* * * Trap Avoided * * *

They are approaching the house in the van when Charles Granger remarks, "Interesting green among those stars above our house."

Hermione looks to see the Dark Mark.

Harry says, "That's the Dark Mark. Eric, don't stop."

Eric looks, "What the? It's over your house Linda."

Ernie looks, "That's the Dark Mark? Umm, Harry is right so drive on."

Linda asks, "What does it mean?"

Ron says, "Somebody inside wants to kill one us."

Harry says, "Stay up with this traffic Eric. We must blend in as we drive by. Look very carefully at the house. Ron, Hermione, duck."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione duck as they slowly drive by. They're behind a van and in front of a sedan. The others observe the house. Harry puts his hand to his scar, grimacing.

"Eyes, two pairs of eyes staring, from the dining room." says Ron, peaking.

"What is it Harry?" asks Hermione.

"Voldemort is punishing someone in the kitchen, about possibly spoiling the trap." says Harry.

"Blimey!" says Ernie.

"Where should we go?" asks Eric.

"Anywhere else nearby." says Harry.

"Ahem, what the dickens do you plan?" asks Hermione.

Harry says, "There is only one option."

Eric pulls into the driveway of his house, about a quarter mile away. He says, "That creek runs through my backyard too."

"Is there anyone you could call for assistance? The police perhaps?" asks Charles.

"Dad, the police cannot deal with this. They'd get killed." says Hermione.

Eric asks, "The Ministry."

"Not the Ministry. One mention of You-Know-Who and many of them scramble away." says Ron.

Harry says, "Besides, we've become a bother to the Ministry. They now refuse to answer our summons."

Eric says, "Why? Dumbledore?"

Harry says, "Too many calls recently has ticked them off. Dumbledore is of no use because he'd either take a while or appear right into that mess. Against a bunch of Death Eaters, who knows what will happen?"

Ernie says, "Dumbledore is the greatest wizard alive."

Hermione says, "Maybe, but do you want to bet that he'll survive that surprise?"

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ernie sit around the kitchen table in Eric's house with some paper and a pencil. The others go over to the sofa in the living room.

"We need to approach from the creek, fewer lookouts when we're supposed to be walking through the front door." says Ron.

"Agreed." says Harry.

"So, you three plan on walking into a house full of Death Eaters and You-Know-Who? You're crazy!" says Ernie.

"Crazier than letting them kill innocent people?" asks Harry.

"So, what are the chances Draco will be there?" asks Ron.

"Given his record, good. Draco does know us better than the Death Eaters or Voldemort. Crabbe and Goyle might also be there." says Harry.

"Why not the Firebolts?" asks Hermione.

Harry says, "In our packs in your guest bedrooms, that's why. Also, with the lights and moon, we would be easy to spot." replies Harry.

"Hermione, is there a way onto the second floor from the outside?" asks Ron.

Hermione says, "Yes, I've used it many times before. Straight into your guest bedroom Harry or my closet."

"Okay, so that's our point of entry. We'll need your help Hermione." says Harry.

"Ernie, will you come with us?" asks Ron.

"It'll be major bragging points." says Gia, sitting next to Harry.

"Gia, you aren't coming on this. It is much too dangerous for you." says Harry.

"I want to help." says Gia.

"No offense Gia, but this is our affair to tackle. If you came, Harry would just worry about you and that would jeopardize this." says Hermione.

Ron gives Gia a look and she backs off on this. Ron says, "We appreciate the offer Gia, but Harry and Hermione are correct."

Ernie says, "Um, I've never done anything like this before. The last Hufflepuff to face..."

"We will understand if you don't go." says Harry.

"So, we'll start with the second floor, Hermione and Ernie?" says Ron.

"Can we also enter, say, the library or bathroom?" asks Harry.

"First floor is much more secure. We would have to use the wands." says Hermione.

Ron remarks, "They did. So, are you alright with this Ernie?"

"Okay, I'll go along with this crazy scheme." says Ernie.

"They've worked for us before. Remember Ernie, stick to what you need and what you know." says Harry.

Hermione says, "Mum, we're off. We'll let you know when the house is safe."

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ernie, and Snuffles head for the back door.

Charles Granger intercepts them. He stares at Ron.

Ron says, "We know, keep Hermione safe."

Harry says, "We've done stuff like this before."

Charles says, nearly yelling, "You have?!"

Hermione says, "Dad, please excuse us. The longer we wait, the worse it'll be."

Linda comes to the rescue and says, "Charles, be reasonable. Unless you wish to face Dark Wizards and a guaranteed death, let them go."

