Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for the plot.
The Second Darkness.
Chapter 10: Hell's own Castle.
The assassin Harry had freed followed Wormtail towards the central chamber. He was on the brink of being sick he was so nervous. In his head he kept going over the words he had to say to his master.
They reached the central chamber and the assassin nearly collapsed with terror. Wormtail opened the double doors and the assassin followed him into it. Shaking with terror, the assassin walk towards Voldemort's chair and threw himself to the floor and kissed the hem of Voldemort's robes.
"Master...Master." He murmured. Voldemort stared down at him coldly,
"Where are the rest of you?"
"Dead, my lord, slain by Potter and his petty friends." Voldemort's eyes flashed with anger momentarily before resuming their normal coldness.
"An unfortunate affair." For a second the assassin considered not passing on the message to Voldemort but then realised it was his duty to tell Voldemort that Harry knew what he was up to.
"M-my Lord, Potter made me swear to pass on a message." Said the assassin, now visibly shaking in terror, Voldemort raised an eyebrow but said nothing,
"He told me to tell you that he knows what you are up to, He is sick of having to put his friends into danger, Death Eaters can expect mercy from people like Lupin or Dumbledore but they aren't going to get any from him." Here the assassin paused, he took a deep breath before continuing, "and he told me to tell you that Harry Potter is going to enjoy sending you to hell."
Gasps went round the room and Voldemort's face contorted in fury, one word and five minutes later and the assassin lay dead at his feet, killed by the pain of the cruciatus curse.
******
Amidst the screams of the dying assassin and the cries of encouragement, urging Voldemort on, from the Death Eaters lined along the walls Snape slipped out of the room.
He wandered along the corridors, ducking into shadows whenever he heard someone approach, and searched for a way onto the battlements. After a few minutes of dead ends and wrong turns Snape found two large double doors. He opened them and slipped out into a courtyard.
Straight in front of him were large walls, roughly thirty feet high, with Death Eaters patrolling atop them casting large beams of light like searchlights over the outlying land. He saw some steps leading up to the top of the walls.
He ran towards them, taking care to stay in the shadows, and quickly climbed the steps. He glanced left and right and, satisfied that no one was close enough to see him in this darkness he stood up hurriedly and glanced over at the surrounding land. His heart sank as he saw nothing that could tell him what where they were or even what country they were in.
He could see a dark forest below, he quickly did a four-point spell and found that he was facing south and to the west was a large lake, to the east there was a mountain range that stretched round to the north.
He was forced to duck down into the shadows again as two Death Eaters approached; he listened carefully to what they were saying for any clues to where they were.
"Bloody Scottish weather," one of them was moaning, Snape's spirits rose slightly and he moved closer to them to hear better." "Why couldn't we be somewhere warm like Cyprus or the Caribbean? Why the bloody Highlands? What's this godforsaken place called again?" He snapped at his mate.
"Glendagle" The second Death Eater said in a bored voice.
"Glen-bloody-dagle." The Death Eater looked down at the forest below, "That's a dark bloody place, what's that called?" The second Death Eater glanced at the pitch-black sky as if seeking help,
"Glendagle Forest." He said in an even more bored voice. The Death Eater seemed satisfied for he said nothing else for a few minutes.
"What time is it?" he asked the second Death Eater,
"Midnight."
"And when do we get off duty?"
"One."
"Another bloody hour!" Shaking his head, the other Death Eater turned and walked off. A few seconds later the second one followed.
Amidst the sound of the thunder the 'crack' of Snape Disapparating could not be heard.
******
Snape appeared in Hogsmeade, just outside of the Three Broomsticks, and he sprinted towards the castle.
He got to the double doors and threw them open and continued running towards the Headmaster's office.
He gasped out the password, pear drops, to the stone gargoyles and sprinted up the stairs. Dumbledore, wearing a scarlet dressing gown with blue moons embroided on it, looked up in surprise,
"Severus!" Snape took several deep breaths
"I know where the Dark Lord's castle is!" Dumbledore looked even more surprised
"Where?"
"Glendagle, in the Highlands."
"Wait here, there are people I need to get."
"Who?"
"Minerva, Alastor, Lupin and Harry."
"Potter?"
"Yes, he is becoming more and more involved and I feel he has a right to know of this as soon as possible seeing as he has played a large part in the most recent events." Snape nodded reluctantly.
******
Dumbledore went and roused the adults before heading towards Gryffindor tower. He woke the Fat Lady and gave her the password before climbing the staircase to the boy's dormitories. He quietly pushed open the door. He crossed the room to Harry's bed and gently shook him.
