Albus Dumbledore sat with his hands folded in his lap as he sat in a chair by the fire, his blue eyes pale and serious as he watched the head of Cornelius Fudge surrounded by emerald flames. Harry and McGonagall sat in chairs by the the desk while Remus Lupin and Kingsley Shacklebolt stood nearby, all watching Dumbeldore dominate the conversation, though at times they had to strain to hear the conversation over the incessant nattering of the dozen owls that waited for replies from the Headmaster.
"Yes, you're right to leave Kingsley here. And I must also ask you to allow Hermione Granger remain here, as I will not be able to find a suitable replacement in the short notice you have given, not to mention she will be an asset while protecting the children since they are all familiar with her."
"Of course, Dumbledore, of course. Shacklebolt and Granger are obvious exceptions. But now, you don't need Potter, now do you?" Fudge asked, worry on his face. "I think he would be of greater use here with the Ministry."
"That is fine, Cornelius. I will be sending him on his way shortly."
"But Albus--" Harry began, but the old wizard cut him off with a look, and Harry scowled at the floor.
"What of the children? I have received many owls from concerned parents."
"As have I. We will be sending the children home in the morning, and I will need a team of aurors to protect the Hogwarts Express. Of course, I will be sending members of the Order as well, but I feel the more protection for our children, the better."
"Very well, I believe I can spare a team of four aurors," Fudge answered. "They will be at Hogwarts first thing in the morning."
"Thank you, Cornelius. By six-thirty, if you don't mind."
"Of course, Dumbledore."
"One last thing. If worse comes to worst, my students may have to defend themselves, and it would create a burden on the Ministry if the underage wizardry ban were still in effect. Perhaps it could be suspended temporarily."
Fudge wasn't keen on agreeing with Dumbledore on that point, but he promised to think it over. "For the time being, I think it wisest to leave it in place. We shall keep you apprised of the situation here."
Fudge's head disappeared and the green flames faded and disappeared and Albus turned back to meet Harry's disapproving stare.
"Harry, I know you wish to be here for the battle, but I believe the Ministry will be better equipped to handle an attack from Voldemort, whilst giving you the best opportunity to defeat him," Dumbledore replied to the unanswered question on Harry's tongue. "Once the students are safely away, Hogwarts becomes less of a tempting target."
A tawny owl flew through the open window and dropped a red letter, a howler, on the desk before Harry could reply.
McGonagall exclaimed, "Oh Merlin, not another!"
Dumbledore whipped out his wand and a bolt of light shot out as he muttered, "Silencio."
He calmly opened the now-disabled howler and read the contents. He dropped the letter and rubbed his eyes behind the half-moon lenses. "Another parent wants to know what we're going to do about the situation."
"As though we're going to parade the children around on the battlefield just for He-Who-- oh, alright, Voldemort," she responded vehemently. "What are we going to do?"
"I believe we must issue letters of reassurance to the parents. Tell them that for the safety of the children, they will be leaving first thing in the morning and parents should make arrangements to pick them up at Kings Cross at one-thirty."
"Let me see to that," Minerva said briskly and standing. "You will address the students?"
He nodded. "At dinner. No doubt many have already received news from parents and the rest will hear rumors and variants of the truth."
McGonagall left to send letters to hundreds of parents and Albus turned to Lupin. "Remus, can you check on Severus and Hermione and their progress with the potion? And ask them to join us at dinner."
Hermione and Severus finally stopped to admire their work.
In the frantic hour since Potter's arrival in the dungeons, they had managed to prepare the mortalis fallax potion for mass distribution in small vials to be worn around the neck, as Hermione had suggested. She and Harry had transfigured the vials of roughly equal size from the eighty-odd mismatched sizes they had procured throughout the dungeons, while Severus prepared the potion for short-term storage. Dumbledore had summoned Harry, leaving Severus and Hermione to place a protective charm on each of the vials to keep it safe from accidental breakage, as well as keeping the potion stable.
A knock at the door and Remus Lupin's head popped through.
"Hermione, Severus," he greeted them. "Albus wants an update on the potion before dinner."
"It's ready," Hermione answered. "We have seventy-six doses in all."
Remus moved further into the lab and began walking around, his eyes filled with intense curiosity.
"How long have you two been working on this potion?" he asked.
Severus's eyes found hers and she thought she saw a smile there when she called over her shoulder to Lupin, "About six years now, I think."
He joined them by the ready vials and said, "Oh, Albus also wants you in the Great Hall for dinner."
