

"I'm a Wizard, and you're a Witch - a brilliant one, might I add."

She rolled her eyes. "Flattery won't get you anywhere Mister."

"Yet."

"Oh honestly!" She stood huffily but smiled at him nonetheless. "Now back to class, or we're in for detention." He rose as well, grinning.

Draco Malfoy strode through the empty Great Hall, only sparing a glance for the floating candles that had burned for centuries. The fact that knowing they HAD only burnt for centuries, not for the entire time the castle had existed leant a certain smugness to his thoughts. His seduction of Helena Hufflepuff had the not unfortunate side effect of learning much more about his first home than anyone had even cared to know.

Such history was important though, as antiquated as it had been a millennia ago, magic was special. Those who created this castle were a part of history, some of the most famous - and misunderstood heros of the Wizarding World. He would join the annals of such history, while his future was not as set in stone as it had been - specifically with the apparent destruction of most of his Horcruxes - he would still live to write his own legacy.

Draco's lip curled as unfamiliar thoughts affected his body. They will pay. Those who would destroy his great work. The Wards - another part of history - were legendary in their strength and effectiveness and thus, were a problem, even for him. Their current enactment was the wards at their most effective, no wizard, nor creature could pass through them, in or out. Their only weakness; was what they protected, a school. No ward could properly protect a school to the same level as the Manors of the old families. Only blood created the strongest and most robust of magical protection.

He was headed for one of such weak spots, as he descended the stairs into the smaller trophy room off the Great Hall. Wards of the magnitude of those of Hogwarts needed an anchor, something to draw ambient magic from the air to power the runes. A single place where additions and alterations can be made, or to deactivate them if needs be. His old self had discovered this in his time at Hogwarts.

It sounded simple enough for those uninitiated. The glaring issue with just deactivating these ones in particular was just how strong they were. Without expelling some of the power absorbed to perform tasks that the ward was designed for, they simply grew in strength infinitely - proportional to the scale of the ward. And with a millennia's worth of magical occupants, they would be perhaps some of the strongest wards in the world. Deactivating them would be forcing all of the magical energy stored to be bled into the surrounding area, a lethal experience for anything just outside of the school's wards.

A part of him wanted to see such an event, another singular event in a day of what would be incredible events - with all of the planning he'd done up to this point. It was a testament to his great intellect that allowed his plans to be moved forward at such a pace. He stopped before the fireplace at the far end of the room, one with a large mirror resting on the mantle.

He withdrew a large, perfectly round sapphire from his robe. It was about the size of his fist, and would have been worth a fortune if he cared about such menial material matters. The fact was that it was worth far more than that, for it had belonged atop the staff of Helga Hufflepuff. It had certainly been a shock upon stumbling upon another relic of the Founders, as had been the note left with the - then intact - staff.

She'd left it for her descendants in the aftermath of Helena's betrayal, leaving it in THE room had not been her only mistake, trusting whoever found it would return it to her family was the other. He returned from his musings to see he'd arrived at a mirror. Holding the sapphire in his left hand, he pressed the other against the cool reflective surface.

Nothing happened right away, except for the pulse of light from the sapphire in his off-hand. Then slowly, a chill began to creep up his arm and across his chest. Invisible to the naked eye, but internally his magic was buffeted by ancient enchantments. The cold grew in intensity as it moved ever closer to the artifact, as did the magical tempest that threatened to loosen his hold upon the boy.

Eventually, there was a click, one that he heard as well as felt. The click had come from the mirror itself, the fire died instantly, the hearth grew larger and formed an archway trimmed in shimmering silver as the mirror melted into it, granting him access to the darkened corridor beyond.

Sirius lent low, almost in a crouch against the false wall to the next level. Remus mimicked him with Amelia standing between them, Percy and Celia either side of her. "Ready? Move in the instant the wall disappears." Amelia's voice was steady, commanding, yet tainted with the excitement he felt himself.

A chorus of muttered agreements answered her and she began to repeat the same spell she had previously.

Suddenly it winked out of existence causing him to almost fall forward, he pushed through it however and into the long corridor beyond, stunners flowing from his wand. The dark robed figures cried out their surprise in a tongue unfamiliar to him but managed to shield in time. He and Remus fell into locked combat with the pair, consciously shielding more than usual, mindful of those behind him. Their numerical superiority stymied by the narrow confines, even now, he and Remus had to stand ahead of the Minister to give themselves space.

