Wotcher, sorry it took me so long to come out with this chapter… I have had a heap of school assignments AND my computer had a virus so we had to delete everything off the hard drive. So you could imagine how I felt when all my saved writings were all erased.Sob
Anyway, thanks to those who gave me the reviews, thank you Loretta, GryphonMisstress, Puppy, NightWing509, mikey, lucugirl07, MordsithGoddess, A unwanted mind, PlasmaFyre, and katie janeway
By the way, the new trailers for Poa that have been coming out… screams in excitement and jumps out the window
Chance
One last chance to couple the ties of bondage
One last chance to let ardent essences be mated
One last chance to let the unspoken be heard…
Chances are at times not taken of heed
And because of that, regret has been born from the womb of mortality…
Chances can neither be forsaken nor neglected Because there is no turning backThere is no again…
A single bead of perspiration trailed down haggard, pallid white skin, leaving a stream of moisture in its wake. A trembling hand unconsciously swiped at the offending drop of sweat, its brother slowly tipping of ladle of asphodel into the eerily smoking cauldron boiling before him. The linear leaves of the white flower immediately were swallowed into the rough, forest green concoction, followed by a meticulous smattering of belladonna, otherwise known as deadly nightshade. The figure watched in fascination as the bubbling cauldron gave a smooth hiss and emitted a cloud from its ghostly mist. The cloud consisted of both black and white smoke, the gases mingling and battling for silent dominance. A wisp of a smile could be seen quirking at the corners of the figures parched lips as the white smoke was finally triumphant, forming a luminescent crown over the top of the potion.
Letting the cauldron simmer down into peace, he ran his thoughtful eyes back down the book passage staring back at him. Each word upon the page seemed to blink warily, a sign that the effects of the potion were taking toll. Rubbing a frustrated hand over the top of his drooping eyelids, he half fell into the wooden chair awaiting him. It creaked under the suddenness of his weight as he leaned back partially on its two back legs. The figure knew what was happening, but he was also un-doubtfully adamant about the choice he had added to his life's burden. But no… Not once would he feel regret. This chance had been handed to him, and he would be damned if he would take heeding of it.
The shadowy potion chambers in the pit of the dungeons below Hogwarts had drawn dark circles over the pale skin beneath his eyes, and he felt both mentally and physically weary. The potion was nearly completed, save one key ingredient to its success. Heaving a sigh, he turned away from the bubbling cauldron and left the chamber with a slam of the heavy door. It closed with a resounding bang that echoed off the cold, damp stonewalls. It was time to see the headmaster.
Walking silently up the vast staircases of the school, he came to halt at a large window. He leaned against the window frame and crossed his arms over his chest.
Turning his head to the right, he could see the sun spilling over the top of the mountains. The window from where he stood overlooked the towers below, and he watched with shrewd interest as the light of morning slithered along the castle walls, bathing each stone in its glow. But there was something almost sinister about that distinct glow as it poured into every corner and alcove of the school. A forewarning glow mixed with hues of blood red. A red dawn had arisen with the sun that dawn, along with the lives that had been taken during the shade of night.
The time had come…
He was coming… The adversary and his plight… But they would be ready…
One last sunrise before the end…
One last day…
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Harry Potter walked in long, quick strides through the vast, myriads of corridors that were Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry. Close on his heels were the three Gryffindors, all running in their haste to catch up with The Boy who lived. None of them spoke for there were whispers of bad omens floating among the saturated air like bacteria. It was that that very morning that Harry had awoken to find Hedwig hooting loudly from the headboard of his four-poster bed. She had a letter tied to her leg, and after relieving his snowy familiar from its burden with a token of owl treats, Harry tore open the wax seal of the Hogwarts crest.
Harry,
If you would be so kind, as to please join me in my office after breakfast, it would be most appreciated. Your companions are more than welcome to come along for this attains to them as well. It is imperative that you be discreet.
-Albus Dumbledore
P.S. The password to the office is Tickle Trifle, a most praiseworthy new sweet courtesy of Fred and George Weasley, if I do say so myself.