"What, for moral support?" Severus growled and Hermione squashed a laugh. "He'll be addressing the students and he likes to have all of the teachers with him to show solidarity. Surely you both have recognized it."
She looked at him puzzled but Lupin nodded. "I think I did notice it, once or twice."
"Well, we should go on then because it's nearly seven," she said, then turned looked at Severus with a playful smile. "Besides, I'm sure you'll have plenty of opportunity to deduct some House points on the way. It's a good thing a lot of the Order decided to stay here, since the students might need a little more … guidance than normal."
"Great, I was hoping to be responsible for children again," Remus muttered.
"And I thought you were the favourite Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher ever in Hogwarts history," Severus said, his voice silky but lacking its usual bite.
Hermione was surprised to see a smirk on his face as was Remus, but he recovered quickly and laughed. "I don't know about that. I'm sure Hermione's great at teaching DADA."
She shrugged and said, "I was in your classes and students didn't fall asleep in them like they do mine."
"No one falls asleep in my classes," Severus said with a certain smugness.
Hermione argued, "That's because you'd dock fifty House points and everyone knows it!"
The smirk resurfaced and he said, "One of the benefits of having the little prats hate me."
Hermione rolled her eyes and shook her head and they left the dungeons for the Great Hall. Inside, Albus had conjured several round tables that fit between the High Table and the House tables, and most of the chairs were filled by members of the Order. Remus moved to join them while Severus took his customary seat at the end of the table by Slytherin and Hermione found one between Vasily Borodin, the Arithmancy teacher, and Madam Hooch.
Dinner was simple: roast chicken, boiled potatoes, peas and carrots, with éclairs and pudding for dessert. Hermione chatted as much quidditch with Hooch as she could stand before talking with Vasily about the newest theories in Arithmancy. He was surprised to know that she stayed up on the field even though she didn't often have a chance for practical use.
"Obviously you didn't know me as a student," she said with a smile. "Your predecessor, Professor Vector, could certainly attest to my love of Arithmancy."
When it became clear that a number of students had finished with dessert, Albus stood and cleared his throat and talk quickly died down over the Great Hall, spoons hung halfway to their destinations.
"I know many of you have heard rumors and whispers in the hallways and common rooms today about Voldemort, and unfortunately, some of them are true."
Murmurs rippled through the tables until he spoke again.
"Voldemort did attack the French Magical Authority and Beauxbatons, and many were killed on both sides. Now there is possibility that he and his followers will attack the Ministry or even Hogwarts."
Excited chatter burst forth, but Dumbledore did not silence it immediately, simply waiting until it lessened to continue, "You will all be returning home in the morning, where you will be safer from attack. You may pack one small bag to bring only, for we do not have enough time to worry about luggage. And of course, familiars may be brought as well."
"What about using reduction spells?" an older girl asked from Ravenclaw, and Hermione had to hide a smirk when Ron and Ginny both caught her eye, because it sounded like something she herself would have asked. "Can we use those?"
Dumbledore nodded and answered, "Yes, you may use magic you have previously learned in your experience at Hogwarts, and you may use it if a situation arises where you must defend yourself or your family."
On this pause, the room was quiet as the true seriousness of the situation dawned on them.
"Are there any further questions?"
McGonagall, who had arrived late to dinner, whispered something from the side and Dumbledore nodded.
"There are a number of witches and wizards staying at Hogwarts," he said, motioning to the tables on the floor. "They are to be treated the same as you would a teacher, and they will be able to deduct House points as well.
"Now for those of you concerned with finishing the academic year --" a few laughs answered his smile, as well as a few frowns from the more serious students "-- do not worry. You will receive an owl from myself or Professor McGonagall with instructions on returning to Hogwarts for the completion of the year. Fifth and seventh years will have additional time before taking their tests as well.
"Now everyone shall return to their dormitories and pack their bags. I would also suggest turning in early, as the carriages will be waiting outside at six-thirty and will leave promptly at seven." He stared over his half-moon glasses at the students, somehow his eyes reaching out to each of them in that quick moment. "I would advise each of you to make it on time."
Dismissed, the students filed out of the Great Hall, the level of chatter lower than usual as the students whispered to one another. The teachers lingered behind, as did the Order members and Albus, still standing, addressed them once the room was clear of students.
"I have spoken with the Minister and I have arranged for both Kingsley and Hermione to remain here."
Severus cut a sharp look down the table to Hermione and she raised her eyebrows at him before turning her attention back to the Headmaster.