"Harry, wake up." Harry groaned as he woke. He blinked a couple of times before putting on his glasses. He groaned again before looking to see who had woken him, when he saw who it was he was awake in an instant.
"Professor? What's wrong?"
"Nothing Harry, Professor Snape has found some extremely useful information that I feel you need to hear. Harry nodded and stepped out of bed. He began scrabbling around for his robes before remembering about his DA robes.
"Indona Roba." His pyjamas were immediately exchanged for the DA robes. He checked his appearance in the mirror by the pale moonlight before following Dumbledore towards Dumbledore's office.
They reached it and Dumbledore gave the password to the stone gargoyles and they walked up the revolving staircase.
"Albus, what's going on?" asked McGonagall the moment they got into the room. Dumbledore smiled,
"I'll let Severus explain." Snape stepped forward,
"I have found out where the Dark Lord's castle is." Gasps of excitement went round the room and everyone started talking at once.
"Where?" asked Harry, he alone had remained silent at the news, trying to think of a way to get into the castle, wherever it was.
"It is in a place called Glendagle in the highlands. The forest below is called Glendagle forest. The castle itself is on a very high, very steep hill with a loch to the west of it, a mountain range stretching round from the east to the north and the castle faces south."
"So it's virtually impregnable." Said Harry bitterly. Snape paused.
"Yes."
"What else do you know?" asked Dumbledore.
"It is a wizard's castle." Harry looked surprised,
"How do you know?"
"No gate. Instead it has a chamber that wizards or witches who the Master of the castle wants can apparate or portkey into." Harry nodded.
"How high are the walls?" asked Lupin. Snape looked thoughtful,
"Maybe thirty feet." Clearly he still hated Lupin by the sneer in his voice.
"We know all we need to know, now let's concentrate on getting into it." Said Harry, a slight hint of anger in his voice that was directed at Snape.
"What do you suggest?" Dumbledore asked Harry. Harry ignored the looks of surprise that were directed at him. Snape sneered,
"As talented," Harry didn't like the sarcasm that was injected into the word 'talented', "as Mr Potter is, Headmaster, don't you think that you should be asking more experienced people?" Dumbledore looked down over his half-moon spectacles at Snape and paused before speaking.
"As I seen to remember, it was Harry who planned the defence of Hogsmeade and prevented the Death Eaters getting into Hogsmeade and capturing him. I have faith in Harry's abilities. When you have a lamb in the flock that looks as if it will be a prize ram one day then you do well to guard that one and take extra care in training it and looking after it." Snape bowed to the Headmaster but not before casting a hate filled glance at Harry. Harry lent back against the wall and thought hard.
"What do we know?" He said after a few seconds, "We know that the castle is on a steep hill, we know we can't get in by trickery, we know there is no gate, we know that we can Apparate or portkey into the forest." Harry looked round at them all. "I will tell you this. There is no need to have a ramp or a path leading to the castle if you don't have a gate and your allies can Apparate directly into it, so whatever we do it will involve scrambling up a steep slope. We are running out of time before the potions are ready so we have to make a decision quick. With all the wards and guards that castle will have there is no way we will get in by trickery so here is what I propose we do, muster as many men as we can, goblins as well, Apparate and portkey into the forest at night, get to the walls, breach them and just storm the castle, no prisoners, just kill them all. Find the book and get the hell out. Suicide: yes, any easier way of doing it: no." Harry shrugged, "That is my opinion." A stunned silence met the end of this speech. No one spoke for a few minutes and then Lupin recovered,
"I agree with Harry. It will cost us many lives but in the long run it will save many more." Dumbledore looked round at everyone,
"So we are agreed, we will do what Harry proposes?" Slowly everyone in the room nodded. Moody stepped forward,
"It is suicidal but it is the only plan we've got and I for one intend to follow it through." Suddenly everyone was talking at once adding his or her opinions. Slowly Snape stepped forward and everyone fell silent. Snape glared round at them all before looking at Harry. He hesitated,
"You kept them out of our castle, now get us into theirs." Harry flashed a grin at his potions master,
"I'll get you in alright," he said, then his grin faded, "But I don't know how long I'll be able to keep you in."
"We don't intend to stay too long, so don't worry." Said Lupin grinning. Dumbledore had remained quiet throughout all of this, clearly deep in thought.
"Harry, I would like you to do one more thing for me."
"Anything."
