Chapter Six: The Danger Moves Closer
The next week or so was relatively uneventful, the highlight of the week being a guest lecture to the whole Advanced Defence Against the Dark class by a famous Vampire Hunter known as Angedemort, on the Vetuni, an ancient breed of living vampires that were - if the information that the Order's spies had discovered was true - working with Voldemort, and were apparently resistant to most of the normal anti-vampire countermeasures and could only be killed by fire, stabbing through the heart, decapitation, and wood or silver-poisoning. The DA session on Thursday night went well, as did that week's lesson with the Shengming. But despite this, Harry was rather keen for the week to end because Saturday would be the first Hogsmeade visit of the year.
----
"I don't understand why second years can't go into the village," Jamie complained. She had followed Harry up from breakfast to his bedroom off the DA office. "It's not fair."
"I know it isn't," Harry agreed. His dragonhide boots laced firmly around his ankles, he went over to the smaller of his two trunks and popped it open. Inside were the Sceptre of Amor and his collection of weapons. Harry removed the swordstick and threaded its holster into his belt and buckled the leg straps around his right thigh. After thinking for a moment, he also removed his glaives and clipped their sheaths to the back of his belt. "But those are the rules. Besides, I've a feeling there might be an attack today, so I'd like you out of the line of fire. At least you'll get to go next year."
"Yeah, I will," Jamie admitted. "But then it'll only be Ginny, Luna, Mark and me. The rest of you will've left."
"I know," Harry admitted with a sigh. "I'll owl you every chance I get, and I'll try and get some time off so I can see you. And Ginny of course."
"That won't be the same though," Jamie complained. "I know we've only known each other for a year or so, but I'm really going to miss you, Harry."
"Me too, Jamie," Harry assured her. He checked his weapons were all firmly fixed in their holsters and then went over to his wardrobe and removed his long dragonhide coat. "Do you want to come with me down to the Entrance Hall?"
"Nah, you'll be back by dinner?"
Harry nodded, and disappeared back into his office.
----
"How's Jamie?" Ginny asked, when Harry joined her in the Entrance Hall, Civis - in the form of a Kneazle - was waiting with her. "I noticed she followed you from breakfast, and she didn't look very happy."
"She's okay," Harry replied, slipping his arm through one of Ginny's. "I think it's just sunk in that this is my last year here. She's not looking forward to not having me around."
"I'll look out for her, Harry," Ginny promised him. "And so will Luna. She'll be fine."
"I know that, love," Harry said, and smiled a little sadly. "It's just. it's going to be hard. I know I don't always appreciate you, and my friends, but it's going to be hard for me too."
"We'll get through it, Harry," Ginny promised. "Now let's go down to the village okay?"
Harry nodded, and they followed the group of students, which included most the older students, including the majority of the DA, but a rather small amount of Slytherins. A fact that didn't escape Harry, and in fact disturbed him slightly. "Gin?"
"Yes Harry?"
"How many Slytherins do you see?"
Ginny scanned the group. "There are only four. Romulus, Blaise, Blackfern and Redthorn." "I know," Harry said. "And that worries me."
It took Ginny a minute or two to figure out what Harry was alluding to, and when she did, she paled. "You don't think.?"
"I think it's highly likely," Harry admitted. "But if they do, we'll be ready for them."
"I hope so."
"We'd better be," Harry said grimly. «Jonas?»
«Yes Harry?»
«Make sure everyone's ready. Only four Slytherins are coming down to Hogsmeade, all DA members. I don't believe in coincidence.»
«Neither do I,» agreed the Psychomens grimly. «I'll tell the others. Keep in touch.»
«Will do.»
----
They stopped in a few shops, including Jedrec's Jewel Emporium, where Ginny spotted a pair of cat earrings that she rather liked the look of, which Harry promptly resolved to buy for her birthday in two days time. After an hour, they decided to join the others in the Three Broomsticks for Butterbeer, as it was rather colder than usual for the time of year.
The usual group of teachers were already present, as were about half-a- dozen members of the DA and about twenty ordinary students, mostly Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs. Of their friends, only Romulus, Blaise, Neville and Luna had already arrived at the pub and were seated in one of the larger corner booths. As all four were already supplied with Butterbeer, Harry bought only two tankards before joining them, he handed one to Ginny and slipped in beside her, Civis curled up under the table out of sight.
