Chapter 22




Professor Binns was as boring as ever and everybody, except of Hermione of course, was dozing or exchanging little notes with their neighbors.

Transfiguration was a lot more interesting. Today they changed snakes into skipping ropes. Everybody held his breath when Neville almost got bitten by his skipping rope, which still had the snake's head.

Harry's skipping rope wouldn't stop moving and rattling and Ron's snake was moving so much that he couldn't aim and his spell kept missing.

Kayla managed, with Hermione's help, to transfigure her snake on the third attempt. After assigning the homework McGonagall dismissed the class and everybody went for lunch.

Kayla was done after 10 minutes and went to the hospital wing to have a short private conversation with her twin. She told him, that they informed Harry about the potion, but that he believed they were planning a revenge for Malfoy using the Mutogenero potion.

Kelsey was amazed about the perfect disguise and told her that he informed their father about the whole truth.

"So you are sure, that Zara will be able to get the Aquarius scale? Dad told me that he would apparate home and owl us the bark of holy oak as soon as possible"

"Zara has contacted her father already and let him know she needs it for a school project. Her father is very absentminded, so she doesn't think he is suspicious." Kayla recounted.

"Harry has already owled Sirius to find out if he knows anything about the vampire blood and Zara agreed to ask Snape about the moonbell root."

"James told me it takes a month for the potion to be ready and it has to be administered during full moon." Kelsey explained.

"Full moon in December is right before Christmas so we need to start with the potion not later than November 23rd or the potion won't be ready in time. So we have 4 more weeks to get all the ingredients together"

"Yes I know. The Ravenclaws' have potions today with the Hufflepuffs' and Zara promised to ask Snape after class. I will meet her at the library later on today to see what she found out."

Then the twins heard a whisper out of Kelsey's nightstand. The handsome Gryffindor frowned and opened the drawer. They recognized that the strange whisper came from the notebook Zara had given him.

Kelsey grabbed the notebook and said "Nike is that you?"

The little mermaid answered with her melodious voice "Yes Kelsey. Zara asked me to inform you that you received a message."

"A message? I haven't seen an owl in here." Kelsey wondered.

"No dummy!" Nike sighed. "In the notebook. The mermaids can open connections between the books, and on this way, 2 people, who own one of those books can communicate. So if I were you I would open the book and see what she has to tell you" the mermaid laughed and disappeared in the depths of the enchanted ocean. Kelsey opened the notebook and read.

Hello Kelsey
I assume Nike has informed you how the notebook works.
It came to my mind that it could be really hard to exchange
informations while being in different houses. So if you need to
tell me anything or in case I have news, just call Nike and tell her
to open a channel.
I really like you. You are a very nice guy doing all this for Harry and
his parents.

Zara

"What did she write you?" Kayla asked mischievously. Kelsey didn't answer but shut the notebook and blushed. He stored it in his drawer and said "It's time for you to go to class. " Kayla agreed quickly; she didn't know what the pretty Ravenclaw had told her twin, but it was obvious that they liked each other. Kelsey growled when he watched his sister leaving, singing : Love is in the air.

Albus Dumbledore was sitting in his office, discussing the security measures with Charlie Weasley and how the dragons would be best included. Charlie and his wife Meg were also member of the Order just like his parents.

"Do you have any news when Voldemort is planning to attack the school? "Charlie asked the headmaster.

"We haven't heard anything yet. However, I believe Professor Snape should be the one telling you what we know so far" Dumbledore took a little silver box from his desk, turned around, threw a little bit of powder into the fireplace and called "Severus!"

The flames turned green and the potion masters head pop up in the flames. "Headmaster... Mr Weasley... how can I help you?"

"I would like to see you in my office please." Dumbledore replied.

"I will come immediately" Snape's head disappeared with another plop. A few minutes later the potion master entered the office and sat down next to Charlie Weasley.

"Severus, could you please inform young Mr Weasley here about what we know so far about the planned attack" Snape turn around to face Charlie, his pale face looking even paler.