"Our army will be split into three groups the left flank, the centre and the right flank. I will lead the right flank, Alastor shall lead the centre and I want you to lead the left flank." Harry's grin vanished,
"What?"
"I would like you to lead the left flank for me." Dumbledore repeated.
"Why? I don't have any experience."
"You led the DA in the defence of Hogwarts, you led the DA at Hogsmeade. I have faith you." Harry was touched by that but still protested,
"That is leading twenty people, leading twenty is a lot different to leading three thousand! It's stupid to put someone so inexperienced in command of such an important mission! No, put someone like Lupin in command, it would be crazy to put me in command."
"Lupin will be there to help you and how else do you get experience but by actually doing it." Dumbledore sighed, "You will not be the sole commander, there is Moody and I but I also want you in command for another reason, if people see you leading men against Voldemort then it will encourage them to fight, if they see the Boy-Who-Lived fighting, they'll fight. Little may you know it but you inspire people, you give them hope. If you fight, they'll fight. Besides I have faith in you, I believe you can do it." Dumbledore's words made sense and Harry suddenly felt a burning desire to prove to people that he could fight and he could lead men against Voldemort, he wanted to inspire people to fight against Voldemort.
"All right, I'll do it." Dumbledore smiled,
"I knew you would. Now, I think it is time for bed." Harry nodded. He said goodnight to everyone in the room before turning and walking down the revolving staircase. The moment he was out of earshot the other adults turned to Dumbledore.
"Why did you put him in command of part of the army? The boy's right, it's stupid, he doesn't have any experience, this isn't some insignificant mission that it doesn't matter if we fail, this is important, this could determine the fate of the wizarding world for, lets face it, eternity." McGonagall demanded, Dumbledore sighed and spread his hands along the oak surface of his desk in a gesture of defeat.
"I'm getting old, I'm not as young as I was and I'm not as strong as I used to be." McGonagall opened her mouth to protest, but Dumbledore held up one hand, "No, let me finish, I'm not as young as I used to be and I don't think I am going to live much longer. I think the final battle, when Harry and Voldemort will fight to the death, told in the prophecy will be my last."
"Don't say that, Albus." Protested McGonagall.
"No it's true, I think it will be my last and I need someone to succeed me, someone to be as powerful as I am. I think Harry will be that strong. To do that he needs to be strong and experienced in battle, so just trust me. If I am to die, it must be Harry who succeeds me." Everyone in the room fell silent each of them pondering what has happened, what is happening and what will happen.
******
Harry sat in Charms the next day thinking about what he heard in Dumbledore's office the previous night. He had resolved not to tell Ron and Hermione, he did not know why, all he knew was he wanted to be sure of what was happening before he told anyone else.
He grunted as he felt Ron give him a sharp dig in the side,
"What?" Harry asked him.
"What's up? You seem really quiet and sad." Harry shook his head.
"It's nothing, Ron. I just didn't sleep well last night." Ron nodded, satisfied for the moment at least. Harry made a half-hearted attempt at the calming charm they were practising. After a few minutes he gave up and went back to putting his head in his arms and staring aimlessly into space, turning the thoughts of last night over in his mind.
He must have fallen asleep for the next thing he saw was Ron prodding him and the rest of the class leaving the room.
"C'mon mate, lunch." Harry nodded and followed Ron and Hermione, who were bickering furiously under their breaths, out of the room and towards the Great Hall.
In the Great Hall Harry didn't eat a thing. He sat there thinking. Ron and Hermione kept shooting concerned glances at each other and then talking in subdued voices.
"D'you reckon this is something to do with Sirius? I mean, he's barely said a thing all day and he hasn't eaten at all." Asked Ron, Hermione took another look at Harry,
"No, I don't think so, he looked depressed when he was thinking about Sirius. He just looks thoughtful now."
"Should we ask him?"
"Ask him what?"
"What he's thinking about. It's the only way to find out." Hermione nodded. Ron turned to Harry tentatively.
"Harry."
"Hmm?"
"What's up, what are you thinking about?" Harry was silent for a long time and they began to think he was going to answer them and then he spoke. He had obviously been choosing his words carefully,
"Dumbledore has made a decision concerning me and I think he is making a huge mistake. But there is nothing I can do about it. I have already said I would do it. I'll tell you more when I have worked it all out." Hermione and Ron nodded; they knew they had to be satisfied.
Harry went back to thinking; it's stupid, so why's he doing it? He must know it is a mistake; we need to win this battle. Harry shook his head and began to eat, he would work it all out later. It made no sense to him whatsoever.
