CHAPTER 34: The First Wave

Harry awoke the next day to Ron prodding him. He jolted upright in his bed, fearing the worst. He looked at Ron who had a grin on his face.

"It's already beginning. I was just down at breakfast when Ernie Macmillan came running up to me. He said that he and the other Hufflepuffs got some…strange reactions when they spread the news. Some people even ran out of the common room to try to find others. When some of our people followed they realized that Theodore Nott seems to be the new ring leader, and he's pissed." Harry was completely awake now.

"What about the other houses?"

"Well, I don't think anyone in Gryffindor is against you, if they are we don't know about it. You're the only one the Slytherin's will even try to contact and we haven't heard from the Ravenclaws yet." Harry nodded.

"And the Hufflepuffs are supposed to be so loyal."

"They are, some to you and some to Voldemort. They're so loyal that they didn't even realize our own were following them and they ran straight for their leader. I just hope the other houses will be this easy."

"How many in Hufflepuff that we know of?"

"Not many, maybe ten. Most are pretty loyal to you. Well, they are loyal to Justin, Ernie, Susan, and Hannah who are loyal to you, so its really all the same." Harry laughed at his friend.

"Let's get down to breakfast and see what else we find out."

The two Gryffindors quickly made their way down to breakfast, hoping to complete the first phase of the plan. As soon as he reached the Great Hall he was given a quick look by Luna Lovegood and Blaise Zabini. Harry sat down and ate something first, not wanting to leave so soon after arriving because it may look suspicious. He tried to eat as normally as he could but he was so tense that it was nearly impossible to move slowly. Harry had no trouble battling Death Eaters, it was the waiting that got to him.

After he finished he threw understanding looks back towards the Slytherin and Ravenclaw. He nodded quickly towards the door barely moving his head but getting his point across nonetheless. Luna got up and walked out of the Great Hall in her usual dreamlike state. After a few more minutes Harry dismissed himself and followed.

"What did you guys find out, Luna?"

"Almost all of the Ravenclaws despise Malfoy and Voldemort, but there were a few that were not so outspoken. Six were suspected and most of them were seen running off to find Theodore Nott. I don't think that they realized they were being followed. It was just like you said, they got careless."

"Ok, thanks Luna. Get out of here quickly, don't go back into the Great Hall but find another DA member as soon as you can. I don't want anyone traveling alone right now." Luna nodded and left. Harry noticed that she looked like she had her usual dreamy expression, but her eyes darted back and forth every once in a while.

"Potter."

"Blaise, have you found anything?"

"I'm a Slytherin, Potter, do you honestly think I would be bad at subtlety?" He cracked a rare grin before continuing. "If any other houses have nearly as many people against you we're going to be in trouble. There are nearly as many Slytherins that want to kill you right now as there are DA members."

"Tell me about Theodore Nott."

"I take it you've heard from the other houses then? Yes Nott seems to be taking Malfoy's place. He isn't nearly as clever as Malfoy, and that's saying something. He's not overly subtle either, with him in charge your more likely to get an all out war than a few ambushes." Harry smiled at that piece of information, another plan was forming in his mind.

"What I want to know is how everyone from the other houses knew to go to him."

"It seems that there have been some behind the scenes talks, much like your DA. I doubt that they have trained as much as they have plotted, but it is still potentially dangerous."

"Maybe if they are organized it could work to our advantage, if Nott is as overt as you believe him to be."

"I'm very good at reading people, Potter. I'm right about Nott."

"I'm glad to hear it. How did you tell them about Malfoy?"

"I told them that I had overheard you talking about it. I added in how dumb and careless you were to be talking about such dangerous information out in the open like that." Harry had to smile at that. Slytherins really did cover themselves.

"You are about to make a new discovery, Blaise. You will be the hero of Slytherin for finding this out." The Slytherin raised an eyebrow. "You're about to tell Nott where it was you overheard me saying this. You overheard me talking about it by the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. When you overheard me talking about a meeting I had with Dumbledore you followed me again and I led you there. This time, however, a door appeared and I slipped inside along with a few other friends."

"So you want me to tell them this so…" Blaise's eyes lit up. "So they'll attack the room of requirement!" He finished in an excited whisper.

"Exactly, just let me know when they are planning the attack. I'd rather be waiting for them than have to fight my way inside."

"In case they ask, what happened in this meeting with Dumbledore?"

"Tell them the truth, tell them We had a…falling out. If they think Dumbledore and I are at odds they will be more likely to attack."

"You keep surprising me, Potter. Maybe you really should have been in Slytherin."
"Nah, it wouldn't be nearly as much fun." Blaise shook his head before walking off. Harry stood in the corridor alone for a few minutes before leaving.

"Hey, Harry." Ginny said as he entered the Gryffindor common room. He gave her a quick hug and kiss before leading her into a quiet corner.

"Well it looks like we'll be safe while walking through the halls." Ginny gave him a confused look so he launched into the conversations he had had with Luna and Blaise. Blaise would get back to him as soon as it was safe, but until then it was just waiting and making sure the enemy thought they were operating in secrecy. Harry spread the word not to follow the students anymore, as long as he was controlling the situation through Blaise than they didn't need to risk any covert actions.

