Chapter 20: It Begins

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The Marauders were awoken at 3am the next morning by the sounding of an alarm. Harry shot up out of bed and made his way to the control room under the barracks, the others following not far behind. He surveyed the map and several of the monitors for a few seconds.

"Looks like Voldemort's forces have regrouped." he said. "We've got two dozen death eaters attacking a village in Northern Scotland. Let's mount up."

With that the Marauders scrambled to thier lockers. Each pulled on a black jumpsuit, similiar to the ones worn by Rainbow in the field, and black combat boots. On the right shoulder of the jumpsuit was a large phoenix, surrounded in fire. A utility belt containing a holster for their wands (they had agreed to carry and use them as much as possible to keep their wandless abilities as secret as possible), several pouches containing some of Fred and Georges Wheezes, and both Muggle and Wizarding first aid kits. Strapped to the left thigh of each was a holster for a .45 caliber automatic pistol (loaded with silver bullets) and to the right thigh a six inch combat knife. A black baclava (military ski-mask) hid their faces from view.

"Everybody ready?" Harry asked. The rest nodded. "Let's go." And with that the Marauders disapparated.

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The Marauders apparated just outside of the village of Loch Oglthorpe. Several dark marks could be seen hovering in the air over the town square. Many of the buildings appeared to be burning and bodies could be seen lying in the streets.

"Fan out. Standard assualt formation. Remember, we want to keep as quiet as possible. If you can, go for a silent kill." Harry said over their mind link.

"You got it boss." Fred replied. The Marauders fanned out and began to make their way towards the town square, where it appeared most of the activity was taking place. Along the way the encountered four Deatheaters, apparently searching for any muggles that may have hidden. Harry crept up behind the one closest to him, his combat knife now in his hand. When he was right behind the Deatheater he reached around his neck with his left hand, covering his mouth. He sank his knife into the kidney area of the Deatheater's back, while at the same timetwisting his neck. The Deatheater let out a muffled groan for a split second and fell to the ground. Harry withdrew his knife from the body and glanced over to where the other three Deatheaters had been. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were standing over their bodies, each withdrawing their own knives.

"You guys okay?" He asked.

"Yeah." Ginny replied. "It's just different than I expected." Harry nodded in understanding. He hated the fact they had to kill, especially like this, but there really was no choice. He signaled for Fred, George, and Neville to take the point and make sure there weren't any more Deatheaters nearby.

"All clear." Neville reported. The Maruaders continued to move towards the square. The sight they saw as they neared the edge of the square was like something out of a nightmare. The bodies of dozens of muggles were strewn about. In the very center of the square were about fifteen muggles, mostly women and children, all scared to death. The Deatheaters were surrounding them in a circle. The leader was in the process of using the Cruiciatus curse on a young boy of above seven. His screams echoed throughout the streets.

"Bastards." Fred said over the mind link.

"You got that right." Harry responded, thinking for a moment.. "Let's break up their party. Fred, George, and Neville, see if you can circle around and hit them from the East. Ron, Hermonie, and Ginny, get in position and hit them from the West. Don't attack until I signal."

"What are you going to do?" Ginny asked concerned, already guessing what the answer might be.

"I'm going to have a little chat with thim." Harry replied, a grin appearing on his face.

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Eric Morden was thoroughly enjoying himself. He had been hand picked by the Dark Lord to lead this raid. His men had quickly succeeded in killing most of the men of the town and were now torturing the few remaining survivors. Its too bad the Minsitry is in such disarray. He thought. I would have enjoyed going up against some Aurors. His thoughts were interrupted when a voice called out behind him.

"Let them go!" Morden and the majority of the Deatheaters spun around. Walking calmly towards them, bathed in the green light of the Dark Marks currently hovering in the air was a lone figure, dressed in black. Morden could clearly see a wand in the man's hand.

"I don't know who you are stranger, but you are very foolish." Morden said, as sick smile on his face. "You shall die for coming hear." The man laughed.

"I think not. It is you who will pay for what you have done here." Harry said, then shouted, "Phoenix appearus!" A red light shot out of his wand, forming a giant phoenix, which brushed aside the Dark Marks. As soon as the Phoenix symbol appeared, the rest of the Marauders attacked.

The battle was fierce but brief. Before any of the Deatheaters could respond, the Marauders had hurled a dozen cures at them, all of which found their marks. The eight remaining Deatheaters tried to fight back, but after several minutes it was apparent they were outclassed. Several broke and tried to run.

"Oh no you don't!" Ron yelled at the nearest. "Stupefy!" One of the Deatheaters was hit and hurled crashing into the side of a building fifteen feet away. Not far away, Fred and George were stunning two more of the Deatheaters.

"Pertrificus Totalus!" Ginny shouted, dropping another Deatheater, at the same time that Harry hit another. the two remaining Deatheaters then disapparated.

"Fred, George, Neville, Ron. Get these guys tied up. Ginny, Hermione, check out those people." Harry ordered. The Marauders went about their work. After a few minutes all the unconcious Deatheaters were hog tied, their wands snapped in half. Ginny and Hermione had also finished administering first aid to the muggles. Miraculously most were not seriously injured; just in extreme shock. Harry took his message parchment out one of the pouches on his belt and began writing. After a few moments he tapped his wand on the parchment.

"Send." he ordered.

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Minister of Magic and Headmaster of Hogwarts Albus Dumbledore was startled out of his sleep by a loud chime. It took him a few seconds to realize it was coming from the parchament the Marauders had sent him. Reaching for the parchment on the night table next to him, he scanned the message.

Albus Dumbledore

At approximately 0300, a force of approximately 24 Deatheaters assaulted the town of Loch Oglthorpe. There have been massive muggle casualties and significant damage to the town. The Phoenix Team apparated on scene approximately fifteen minutes ago and took out the Deatheaters. Request Ministry clean up squad to perform memory charms and repair damage. Also Aurors to escort eighteen captured Deatheaters to prison. Hurry.

Flame.

He quickly put the parchment down and contacted the Aurors. This done, he arranged for a meeting of the Order the next day, and finally scribbled a reply message on the parchment. After it had sent, he laid back down in bed.

So it begins. he thought to himself.

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Harry's parchment emmitted a brief tone.

Flame

Message received. Aurors should be arriving in five minutes.

Dumbledore.

Harry smiled. He turned to the rest of the Marauders.

"All right Marauders. The calvary should be here in five minutes. Let's get out of here."