******
Harry lay on his bed that night, he could hear the other boys breathing deeply and Neville was snoring slightly meaning that he was the only one left awake. Sighing he stood up and put on his dressing gown before walking down the stairs to the common room.
He sat in his favourite armchair in front of the fire, which was still burning, and stared into the flickering flames. Just last year, he thought to himself, I had sat in this exact same chair, talking to Sirius... Harry shook his head trying to clear that depressing thought. Sirius is gone, and there is nothing I can do about it. I'll just have to be content with the fact that when I die I will get to see him and Mum and Dad again.
Harry turned his thoughts to more important matters; if Dumbledore has asked me to do this then it is obviously for a very good reason. Dumbledore knows how important it is or us to win this fight. Just because I can't see the logic behind it doesn't mean he can't, Harry sat up straighter, Dumbledore works in mysterious ways, he hasn't been wrong yet, I'll just have to trust him, Harry thought excitedly, he stood up and began to pace back and forth, Dumbledore has put me in charge for a good reason and I have to trust him. He needs a good leader, a strong leader. Not someone who is indecisive and unsure of whether he is doing the right thing. If I'm indecisive I'm more likely to make mistakes then if I'm sure of my position. It is up to the leader to inspire, and to inspire I have to be sure. Dumbledore put me in charge for a reason. So I'll trust him, I'll show him that Harry Potter can lead.
Harry sat down on the armchair. Just a few minutes then I'll go back up to bed. He curled up on the armchair and that is how Ron and Hermione found him the next day, a content smile on his face.
******
Harry was sitting with Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Cho by the lake when Lupin and Moody walked up to them. Harry looked at them curiously and they nodded. He turned to his four companions,
"Could you give us twenty minutes, guys?"
"No problem, Harry." Said Hermione, they stood up and walked towards the doors to the castle, talking in low voices. Lupin and Moody came and sat opposite Harry.
"What's up?" He asked them,
"Bad news. Fudge isn't happy with the plan. He doesn't want to give us any Aurors." Said Lupin, Harry swore under his breath. This was the last thing they needed.
"He's doing his usual pompous prat trick?"
"Not exactly. For once he understands the importance of this and is fully prepared for it to go ahead but is worried it will cost us too many Aurors. You've said it yourself, it's going to cost us many lives."
"So what do we do? We need the Aurors." Lupin shrugged,
"Two options; convince Fudge to send the Aurors."
"And the second?" Lupin shrugged,
"Convince as many Aurors as we can to turn into renegades." Harry looked surprised,
"That's possible?" This time it was Moody who answered.
"It is. Many of the Aurors would prefer to be under Dumbledore's command than Fudges." Harry considered this,
"How many would we turn?" Moody thought for a while.
"Out of the five thousand in Britain? Half at least." Harry looked even more surprised,
"That many?" Lupin smiled,
"Believe it or not it is not just Dumbledore who would convince them to turn, but you as well."
"Me?"
"Yes, you. You are a symbol of hope to them. You would also convince them to turn."
"What would happen if we had to turn them?" Lupin thought.
"I think you know as well as I do that Fudge would turn against us. Enlist the help of foreign countries and begin hunting down all the renegades before turning against you and Dumbledore. We would not only be fighting against Voldemort but Fudge as well." Harry nodded.
"That has to be our last resort, then." Lupin nodded.
"It is."
"So now we just have to figure out how to convince Fudge to give us the Aurors." Lupin nodded.
"It's not going to be easy, though."
"Is Fudge here?" Harry asked
"In Dumbledore's office."
"Let's go and pay him a visit." The three of them stood up and walked towards the castle.
A/N I know that a few of you aren't going to be happy with the fact that Harry will be leading part of the army. That is how I would like it to be so I would be grateful if you would just bare with me. Nevertheless your opinions on my fic, whatever aspect, are always appreciated.
I am sorry this is a day late – I had a problem concerning the floppy disk I use to save chapters on before uploading them on the computers in the IT room.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Next chapter will be out in a week.
LogicalRaven – Don't worry, there will be a twist. I'm glad you're still here. Thanks for the review.
Colm – Thanks for the review. I'm glad you liked it.
The Enchantresses – Thanks for the review.
Anime-Master7 – Thanks for the review.
Sarah – I don't think I will get Ginny together with someone but I will try and stop making it look like she's hitting on him but just so you know – She's not, they're just good friends.
Rocky235 – Thanks for the review.
Keep reading and reviewing 'cos I'll keep writing.
