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Chapter 30: Pleasant and Unpleasant Surprises

Harry,

Voldemort has struck. Do not leave the castle under any circumstances. Do not leave your rooms unless it is absolutely necessary.

Severus scrawled the hasty note to his son and slipped it under his door. Snape wrote a second, longer letter, magically sealed it, and put it in his pocket. He then left the castle and Apparated to Grimauld Place.

Dumbledore was already present when Severus arrived. The impromptu meeting of the Order was about to commence.

Severus took a seat around the table, noting the worried expressions of the other Order members.

There was a low buzz in the room, as people traded tidbits of information and speculation.

"If I can have everyone's attention please," said Albus. It was not a question. Silence reigned.

"We have received intelligence that Voldemort has taken Gringotts. Based on the information that we have gathered, it seems that there has been dissention amongst the ranks of the Goblins. Those in the majority secured Gringotts for Voldemort, while a minority faction has slain Minister Fudge in his sleep."

The low buzz that had been present before now turned into a loud rumble as everyone spoke at once.

"Arthur, if you are prepared to accept the position," Dumbledore spoke over the other voices, which hushed instantly as the old man continued, "I will orchestrate a mob to demand your installation as Minister come morning."

Arthur nodded his assent.

"Severus, if you can find out what you may."

Severus nodded in the affirmative, he would wait out the meeting.

"Molly, Remus, if you would head back to Hogwarts, make sure all is secure. The Death Eaters may choose this time while our attentions are elsewhere to attack."

The two nodded and left.

"Kingsley, Tonks, if you would go to the Ministry and find out what you may."

The two Aurors Disapparated.

"Mundungus, find out what you can from your own sources, particularly about the slaying."

Things were definitely not going according to plan when Dumbledore handed out orders as such.

"Arabella, warn the Dursleys to stay in their home, they will be protected there, they are also liable to be attacked."

Arabella sniffed in distaste at the task, but complied. She would rather leave them to their fates.

"Bill, I ask that you remain with me today, you may be needed."

Bill nodded, then went over to speak to his father.

Severus went over to Albus.

"If I should not return," said Severus, pulling out the letter he had placed in his pocket. "Give this to Harry."

"I will do no such thing," said Albus. "You will return."

* * * * *

Harry woke up groggily, not knowing what had jolted him from his slumber. Then he realized what had done it: his neck was stiff and his back felt like it would snap in two. He had fallen asleep by the fire, fully clothed, glasses still on his face. Sighing, Harry got up to go to bed.

As he passed the door, he noticed a piece of parchment on the floor. Picking it up, he read, in his fathers script:

Harry,

Voldemort has struck. Do not leave the castle under any circumstances. Do not leave your rooms unless it cannot be avoided.

Harry's heart leapt into his throat. Ron... Hermione... All of the Weasleys... Remus... His father... He had no way to contact them, no way to know if they were safe. Voldemort has struck. What did that mean? Where did he strike? How?

Harry paced his room. He couldn't be expected to just sit here while the people he cared about could be in danger! Yet what could he do? He didn't know where the attack had occurred. He could go to Grimauld Place, but what could he do once he got there? At least he would know what was going on.

Quit being a prat! Harry admonished himself. He would do as instructed. This time, he would remain at Hogwarts. This was no time for his foolishness. He realized that if he left he would just pull members of the Order away from more important business in order to go chasing after him. He'd stay put. He could learn from his mistakes.

Now wide awake, Harry took his wand and began practicing curses on anything inanimate within reach.

* * * * *

Albus sighed a sigh that was only allowed to old men who had seen too much, and were now seeing more. It had begun.

* * * * *

Draco sat in his room, staring at the note his father had owled him.

Draco,

I may see you sooner than expected. I hope all at the castle is quiet. Do your part to make sure that it is. Always remember, my son, discretion is a virtue.

Father

Draco tried to make out his father's meaning.

I may see you sooner than expected. A Death Eater attack? That much seemed likely.

I hope all at the castle is quiet. One would expect that it would be: everyone around would be involved in the action, on one side or another, not that he could tell who stood where anymore. Draco rubbed his temples in confusion. His head felt like it was about to spin right off of his neck.

