Chapter 21

Taking the Fight to the Enemy

Harry stood up after awakening from a nap and changed into the formal robes that he was supposed to wear when making appearances like the meeting of the Order of the Phoenix. After a final glance in the mirror, Harry gated to the meeting room to find that the room had changed slightly. Dumbledore had enlarged the room to hold all the expected order members. At the front of the room, seven chairs were placed on a raised dais facing the audience. The center chair sat on an even higher dais with a series of three steps leading up to it. Looking at it, Harry noticed it was the same throne he had created during the last meeting when he had made such a dramatic entry.

Harry noticed then that the rest of the chairs were now also looking much more ornate as well. Harry went to the back office and found Dumbledore, Moody, Remus, McGonagall, Arthur, and Hagrid all waiting for him. They nodded to Harry in way of greeting and Arthur gestured for him to come closer.

Dumbledore taking in Harry's appearance nodded in approval and said, "Good Harry, you dressed for the occasion."

At Harry's nodded response, Dumbledore continued, "We have about 100 other auxiliary members that will be coming this evening. I propose that after they have entered and seated themselves the rest of us will enter and take our seats. I will announce you to the assembly and you will enter and call the meeting to order. Do you understand?"

Harry nodded and replied, "Don't you think that a bit overly dramatic Harry asked?" thinking about how much he hated ceremony

Dumbledore just shook his head and said, "Harry, although you hate ceremony you must remember your place within society, as well as in the Order it will be expected of you. To the people out there you are not just a hero who defeated Voldemort, you are their leader and they look to you for both direction and inspiration."

Harry slumped his shoulders in defeat and replied, "Very well Albus."

Dumbledore waved his hand and the chamber door suddenly became transparent. Nodding to the others he said, "Let us enter."

The six others made their way to their chairs and seated themselves. Dumbledore stood up and announced, "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Order of the phoenix I present to you Lord Gryffindor."

Everyone in the room stood up in respectful silence while Harry entered and made his way over to his seat. Gesturing for everyone else to be seated Harry stood and addressed the audience. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Thank you all for coming tonight. We have some news that will hopefully make our upcoming battles with Voldemort and his followers much easier."

Harry continued and continued, "I now turn over these proceedings to the Vice-Chair Albus Dumbledore."

Everyone in the room applauded politely as Harry sat down and Dumbledore stood to address them as well.

Dumbledore began to speak, "Thank you your Lordship for your kind words to us all. We will begin by taking reports from various members and then open the floor to questions. We will begin with a report from the Minister Arthur Weasley."

Arthur stood up and addressed the people "Good evening. As of today a newly constructed prison, herin called ' Sheol' was delivered to the Ministry and installed by Lord Gryffindor and Albus Dumbledore. With a new inescapable means of detaining Death Eaters and those convicted of high crimes we can assign more aurors to capturing known and suspected Death eaters."

Arthur took in the surprised looks of the people assembled before him and continued, "Starting tomorrow trials will begin for some 85 Death Eaters that are currently being detained at Azkaban prison." He concluded and sat down.

Dumbledore nodded and said, "Excellent news indeed for us all Arthur. I now call on Rubeus Hagrid to deliver his report." Hagrid stood and gave his report discussing his success and failure in his attempt to recruit the giants and any other magical creatures.

Hagrid suddenly looked over to Harry and Dumbledore and said, "One sad thing I have to report is the complete defection of the Dementors to Voldemort."

The faces of those in the council chamber darkened at his words and several voices from the crowd erupted in panic at that news. Harry sensing the panic that was building in the room stood up and called for silence.

After getting everyone's attention Harry remarked in a grave voice, "This is indeed terrible news. With the Dementors at his disposal this makes things even more difficult for us."

Looking at Dumbledore he said, "Albus, I propose that we set a team to work on modifying the Patronus incantation to destroying as well as driving off the Dementors."

The inner council as well as those in the audience nodded their heads in agreement and Professor Flitwick spoke up saying, "Harry as the Charms Teacher perhaps it would be best for myself and Professor Vector to take on this task."

Harry and Dumbledore nodded and Dumbledore replied, "Very well, perhaps you should enlist the aide of Ms. Granger as well, she is quite brilliant in Arithmancy and would offer invaluable assistance to this endeavor."

The others in the chamber nodded and Dumbledore said, "Finally we will take the report from Head auror Alastor Moody. Dumbledore sat down as Moody stood and delivered his report.

Addressing Dumbledore and Harry Moody spoke, "First of concern to us is the auror training program and the trainees are coming along well. We will have a new bunch graduating in a few weeks."

Secondly he continued, "with the revelation concerning the Dementors I feel that all prisoners in Azkaban should be moved to Sheol as soon as possible. As it stands we barely have enough aurors to fight the war as it is, as well as take on escaped prisoners and Dementors."

There were many nodded in agreement at this and Arthur Weasley stood up and said, "First in the morning we will begin prisoner transfers from Azkaban prison Sheol."

Everyone nodded and Dumbledore stood and said "thank you all for your reports and now will open the floor to any other questions or concerns that you think should be addressed."

In elderly Witch in the front row stood up and Dumbledore acknowledged her, "Mrs. Longbottom you have the floor."

Mrs. Longbottom stood and faced the members of the inner council and spoke "my primary concern is the safety of the students at Hogwarts."

Many heads nodded in agreement at this and she continued, "How will the students be protected outside of the wards of the school?"

Dumbledore stood up and addressed her concern "for the time being any students going into Hogsmeade will be accompanied by at least three Professors and a number of aurors to watch over them."

