Sorry about the delay.
Ron's control over the Sentinels was now indisputable. The entirety of the Sentinel force had seen Ron quickly defeat TreeHammer and any doubts they had about him had disappeared. Now, when Ron walked amongst them, the Sentinels fell to a knee as he passed.
Hermione's position, too, had seemed to be elevated. The Sentinels seemed to have as much respect for her as they did Ron. She was the one who, through her love, allowed Ron to be the leader they all wanted. They referred to her as Lady Weasley or simply the Lady.
After his victory over TreeHammer, Ron and Hermione were showered with gifts, most coming from TreHammer's own brethren. Ron had been given a Giant-sized kilt that he could never fit on his own body and Hermione had been handed a surprisingly delicate silver necklace that had been crafted by TreeHammer's bond-mate. The ugly, female Half-Giant had sworn that the necklace would bestow great fertility upon Hermione, if worn while making love. Hermione had blushed a deep red when she was told, but the necklace hadn't left her throat since it had been given.
TreeHammer, himself had forged a massive, two-handed sword that was taller than Hermione. Ron's eyes had widened when he had been given the weapon and had gripped the hilt uncertainly, but had lifted the mighty blade over his head easily. He had thanked the Giant for his kindness and was often seen with the sword strapped to his back.
The Sentinels had heard that Ron and Hermione were not yet wed and they let the couple know their approval of the match. Hardly a day went by without a set of beautiful, white wedding robes was found outside of Hermione's room on the third floor of the Burrow.
Ron's days were filled with endless meetings with his newly formed core. TreeHammer, Ron's second-in-command, insisted daily that Ron lead them to hunt down Voldemort and end his evil reign. Ron might have eventually broken down and led his army down the path of destruction if it weren't for Joseph Dent, who had taken his rightful place as a member of Ron's Core. Ron still felt a horrible hatred for the man, who had captured him and kept him away from Hermione, but he knew that Dent had a much more expansive knowledge of what the Sentinels were capable of. He found himself turning to the grizzled for council.
Dent knew how powerful Sentinels could be in battle and that they would most certainly be a sharp thorn in Voldemort's side, but claimed that a frontal attack on Voldemort, wherever he was, would be a horrible folly. As powerful as the Sentinels were, they had a undeniable weakness. This weakness was their bond-mates.
"Not all of us have the luxury of having such a powerful witch as a bond-mate, Grand Master." Dent said during one of the long meetings. "The Lady, as young as she is, is already a very powerful. And bonded to you, her magic is multiplied by her love. The two of you make a very powerful pair. Unfortunately, most of your Sentinels' bond-mates are average wizards and witches. During battle, people die. If a Sentinel should lose his bond-mate, he becomes a danger to all those around him. He can not cope with the grief. If we went after Voldemort, our first casualty would cause a horrible domino effect that would leave you with dozens of crazed super beings."
The thought gave Ron chills, and he decided then that an attack on Voldemort would be fruitless.
Still the idleness soon drove him to distraction. "We are too strong to sit back and watch Voldemort conquer the world. If we can't attack him, we have to be able to do something."
Dent merely shrugged. "Truly, Voldemort can not be allowed to win."
Dent's bond-mate was a demure fifty year-old woman, who doted on her husband. Seeing Dent with her slightly changed Ron's perspective of the man. In the end, he was a Sentinel, just like the rest of them. What he had done was an attempt to stop Voldemort.
Jared sat on Ron's right side round the campfires. "Milord's, if I may?" he asked respectfully. Jared was no longer powerful enough to be a member of the five person Core, but Ron had insisted that he attend all the meetings. Ron knew he was a quick thinker and loyal, which was more than he could say for Dent.
The member of the Core all nodded their assent and Jared stood. "Regardless of how much ground Voldemort and his armies eat, his final goal cannot be completed until he kills a certain someone."
"Harry." Ron muttered.
Jared nodded. "And where will Potter be, come Fall?"
"Hogwarts, hopefully."
"Indeed. And eventually Voldemort will have to come to that place to get him. As far as I know, that is the most beneficial place for us to make our last stand. That castle has more defenses than its own Headmaster knows, I'd bet."
Ron doubted that much ever escaped Dumbledore, but he kept the thought to himself. "You think we should camp in the area around Hogwarts, then, and wait for Voldemort to come there?"
"No, m'Lord. I think we should camp within the castle walls, itself. From there we can bolster the defenses ten-fold. Voldemort's forces will break itself against those ancient walls."
