Chapter 45
The Council of the Animagi
Harry walked back to where Ron and Hermione sat, looking oddly at him. "So...Harry, you look like you've seen a ghost, mate," Ron teased, only to gulp when Harry said nothing. "C'mon, Harry...what's up?" he then asked.
Harry filled them both in, not showing them the note Malfoy had sent him, but giving them both the essentials of what he'd read, leaving Malfoy's name out of it.
"Well," Hermione mused aloud then, sounding calm, which was a far cry from what her pale face told Harry. "I suppose we shouldn't be too surprised," she then delcared in a quiet voice. "About the Death Eaters now being trained Animagus, I mean."
"Speak for yourself, 'Mione," Ron sputtered, his freckles standing out on his white face now. "This is terrible!"
"Yes. I suppose it is at that," Hermione replied. "But, really, Ron...did you really think we were so talented that Voldemort's supporters couldn't learn what we have?"
Ron gulped at the sound of the Dark Lord's name. "Shh! For goodness sake! And, no, I suppose not. But, crikey, love..."
"I know," Harry chimed in, hopefully spoiling any further argument between the two. "That's why Dumbledore's taking action. We three, plus our other student Animagus, are invited up to Dumbledore's office this evening at nine o'clock. It's a Council of Animagus, he said."
"Well, then," Hermione offered a moment later, taking action. "We'd best send a note to your brothers then, Ron. Oh, and we'd better tell Neville straight away too..."
"Right," Harry replied, rummaging in his book bag for a sheet of parchment and his quill. "I'll write to Fred and George, and send it along with Hedwig." He then turned to Ron and Hermione. "Look, you two go tell Neville, all right? And, remember, this is top-secret, okay?" Both nodded in agreement, then got up and dashed off to find Neville.
Harry walked briskly up to the Owlery, and dispatched Hedwig with a note to the Weasley twins, telling them about Voldemort's imminent attack.
Harry then went back to the common room to wait. Only minutes later, Ron and Hermione---along with Neville---appeared at the portrait hole, and moved over to sit with Harry.
Harry brought Neville up to speed on what was going on. As Harry talked, Hermione noticed Hedwig's return, and rushed over to retrieve the note tied about her leg. "It's from Fred and George," Hermione informed them. "They say that they'll help, of course. They say that they will meet us in the Main Entrance Hall at quarter of nine."
"Good," Harry replied, heartened by the news. "That brings us up to five student Animagi, all told."
Harry knew that Hermione, Ron, and Neville all wanted to help, for various reasons. Neville wanted his revenge for the Death Eaters torturing his poor parents, while and Ron and Hermione wanted to do what was right, as well as making sure that Harry wasn't hurt or, heaven forbid, killed.
Harry led them all down to the Main Entrance Hall at half-past eight o'clock, to await Fred and George's arrival. At precisely quarter of nine, the huge main doors opened briefly to admit the tall, slim forms of the infamous Weasley twins.
"All right, Harry?" Fred said by way of greeting, shaking Harry's hand, quickly followed by an also eager George.
"Thanks for coming, you two," Harry said, grinning.
"Wouldn't of missed it for the world, Harry," George said, his eyes gleaming. "Fred and me, both."
"What say we head up to see the Headmaster, eh?" Fred said helpfully, glancing meaningfully at the grandfather clock in the Entrance Hall.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville, along with the twins, made their way up the stair cases to Dumbledore's office proper.
"Here, let me," Ron offered, seeing the stone phoenix guardian that denied access to Dumbledore's office. "'Hogwarts'," Ron cried to the stone guardian. Much to his embarrassment, nothing at all happened.
"Nice going, little bro," Fred teased Ron, who promptly blushed. Hermione quickly came to Ron's side, slipping her hand into his.
"Not your fault, mate," Harry informed him. "Dumbledore changed the password...just for this meeting." Harry turned and addressed the phoenix sentinel. "'Leon'," he called softly.