The letter from the headmaster lay folded in the safe pit of his trousers pocket as he continued on his way toward Dumbledore's office, shoulders tense. He knew precisely what was to be said when they got there, and it was something that he had not wanted to be spoken aloud for all to hear. When the words were uttered, then it would all be final. It would make them wonder what Harry was to do. But that was one secret he had no intention of telling.
This really was it… His last day beneath the stone fortress of his first home. He really was not quite sure how he felt about it to be perfectly honestly either. Ever since he had awoken that morning, Harry Potter had been caught up in a distracting haze of mixed feelings. And a planned meeting with Dumbledore only seemed to further muddle up what was left of his awareness. Hermione had sensed this at breakfast and gave him a sobering charm. It helped, but only just. Determined to keep a straight, properly working head for the meeting, Harry walked faster. Ron gave a grunt of agitation from behind him as his best mate sped up yet again.
Ginny was walking beside him, her red hair drawing a curtain around her features. Occasionally their shoulders would brush together, or their fingers would sweep across one another's knuckles in whispered, secretive caresses. His thoughts drifted to just last night when they slept upon the hillside, her cradled like a child against him. It was cherishing… She seemed to be sharing mutual thoughts because she looked up at him carefully from behind her hair, her face tinted pink. He nearly chuckled at that, but settled for giving her a slight smile, a thousand words behind the pulling of his lips. She could only smirk and bump the side of her hip to his as they continued to walk. Anyone watching them now would only see two people, two Gryffindor friends, walking side by side. But to the sharp eyed, it was more than what it seemed. And it was the feelings that sparked like magic between them, which Harry would take with him when leaving the world behind.
Struggling in vain to push those resounding thoughts away, he quickened his walking once more. But the Boy who Lived could not help but let his mind drift back to a dream he had last night. It was a dream that spoke endless meanings, but he had a good idea of what it was that he saw. Harry could remember sounds of war, both jet of magic light and the clashing of metal swords. He had been standing amidst a battle, unseen and unnoticed. All around him were wizards dressed in proud navy blue garb, sheaths and wand holsters at their armored waists. It had been so real, every cry, every scream… The regiment was waging their war against a legion of black cloaked phantoms, an army of its own sweeping down the mountainside with abomination. He could almost smell the bitterness of torn and burnt flesh, and even shed blood. Then it had happened, like some distant memory of his past. Wizards raising their wands into the air above their heads in unison, their mouths all uttering the same fateful words… Ego Proventus Mei Piaculum
Light… Light like Harry had never before seen. Light came from the velvet skied heavens like rain, and pelted upon their crested heads, their ignited wands gleaming like fallen stars. Even in his dream. Harry had to shield his eyes as every shadow of the world seemed to melt into nothingness against this blinding light. Each wizard blurred into silhouettes, the godly luminescence tearing through their corporal forms, mirrored against Harry's glasses lenses. He could hear a rising chorus of blood-curdled screams as Priscus Piaculum, the salvage of balance, stole through their regiments, robbing each soldier of life. The light gave a last gasp before twisting into ethereal tendrils at the end of each raised wand before disappearing.
The smoke had cleared and at last, Harry could see the battlefield… All was silent; all voices had spoken their last… There he stood upon the hill of still bodies, eagled eyes staring unblinkingly, unseeingly at him. And then, a single tear ran down his cheek as he himself fell back to lay among the bed of the dead, his body cushioned by the mound of frozen stone limbs…
He had woken from the perturbing dream to find himself still lying upon the grass of the hillside in a trembling, cold sweat, but with a peaceful Ginny curled beside him. Harry did not fall asleep again that night, but instead, looked up at the heavens, visions of blinding light plaguing his mind.
No use in thinking about all this rubbish, he thought to himself
Finally approaching the stone gargoyles guarding the headmaster's office, Harry gave the password. They jumped aside and the four walked through. His friends seemed to share the same feelings of dread that they knew was to come with this meeting because each had open expressions. Ginny was wringing at the folds of her black school robes while constantly biting down upon her bottom lip with inner turmoil. Hermione was uncharacteristically fidgeting from behind him; her bushy brown hair even more frazzled and frizzy while it swallowed up the air around them like a sponge. Lastly, Ron was running a quivering hand through his own flaming red locks, mussing it up to no redemption where it might rival that of Harry's.
