Chapter 10
Once all the Guardians were sitting round the table in the chamber. Harry rose, and pointed to a door.
'That leads back to our rooms, you can use it when necessary.' There was a stagnant pause, as if he didn't really know what to say. 'I have been chosen as Hawk, and I in turn have chosen some of you to take specific roles in the fight against Voldemort. Ron, you are our strategy master, and will be know as Rook. Ginny, you will be our healer, know as Peace. Zab, you will be in charge of any spying and espionage, known as Stealth. Hermione, Head of Research, known as Quill. There are three other I have chosen to lead mission teams for the moment. They are Angela, Cott and Seamus. Could all those stay behind when we finish.'
Harry looked around the table, and was alarmed to see that all were watching him attentively, and not one showed any signs of questioning his decision. He ran a hand through his hair, the only sigh to the others of how much strain he was under.
'We now have to discuss many matters concerning when term starts. The first is this. When not on duty, people will have the opportunity to return to their houses. However, is everyone in agreement that we need some people in our room at all times?'
'Yes, it has to be that way so we can be contacted and called quickly.' Ron spoke. 'Unless anyone disagrees, I think we should all stay there at nights, except on weekends, which we would take on a roster basis. Then everyone gets some time in their houses.' Ron's suggestion was greeted with approval, and eventually settled on.
'In that case, Earnie, could you make up a roster?' Earnie nodded, and wrote a note on the paper before him. 'Next, patrolling. Any idea's?'
'How about two patrolling the grounds, one in each common room, two in the entrance hall and two as back-up?' The suggestion came from Ben Hunter, a sixth year.
'We'd also have to check on the secret passageways.' Contributed Hermione.
'Ok. Quill, would you mind working out a system?'
'Sure.Hawk.' Hermione replied, slightly hesitantly after being called 'Quill' by Harry.
'Communication?'
'A notice board outside the Great Hall. Ask people to check it before every meal.' That surprisingly simple suggestion came from Will Flitwick, a relation to the Professor. Harry nodded, then looked questioningly at Hermione. She nodded.
'For classes, it has been arranged so academic classes will take place only in the mornings from now on. Anyone who wants too can join their old class if they are free and want to do so. The number of classes we will have will be a lot smaller, though physical training will remain. Everyone except those on duty will be free from three till six every day.' Another Pause, while Harry gave others a chance to speak.
'I have talked to Professor Dumbledore, and he agrees with my thinking that the Guardians are too small to handle major actions. As such, I have suggested the reforming of the Guards. You will choose them, and you will give them the extra training they will need. In six months time we should have a tested force ready to battle Voldemort.' Harry paused as Ginny asked a question
'Can Guards also be chosen to help with specific jobs?'
'Yes.' Ginny nodded, pleased.
'Anyone can be chosen, first years included, though all will be vetted by me. The Guards will be chosen a month into the start of term, though you may begin training your choices as soon as you like. We will wear full uniform when school starts, and also all weapons. We will be on full alert at all times. We will also help with retaining school discipline if necessary.'
The meeting went on for hours, with points being discussed, until finally most left, thankful that they were no longer needed. Only those Harry had chosen to lead remained. Harry stood, and led them through to a smaller room, which was also much more comfortable.
'Do any of you disagree with any of my decisions?' Was the first thing that Harry said.
'No' most said, while Ginny simply shook her head.
'In that case, back to business.' Harry cleared his throat. 'I think your going to need help. I suggest you choose on of us to help you in addition to the Guards you will choose.'
'Do you have any idea as to who?' Came from Cott.
'You three must choose you own 2IC from your teams. But for Rook, I think Ric's the best.' Ron nodded and Harry turned to Ginny. 'Katie?' She nodded. 'Quill, what about Emma, she's really smart?' A nod.
'Right.' When the group finally emerged, all were weary, and Harry, Ron and Hermione went straight to bed, only to be woken at the crack of dawn the next day by an over enthusiastic Sirius.
All through the week, the Guardians laboured in their preparations for the beginning of term, and all felt more than a little apprehensive as they took their places in the Great Hall to await the return of their fellow pupils.
'I'm more nervous than I was before the first test!' Whispered Ron to Ginny.
'I know, me too.' She whispered back. All fell silent as they watched the returning pupils enter the Hall, and Harry glanced up at the Staff table as quiet chatter surrounded the Guardians. Harry saw Sirius looking very worried. Harry was not surprised. He would be nervous too if someone was about to try and convince several hundred people that he was not, in fact, a mass murderer, but was innocent.
Harry noticed the chatter, and realised that them sitting at their table as opposed to in their houses, was a shock to others, especially as Harry happened to be sitting next to the Slytherin Zab. He chuckled to himself. Perhaps today would have its amusing points after all.
I know it was short but it seemed appropriate. Sorry this took longer than the other, I did not come home yesterday night. Next chapter should go up soon. Thanks for all the Reviews. - Pose
Once all the Guardians were sitting round the table in the chamber. Harry rose, and pointed to a door.