The stone phoenix began to slowly revolve, exposing a revolving set of stairs that led undoubtedly up to Dumbledore's office. Harry mounted the first step, then waved his hand, indicating they should all follow, which they did.
"Leon?" Ron asked as they ascended the staircase.
"Yes, Leon. You remember that lion we gave McGonnagal on her birthday?" Harry asked.
"What? Oh, yeah," Ron said, nodding.
"Well, guess what she named it?" Harry said, grinning.
"But, Harry...why change the password?" Neville asked from further below.
"Well, I suppose that Dumbledore wanted to make sure we were not interrupted during our business this evening," Harry proposed.
They moved, one by one, into the alcove before the large, polished dark wooden door of the Headmaster's office. Fred moved forward and knocked firmly upon the polished surface of the door.
"Come!" came the unmistakable voice of Dumbledore through the door. Fred grinned, then grasped the handle and opened the door to allow them all in.
Once inside, they saw that Dumbledore wasn't alone. Already inside, and seated were Professors Bat, Snape, and McGonnagal, who sat beside Dumbledore. Much to Harry's surprise, Madam Hooch also sat nearby and--- Harry's eyes went wide with obvious surprise---Professor Mad-Eye Moody and Tonks.
Snape looked upon the five students, his lip curling up in his trademark sneer. "So, Dumbledore, these are the students who you plan to use to defend this castle against the likes of Death Eaters?" Snape said. "Longbottom, Potter, Granger, and the three Weasley boys? Doomed. We. Are. Doomed."
"Don't mind Snape," Tonks replied cheerfully. "He's been regaling us with cheery stuff like that since we've been here. So...mates, what kind of animals do you transform into?" Tonks asked, curious.
"Better just show them," Harry told them all, and in the flicker of a moment's time, Harry turned into a lion, Hermione into her panther, and Ron into a fox. Neville blurred into his Siberian tiger form, while Fred and George transformed into Snow Leopards, promptly sitting down on their haunches, golden eyes eyeing Snape with curiosity.
The teachers assembled blinked or gasped in surprise...with the exception of McGonnagal, who had seen all this before.
Tonks crossed her arms, a smug smile on her lips. She turned her head to Snape. "You were saying?" she quipped.
"Never mind," Snape replied, impressed despite himself. "I stand corrected, it seems..."
Dumbledore then stood. "Harry, students...if you would be so kind..." he began, implicitly asking the students to transform back to their normal forms. They did so promptly, and retook their seats.
"Really, Severus...what were you thinking, man?" McGonnagal asked tritely. "Did you think that Dumbledore would of told them to come if he didn't feel them worthy?"
"Ah, yes...the famous words of a simple tabby cat," Snape replied sarcasticly, crossing his arms theatrically before his chest.
"Minerva," Dumbledore warned, placing a hand upon his wife's arm, just as Minerva began turning into the tabby cat, just to show Snape how 'helpless' a tabby could be.
Harry covered a grin with the back of his hand, then looked to the others assembled this evening. "So, Madam Hooch, Professor Moody, Tonks...just what forms can you all transform into?" Harry asked, looking over at Madam Hooch, Moody and Tonks.
"I shall give you three guesses, Mr. Potter, as to what form I may assume," Madam Hooch said, her hawklike eyes twinkling in amusement.
"A hawk? Am I right," Ron said.
Madam Hooch nodded.
Harry then turned to Tonks.
"A raven, sport," she said cheekily.
Professor Moody smiled, his magical eye spinning madly. "A grizzly bear, Potter," he grumbled, informing the boy. "Suits me, it does," he added gruffly.
"Now, everyone. Please, take your seats, if you will, and we will begin," Dumbledore kindly commanded. The students, as well the faculty present, all took their seats before Dumbledore started the meeting.
"Very well then," Dumbledore declared with a smile. "We shall start with the basics, and go on from there. By now, you all should know that the Voldemort and his Death Eaters have learned to become Animagi, and that Lord Voldemort intends to attack this very castle very very soon."