After chatting with his friends over innocuous subjects for about an hour, Harry decided to mention what had been bothering him. "Romulus?"
"Yes Harry?"
"Have you noticed that. well, your house is a little. uh, underrepresented today?"
Romulus nodded. "That fact had not escaped my attention, Harry," he admitted. "It may be something to do with the owl that Malfoy received at breakfast this morning."
"That's what I was afraid of," Harry said. "I think there's going to be trouble."
Romulus sighed. "I had that feeling too, so I brought my short blade. Are you armed?"
"I've got my swordstick and glaives," Harry told him. "Gin? Blaise?"
"I've got some knives," Blaise said. Ginny indicated that she was carrying her pair of throwing knives. Neville and Luna were unarmed apart from their wands.
"I hope we don't have to use them," Harry said, and the others agreed.
This was a forlorn hope however. Harry was just going up to the bar to buy a second round, when the back door of the pub was blown off its hinges and six cloaked figures carrying wands and wearing the skull masks of Death Eaters entered. At the same time, another four men entered more quietly through the front carrying staves, they wore the ninja costumes and hoods of Vetuni, the most of feared of all vampires. Harry's eyes flicked towards his friends and nodded. Off to his right, McGonagall and the other teachers were also getting to their feet.
«Jonas?»
«Yes Harry.»
«Telepathic link, now.» Harry ordered. «We have a situation.»
«Do you require assistance?»
«We'll be fine,» Harry replied. «But there could be others.»
«Understood.»
All this took only a few seconds, but it was time enough for more of the enemy arrive, so that between Death Eaters and Vetuni the teachers and DA were outnumbered three-to-one. The tallest and largest of the wizards, who appeared to be the leader, stepped forward. "Surrender, or be killed."
Harry smiled, he recognised the voice of Walden MacNair, an old enemy of his within the Death Eaters and not the smartest of the Inner Circle. «Minerva?»
«Yes Harry?»
«Let's take them.»
«Agreed.»
Deciding that MacNair and the Vetuni were the main problem, Harry slipped his hands under his jacket and pulled out his glaives. "Everyone, get down!" Before any of the enemy could react, he had sent the two weapons flying in opposite directions and dove to the floor. One glaive nailed a Vetuni in the chest, killing him instantly while the other flew just to the right of MacNair's head.
At that moment, the room came to life. The Death Eaters opened fire, with a variety of spells while the Hogwarts residents dove for cover. One hapless Hufflepuff fourth year wasn't quite fast enough and was nailed in the back by a Cruciatus Curse. Her torment didn't last very long though as Flitwick nailed the offending wizard almost immediately with a well-aimed Stunning Charm. Civis transformed into his natural form and conjured a magical shield to provide cover for a group of untrained third years, while Romulus, Blaise and Ginny opted to follow Harry's example and take to the enemy.
As Harry leapt to his feet, he flicked his wand into his hand and sent a series of offensive spells at the line of Death Eaters: his Stunner was blocked by a Shield Charm, but the Bogarus Curse got through as did the Full-Body Bind and the Fire-Jet Jinx.
At this point, the eleven remaining Vetuni present decided to join the party. They charged forward only to be met with concerted opposition in the shape of Blaise, Romulus, Hagrid and Dr Chrystan - who though still in his human form, had summoned a long, very deadly-looking sword and was wending it as one who knew its use.
Within a matter of minutes, the thirty enemies were either incapacitated, or dead with most of the later being Vetuni. There were no fatalities among either students or staff although several people sported cuts and bruises and but a sixth year Hufflepuff that Harry only vaguely knew was suffering from a rather nasty Entrail-Expelling Curse, and the fourth year girl who'd been hit by the Cruiciatus Curse wasn't going anywhere either. Harry bent down beside Ginny, who was tending to him. She shook her head. Harry turned to look at McGonagall. "We need to get out of here. Nilsson and Culkin are badly hurt and there's nothing we can do for them here."
"Yes, I know," agreed McGonagall. "However, it is likely that these were not the only ones Voldemort sent."
Harry nodded, now that the mental fog of battle had cleared, he could feel the niggling sense of Dementors nearby. "Civis, can you go?"
"Naturally," replied the hobgoblin. "But I should stay with you."
"I'll be fine," Harry told him. "Go!"
"Gone," the hobgoblin agreed and vanished with a crack, taking the injured students with him.
«Jonas?»