Ernie opens the door. Him and Snuffles exit. Ernie scratches Snuffles a bit and mutters, "Nice dogie, are you housebroken?"

Harry says, "Yes, Snuffles is very well trained."

Eric says, "They can handle this, I've seen evidence of that."

Grudgingly, Charles gets out of the way. Harry, Ron, and Hermione exit.

Eric says to them, "If you need any assistance, give me a holler."

* * * Entering the Trap * * *

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ernie, and Snuffles head out the back door and onto the trail. They creep along very cautiously looking.

Halfway there, Harry whispers to Snuffles, "We will need a diversion out in front. Handle that."

Snuffles stares into Harry's eyes, then wanders through some yards.

"Smart dog." whispers Ernie.

"Shh!" whispers Ron.

They reach behind the Grangers house and hide behind the shrubbery. They crawl under the shrubbery. They crawl along, next to the fence bordering with the neighbors.

They reach the edge of the shrubbery. Harry sees Snuffles in the rosebush out in front. Harry nods to Snuffles. Snuffles backs out of the rosebush and starts walking along the sidewalk barking at a rolling beer can.

From inside the house, the voice of Draco Malfoy rings out, drifting through an open kitchen window. Draco yells, "Potter's dog! Potter's dog! I see this dog in front! Greggory, Vincent, come here!"

The Death Eater on the back deck rushes inside the house. With that, Ernie and Hermione scramble onto the garage. Ron and Harry rush next to the library window.

Hermione and Ernie enter the closet window of Hermione's bedroom. Harry and Ron climb in through the window of the Granger library. Harry and Ron lean against one of the bookshelves, hiding from the person listening to the "Witch Wizard of the Week" on the Wizard Wireless Network on Hermione's receiver.

Another person enters the library.

"Close the door Nott." says Macnair.

The door closes.

"You have reservations?" asks Nott.

"The Master doesn't usually read the reports at the Ministry. If he thinks Potter and Granger will abide by the rules, he'd be sorely mistaken." says Macnair.

"The information from Malfoy Jr. is reliable. Potter, Weasley, and Granger were not at Hogwarts today."

"Yes, but the last father-son of the Malfoys ended in disaster. Potter somehow nabbed them during a Muggle Killing spree."

"Malfoys routinely escape the Ministry. With their generous donations, the Minister of Magic dismisses their charges."

"How long can that continue?"

"As long as we still have people in the Ministry who realize the truth. Do you remember your loyalties?"

"Nott, I always remember my loyalties. How Potter will react is unknown."

"With a Dark Mark hanging over the roof of his friend's house? Potter will come here. If we only get the Granger parents, it is still a success." says Nott.

Harry and Ron exchange looks.

Macnair says, "Come to the window and look out." Nott and Macnair head there. Macnair says, "See all those Muggle things rolling by? What if Potter is in one of them?"

Harry and Ron take their opportunity. Wands drawn, they stun Nott and Macnair. They catch them as they fall. Gently, they move them by their entry window and bind them in ropes. They move the sofa a bit and hide beneath it.

Footsteps approach the door. The door opens.

Greggory Goyle asks, "Nott, Macnair, are you in here?" Greggory enters and closes the door and says, "This is not funny. Wormtail wants a word with you." Greggory sits on the chair to try it out.

Harry and Ron stun Greggory. They move him to join Macnair and Nott. They bind Greggory.

Ron hides behind the sofa. Harry goes to the other side of the tall bookshelf next to the door. It's obscuring Harry from view of the door. Harry moves some books to see the door.

The door opens. "Greggory, I don't like this hide and seek right now." says Draco Malfoy. Harry gets a glimpse out the door and sees Wormtail sitting at the kitchen table. In the kitchen proper is Voldemort and Lucius Malfoy.

Draco enters, closes the door, and remains quiet. He steps to the chair.

"Hmm, not there. Let's see about these shelves. That Mudblood seems to have stolen quite a bit. Muggles can't make that much." says Draco.

Ron stands up and stuns Draco. Harry rushes to catch Draco. Together, they drag the bound Draco over to join Greggory.

"Not good out there, at least three." whispers Harry.

Harry is startled when the bookshelf starts to move behind him. Harry draws his wand. It's Hermione!

"Hermione!" whispers Ron, coming over.

"You didn't consider I'd have an express route to the library?" says Hermione.

"Where this go?" whispers Harry.

"Basement and my room." says Hermione.

"Come on." whispers Harry.

Ron uses his wand to move a bookshelf and hides the bodies. Then, he follows Harry into the passage way. The doorway closes.

"This is cool." whispers Ernie.