Dumbledore placed his long-fingered hands upon the top of his desk. "Therefore, to defend ourselves, it only stands to reason that we too must resort to fighting as Animagi. And, we do this for two reasons: the first is because that is precisely what they do not expect us to do! They will undoubtedly expect to find human wizards and witches, bearing wands, lashing out with jinxes and curses. That they shall not find...and as such, we will achieve the element of surprise. The second reason is that we have very strong forces available to us. Thank you, Minerva." Albus briefly touched the back of Minerva's hand, then looked back up.
"It makes sense tactically, Professor Dumbledore...but isn't there one little problem?" Hermione said.
"Only one, Ms. Granger?" Snape asked, glowering at Dumbledore.
"Hush, Severus," Professor Bat chided him.
"Please. Ms. Granger, what is the problem we are facing then?" Dumbledore asked.
"Well, I mean, what's to stop them from simply turning themselves into humans again?" Hermione proposed, thinking. "We'd be jinxed in no time at all!"
"Fair enough," McGonnagal then said. "Now, let me propose something back to you then. What's chance would a human have to battle against a panther? Or a lion, perhaps...or even a tiger? Hmm?"
Neville surprised them all by answering that question. "Not very good, Professor. They'd have less chance of winning as humans than they would as animals. It only makes sense," Neville said.
"Neville's right, of course," George pointed out. But then he continued. "Question is, with all of us fighting in our animal forms, just how are we supposed to tell who's who, really?"
"Believe me, Mr. Weasley...that will be no problem at all," McGonnagal said. "Whatsoever."
"Right. Now, what else do we have to do to prepare, Professor?" Harry asked.
Ron spoke up then. "Well, we can't have the other students getting in the way, can we? They might get hurt...or worse. We just have to get innocents out of the castle quickly," Ron offered.
"All of them?" George said, grinning.
"Yes, George...the Slytherins too," Fred said, making everyone but Snape stifle a laugh.
"Thank goodness," Ron said,
"I mean, really, we can´t have some student being bitten by a cobra or anything," Hermione said.
"Just wait, little brother," Fred then pointed out. "Ron, you're going to have to stand up to your worst nightmare, mate."
"Right, and what would that be?" Ron asked, angrily.
"Look. I'm not saying this to tweak your nose, Ron. There's going to be loads of really big, really ugly spiders out there," Fred said.
Harry nodded, as he remembered Ron's less than enthusiastic response toward spiders in general, large ones even more so.
"I'll be all right, you. I know they're not really spiders, so I won´t be scared of them," Ron declared bravely.
"I really do hope so," Bat said a little worried. "The Dark Lord and his minions are favorably inclined to choose spiders..."
"We'll deal with that when it comes. Now, next?" Harry said spritely, more to get on to something less embarrassing to Ron.
"Albus...what are we to do should one of us get into trouble?" McGonnagal said, her brow wrinkling with concern.
"Why, should something like that occur, then you are to turn back into your human shape, retrieve your wand, and jinx everything and everyone in sight!" Snape said blithely, as if it was beneath him to respond.
"That's it! You Slytherins...grr, you think you are so bloody #¤$€$££$- smart!" McGonnagal said angrily, her eyes now blazing.
"Professor!" Hermione said, shocked at hearing her use such sulphurous language.
"Oy! Lee's never gonna believe it when we tell him that McGonnagal swore," Fred said, grinning mischieviously. "Do you really know what that means, Professor?" he then asked, grinning.
McGonnagal glowered at him, but she did blush scarlet, feeling rather small because of her outburst.
"Let us continue along, shall we? The night is not getting any shorter," Dumbeldore continued, having the good grace to ignore his wife's outburst as well. "We must begin a regimen of study and training."
"Training? What sort of training, Professor?" Ron asked, wanting to know.
"Weasley, use your head! We simply cannot just blindly attack without some sort of plan, boy," Moody growled.
"Alastor is right! We have fight smartly and coordinated, because you can bet your last Galleon that the Death Eaters are going to be," Hooch snapped.
"Quite right, Xiomara. Now...those of you students that are here now, at this meeting, will be excused from your classes from three to five each day," Dumbledore decreed.