He'd just deflected an exploding curse into the nearby railing that overlooked the Atrium - leaving a gaping hole, when Amelia moved beside him. She directed a nearby chair to zoom at one of the Dark Robed Ones, he dodged it deftly, redirecting it back at them. With a grunt she flattened the chair to the floor, crushing it like a pancake with the force of her spell.

Remus, in that moment, moved his wand like a whip. The carpet between the combatants rose like a wave and surged towards them, throwing both into the air flailing. A spell caught one of them mid-air, slamming him to the floor with a crunch that made him wince. The other one rolled to his feet and threw something at the floor, instantly the immediate area was filled with an all encompassing darkness. In response he raised a shield before a wind spell dissipated the blackness, revealing an empty corridor.

He grimaced at the apparent escape of their prey, and the fact that the thing that facilitated it looked very familiar. "Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder." He muttered. The Minister, hair slightly askew, looked askance at him. "The Twins sell it."

Her grimace most likely matched his, they hadn't thought of that. There was no way the Twins would help the other side, but there was the question of how it was purchased, or where. Given the guise of those they'd left upstairs, these people had entered disguised and taken the Ministry by surprise. It just remained to be seen if there were still those who were putting up a fight, doubtless one of the strongholds would be the Auror and Law Enforcement Levels.

It would be the same reason that explained why they'd only seen four attackers so far; Administration was mostly made up of those who would only just achieved their OWLS, paperwork never needed much magical skill. The amount of dead gave him pause, even if - whatever this was - was repulsed, the Ministry would be hamstrung for the foreseeable future.

"We'll have to expect more of that then." She huffed to the agreement of the rest of the group.

It was slow going, clearing each office, finding more and more dead each time. Time seemed to loop upon itself as each floor was first accessed via the stairs, then cleared office by office with no resistance. The sudden absence of combatants hung over them ominously as they moved through the pressing silence of each floor. Said silence felt simply wrong to him, being mid morning in the biggest magical institution in Britain.

HIs nerves grew strained at the lack of enemies, so much so that he nearly blasted the magical contraption that cleaned the floors as it appeared suddenly from the office he was about to check. The slow amassing of the dead that grew with each office cleared was something he forced his mind away from with conscious effort. A glance at Remus told him that his friend had already shut his mind down, no doubt hardened by time spent with wolfpacks - congregations of werewolves - both in Britain and abroad.

Amelia had adopted a cold, deadly serious mein. A part of him wondered how guilty she felt, being the sitting MInister that allowed such an invasion to happen. Not that he believed anyone expected an attack of such magnitude to happen. The Deatheaters weren't actually that numerous in number, but it appeared that they had found foriegn wands to bolster their numbers.

He hoped there were those still fighting, those who'd survived the initial surprise of their colleagues turning their wands upon each other. Either way, there were far too many unknowns for his liking, and they had no hope of retaking the Ministry with the five of them, two of whom were merely administration staff.

It was only the level directly above the Atrium that they found survivors, some groaning against walls. Others helped yet more wounded, despite their own wounds. It appeared those they'd fought minutes ago had found their comrades and escaped through this level, not taking the time to exterminate the whole level.

Escape to where exactly, he had no idea, and it didn't bode well. He moved to Amelia's side as she took in the sight of her bandaged and bloody employees emotionlessly.

"You think they've gone?"

"I'd have received word if they had." She replied, her tone brooking no nonsense. "I know for a fact that Alastor is here today."

A ray of hope bloomed within him for a moment. "Poor bastards."

She glanced at him for a moment, before rolling a shoulder. "We need to keep moving."

He nodded and moved over to pry Remus away from a witch with a gash in her hip and matted blood in her hair. "Time to go Moony."

He didn't say anything, simply nodding and stiffened that bandage with a flick of his wand, he then stunned the witch wordlessly, laying her down gently before rising. His hands shook ever so slightly. They rejoined Amelia near the door who gave them a nod and led them out, wands drawn once more. Leaving Percy and Celia behind to tend to the wounded.

