Chapter 19: Letters, Reactions, and More Training
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"What do you mean? What does that letter say?" Sirius asked. Dumbledore cleared his throat and began reading.
Dear Albus,
If you are reading this letter, then we can assume that our departure has been discovered. This owl has instructions to place this letter and the attached packet, in your hands once it has been discovered that we are no longer at Hogwart's. Rest assured that we are safe and in good health. And now we are sure that you and the rest of those present are wondering what is happening.
It is very simple. You have all admitted that we are far more mature, powerful, capable, and wise beyond our years. It is obvious that we are going to be pivotal part of this war, and yet you have continued to resist our wishes to become more active. We refuse to sit back any longer. It will be months before either the Order or the Ministry will be in a position to have restored its forces to the point where they can do any good. During that time, Voldemort and his followers will continue to gather strength and wreck havoc. Someone must remind him, and the wizarding world at large, that the Light will always prevail. We have therefore gone into hiding under the Fidelius Charm. We are living at a secret location from which we will continue our training and launch offensive operations against the Tom Riddle and his followers.
This location is very secure and has been made unplottable. We have set up protective wards and measures to rival that of Hogwarts, as well as other security measures. Do not waste your time trying to find us. We have also cast a spell on this place that hides all evidence of magic, even to someone as powerful as you, Albus.
Because we understand your desire to be able to communciate with us, the attache packet contains several special parchments. These are to be given to the following people: yourself, Professor McGonnagall, Remus, Sirius, Mr. & Mrs. Weasly, Bill Weasly, Charlie Weasly, Percy Weasly, Mr. & Mrs. Granger, Mrs. Longbottom, and Mad-Eye. To contact one of us, simply write the name at the top of the parchment, then write the message, and say send. The recipient will hear a special alert when a message is delivered. Only the Marauders and those in this list are able to work these parchments, and then only under their own free will. They are untraceable.
Once again, please do not waste time trying to find us or resources to try and help us. Concentrate on rebuilding the Order and the Ministry, for we are going to need all the forces that can be mustered to win this war. In the meantime, we will conduct a guerilla war against the enemy in order to disrupt his plans and remind him that though the forces of the Light may have been bloodied, we are not defeated.
Remember we love and respect you all, but this is our destiny. Take care of one another and no matter what happens, do not give up hope. It is only through the weapons of hope and love that Voldemort will finally be defeated.
Farewell for now.
The Marauders
Silence fell on the hall as those gathered look around at each
other, completely stunned. Finally Sirius broke the silence.
"Are they insane!" Sirius shouted.
"They're only children!" Molly Weasly exclaimed. Everyone else seemed to be expressing the same kind of outrage. The discussion continued for several loud minutes, with everyone demanding that something be done. Finally Dumbledore spoke.
"SILENCE!" he shouted, his aura radiating extreme power. The room became quite. "I quite agree with you all. They are children and it is indeed a dangerous concept. However, it is because that we have forgotten that they are not ordinary children that they have taken this step. In our desire to make sure they were prepared and to keep them safe, we missed the fact that while they may be children according to the number of years they have lived, physically, intellectually, and magically they are all older beyond thier years. And they are correct that neither the Order or the Ministry will be in any position in the near future to take the fight to Lord Voldemort."
"But we can't just let this go, Albus." Arthur said.
"We must. Through their magically abilities, which are far more extensive, by the looks of things, then any of us realized, they have been successful in completely disappearing. All we can do now is rebuild our forces so that we may be able to render aid to them when the time comes." he replied. Everyone looked around. They were clearly not happy about this.
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Domingo Chavez or Ding as everyone called him, was impressed. John had told him all about this remarkable group of teenagers but he really didn't believe it until he saw for himself. First, using their magical powers they had created an entire underground complex under their barracks that they were now using to train, both magically and as muggle soldiers. Then, after only a week of training under the guide of himself and John, they had managed to mastered most of the skills and attitudes necessary for them to fit in easily with the rest of Rainbow. Skills that had taken him more than 10 years to master. Because of their rapid progress, they would tommorrow begin participating in normal training sessions with the rest of the unit.
At the moment he was watching one of their magical combat sessions. He was awed at the amount of power these seven, especially Harry, had at their fingertips. The speed and ferocity with which they moved was unbelievable. He was very glad they were on his side. He hated to think what it would be like to have them as enemies.
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Several hours later, Harry slumped down into his bunk, exhausted, as did the rest of the Marauders. They had been working feverishly the last week. The first order of business had been to create an underground complex under the barracks where they could continue to train their magical abilities, as well as train in the muggle arts of war until they had reached a level where they could fit in with the rest of Rainbow. To everyone's surprise, including the Marauders, this had been accomplished under the extpert tutelege of Ding and John in only a week. The complex also served as their headquarters. One very large room contained a map of England and many magical monitors. In this room the Marauders plotted the locations of all friendly forces and kept track of the large intelligence network they had set up with the help of Ding and John. Several late night forays were conducted to Hogwarts, the Ministry, and other magical sites to plant intelligence gathering spells and items there. Ding and John also trained them in the use of Muggle intelligence devices and concepts.
Tommorrow would be the Marauders first time trianing with the rest of Rainbow. Harry was not worried however. If the evaluations Ding and John had just given them were true, then the Marauders would have no trouble fitting in.