«Thank Merlin! I've been trying to get through to you for about the last minute! Albus needs reinforcements at the Shrieking Shack. Dementors attacked a group of Gryffindor fifth years!»
«We're on our way,» Harry confirmed. «Can we get back to the castle?»
«Yes, but any non-combatants should be accompanied. There are about fifty Death Eater's and twice that many Vetuni hanging around.»
«Understood,» Harry turned to McGonagall. "Did you get that?"
She nodded. "Who can cast a Patronus of your students?"
"Romulus, Blaise and I have corporeal ones. Ginny, Neville and Luna could discourage a Dementor. Ginny's is very strong, just not corporeal."
"Then I think that Hagrid, Filius, Mr Longbottom and Miss Lovegood should escort the younger students out of danger while Mr Moon and Miss Zabini join the rest of us in helping Albus.
Harry nodded and the group split up as suggested and moved outside.
"Good luck," Neville called back over his shoulder as his group moved slowly back towards the castle.
"Thanks," Harry told him and once they were out of sight he turned and headed towards the Shrieking Shack with Ginny and McGonagall at his side and Romulus, Blaise and the other teachers following close behind.
When they reached the Shrieking Shack, the sight in front of them was hardly reassuring. Ron, Hermione and the fifth years were trapped with their backs to the Shack by a group of Dementors. Hermione's strong otter Patronus and a weak weasel Patronus that Harry guessed was Ron's were battling against the Dementors but were gradually weakening. Dumbledore, Snape, and Draper were trying to get to them but even their strong Patroni (phoenix, cobra and bat respectively) - backed by Menotti who was using her Luxformus powers to good effect - weren't enough to get through, and Harry could see that a group of Vetuni were creeping up behind the adult wizards. Harry shouted a warning through the telepathic link to Dumbledore, and Draper and Menotti quickly turned to attend to this new threat, Dr Chrystan unsheathed his blade again and charged to their aid. Harry turned to his other reinforcements. "Ready?"
"On three?" McGonagall suggested. Harry nodded. "One. two. three. EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
The five Patroni erupted simultaneously from their caster's wands and charged towards the horde of Dementors. Harry noted idly that McGonagall's Patronus was a copy of her own Animagus form; and that Romulus and Blaise's Patroni were a wolf and a viper respectively; but he felt a surge of pride when Ginny produced her first corporeal Patronus, although he was a little surprised by its form: a large silver panther. He would not discover its significance for another two years.
With the added power of the new arrivals, the Dementors were soon either killed or rounded up. The 'living' ones were herded into an energy cage conjured by Menotti, who agreed to stay with them until a Ministry team could be dispatched to take them away.
Harry sheathed his wand with a sigh of relief and limped over to check on his best friends who had still not moved from the sealed doorway of the Shrieking Shack. "Are you okay, Ron? Hermione?"
"I've been better," Hermione admitted, accepting the bar of chocolate Draper offered her and taking a big bite out of it. After a minute or two, she began to look a little better. "I didn't realise keeping a Patronus up could be so draining."
Harry nodded. "That is one difference I've noticed between Ambrose's 'Bogarus Golems' and the real thing. But you did well."
"Thanks Harry," said Hermione, and accepting Harry's assistance in rising.
The rather weary students and teachers returned to the castle, and after being checked over in the Hospital Wing, were allowed to go down to the Great Hall to get something to eat. Harry wasn't very hungry, so he only picked at his food and made his excuses as soon as possible and disappeared up to his room.
----
As the next day was Sunday, Harry slept late, and the Great Hall was fairly empty when he came down at about ten-thirty, of his friends in Gryffindor only Neville was still eating. Harry had expected Ron to be there too, but then he realised that both he and Hermione were still in the Hospital Wing recovering from the after effects of the Dementor attack.
Harry finished his breakfast, and was wondering whether to go up to the Infirmary to visit Ron and Hermione when Jonas called him on the telepathic link. «What is it, Jonas?» he asked.
«Dumbledore wants the Council in the War Room for an update.»
«Now?»
«As soon as you can.»
«I'm on my way.» Harry rose to his feet, made his excuses to Neville, and hurried back up the main stair to the seventh floor.
"What's up?" he asked when he joined the rest of the Council in the Room of Requirement. He was a little surprised to see that an extra person was present: Madame Pomfrey.
"Poppy has the casualty report for us, Harry," Dumbledore replied. "I thought that we should all hear what she has to say."