They used the hidden stairs once more - the stairs being far wider and more ornate than those previously - and crept out into the Atrium at the very end opposite the Fountain of Magical Brethren. If he weren't completely focussed upon other things, he would have made note of what was not a simple solid wall to end the hall of fireplaces. In fact he could not even see the fountain from where they were, given the fact that the hall curved slightly for reasons unknown to him. He and Remus paused, following Amelia's lead.

This part of the Atrium was the perfect place to set up an ambush, the innumerable fireplaces on either side of the hall were natural places to hide. Amelia's murmur broke into his erratic thoughts. "The both of you, clear each space behind the Floo's for me, I'll move slowly to give you time."

"But that would-" He barely spluttered before she pinned him with a look.

"I'm fully aware Black, do it." She ordered.

"Minister?" Remus asked quietly. "I'm much more-"

"I know," She snapped. "But you will do as I say, I'm not Fudge." She turned her gaze resolutely away from them and tapped herself on the head, the Disillusionment Charm causing her to blend in with the black marble behind her. He grimaced and followed her lead, adding a silencing charm upon his shoes and an extra Disillusionment Charm upon his Battlecloak, oddly, the charm didn't settle properly upon the cloak, shifting and rippling unsettlingly.

He silently huffed and moved to the right of the room, keeping level with Amelia's outline.

Slowly they crept forward, wands directed into every shadow and crevice. He began to almost shake with anticipation as they made it a third of the way along with no incident.

He had only just spied the golden fountain when it happened.

A single, bright purple spell shot towards Amelia, whose dark shape dodged away from it deftly. He quickened his steps, hoping to get close enough to strike before they could overwhelm her. To his left he heard the unmistakable snap of breaking bones, Remus had found one of their attackers.

More spells shot towards her, he chanced a glance towards her in worry, just in time to see her conjure a huge metallic shield which deflected each successive spell with resounding gongs that threatened to deafen him.

He moved faster.

"It's the Minister!" He heard the shout from just ahead and he steeled himself. Whatever shield she was using must have been a weighty one to lose control of her Disillusionment. He turned the next corner to find a man with wild hair, firing curses around the corner of his hiding place. With a deft silent flick of his wand, he severed the man's spine, the cutting curse causing his head to flop forward in a sick imitation of Nearly Headless Nick.

He gritted his teeth and moved forward again, the next one must've heard his approach as he moved almost past the sudden curse at close range. The curse hit his cloak and faded into nothingness, he didn't stop to appreciate it as he rushed forward punching his opponent in the jaw with wand still in hand. The man shouted something intelligible and launched himself bodily at him. By that time he had brought his wand to bear and blasted the man across the room, he hit the opposite way with a sickening crack and didn't get up.

He chanced another glance at Amelia and found her fighting furiously, trading spells with at least five opponents judging by the amount of spells sent her way.

He hurried forward to thin out their number.

After passing a few more fireplaces he saw them, four wizards and a witch spread out across the width of the hall spitting curses and profanity in french. At that moment, he saw Remus's spells impact the group from the side. Exclamations of surprise followed and one of them retaliated in kind, the rest continuing to attack Amelia.

He almost sprinted between the next few fireplaces, as the longer he took, the higher the chance they landed something serious on the Minister - at the least.

He darted around the fireplace - one behind the group - and fired off a string of exploding curses towards the middle of the group. They never saw his attack and were blown violently apart, inadvertently sparing them from Amelia's response, her spells whizzing through the space they'd previously occupied. The witch's body was shredded by his spells, covering the floor in crimson. One of the Wizards lost an arm, the other his whole left side.

The one dueling with Remus turned to flee and was caught in the back by a stunner from Amelia, the force of it sending him sliding along the polished floor. The only one left scrambled to his feet before throwing something at the floor, repeating the trick from before as the air filled with impenetrable darkness.

It didn't last as a wind spell that blew with a force that nearly sent him stumbling, even from the ley side of his makeshift barrier - dispersed it instantly. The man - blown over - was only just getting to his feet as he and Remus sent stunner's at him, his, missed the man by inches, Remus's hit and the man keeled over.

With a wave, he summoned all of their opponents' wands and he tucked them into an inner pocket of his cloak. His next order of business was his Minister, he moved to her and found her taking deep breaths, face flushed.

She noticed his regard. "Don't look so bloody surprised, I always handed your arse to you when you were here."