"The Dark Lord is planning an attack to strengthen his alliance with other dark powers like the vampire and wolfmen. They will no longer support him if he can't prove his power is strong enough to give them what they want. And they want blood. He has to convince them that he's unscrupulous enough to give his allies the freedom they desire. And he wants to prove it by attacking a school full of innocent students. The fact that his 2 worst enemies, Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter, will be among these victims will please him even more."

Charlie's jaw dropped. "So we will have to handle not only deatheaters but vampires and wolfmen as well? Do we have any information about how soon the attack will take place?"

"We haven't been told a certain date but I'm sure it will be soon. I doubt that he will wait until after Christmas break. His allies are getting restless."

Severus voice was full of concern. He knew that the whole staff had been working feverishly to reinforce the spells and all the other security measures, Dumbledore had even engaged Charlie Weasley and his dragons, but deep in his heart the potion master doubted that it would be enough. They needed to get rid of the Dark Lord.... for good.

"So you're expecting the attack in the next 2 months" Charlie asked seriously.

"Yes indeed, Charlie. So we ask you to post your dragons along the grounds of Hogwarts and in case you need anything you know Hagrid is always glad to help you" Dumbledore informed Charlie with the familiar twinkle in his eyes. "I also want to invite you and your friends to join us for dinner so I can introduce you and inform the students about the situation. At least the part they haven't heard from your twin brothers"

"Yes they met me last night at Hagrid's cabin" Charlie smiled apologetically.

"I know your brothers don't care much about authorities, but I hope sincerely that you can make them understand that this here is serious." Snape said "If they would be in my house I would give them detention until Christmas break"

"But fortunately they are not in your house Snape" Charlie growled.

"Severus I'm very sure that Minerva will have the right punishment for their ...uhmm...night out." Dumbledore appeased as he winked at Charlie.

Charlie and his friends positioned their 10 dragons on the grounds and along the Forbidden Forrest. When Dumbledore had contacted him and asked if he could help to protect the school and its students, Charlie didn't have to think twice. He had four siblings in this school and as a member of the Order, he regarded it as his duty to do whatever was necessary to fight Voldemort.

He had asked some of his co-workers and explained the situation and 20 of them had agreed to assist. After they had positioned the last dragon, a German Bluetail, it was time for dinner and so Charlie went back to the castle with three of his friends.

The rest of them would remain with the dragons and be provided with food by the house-elves. The students were already at their housetables when the four men entered the Great Hall. The Weasley children, Harry and Hermione waved at them while they walked over to Dumbledore and sat down next to the teachers.

Fred and George gave Hermione a triumphant look, who gazed still very disbelievingly at Charlie and his friends. All students stared at the headmaster or examined the new guests. The Gryffindors already knew why Charlie was here and it seemed like a couple of other students knew as well.

Dumbledore got up from his chair and cleared his throat. Everybody in the Great Hall became quiet instantly, except of a few Slytherins, who were still chatting animatedly. Malfoy was totally absorbed in his conversation with a 7th year and was about to continue "...what this old muggle-loving fool was thinking, to bring more of these blood-traitors into the school", when he received a threatening glare from Snape and became silent.

"As you might have notice already, we have a few guests here today. Let me introduce you to Charlie Weasley and 3 of his friends. They are working with dragons in Romania and agreed to help us protect the school." Charlie and the other dragon trainers waved at the students and smiled.

"Furthermore I want you to know that no students will be allowed around the dragons." he glanced at the Gryffindor table. "I'm sure that Mr Weasley here or one of his co-workers would be happy to show you the dragons but it is most important that you all realize that dragons are no pets. They are one of the most dangerous species of magical creatures. You have to stay away from them when you are not accompanied by a teacher or a dragon trainer. Before you go to your Care of Magical Creatures lessons, you will be waiting here for Hagrid to accompany you. Every student who leaves the school after sunset will be expelled"

This time Dumbledore looked directly at Fred and George, who tried to look very innocent. "There are only two months left until Christmas break and I don't want anymore injuries"

Malfoy was very interested in the empty plate in front of him so he couldn't see the cold gaze of Dumbledore but he surely felt it and shuddered slightly.

"This is it for today so tuck in"