Note: this Chapter is also dedicated to The Bronze Snidget aka Kari Lynn, who has the best bio… smiles.
The Sound was eerie and the fact that it echoed off every wall was no better. It was a noise that you heard when McGonagall was storming down to Gryffindor tower to kill a kid… or five. It was the clicking of a mad woman's shoes on stone….
Click cluck click clunk….
It was unnerving. It was doubled as both Antoinette and Virginia headed towards center of the castle which in a hidden chamber held Charm already.
The Children didn't bother to bow, just jumped out of the way of the layers of billowing fabric went rushing by.
The room was made of stone mainly, It was hard and cold despite the large fire place in the center. Charm stood over a table a map rolled out in front of her.
"Come." Charm said. A Young girl sat across from Charm against the wall. The New Watcher, a child named Tammy.
"A spy has just informed us of the first impending battle. In Hogsmeade. It's supposed to happen in one month to the day. Come look, It's like you said, they are going to attempt to take hostage the whole town."
Virginia hurried to the map that showed streets and buildings of Hogsmeade, the there was a circle forming on the out skirts of the town of small hidden cottages. By each cottage a small name was noted. Goyle, Malfoy, Crabbe and Pettigrew to name a few. It was a huge circle, a few small red X's littered the map.
"The X's are buildings where the inhabitants are being held under spells already."
Virginia stared at the map. "give me a pen, get the others in here, Including Lupin…" She commanded.
"Here is the Only place that the Order an enter, by studying some of the past battles I can assure you, They will only be able to enter through the entrance, the main road to Hogsmeade. Now Once the Order is there they'll fall into lines right about here, at the Hogshead making a first line that will stop the order entering any further into the town. They won't even attempt to form a circle around them because in the past Voldemort has suffered great losses at that approach…" Carolina said making notations on the map.
" They wont start fighting first off, Voldemort has always been too cocky to just start throwing spells, no first they'll try to size each other up…. Comments will be tossed back and forth for about ten minutes before…." Draco said
"We have a bigger problem than this. The day is The last Hogsmeade day before school is over… Hundreds of students will be in that town… It's the Death eaters children's initiation… We thought It'd come later, but we were quite wrong… The attack will be wile all the students are in the town…." Virginia had thrown off her robe and was pacing in the room.
"I'm staying at the school, I'll tell Dumbledore to cancel the Hogsmede day" Remus put in.
"No, there's too much preparation put into this, and the children will be able to still get out." Blaise said. It will still go down, and then, there will be a an even higher chance of the fight spreading from Hogsmede to the castle, and then it will probably mass murder of the Hufflepuff and Gr-"
"You just hit it Blaise…. Remus you're going to be my messenger for me… Antoinette all the children of the home are either specially trained or highly advanced correct?"
"Quite, if a child is not battle worthy they do not stay at the Home they are sent to one of Europe's fine boarding schools." Antoinette said. Here eyes suddenly got wide. "Virginia if your thinking what I'm thinking…. You're a Genius."
"Good… Gather the ambassadors, we need to see to it that they go off to speak to their troops." Virginia said. She grabbed her robe and settled it about her shoulders. Charm took off to go alert of a gathering.
"Okay, You will explain to us what you are thinking right?" Carolina asked. Virginia nodded "After Remus does my messenger work, come now you all want to be present when I speak to the ambassadors."
Virginia stood on a floating platform in the hall. All the ambassadors were gathered about along with the armies of the Home.
"It has come to a head my friends. In one month to the day the war will begin in Hogsmede. You all need to go, gather your troop your friends, our allies. Report back to us, bring all here, and we'll shelter all… The Home will be closed 2 days from the day at midnight. If you have not returned by then, contact through post and I'll see to it, but we cannot have our doors wide open… You all have became my friends, and you all swore to me very few months ago allegiance to me. I expect nothing more than your best. I have faith in each of you, all I ask is you have faith in me… We all must stand and strive together to meet and concur this evil and I have all the faith in you all, my friends. With that, Thank you all for your support."
Remus Sighed walking around the court yard. The flowers looked perfect and the simple beauty of it almost hurt his eyes. He looked towards the balcony he'd noted earlier, It was Virginia's and she'd stepped out a few moments ago, along with Draco, to close the windows. When she'd noticed him she'd gave a quick wave, before slipping back into the room.
"Good day Mr. Lupin." Remus turned to her. It was the pale blond who'd got Virginia from the dinner. Ann… ann something.
"Hello.. Ann-"
"Antoinette we weren't properly introduced, I command the Home's armies."
