The scarlet train sped over the train tracks. Countryside ripped past as the train continued along to it's destination. No doubt inside were hundreds of students, talking, reminiscing, looking forward to the new year; Apprehensive first years debating about what house they'd be sorted into. The cart woman was probably rolling down the isle, selling candy.

Then the train began to slow. Death Eater's stood, far ahead, their wands pointing towards the train. They chanted as one, concentrating. Grin's of victory -and relief- adorned many of their faces at their victory. One woman's uncaring expression never changed.

The train came to a complete stop just after it rolled past. It took three of them for the unlocking charm to work on the back of the train. Then they stormed inside.

They found no screaming students. Only baggage, trunks hastily discarded. "Move to the front, search every car," the woman said. It was a futile attempt -they must all be crowded into the front cars. The Aurors were just buying time.

They reached the last car, unimpeded. So there were not enough of them to take her and her companions on then -or they would have attacked by now. They found the door sealed. They *were* in there. "Keep hammering at it." The woman said with a cold look in her eyes. Crammed together with hundreds of students in the car, any opposition they faced would not be very effective.

Then one of the junior Death Eaters came bursting through the door at the back of the car. "Menster fell."

"Explain," she demanded sharply.

"I don't know, he just cried out and fell."

"Idiot." She pushed past him and shouted, "Keep working." This was why her lord needed her. The world was filled with incompetent idiots.

Soon she stood over a young Death eater, in his twenties, checking him over. Paralyzed. She frowned, 'What the hell?' At the moment her bodyguard cried out, grabbing his leg and stumbling into the wall of the compartment.

She spun, but saw no one. "Something bit- me. Foot." Her bodyguard gasped out before slumping to the floor. Her eyes narrowed and she scanned the floor briefly before she rushed through the train.

The scene in the third car sent panic into her eyes. Ten of them were on the floor, and she had to step over them. She kept moving, not caring if she stepped on them. Her head snapped to the source of a slight movement. A snake. She picked it up with both hands, preventing it from biting her. 'Poisonous.'

In the second car they had just broken through the door, to find themselves facing- nothing. Then curses flew at them, from seeming out of nowhere. In the small confines they had no room to maneuver.

They one's left standing ran, passing her, running carelessly over their fellow paralyzed Death Eaters. "Fuck." She dropped the snake and ran after them. Her master would not be pleased. They jumped out of the train and a Death Eater stumbled in his haste, falling flat on his face. They all grabbed their arms and tried to apparate, but it didn't work.

Noticing that they were just standing there in stupification, she prompted, "Get to the forest." She pointed her wand towards the forest, yelling an incantation. Her master always had a second plan. She ran, not looking to see if the rest followed. Then she was hit from behind, and the last thing she saw was the grass rushing up to meet her.

************************************************************************

The man who stunned her followed suit with the rest. He was pleased that his plan had worked, but furious that they would attack students. He leaned down and studied her face.

"Did you get them all Harry?" A familiar voice asked from behind.

"Yeah, and Lestrange was the leader of their escapade."

"Looks like your plan paid off," Sirius said. "Which one?"

He turned and looked at his godfather, and the others who were exiting the train. "The wife."

"That went well," said Walter McGonagall, Minerva's brother; As it turned out, he worked with snakes.

"-No, she did something before I knocked her out -using a language I've never heard before." He had heard a lot of languages, via screams of Death Eater's victimswhile he slept.

"I can see that," said Sirius, moving into a battle ready stance.

Harry turned and saw something very large, green and blue, pushing trees aside as it moved out of the forest. It was headed for the group. He had never seen anything like it before, part snake part -giant. It's skin was a mottled, for the most part pale blue. It's torso, not unlike a mermaid, scaled over. There were, however, no fins; A long tail snaked behind the monster, it's scales in hues of green and black. It's face looked about as sinister as a face could, with it's misshapen eyes. It had no hair, only odd ridges. It's hands sported long sinister nails -if you could call them nails.

Walter hurriedly said, "It's a Naga, most spells wont work on it so don't waste your time on low level spells." Harry didn't like the panic in his voice.

Harry considered the daggers he had strapped inside his boots. 'Damn. Why didn't I bring any better weapons?' He thought this as he shot a curse at the Naga that should have made it spontaneously combust. It did make a pained noise; Not quite the effect he was hoping for. He felt something heavy in his hand and blinked in surprise. It was Gryffindor's sword…

****************************************************************

In a large marked area, designated for this purpose by the Order, a large group of first years arrived. Several of them, never having used a portkey before, were wide eyed. All of them were excited, as first years usually are. More so because they had heard about how this was the first time this had been done.

Several third years peered over the railing in delight, down the ground far below. Many more crowded into the center, terrified of either the height or the dragon on which they rode. It beat it's mighty wings, making some cringe.

Fifth years were all crammed into a triple decked bus, which had been magically enlarged. It was not unlike the Knight Bus, though there were no beds. Inside it was loud and raucous, though many were indignant at the muggle-like transportation

Seventh years all sat quite still, afraid to get up. The humongous flying carpet had no railings, although several Aurors flew alongside on brooms just in case an unwary student fell. Ginny Weasley sat beside Colin, imagining that Harry and Ron would love riding on the carpet if they were there. "Do you think they actually attacked the train?"

"If they did, they are in for a surprise. I bet Harry an Aurors were there waiting for them -they are probably all beaten up by now."

"I hope no one got hurt."

"Women."

"Men." She, of all people, knew what she was talking about.