They move down the stairs into the deserted laundry room. They peer out the door window and see an empty storage room. They creep out of the laundry room into the storage, wands drawn.

Noise is coming from near the water heater. Vincent Crabbe is rummaging through the shelves. Again, Harry and Ron stun him. Ernie catches Vincent as he falls. Hermione binds him in ropes.

They creep over to the door to the Rec room. Banging noise is coming from inside.

"Scratch." says Wormtail.

"Eight ball, that pocket." says Lucius.

Severus Snape says, "Not a chance. Who's bright idea was this social event anyways?"

"Lucius' and Master liked it." says Wormtail.

"But a Muggle residence? Certainly there are better places." says Snape.

"You know what a pain Potter's become. He's put your prized position in jeopardy" says Travers Jr.

"The Granger residence, what an ideal setting. If we get rid of the Granger parents, Potter will come." says Mulciber.

"According to Draco, the Potter gang is away from Hogwarts. We pieced it together, they should be returning sometime tonight." says Wormtail.

"Potter and company should be at Hogwarts." says Snape.

Crabbe Sr. calls down, "Master wants a meeting." Most of the people exit.

"My question to Master was valid. Where do your loyalties lie?" asks Wormtail.

Snape says, "Have you not read the Daily Prophet? I've been trying to make his death look accidental. If it's murder, I lose valuable information about You-Know-Who."

Harry and Ron can't take this. Hermione opens the door and they come through.

"You!" says Snape.

Wormtail sees Potter and starts to run for the stairs. Harry stuns Wormtail. Ron, Ernie, Harry, and Hermione point their wands at Snape.

"Stun?" asks Harry with an evil grin.

"No." says Snape.

"Keep them away from the coat closet." whispers Hermione.

Snape doesn't ponder this, instead heads for the stairs.

Ernie says, "That was daring for when Snape squeals."

"Dumbledore trusts Snape. When it comes to Voldemort and Death Eaters, we are on the same side as Snape." whispers Harry.

They reenter the storage.

"There is another passage to the back of the coat closet." whispers Hermione. She walks over to same shelving behind the water heater that Vincent was looking at. Hermione opens it.

Harry whispers, "Split up, we need cross fire. Ernie, with me. Hermione, library. Ron, to Hermione's room and creep down the stairs."

Hermione and Ron head for the laundry room.

"Um, cross fire?" asks Ernie.

"The spell is Stupefy to stun. Watch us. If somebody aims a Killing Curse at you, fall back down these stairs." says Harry.

They creep up the passage and into the coat closet. Some of their stunned victims seem to have recovered.

* * * Duel * * *

Harry and Ernie are in the coat closet. Hermione is peeking out of the library. Ron is in the stairwell, peeking in. Voldemort is standing next to the kitchen table with Draco and Greggory. Lucius and Snape are standing next to the bar in the kitchen. Macnair is standing next to the bathroom. Nott, still stunned, is laying in the living room. Vincent and Wormtail, still stunned, are laying in the basement. Crabbe Sr is standing just outside of the open door on the deck. Goyle Sr is standing next to the kitchen sink. Mr. and Mrs. Lestrange are helping themselves to contents of the refrigerator. Mulciber is standing next to the back door. Travers Jr, son of the late Death Eater, is standing in the dining room.

"Yes, it was Weasley. He's here." Draco says to Voldemort.

"I will go and check upstairs." says Snape. Snape starts to move to the stairwell.

"Son, do not lie. Are you certain?" Lucius asks Draco.

"Severus, Why?" Mr. Lestrange asks Snape.

"Potter has been known to fly before." Snape says to Mr. Lestrange. Snape enters the stairwell, passes Ron and continues climbing.

"Yes, he had red hair. If Weasley is here, Potter is somewhere." Draco says to Voldemort.

"Lucius, the lure is working." says Voldemort.

"Master, we were knocked out." protests Macnair.

"Save your excuses, Crucio!" says Voldemort. Macnair and Mulciber double over from the pain.

Harry stashes his wand into his shirt. Harry motions with his fingers; one, two, three.

Harry bursts from the coat closet, "Expelliarmus!" Voldemort's wand flies but Lucius catches it.

Harry jumps over the dinning room table. He dodges the Killing Curses from Macnair, Mr. and Mrs. Lestrange, Mulciber, and Travers Jr. Harry draws his wand.

"Draco, it appears you were right." Voldemort says.

Ron sets a kitchen knife in motion toward Goyle Sr. Goyle Sr dodges to avoid the knife. The knife lodges into the cabinet of the bar.

Lucius returns Voldemort's wand.

