~ Chapter 45: Illuminations ~


Gryffindor Tower. The boys' dormitory…

The bedroom that was shared by the four boys was quiet, though two girls and an additional boy were in with them. Crookshanks was resting above Hermione's abdomen while she rested her head on Ron's lap. Dean was playfully braiding Ginny's waist-length hair as she cuddled Pig. Harry stifled a sigh at the unbearable silence that had filled the room. It was expected, feeling that his friend Ron was greatly surprised that Hermione was covered in golden mist but he was not with her. Both Dean and Ginny got themselves chosen for Defence with Luna, while Parvati and her twin were in the Main. They had found out that most of the first years were in the Reserves, except for Alamanda who was in the Paramedics and Jude Howell, who was in the Attack group. Ron was very silent, making Hermione glance at his freckled face often.

It really came as a surprise to Ron that he, together with Seamus, Lee Jordan, Montague, Dina and her boyfriend, Justin, were chosen into the Rearguards. The Weasley was deep in thought, worrying about the dangers Hermione might face in the future. The bushy-haired Granger suddenly turned pensive and said in a very quiet voice. "Do you want to know something, Ron?" Her question caught the attention of the people in the room and Ron's ears turned a little red with embarrassment at being the central attention. "I think whatever you will be doing will be much more dangerous." She sighed, scratching Crookshanks's chin, making the cat purr with bliss at the attention.

"She may be right," Neville spoke up. That was a good sign because it was the first time that he had talked to them ever since the attack on St. Mungo's. Ron looked at him for an explanation, and Neville cleared his throat uneasily. "I'm just guessing but I think you will work very closely with the Paramedics and Defence. I know I'm grasping at straws," he conceded when Ron was just about to speak up, wanting to know just what exactly his friend was trying to say. "The idea just stood out in my mind. Rearguard, it's like guarding the rear to ensure that the rest could retreat safely… or something like that." Hermione nodded her head at Neville's assessment.

Seamus gave a soft whistle. "That sounds like a lot of responsibility…" Harry sighed and stood up from where he had been sitting on the floor to flop onto his own bed. He had already taken off his shoes and reached out for the new timetable. Not surprisingly, the schedule had been alternated again.

"You guys ought to check your timetable. It looks like it is changing again. And there seem to be two new subjects on my schedule," Harry informed them then gave a long sigh. "We're having classes all the way to seven."

"You're joking," Ginny exclaimed in disbelief.

"I dunno, but maybe your schedule won't be the same as ours," Harry said in reassuring voice. The sighs from his friends echoed all around the room and Harry fell into a light doze.

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The meeting between the Headmaster and the rest of the teachers continued for about three hours, with most of them taking careful notes that Dumbledore had highlighted. He had informed that for every Thursday afternoon, there would be lectures and joint exercises for the six divisions to work together as one unit. That meant that the teachers had to plan what they would be doing in advance.

Fenix happened to make an observation sometime during the meeting. "Is there any chance that a siege might be laid to the castle?" Blank and surprised looks were exchanged all around the table except for Aberforth, who was gazing at her intently.

"Nothing is impossible," he said quietly. His answer seemed to satisfy her and the wheels in her mind began turning at a fast motion as she began making contingency plans in her head. Dumbledore gained their attention once more and began making some suggestions as to what they could teach their students during the three hour periods on Tuesdays, which was specially dedicated to train each division. This was what Sirius, Snape, Remus and Fenix were discussing silently as they all headed to Fenix's bedroom for a brief rest while they get something planned for their lessons on both Tuesday and Thursday.

"Fenix, I think it's a mistake that you've placed me to lead the students," Sirius almost yelled in frustration as he took off his shoes and threw himself on the bed.

"Speak for yourself, Black. I haven't been in my combat mode for decades," Snape answered sharply, sitting tentatively at the foot of the bed. Remus maneuvered to the other side and sat cross-legged on it. Fenix crawled onto the bed and sat beside the werewolf, casually pulling Snape's shoulder down. The Potions Master relented and rested his head against on her lap. Remus gave a feigned jealous look at his partner, who was caressing the Potions Master's black hair fondly. She gave a crooked smile at the werewolf, and sighed contentedly as she leaned against him.

