Chapter 22

Who Watches The Watchers

Harry and Dumbledore placed their prisoners on the floor. Harry waved his hand and forced Wormtail to transform back to his human shape. Wormtail looked up at two wizards standing above him and spat "Damned you Dumbledore my Master will destroy you! And you Potter!"

Harry looked at Wormtail and mixture of emotions across his face in rapid succession. He was the man who betrayed his family and forced his godfather into Azkaban for twelve years.

Harry looked at the man and spat back "curse the day that I let you live. You killed Cedric; you serve that evil twisted killer. Many have died because of you and your Master."

Harry once again stunned Wormtail and walked over to him. Reaching down Harry and transformed the shining silver arm that had been a gift from Voldemort to his servant for services rendered, into a normal human one.

Dumbledore looked questioningly at Harry and asked "why did you change his harm back Harry?"

Harry just replied" I have a use for him and he will be too visible with that silver arm."

Dumbledore nodded and continued," Perhaps we should wake Young Malfoy and see what he has to say for himself."

Harry nodded and banished Wormtail to a holding cell in the castle until the Aurors could be summoned to take him into custody. Harry and Dumbledore turned to look at the next prisoners taking in his appearance and items that were on his person. Harry leaning down waved his hand over Draco's head revived him.

Draco looked around dazed and disoriented for a moment and looked up into Harrys smiling face. "What you want potter? He snarled."

Harry just smiled and returned, "It's not so much what I want, but what Professor Dumbledore wants"

Dumbledore, all traces of his usual smile gone, looked at the bound student before him and stated, "Well young Mr. Malfoy, it seems you have some explaining to do. What were you doing out after hours? Especially in the vicinity of the Forbidden Forest in the company of a known Death Eater. "

Malfoy began thinking quickly and answered " I was going to play a prank on that great oaf of a half-giant."

Dumbledore and Harry exchanged glances of disbelief but before Harry could say anything Dumbledore cut him off. "So Mr. Malfoy you had no idea that a large rat was hidden inside your robes. I am having a hard time believing you Mr. Malfoy especially given your families affiliation with the Dark Lord. However, as I have no proof to the contrary, I am forced to remove your Prefect status for conduct unbecoming and to take 100 points from Slytherin house. Furthermore you will receive a months detention."

Malfoy looked aghast and nodded in acceptance knowing that if he failed to kill Snape Voldemort's punishment would make this look like child's play.

Dumbledore looked sadly over at Malfoy and said, "You have a chance to bring some honor back to the Malfoy name Draco. Following in the footsteps of your father can only lead to the destruction of your self and your remaining family."

Dumbledore seeing the look of resolve on the young mans face mere nodded and said, "Very well, you may return to your dormitory."

Harry made to follow him but Dumbledore stopped him. "Remain here Harry we have a few items to discuss."

Harry nodded and stopped while glaring daggers at Malfoy. After Malfoy had left, Harry got out the Maurders map and used it to track Malfoys location.

Looking up at Dumbledore he said, "He's on his way to the owlery."

Dumbledore nodded expecting this and replied, "I have an idea Harry that is why I let Mr. Malfoy go."

Harry nodded and gestured for him to continue. Dumbledore then said, "With the capture of Mr. Pettigrew we will have the aurors question him and take many of his hairs for use in a Polyjuice Potion. We will find a new spy and use him to infiltrate even further into Voldemort's organization."

Harry nodded and asked, "But what about Snape? His life is still in danger with Malfoy on the loose."

Dumbledore just nodded in agreement and replied, "quite true. Perhaps we should summon professor Snape."

Dumbledore walked over to his fireplace and called the Potions Master to his office. Snape entered and nodding curtly to Harry faced Dumbledore. Dumbledore informed him of the earlier events of the evening and the threat still facing him.

Snape nodded and asked, "What do you suggest I do headmaster?"

Dumbledore replied, "I have an idea that may benefit us all. The next Hogsmeade day I will take the hairs from some of the students not attending. You Severus will make a large batch of Polyjuice potion and we will have Aurors disguise themselves as children."

Seeing Snapes puzzled expression Dumbledore continued, "As a teacher in the school you will be their 'guardian' for the outing. It is my belief that you will be attacked that day. We know young Malfoy is working as an agent for Malfoy and we need to give him his chance to carry out his mission. I am sorry to say Severus but you must act as bait. But we will take every precaution."

Snape nodded and asked. "If I may make one request headmaster?"

Dumbledore nodded and Snape continued, "Please have Harry accompany that group as an extra precaution."

Dumbledore shook his head and replied, "I'm sorry Severus Harry will be with his friends that day guarding ALL the groups that are in town. But rest assured he will be able to come to your aide."

Snape just sighed at the thought of being bait and Harry interjected, " Don't worry about it too much professor, I will try to keep in close proximity as much as I can. With me being in the open maybe I can divert their attention away from you more."

Snape looked thoughtful and nodded "Thanks Potter"

Harry just grinned and replied, "Thank me when it's over."

Everyone left for the evening with the same thought on their minds there were only four weeks left to the Hogsmeade outing.

Harry awoke early the next morning and made his way to breakfast. After filling his friends in about the events of the night before Harry told them of the plan to protect Snape. Ginny squealed in delight at the capture of Pettigrew and said, "That's wonderful Harry. You found the man who killed your parents."

Ron however rubbed his hands together gleefully and said, "I can't wait. Were finally gonna get that git Malfoy once and for all."

Hermione however broke in to burst his bubble "Ron! We can't do anything right now or else you will ruin the plan."

Ron looked chagrinned and sighed, "Sorry mate."

Harry just grinned and replied, "I know, how you feel, but we have to stick to the plan."