Harry nodded his agreement and Dumbledore indicated that the Matron should begin.
"Thank you Albus," Pomfrey said. "The casualties were rather lighter than I would have expected. Only three students, Nicola Nilsson, Carl Culkin and Victoria Resnick, were badly injured. Miss Nilsson and Miss Resnick are recovering nicely, although Mr Culkin has been moved to St Mungo's for observation. Other than that, six students are suffering from prolonged exposure to Dementors and another four have other minor injuries. All but Mr Culkin will be fit for classes on Monday."
"Excellent," Dumbledore said. "We were fortunate."
"Yes, we were," replied the Tiger. "But the Dark Lord will not give up, next time he will send a greater force, better organised."
Harry agreed with the Shengming master, and admitted as much. "I'm going to the DA sessions. Concentrate on the Patronus Charm and some offensive spell work like the Stunning Charm and the Inferno Jinx."
"Good idea, Harry," Dumbledore said. "Will you require any assistance?"
"No, we'll be fine. Civis can handle any mishaps."
"Good. Please inform the Guardians to step up patrols, and tell Mr Draper that I will try and free up some more of his people."
"Will do."
"Shi Ngau, Shi Hu, can you do that too?"
"We will do our best," promised the Tiger. "But we are limited by our numbers."
"I understand," Dumbledore assured him. "If there is nothing else?" There wasn't so he adjourned the meeting.
Harry stopped Professor Ambrose on the way out. "Professor, could I have a word?"
"Of course, Harry. What is wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," Harry assured her. "Except for the obvious. I just need a favour."
"Name it."
"You know I have the Sceptre of Amor, don't you?"
"Yes, I was aware of this. Why?"
"Well, I have the spell I need to destroy Voldemort, but it's rather long- winded and I think I'll need to get Voldemort off balance before I use it."
"I agree," said Ambrose. "Caelumi Power Spells are not the best for combat although they are devastatingly effective when used." Ambrose paused, and then she smiled. "You wish me to weave you some spells to use with the Sceptre."
"Could you.?" Harry asked. "That would be great."
"I believe I can," Ambrose confirmed. "Caelumi magic is not very compatible with Virga magic, but I think know some Senis battle spells that could be adapted to work with the Sceptre. Give me a month to do a little research. if all go well, I should have the spells ready for you by Christmas."
"Christmas?!" Harry exclaimed. "I was hoping for a little sooner."
"Spell-Weaving is a complex science, Harry," Ambrose reminded him. "It takes time. It can be rushed, but the results will be unpredictable and would require practice to master. This way they will work first time."
"Sorry, I didn't realise."
"No, few people do," observed Ambrose dryly. "So I do not take offence. Would it be possible to borrow the Sceptre, so I can get a reading on its magical signature?"
"Of course," Harry told her. "If you've got a minute to come down to my office, I'll give it you now."
"Certainly."
They arrived outside Harry's office about ten minutes later, Harry released the spelled door and showed Professor Ambrose inside. He ducked into his bedroom and came out with the velvet wrapped Sceptre. He presented it to Ambrose and sat down in his chair behind the desk. "What do you think?"
Ambrose unwrapped the Sceptre from its wrapping and examined it for a few minutes before answering. "Excellent craftsmanship, naturally. and its magical signature is the strongest I've ever felt from a single artefact. Would I be right in thinking that it is designed to channel the magic from other sources?"
"Yes, it is. Five rings in fact. Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Jamie and Sirius have them."
"I see, that explains the magical shift I'm sensing. Would it be possible for me to borrow this?"
"Sure. How long will you need it for?"
"Not long," Ambrose assured him. "I will return it to you, during, or after your lesson tomorrow."
"I see you then," Harry said.
"Have a good day, Harry,"
"I will."
Professor Ambrose rose and left the office. Harry stayed there for a few minutes, thinking about what had happened over the last few days and then left the office and headed over to the Infirmary to check on his friends, but not before sending Hedwig down to Jedrec's with a note about a certain pair of earrings.
A/N: Thanks to my reading week, I've managed to get this chapter up rather sooner than usual, Chapter 7 will probably be up by the weekend, but it will be back to the usual schedule for Chapter 8. I've enjoyed most of the reviews I've received so far, and hope you will all continue to let me know what you think. A slightly modified copy of the first three chapters of ToC has been posted on PhoenixSong.Net () and further chapters will be posted as soon as my beta has finished with them.