"Please enter!" Came the reply when Harry knocked upon the large door. Inhaling deeply, his hand twisted the door handle and they burst in. The voices that had been speaking before they came in all grew silent.
There were faces everywhere. Harry looked around in bewilderment to see all of the Order of the Phoenix staring shrewdly back at him, accompanied with the familiar faces of the Hogwarts teaching staff. They were seated in a circle of chairs that was arranged in the center of the office, the headmaster sitting at the very head of it. It reminded him briefly of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Albus Dumbledore was the sight of a wizened, old wizard with a gleaming silver beard and neatly folded hands upon his midnight blue robed lap. Even from the door, Harry Potter, could see that familiar twinkle in the headmaster's eyes.
Dumbledore's office suddenly seemed too small for Harry's liking as each pair of eyes trained on him. Sensing his friend's mutual discomfort, judging by their faces, he opened his mouth to speak but was beat to it.
"Harry, good of you and your company to join us. Please do sit down," Dumbledore said with a wave of his hand toward four empty chairs among the circle. Sharing a glance with the others, Harry entered the circle and they lowered themselves into the waiting chairs. Remus, who was sitting across from him looking very old, gave him a rigid nod. Fighting against the urge to wince as he thought of their argument, he averted his eyes. He sincerely hoped that the dear werewolf would not choose this meeting to reveal his secret to defeating the dark lord. If they found out, then he knew that he would never be able to go through with it. He could not turn back…
Tonks, who sat beside Remus with bubblegum pink hair that would surely baffle Aunt Petunia, gave him a hearty wink. From across the circle, she conspicuously mouthed to him "Wotcher, Harry!" Harry smiled in retaliation, glad that her simple grin could help lighten the tension that plagued them all that day. Nevertheless, he knew one thing for sure. Her grin would most likely not be able to lessen the pain that would be beckoned with the inevitable words to come.
Next to Tonks sat the war torn form of Mad-Eye Moody lounging in his chair. Harry felt a deep sense of trepidation gather nauseously in his gut as he found the old Auror's artificial magic eye settled on him. That eye could probably analyze every thought inside his head, namely the ones about 'Priscus Piaculum'. But, when he met Moody's gaze again, there was an emotion silhouetted in those dark eyes. An emotion that he had currently come to terms just that night while Ginny Weasley slept in his arms with blissfully ignorant dreams. Acceptance… A hard smile turned up the corners of Harry's lips as he nodded at Moody. Surely, Alastor Moody understood the heart of a soldier. He did not need a magic eye for that. He understood that if a soldier were to willing to fight for something, die for something, then by no means would anything hinder him down the road of judgment. Even if reckless sacrifice was the only path he had left to take. Mad-Eye accepted Harry's decision, just as he accepted the fact that he had only one leg.
The relief that had been harbored with Moody's comprehension was quickly relinquished to smoldering anger as his magnificent green eyes locked with the Potion Master's Severus Snape. Well, no worries, you greasy git, I'll be out of your way soon enough.
Snape regarded him coolly, his infamous lip slightly curling into his trademark sneer. Hatred bubbled within, and Harry had to grip the arms of his chair with white knuckles. The two enemies dare not look away from one another, a silent battle of wits passing an invisible line of communication. The tension was broken, however, when he felt a warm hand slide over his arm in comfort. He ended his glare with Snape to see Ginny gazing at him from the corner of her eye, her fingers gliding soothingly across his forearm in slow strokes. Breathing deeply, he returned her wisp of smile and finished nodding his greetings to the other members of the circle, including Mr. And Mrs. Weasley whom looked fit to jump from her chair and envelop him in a hug. But hello's were stiff to say the least, each being struggling with the inner demons that had developed over the past and current events of war. There was a few moments of silence, save for the murmuring of the portraits, before the Headmaster spoke.
"I'd like to first thank everyone for taking the time to attend this meeting," Dumbledore began in a soft but strong voice as he gazed at each person in his surrounding over the top of his half-moon spectacles. In return, some of the Order tipped their hats to him.