"He is also providing an escort of four aurors to accompany the students to the Hogwarts Express and on to London, as will some of you: Minerva, Emmeline, Remus, Sturgis, Hermione and Filius.
"I am also informed that the mortalis fallax potion is ready for distribution and everyone should stop by the dungeons and speak with Professors Snape or Granger to receive theirs, as well as instructions on use. The Hogwarts Express escort must stay to finalise details for the morning. Everyone else, you are free to leave unless you are scheduled to stand guard. And I do expect all teachers to be present in the morning to assist with students."
Everyone rose from their chairs and Snape grasped Hermione's elbow lightly as she passed, murmuring, "I'll be waiting."
She moved to the floor below the High Table where Emmeline Vance, Sturgis Podmore and Remus stood patiently. Dumbledore, McGonagall and Flitwick followed her down, and Harry stayed behind also, having finally given up on changing the old man's mind about letting him remain at Hogwarts.
"Harry will be going with you as far as Kings Cross, but then he must apparate to the Ministry." Albus turned his gaze down to the tiny Charms professor and said, "Filius, I trust you can manage keeping the train out of plain view?"
"Of course, of course! A handful of reflective charms should do the trick! I will attend to it first thing in the morning!"
"I can assist you, Filius, if you wish," Emmeline said.
Flitwick exclaimed, "Thank you! I would appreciate the help and I seem to remember you being quite handy with charms!"
"Then the two of you shall go straight to the train station in the morning while the others remain with the students and the carriages. I want everyone to be rested for tomorrow," Dumbledore said, and Hermione was certain his blue eyes remained much longer on her than truly necessary to emphasize the point, "but be prepared as well. That is all."
Harry waited for Hermione to catch up with him just inside the doors and he asked, "What was that about? Being prepared?"
Hermione shook her head. "Who knows?"
They slipped past Colin and Dennis Creevey, both of whom had volunteered to stay at Hogwarts, as they chattered excitedly with Hagrid right outside the Great Hall, as well as the Weasley twins who were huddled off to the side with an older Gryffindor.
Hermione sighed and said, "I suppose I should go do something about that."
Harry laughed and said, "Good times."
"You know, I think I'll let Filch deal with it later," she said with a smile and they headed towards the dungeons without interrupting the impending transaction. "I'd better help Severus pass out those vials. He'll get irritable if he has to deal with everyone by himself."
Harry grinned at her. "So you two made up?"
She smiled demurely and said, "We managed to reach a mutually satisfying cessation of aggression."
"A cessation of aggression?" he laughed. "If that's what you want to call it. Since you'll probably be occupied tonight, I'm going to get my potion and join Hagrid for a drink."
"Just be careful. You don't want to get into a drinking contest with a half-giant when you have to be up at six-thirty."
"Oh, I'll just get you to brew me up a hangover potion in the morning."
She snorted. "I wouldn't need to brew it, because I have enough foresight to keep a supply on hand, ready for moment's notice."
Hermione woke early and quietly slipped out of bed so she wouldn't disturb the gently snoring Severus. She hurried into the shower and it was nearly six when she emerged ready and dressed in grey trousers and a white cotton shirt. Severus stirred and raised up on one arm.
"You have to go," he stated, his voice heavy with sleep.
She moved to the bed and perched beside him, her left hand brushing back a lock of hair from the side of his face. He grabbed her wrist and kissed it, his tongue branding her cool flesh, and she lowered her mouth to his. His hand caught in her mess of curls and he pulled her closer.
Finally Hermione broke off the kiss, and not a moment too soon judging by the passion glittering in those black eyes. He abruptly sat up and slipped around her, intent on the bathroom. He paused at the door and gave her a piercing look.
"I'll be waiting," he said, then turned and shut the door.
Hermione stared after him for a moment and smiled, grabbed her robes and wand, and left his quarters. She stopped by the lab to pick up a few extra vials of the potion for the aurors, as well as double-checking hers to be under her shirt.
She went to the Great Hall and joined Dumbledore and a handful of other teachers who had managed to wake up early enough for breakfast with the students, as well as two-thirds of the students who were chittering nervously over half-eaten plates of eggs and bacon and porridge.
Hermione could only stomach a strong cup of coffee, so she sat beside McGonagall and watched the students. Slowly the minutes ticked by until it was six-twenty and she left the Hall heading for the front doors. It seemed the aurors had just arrived, and the four of them stood inside the doors speaking in quiet voices with Sturgis Podmore, a tall straw haired wizard with pale green eyes.