The next week or so was relatively uneventful, the highlight of the week being a guest lecture to the whole Advanced Defence Against the Dark class by a famous Vampire Hunter known as Angedemort, on the Vetuni, an ancient breed of living vampires that were - if the information that the Order's spies had discovered was true - working with Voldemort, and were apparently resistant to most of the normal anti-vampire countermeasures and could only be killed by fire, stabbing through the heart, decapitation, and wood or silver-poisoning. The DA session on Thursday night went well, as did that week's lesson with the Shengming. But despite this, Harry was rather keen for the week to end because Saturday would be the first Hogsmeade visit of the year.
----
"I don't understand why second years can't go into the village," Jamie complained. She had followed Harry up from breakfast to his bedroom off the DA office. "It's not fair."
"I know it isn't," Harry agreed. His dragonhide boots laced firmly around his ankles, he went over to the smaller of his two trunks and popped it open. Inside were the Sceptre of Amor and his collection of weapons. Harry removed the swordstick and threaded its holster into his belt and buckled the leg straps around his right thigh. After thinking for a moment, he also removed his glaives and clipped their sheaths to the back of his belt. "But those are the rules. Besides, I've a feeling there might be an attack today, so I'd like you out of the line of fire. At least you'll get to go next year."
"Yeah, I will," Jamie admitted. "But then it'll only be Ginny, Luna, Mark and me. The rest of you will've left."
"I know," Harry admitted with a sigh. "I'll owl you every chance I get, and I'll try and get some time off so I can see you. And Ginny of course."
"That won't be the same though," Jamie complained. "I know we've only known each other for a year or so, but I'm really going to miss you, Harry."
"Me too, Jamie," Harry assured her. He checked his weapons were all firmly fixed in their holsters and then went over to his wardrobe and removed his long dragonhide coat. "Do you want to come with me down to the Entrance Hall?"
"Nah, you'll be back by dinner?"
Harry nodded, and disappeared back into his office.
----
"How's Jamie?" Ginny asked, when Harry joined her in the Entrance Hall, Civis - in the form of a Kneazle - was waiting with her. "I noticed she followed you from breakfast, and she didn't look very happy."
"She's okay," Harry replied, slipping his arm through one of Ginny's. "I think it's just sunk in that this is my last year here. She's not looking forward to not having me around."
"I'll look out for her, Harry," Ginny promised him. "And so will Luna. She'll be fine."
"I know that, love," Harry said, and smiled a little sadly. "It's just. it's going to be hard. I know I don't always appreciate you, and my friends, but it's going to be hard for me too."
"We'll get through it, Harry," Ginny promised. "Now let's go down to the village okay?"
Harry nodded, and they followed the group of students, which included most the older students, including the majority of the DA, but a rather small amount of Slytherins. A fact that didn't escape Harry, and in fact disturbed him slightly. "Gin?"
"Yes Harry?"
"How many Slytherins do you see?"
Ginny scanned the group. "There are only four. Romulus, Blaise, Blackfern and Redthorn." "I know," Harry said. "And that worries me."
It took Ginny a minute or two to figure out what Harry was alluding to, and when she did, she paled. "You don't think.?"
"I think it's highly likely," Harry admitted. "But if they do, we'll be ready for them."
"I hope so."
"We'd better be," Harry said grimly. «Jonas?»
«Yes Harry?»
«Make sure everyone's ready. Only four Slytherins are coming down to Hogsmeade, all DA members. I don't believe in coincidence.»
«Neither do I,» agreed the Psychomens grimly. «I'll tell the others. Keep in touch.»
«Will do.»
----
They stopped in a few shops, including Jedrec's Jewel Emporium, where Ginny spotted a pair of cat earrings that she rather liked the look of, which Harry promptly resolved to buy for her birthday in two days time. After an hour, they decided to join the others in the Three Broomsticks for Butterbeer, as it was rather colder than usual for the time of year.
The usual group of teachers were already present, as were about half-a- dozen members of the DA and about twenty ordinary students, mostly Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs. Of their friends, only Romulus, Blaise, Neville and Luna had already arrived at the pub and were seated in one of the larger corner booths. As all four were already supplied with Butterbeer, Harry bought only two tankards before joining them, he handed one to Ginny and slipped in beside her, Civis curled up under the table out of sight.
After chatting with his friends over innocuous subjects for about an hour, Harry decided to mention what had been bothering him. "Romulus?"