Ron sighed and ran a hand through his rapidly growing hair. It had been a long time since he had it cut. "We don't even know what kind of forces Voldemort has." He said bitterly. "We can assume he has a horde of Death Eaters and if what Malfoy says is true, he is training more everyday."
The newest member of Ron Core finally spoke. Nousi Odebode was from Africa and his skin was as black as midnight. He was a tall man, even taller than Ron, but he was as thin as a rail. His body was covered in sinewy muscles and his head had been shaved bald. When the Sentinels had been summoned he had come from Africa and claimed his spot on Ron's Core. His speech was difficult to understand, but he usually spoke slowly enough for those around him to hear. "If reports are correct Voldemort has freed the Dementors from Azkaban."
Dent nodded. "We have to assume those reports are correct, Odebode."
"Even Sentinels aren't immune to the Dementors magic."
Ron threw his hands in the air. "This is pointless. We can't attack Voldemort. I agree with Jared. Come Fall, we'll be heading for Hogwarts. Prepare the camp."
He stood up from the campfire, ending the meeting. "Send a message to Dumbledore and explain the situation. I hope he agrees. School will sure be different this year."
Weeks past at the Burrow and for the first time in what seemed like an eternity, Ron was truly happy. He was with the people he cared for most. His family treated him with no more respect than before and he could have kissed all of them for it. He was getting tired of people kneeling every time he walked by.
He and Hermione still were not married, but he was with her hour after hour so the lack wasn't as large. Mrs. Weasley refused to let get married until the whole family could be informed. And as the Weasley family was massive, this took quite some time.
Long before it was welcome, the time to return to school came around. But Harry and company didn't take the train. Ron insisted on flying in with his men and Hermione insisted on staying with Ron.
The twins had salvaged their flying bus from America, and it would be the mode of transportation for the Sentinels. The twins had replaced the seats and windows and Ron had to admit it looked a lot better than it had. The twins would fly in back and forth to Hogwarts, taking about seventy Sentinels with each trip (Max Capacity 53).
Harry and company were on the first flight. The mood on the bus was very subdued. The Sentinels knew they were going to war, and were acting as such. Ron wouldn't have it any other way.
The bus settled lightly onto the front courtyard and Harry saw MacGonagall standing not far away. When the George opened the door, Harry exited the bus first, followed by Ron, Hermione, Draco, Ginny and seventy others.
Harry moved to MacGonagall and stopped in front of her. "Good afternoon, Professor."
MacGonagall smiled thinly. "Welcome home, Harry."
"Thank you." Harry said and looked around him, at the tall spires of Hogwarts Castle. He hadn't known how much he had missed them. As the Professor said, this was his home. And too soon, it would be under siege.
MacGonagall must have known what was on his mind, because she said, "This is your sixth year here, Potter. The younger students will be looking to you and your friends on how to act."
Harry understood what she meant. As the some of the oldest students in school, their attitude would effect those around them. If they showed fear, the younger years would see that as permission to fear, as well. Harry and his friends would have to show every ounce of their Gryffindor bravery.
Ron strode up to Harry and MaGonagall, his massive sword strapped to his back. MacGonagall looked at the sword with disgust but, surprisingly, said nothing. "You're early." She said to all of them. "The train is still hours from departing. When the other students arrive, I expect to be in the Great Hall, with smiles on your face."
"We'll be there, Professor." Ron said, a smile on his face. "I think one of my younger cousins is arriving this year. I'd like to see her get Sorted."
MacGonagall sighed heavily. "Another Weasley. I don't know how the school will survive."
"We'll survive, Professor." Hermione said grimly. MacGonagall had been joking, but talk of the survival of the school brought their minds on the true reason they were returning.
MacGonagall smiled and nodded. "Of course, Granger. We always have. The Headmaster is waiting in his office for you all. The password is Jelly Beetles."
Draco, who had been silent, nodded and said, "I'll head up to my room, then. I'll see you all later."
"No, Malfoy." MacGonagall said. "Dumbledore wants to see you, as well."
"Me?" Draco asked.
"Why wouldn't he want to see you?"
"It's just-" Draco stuttered. "I haven't exactly been the best student or…person since I've been here at school. He couldn't trust me to-"
"You're one of us, Malfoy." Harry said. "Dumbledore probably knows we'd tell you everything, anyway."
Draco flushed, his red face a stark contrast against his pale hair. His eyes grew slightly misty and Harry could have sworn that if Draco wasn't surrounded by people, he would have cried. "Thank you."