Harry looked at his three friends, no his family, and said, "I've been thinking about some extra training besides your animagi training to help you. I want your permission to go into your minds to see if I can activate any extra magical genes inside you."

The three looked thrilled at the prospect and Harry told them he would come for them that evening to test his theory. Harry and Hermione left after breakfast and made their way down to the potions classroom. Harry entered and found the four Slytherins in quiet conversation.

Looking at Hermione he said, "Well that didn't' take Malfoy long. Something's up."

Hermione just nodded and said, "Watch you back today Harry."

Harry went to sit down as professor Snape came into the room and snapped, " open new texts to page 367. Today we are going to be making Verisattium or truth potion."

Snape looked around the room and continued "this potion is are required N.E.W.T. Grading for this potion will be based on potency. Gather the required material from my private stores and begin."

As before Harry placed a shield around himself and Hermione as well as professor Snape. Harry went to gather the ingredients and prepare them while Malfoy was to brew the potion. After all the ingredients had been cut and prepared, Snape stopped by their desk and looked at Harry's work.

"Nicely done Mr. Potter, you have obviously been practicing. Looking at Malfoy's work Snape commented do not stir to quickly. Follow the directions, 10 points from Slytherin."

Malfoy looking up just grumbled and continued on giving Harry a scathing glance. As they were finishing their potion Harry noticed Malfoy slip an extra ingredient into the vials that were labeled as their own before submitting it for inspection and grading. Everyone cleaned up their desks and made ready to leave for lunch. Harry walked out the door and making sure no one was around he turned himself invisible. Walking back in to see Snape gathering everyone's vials, he locked the door.

Becoming visible Harry warned, "Put the vials down professor. Malfoy added an extra ingredient into the batch we made."

Snape hurriedly put the vials back down and Harry took his and Malfoys and banished them. Harry nodded to Snape and said, "Sorry professor but it was either an attempt on your life or an attempt to fail me."

Snape returned, "Don't worry about it Harry, I am beginning to expect something this from him every time now."

Harry just nodded saying, "It's sad that your lessons have to be interrupted this way professor. If you like I can re-brew the potion to prove I can make it."

Snape shook his head and replied, "that will be alright Harry, I saw the way you handle Ingredients, I'm sure you can brew this potion with no troubles."

Harry waved to Snape and went to join the others at lunch. Ginny scooted closer to him and whispered in his ear "Harry can we go someplace this afternoon?"

Harry looked down at her face and knew what she had in mind, and grinned and replied, "Any where you wish, My Lady."

Ginny just sighed and placed her hand in his under the table, leaning against him. The three enjoyed their lunch and classes flew by the rest of the day as they waited to meet in Harry's chambers to experiment with unlocking any latent talents.

Later that evening during his lesson with Dumbledore, Harry told him what he planned.

Dumbledore asked, "Do you think it is possible Harry?"

Harry nodded and replied, "I think it is entirely possible. I just have to check the genome and see what is there existing already and to see if I can 'push' it to activate the dormant gene."

Dumbledore said, "Well if you don't mind Harry may I watch? I would to document this."

Harry nodded, "Please Albus, by all means."

Harry opened a telepathic link to his friends and sent Please come to my quarters, it is time to try

Harry and Dumbledore gated to Harrys rooms and waited for his friends to arrive. After a short wait, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny arrived. Harry looked at them nervously and said, "I'm not sure if this is going to work, but I think it will be worth it to try."

The other three nodded and Harry beckoned Ron forward and bade him lay down on the sofa. Harry looked into Rons mind and began searching for magical DNA sequences in his body. After analyzing and scanning for a few moments, Harry found the glowing section that represented Ron's active magic and found the slightly dimmed inactive ones. Looking more closely, Harry determined that it was responsible for the animagi transformation. Harry pushed energy with his mind aiming it at that gene sequence and suddenly he saw it flare brightly and saw that it now glowed MORE brightly than his regular active genes.

Pulling out of Rons mind Harry asked him, "How do you feel?"

Ron looked at him and said, "Fine"

Harry nodded in relief and said, "I think I found your animagi genes try and change into something."

Ron nodded and suddenly a large Irish setter was sitting in front of them. Then the setter was gone and a large golden lion stood in his place. Dumbledores smile was wider than ever and Hermione and Ginny gaped openly. Ron reappeared in his human form and grinned, that was wonderful mate. Harry laughed with his friend and said, "I would imagine that with enough time you can become almost any animal. Perhaps you should train with professor McGonagall some more on other forms."

Ron just nodded as Hermione stepped forward eager to try. As before Harry went into her mind to seek out the genes within her body. Harry found her genes but was surprised. The number was MUCH smaller than in Ron. Harry didn't' find any dormant genes inside her.

Pulling back out Harry gave a sad smile and said, "I'm sorry Mione, but I didn't find anything more to activate in you. I hate to say it but it may be because you are a muggle born, that you don't possess as many magical genes as the more purely magical families."

Hermione gave him a small smile and said, "It's not your fault Harry, thanks for looking."

Harry nodded and turned his attention to Ginny. After locating, her strand he found what he was sure was the gene controlling the mental abilities he possessed. Harry activated it and pulled out of her. Looking at her Harry asked, "How do you feel Gin?"

Ginny laughed and replied, "Fine"

Harry then told them all that Ginny had the same mental powers he had now. Everyone looked at her in awe. Ron was the first to speak. "That's great Sis!"

Dumbledore looked over at Harry and smiled, "Well now Harry it looks like your little army is beginning to grow."

Harry laughed at this and the friends stayed up into the night planning training and other things until Godric shooed them all out. Harry lay down that night feeling much happier. His friends either had the power to fight or the power to protect those that did not.