"Sirius, Sev, you know it wasn't I who chose you, neither was it Dumbledore nor his brother. It's the nature of the stone to measure your strength and witnesses. And Sirius, you were actually with a silver mist for a moment, before it changed to gold," she informed her oathbrother. "But I guess that you must have the brains to launch attacks on your opponent. I'm sure that the Assailants would do well under both of your supervision," she said with a smile, then fondly looked down at the Potions Master. : You need a haircut by the way. And what kind of hair cream are you using, Sev? : she asked teasingly, earning a very sharp look from the reclining Potions Master.

: Are we gathering information as to what we should teach the students or are we going to discuss on what I use to keep my current hairstyle? : he asked scathingly while Fenix looked at him cheerfully.

: Oh, well… : Fenix pretended to be disappointed. : Business then… but we'll get to your hair after that, : she said seriously. Snape slammed a soft fluffy pillow at her face, making her laugh. "I was joking!" she protested, refusing to give the pillow back to the Potions Master. Sirius and Remus both were thinking deeply and finally broke off from attention when Snape spoke up.

"Dumbledore did say we ought to start with something that both the 'Assailants' and 'Defenders' should start with something common," he contemplated.

"Maybe… Patronuses?" Fenix piped up and the three men nodded. "But what's going to be the guinea pig?"

"Boggarts?" Sirius turned over, his eyes looking thoughtful.

"If we can find one and persuade it to look like a Dementor," Remus agreed.

"I remembered what some of the students did to ward off the Dementors that night. I wonder if they could also use the Patronus Charm against someone instead of some what." Her voice trailed off as she pondered.

"It's possible," Remus answered with a smile and gave them a brief account on what happened during a Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw during Harry's third year of school. Fenix nodded once in a while and formulated several plans in her mind, putting them away carefully in her memory so she could examine the plans later.

"I would also suggest practicing the Shield Charm for the two of you," Snape inclined his head up to look at Fenix and then Remus. He had noticed that every time the group spent their time briefly just to have a chat or gathering. He felt strangely refreshed and renewed. The werewolf nodded once and requested if Fenix could throw some fireballs at the students in order for them to deflect it. She nodded her agreement but warned that she could not possibly do it too often, and she prudently added if they modified the spell to something like the spell that they had taught the students on the very first day of school, resources could be saved. And if it was possible, they might teach the students to turn their defensive shield into a weapon en bloc.

"Because bear in mind, if it's really a case of an emergency, some of them won't have the concentration to hold up their shields. We ought to think about this, Remus. Maybe for next Monday's D.A.D.A lesson," the Fire Master suggested and the four continued to debate on what kind of spells they could use in defence or attack as they planned for their lessons until it was time for them to go down to the Hall again.

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In Harry's dormitory…

Ron was shaking him lightly on his shoulder and he finally roused. He was still wearing his glasses and took them off to rub his eyes briefly before putting them back on. He looked at his watch. It was fifteen minutes to five. His friend told that Hermione and the rest were waiting for them at the common room while Harry washed himself up first before joining them.

They were silent as they went down to the Entrance Hall, bumping into Warrington. He gave a casual nod then ignored them, as he waited for Draco and the rest. Pansy Parkinson and some of her friends, which included Millicent Bulstrode, had already left Hogwarts for their own sanctuary. Much to the relief of everyone. To no one's surprise, Sirius and the rest of the company were back to sitting at the table where Harry and his friends usually sat. The students seemed to accept the slightly nicer behavior of the Potions Master with calm, and there were even rumors of some students having a crush on Snape, which was not really a laughable matter. Now that he isn't intending to be the biggest bully in school, he is rather… nice. Harry gave Sirius a broad smile and sat beside him.

"Hello," Fenix greeted them cheerfully, indicating Neville that he should take a seat beside her. "How's everyone feeling?"

"Weird…" Ron said truthfully.

"But kind of… cool." Dean supplied, as he sat down beside Ginny. He suddenly jerked back in surprise when thick scrolls suddenly appeared in front of every student, including the staff. "What's this?" he asked curiously and began untying the ribbon fastened on the scroll. He suddenly chuckled lightly under his breath. "I thought he wanted to personally brief us!"