Harry simply nodded. "Will we see you tonight, Professor?"
"Of course, Potter. I still have responsibilities."
"Where will my men stay?" Ron asked gesturing back to the score of Sentinels standing behind them.
"Dumbledore has opened one of the abandoned towers. There's more than enough room for your army."
Ron nodded. "We shouldn't keep him waiting."
"Of course not."
Harry led the group into the school he had come to love. He took long strides across the massive greeting area and practically ran up the long staircase. He took them down the long hallway, stopping in front of the phoenix statue. He opened his mouth to say the password, but was cut off by loud clatter behind them. He turned to see Nearly Headless Nick, floating behind them. He had dropped his sword.
Nick had obviously heard of the upcoming siege. He was dressed in full battle drab. He was fully encased in ghostly armor and his sword, again in his hand, was dangerous looking and nearly transparent.
"'Lo Nick." Ginny said. "You look different."
Nick harrumphed. "The teachers here may want to keep me ignorant of what is happening, but I'm not stupid. I'll be ready when V-V-Voldemort and his hordes come against my castle."
"You said his name!" Ron said happily.
Nick drew himself up and brandished his sword at some invisible enemy. "Of course! I'm no coward."
"Where did you get the armor, Nick?" Harry asked.
"These steel plates are vestiges of my younger days. Ornamental for the most part, I was never the best fighter, but it will serve when the time comes."
Harry didn't know how much help the ghost would be, but was glad Nick was in good spirits. "I'm glad your on our side, Nick."
Nick smiled, pleased with himself, and after saying his goodbyes floated away.
"He's lost it." Draco muttered.
Harry turned back to the statue and said, "Jelly Beetles." The phoenix slid out of the way and they all squeezed onto the revolving stairway. It was a tight squeeze, but they managed. When the stairway stopped turning, they all waited for Harry to get off first. They obviously wanted him to speak with Dumbledore.
I don't know him better than you do, Harry wanted to say, but he knew it wasn't true. In many ways, Dumbldore had set Harry apart from the other students. Harry hadn't always known why.
Harry stepped off of the stairway and walked across the room. Dumbledore's office looked much like it always it had, but there were dozens of maps laid out on the floor and tacked to the walls. They were all maps of Hogwarts and the surrounding area. It seemed that Dumbledore was preparing to defend his castle.
"This is amazing." Draco mumbled, looking around at the room.
When Dumbledore's desk came into view, there was a strange old man sitting in his chair. He looked familiar, but Harry couldn't place where he had seen the man before. The question was answered when Hermione moved up next to Harry.
"Mathias?" she asked, her forehead wrinkled in confusion.
Mathias?, Harry asked himself. That crazy old man who had helped them out of New Orleans. Harry's memory of the man was fuzzy. Harry had been out of it when he had met the man.
'What the hell are you doing here?" Ron asked.
Mathias smiled calmly. Harry couldn't remember the man that well, but he had thought he was slightly crazy. The look on his face was anything but crazy.
"That's very rude, Ronald." Mathias said, still smiling. "Kids these days have no respect for their elders."
"You remembered my name!" Ron said.
"Of course I remembered."
"How did you get here?" Hermione asked, her face calm. Harry recognized it as the face she always wore when she was trying to figure something out.
"I have my ways, Lady Weasley."
Hermione didn't let go. "What did you do after we left New Orleans?"
"I came here." Mathias said, obviously not giving away more information than he needed to.
Hermione suddenly snapped her fingers. "I've got it." Her eyes widened suddenly. "I called you crazy. More than once."
"I've been called worse."
"What's going on?" Ron demanded loudly. "Who is he?"
Hermione ignored him. "I'm such an idiot! It's been in front of me this whole time."
Mathias' smile widened. "Well done, Mrs. Granger. I knew you'd figure it out eventually."
"What is going on?" Ron yelled again.
Hermione never took her eyes off of Mathias. "Why's you send us down into the sewer if you knew how dangerous it was. We almost got killed!"
Mathias stopped smiling. "I've done worse things, unfortunately. And I'm afraid I'll do more before this is all over with."
"Why didn't you help us?" Hermione asked. "You showed us where the entrance was, but you could have done more. You could have leveled that enclave all by yourself."
Mathias smiled weakly. "I fear you give me too much credit, Miss Granger. But I could have helped more, it's true."
"Why didn't you?"
"How many hard situations have I put the three of you into over the years? More than I'd like to remember, I'm sure. But you've always come out alive…and stronger."