Fireboy.
The Second Darkness.
Chapter 10: Hell's own Castle.
The assassin Harry had freed followed Wormtail towards the central chamber. He was on the brink of being sick he was so nervous. In his head he kept going over the words he had to say to his master.
They reached the central chamber and the assassin nearly collapsed with terror. Wormtail opened the double doors and the assassin followed him into it. Shaking with terror, the assassin walk towards Voldemort's chair and threw himself to the floor and kissed the hem of Voldemort's robes.
"Master...Master." He murmured. Voldemort stared down at him coldly,
"Where are the rest of you?"
"Dead, my lord, slain by Potter and his petty friends." Voldemort's eyes flashed with anger momentarily before resuming their normal coldness.
"An unfortunate affair." For a second the assassin considered not passing on the message to Voldemort but then realised it was his duty to tell Voldemort that Harry knew what he was up to.
"M-my Lord, Potter made me swear to pass on a message." Said the assassin, now visibly shaking in terror, Voldemort raised an eyebrow but said nothing,
"He told me to tell you that he knows what you are up to, He is sick of having to put his friends into danger, Death Eaters can expect mercy from people like Lupin or Dumbledore but they aren't going to get any from him." Here the assassin paused, he took a deep breath before continuing, "and he told me to tell you that Harry Potter is going to enjoy sending you to hell."
Gasps went round the room and Voldemort's face contorted in fury, one word and five minutes later and the assassin lay dead at his feet, killed by the pain of the cruciatus curse.
******
Amidst the screams of the dying assassin and the cries of encouragement, urging Voldemort on, from the Death Eaters lined along the walls Snape slipped out of the room.
He wandered along the corridors, ducking into shadows whenever he heard someone approach, and searched for a way onto the battlements. After a few minutes of dead ends and wrong turns Snape found two large double doors. He opened them and slipped out into a courtyard.
Straight in front of him were large walls, roughly thirty feet high, with Death Eaters patrolling atop them casting large beams of light like searchlights over the outlying land. He saw some steps leading up to the top of the walls.
He ran towards them, taking care to stay in the shadows, and quickly climbed the steps. He glanced left and right and, satisfied that no one was close enough to see him in this darkness he stood up hurriedly and glanced over at the surrounding land. His heart sank as he saw nothing that could tell him what where they were or even what country they were in.
He could see a dark forest below, he quickly did a four-point spell and found that he was facing south and to the west was a large lake, to the east there was a mountain range that stretched round to the north.
He was forced to duck down into the shadows again as two Death Eaters approached; he listened carefully to what they were saying for any clues to where they were.
"Bloody Scottish weather," one of them was moaning, Snape's spirits rose slightly and he moved closer to them to hear better." "Why couldn't we be somewhere warm like Cyprus or the Caribbean? Why the bloody Highlands? What's this godforsaken place called again?" He snapped at his mate.
"Glendagle" The second Death Eater said in a bored voice.
"Glen-bloody-dagle." The Death Eater looked down at the forest below, "That's a dark bloody place, what's that called?" The second Death Eater glanced at the pitch-black sky as if seeking help,
"Glendagle Forest." He said in an even more bored voice. The Death Eater seemed satisfied for he said nothing else for a few minutes.
"What time is it?" he asked the second Death Eater,
"Midnight."
"And when do we get off duty?"
"One."
"Another bloody hour!" Shaking his head, the other Death Eater turned and walked off. A few seconds later the second one followed.
Amidst the sound of the thunder the 'crack' of Snape Disapparating could not be heard.
******
Snape appeared in Hogsmeade, just outside of the Three Broomsticks, and he sprinted towards the castle.
He got to the double doors and threw them open and continued running towards the Headmaster's office.
He gasped out the password, pear drops, to the stone gargoyles and sprinted up the stairs. Dumbledore, wearing a scarlet dressing gown with blue moons embroided on it, looked up in surprise,
"Severus!" Snape took several deep breaths
"I know where the Dark Lord's castle is!" Dumbledore looked even more surprised
"Where?"
"Glendagle, in the Highlands."
"Wait here, there are people I need to get."
"Who?"
"Minerva, Alastor, Lupin and Harry."
"Potter?"
"Yes, he is becoming more and more involved and I feel he has a right to know of this as soon as possible seeing as he has played a large part in the most recent events." Snape nodded reluctantly.
******
Dumbledore went and roused the adults before heading towards Gryffindor tower. He woke the Fat Lady and gave her the password before climbing the staircase to the boy's dormitories. He quietly pushed open the door. He crossed the room to Harry's bed and gently shook him.
