Chapter 18: N.E.W.T.s, Christmas and Rainbow

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Three days before Christmas, the time for the Marauders to take their N.E.W.T.s had arrived. That morning Professor McGonnagall had informed them that they were to report to the third floor corridor where, in Harry's first year, the Sorceror's stone had been hidden at 8 o'clock sharp.

As most of the students had already left to go home for summer vacation, the Marauders had almost the entire castle to themselves. By now they had made detailed plans concerning their departure from Hogwarts. Hermione had been able to find a very old spell that allowed a wizard or witch to make themselves unplottable, except to those they choose to reveal it to. They tested this out by making several brief trips to Hogsmeade and to Diagon Alley. There they stocked up on necessary wizarding supplies and withdrew a all of Fred and George's money and approximately 70000 Galleons from Harry's vault. The shrunk everything to make it easier to transport.

The group had also discovered a method for communicating with their family and friends.

The concept was similar to a muggle instant messenger. They would give a special parchment to those they wanted to speak to. These parchments would be charmed so that only the Marauders and those they choose to give them too could use them, and then, only if they were doing so of their own free will. All someone had to do was write the name of the person he or she wanted to contact on the top of the parchment, then the message and say send. The message would then appear on the parchment of the recipient and a special charm would send a notice to that person.

The Marauders had also spent their time setting up time-delayed pranks throughout the school, including the Common Rooms and teachers quarters.

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When 8 o'clock came, the group made its way to the evaluation room.

"Ah, right on time I see." Dumbledore said. "Very well, you shall each be tested in each subject one at a time. Harry, you are first."

For the next three hours, the Marauders were tested on every subject they had studied at Hogwarts. All seemed to perform the required pratical portions of the exams with little or no effort. The same was true of the written exams. All of the professors were shocked. Despite their knowledge of the prophecy, despite all of the indications over the last few months, they found it astonishing that these seven students, all under age, could be so powerful.

"Congratulations to you all." Dumbledore said, "You have all received a grade of Outstanding on your exams. However, I must impress upon you the seriousness of remaining at Hogwarts. You have mastered the magic, but you have more training you must accomplish before you can fight with the Order."

"Yes professor." Harry said, forcing the smile he felt forming to disappear.

"Boy is he in for a surprise." Ginny said through the mind link.

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Christmas day was soon upon Hogwarts. Ron, Harry, and Neville awoke early and made their way down to the Common Room. There, already seated near the tree were Ginny, Hermione, Fred, George, Remus and Sirius.

"Merry Christmas." Ginny greeted as she pulled Harry into an embrace and kissed him. Next to her, Hermione was doing the same with Ron. A series of whistles and catcalls rang out. Blushing the four pulled apart.

"Sod off." Harry said to a grinning Sirius. Harry sat down on the couch, his arm around Ginny. The group then began exchanging presents.

"Thanks mate." Ron said to Harry as he opened his gift. It was a brand new wizarding chess set. Soon everyone was done opening their gifts. Harry and Ron looked at each other.

"You ready?" Harry asked, telepathically.

"Yeah, lets do it." Ron replied, telepathically. The both arose and pulled a small box out of their pockets. They then sat back down next to Hermonie and Ginny.

"Ron and I have one more present each to give." Harry said with a smirk, then turned to Ginny. "Ginny, the last six months have been the happiest of my life. And although it took me four years to realize it, I know that I am completely in love with you and don't ever want to be without you." Harry said, then stopped. Ron spoke to Hermione.

"Hermione, we've been friends since our first year. No matter what has happened you've always stood by me. And the year that we've been together has been amazing. Like Harry just said to Ginny, I know that I don't ever want to be without you." Ron said, pausing.

"Both Ron and I have discussed this and there are no other witches that we want to spend our lives with." Hary said. "Now I know we're too young to be getting engaged and married," he paused, heading off an explosion from Sirius, "But nothing is going to change the way I feel."

"Or me." Ron said. Opening his box, he revealed a small ring with a ruby heart attached. "Hermione, will you accept this ring as a promise of my love and devotion and that when the time comes and we are old enough, of my engagement ring?"

"Yes." she replied, tears forming. Harry then opened his box to reveal a similar ring, except this one had a emerald green heart shaped stone in it. He repeated what Ron had just said to Hermione.

"Oh Harry!" Ginny cried, throwing herself at him. "Of course I will." The two couples sat holding each other. Around them, the rest of the new Marauders and the two old Marauders sat smiling.