He swallowed his words, instead replying cheekily: "I just thought riding the desk, plus getting old would have made a difference."

"You're lucky I'm not your boss anymore." She grumbled just as Remus joined them. His friend looked a terrible sight, his threadbare muggle suit was stained with blood and his hands were covered in scratches. The inner wolf shone in his friend's eyes, a slight golden sheen in the light of his irises. He decided upon some decorum for now, if Remus was going to let his fluffy side out, it was at least the right time to do so.

The explosion had scared many of the students out of their wits. Bright white light tinged with blue exploded from seemingly nothing, those few who knew where the wards ended however looked on with shock and fear for other reasons.

Professor McGonagall simply stared out of the window in shock and the spectacle, as all of her students had. Harry was also one of their number who gaped openly in shock. The Forbidden Forest was now an inferno, a line where the wards had extended in that direction left a visible line in them. Ancient trees that had once stood there had been vaporised, the ground blackened.

The Deputy Headmistress's voice cut through his shock. "All of you, to the Great Hall, now. NO detours." Barely any of them had risen before a feline Patronus shot through the wall ahead of them.

He stood and looked at Hermione whose shock looked more profound. "What just happened?"

"The-The wards have been deactivated! They're gone!" She murmured.

"How?"

They were physically chivvied out of the doorway by McGonagall. "No clue Mr. Potter, but you must join your classmates in the Great Hall while we find out what has happened."

He didn't bother arguing and led Hermione - who's mind looked to be racing - from the room, allowing him, and her to digest what just happened. They'd barely moved to the end of the corridor before an announcement rang throughout the Castle. "Could all Students and Staff please make their way to the Great Hall with all due haste, thank you." Rang the unmistakable voice of the Headmaster, even though he seldom made announcements, instead usually delegating those tasks to his deputy.

They reached the Great Hall in short order, sitting at their usual places at the House table without really thinking about it. His own mind was racing. Had the wards been sabotaged? If so, by whom? Were they under attack? Was Dumbledore wrong?

He searched the room for the Headmaster over Hermione's shoulder and found him in discussion with the teacher's who were already there. Other's no doubt would arrive with their class as the Hall was only half full.

He decided to stay put over demanding answers from the old man. He knew nothing about wards, none of his training had covered the topic in any respect. Hermione would have more of an idea, even though no one really knew the ins and outs of Hogwarts Wards themselves. He glanced towards the giant doors, watching as more students arrived in dribs and drabs. The doors to the courtyard were open also, and while he couldn't see any damage from the wards exploding from where he was, he could see the stormy clouds upon the horizon.

Ominous weather, considering what just happened.

A glance back towards the gathered teachers revealed the absence of the Headmaster. Had he gone to the Ministry? Was he dealing with what had just happened to the wards, considering he controlled most of them? His head hurt with the deluge of half-baked thoughts and hasty conclusions.

While he'd been staring outside, the rest of the teachers and students had arrived and each Head of House was performing a roll call. Vaguely, he heard his last name and he replied in the affirmative just as distantly, his mind a wash.

A bright light in the distance outside, from the direction of the clouds had him up and on his feet without realising it. He'd just made it to the entrance to the courtyard as the light - he now recognised as a Patronus - streaked past. Dumbly, he watched it land in front of McGonagall, he could see its shape - a goat - but couldn't hear anything from where he was.

It seemed everyone in the hall did as chatter rose instantly as the Patronus melted away. He spied Hermione moving towards him and simply watched her as a guilty pleasure. How had he not watched her over the years? Granted, he had no clue until fourth year, with the whole Yule Ball debacle. At least Ron had the same lack of confidence he did, it had been reassuring, for a time.

Until it had been directed at Hermione. The odd thing was at the time, he'd been as clueless about his friend as Ron had been. He almost winced at the thought of either of them relegating Hermione to a backup choice. They HAD been fourteen and saddled with the immaturity of boys at that age, they'd just handled things differently.

Seeing her at the top of those stairs, in that dress, looking so unlike - yet so familiar - to the girl he'd come to think of as family… had been a shock. He'd hated the ball, and all of the attention that had come with it - even more attention than he'd had in years past. At least Hermione would have understood, maybe even taught him a few things, as she always had.