"Harry, wake up." Harry groaned as he woke. He blinked a couple of times before putting on his glasses. He groaned again before looking to see who had woken him, when he saw who it was he was awake in an instant.
"Professor? What's wrong?"
"Nothing Harry, Professor Snape has found some extremely useful information that I feel you need to hear. Harry nodded and stepped out of bed. He began scrabbling around for his robes before remembering about his DA robes.
"Indona Roba." His pyjamas were immediately exchanged for the DA robes. He checked his appearance in the mirror by the pale moonlight before following Dumbledore towards Dumbledore's office.
They reached it and Dumbledore gave the password to the stone gargoyles and they walked up the revolving staircase.
"Albus, what's going on?" asked McGonagall the moment they got into the room. Dumbledore smiled,
"I'll let Severus explain." Snape stepped forward,
"I have found out where the Dark Lord's castle is." Gasps of excitement went round the room and everyone started talking at once.
"Where?" asked Harry, he alone had remained silent at the news, trying to think of a way to get into the castle, wherever it was.
"It is in a place called Glendagle in the highlands. The forest below is called Glendagle forest. The castle itself is on a very high, very steep hill with a loch to the west of it, a mountain range stretching round from the east to the north and the castle faces south."
"So it's virtually impregnable." Said Harry bitterly. Snape paused.
"Yes."
"What else do you know?" asked Dumbledore.
"It is a wizard's castle." Harry looked surprised,
"How do you know?"
"No gate. Instead it has a chamber that wizards or witches who the Master of the castle wants can apparate or portkey into." Harry nodded.
"How high are the walls?" asked Lupin. Snape looked thoughtful,
"Maybe thirty feet." Clearly he still hated Lupin by the sneer in his voice.
"We know all we need to know, now let's concentrate on getting into it." Said Harry, a slight hint of anger in his voice that was directed at Snape.
"What do you suggest?" Dumbledore asked Harry. Harry ignored the looks of surprise that were directed at him. Snape sneered,
"As talented," Harry didn't like the sarcasm that was injected into the word 'talented', "as Mr Potter is, Headmaster, don't you think that you should be asking more experienced people?" Dumbledore looked down over his half-moon spectacles at Snape and paused before speaking.
"As I seen to remember, it was Harry who planned the defence of Hogsmeade and prevented the Death Eaters getting into Hogsmeade and capturing him. I have faith in Harry's abilities. When you have a lamb in the flock that looks as if it will be a prize ram one day then you do well to guard that one and take extra care in training it and looking after it." Snape bowed to the Headmaster but not before casting a hate filled glance at Harry. Harry lent back against the wall and thought hard.
"What do we know?" He said after a few seconds, "We know that the castle is on a steep hill, we know we can't get in by trickery, we know there is no gate, we know that we can Apparate or portkey into the forest." Harry looked round at them all. "I will tell you this. There is no need to have a ramp or a path leading to the castle if you don't have a gate and your allies can Apparate directly into it, so whatever we do it will involve scrambling up a steep slope. We are running out of time before the potions are ready so we have to make a decision quick. With all the wards and guards that castle will have there is no way we will get in by trickery so here is what I propose we do, muster as many men as we can, goblins as well, Apparate and portkey into the forest at night, get to the walls, breach them and just storm the castle, no prisoners, just kill them all. Find the book and get the hell out. Suicide: yes, any easier way of doing it: no." Harry shrugged, "That is my opinion." A stunned silence met the end of this speech. No one spoke for a few minutes and then Lupin recovered,
"I agree with Harry. It will cost us many lives but in the long run it will save many more." Dumbledore looked round at everyone,
"So we are agreed, we will do what Harry proposes?" Slowly everyone in the room nodded. Moody stepped forward,
"It is suicidal but it is the only plan we've got and I for one intend to follow it through." Suddenly everyone was talking at once adding his or her opinions. Slowly Snape stepped forward and everyone fell silent. Snape glared round at them all before looking at Harry. He hesitated,
"You kept them out of our castle, now get us into theirs." Harry flashed a grin at his potions master,
"I'll get you in alright," he said, then his grin faded, "But I don't know how long I'll be able to keep you in."
"We don't intend to stay too long, so don't worry." Said Lupin grinning. Dumbledore had remained quiet throughout all of this, clearly deep in thought.
"Harry, I would like you to do one more thing for me."
"Anything."