"Second, I would like to personally thank everyone for his or her efforts these past two years. These times have been hard, the casualty's great…" The members of Dumbledore's circle bowed their heads for a moment, a whisper of a name passing their lips. Names of those whom they have lost…
"For almost three years now, the second war with Voldemort has been upon us," Dumbledore paused at the sharp intake of breath from several people at the uttering of the dark lords name. Not for the first time, Harry found himself rolling his eyes in exasperation at the reaction the simple name caused. This was what Tom Riddle wanted when renaming himself the dark lord. He intended to create a name that would plague all persons with stricken fear, and by being frightened, Voldemort had already achieved his victory.
"And for almost three years now, we have been fighting this war, not understanding where it is taking us or what side will be victorious." Harry felt himself slightly leaning forward in his chair, a breath wedged tightly up in his chest. Apparently, he was not the only one to be drawn into the power of the headmaster's words because all persons of the room mirrored identical expressions.
"But things, as you all well know, must come to an end, and it seems our wait will abruptly do just that. Voldemort will wage his war, and he will strike quick and swift. He will attempt siege upon Hogwarts." Dumbledore explained gravely and Harry felt his scar give a twinge of pain at the words. Loud murmuring broke out among the circle. Hermione's hand flew over her mouth in horror and her other clamped down upon Ron's arm in a vice grip. He could only squeeze back. Ginny put a hand to her forehead, her brows wrinkling.
"Attempt siege, Albus? Are you sure?" Professor McGonagall asked with a hand over her chest. All the Hogwarts teaching staff was whispering in distress as they were told that the school they had come to call their home would be turned into a battlefield in only a day. How would the stone castle withhold against the forces of Voldemort and his legion of death eaters? Hogwarts was a refuge in renown for keeping students safe within its protective barriers, but how long would that remain? Would the great school be breached and all children, down to the last first year, be unwillingly forced into a war zone? Would their lives be at risk? Harry continued to watch Dumbledore as the old man waited for the voices around him to fall silent once more. But, The Boy who lived could only just realize how heavy of a burden this was for him. Here was a wizard whose beloved school and students would be thrust into the final plunge, the end. For years, this one man had been protecting each and every one of them from the shadows of danger that lingered near. For years, he had drawn his veil of salvation over the school but in only one day, one night; it would be cast away and smote into ruin.
Danger would hunt them down… Hunt them down, as a hound would stalk his quarry.
Innocence would be tainted…
"I'm afraid that it is true, Minerva, Voldemort is coming, and he will not be stopped from doing so…" Dumbledore leaned heavily back into his chair, his long silver beard seemingly wilting in the light of the sun like a dying flower denied of its only restorative An outbreak of hushed voices and hisses arose, but to Harry it felt like a drum beating relentlessly behind his forehead. Looking momentarily towards the window, he was dismayed to find that the sun had hidden behind the clouds, casting the office into an ominous shadow. The baneful shade depicted each stunned face floating around him to appear gaunt and withered with the decay of age. This war had aged them, in one way or another.
"How much time do we have before it begins?" Snape asked unexpectedly, his shrewd voice already getting to the point of the meeting. His sallow pale face grew more pallid if that was possible, and the circles beneath his eyes looked black in contrast with his paleness. Dumbledore drew in a deep breath before answering. A mental stab plunged through Harry's gut like a knife delivering the final blow as the headmasters next words came.
"At the most, two days…"
Harry covered half of his face with a hand as a deathly silence filled the air.
A great triumphant shot of pain burst through his lightening bolt-carved scar causing Harry's eyes to fly open and muffle a shuddery breath. He was happy… he was anticipating…
We will win…
Tense fingers were suddenly weaving through his, and he discovered Ginny, her face turned upward to the ceiling above, her features that of determination and resolution. Such valor stirred in her amazing brown eyes that renown would have already raised to its mighty throne above the Weasley name and honor. No longer was she the unseen shadow of seven, nor the child who wept upon the damp, stone floors of the Chamber of Secrets. Before him sat a young woman, a vibrant, strong being who would not be doubted or held back. She would soar… She was the eagle swooping across the heavens, flying through the myriads of stars and realms like a spirit of wild abandon, no longer kept, no longer stilled. And Harry realized that for the second time he would be right along with her among the clouds and endless miles, an invisible hand clutching hers as their golden white wings merged into one essence.