"Yes Harry?"
"Have you noticed that. well, your house is a little. uh, underrepresented today?"
Romulus nodded. "That fact had not escaped my attention, Harry," he admitted. "It may be something to do with the owl that Malfoy received at breakfast this morning."
"That's what I was afraid of," Harry said. "I think there's going to be trouble."
Romulus sighed. "I had that feeling too, so I brought my short blade. Are you armed?"
"I've got my swordstick and glaives," Harry told him. "Gin? Blaise?"
"I've got some knives," Blaise said. Ginny indicated that she was carrying her pair of throwing knives. Neville and Luna were unarmed apart from their wands.
"I hope we don't have to use them," Harry said, and the others agreed.
This was a forlorn hope however. Harry was just going up to the bar to buy a second round, when the back door of the pub was blown off its hinges and six cloaked figures carrying wands and wearing the skull masks of Death Eaters entered. At the same time, another four men entered more quietly through the front carrying staves, they wore the ninja costumes and hoods of Vetuni, the most of feared of all vampires. Harry's eyes flicked towards his friends and nodded. Off to his right, McGonagall and the other teachers were also getting to their feet.
«Jonas?»
«Yes Harry.»
«Telepathic link, now.» Harry ordered. «We have a situation.»
«Do you require assistance?»
«We'll be fine,» Harry replied. «But there could be others.»
«Understood.»
All this took only a few seconds, but it was time enough for more of the enemy arrive, so that between Death Eaters and Vetuni the teachers and DA were outnumbered three-to-one. The tallest and largest of the wizards, who appeared to be the leader, stepped forward. "Surrender, or be killed."
Harry smiled, he recognised the voice of Walden MacNair, an old enemy of his within the Death Eaters and not the smartest of the Inner Circle. «Minerva?»
«Yes Harry?»
«Let's take them.»
«Agreed.»
Deciding that MacNair and the Vetuni were the main problem, Harry slipped his hands under his jacket and pulled out his glaives. "Everyone, get down!" Before any of the enemy could react, he had sent the two weapons flying in opposite directions and dove to the floor. One glaive nailed a Vetuni in the chest, killing him instantly while the other flew just to the right of MacNair's head.
At that moment, the room came to life. The Death Eaters opened fire, with a variety of spells while the Hogwarts residents dove for cover. One hapless Hufflepuff fourth year wasn't quite fast enough and was nailed in the back by a Cruciatus Curse. Her torment didn't last very long though as Flitwick nailed the offending wizard almost immediately with a well-aimed Stunning Charm. Civis transformed into his natural form and conjured a magical shield to provide cover for a group of untrained third years, while Romulus, Blaise and Ginny opted to follow Harry's example and take to the enemy.
As Harry leapt to his feet, he flicked his wand into his hand and sent a series of offensive spells at the line of Death Eaters: his Stunner was blocked by a Shield Charm, but the Bogarus Curse got through as did the Full-Body Bind and the Fire-Jet Jinx.
At this point, the eleven remaining Vetuni present decided to join the party. They charged forward only to be met with concerted opposition in the shape of Blaise, Romulus, Hagrid and Dr Chrystan - who though still in his human form, had summoned a long, very deadly-looking sword and was wending it as one who knew its use.
Within a matter of minutes, the thirty enemies were either incapacitated, or dead with most of the later being Vetuni. There were no fatalities among either students or staff although several people sported cuts and bruises and but a sixth year Hufflepuff that Harry only vaguely knew was suffering from a rather nasty Entrail-Expelling Curse, and the fourth year girl who'd been hit by the Cruiciatus Curse wasn't going anywhere either. Harry bent down beside Ginny, who was tending to him. She shook her head. Harry turned to look at McGonagall. "We need to get out of here. Nilsson and Culkin are badly hurt and there's nothing we can do for them here."
"Yes, I know," agreed McGonagall. "However, it is likely that these were not the only ones Voldemort sent."
Harry nodded, now that the mental fog of battle had cleared, he could feel the niggling sense of Dementors nearby. "Civis, can you go?"
"Naturally," replied the hobgoblin. "But I should stay with you."
"I'll be fine," Harry told him. "Go!"
"Gone," the hobgoblin agreed and vanished with a crack, taking the injured students with him.
«Jonas?»