"Our army will be split into three groups the left flank, the centre and the right flank. I will lead the right flank, Alastor shall lead the centre and I want you to lead the left flank." Harry's grin vanished,
"What?"
"I would like you to lead the left flank for me." Dumbledore repeated.
"Why? I don't have any experience."
"You led the DA in the defence of Hogwarts, you led the DA at Hogsmeade. I have faith you." Harry was touched by that but still protested,
"That is leading twenty people, leading twenty is a lot different to leading three thousand! It's stupid to put someone so inexperienced in command of such an important mission! No, put someone like Lupin in command, it would be crazy to put me in command."
"Lupin will be there to help you and how else do you get experience but by actually doing it." Dumbledore sighed, "You will not be the sole commander, there is Moody and I but I also want you in command for another reason, if people see you leading men against Voldemort then it will encourage them to fight, if they see the Boy-Who-Lived fighting, they'll fight. Little may you know it but you inspire people, you give them hope. If you fight, they'll fight. Besides I have faith in you, I believe you can do it." Dumbledore's words made sense and Harry suddenly felt a burning desire to prove to people that he could fight and he could lead men against Voldemort, he wanted to inspire people to fight against Voldemort.
"All right, I'll do it." Dumbledore smiled,
"I knew you would. Now, I think it is time for bed." Harry nodded. He said goodnight to everyone in the room before turning and walking down the revolving staircase. The moment he was out of earshot the other adults turned to Dumbledore.
"Why did you put him in command of part of the army? The boy's right, it's stupid, he doesn't have any experience, this isn't some insignificant mission that it doesn't matter if we fail, this is important, this could determine the fate of the wizarding world for, lets face it, eternity." McGonagall demanded, Dumbledore sighed and spread his hands along the oak surface of his desk in a gesture of defeat.
"I'm getting old, I'm not as young as I was and I'm not as strong as I used to be." McGonagall opened her mouth to protest, but Dumbledore held up one hand, "No, let me finish, I'm not as young as I used to be and I don't think I am going to live much longer. I think the final battle, when Harry and Voldemort will fight to the death, told in the prophecy will be my last."
"Don't say that, Albus." Protested McGonagall.
"No it's true, I think it will be my last and I need someone to succeed me, someone to be as powerful as I am. I think Harry will be that strong. To do that he needs to be strong and experienced in battle, so just trust me. If I am to die, it must be Harry who succeeds me." Everyone in the room fell silent each of them pondering what has happened, what is happening and what will happen.
******
Harry sat in Charms the next day thinking about what he heard in Dumbledore's office the previous night. He had resolved not to tell Ron and Hermione, he did not know why, all he knew was he wanted to be sure of what was happening before he told anyone else.
He grunted as he felt Ron give him a sharp dig in the side,
"What?" Harry asked him.
"What's up? You seem really quiet and sad." Harry shook his head.
"It's nothing, Ron. I just didn't sleep well last night." Ron nodded, satisfied for the moment at least. Harry made a half-hearted attempt at the calming charm they were practising. After a few minutes he gave up and went back to putting his head in his arms and staring aimlessly into space, turning the thoughts of last night over in his mind.
He must have fallen asleep for the next thing he saw was Ron prodding him and the rest of the class leaving the room.
"C'mon mate, lunch." Harry nodded and followed Ron and Hermione, who were bickering furiously under their breaths, out of the room and towards the Great Hall.
In the Great Hall Harry didn't eat a thing. He sat there thinking. Ron and Hermione kept shooting concerned glances at each other and then talking in subdued voices.
"D'you reckon this is something to do with Sirius? I mean, he's barely said a thing all day and he hasn't eaten at all." Asked Ron, Hermione took another look at Harry,
"No, I don't think so, he looked depressed when he was thinking about Sirius. He just looks thoughtful now."
"Should we ask him?"
"Ask him what?"
"What he's thinking about. It's the only way to find out." Hermione nodded. Ron turned to Harry tentatively.
"Harry."
"Hmm?"
"What's up, what are you thinking about?" Harry was silent for a long time and they began to think he was going to answer them and then he spoke. He had obviously been choosing his words carefully,
"Dumbledore has made a decision concerning me and I think he is making a huge mistake. But there is nothing I can do about it. I have already said I would do it. I'll tell you more when I have worked it all out." Hermione and Ron nodded; they knew they had to be satisfied.
Harry went back to thinking; it's stupid, so why's he doing it? He must know it is a mistake; we need to win this battle. Harry shook his head and began to eat, he would work it all out later. It made no sense to him whatsoever.