"Would someone please tell me what the hell is going on?" Ron yelled.
"Yeah." Harry muttered.
Hermione turned to Mathias with a questioning look. Mathias shrugged and muttered something under his breath. The Muggle clothing he wore suddenly grew opaque and slowly changed colors. Small, faded stars suddenly appeared and his jeans expanded into robes. Small, moon-shaped glasses appeared on his nose and his hair grew long and white. With in seconds the transformation was over and Albus Dumbledore sat behind his desk.
A long silence stretched across the room and wasn't broken until Draco began laughing loudly.
Once everyone in the room settled down and Ron stopped babbling incoherently, Dumbledore conjured enough chairs so that they all could sit around his desk.
"We obviously have a big year coming." Dumbledore said, his hands folded neatly in front of him. "I'd rather it didn't happen at all, but it doesn't really matter what any of us wants, does it?"
"No, sir.", everyone muttered in unison.
Dumbledore leaned back. "That certainly won't do. I'm your Headmaster, but I need your opinions, your ideas. Relax. Anything you say will not be held against you."
"Are you angry that I've brought the Sentinels to Hogwarts?" Ron asked.
Dumbledore sighed. "I've always tried to keep Hogwarts as independent as possible. I was angry when they brought the Dementors here in your third year. And I was slightly bothered when all of the reporters started showing up for the Tri-Wizard tournament. But I realize that Hogwarts must hold against this evil tide. And whatever help I can get I'll not refuse."
Ron nodded. "I'm glad."
"Your Sentinels will be kept in one of the outer towers. I'll not lock them there, but I certainly don't want any of the more excitable ones terrorizing my students. I've heard of that Mikel TreeHammer before. He's not to break my castle."
"Of course. I'll speak to him."
"Good." Dumbledore looked around at the others. "Now, let's get down to business. School will conducted as normally as possible. Classes will still be conducted and standards must be kept. I'm going to need your help to achieve this."
"How can we help?" Ginny asked.
"Well, as unintentional as it was, you five have probably become the most influential students here. Harry, Hermione and Ron for obvious reasons. The three of them have saved this school on multiple occasions. And while these thing are not supposed to be public knowledge, the entire school knows them." Dumbledore looked to Draco. "Mr. Malfoy has been running the Slytherin House since his first year and has almost as much say in that regard as I do."
Draco looked uncomfortable. "I'm only influential because I was the most wicked."
Dumbledore smiled softly. "And you'll continue to be the most influential by being the most open minded. The others in your house will see how you interact with House Gryffindor, your old enemy and take the lesson to heart."
Draco shrugged. "I don't think I'll have that much sway, Professor. Some of the kids in Slytherin are sons and daughters of Death Eaters. They'll have been told about my 'fall from grace'. They'll hate me more than any Gryffindor."
"I've thought about that as well, Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore said. "It's something you'll have to deal with."
"What about me?" Ginny asked. "How am I influential? I haven't saved the school. In fact the only thing I've done is almost get myself killed by a diary."
"Don't down-play yourself, Miss Weasley. You have been quite helpful to Harry over the years. Besides, you'll have strong influence with every girl in the school."
"How is that?"
"You're the girl that was able to do something that several have tried but never succeeded in."
"What's that? I haven't done anything?"
"You're the one who was finally able to reel in the ever-elusive Harry Potter."
"What?" Harry asked.
"Harry, my boy, you're are probably the most sought after boy in school. You're famous, handsome, athletic, intelligent, and above all, brave. Girls, in their own way, have been trying to get you to notice them for years. Not that you have ever looked." Dumbledore laughed. "On several occasions, I've wanted to take you aside and knock some sense into you."
Harry just stared in shock. Dumbledore really had let his hair down.
"Anyway," Dumbledore continued. "girls will respond to you, Ginny. They'll want to know how you did it."
"What are we supposed to do with this influence, Professor?" Draco asked. "We can't make anyone do something they don't want to."
Dumbledore nodded. "Very true. All you have to do is speak the truth. Let everyone know how you feel. Don't be belligerent, but if you here some people talking about it, let them know the truth. They'll respond accordingly."
"What are we going to tell the others about the Sentinels, Professor?"
Dumbledore shrugged. "Normally, I'd tell you to keep it a secret. A student with as much power as you can really upset the balance at a school such as this. But these certainly aren't normal times. Let it out. We couldn't keep it secret for very long, anyway. The students are too curious."
Harry sighed. "This year is definitely going to be different."