Do your part to make sure that it is. What in the name of Hades was he supposed to do? Everyone would be gone except... Oh. Potter. Why did everything always revolve around that boy?

But then...

Always remember, my son, discretion is a virtue. So he wasn't supposed to attack Potter. Draco's head was spinning again. He couldn't make heads or tails of this.

Do your part to make sure that it is. Everyone should be gone. Make sure everyone is gone? Would someone have stayed to protect Potter? Would they send him a guard? Draco snorted: they would, wouldn't they?

Discretion is a virtue. Potter is wanted intact.

So, Death Eater's coming, try to help clear their way to Potter, but don't attack Potter? That sounded about right.

* * * * *

Harry sat in his room, feeling as if he was sitting on hot coals. He wanted to get up and do something. He felt useless just sitting here, safe and sound, while Merlin-knew-what was going on outside. Hermione would be a target. All the Weasleys would be. His father would likely be out hobnobbing with Death Eaters. He might have been Summoned, Harry had no way of knowing. And what if he couldn't find his Death Eater robes? Or his mask? Harry suddenly thought his little prank very foolish. Idiot. I'm an idiot!

* * * * *

Molly and Remus reached the gates of Hogwarts, quickly making there way to the castle, making sure that everything was in order, everything secure. All seemed quiet.

The pair reached the doors to the castle, their eyes adjusting to the dimness of the indoors as the doors closed behind them.

Before them they saw the young Malfoy standing, arms crossed against his chest. The boy reached into his pocket, and pulled out a piece of parchment. He extended his arm, proffering the note. "You intercepted this," he said. Remus instinctively took the parchment. Without further elaboration, the boy turned heal, heading back to the dungeons.

Confused, Remus opened the note. Molly looked on, reading as Lupin did.

Draco,

I may see you sooner than expected. I hope all at the castle is quiet. Do your part to make sure that it is. Always remember, my son, discretion is a virtue.

Father

They needed to call for reinforcements at once.

* * * * *

Bill sat in Grimauld Place, watching his father, watching Albus. It still felt strange referring to him as such. Albus. He would always be Dumbledore to him.

Dumbledore looked tired and worn. It was the most frightening thing Bill had ever seen.

Then he saw his mother's face in the fire.

"Albus, she called," not bothering to acknowledge her husband or son. This could not be good. Then again, he hadn't expected it to be.

"Yes, Molly," said the old man who for the first time in Bill's memory actually appeared to be old.

"I can't explain much through the fireplace. We'll be needing reinforcements."

"Stand back," with that, Dumbledore went through the fireplace, presumably to get more details.

* * * * *

Severus spoke to Lucius. The man would not give up a single bit of useful information. They continued to smile to each other's face, and sneer at each other's back.

* * * * *

Draco paced his room. He could only hope his father would fall for this. He wasn't ready to choose sides yet.

* * * * *

Albus stood in his office, considering the note he was reading. Well that was a pleasant and unpleasant surprise. Pleasant that they had the information, the information itself less pleasant.

Albus considered the two people in front of him. I will contact Tonks and Kinsley, they will be needed here. I will ask them to bring those they can persuade, those they can trust."

* * * * *

The Ministry was in disarray. There was nothing to be done here, no information to be gathered. No one seemed to know what was happening. They had sent a team of Aurors to Gringotts, not that they would accomplish anything, one team against Voldemort and all his minions: the goblins were powerful in their own right.

Tonks paced her office. She then saw Albus's head in the fireplace.

"Get Kingsley, and whomever you believe to be trustworthy, you're needed at Hogwarts."

Finally, something she could do.

* * * * *

Albus left Hogwarts. There was much to be done. Wizards were gathering in the streets, now he only needed to direct them.

* * * * *

Arthur sat awaiting instruction. An excellent Minister he would make, he snorted to himself, when all he could do in a situation like this was wait on his backside for orders from others. Still, better than Fudge.