'That leads back to our rooms, you can use it when necessary.' There was a stagnant pause, as if he didn't really know what to say. 'I have been chosen as Hawk, and I in turn have chosen some of you to take specific roles in the fight against Voldemort. Ron, you are our strategy master, and will be know as Rook. Ginny, you will be our healer, know as Peace. Zab, you will be in charge of any spying and espionage, known as Stealth. Hermione, Head of Research, known as Quill. There are three other I have chosen to lead mission teams for the moment. They are Angela, Cott and Seamus. Could all those stay behind when we finish.'
Harry looked around the table, and was alarmed to see that all were watching him attentively, and not one showed any signs of questioning his decision. He ran a hand through his hair, the only sigh to the others of how much strain he was under.
'We now have to discuss many matters concerning when term starts. The first is this. When not on duty, people will have the opportunity to return to their houses. However, is everyone in agreement that we need some people in our room at all times?'
'Yes, it has to be that way so we can be contacted and called quickly.' Ron spoke. 'Unless anyone disagrees, I think we should all stay there at nights, except on weekends, which we would take on a roster basis. Then everyone gets some time in their houses.' Ron's suggestion was greeted with approval, and eventually settled on.
'In that case, Earnie, could you make up a roster?' Earnie nodded, and wrote a note on the paper before him. 'Next, patrolling. Any idea's?'
'How about two patrolling the grounds, one in each common room, two in the entrance hall and two as back-up?' The suggestion came from Ben Hunter, a sixth year.
'We'd also have to check on the secret passageways.' Contributed Hermione.
'Ok. Quill, would you mind working out a system?'
'Sure.Hawk.' Hermione replied, slightly hesitantly after being called 'Quill' by Harry.
'Communication?'
'A notice board outside the Great Hall. Ask people to check it before every meal.' That surprisingly simple suggestion came from Will Flitwick, a relation to the Professor. Harry nodded, then looked questioningly at Hermione. She nodded.
'For classes, it has been arranged so academic classes will take place only in the mornings from now on. Anyone who wants too can join their old class if they are free and want to do so. The number of classes we will have will be a lot smaller, though physical training will remain. Everyone except those on duty will be free from three till six every day.' Another Pause, while Harry gave others a chance to speak.
'I have talked to Professor Dumbledore, and he agrees with my thinking that the Guardians are too small to handle major actions. As such, I have suggested the reforming of the Guards. You will choose them, and you will give them the extra training they will need. In six months time we should have a tested force ready to battle Voldemort.' Harry paused as Ginny asked a question
'Can Guards also be chosen to help with specific jobs?'
'Yes.' Ginny nodded, pleased.
'Anyone can be chosen, first years included, though all will be vetted by me. The Guards will be chosen a month into the start of term, though you may begin training your choices as soon as you like. We will wear full uniform when school starts, and also all weapons. We will be on full alert at all times. We will also help with retaining school discipline if necessary.'
The meeting went on for hours, with points being discussed, until finally most left, thankful that they were no longer needed. Only those Harry had chosen to lead remained. Harry stood, and led them through to a smaller room, which was also much more comfortable.
'Do any of you disagree with any of my decisions?' Was the first thing that Harry said.
'No' most said, while Ginny simply shook her head.
'In that case, back to business.' Harry cleared his throat. 'I think your going to need help. I suggest you choose on of us to help you in addition to the Guards you will choose.'
'Do you have any idea as to who?' Came from Cott.
'You three must choose you own 2IC from your teams. But for Rook, I think Ric's the best.' Ron nodded and Harry turned to Ginny. 'Katie?' She nodded. 'Quill, what about Emma, she's really smart?' A nod.
'Right.' When the group finally emerged, all were weary, and Harry, Ron and Hermione went straight to bed, only to be woken at the crack of dawn the next day by an over enthusiastic Sirius.
All through the week, the Guardians laboured in their preparations for the beginning of term, and all felt more than a little apprehensive as they took their places in the Great Hall to await the return of their fellow pupils.
'I'm more nervous than I was before the first test!' Whispered Ron to Ginny.
'I know, me too.' She whispered back. All fell silent as they watched the returning pupils enter the Hall, and Harry glanced up at the Staff table as quiet chatter surrounded the Guardians. Harry saw Sirius looking very worried. Harry was not surprised. He would be nervous too if someone was about to try and convince several hundred people that he was not, in fact, a mass murderer, but was innocent.
Harry noticed the chatter, and realised that them sitting at their table as opposed to in their houses, was a shock to others, especially as Harry happened to be sitting next to the Slytherin Zab. He chuckled to himself. Perhaps today would have its amusing points after all.
I know it was short but it seemed appropriate. Sorry this took longer than the other, I did not come home yesterday night. Next chapter should go up soon. Thanks for all the Reviews. - Pose