Hermione alone appeared shocked. "But, Professor Dumbledore...what about our exams?"
"I'm afraid that I've no other alternative other than to pass you all, since you're going to be saving this school," Dumbledore replied matter-of- factly. McGonnagal thinned her lips, but finally nodded in acceptance. Hermione looked over at her carefully. "Professor McGonnagal, are you certain that you're feeling all right?" she asked, frowning.
Everyone---except Snape, who did grin--- laughed at Hermione's comment.
"Very well...is there anything more then?"
Dumbeldore asked of everyone present.
"Well, yes," Tonks then said.
"Yes, Nymphadora?" Dumbledore asked solicitiously.
Tonks winced at the mention of her name. "Just Tonks, Headmaster. Now, should we be contacting our friends and family members that are Animagi to ask for their help?"
"But of course," Dumbeldore said, smiling. "An excellent suggestion, Nym--- er, I mean, Tonks. Has anyone anything else then?" He gazed over his spectacles, and noticed no one had a hand up.
"No? Well, as that is the case, this meeting is adjourned. I will bid you all a good night and pleasant dreams," Dumbeldore said and got to his feet smoothly. Harry spent a few minutes with Moody and Tonks, renewing their acquaintances, then motioned to Ron and Hermione, who moved over to confer with him in the privacy of the alcove near the stairs.
Ron was excited, and said, "This is going to be so bloody wicked, Harry! Just think...no exams or classes, mate! And, all we have to do is attack a few Animagi in return."
Hermione pursed her lips, scowled, and looked at him. "That isn't even funny, Ron," she declared. "We could get hurt! We---you---could get killed! And, here you are...spouting off as if---"
"Whoa! Whoa...don´t worry, 'Mione Ron said and kissed her cheek. "We'll all be careful, and we'll all be watching out for one another. Just you wait and see."
"I know. I'm sorry. I just must be tired," Hermione smiled and kissed him back before heading back to her dormitory and to bed.
The Council of the Animagi
Harry walked back to where Ron and Hermione sat, looking oddly at him. "So...Harry, you look like you've seen a ghost, mate," Ron teased, only to gulp when Harry said nothing. "C'mon, Harry...what's up?" he then asked.
Harry filled them both in, not showing them the note Malfoy had sent him, but giving them both the essentials of what he'd read, leaving Malfoy's name out of it.
"Well," Hermione mused aloud then, sounding calm, which was a far cry from what her pale face told Harry. "I suppose we shouldn't be too surprised," she then delcared in a quiet voice. "About the Death Eaters now being trained Animagus, I mean."
"Speak for yourself, 'Mione," Ron sputtered, his freckles standing out on his white face now. "This is terrible!"
"Yes. I suppose it is at that," Hermione replied. "But, really, Ron...did you really think we were so talented that Voldemort's supporters couldn't learn what we have?"
Ron gulped at the sound of the Dark Lord's name. "Shh! For goodness sake! And, no, I suppose not. But, crikey, love..."
"I know," Harry chimed in, hopefully spoiling any further argument between the two. "That's why Dumbledore's taking action. We three, plus our other student Animagus, are invited up to Dumbledore's office this evening at nine o'clock. It's a Council of Animagus, he said."
"Well, then," Hermione offered a moment later, taking action. "We'd best send a note to your brothers then, Ron. Oh, and we'd better tell Neville straight away too..."
"Right," Harry replied, rummaging in his book bag for a sheet of parchment and his quill. "I'll write to Fred and George, and send it along with Hedwig." He then turned to Ron and Hermione. "Look, you two go tell Neville, all right? And, remember, this is top-secret, okay?" Both nodded in agreement, then got up and dashed off to find Neville.
Harry walked briskly up to the Owlery, and dispatched Hedwig with a note to the Weasley twins, telling them about Voldemort's imminent attack.
Harry then went back to the common room to wait. Only minutes later, Ron and Hermione---along with Neville---appeared at the portrait hole, and moved over to sit with Harry.