"Really, Did you know I was once Virginia's professor, teaching her Defense Against the Dark Arts… I never could dream that this is what she'd be, I mean sure Dumbledore told me about that dumb prophecy, but I never thought that it would come true." Remus looked at a small rose bud. "Did you know that when she was in my class she'd barely look into my eyes, My god, just seeing her like this today… it's amazing." Remus cleared his throat. " I had a friend, Sirius, Well, when he met her he told me that she'd change the world, and that she was the most amazing person he'd ever met, I seems in Her second year she'd stumbled over him in his animagus form, every day she trekked into the forbidden forest to feed him… Everyday, snow or shine. Then well, Through the order of the phoenix she met up with him in person and he told me again that she'd shatter the worlds perception of everything." Remus smiled and turned to her. " I guess Dumbledore's and his predictions will come true"
"Oh, no, I tend to disagree, Sirius Black's predictions are already in the works, Dumbledore's well lets just say that I wrote a poem, and Charm found the person to plant it in-"
"You mean, That stuff he's been sprouting about how she-"
"No, she will be a deciding factor in the war, but She never had the choice to be good or evil, It's not in her soul for the ability, Like look… See this rose bud, Pale virginal white, yes?"
"Yes"
"Well, No matter how bad it wants to be red it cannot, It wasn't made for it. Just like Virginia, If she wanted to be bad, she could try, but everything she would do, would ultimately have a good reaction, like she shot an unspeakable at you. It would miss you and hit the bad guy, or by you being gone it would enable another piece o the puzzle, It is not built in her soul to allow evil to happen, no mater what she does for the rest of her life, once this war is over, Once the home returns to it's basic form, and the ambassadors leave and settle back in to their previous routine, Everything she does will ultimately be for the better of human kind. That's how it works.
"We had to get Dumbledore to let things happen as they must, So, Charm placed a poem in one of Dumbledore's friends, and then when he was around, charm altered Dumbledore and everyone's in the room's vision to reflect the woman going into a state to deliver the prophecy, all the wile, It was just her sitting in her rocking chair reading a poem, Her memory had to be slightly altered, to do that Charm ripped out the poem so suddenly that it gave her confusion. Then she took up Residence in the school a year before Draco, and 4 years later I began courting the affections of Peter Pettigrew, Voldemorts right hand man to find information, and that leads us up to right about now…"
"You know Peter?" Remus swallowed. " He-"
"He was your friend, and you feel guilt and sadness over him… here come with me, you and I are going to become good friends over a pot of tea and cookies, You have a lot to speak of, and you leave tomorrow, come along and let me be your confidant…"
"You don't-"
"I know that, the key is Remus we all need very good friends, and you have a few, but we all also need good confidants to keep us sane and let us bare their soul, you find that you can't do that with the friends you already have, but the key is, Is I am now your friend, and I want to be your confidant too, come my friend and speak to me of all that bares on your slim shoulders."
*~*~*Next Day*~*~*
Remus didn't say anything as he flooed straight into the headmasters office. A look of pure shock appeared on the headmasters face.
"Remus I thought Johan had asked you to stay month or two!"
"I was asked by someone more important to come back and see that you received this." Remus said producing the thick envelope that held the letter. He slipped it to Albus.
Headmaster Dumbledore-
It has came to my attention through specialty sources that an attack is going to happen on Hogsmede on the last Hogsmede weekend, It is to draw out the order of the Phoenix… Professor Lupin can explain any question you have about the ancient powers that have awoken, for I have neither the time nor the patience to pen it.
This attack is set to happen wile Hogwarts precious students are in the town, We mustn't let this happen… god knows how many bodies would be taken away, You also cannot stop the weekend from coming, the Death Eater students would still get out to meet their leaders… It would be more likely that the battle would hit Hogwarts then also…
We have a number, more like a few hundred children trained to fight, these children should take place of the Hogwarts children, In other words, all innocent students should be confined to their dormitory. My children will take these children's places in going to Hogsmede. The battle will go on, but don't think that you and the order, and your aurors are alone…
I wish not to pull rank on a man I much respect, but if you fail to agree to this, I will do what I must to protect the school, and the innocent which attend.
With respect,
Virginia Weasley
Queen of the Home.
Dumbledore turned his head to Remus. "The Home…. You mean.. it's not a ledged… It's true, there is such ancient magic…and Virginia.. She's…"
"Yes! And the prophecy, that great one gave to you, was totally choreographed by the two women. One a time Watcher, and the other a Military commander Dumbledore.. Virginia… She's amazing, and the others, You should see them. The Goyle girl stood over a map, and dictated strategy, Wile Blaise and Draco, I mean My god, Dumbledore… It's… amazing to say the least…" Remus said. He tossed himself into the chair in a position reminiscent of the old days, Dumbledore could almost see him tossing himself down like that In the Common room, Sirius on the floor looking through a book of bets on anything from the Quidditch match to how many times Professor McGonagall would scream 'BLACK, POTTER, LUPIN!" Peters name was always left off because he'd always been left behind the scenes, James would be sitting in a singular chair, his broom in his hand, and his polish in the other. The smile on Remus' face was reminiscent of those days too.
"Remus, if I might ask, what is it your thinking of, I… I don't believe I've seen you ever smile like this…"
Remus looked at his mentor and then turned to him. "I guess you never would have seen me like this, because I've never met her before… I mean my god, she's perfect, and she's my friend.. You know what she doesn't even care that I'm a werewolf.. I mean I really didn't think there were other people like that, but last night.. I've never felt such peace with one person… I mean we sat all night, drinking strawberry tea and eating peanut butter cookies… and she just listened to me… It.. It's like nothing I've ever had before with anyone." Remus said.
The twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes was full force when he whispered "ahh love."
~*~*~*The Home, The hidden Chamber~*~*~*
Virginia Draco, Charm, Carolina, Blaise and Antoinette all sat around a large map of the surrounding area of Hogwarts to Hogsmede. Carolina was spouting off a list of military maneuvers and what they could do for the attack.
"What do you think about an air attack Antoinette?"
Everyone's eyes sought out Antoinette after she didn't answer after a moment.
Her eyes were vacant far off, and there was a sweet smile on her lips.. She was day dreaming.
" Why don't you all continue on, Antoinette and I are going to take a walk in the court yard." Virginia said. She Walked towards Antoinette and laid a hand on her shoulders Antoinette jumped. "Come along Antoinette you and I are going to take a walk.." Immediately Antoinette jumped up and followed her out the door.
"I'm so so sorry my Queen-"
"Shush dear, Come now I consider you and I friends, call me Virginia, Now then what on earth do you have to be sorry for, You did absolutely nothing wrong, we all tend to day dream, though normally you tend to be very prideful of Carolina when she gets on her stints because you helped awaken her skills, so now the real question is my friend, what is it that you are preoccupied over?"
"Oh, I dare not burrne-"
"On the contrary Antoinette It would be no problem at all if you burdened me…"
"I, well, Last night I spent the night with Lupin"
"You slept with a werewolf? Oh it had to be absolutely wild!" Virginia said. Antoinette's eyes practically jumped out of their head.
"No, oh, oh no, I mean well we stayed up all night drinking tea and eating cookies, and talking, and well, It was just like.. He was so sweet, and I mean.. I've sort of set my life to military, and now, all I can do is think of him, I- I can't even recall half of the basic strategy, I mean oh god…"
"Sounds to me like your in Love…or lust, I mean he is a werewolf…I'm just kidding"
"Great just great, I'm in love, just give me the knife now." Antoinette said.
"Oh come now it's not that bad."
"Oh yes it is-"
"No, Love is one of the most beautiful things-"
"says you."
"Come now, Love is one of the reasons wars are raged, You, Your in love with strategy, obsessed by it, well now your obsessed by both, the key is to balance the time, Dream of Remus at night, Hell floo the man over every night and romp in the bed, I promise, We won't mind another face around here." Virginia said. Antoinette's eyes were bugged out again about the romping in the bed room, but really…
"It is okay at this moment Antoinette to be preoccupied, but soon, none of us will have the luxury to day dream, so do it now." Virginia said and smiled. "Come we will get back inside and try to keep our minds on Carolina's strategy…"
Virginia sat in front of the fire thinking. A map of the town at hand, along with quills. Her body was totally relaxed, but every so often she reached over and jotted a note down on the side of the map.
Draco stood back admiring her. It took strength to stay there and not grab her and pull her into the bed that was close by. He slowly took a few steps till he stood behind her. He looked down at the map. Notes around it where jotted, along with figures of the amount of troops already gathered. He gulped thinking about it, and much to his shock her hand shot up and caught his.
"Sit with me Draco, and help me figure it all out…. Please."
The please was more than he could take. He pulled the map before them both and settled down next to her. She produced a stack of parchments.
"Some of the ambassadors have already got back to us… some good some bad."
"well, lets get to it them…"
Blaise smiled at Charm as they walked together in the garden. It was well into the early morning, but Draco and Virginia's windows remained open, and the candles bright.
"Virginia is nervous"
"So we all shall be soon. Virginia knows a bit more of the risk than us… she is worried.." Carolina said and winked "But, we know what their doing, with all those lights open, you tell me who's that and what are they doing?" Charm pointed off to another window and balcony set. Antoinette's room, The lights were exceedingly, but two forms could be seen in an embrace.
"Who's she with?" Blaise asked incredulous.
"A werewolf, that resides at Hogwarts…"
"You mean LUPIN?" Blaise said he began a soft laugh that was soon a chuckle. "It's official there's someone for everyone." He said shaking his head. "Hell, have you read some of those letters Potter, and Carolina send… Scandalous I tell you!" Blaise said.
Charm laughed.
"Good. Come my dear, lets go have some fun ourselves." Charm said leading Blaise off.
Russia-
The man woke, cold sweats pouring through him. His body shaking. His eyes were wild as he looked about his room.
"Sirius… James… Stop this now…" He yelled, but the torment in his soul didn't stop, and he couldn't tamp it down. He grabbed a sheet and pulled it about him.
"I didn't mean to do it… I didn't mean to do it. I didn't mean to do it. I didn't mean to do it.. I didn't mean to do it. I didn't mean to DO IT!!! AHHHHH"
The mans screams echoed through the old castle awakening many a member of the clan that lived their, They echoed about the hall for a wile, before they were suddenly cut off…
"Very good, Lucius of you to plot the scare of him… sniveling coward that he was… thought his friends back to haunt him… Very good… See that his body is sent to the school…. Can't be having a right hand man who has a wizarding bond hanging over his head to Mr. Potter, now can I… See to it.
Lucius looked over his handy work. The little idiot had been killed with childhood tricks. Scared to death… good.