Harry also told her about his success in recruiting Aragog's children to fight. Harry had first hand experience how dangerous the acromantulas could be. As long as Voldemort didn't find any more basilisks they would be a great addition. While they waited for Blaise Harry decided it was time to visit Grawp out in the forbidden forest. He agreed to let Ginny come, but he needed one more person.

"Hermione!" Harry yelled, seeing her about to walk out of the portrait hole.

"What is it, Harry?" She asked, a look of concern on her face.

"How'd you like to go visit our biggest friend?"

"Hagrid? I'd love too!" Harry shook her hid head.

"Bigger." Hermione's face fell. "Come on, Hermy! Grawp loves you! Besides, Hagrid told me he's doing much better. I need to talk to him and since you're the one he remembers it could keep him calm." Hermione thought abut it for a few seconds before reluctantly agreeing.

The three students made their way out of the castle and into the forest. It was the third time Harry had visited in as many days. Harry took Ginny by the hand as they walked in without hesitation. Hermione, however, wasn't so brave.

"Uh- Harry?"

"Yea, Hermy?" Hermione scowled at the poorly timed joke. Harry mumbled an apology.

"Are you sure, well, that we should be doing this? Last time we were in here it didn't work out too well."

"Don't worry so much. For such a logical witch you sure have an illogical fear. By the way I cleared everything up with the Centaurs and as long as your with me you'll be safe." Hermione looked around a bit before slowly taking the first step into the forest. She seemed much braver after that, almost as if the first step was really the part she was dreading.

Harry led the two girls down the path towards where Grawp had been living. Once again Harry felt the strange sensation of being watched but one again shrugged it off. Perhaps it was just the Centaurs keeping tabs on him.

"HERMY?" Hermione blanched as she saw the giant staring at her.

"Yes, Grawp. Do you remember Harry?" The giant gave him an appraising look before responding in surprisingly clear language.

"HARRY? HAGGER'S FRIEND?"

"Yes, Grawp. I wished to speak with you."

"WHERE HAGGER?"

"He is at the castle, Grawp. Would you like to see him?" The giant nodded vigorously.

"GRAWP WANT TO SEE HAGGER."

"Would you like me to try to work out a way for him to return?" The giant nodded excitedly again. Grawp reminded Harry of an excited little boy. Only Grawp was anything but little. "If I am able to do this will you work with me?" Grawp gave Harry another appraising look.

"WHAT YOU WANT GRAWP TO DO?"

"It is more what I can do for you. I would like to help you improve your English."

"WHY YOU WANT TO HELP GRAWP?"

"For two reasons: One is that you are Hagrid's brother and he is a close friend of mine. I know he wants this for you and anything I can to do help I will. The second reason I must confess is more selfish. I know in the upcoming war Voldemort will have Giants on his side. Some of them may not be willing to really fight. I would like you to translate for me if ever I have the opportunity to speak with them." Grawp remained silent for a while, obviously trying to take in all the information Harry had just given him.

"IF HARRY AND HERMY CAN GET HAGGER BACK, GRAWP WILL HELP."

"Thank you, Grawp. I will be back as soon as I can." Harry did a slight bow, which caused Grawp to laugh. He led the two girls away from the forest. He would need to speak with the Centaurs soon about allowing Hagrid to visit without Harry, but it was getting late and he thought it best to get the girls back to the castle.

He walked quickly through the halls but soon ran into a small group of Slytherins. Harry immediately recognized Blaise Zabini, who was giving him a strange look.

"So the great Potter can't decided on a girl now? You've got bigger things to worry about." Blaise spat but his eyes gave away that he was trying to tell Harry something.

"I'm not going to take any of your crap, Malfoy's gone and he was your little ring leader wasn't he? You don't pose much of a threat without him." Harry said viciously, getting in Blaise's face. Blaise shoved Harry away with one hand, but Harry felt his other hand slip something into his pocket. The shove wasn't particularly strong, but Harry staggered backwards anyway.

"You'll soon find out how much of a threat we are, Potter." Blaise said icily before turning on his heel and walking away. Harry stood their, glaring at him until he turned the corner. As soon as the group disappeared around a corner Haryr signaled for Ginny and Hermione to follow him as he nearly sprinted up the stairs to the Gryffindor Common room. Luckily it was empty and Harry sat down by the fire, the girls sitting on either side of him.

"What was that all about? I know you two were supposed to be acting like enemies but that was one heck of a performance." Harry smiled, realizing that if Ginny hadn't seen the transfer nobody else had either. Harry pulled the piece of paper from his pocket and held it in front of her face.

"Well, if you want to pass notes right in front of a group of people you'll need quite a distraction." He smiled at her surprised look.

"How did I not see that coming?" Asked Hermione in an exasperated voice.

"Because you dropped out of Trelawney's class, remember?" Hermione glared at him but her mouth twitched as she tried to hide a smile. "Well, open it already!" Harry did as he was told.

7:00pm, tomorrow night, Room of

Requirement, be prepared to fight 30.

"This is going to be interesting." Harry said quietly before pulling out his DA galleon and telling the members to arrive at six the next night.