"God they remind me so much of James and Lily." Sirius whispered to Remus. Remus nodded.

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Later that evening everyone gathered in the Great Hall for Christmas dinner. Besides the Marauders and Sirius and Remus, the others present were Professor Dumbledore, Mad-Eye Moody, Mr. & Mrs. Weasly, Mr. & Mrs. Granger, Bill Weasly, Charlie Weasly, Percy Weasly and his wife Penelope, and Mrs. Longbottom, Neville's grandmother. As Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny sat down, Mrs. Weasly caught site of the rings that Hermione and Ginny now wore.

"Oh my god!" she said. "You can't be! You're too young!" Now all eyes were on the two couples.

"Relax mom," Ron said, "We know that. These are not engagement rings. If you'll notice the girls are wearing them on their right hand. These are promise rings." After a brief explanation of the morning's events, everyone settled in to enjoy dinner. The food was terrific and the Marauders enjoyed the time with their families, particularly since they knew it was the last time they would probably see them in a while. Earlier that day Moody had informed them that he had made their arrangements and he would meet thim in the Common Room. They would be leaving that night.

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After dinner the Marauders excused themselves and headed back up to the Common Room. A short time later Mad-Eye Moody entered the Common Room.

"Right. I've made arrangements with my friend to meet you in London. Go to the Pink Pagoda. Wait there. A man will approach you. The code phrase is `Can you tell me how to get to Pickadilly Square.' You will respond with `The fastest route is through the clouds.' He will then tell you your destination. You'll have to apparate there with him. He'll be there at 2 am tonight. Good luck." He said. Harry stood up and shook his hand.

"Thanks for your help." Harry said. "We've made arrangements for the parchments to be delivered to yourself and several others, along with a note of explanation. In order avoid raising suspicions, your parchment will also be delivered." Moody nodded. One by one he shook the hands of the rest of the Marauders. When he was done he turned and walked out of the Common Room. Harry checked his watch. It was 11 o'clock.

"We better get our stuff together." Harry said.

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Three hours later the Marauders were in London. Using fake IDs, the group had entered the Pink Pagota and had waited for almost a half hour. They had cast the spells necessary to disguise their appearance, as well as making them unplottable before they left Hogwarts. Finally a man about fifty, about 6', and in good shape approached their table.

"Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to Pickadilly Square?" Harry gave the countersign. The man motioned for them to follow him outside to the alley.

He then turned to Harry and the group.

"My name's John Clark. Nice to meet you. We'd best be getting out of here." He went on to explain where the base was exactly. Harry grabbed Clark by the arm and the Marauders disapparated.

They reapparated a few minutes later in a remote corner of a British Special Air Services (SAS) base. After passing through several security checks, they made their way to an empty barracks building. Upon entering they say a thirty five year old Latino male waiting for them. The barracks was rather Spartan, containing a kitchen, recreation area and a large sleeping area lined with bunks.

"Welcome to Rainbow." John said. "This is my Executive Officer, Domingo Chavez."

"Thank you." Harry and the others dropped their disguises. "My name's Harry Potter, this is my girlfriend Ginny Weasly, my best friend Ron Weasley, my other best friend and his girlfriend Hermione Granger, and our friends Fred and George Weasley and Neville Longbottom." All shook hands. Harry then proceeded to explain to John and Domingo their situation. John and Domingo listened intently as Harry spoke.

"My god." Domingo said. "This is incredible."

"I've given some thought about how to handle your presence here." John said. He outline his thoughts as for a cover story for the Marauders. After an hour of discussion, Harry and the Marauders got John's permission to place a familiarity charm over the occupants of the base, except for John and Domingo. All the other residents of the base would act as though they knew the Marauders (under aliases) and remember them having been with Rainbow for several months. John and Domingo would tutor the group in secret for a week or so in the basics of muggle military life, tactics, and weapons. Then they would train with the rest of Rainbow, and possibly go on some missions with them to gain experience.

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The next day Dumbledore, Professor McGonnagall, Sirius, Remus, Moody, Mr. & Mrs. Weasly, the Grangers, and Mrs. Longbottom were all assembled in the Great Hall. The Marauders' absence had been discoverd an hour before and there was much concern. A search of the castle had just been conducted turned up no sign of the Marauders or their belongings.

"What could have happend to them?" Arthur said. Suddenly an owl flew into the hall and landed near Dumbledore. He untied the package from around its leg and opened the first letter. He read it for several minutes, a look of surprise and concern on his face.

"It seems the Marauders have gone into business for themselves." he said.