Ron's control over the Sentinels was now indisputable. The entirety of the Sentinel force had seen Ron quickly defeat TreeHammer and any doubts they had about him had disappeared. Now, when Ron walked amongst them, the Sentinels fell to a knee as he passed.
Hermione's position, too, had seemed to be elevated. The Sentinels seemed to have as much respect for her as they did Ron. She was the one who, through her love, allowed Ron to be the leader they all wanted. They referred to her as Lady Weasley or simply the Lady.
After his victory over TreeHammer, Ron and Hermione were showered with gifts, most coming from TreHammer's own brethren. Ron had been given a Giant-sized kilt that he could never fit on his own body and Hermione had been handed a surprisingly delicate silver necklace that had been crafted by TreeHammer's bond-mate. The ugly, female Half-Giant had sworn that the necklace would bestow great fertility upon Hermione, if worn while making love. Hermione had blushed a deep red when she was told, but the necklace hadn't left her throat since it had been given.
TreeHammer, himself had forged a massive, two-handed sword that was taller than Hermione. Ron's eyes had widened when he had been given the weapon and had gripped the hilt uncertainly, but had lifted the mighty blade over his head easily. He had thanked the Giant for his kindness and was often seen with the sword strapped to his back.
The Sentinels had heard that Ron and Hermione were not yet wed and they let the couple know their approval of the match. Hardly a day went by without a set of beautiful, white wedding robes was found outside of Hermione's room on the third floor of the Burrow.
Ron's days were filled with endless meetings with his newly formed core. TreeHammer, Ron's second-in-command, insisted daily that Ron lead them to hunt down Voldemort and end his evil reign. Ron might have eventually broken down and led his army down the path of destruction if it weren't for Joseph Dent, who had taken his rightful place as a member of Ron's Core. Ron still felt a horrible hatred for the man, who had captured him and kept him away from Hermione, but he knew that Dent had a much more expansive knowledge of what the Sentinels were capable of. He found himself turning to the grizzled for council.
Dent knew how powerful Sentinels could be in battle and that they would most certainly be a sharp thorn in Voldemort's side, but claimed that a frontal attack on Voldemort, wherever he was, would be a horrible folly. As powerful as the Sentinels were, they had a undeniable weakness. This weakness was their bond-mates.
"Not all of us have the luxury of having such a powerful witch as a bond-mate, Grand Master." Dent said during one of the long meetings. "The Lady, as young as she is, is already a very powerful. And bonded to you, her magic is multiplied by her love. The two of you make a very powerful pair. Unfortunately, most of your Sentinels' bond-mates are average wizards and witches. During battle, people die. If a Sentinel should lose his bond-mate, he becomes a danger to all those around him. He can not cope with the grief. If we went after Voldemort, our first casualty would cause a horrible domino effect that would leave you with dozens of crazed super beings."
The thought gave Ron chills, and he decided then that an attack on Voldemort would be fruitless.
Still the idleness soon drove him to distraction. "We are too strong to sit back and watch Voldemort conquer the world. If we can't attack him, we have to be able to do something."
Dent merely shrugged. "Truly, Voldemort can not be allowed to win."
Dent's bond-mate was a demure fifty year-old woman, who doted on her husband. Seeing Dent with her slightly changed Ron's perspective of the man. In the end, he was a Sentinel, just like the rest of them. What he had done was an attempt to stop Voldemort.
Jared sat on Ron's right side round the campfires. "Milord's, if I may?" he asked respectfully. Jared was no longer powerful enough to be a member of the five person Core, but Ron had insisted that he attend all the meetings. Ron knew he was a quick thinker and loyal, which was more than he could say for Dent.
The member of the Core all nodded their assent and Jared stood. "Regardless of how much ground Voldemort and his armies eat, his final goal cannot be completed until he kills a certain someone."
"Harry." Ron muttered.
Jared nodded. "And where will Potter be, come Fall?"
"Hogwarts, hopefully."
"Indeed. And eventually Voldemort will have to come to that place to get him. As far as I know, that is the most beneficial place for us to make our last stand. That castle has more defenses than its own Headmaster knows, I'd bet."
Ron doubted that much ever escaped Dumbledore, but he kept the thought to himself. "You think we should camp in the area around Hogwarts, then, and wait for Voldemort to come there?"
"No, m'Lord. I think we should camp within the castle walls, itself. From there we can bolster the defenses ten-fold. Voldemort's forces will break itself against those ancient walls."