******
Harry lay on his bed that night, he could hear the other boys breathing deeply and Neville was snoring slightly meaning that he was the only one left awake. Sighing he stood up and put on his dressing gown before walking down the stairs to the common room.
He sat in his favourite armchair in front of the fire, which was still burning, and stared into the flickering flames. Just last year, he thought to himself, I had sat in this exact same chair, talking to Sirius... Harry shook his head trying to clear that depressing thought. Sirius is gone, and there is nothing I can do about it. I'll just have to be content with the fact that when I die I will get to see him and Mum and Dad again.
Harry turned his thoughts to more important matters; if Dumbledore has asked me to do this then it is obviously for a very good reason. Dumbledore knows how important it is or us to win this fight. Just because I can't see the logic behind it doesn't mean he can't, Harry sat up straighter, Dumbledore works in mysterious ways, he hasn't been wrong yet, I'll just have to trust him, Harry thought excitedly, he stood up and began to pace back and forth, Dumbledore has put me in charge for a good reason and I have to trust him. He needs a good leader, a strong leader. Not someone who is indecisive and unsure of whether he is doing the right thing. If I'm indecisive I'm more likely to make mistakes then if I'm sure of my position. It is up to the leader to inspire, and to inspire I have to be sure. Dumbledore put me in charge for a reason. So I'll trust him, I'll show him that Harry Potter can lead.
Harry sat down on the armchair. Just a few minutes then I'll go back up to bed. He curled up on the armchair and that is how Ron and Hermione found him the next day, a content smile on his face.
******
Harry was sitting with Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Cho by the lake when Lupin and Moody walked up to them. Harry looked at them curiously and they nodded. He turned to his four companions,
"Could you give us twenty minutes, guys?"
"No problem, Harry." Said Hermione, they stood up and walked towards the doors to the castle, talking in low voices. Lupin and Moody came and sat opposite Harry.
"What's up?" He asked them,
"Bad news. Fudge isn't happy with the plan. He doesn't want to give us any Aurors." Said Lupin, Harry swore under his breath. This was the last thing they needed.
"He's doing his usual pompous prat trick?"
"Not exactly. For once he understands the importance of this and is fully prepared for it to go ahead but is worried it will cost us too many Aurors. You've said it yourself, it's going to cost us many lives."
"So what do we do? We need the Aurors." Lupin shrugged,
"Two options; convince Fudge to send the Aurors."
"And the second?" Lupin shrugged,
"Convince as many Aurors as we can to turn into renegades." Harry looked surprised,
"That's possible?" This time it was Moody who answered.
"It is. Many of the Aurors would prefer to be under Dumbledore's command than Fudges." Harry considered this,
"How many would we turn?" Moody thought for a while.
"Out of the five thousand in Britain? Half at least." Harry looked even more surprised,
"That many?" Lupin smiled,
"Believe it or not it is not just Dumbledore who would convince them to turn, but you as well."
"Me?"
"Yes, you. You are a symbol of hope to them. You would also convince them to turn."
"What would happen if we had to turn them?" Lupin thought.
"I think you know as well as I do that Fudge would turn against us. Enlist the help of foreign countries and begin hunting down all the renegades before turning against you and Dumbledore. We would not only be fighting against Voldemort but Fudge as well." Harry nodded.
"That has to be our last resort, then." Lupin nodded.
"It is."
"So now we just have to figure out how to convince Fudge to give us the Aurors." Lupin nodded.
"It's not going to be easy, though."
"Is Fudge here?" Harry asked
"In Dumbledore's office."
"Let's go and pay him a visit." The three of them stood up and walked towards the castle.
A/N I know that a few of you aren't going to be happy with the fact that Harry will be leading part of the army. That is how I would like it to be so I would be grateful if you would just bare with me. Nevertheless your opinions on my fic, whatever aspect, are always appreciated.
I am sorry this is a day late – I had a problem concerning the floppy disk I use to save chapters on before uploading them on the computers in the IT room.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Next chapter will be out in a week.
LogicalRaven – Don't worry, there will be a twist. I'm glad you're still here. Thanks for the review.
Colm – Thanks for the review. I'm glad you liked it.
The Enchantresses – Thanks for the review.
Anime-Master7 – Thanks for the review.
Sarah – I don't think I will get Ginny together with someone but I will try and stop making it look like she's hitting on him but just so you know – She's not, they're just good friends.
Rocky235 – Thanks for the review.
Keep reading and reviewing 'cos I'll keep writing.
Fireboy.