Hermione approached the group and nodded. She recognized all of the aurors: Britt Oudekirk, a tall, brown-haired wizard in his thirties; Yori Saito, a short, pretty witch from Japan a few years older than Hermione; Andrew McKay, a veteran auror, black and silver hair with a booming voice; and a wiry, twitchy wizard by the name of Dwaine Garvey.
She handed each of them a vial and said, "Take this if something happens. It will protect you from three hits of avada kedavra, though after the third, you'll feel like death."
Britt muttered as he rotated the bottle in his hand, "So it really does exist."
"I told you it was possible to defeat the killing curse," said Yori, ignoring Britt as he rolled his eyes at her.
Andrew asked, "I think you have a better handle on the situation here so what do you want us to do, Hermione?"
"I think we should split up, one of us every few coaches on the way to the station, then of course on the train. The prefects can assist us as well."
The aurors all nodded in agreement and went outside to watch for the arrival of the coaches, while Hermione remained inside to wait for the students, although a few stood around already, watching the proceedings.
A few minutes later, Britt stuck his head back in and announced, "The carriages are here."
He and Hermione propped open the heavy doors and began ushering the growing number of students outside into the early morning light, sun obscured by grey clouds threatening rain, and she organized the students so there would be one prefect per carriage, with an auror or member of the Order every fourth.
As seven o'clock neared and teachers swept the castle for any remaining students, Hermione stood with Harry and Remus as they waited for Minerva's proclamation that no student was left behind. Finally, she emerged dragging a second year Hufflepuff by the shoulder and signaled for everyone to get ready. Harry ran off to the first carriage while Hermione and Remus took the last two.
As soon as she had settled in with her group of students, the carriage lurched to a start and they were headed towards Hogsmeade. A feeling of nervousness settled on her as they moved through the trees, but she forced the anxiety away and glanced out the window. The normally quick trip felt longer and more dangerous than ever before, but soon the carriage slowed and they reached the station without incident.
Students piled out of the carriages and headed for the platform and the train waiting to return them to London. Hermione admonished a group of fifth years that shoved past some younger students, but largely the group efficiently boarded the Hogwarts Express and soon only the adults, minus Flitwick and Emmeline Vance, remained on the platform.
"Filius and Emmeline will be going with the train to maintain the invisibility charm, as will the aurors and Mister Potter and myself," Minerva said. "Of course Filius, Emmeline and I will return to Hogwarts, while everyone else goes on to the Ministry."
"What about the three of us then?" asked Sturgis. "Do we go back to Hogwarts?"
Minerva shook her head. "Albus asked me this morning to check in on his brother before returning to the school."
"Aberforth?" asked Hermione. "Why?"
"He wouldn't say, just muttered something under his breath about goats and invisibility spells."
Sturgis grimaced as he said, "Then I hope Aberforth knows why we're stopping."
"That's the idea," Minerva said as she turned towards the train. "You know where to find him, of course."
"I've got an idea," Hermione answered.
As they watched Minerva board, the train faded from sight, one car at a time, until there was no evidence that the train existed. Even the steam and noise disappeared.
Hermione turned to Remus and asked, "The Hog's Head?"
He nodded at her. "Let's get going."
They walked into Hogsmeade and Hermione marveled that the town was so quiet, even at seven-thirty in the morning and they reached the Hog's Head Inn without passing another person.
The front door was locked when Hermione tried it, so she knocked hesitantly at first, and then louder after there was no response. A glass shattered inside and someone muttered curses, then the door sprang open to reveal a tall man with long grey hair and beard, and he didn't seem thrilled to find them on his doorstep so early in the morning.
"What the bloody hell do you want? We're not open!"
Hermione frowned at Remus, who only shrugged. "Albus sent us."
Immediately the blue eyes settled on her and Hermione felt a curious sensation as she realized they were exactly the same as Albus's, only lacking the twinkle.
"And why should I believe you? I don't know any of you!"
"I met you once, in the first Order," Remus said, and the old man peered at him, but there was no recognition on his face.
"I don't remember you. If you lot are from Albus, you could prove it."
Hermione thought back to what McGonagall had told them when it clicked and she blurted, "You're working invisibility charms on goats!"
Aberforth took a step backwards, visibly shocked, but he recovered quickly and motioned them inside.
"Of course, you're from my brother. Now what can I do for you?" he asked once the other three members of the Order were inside and he peered at Hermione with curiosity.
Hermione looked to Remus and Sturgis, but neither seemed inclined to insert themselves in the conversation so she said, "We were hoping you knew why we were here. Albus just sent us to see you."