Ron had reacted differently of course, that hadn't been fun to deal with. The both of them had been jealous of course, just for different reasons. Ron had been jealous because he liked her more than friends, or probably more that she hadn't been there for him, as she always had. He, on the other hand, had been jealous of her for the fact that she'd thoroughly enjoyed her night - until the end of course.

At least he'd made up for his mistake since then. He hoped.

"Harry?"

He blinked and found the very same girl in front of him, frowning at him.

And she's fucking brilliant.

He pulled her close, more to reaffirm she was really there than anything else. He released her quickly. "Sorry, was just thinking."

"Dumbledore's brother lives in Hogsmeade." She began. "And they've just been attacked by Dementors."

He ignored the first odd fact and concentrated upon the second. "I don't like that timing to be honest."

She pursed her lips, fidgeting before him. "I know."

At that moment, another voice interrupted them, overriding the voices in the Hall with ease. "All students are to return to their House Common Rooms. Those in years six and above, who wish to help secure the Castle, remain here." The hubbub rose once more, as did most of the students as they were led out of the Hall; Slytherin by Slughorn, Ravenclaw by Professor Sinistra, Hufflepuff by Sprout and Gryffindor led by Professor Babbling.

Many of them sent various looks their way as they passed, Ginny especially who looked very much like she would slip away and back to the Hall at the first chance she got.

Perhaps thirty or so students remained in the Hall now, talking amongst themselves as the Professors themselves spoke privately and separately. It was an odd image for sure, the Hall looked very empty, was this the force that would defend the Castle if need be? It wasn't like they could evacuate students through a town they knew had already been attacked. If the Ministry was under attack, who knew if the Floo network was safe, or even worked at all?

"What do you reckon Harry?" He glanced over at Neville, who had joined them.

"It's not good." Was all he could supply.

"The Ministry is under attack the last we heard." Hermione supplied. "I don't think they can supply us with any Auror's to help secure the Castle."

"Don't tell anyone about that Nev." He quickly added. If that got out, there would be panic, at the least.

Neville took that in with wide eyes and fell silent. Slowly, more of those who attended the D.A. joined the three of them at the entrance, gathering together into a separate group from those in the Hall. None of them spoke directly to him, just settling for discussing things amongst themselves. A slight breeze picked up, ruffling Hermione's hair delightfully in his opinion, something he noted despite the current situation.

"Harry?" Neville spoke up again audibly. "Are those clouds darker than before?"

He looked in that direction, as did everyone in the group who heard him.

"I'm not sure." Was his truthful reply.

They watched as dark, ominous clouds rolled unnaturally fast towards the Castle. A few of their number speculated aloud at some sort of weather magic, which didn't make sense to him. Bad weather wouldn't do much damage to the Castle that had already stood for nearly a millennia.

His own theories on the matter lasted until his - now healthy - eyes caught sight of something on the hills under the darkening and rapidly approaching clouds. It looked to him like snow, a sight every student had witnessed in their years of study there. Yet, there didn't seem to be any snow falling upon said hills. Something characterised by the way the clouds would blur the ridgeline of the landscape.

Then he remembered something from years past.

In particular, the way the window on the carriage of the Hogwarts Express frosted, the way the chill moved its way towards the warmth. Frosting the glass of Muggle Vodka Remus had brought with him on the journey in the same wave. That same wave that turned the air frigid within seconds, evidenced by how their breaths fogged in front of their faces.

"Dementors." He breathed.

McGonagall turned sharply in his direction, a part of him wondered how she'd overheard him, but adrenaline helped him curb his curiosity in favour of action. With Dumbledore away to - presumably - try to recant the wards that had fallen, it was down to them.

"Attention, everybody." The deputy Headmistress's Scottish brogue cut through the murmurs of those around them. "Those that can perform the Patronus charm should join Mr. Potter and I in the courtyard, those that cannot, should… take up defensive positions."

He, Hermione and McGonagall led a much smaller group of those inside out into the cool night air which promised to get much colder if they didn't hold the line. Professor Flitwick followed them, and he was joined by around fifteen other D.A members. Following them was Snape, his face a mask, his step surprisingly springy despite the usual flapping of his overly large robes.

Harry could only watch on in shock. It seemed that Snape, of all people, would be the first Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher - in his attendance - to actually defend his students. Unlike Quirrel, Lockhart, Barty Crouch or Umbridge. Even Remus - as much as he liked his honourable uncle - had put him in danger with his lack of caution.