Ron sighed and ran a hand through his rapidly growing hair. It had been a long time since he had it cut. "We don't even know what kind of forces Voldemort has." He said bitterly. "We can assume he has a horde of Death Eaters and if what Malfoy says is true, he is training more everyday."
The newest member of Ron Core finally spoke. Nousi Odebode was from Africa and his skin was as black as midnight. He was a tall man, even taller than Ron, but he was as thin as a rail. His body was covered in sinewy muscles and his head had been shaved bald. When the Sentinels had been summoned he had come from Africa and claimed his spot on Ron's Core. His speech was difficult to understand, but he usually spoke slowly enough for those around him to hear. "If reports are correct Voldemort has freed the Dementors from Azkaban."
Dent nodded. "We have to assume those reports are correct, Odebode."
"Even Sentinels aren't immune to the Dementors magic."
Ron threw his hands in the air. "This is pointless. We can't attack Voldemort. I agree with Jared. Come Fall, we'll be heading for Hogwarts. Prepare the camp."
He stood up from the campfire, ending the meeting. "Send a message to Dumbledore and explain the situation. I hope he agrees. School will sure be different this year."
Weeks past at the Burrow and for the first time in what seemed like an eternity, Ron was truly happy. He was with the people he cared for most. His family treated him with no more respect than before and he could have kissed all of them for it. He was getting tired of people kneeling every time he walked by.
He and Hermione still were not married, but he was with her hour after hour so the lack wasn't as large. Mrs. Weasley refused to let get married until the whole family could be informed. And as the Weasley family was massive, this took quite some time.
Long before it was welcome, the time to return to school came around. But Harry and company didn't take the train. Ron insisted on flying in with his men and Hermione insisted on staying with Ron.
The twins had salvaged their flying bus from America, and it would be the mode of transportation for the Sentinels. The twins had replaced the seats and windows and Ron had to admit it looked a lot better than it had. The twins would fly in back and forth to Hogwarts, taking about seventy Sentinels with each trip (Max Capacity 53).
Harry and company were on the first flight. The mood on the bus was very subdued. The Sentinels knew they were going to war, and were acting as such. Ron wouldn't have it any other way.
The bus settled lightly onto the front courtyard and Harry saw MacGonagall standing not far away. When the George opened the door, Harry exited the bus first, followed by Ron, Hermione, Draco, Ginny and seventy others.
Harry moved to MacGonagall and stopped in front of her. "Good afternoon, Professor."
MacGonagall smiled thinly. "Welcome home, Harry."
"Thank you." Harry said and looked around him, at the tall spires of Hogwarts Castle. He hadn't known how much he had missed them. As the Professor said, this was his home. And too soon, it would be under siege.
MacGonagall must have known what was on his mind, because she said, "This is your sixth year here, Potter. The younger students will be looking to you and your friends on how to act."
Harry understood what she meant. As the some of the oldest students in school, their attitude would effect those around them. If they showed fear, the younger years would see that as permission to fear, as well. Harry and his friends would have to show every ounce of their Gryffindor bravery.
Ron strode up to Harry and MaGonagall, his massive sword strapped to his back. MacGonagall looked at the sword with disgust but, surprisingly, said nothing. "You're early." She said to all of them. "The train is still hours from departing. When the other students arrive, I expect to be in the Great Hall, with smiles on your face."
"We'll be there, Professor." Ron said, a smile on his face. "I think one of my younger cousins is arriving this year. I'd like to see her get Sorted."
MacGonagall sighed heavily. "Another Weasley. I don't know how the school will survive."
"We'll survive, Professor." Hermione said grimly. MacGonagall had been joking, but talk of the survival of the school brought their minds on the true reason they were returning.
MacGonagall smiled and nodded. "Of course, Granger. We always have. The Headmaster is waiting in his office for you all. The password is Jelly Beetles."
Draco, who had been silent, nodded and said, "I'll head up to my room, then. I'll see you all later."
"No, Malfoy." MacGonagall said. "Dumbledore wants to see you, as well."
"Me?" Draco asked.
"Why wouldn't he want to see you?"
"It's just-" Draco stuttered. "I haven't exactly been the best student or…person since I've been here at school. He couldn't trust me to-"
"You're one of us, Malfoy." Harry said. "Dumbledore probably knows we'd tell you everything, anyway."
Draco flushed, his red face a stark contrast against his pale hair. His eyes grew slightly misty and Harry could have sworn that if Draco wasn't surrounded by people, he would have cried. "Thank you."