Harry brought Neville up to speed on what was going on. As Harry talked, Hermione noticed Hedwig's return, and rushed over to retrieve the note tied about her leg. "It's from Fred and George," Hermione informed them. "They say that they'll help, of course. They say that they will meet us in the Main Entrance Hall at quarter of nine."
"Good," Harry replied, heartened by the news. "That brings us up to five student Animagi, all told."
Harry knew that Hermione, Ron, and Neville all wanted to help, for various reasons. Neville wanted his revenge for the Death Eaters torturing his poor parents, while and Ron and Hermione wanted to do what was right, as well as making sure that Harry wasn't hurt or, heaven forbid, killed.
Harry led them all down to the Main Entrance Hall at half-past eight o'clock, to await Fred and George's arrival. At precisely quarter of nine, the huge main doors opened briefly to admit the tall, slim forms of the infamous Weasley twins.
"All right, Harry?" Fred said by way of greeting, shaking Harry's hand, quickly followed by an also eager George.
"Thanks for coming, you two," Harry said, grinning.
"Wouldn't of missed it for the world, Harry," George said, his eyes gleaming. "Fred and me, both."
"What say we head up to see the Headmaster, eh?" Fred said helpfully, glancing meaningfully at the grandfather clock in the Entrance Hall.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville, along with the twins, made their way up the stair cases to Dumbledore's office proper.
"Here, let me," Ron offered, seeing the stone phoenix guardian that denied access to Dumbledore's office. "'Hogwarts'," Ron cried to the stone guardian. Much to his embarrassment, nothing at all happened.
"Nice going, little bro," Fred teased Ron, who promptly blushed. Hermione quickly came to Ron's side, slipping her hand into his.
"Not your fault, mate," Harry informed him. "Dumbledore changed the password...just for this meeting." Harry turned and addressed the phoenix sentinel. "'Leon'," he called softly.
The stone phoenix began to slowly revolve, exposing a revolving set of stairs that led undoubtedly up to Dumbledore's office. Harry mounted the first step, then waved his hand, indicating they should all follow, which they did.
"Leon?" Ron asked as they ascended the staircase.
"Yes, Leon. You remember that lion we gave McGonnagal on her birthday?" Harry asked.
"What? Oh, yeah," Ron said, nodding.
"Well, guess what she named it?" Harry said, grinning.
"But, Harry...why change the password?" Neville asked from further below.
"Well, I suppose that Dumbledore wanted to make sure we were not interrupted during our business this evening," Harry proposed.
They moved, one by one, into the alcove before the large, polished dark wooden door of the Headmaster's office. Fred moved forward and knocked firmly upon the polished surface of the door.
"Come!" came the unmistakable voice of Dumbledore through the door. Fred grinned, then grasped the handle and opened the door to allow them all in.
Once inside, they saw that Dumbledore wasn't alone. Already inside, and seated were Professors Bat, Snape, and McGonnagal, who sat beside Dumbledore. Much to Harry's surprise, Madam Hooch also sat nearby and--- Harry's eyes went wide with obvious surprise---Professor Mad-Eye Moody and Tonks.
Snape looked upon the five students, his lip curling up in his trademark sneer. "So, Dumbledore, these are the students who you plan to use to defend this castle against the likes of Death Eaters?" Snape said. "Longbottom, Potter, Granger, and the three Weasley boys? Doomed. We. Are. Doomed."
"Don't mind Snape," Tonks replied cheerfully. "He's been regaling us with cheery stuff like that since we've been here. So...mates, what kind of animals do you transform into?" Tonks asked, curious.
"Better just show them," Harry told them all, and in the flicker of a moment's time, Harry turned into a lion, Hermione into her panther, and Ron into a fox. Neville blurred into his Siberian tiger form, while Fred and George transformed into Snow Leopards, promptly sitting down on their haunches, golden eyes eyeing Snape with curiosity.
The teachers assembled blinked or gasped in surprise...with the exception of McGonnagal, who had seen all this before.
