Dumbledore spent the rest of the afternoon summoning those he needed. For the first time in decades, if not centuries, Hogwarts would host a council of war. Dumbledore called as much of the Order of the Phoenix to him as he could in the short time he had. He also called upon those who would be needed to head the defence of the school. As the sun set, Dumbledore was joined in his office by Molly Weasley, Remus Lupin, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Madam Pomfrey, Professor McGonagall, Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick, Hagrid and Bill Weasley. Soon six breathless pupils arrived, escorted by Professor Snape. "Now that we are all here, we can begin," Dumbledore said.

"Albus, why are we here?" McGonagall asked, voicing the thoughts of most of the people in the room.

"We are here, Minerva," Dumbledore said quietly, "because a dreadful responsibility has fallen upon us. We must begin preparations to defend the school. You see, Lord Voldemort is coming to Hogwarts and he is bringing his entire dark legion with him."

There was a collective gasp throughout the room. Flitwick toppled from his chair in shock, and many of the others came close to doing the same. McGonagall was the first to recover from her shock. "You're absolutely certain about this Albus?" she said.

"Unfortunately I am," he replied. "Severus, the time for secrecy is past. Explain if you will."

"Most of you know I was once a Death Eater," Snape said. "Most of you also know of my role in the Order of the Phoenix. To sum it up for those of you who don't know, I've spent the last three years acting as a spy within the ranks of the Death Eaters. The Dark Lord himself told me that he is coming to Hogwarts."

There was an uncomfortable silence following Snape's announcement. It was broken by a misty voice as one of the students spoke for the first time. "Is he bringing the speckled Necrosians with him?" Luna Lovegood asked.

Snape raised one of his eyebrows questioningly. "The what?" he responded, politely for him, though there was more than a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Speckled Necrosians," Luna repeated. "They are the personal creatures of Lord Voldemort. He created them from snakes and horses. They're like basilisks with legs, and I've always wanted to see one."

Everybody looked at Luna with bemusement. They all knew her, so knew that she could easily believe in such a creature. It was quite a while before anybody spoke then the gentle voice of Hermione Granger stated "Luna, there is no such thing as a speckled Necrosian."

"I know. I thought everybody could do with some cheering up though. The idea of a speckled Necrosian is quite ridiculous. The greater speckle-backed centaur is the nearest creature to one. It was in the Quibbler last month." Nobody was quite sure if Luna was still joking, so they quietly let the matter drop.

"We need to make preparations," Dumbledore said. "We only have a matter of days. Severus, Filius, Minerva, Pomona, will you prepare the students of your respective houses?"

"Of course, Albus," McGonagall replied for the four heads of house.

"Are you sure that's wise, sir?" Hermione asked. "While I'm sure most students are perfectly loyal, there are some that will want Voldemort to win."

"Miss Granger, why not say what you mean?" Dumbledore responded quietly. "You would trust most non-Slytherins implicitly. You, are of course, correct that there are several Slytherin pupils who would quite willingly join the Death Eaters. But it would be wrong to leave them unprepared. Severus, you can deal with any problems, can you not?"

"I'll do my best, Albus," Snape replied. "Anybody who expresses support for the Dark Lord I will keep a close eye on."

"That is all I have a right to expect." Dumbledore smiled, sad that such measures were needed. "Hagrid, will you prepare the denizens of the forest to aid us as much as they are willing to do?"

"Of course 'eadmaster," the massive man replied. "Don' 'spect much from most of 'em mind, but I'll tell 'em he's coming."

"Thank you, Hagrid. Kingsley, you will have the Aurors here?"

"I can have half a dozen here before the end of the day, another dozen within the week. The Ministry will not be willing to spare any more, nor should they," Shacklebolt said firmly. "Not that I doubt your information, Severus, but if Voldemort struck somewhere else while the vast majority of the Aurors were here it would be a disaster."

"Indeed. We are fortunate that that you will be able to bring so many," Dumbledore said. "Molly, Remus, you will alert the rest of the Order?"

"Of course," Mrs Weasley said. "We'll be ready."

"As many of us as you want will be here when Voldemort strikes," Lupin stated quietly.

"Thank you. Poppy, are you prepared?"

"I will not fight, Albus," Madam Pomfrey put in firmly. "You know that. But I will treat as many casualties as I can, from both sides. I will likely need help though. May I use all the first year students to help me?"

"Of course Poppy. Take whatever students you need. If you would, please begin making preparations. I fear we have not a moment to wait." Everybody turned to leave. "Stay for a little while, if you would Molly. Remus, you and our young friends too, I think."

A few moments later only Lupin, Mrs Weasley, Dumbledore and the six pupils were left in the room. "Molly, you can get in touch with Charlie can't you?" he quietly asked Mrs Weasley.

"Of course," she responded immediately. "You want him to bring them here?"

"If it is at all possible. We will need everybody we can get."

"I'll get on it immediately Albus."

"Remus, how many have you managed to assemble?"

"I've convinced about twenty," Lupin said softly. "A fair portion of the rest have chosen to join Voldemort, I'm afraid. Where do you want them?"

"Contact them. Bring them to one place and stay with them. When we need them, I will contact you."

"Yes Albus."

"You can go now, Molly, Remus. I need to have a brief word alone with the children." Lupin and Mrs. Weasley left. "You six are going to be need to be very involved in the defence of the school," Dumbledore continued after they had gone. "You are the only pupils that have fought Death Eaters. You have all done as much as many members of the Order to oppose Voldemort, and that leaves you as the only choices to lead the students."

"But aren't the teachers going to lead us?" Hermione asked.

"Alas, there are many pupils and few teachers," Dumbledore said. "The teachers will be too busy to do much to prepare the students for the fight that is going to happen. I must rely upon you to prepare them all as best you can."

"We'll do everything we can," Harry assured him. "The DA will certainly be ready."

"Yes. Speaking of the DA," Dumbledore said, "I fear we will not have enough people, even with the preparations we have begun here tonight. I trust you can get in contact with the old members?"

"Oh yes," Luna said brightly. "My father will be quite happy to send a message to them." The Quibbler had become over the past two years the unofficial method of communication with those DA members who had left Hogwarts. Even the Order had used it on occasion to pass messages between its members. "He will only need to know where they need to go and when. The Quibbler's always got an issue ready to print nowadays."

"Then I shall leave the matter in your capable hands," Dumbledore said with a smile, his eyes twinkling for the first time since Snape had brought him the news. "If you would, please leave me now. I need a few moments with Harry."

"We'll see you later, mate," Ron called to Harry as the other five left. "We'll get everything set up. Meet us in the Room of Requirement when you're done."

"How much do they know?" Dumbledore quietly asked after they had left.

"Everything. They've earned that right," Harry responded. "I told them after what happened last year. If they are going to risk their lives for me they deserve to know what they're going to get themselves into."

"I must agree." Dumbledore smiled at Harry, the first genuine smile he had had since Snape informed him of Voldemort's plan. "They have shown great loyalty to you, Harry. Few people will ever have such true friends. Do not try to leave them out. I know you worry about them, but they will not thank you for trying to spare them. From bitter experience I have learned that trying to protect people in that way is more likely to lead to great harm. You must be ready, Harry. Everybody will do what they can to help you, but in the end you must face and defeat Voldemort or all our hopes are lost."

Harry responded instantly "I will be ready," then he left Dumbledore's office to rejoin his friends and begin their preparations for the defence of Hogwarts.