He should have told her right then that he loved her…
But the words lost themselves within his throat and his fingers tightened around hers. "Harry…" was the only thing she could whisper in return. Their eyes met in a split moment of intensity, brown and green, fire and ash…
A hissed call of his name broke him out of their reverie, and looking across the circle of ghostly figures; Ron and Hermione were peering at him sharply. He knew instantly what they had concluded. Harry Potter had known of this battle and did not tell them, he had been holding back on them again. However, when he glanced back at his two best friends, he was not expecting the bright loyalty to be shining behind their steady gazes like mirrors of Ginny's. In was in that one second of all their seven years that Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger had selflessly pledged themselves to him. The two were forsaking any future that they had found and hoped in each other to go to the end for their friend.
To the ends of this world, they would go for this one young man…
The trio shared a whisper of smiles. That, Harry knew was enough to seal their bonds.
"Headmaster, are you quite sure your sources in which you received this information are entirely accurate? After all, residing in the dark lord's inner circle would give me indication that the dark lord would be attacking Hogwarts, am I right?" Queried Snape, one of his dark eyebrows rising dubiously into an arch. Harry could have sworn that he heard Ron mumble 'great git' under his breath. At the potion master inquiry, the twinkle seemed to have been rekindled like a glittering flame in Dumbledore's eyes. He raised a long crooked finger and wagged it.
"Ah, but Severus, my sources come within this very circle, and I assure you, they are quite faithful…" and with that, he waved a hand for someone to stand.
A tall figure dressed in eccentric maroon robes and impossible large glasses stood. A series of snorts came from the circle as Professor Trelawney drew up to her full height, her attempt at appearing mysterious not succeeding in the least. Snape's lip curled into a twisted sneer like the Cheshire cat and he leaned back into his chair and crossed his legs. His position seemed to say, "You have got to be kidding me…"
"Albus, surely you have acquired a more veracious source than Sybil? Her 'inner eye' has proved to be blind if not existing at all…" McGonagall alleged. Harry casually coughed to smother his laughter at the expression that formed on the divination professor's face. Ron gave a loud snort but was silenced by a quick slap to the wrist by Hermione whom Harry noted was failing to suppress a very Slytherinish smirk. Ginny was silently shaking with mirth beside him, all signs of somberness from the meetings revelation forgotten, if not, only for a moment. He also gladly noticed that most persons in the room seemed to have momentarily forgotten the seriousness of the day.
Meanwhile, Trelawney gave a great huff and her hands flew to her hips.
"I'll have you know, Minerva, that my sight is neither blinded nor non existent but simply…" She paused for a long dramatic moment to find the right word. "Muddled…" She said finally. Professor McGonagall opened her mouth to retort but the 'seer' spoke again.
"But looking beyond this block in my path, the Grim runs at liberty for many of you all…" She howled loudly, her arms rising above her head. Harry and Ginny exchanged looks. There was a frustrated growl and then Hermione was speaking.
"Oh for goodness sake! How many times are you going to mention that silly grim? It's completely ludicrous!" She exclaimed, hot on her feet. The Professor whirled around to advance on Hermione and shook a finger at her. She nearly tripped on her many scarves trailing to the carpet.
"Now see here, Ms. Granger, every witch and wizard to some extent can un-fog their futures, but I feel forced to comply that you are an exception! Your pretentious attributes have clearly blinded your aura!" Professor Trelawney cried with wide eyes. Harry, Ron, and Ginny distinctly pushed their chairs back a few inches as the scalding heat of Hermione's wrath reared its ugly head.
"Pretentious?!" Echoed Hermione shrilly.
All heads in the circle turned back and forth in a harmonic rhythm from Trelawney to Hermione and back again. The only person who seemed to enjoy the argument as much as Ron was Snape who looked ready to burst into a fit of uncharacteristic laughter, his sneer was so odious.
"I'll have you know that-!" Coming to a halt, Hermione's cheeks flamed red as she became aware of the current situation of her standing amidst the center of people having a blazing row with one of her former professors. Dumbledore who had remained quiet during the whole exchange had laughter flashing in his wizened eyes and it gladdened Harry's heart. At last, the bushy-haired Gryffindor sunk back into her chair and turned her embarrassed face into Ron's shoulder, who was grinning cheekily.