Tonks crossed her arms, a smug smile on her lips. She turned her head to Snape. "You were saying?" she quipped.
"Never mind," Snape replied, impressed despite himself. "I stand corrected, it seems..."
Dumbledore then stood. "Harry, students...if you would be so kind..." he began, implicitly asking the students to transform back to their normal forms. They did so promptly, and retook their seats.
"Really, Severus...what were you thinking, man?" McGonnagal asked tritely. "Did you think that Dumbledore would of told them to come if he didn't feel them worthy?"
"Ah, yes...the famous words of a simple tabby cat," Snape replied sarcasticly, crossing his arms theatrically before his chest.
"Minerva," Dumbledore warned, placing a hand upon his wife's arm, just as Minerva began turning into the tabby cat, just to show Snape how 'helpless' a tabby could be.
Harry covered a grin with the back of his hand, then looked to the others assembled this evening. "So, Madam Hooch, Professor Moody, Tonks...just what forms can you all transform into?" Harry asked, looking over at Madam Hooch, Moody and Tonks.
"I shall give you three guesses, Mr. Potter, as to what form I may assume," Madam Hooch said, her hawklike eyes twinkling in amusement.
"A hawk? Am I right," Ron said.
Madam Hooch nodded.
Harry then turned to Tonks.
"A raven, sport," she said cheekily.
Professor Moody smiled, his magical eye spinning madly. "A grizzly bear, Potter," he grumbled, informing the boy. "Suits me, it does," he added gruffly.
"Now, everyone. Please, take your seats, if you will, and we will begin," Dumbledore kindly commanded. The students, as well the faculty present, all took their seats before Dumbledore started the meeting.
"Very well then," Dumbledore declared with a smile. "We shall start with the basics, and go on from there. By now, you all should know that the Voldemort and his Death Eaters have learned to become Animagi, and that Lord Voldemort intends to attack this very castle very very soon."
Dumbledore placed his long-fingered hands upon the top of his desk. "Therefore, to defend ourselves, it only stands to reason that we too must resort to fighting as Animagi. And, we do this for two reasons: the first is because that is precisely what they do not expect us to do! They will undoubtedly expect to find human wizards and witches, bearing wands, lashing out with jinxes and curses. That they shall not find...and as such, we will achieve the element of surprise. The second reason is that we have very strong forces available to us. Thank you, Minerva." Albus briefly touched the back of Minerva's hand, then looked back up.
"It makes sense tactically, Professor Dumbledore...but isn't there one little problem?" Hermione said.
"Only one, Ms. Granger?" Snape asked, glowering at Dumbledore.
"Hush, Severus," Professor Bat chided him.
"Please. Ms. Granger, what is the problem we are facing then?" Dumbledore asked.
"Well, I mean, what's to stop them from simply turning themselves into humans again?" Hermione proposed, thinking. "We'd be jinxed in no time at all!"
"Fair enough," McGonnagal then said. "Now, let me propose something back to you then. What's chance would a human have to battle against a panther? Or a lion, perhaps...or even a tiger? Hmm?"
Neville surprised them all by answering that question. "Not very good, Professor. They'd have less chance of winning as humans than they would as animals. It only makes sense," Neville said.
"Neville's right, of course," George pointed out. But then he continued. "Question is, with all of us fighting in our animal forms, just how are we supposed to tell who's who, really?"
"Believe me, Mr. Weasley...that will be no problem at all," McGonnagal said. "Whatsoever."
"Right. Now, what else do we have to do to prepare, Professor?" Harry asked.
Ron spoke up then. "Well, we can't have the other students getting in the way, can we? They might get hurt...or worse. We just have to get innocents out of the castle quickly," Ron offered.
"All of them?" George said, grinning.
"Yes, George...the Slytherins too," Fred said, making everyone but Snape stifle a laugh.
"Thank goodness," Ron said,
"I mean, really, we can´t have some student being bitten by a cobra or anything," Hermione said.