Each of those in the courtyard spread out enough to give themselves room, McGonagall stepped ahead of him, Flitwick to his right and Snape to his left. He nearly said something to the irritable man as he passed them but thought better of it as he glanced once more at the mass of darkness closing in upon them.

Silence descended upon the group, whether that was due to those coming up with the right memory, or just simply waiting, he did not know.

He glanced towards Hermione as she shivered, before unconsciously conjuring her signature blue bell flames, only instead of a jar, they appeared in her left hand, flickering merrily. A smile tugged at his lips, she really was a brilliant witch, a brilliant girl even. As if sensing his gaze, her eyes found his and followed them as he glanced towards the flames she held in her hand. She let out a quiet huff, and he just knew that he was going to get a little lecture on casting those flames later.

He knew what his memory would be the instant their eyes met once more.

Unfortunately he wasn't allowed to dwell upon it as more words of a Scottish lilt broke into his thoughts: "Ready yourselves."

It was then that he set his gaze back to their foe, and he nearly gasped. The black mass hadn't all been the clouds, they had been the sheer mass of Dementors that rolled over the crest of the hill nearest to the bridge. There were hundreds of them, the ground under which they floated froze solid in snaps audible to their ears even so far away. The Black Lake was quickly becoming the White lake as the surface froze solid with loud cracks.

They'd been breeding. This was nothing like the amount of Dementors he'd faced in third year, this seemed like all of them. Every single Dementor from Azkaban and the sea surrounding it, most likely feeding upon muggles to procreate.

With effort, he forced his wayward mind back on task, just as Flitwick squeaked: "Cast!"

The ground around them erupted in white mist that coalesced into an assortment of creatures, dogs, all manner of birds, Luna's hare, Hermione's otter. Flitwick's mist merely swirled about, pooling and growing stronger and brighter. Three Cat's leaped from McGonagall's wand where they stood tall, looking very much like they were about to pounce upon their prey.

The biggest surprise was Snape's, which formed a shining doe.

"Focus!" Called Flitwick. "Find your heart! Unleash it!" The Charms Master's mist formed into an encompassing shield that grew and projected before their small group.

The mass of Dementors were flowing over or by the bridge towards them now, only seconds from meeting them.

Time began to pass at a crawl as the chill enveloped him, and grew with each moment.

He was back in third year, his patronus had driven off maybe a hundred Dementors and here he was, crying. He barely even thought about hugging her like that and wetting her neck with his tears before he was suddenly doing both those things. It had been too much to ask for his parents to come back, and he'd finally realised it.

Yet he had her, she would always be there, as she had been for nearly three years so now.

He'd made a friend, one he hoped he would have forever. There was probably no one else he would overcome the mortification of showing his feelings with, than the girl who'd repaired his broken glasses before even knowing his name.

He found his thoughts upon the room he dreamed of, the dreams of Hermione in it, the memories of Hermione by the fire in the common room, the memories of the dream made real and their first time…

"Expecto Patronum." He muttered, his mind fixed upon their special space, and of her.

His Stag Patronus burst into being in the middle of the mass of white, smoky creatures and shone brightly. Just as it did, Dementors hit Flitwick's Patronus wall and slowly began to overwhelm it. Everyone else directed their Patronuses at the same area, a sea of white light met a seething mass of blackness and decay.

Some got through, and those were attacked and driven off by the corporeal Patroni. Those victories were miniscule however in the face of the hundreds more beyond Flitwick's barrier.

The battle had lasted barely minutes yet it felt like an eternity, but after a while it was becoming obvious their situation was not tenable. It became even more obvious was the fact that the shield wasn't enough, Dementor's threatened to get around it and some did, but they were dealt with by either a feline's clawing, a dog's bite or an avian attack.

Slowly, Flitwick's shield shrank, the Charms Master's arm shaking with effort, leaving the other's to take up the slack.

Under the increasing pressure, some students lost their will or concentration, making the situation worse. All the while, the shield shrank further, letting more of the soul sucking abominations through. He could hear them feeding upon the barrier, their raspy breaths tearing at his resolve. It had been a sound he'd had nightmares of after all.

Just as the shield disappeared completely, many things happened at once.