"Now why would he do that?" the old man mumbled, rubbing his chin through the thick grey beard.
"Maybe there was something you needed to tell him that couldn't be said over floo?" Hermione asked, and he contemplated that idea but dismissed it with a shake of his head. "Maybe something you saw or overheard here?"
His eyes brightened and he exclaimed, "Yes, yes, that was it! I remember now!"
Aberforth waved them over to a table and they sat, Remus and Hermione on the opposite side, while Sturgis remained standing, his arms crossed, looking vaguely impatient with Dumbledore's seemingly less competent brother.
"It was Thursday I believe, and there were three of them, all in hoods so I didn't see what they looked like, but judging from the voices it was two men and a woman. I only heard bits and pieces, but I did hear a few interesting things. One of the men said things were happening much faster than originally planned, and France was first."
"Death Eaters attacked France last night. What else?"
"This was what really bothered me: I heard the woman say, 'The school will fall, and he will personally kill the old fool.'"
Hermione looked from Aberforth to Remus, his face furrowed as he glanced at her.
"Does that mean they'll attack Hogwarts first?"
Hermione shook her head and answered, "I don't know."
"We should get back to Dumbledore and tell him," Sturgis said and Remus nodded his agreement.
As they stood and approached the door, Hermione turned to Aberforth and handed him a vial of the potion, saying, "Take this potion if Death Eaters show up. It will protect you against three of the killing curse."
He thanked her and opened the door for them, but as they started to leave, Remus stopped dead in the doorway.
"What is it?" Sturgis asked him from behind. "What's wrong?"
"It's cold," Lupin muttered, and a cold breeze blew in to prove his point.
"Oh no," Hermione whispered.
Remus turned and fixed her with a dark look. "Dementors."
Harry sat in one of the front most cars, his foot tapping impatiently as he watched the speeding landscape through the window. There were only five students with him, all boys looking to be in their fifth or sixth year, and they talked quietly of quidditch and girls and school, not about going home or Voldemort. Harry frowned.
He started to wish for those days as a student back, when he had little else to worry about than Cho Chang or Draco or the next quidditch match, or even double Potions with the Slytherins, when he remembered that even then he still had to worry about Voldemort. He returned to staring out the window.
It was still a few hours before the train would arrive in London, so Harry settled back for a nap. He dozed off quickly, able to ignore the talking in the car. It felt like he had just closed his eyes when he was suddenly in a dim room, and he was angry, so angry he couldn't do anything but grip the wand tighter in his skeletal fingers and point it at a writhing figure on the floor. As he cast crucio again and again, moving closer to the victim all the while, he finally recognized the voice screaming out --
With an earsplitting howl, Harry fell off the bench and to his knees, both hands clutching his forehead and the throbbing scar.
"Go get McGonagall!" one of the boys yelled at another, who quickly disappeared from the car. The first boy crouched down and looked at Harry. "Are you alright, Mr. Potter? Is there something I can do?"
The pain lessened and Harry fell back against the seat, still with a hand over the scar, the other one supporting him. His breath finally slowed and he tried to smile at the four students who were eyeing him warily.
"I'll be fine, thank you."
"Is it your scar, sir?" another asked, and Harry nodded. "My mum told me you know when You-Know-Who is mad."
"Your mum's right. It seems Voldemort is not very happy at the moment."
Minerva burst into the compartment, followed by the boy sent after her.
"Harry, are you alright?" the witch asked, unable to keep all the worry out of her voice.
"No, I'm fine," he answered as he slowly stood, using the seat for leverage. "Though I could use a bit of a walk. Maybe some pumpkin juice."
He jerked his head at the door and she nodded, preceding him out into the hallway and Harry slid the door shut. McGonagall watched him expectantly as he continued to rub the searing lightning bolt on his forehead.
"I was asleep, then I was inside Voldemort and Draco was there, and I was casting crucio on him over and over, and I was really angry, but not because of Draco -- because of something else, something not going right."
"Was it real or a vision?" McGonagall asked.
"I don't know. But I know that he really is angry at something."
"If that's the case, perhaps it's good news for us."
"Perhaps," he repeated, though he wasn't sure at all. "You'll tell Albus?"
"First thing when we return to Hogwarts," the witch promised.