«Thank Merlin! I've been trying to get through to you for about the last minute! Albus needs reinforcements at the Shrieking Shack. Dementors attacked a group of Gryffindor fifth years!»
«We're on our way,» Harry confirmed. «Can we get back to the castle?»
«Yes, but any non-combatants should be accompanied. There are about fifty Death Eater's and twice that many Vetuni hanging around.»
«Understood,» Harry turned to McGonagall. "Did you get that?"
She nodded. "Who can cast a Patronus of your students?"
"Romulus, Blaise and I have corporeal ones. Ginny, Neville and Luna could discourage a Dementor. Ginny's is very strong, just not corporeal."
"Then I think that Hagrid, Filius, Mr Longbottom and Miss Lovegood should escort the younger students out of danger while Mr Moon and Miss Zabini join the rest of us in helping Albus.
Harry nodded and the group split up as suggested and moved outside.
"Good luck," Neville called back over his shoulder as his group moved slowly back towards the castle.
"Thanks," Harry told him and once they were out of sight he turned and headed towards the Shrieking Shack with Ginny and McGonagall at his side and Romulus, Blaise and the other teachers following close behind.
When they reached the Shrieking Shack, the sight in front of them was hardly reassuring. Ron, Hermione and the fifth years were trapped with their backs to the Shack by a group of Dementors. Hermione's strong otter Patronus and a weak weasel Patronus that Harry guessed was Ron's were battling against the Dementors but were gradually weakening. Dumbledore, Snape, and Draper were trying to get to them but even their strong Patroni (phoenix, cobra and bat respectively) - backed by Menotti who was using her Luxformus powers to good effect - weren't enough to get through, and Harry could see that a group of Vetuni were creeping up behind the adult wizards. Harry shouted a warning through the telepathic link to Dumbledore, and Draper and Menotti quickly turned to attend to this new threat, Dr Chrystan unsheathed his blade again and charged to their aid. Harry turned to his other reinforcements. "Ready?"
"On three?" McGonagall suggested. Harry nodded. "One. two. three. EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
The five Patroni erupted simultaneously from their caster's wands and charged towards the horde of Dementors. Harry noted idly that McGonagall's Patronus was a copy of her own Animagus form; and that Romulus and Blaise's Patroni were a wolf and a viper respectively; but he felt a surge of pride when Ginny produced her first corporeal Patronus, although he was a little surprised by its form: a large silver panther. He would not discover its significance for another two years.
With the added power of the new arrivals, the Dementors were soon either killed or rounded up. The 'living' ones were herded into an energy cage conjured by Menotti, who agreed to stay with them until a Ministry team could be dispatched to take them away.
Harry sheathed his wand with a sigh of relief and limped over to check on his best friends who had still not moved from the sealed doorway of the Shrieking Shack. "Are you okay, Ron? Hermione?"
"I've been better," Hermione admitted, accepting the bar of chocolate Draper offered her and taking a big bite out of it. After a minute or two, she began to look a little better. "I didn't realise keeping a Patronus up could be so draining."
Harry nodded. "That is one difference I've noticed between Ambrose's 'Bogarus Golems' and the real thing. But you did well."
"Thanks Harry," said Hermione, and accepting Harry's assistance in rising.
The rather weary students and teachers returned to the castle, and after being checked over in the Hospital Wing, were allowed to go down to the Great Hall to get something to eat. Harry wasn't very hungry, so he only picked at his food and made his excuses as soon as possible and disappeared up to his room.
----
As the next day was Sunday, Harry slept late, and the Great Hall was fairly empty when he came down at about ten-thirty, of his friends in Gryffindor only Neville was still eating. Harry had expected Ron to be there too, but then he realised that both he and Hermione were still in the Hospital Wing recovering from the after effects of the Dementor attack.
Harry finished his breakfast, and was wondering whether to go up to the Infirmary to visit Ron and Hermione when Jonas called him on the telepathic link. «What is it, Jonas?» he asked.
«Dumbledore wants the Council in the War Room for an update.»
«Now?»
«As soon as you can.»
«I'm on my way.» Harry rose to his feet, made his excuses to Neville, and hurried back up the main stair to the seventh floor.
"What's up?" he asked when he joined the rest of the Council in the Room of Requirement. He was a little surprised to see that an extra person was present: Madame Pomfrey.
"Poppy has the casualty report for us, Harry," Dumbledore replied. "I thought that we should all hear what she has to say."