Fawkes, flamed into being directly above them, his call bringing new heart to those that had flagged. A white copy of the Phoenix appeared in the midst of the avian Patronuses and sent out a wave of molten light which staggered some of their foe. Upon seeing their reinforcement, Patronuses that had faded, re appeared, three cats became one that shone even brighter.

The stones beneath them began to shake with the collective outpouring of power. Stag and Doe stepped up beside the brightly shining feline and began to project their own molten light, pushing back against the mass of darkness. Other luminous creatures darted around and amidst them, driving off each that snuck around the Phoenix, Stag, Cat and Doe.

He gritted his teeth in frustration, they couldn't keep this us for any real length of time. Despite the ease of holding a corporeal Patronus as opposed to a shield variation, they demanded much power from the caster, each pulse of further magic demanded even more.

Even now, Snape was beginning to flag, his Doe shimmering unstably - they had to finish this, now.

Blindly, he grasped Hermione's shoulder and kept his hand there, trying to add another facet to the memory he was using for the charm. His wand arm trembled as he pushed more power into the charm, in response, Prongs stepped forward, stamping a hoof and let out even brighter waves of light.

McGonagall's patronus leaped - very cat like - onto Prongs's back, where it did the same, glowing brighter all the same. Dumbledore finally joined their group, moving to McGonagall's side. The luminous Phoenix swooped down to perch upon the Cat on top of the Stag.

"Together now." Said the Headmaster, his voice dropping from his usual enunciation, betraying some of the Irish lilt underneath.

Fawkes above them gave another fortifying trill, and the three of them pushed forth more magic in response.

Those in the Castle watched in awe as the three brightest patronuses grew even brighter so that they seemed to meld together. The longer they watched, the more it became apparent that they WERE morphing together, forming a truly odd creature. To those watching, it looked as though Prongs grew wings, whiskers and a familiar swishing tail. The Phoenix's fire enveloped the creature and its molten waves began to truly have an effect upon the Dementors.

Dementors were slowly being pushed back, scattered, some even vaporised if fully caught in the magic's grasp.

The fiery Stag stepped forward again, Fawkes dove in response, his tail feathers trailing fire on the Dementors he passed, diving and swooping to avoid each of the vile creature's attempts to pluck him from the air.

Both Harry and Dumbledore visibly reacted to seeing the Phoenix in danger. Both of their wand arms twitched and each pulse grew in intensity, molten light started to behave more like flame. Dementors screeched as they either burnt up by the magic or fled in earnest.

Robes, hair and beards alike were whipped up by the tempest of magic. The rest of the patroni gathered around the beautiful amalgamation, lending it support and magic.

With gathering speed, the darkness was pushed back, strangled screeching betrayed those that perished in the face of the bright white onslaught until suddenly, the night air was cool again. The air; feeling open and free rather than oppressive and filled with fear. The majority of the clouds fled with them over the hills where they'd come, their number ultimately halved by the defenders of Hogwarts.

Future Books, most notably Hogwarts: A History, would immortalise those who participated in the opening salvo of the Battle of Hogwarts. The greatest Dementor attack in living memory, not seen since the Dark Wizard Ekrizdis had lived, their rumored creator.

What the books would never describe however was the immediate aftermath, as many of the students sank to the cobblestones in exhaustion. In a rare show, Fawkes landed upon Dumbledore's shoulder and he fussed the bird. The old man smiled under his familair's attention before he turned to his Deputy, expression grave. "The protections are still active, but have lost all of their power. They will be of little consequence for months… at the least."

McGonagall, who's hair had somehow remained in a perfect bun, gazed towards where the Dementors had retreated. "We must prepare for siege then Albus."

He was close enough to the pair that he could see the pain that clouded the exhaustion in the old man's eyes at that. Instinctually he brought Hermione close to his side, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"I fear that may be necessary, Minerva."

"Can we evacuate the students?"

"No, if we are to be engaged by Tom's forces, then any who try to escape would be vulnerable in Hogsmeade. Those capable of Apparition could get away safely, but could they side-along the rest of the school? No. We must secure the school, and protect those who cannot defend themselves."

Age melted from the Transfiguration Professor as she spun in her heel, facing the school. Her arms and wand in a wide gesture towards the Castle. "Piertotum Locomotor!"