McGonagall returned to her car, but Harry instead chose to walk the corridor, in part looking for the food cart, but also to relieve his anxiety. He didn't know if what he saw was real or not, if Voldemort was toying with him because of his betrayal, which held strong possibility, but at the same time he knew that Draco would die. Voldemort had made that abundantly clear, but Draco, without his potion to keep up his strength, wouldn't survive for much longer as it were. He pushed back the urge to slam his fist into the wall.
He found the sweet, old witch from the food cart and purchased a handful of chocolate frogs and some pumpkin juice, and returned to his car up at the front of the train. He managed a smile at the students when he entered the car and offered each of them a chocolate frog to enthusiastic thanks.
He settled back onto the seat and watched out the window, his thoughts stormy. No matter how much he considered it, he could not come up with a plausible way to get to Draco. No doubt Voldemort was keeping him close, but he didn't even know where the Dark Lord was hiding at present. First, he would have to track down Voldemort, then kill him and not be killed in return by the Death Eaters, and after that, pray he found Draco alive. He didn't like his chances of either of them surviving such a plan.
After an extended silence on his part, the boys -- Ravenclaws, he was told -- drew him into a conversation about professional quidditch as well as Hogwarts, since Harry was still considered the best seeker in recent history, and soon the train was rolling into Kings Cross. He instructed the students to remain in the car for the moment and he sought out Minerva.
He found her at the very front of the train as she tapped her wand against a metal plate on the wall and spoke, her voice reverberating throughout the cars.
"Attention students. As you can see we have arrived at the station. Please exit the train in a calm and orderly fashion. Remember, you will receive notice on when to return to the school." She paused and her eyes met Harry's. "And please, be careful."
Pulling her wand away from the plate, she said quietly, "Albus told me about Draco Malfoy."
Harry swallowed and he was given time to wonder just what the Headmaster had said as students began filing out of the cars and onto the train platform.
"How much did he tell you?" he asked.
"A little. That he was the spy working with you and Voldemort found him out. All this time I thought he had followed his father's footsteps but he was working for us."
Harry nodded silently and Minerva waved at a knot of Gryffindors that passed.
"It seems I misjudged Mister Malfoy after all," she said, a sad note entering her voice.
"I think we all did," Harry answered, suddenly feeling forlorn. "All of us but Dumbledore."
McGonagall looked at him with shrewd eyes and said, "I think Albus has the gift of seeing each of us as we really are and knowing how much we are truly capable of, perhaps even more so than we are ourselves."
He thought about how Dumbledore had forgiven him for nearly betraying everything they had been working towards. How unsurprised he was that Draco had been the literal wrench in the works that Harry had put into motion in order to save Draco's own life.
"I think you're right," he said, allowing a sad smile. "Well, I need to move on to the Ministry. Fudge will certainly having conniptions by now."
"Of course. Be careful, Harry," Minerva pleaded, knowing full well that he could be facing Voldemort at any time, and she hugged him swiftly and surely.
Harry left the train and moved to the four aurors that were watching the parents and students reunite.
"I'm off to see Fudge, you can handle this lot, right?"
Andrew McKay waved him off and said, "Of course, we'll be fine. You'd best go on, before Fudge sends a search party."
"See you back at the office."
As he concentrated and fixed the Atrium at the Ministry in his head, he heard a scream, and a bolt of green light whizzed past him, the air crackling in its wake, but Harry was already spinning away from the station and when the world righted itself once more, he was standing in the large hall full of witches and wizards returning from lunch.
"Harry? Wha's go on?" called the unmistakable voice of his oldest friend with his mouth stuffed with food and Harry whirled to see Ron with a sandwich in hand.
"Ron! Quick, Kings Cross is under attack!"
A/N:
And so it begins! Chapters 35 and 36 will be posted within short order of each other, I would say 2-3 weeks.
Thanks greatly for all the birthday wishes! I did have a party, and it was all going great until some stupid little fuck from work drank too much and passed out and cracked his head and we had to call the ambulance and everyone but one brave soul (and my brother who slept through the ordeal and my best friend who'd left about 30 min prior) took off and left just me and this one guy to answer to the EMS and fire dept. (Yes, there was a bit of an illegal substance being puffed, and those wusses ran!) But nothing came of it after all. The kid was alright and back to work the next day. So, my 26th year has started out in quite an exciting fashion.
As always, please review … to paraphrase my favorite American Idol host, if you read and don't review, it's just like stealing. (And yes, that was a bit of sarcasm when I use the word favorite, however let's just say, I wouldn't kick him out of bed. Until after, that is. But yes, I am an addict of American Idol, I admit it.)
In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy PoA … I'm certain I will!