Harry nodded his agreement and Dumbledore indicated that the Matron should begin.
"Thank you Albus," Pomfrey said. "The casualties were rather lighter than I would have expected. Only three students, Nicola Nilsson, Carl Culkin and Victoria Resnick, were badly injured. Miss Nilsson and Miss Resnick are recovering nicely, although Mr Culkin has been moved to St Mungo's for observation. Other than that, six students are suffering from prolonged exposure to Dementors and another four have other minor injuries. All but Mr Culkin will be fit for classes on Monday."
"Excellent," Dumbledore said. "We were fortunate."
"Yes, we were," replied the Tiger. "But the Dark Lord will not give up, next time he will send a greater force, better organised."
Harry agreed with the Shengming master, and admitted as much. "I'm going to the DA sessions. Concentrate on the Patronus Charm and some offensive spell work like the Stunning Charm and the Inferno Jinx."
"Good idea, Harry," Dumbledore said. "Will you require any assistance?"
"No, we'll be fine. Civis can handle any mishaps."
"Good. Please inform the Guardians to step up patrols, and tell Mr Draper that I will try and free up some more of his people."
"Will do."
"Shi Ngau, Shi Hu, can you do that too?"
"We will do our best," promised the Tiger. "But we are limited by our numbers."
"I understand," Dumbledore assured him. "If there is nothing else?" There wasn't so he adjourned the meeting.
Harry stopped Professor Ambrose on the way out. "Professor, could I have a word?"
"Of course, Harry. What is wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," Harry assured her. "Except for the obvious. I just need a favour."
"Name it."
"You know I have the Sceptre of Amor, don't you?"
"Yes, I was aware of this. Why?"
"Well, I have the spell I need to destroy Voldemort, but it's rather long- winded and I think I'll need to get Voldemort off balance before I use it."
"I agree," said Ambrose. "Caelumi Power Spells are not the best for combat although they are devastatingly effective when used." Ambrose paused, and then she smiled. "You wish me to weave you some spells to use with the Sceptre."
"Could you.?" Harry asked. "That would be great."
"I believe I can," Ambrose confirmed. "Caelumi magic is not very compatible with Virga magic, but I think know some Senis battle spells that could be adapted to work with the Sceptre. Give me a month to do a little research. if all go well, I should have the spells ready for you by Christmas."
"Christmas?!" Harry exclaimed. "I was hoping for a little sooner."
"Spell-Weaving is a complex science, Harry," Ambrose reminded him. "It takes time. It can be rushed, but the results will be unpredictable and would require practice to master. This way they will work first time."
"Sorry, I didn't realise."
"No, few people do," observed Ambrose dryly. "So I do not take offence. Would it be possible to borrow the Sceptre, so I can get a reading on its magical signature?"
"Of course," Harry told her. "If you've got a minute to come down to my office, I'll give it you now."
"Certainly."
They arrived outside Harry's office about ten minutes later, Harry released the spelled door and showed Professor Ambrose inside. He ducked into his bedroom and came out with the velvet wrapped Sceptre. He presented it to Ambrose and sat down in his chair behind the desk. "What do you think?"
Ambrose unwrapped the Sceptre from its wrapping and examined it for a few minutes before answering. "Excellent craftsmanship, naturally. and its magical signature is the strongest I've ever felt from a single artefact. Would I be right in thinking that it is designed to channel the magic from other sources?"
"Yes, it is. Five rings in fact. Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Jamie and Sirius have them."
"I see, that explains the magical shift I'm sensing. Would it be possible for me to borrow this?"
"Sure. How long will you need it for?"
"Not long," Ambrose assured him. "I will return it to you, during, or after your lesson tomorrow."
"I see you then," Harry said.
"Have a good day, Harry,"
"I will."
Professor Ambrose rose and left the office. Harry stayed there for a few minutes, thinking about what had happened over the last few days and then left the office and headed over to the Infirmary to check on his friends, but not before sending Hedwig down to Jedrec's with a note about a certain pair of earrings.
A/N: Thanks to my reading week, I've managed to get this chapter up rather sooner than usual, Chapter 7 will probably be up by the weekend, but it will be back to the usual schedule for Chapter 8. I've enjoyed most of the reviews I've received so far, and hope you will all continue to let me know what you think. A slightly modified copy of the first three chapters of ToC has been posted on PhoenixSong.Net () and further chapters will be posted as soon as my beta has finished with them.