Harry simply nodded. "Will we see you tonight, Professor?"
"Of course, Potter. I still have responsibilities."
"Where will my men stay?" Ron asked gesturing back to the score of Sentinels standing behind them.
"Dumbledore has opened one of the abandoned towers. There's more than enough room for your army."
Ron nodded. "We shouldn't keep him waiting."
"Of course not."
Harry led the group into the school he had come to love. He took long strides across the massive greeting area and practically ran up the long staircase. He took them down the long hallway, stopping in front of the phoenix statue. He opened his mouth to say the password, but was cut off by loud clatter behind them. He turned to see Nearly Headless Nick, floating behind them. He had dropped his sword.
Nick had obviously heard of the upcoming siege. He was dressed in full battle drab. He was fully encased in ghostly armor and his sword, again in his hand, was dangerous looking and nearly transparent.
"'Lo Nick." Ginny said. "You look different."
Nick harrumphed. "The teachers here may want to keep me ignorant of what is happening, but I'm not stupid. I'll be ready when V-V-Voldemort and his hordes come against my castle."
"You said his name!" Ron said happily.
Nick drew himself up and brandished his sword at some invisible enemy. "Of course! I'm no coward."
"Where did you get the armor, Nick?" Harry asked.
"These steel plates are vestiges of my younger days. Ornamental for the most part, I was never the best fighter, but it will serve when the time comes."
Harry didn't know how much help the ghost would be, but was glad Nick was in good spirits. "I'm glad your on our side, Nick."
Nick smiled, pleased with himself, and after saying his goodbyes floated away.
"He's lost it." Draco muttered.
Harry turned back to the statue and said, "Jelly Beetles." The phoenix slid out of the way and they all squeezed onto the revolving stairway. It was a tight squeeze, but they managed. When the stairway stopped turning, they all waited for Harry to get off first. They obviously wanted him to speak with Dumbledore.
I don't know him better than you do, Harry wanted to say, but he knew it wasn't true. In many ways, Dumbldore had set Harry apart from the other students. Harry hadn't always known why.
Harry stepped off of the stairway and walked across the room. Dumbledore's office looked much like it always it had, but there were dozens of maps laid out on the floor and tacked to the walls. They were all maps of Hogwarts and the surrounding area. It seemed that Dumbledore was preparing to defend his castle.
"This is amazing." Draco mumbled, looking around at the room.
When Dumbledore's desk came into view, there was a strange old man sitting in his chair. He looked familiar, but Harry couldn't place where he had seen the man before. The question was answered when Hermione moved up next to Harry.
"Mathias?" she asked, her forehead wrinkled in confusion.
Mathias?, Harry asked himself. That crazy old man who had helped them out of New Orleans. Harry's memory of the man was fuzzy. Harry had been out of it when he had met the man.
'What the hell are you doing here?" Ron asked.
Mathias smiled calmly. Harry couldn't remember the man that well, but he had thought he was slightly crazy. The look on his face was anything but crazy.
"That's very rude, Ronald." Mathias said, still smiling. "Kids these days have no respect for their elders."
"You remembered my name!" Ron said.
"Of course I remembered."
"How did you get here?" Hermione asked, her face calm. Harry recognized it as the face she always wore when she was trying to figure something out.
"I have my ways, Lady Weasley."
Hermione didn't let go. "What did you do after we left New Orleans?"
"I came here." Mathias said, obviously not giving away more information than he needed to.
Hermione suddenly snapped her fingers. "I've got it." Her eyes widened suddenly. "I called you crazy. More than once."
"I've been called worse."
"What's going on?" Ron demanded loudly. "Who is he?"
Hermione ignored him. "I'm such an idiot! It's been in front of me this whole time."
Mathias' smile widened. "Well done, Mrs. Granger. I knew you'd figure it out eventually."
"What is going on?" Ron yelled again.
Hermione never took her eyes off of Mathias. "Why's you send us down into the sewer if you knew how dangerous it was. We almost got killed!"
Mathias stopped smiling. "I've done worse things, unfortunately. And I'm afraid I'll do more before this is all over with."
"Why didn't you help us?" Hermione asked. "You showed us where the entrance was, but you could have done more. You could have leveled that enclave all by yourself."
Mathias smiled weakly. "I fear you give me too much credit, Miss Granger. But I could have helped more, it's true."
"Why didn't you?"
"How many hard situations have I put the three of you into over the years? More than I'd like to remember, I'm sure. But you've always come out alive…and stronger."