"Just wait, little brother," Fred then pointed out. "Ron, you're going to have to stand up to your worst nightmare, mate."
"Right, and what would that be?" Ron asked, angrily.
"Look. I'm not saying this to tweak your nose, Ron. There's going to be loads of really big, really ugly spiders out there," Fred said.
Harry nodded, as he remembered Ron's less than enthusiastic response toward spiders in general, large ones even more so.
"I'll be all right, you. I know they're not really spiders, so I won´t be scared of them," Ron declared bravely.
"I really do hope so," Bat said a little worried. "The Dark Lord and his minions are favorably inclined to choose spiders..."
"We'll deal with that when it comes. Now, next?" Harry said spritely, more to get on to something less embarrassing to Ron.
"Albus...what are we to do should one of us get into trouble?" McGonnagal said, her brow wrinkling with concern.
"Why, should something like that occur, then you are to turn back into your human shape, retrieve your wand, and jinx everything and everyone in sight!" Snape said blithely, as if it was beneath him to respond.
"That's it! You Slytherins...grr, you think you are so bloody #¤$€$££$- smart!" McGonnagal said angrily, her eyes now blazing.
"Professor!" Hermione said, shocked at hearing her use such sulphurous language.
"Oy! Lee's never gonna believe it when we tell him that McGonnagal swore," Fred said, grinning mischieviously. "Do you really know what that means, Professor?" he then asked, grinning.
McGonnagal glowered at him, but she did blush scarlet, feeling rather small because of her outburst.
"Let us continue along, shall we? The night is not getting any shorter," Dumbeldore continued, having the good grace to ignore his wife's outburst as well. "We must begin a regimen of study and training."
"Training? What sort of training, Professor?" Ron asked, wanting to know.
"Weasley, use your head! We simply cannot just blindly attack without some sort of plan, boy," Moody growled.
"Alastor is right! We have fight smartly and coordinated, because you can bet your last Galleon that the Death Eaters are going to be," Hooch snapped.
"Quite right, Xiomara. Now...those of you students that are here now, at this meeting, will be excused from your classes from three to five each day," Dumbledore decreed.
Hermione alone appeared shocked. "But, Professor Dumbledore...what about our exams?"
"I'm afraid that I've no other alternative other than to pass you all, since you're going to be saving this school," Dumbledore replied matter-of- factly. McGonnagal thinned her lips, but finally nodded in acceptance. Hermione looked over at her carefully. "Professor McGonnagal, are you certain that you're feeling all right?" she asked, frowning.
Everyone---except Snape, who did grin--- laughed at Hermione's comment.
"Very well...is there anything more then?"
Dumbeldore asked of everyone present.
"Well, yes," Tonks then said.
"Yes, Nymphadora?" Dumbledore asked solicitiously.
Tonks winced at the mention of her name. "Just Tonks, Headmaster. Now, should we be contacting our friends and family members that are Animagi to ask for their help?"
"But of course," Dumbeldore said, smiling. "An excellent suggestion, Nym--- er, I mean, Tonks. Has anyone anything else then?" He gazed over his spectacles, and noticed no one had a hand up.
"No? Well, as that is the case, this meeting is adjourned. I will bid you all a good night and pleasant dreams," Dumbeldore said and got to his feet smoothly. Harry spent a few minutes with Moody and Tonks, renewing their acquaintances, then motioned to Ron and Hermione, who moved over to confer with him in the privacy of the alcove near the stairs.
Ron was excited, and said, "This is going to be so bloody wicked, Harry! Just think...no exams or classes, mate! And, all we have to do is attack a few Animagi in return."
Hermione pursed her lips, scowled, and looked at him. "That isn't even funny, Ron," she declared. "We could get hurt! We---you---could get killed! And, here you are...spouting off as if---"
"Whoa! Whoa...don´t worry, 'Mione Ron said and kissed her cheek. "We'll all be careful, and we'll all be watching out for one another. Just you wait and see."
"I know. I'm sorry. I just must be tired," Hermione smiled and kissed him back before heading back to her dormitory and to bed.