Crabbe Sr. enters the kitchen from the deck.

Hermione casts a stun toward Macnair. Macnair dodges this.

Draco casts a Killing Curse at Harry. Mulciber casts an Imperius Curse at Harry. Harry rolls to avoid this.

Ernie casts a Banishing Curse and sends a dumbbell flying. Travers Jr dodges this.

Macnair casts a Killing Curse at Hermione. A book jumps in the way to block it. The book burns to ashes.

Voldemort and Crabbe Sr cast a Killing Curse at Harry. Harry runs into the living room and ducks behind a sofa.

Ernie ducks to avoid the Killing Curse from Travers Jr.

Hermione rolls onto the library floor to avoid the Killing Curse from Goyle Sr.

Ron casts a stun at Draco. Draco ducks and the stun hits Greggory. Greggory falls to the floor.

Harry drops his wand onto the floor.

Ernie casts a Jelly Legs onto Crabbe Sr. Crabbe Sr wobbles onto the floor.

Mr. and Mrs. Lestrange cast a Killing Curse at Ron. Ron falls to avoids this.

Travers Jr casts a Imperius Curse at Harry but hits the furniture.

Harry gets up and starts to run toward the dining table.

Ernie jumps back down the passage way to avoid a Killing Curse from Macnair.

Hermione dodges the Killing Curse from Draco.

Crabbe Sr. regains his legs and gets up.

Goyle Sr. moves from the sink to the table.

Harry leaps across the table and toward the wall.

Ernie climbs back into the coat closet.

Ron casts a Pee Curse at Draco. Draco starts peeing uncontrollably.

Lucius casts "Crucio!" to Draco.

Voldemort is startled and says, "I expect more of my followers."

Crabbe Sr casts the Imperius Curse at Harry but hits Travers Jr.

Mrs. Lestrange shouts to Mr. Lestrange, "You slept with his wife!"

Mr. Lestrange shouts back, "You let him fuck you!"

Harry is still in his leap. He summons Voldemort's wand. It flies.

Ernie summons a kitchen knife.

Draco casts "Crucio!" to Lucius.

Harry lands on the dining room wall as if it were the floor. Harry pushes off toward Voldemort.

Ernie throws the knife at Macnair.

Hermione ignites the robes of Goyle Sr. Goyle Sr. extinguish the flame.

Lucius casts "Crucio!" at Draco but hits Mulciber instead.

Nott awakes in the living room.

Mr. and Mrs. Lestrange cast an Imperius Curse at Harry and hit him.

Voldemort's wand reaches Harry's hand. Harry grabs it.

Macnair casts "Crucio!" at Ernie. Ernie cringes.

Goyle Sr. casts a Killing Curse at Hermione.

Hermione dodges and dives into the dining room, under Harry.

Draco casts a "Crucio!" at Ron. It hits Ron and he cringes.

Mulciber and Travers Jr cast "Crucio!" to Lucius.

Harry reaches Voldemort.

Macnair watches.

Harry starts to tackle Voldemort.

Draco casts a "Crucio!" at Harry but it hits Ernie. Ernie cringes.

Hermione casts a stun to Travers Jr. Travers ducks.

Ron casts a stun to Macnair. Macnair is stunned and falls.

Harry and Voldemort start to fall.

Travers Jr casts a Killing Curse at Hermione. She dodges and dives behind Mulciber. Mulciber gets hit and is killed.

Lucius casts a Killing Curse at Ron. Ron rolls to avoid it.

Harry swings to the backside of Voldemort.

Mr. Lestrange starts to cast a Killing Curse at Ron. Ernie levitates Mr. Lestrange. The curse hits the back wall of the stairs.

Crabbe Sr. casts a Killing Curse at Travers Jr. It hits the dining table instead.

Robes bind Harry and Voldemort together.

Mr. Lestrange starts to fall.

Mrs. Lestrange casts a Killing Curse at Ernie. Ernie dashes into the bathroom and avoids it.

Nott enters the dining room.

Harry and Voldemort hit the floor and roll to a stop. Voldemort is on top.

Travers Jr. casts a Killing Curse at Hermione. Hermione ducks under the dining table.

Goyle Sr. casts a Killing Curse to Ernie but hits the wall.

Harry holds Voldemort's wand to Voldemort's neck.

Mrs. Lestrange is startled by this. Ron stuns her.

Snuffles creeps up the stairs from the basement.

Harry announces, "Try anything, Voldemort gets it."

Hermione stuns Travers Jr.

Harry announces loudly, "Anyone want to try for both of us?"

Draco says to Lucius, "You're always bossing me around."

Lucius says to Draco, "You never learn properly."