"Would someone please tell me what the hell is going on?" Ron yelled.
"Yeah." Harry muttered.
Hermione turned to Mathias with a questioning look. Mathias shrugged and muttered something under his breath. The Muggle clothing he wore suddenly grew opaque and slowly changed colors. Small, faded stars suddenly appeared and his jeans expanded into robes. Small, moon-shaped glasses appeared on his nose and his hair grew long and white. With in seconds the transformation was over and Albus Dumbledore sat behind his desk.
A long silence stretched across the room and wasn't broken until Draco began laughing loudly.
Once everyone in the room settled down and Ron stopped babbling incoherently, Dumbledore conjured enough chairs so that they all could sit around his desk.
"We obviously have a big year coming." Dumbledore said, his hands folded neatly in front of him. "I'd rather it didn't happen at all, but it doesn't really matter what any of us wants, does it?"
"No, sir.", everyone muttered in unison.
Dumbledore leaned back. "That certainly won't do. I'm your Headmaster, but I need your opinions, your ideas. Relax. Anything you say will not be held against you."
"Are you angry that I've brought the Sentinels to Hogwarts?" Ron asked.
Dumbledore sighed. "I've always tried to keep Hogwarts as independent as possible. I was angry when they brought the Dementors here in your third year. And I was slightly bothered when all of the reporters started showing up for the Tri-Wizard tournament. But I realize that Hogwarts must hold against this evil tide. And whatever help I can get I'll not refuse."
Ron nodded. "I'm glad."
"Your Sentinels will be kept in one of the outer towers. I'll not lock them there, but I certainly don't want any of the more excitable ones terrorizing my students. I've heard of that Mikel TreeHammer before. He's not to break my castle."
"Of course. I'll speak to him."
"Good." Dumbledore looked around at the others. "Now, let's get down to business. School will conducted as normally as possible. Classes will still be conducted and standards must be kept. I'm going to need your help to achieve this."
"How can we help?" Ginny asked.
"Well, as unintentional as it was, you five have probably become the most influential students here. Harry, Hermione and Ron for obvious reasons. The three of them have saved this school on multiple occasions. And while these thing are not supposed to be public knowledge, the entire school knows them." Dumbledore looked to Draco. "Mr. Malfoy has been running the Slytherin House since his first year and has almost as much say in that regard as I do."
Draco looked uncomfortable. "I'm only influential because I was the most wicked."
Dumbledore smiled softly. "And you'll continue to be the most influential by being the most open minded. The others in your house will see how you interact with House Gryffindor, your old enemy and take the lesson to heart."
Draco shrugged. "I don't think I'll have that much sway, Professor. Some of the kids in Slytherin are sons and daughters of Death Eaters. They'll have been told about my 'fall from grace'. They'll hate me more than any Gryffindor."
"I've thought about that as well, Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore said. "It's something you'll have to deal with."
"What about me?" Ginny asked. "How am I influential? I haven't saved the school. In fact the only thing I've done is almost get myself killed by a diary."
"Don't down-play yourself, Miss Weasley. You have been quite helpful to Harry over the years. Besides, you'll have strong influence with every girl in the school."
"How is that?"
"You're the girl that was able to do something that several have tried but never succeeded in."
"What's that? I haven't done anything?"
"You're the one who was finally able to reel in the ever-elusive Harry Potter."
"What?" Harry asked.
"Harry, my boy, you're are probably the most sought after boy in school. You're famous, handsome, athletic, intelligent, and above all, brave. Girls, in their own way, have been trying to get you to notice them for years. Not that you have ever looked." Dumbledore laughed. "On several occasions, I've wanted to take you aside and knock some sense into you."
Harry just stared in shock. Dumbledore really had let his hair down.
"Anyway," Dumbledore continued. "girls will respond to you, Ginny. They'll want to know how you did it."
"What are we supposed to do with this influence, Professor?" Draco asked. "We can't make anyone do something they don't want to."
Dumbledore nodded. "Very true. All you have to do is speak the truth. Let everyone know how you feel. Don't be belligerent, but if you here some people talking about it, let them know the truth. They'll respond accordingly."
"What are we going to tell the others about the Sentinels, Professor?"
Dumbledore shrugged. "Normally, I'd tell you to keep it a secret. A student with as much power as you can really upset the balance at a school such as this. But these certainly aren't normal times. Let it out. We couldn't keep it secret for very long, anyway. The students are too curious."
Harry sighed. "This year is definitely going to be different."