Many heads nodded in agreement and seemed satisfied with their plan of action. After receiving no more questions, Dumbledore turned the meeting back over to Harry.

Harry stood up and addressed them "thank you all my friends for coming tonight and for your continued support and endurance. We can only hope that our actions taken tonight in the future can only shorten this war."

Dumbledore stood up and said, "the meeting is ended. But please feel free to main behind for refreshments."

After that, Harry and the rest all moved down and began to chat with the other members of the order.

The next morning the Daily Prophet reported to the wizarding world news of the beginning of the trials and of the new prison and the details of its construction. Apparently, the first to face trial for his crimes against the State was Luscious Malfoy. Hermione and Ron were sitting and chatting with Ginny while waiting for Harry to arrive for breakfast. Harry arrived and kissing Ginny good morning turned to greet his friends.

'Hey there Harry!" Ron greeted

"Mornin yourself" Harry returned

"Harry have you seen this mornings Daily Prophet?" asked Hermione

Harry nodded in reply and informed his three friends of what took place at the meeting of the Order last evening. Hermione looked ecstatic at being chosen to help on such an important mission.

Looking at his friends in turn Harry said slowly, "Times are coming when each of you will be called on to help in this war effort. I want you to have every advantage I can give you."

The trio looked questioningly at Harry before he continued, "I want you to become Animagi."

Ron and Ginny squealed in delight at the prospect while Hermione looked more thoughtful. "Harry that's VERY advanced magic. It took the Marauders three years to become Animagi. Will we have time to learn it properly?"

Ron and Ginny sobered at this thought and Harry simply replied, "I will make sure you have the time. Because you are so close to me, Voldemort is sure to target you and anyone else I care about. I intend to make sure that you have advanced training to more ably protect yourselves and anyone else around you."

Harry looking at them again said, "See McGonagall after transfiguration today and she will fill you in on times for your Animagus training." They nodded at him and made their way to their first class of the day. After transfiguration that morning Ron, Harry, and Hermione remained behind as Ginny joined them. The Professor eyed them for a moment and spoke " Training to become an Animagus will NOT be easy. There are many people who try and fail. The process will be long and arduous but if you practice all you can it will be much easier for you."

Reaching into her desk she pulled out copies of the text she had given to Harry. "Study these and learn the theory. We will meet here every Thursday evening at 7:00 to train. Any questions?"

They shook their heads in the negative and made to leave when McGonagall asked Harry to remain behind. Harry told his friends he would see him at lunch and remained to speak with McGonagall.

"Harry she opened how are you coming along with your transformation?"

Harry replied, "So far so good. I can change my physical form some but that's about it."

Harry demonstrated by making his nose grow longer and then back. And also, demonstrated changing shape with his arms and legs.

McGonagall nodded in approval and said, "Very well done Mr. Potter. Have you decided on a final form?"

Harry nodded and said, "I'm going to become a stag."

McGonagall smiled and softly replied, "Your Father would be proud of you Harry.

Harry just smiled shyly and returned, "I hope so."

Harry waved goodbye and went to lunch. For the first time that day, Harry had a good class with Dumbledore. As before when Harry entered the room of requirement Death Eaters appeared. This time however they came in waves of ten at a time. Harry was mixing the elements now. Waves of boiling water burned and scalded enemies. Spears of ice them. Lightning and fire burned their bodies to ashes. Six Death Eaters approached him from behind. Harry turned and waved his hand suddenly block of ice formed around the heads of the Death Eaters they struggled for a few moments clutching at their heads and dropped. Dead from lack of oxygen. Harry smiled inwardly to himself. He couldn't believe how much fun he was having.

Dumbledore called a halt to their training for the day and remarked, "I must say Harry, you are becoming quite creative in the use of your elemental abilities."

Harry just nodded at the complement and Dumbledore continued, "I think that is enough for today." Dumbledores eyes were twinkling as he said to Harry, "Perhaps you should go flying with Ms. Weasley for a while before dinner."

Harry met Ginny in her common room and the two went flying around the quidditch pitch until dinner. After dinner that night, Ron and Hermione went to the Astronomy tower to 'study'. And Harry and Ginny went out to the lake. As they were strolling around talking to one another, Harry thought he saw a flash of light out of the corner of his eye. Turning to try to spot it, Harry thought he heard someone.

Harry put his finger over Ginny's lips to silence her and turned them both invisible as well as placing a silencing charm around themselves. Following the sound to the edge of the forbidden forest Harry was surprised to see Draco Malfoy suddenly appear, apparently out of thin air, with a huge grin on his face making his way back towards the school. Harry and Ginny followed him until Draco was about to enter the grounds when suddenly there was a blinding light. When it cleared, there hung Draco Malfoy upside down in one hand of an earth elemental. In his other hand, a small rat with a silver paw was squirming to free itself to no avail.

Harry grinned and removed the charms from himself and Ginny. Malfoy, glaring daggers at Harry spat, "Release me Potter! Or you'll pay!"

Harry just asked, "Who's your friend Malfoy?

Malfoy paled slightly and said shakily, "What do you mean Potter."

Harry just grinned and replied, "Oh, Draco I'd forgotten how amusing you can be at times."

Harry sent a mental link to Albus and summoned him to the scene. Albus arrived and Dumbledore looked over at Draco Malfoy and the smiling Harry and raised an eyebrow.

Harry just nodded and Dumbledore simply said, "Perhaps this is best taken care of in my office."

Harry waved his hand and the rat stopped squirming. Suddenly the rat was released from the hand of the mound of dirt and drifted to Harry's outstretched hand. After stunning Malfoy as well, Harry opened a gate and the men entered with their prisoners.