"Now that Sybil and Ms. Granger are quite done…" Began the headmaster with the wisp of a chuckle and mischievous eyes. Harry almost cleared his throat, as all amusement floating above their heads seem to deplete in a single burst of silence.
"Sybil, please do tell us what your eye had seen in the company of Mr. Potter," Said Dumbledore. All eyes turned curiously onto Harry and he could have sunk through his chair with the weight of their sharp, calculating gazes. Remus gave an unconscious cough and looked away, his fingers tightening around his kneecaps.
"It was most extraordinary… It was a week ago and young Mr. Potter was in my presence taking his final exam when he took my palm to read it. To pass the sublime calling that is Divination, the student is to read my palm and examine my lifeline." Professor McGonagall conspicuously rolled her eyes at this.
"With any luck, it won't be long…" Joked Ron softly so that only Hermione could hear.
"Mr. Potter had just taken my hand when suddenly… There were voices…" She whispered, her eyes looking positively large behind her glasses. The people around the circle exchanged looks. Brilliant, now she's hearing voices… The bat is going to make me look completely mad Harry thought to himself darkly. Fifth year had been enough and frankly, he did not want his final day alive to be thought of as some rabid boy escaped from St. Mungos.
"The voices… like whispers of the deceased, and they ran thus… 'Six days remain before the serpent shall coil and strike… The fortress of the phoenix shall stand in grave peril, but the lion stands not alone and shall shepherd his regiment…'"
Harry finally opened his eyes under the light of the sun. The silence was thick, and you could almost hear students filtering through the corridors below. Professor Trelawney had sat down and like both the Order of the Phoenix and the teaching staff, turned her eyes onto him. Ginny's hand upon his forearm tightened, and Ron and Hermione seemed to be looking at him in an almost frightened sense and light. No one dare breathe, that is, except Snape.
"I take it that you already knew about this, Potter?" Asked Snape sardonically. Harry felt his lips tighten into a thin line. He could only nod.
"And since it is so obvious that you are the one this 'prophet' speaks of," At this, Snape wagged his Quote fingers. Professor Trelawney opened her mouth to retort but the smirking potions master continued. "Then you already perceive how to defeat the dark lord?" He further queried, all the while, the monstrous smile had not left his white lips. Again, Harry nodded firmly but gasps of surprise arose from the group. Hermione let out an exclamation of "Harry!" while Ron's mouth opened and moved soundlessly. Ginny showed no sign of what was said except for the slow closing of her eyes, but Harry could almost see the pain of recognition behind her eyelids.
Snape looked mildly amused. He leaned back in his chair with the stealth of a cat.
"Oh? How so?"
Harry sat rooted to the spot like a deer caught in headlights as all waited expectantly for any sort of answer that would give them insight or comfort as to how he would be defeating the dark lord. Remus was leaning forward in his seat, his face tight with anticipation, a hope that Harry would confess bright in his weary eyes. But when no words passed through his lips, Snape got up from his chair and swept across the circle in a swirl of black robes. In a matter of moments, he was leaning close to Harry's face, his white, spidery fingers clutching at the arms of Harry's chair. So close was their faces that both noses nearly touched. Black met with Green. Both men did not look away and the Boy who lived refused to back down from the silent challenge in his potion professor's eyes. To eyes, it seemed as though James Potter and Severus Snape were staring back at one another, enemy to enemy.
"So, you are going to lead us then, are you? The great Potter, a captain of war?" He sneered. Harry's eyes narrowed into slits and his jaw hardened. "Tell me, Potter, are you going to lead us to an untimely end before the breaking of dawn? Are you going to allow the dark lord to purge the world of every life in his path at getting to you? Sounds familiar? Oh, because I guarantee you, he will not be stopped until you are wasted… Wasted and dead…" He hissed, strings of black hair falling into a curtain in front of his eyes.
Mrs. Weasley was suddenly on her feet, pointing a long, accusing finger at Snape.
"Don't you dare speak to Harry like that? Don't you dare!" She shrilled furiously, her voice shaking. Arthur was trying effortlessly to usher his distraught wife back into a chair, whispering softly into her ear. She gave a quiet sob from behind the hand she had clamped over her mouth. Harry felt as though someone had stabbed him through the gut as he watched the woman whom became his only mother suffered once more because of him. It had to stop. It had to end.