* * * * *

Hagrid had spent the night in the forest with his brother. He came back to Hogwarts, but things did not seem right. It was too quiet.

He went into the castle, headed toward Dumbledore's office.

"Molly, Remus," Hagrid greeted the two on his way to the Headmaster's office. "What's going on?"

* * * * *

The twins looked out the front window of their apartment above their shop. It overlooked Diagon Alley. The war, it would seem, had begun in earnest. Blood had been shed in front of Gringotts. There seemed to have been a feud between different goblin factions.

* * * * *

Harry petted Saholna. He sat. He waited. He paced. He couldn't even bring himself to be upset with Dobby right now. He showered. He dressed. Where the hell were his all his knickers? He paced some more, knickers or no.

* * * * *

Dobby paced along with Harry. Oh, bad wizards is making trouble. Dobby is knowing it!

* * * * *

Severus left Malfoy Manner. He would rather have stayed, if only to keep an eye on Lucius, but his excuses were running thin.

* * * * *

"Arthur," said Albus. "There is a large crowd gathered outside the Ministry. Are you ready to lead?"

Arthur nodded. He was ready.

* * * * *

Minerva McGonagall received an urgent missive. Her current assignment was to be temporarily abandoned, Hogwarts was under threat.

* * * * *

"Today is a sad day for the wizarding world, but this past year has been sadder. Evil has been allowed to gather, evil has been allowed to brew, evil has been allowed to plot and plan. Corruption has festered, and here we see the results. The Dark Lord WILL NOT be allowed to reign," Arthur Weasley slammed his fist into the makeshift podium.

The crowd cheered. It had been done. The rest was merely details.

* * * * *

Draco penned a letter to his father.

I await your instructions.

Your son,

Draco

Draco held the letter, not sure he ought to send it.

* * * * *

Harry waited, pacing his room. He was nearly mad with worry. He hexed the furniture. He waited some more.

* * * * *

Percy Weasley sat in his sat in the Minister's office, fending off Howlers. Who sent Howlers to a dead man? Percy was still in shock. He banished another Howler. He needed a drink.

* * * * *

Harry sent out a set of Extendable Ears that the Weasley twins had included in their package. All was quiet.

* * * * *

Hermione Granger paid a knut to the owl that had delivered her morning paper. She spat her juice out on the cover.

* * * * *

Severus went to Knockturn Alley. He was good friends with the owner of the Apothecary there. Perhaps Yazinoff would have some information.

* * * * *

Remus, Minerva, Molly, Tonks, Kingsley, and six other Aurors patrolled the grounds of Hogwarts. They would be ready.

* * * * *

Ginny tried to console Ron, to calm him, to comfort him. Some would expect the situation to be reversed, they would be wrong.

* * * * *

Harry heard noises over the Extendables, shouts. Curses flying. Hogwarts was under attack.

* * * * *

Draco walked sedately to the Owlery. He would send the letter. He had bought time, that was the best he could do, for now. But now it was time to cover his own ass.

* * * * *

Only six Death Eaters came to Hogwarts. They had likely expected the place to be near deserted. Remus could have jumped for joy. Instead, he hexed the nearest Death Eater. One down, five to go.

* * * * *

Tonks hit one Death Eater square in the chest with a stunning spell. She would not use Unforgiveables in battle. For training, yes. In battle, no. Tonks turned to catch herself another Death Eater, only to see a jet of green light heading toward her. Someone had attacked from behind. The Killing Curse. She knew she was too late.

An owl was headed straight for the Death Eater who had sent out the curse. The owl was hit. Tonks was saved. Minerva stunned the Death Eater who had attacked Tonks.

* * * * *

Albus sighed. There was nothing to be done about Gringotts today. They would negotiate with the goblins beginning tomorrow. Hopefully the worst of the crisis they faced could be averted.

He would return to Hogwarts, for now.

"Go see your family, Bill, I'm sure you're worried."

Bill was only too happy to comply.

Albus Flooed to his office. He looked out the window. There were six Death Eaters tied in magical ropes on the grounds. He always seemed to arrive right just as events were done unfolding at Hogwarts. Ironic, it was.