Hermione stuns Crabbe Sr.

Ron stuns Mr. Lestrange.

Voldemort says, "Foolish, wasting your parents' sacrifice."

Lucius and Draco cast "Crucio!" at each other.

Nott casts a Killing Curse at Hermione. She rolls to avoid it.

Goyle Sr. casts a Killing Curse at Ron. Ron ducks and stuns Goyle Sr.

Ernie stuns Nott and says, "Cool!"

Hermione gets up in front of the dinning room.

Ron runs to the kitchen bar.

Snuffles leaps onto Lucius and they tumble.

Snape comes down the stairwell and emerges, wand drawn.

* * * Late Backup * * *

Dumbledore and Lupin enter the house, wands drawn.

Ernie dashes to the dining room.

Ron stuns Lucius, almost hitting Snuffles.

Eric Miller enters the house.

Draco casts a Killing Curse at Harry. It hits the ropes and they break. Voldemort and Harry roll apart.

Hermione stuns Draco.

Voldemort grabs his wand and Disapparates.

Lupin says, "Glad you didn't need our help."

Snape says, "Albus, these students should be at Hogwarts."

Dumbledore says, "Some of them have permission."

Harry says, "Vincent Crabbe is stunned in the basement."

"What happened?" asks Linda Granger, walking in with Charles and Gia.

Lupin says, "Let's get these others to the Ministry."

Dumbledore says, "The situation is still unstable."

Arthur Weasley Apparates. He says, "Hopkirk was screaming about the use of magic here."

Ron says, "Dad, the Death Eaters set a trap for us. We had to respond."

Ernie says, "Never had to dodge Killing Curses before."

Diggory Apparates.

Harry says, "Mr. Diggory, we've got some Death Eaters, again."

Diggory notices Dumbledore. He says, "Dumbledore!"

Lupin says, "We received Eric Miller's message and came as quickly as possible."

Eric says, "Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ernie seem to have gotten matters under control."

Charles says, "All these scorch marks? Broken china?"

Hermione says, "Dad, we'll repair that."

Dumbledore says, "There are people that do need to be taken into custody."

Other Ministry wizards Apparate and quickly help to remove the Death Eaters. Vincent Crabbe is brought up. Dumbledore confiscates the wands of Draco, Greggory, and Vincent.

After most of the Ministry Disapparate, Dumbledore sits everyone on the living room sofas. Vincent, Draco, and Greggory are now laying, still stunned, in the middle of the living room floor.

Dumbledore says, "Explanations?"

Harry explains.

Ron explains.

Hermione explains.

Ernie explains.

Snape explains.

Lupin says, "Sounds confusing."

Ernie says, "It was very confusing. Curses every which way."

Arthur says, "Molly was panicking tonight. Ron's mortal peril alarm was ringing constantly."

Harry says, "We were planning on staying the night here. Given the events, we'll collect our packs and return to Hogwarts immediately."

Dumbledore says, "Yes."

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Gia, and Ernie walk into the kitchen and up the stairs to their rooms. Wands are drawn.

They return to the living room.

Ron says, "See you tomorrow."

Harry then says, "When those wake up, tell them that we used the Imperius Curse on Ernie."

Lupin says, "But you didn't ...."

Harry replies, "No. They need that explanation though."

Dumbledore says, "Off you go."

With that, Harry and Ron use their Portkeys. Ernie, Gia, and Hermione grab on. They are whisked away.

The five of them land in the boys dormitory. It's one in the morning. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Gia start undressing.

Ernie says, "That was unbelievable! I understand why you warned about the wands."

Harry coolly remarks, "Well, we had numbers one to four on their hit list there."

Ron says, "You did good for your first try."

Ernie says, "Thanks. If you'll excuse me, I'm returning to the Hufflepuff Wing."

Harry says, "Well, did you enjoy it?"

Ernie says, "Yes. Why did you make up that reason?"

Harry says, "To keep the Death Eaters from hunting you down for what you did."

Gia and Hermione leave their bras and underwear on. Harry and Ron are naked.

Ernie says, "Thanks." Ernie leaves the dormitory and exits.

Hermione says, "We've got finals and OWLs coming up. I need to study."

Gia and Hermione finish stripping.

Ron grins and says, "You need a good night of sleep first."

Gia says, "Hermione, they're right you know."

Hermione says, "Gia, better keep an eye on your boyfriend. He was bouncing off the walls earlier."

Harry whips back, "Better than hiding under the table."

Gia grabs Harry and pulls him onto the bed. Ron drags Hermione into his bed. Exhausted, they fall asleep quickly.