Snape said nothing, nor appeared surprised by her outburst. He simply turned back to Harry.
"No, Mrs. Weasley, he's right…" He spoke up finally. "Voldemort won't stop until I'm dead, that's why I have to defeat him." He said softly. Ginny smiled softly, an invisible offer of faith passing from her to him. He readily accepted it, and spoke again in a clearer voice.
"I know what has to be done, and I'll do it." As those words were uttered, a strong sense of awe and admiration arose in the hearts of witch and wizard alike.
A brief moment of silence passed before Snape sat himself back in his chair scowling darkly at the carpet.
"Preparations have already been made to assure the safety of the schools students if Hogwarts walls should fall. But, Evacuation will only be necessary if that should happen. I do not want to risk lives by letting students astray in a war zone away from safety. Students who are of age will be allowed to follow into battle if they choose so, or remain behind with the younger children." Said Dumbledore.
"Alastor, you will alert Amelia Bones and the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. You are to prepare the Magical Law enforcement Squad and the Aurors to be ready for the signal at midday. The Wizengamot has already been notified and will have set their affairs in order," Moody growled in what served as a "Yes, Sir" before limping out of the office, the sound of his peg leg rapping against the floor resounding loudly. When Mad-eye left, the headmaster turned toward Professor McGonagall.
"Minerva, if you would please go down to the kitchens and seek out a certain house elf by the name of Dobby? He will provide you with the necessary information concerning the evacuation routes leading off Hogwarts grounds. Also, be sure to owl The Three Broomsticks and Madam Rosmerta explaining the need that Hogsmeade be shut down and emptied. All shop owners are insisted to remain behind school borders for their own safety," He directed, nodding to the stern Transfiguration professor. McGonagall did not waste time as she jumped from her chair and left the office, a willowy cat tail being seen before disappearing behind the large door. Lastly, he turned to Arthur Weasley.
"Arthur, we will need you to message the Department of Magical Transportation. All apparate zones within boundaries of Hogsmeade station will need to desist. This will provide us more time to prepare ourselves and will stall Voldemorts arrival because he will not be able to apparate in or out of here. The floo network authorities will of course have to be informed also."
Mr. Weasley nodded solemnly and slowly got up from his chair, reluctantly parting from his wife whom was crying silent tears. "No tears, Molly dear, I'll be back before you know it," He whispered, wiping some tears from Molly's face. After, he embraced each redheaded member of the family settled within the circle, lingering only slightly longer on his youngest and only daughter. Harry gazed on sadly as Ginny clung to her father with tight fingers, her face buried into the front of his robes as his hand smoothed over her hair. When she detached herself from him, Ginny sat down and ran the back of her hand over her eyes.
Arthur stopped lastly onto Harry and looked down at him with something that was akin to pride. It was a look that James Potter would no doubt have shining brightly in his eyes had he been the one to look down upon his son. Harry felt a painful breath lodge itself in his throat as he held forward a hand for the Father Weasley to shake. But the intensity of the breath within his lungs only intensified as Mr. Weasley ignored the offered hand and pulled his form into an embrace. The feeling of being crushed against warm robes that smelt like The Burrow overwhelmed him, and the held in breath was released in a shudder that shook his whole body. Was this how it felt to be hugged by a Dad? He wondered.
They drew apart, but not before Mr. Weasley smiled down at Harry. The boy who lived returned it and watched the man go, already knowing unconsciously that that would be the last time he ever laid eyes upon Arthur Weasley.
When the door slammed, Dumbledore stood up from his chair and stood tall against the light filtering through the clouds outside the window. His next sentence came out in a soft voice.
"You are all dismissed. I suggest that you use this evening for what it's worth…" He whispered, his eyes finding Harry's over the heads of the people preparing to leave the office.
A/N: ARG! Sorry that took soooooo long to come out because of the computer virus, my school work, and I apologize that the chapter was not nearly as good as I hoped it would be. But, I hoped you enjoyed it nonetheless. POA is coming!
R&R!
Cheers!