The students all faced the Headmaster who was looking slightly sheepish. The Headmaster took his wand out and whispered something quietly. He held his wand like a microphone and after several moments of apologizing to the students, then halted when his elder brother motioned him to stop talking and pointed his chin at his audience. A huge part of the audience was trying to stifle their giggles but was failing rather miserably.

"Never mind, Professor. We get the idea that you've lost your voice. We'll be good and read your written briefing!" one student from Hufflepuff spoke up. The rustling of scrolling down the scrolls filled the Hall as each of the students referred to the section that he was under although it was also necessary for them to read the other five divisions.

Harry read the section for those under 'Attack' carefully. It said in the scroll, that the Assailants would be the specialists in planned brief skirmishes, to try to cause major disruption in the enemy lines and retreating back as quickly as possible. "Hermione, I do think that your specialty might rather come in handy." His friend looked at him absently while Fenix looked inquiringly at them.

"What specialty?" Fenix asked and Hermione gave a very uneasy glance at all of them, especially to the Potions Master.

"I believe it was called the Bluebell flames. Isn't that right, Miss Granger?" Snape asked silkily. Hermione groaned as she remembered her first year in Hogwarts, who suspected that it had been the Potions Master who had tried to kill Harry. Fenix looked at her in amusement when the young woman's face turned scarlet.

"Hermione's able to conjure waterproof fire," Ron said shortly, intently reading his segment. After Harry had read his section, he scanned the scroll for the Rearguards and found that Neville's previous assessment back in the dormitory was not far from wrong. Since the Assailants would also have the Defenders watching their backs, the Rearguards would ensure that their opponents remain clear of the Defenders' backs.

The Main would be responsible for causing major blows to the opponents en masse and it was the responsibility of the Assailants and the Defenders to let them have enough time to put everything together before they would be able to launch their attack. Fenix chose that particular moment to explain something to them, but only after she had called Draco over to them and spoke to the company using mindspeech. The Slytherin looked curiously at her as he sat down beside the Potions Master.

: I wish to make something clear to you. Don't think that Dumbledore's handing you the dangerous stuff all to you, all right? Some of your teachers might feel it's better if you're ignorant of this, : she stared suggestively at Remus as she said this, and somehow, it seemed that Aberforth was aware of what she was trying to do because he gave her a nod of approval. : But I think otherwise. It's just that you people have the higher chances of survival rather than, say Parvati or Lavender, or perhaps, Goyle. Most of you had experienced Death Eaters-- except for this one of course-- : Fenix gazed significantly at Snape, then continued, : or Voldemort in one way or another. You are able to react to danger better than anyone else could, although it will take quite some time for us to polish that skill to its maximum. And I hope that we would be able to train you well. I certainly have no intention of sending anyone straight to Death's arms without any kind of courtship. : She looked sadly at them, her eyes mainly gazing on Harry and Draco. None of them liked that, as if she had seen something that she had not expected. : Gods, I'm sorry. I did not mean to get you all so gloomy. : Fenix gave a little forced laugh but Draco, Harry, his godfather, Snape and Remus stared at her with open concern.

Dinner went on as usual; the students somehow seemed more revived and determined. The Headmaster was able to watch his students in contentment and concluded that bringing the Fire Master into Hogwarts was a good thing indeed, since students were seated all over the four Houses. Only their badges on their cloaks differentiated them from the other. To his amusement, some of the staff was not able to cope with the idea that the Potions Master was acting like a very stern uncle instead of a man with a heart of stone, the Divination teacher especially. He suddenly managed to glimpse a very melancholy look that Fenix gave the Slytherin prefect before quickly hiding it with conversation.

"That's because she has the feeling that the boy will indeed become an orphan, not just a disowned one," Aberforth spoke softly to him. Dumbledore gave him a surprised look. His brother gave a crooked smile. "You forget, Wulf, that I do have a bit of a Seer in me." The Headmaster nodded gravely. "And Wulf, think about what the lovely lady did say during the meeting. Even the strongest enchantments might be broken. Heed my words, Wulfric."

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