disclaimer- I don't own the HP characters, just mine. The story is mine too.
Thanks to Satyr-oh for his beta work on this chapter.
I'll try to have this finished before HBP is released... thanks everyone for sticking with HP and the OOtT.
Enjoy...
From the previous chapter...
The time was twelve past three when the wards protecting the castle began to fail. The dragon's roars in anger were loud signal that there were now humans flooding through the many openings big enough for the cannons to come through and be set up to fire on the castle itself. Now there were not just Charley's dragons to protect the castle from the huge magical bursts, there were the Thunderbirds.
Gunslinger Part one
"Oh Merlin! The wards just fell, Thunderbirds to the air." Hermione shouted from her vantage next to one of the muggle gun emplacements and jumping to her feet. Ginny and Neville were next to her and Ron and the four Thunderbirds kissed, hugged, and hopped to the openings up on the ledges. Hermione and Ginny were the first among them to call forth the magic and transform into the magical war birds. The two witches were seen less than two heartbeats later zooming towards the sky. Ron and Neville were next off the tower followed closely by the others. Adam and Harry were the last to jump. Adam had his staff in his hand when he transformed on the way down and as he changed, the staff changed into a stripe of feathers on one of his wings. Harry held Excalibur in one hand and his scepter in the other when he changed. The two artifacts turned into stripes on both of Harry's wings, his ring was an iridescent blue on his chest.
'Remember not to ice any of the foreign light fighters, some of them are cute.' Ginny said.
'Hey' Neville thought back at his girlfriend.
'They bloody well better stay the hell out of our way then. I'm not going to ask questions this time.' Draco said still fuming from the last encounter with aurors he had.
'They're supposed to know not to hit anything flying. Anyone that does is a fair target. Our fighters know that they'll automatically be targeted by our lightening.' Hermione said from her vantage point high up in the highly moon illuminated sky.
'We'll see about that. Look they are coming out of the Dark Forest now. I don't think that the Death Eater's see them yet. Oh Merlin did you see that? Charley and Andromeda just took a direct hit by one of those spell cannons. What say we go and help my boyfriend out?' Adam chimed in.
'You do a fly by Adam. Luna, Ginny and I will eliminate the cannon that shot him. Maybe the rest of you can come do clean up if anything is left' Hermione said following Luna and Ginny who were already in steep dives to their target.
'Just remember they can't hurt you.' Harry thought to them.
Ginny exclaimed 'Like I bloody care!' With her talons out zeroing in on her first of probably scores of soon to be headless wizards and witches.
Charley was completely safe from the blast that his dragon Andromeda caught with her breastplate, the strongest part on her body. Charley grinned and waved at the Thunderbirds as they hovered around him and his dragon. Adam was thanking the giant flying beast for doing such a good job at protecting her flyer and the castle. In the distance, Norbert and his keeper were catching every cannon shot that two groups of wizards were trying to get to their marks. After checking on Ginny, Hermione and Luna, the Thunderbird men were splitting up to get Norbert and his rider Axlerod or Axe, some relief. Axe was holding on to Norbert with his legs only and Norbert was flying upside down at times. When the giant flying, fire breathing dragon exposed his rider to the ground, Axe was showering the ground with diffindo charms, his favorite curse hence his nickname, but he looked like he was tiring somewhat, he'd been protecting the wards and now the castle for almost four hours.
'Good boy Norbert!' Harry thought to the excitable dragon as it caught another huge curse blast.
Norbert sprayed the ground below him with a huge blast of fire and thought back, 'Fun, Little King.'.
Neville helped the dragon's breath with his mage powers and the flames increased tenfold and made them hot enough to turn anything it touched into ashes. Draco and Harry dipped at one time together with their talons outstretched for the barrel of the cannon below them. Fred, George, Neville and Adam were tearing the heads off the witches and wizards that were arming and shooting the weapons at the castle. The Thunderbirds carried the cannon over the lake and dropped it to sink to the bottom. The Merpeople below the surface were delighted to take charge of the disgusting weapons and fill them with muck and hide them in the deepest crevices in the lake for all eternity.
The magical cannons, as was expected, weresilenced within a short time. The reason they were allowed to be fired at all for as long as they did without the Thunderbirds taking them out sooner would be a low priority question. The energy required to fire the weapons was said to be very draining so they let them fire their power to low levels. Hogwart's wards and walls were strong enough to endure the hammering. Fortunately, the cannons and the wards fell at almost the same time. The dragons and the Thunderbirds were doing a heroic job stopping any of the curses reaching the castle. The Maltese attack was a good lesson for them. They were as prepared for an attack as they could humanly be.
As soon as the battle wards had fallen, thousands of witches and wizards began to flood onto the grounds, attempting to breech the castle walls. Hundreds of dark wizards were flying overhead of their forces on the ground keeping an eye on the sky. The Thunderbirds and the dragons made quick work of the aerial assault supporting the raiders and everything the light side had that flew was soon in the air as soon as the sky was clear and the dark forces were kept to the ground.
The innate magic that Hogwart's castle itself prevented apparition inside was something that Dumbledore and McGonagall were depending on. There have been wizarding wars in the past and the castle had been assaulted before and has never been captured, but this time, this war, there were hundreds perhaps thousands of former students fighting for the dark side and Voldemort. This war was different. No national pride was at stake, this time it was only for power.
The muggle government had been contacted about strange things that were going to be happening and were warned to stay away from the lights and explosions their satellites were sure to see. The light wizards depended on the muggles staying clearly away because if it was one thing a Death Eater loved more than killing light wizards, they absolutely loved to kill muggles. Narcissa took care of dealing with the muggles governing the people and their military. It was one thing to tell them and another to implant an order in their minds somewhat dubiously. Narcissa had little or no patience and went for the memory charm right off the bat. This was war and she did not need to go explaining things that muggles could not comprehend.
The Order of the Phoenix had several hundred members waiting to floo into the castle from all over the country. The order given was to wait for the call, and protect what they saw around them until they were needed in Scotland. Voldemort, the Death Eaters, and the other dark followers launched simultaneous attacks on the Ministry and Gringott's in London and St. Mungo's but quickly left when they found a thousand Goblins armed with scalpel sharp battle-axes and hundreds of aurors preventing access to government, money and the staff and patients inside the hospital. The only way into St. Mungo's was with one of the paramediwizards or paramedicwitches and a special portkey that night.
Narcissa Black Malfoy had begun to keep the special muggle satellite telephone with her at all times for the last three weeks. Birdy and she had been using their scrying talents with the telephones while they talked every day. There were times when Dumbledore joined their conversations but he had been kept out of the visual part of it. Narcissa, Dumbledore, and a select few other witches and wizards were the only holders and users of a new floo powder that Fred and George managed to refine from their previous innovation. The new compound floo powder could get someone anywhere breaking through blocks in the system and it was completely incorruptible. They had only refined a few day's before their London trip this 'security compound floo powder'. Dumbledore recognized it for its potential immediately and had Fred and George manufacture a limited amount for an evening such as this. Narcissa had just ordered the ministry sealed, which meant the lobby filled with cement preventing entry by anyone. There were two floo's inside the ministry that were for emergency evacuation both of which were blocked due to the attack. Narcissa used the new floo powder and was in Dumbledore's office a tug to the belly later. It was half four in the morning and the Death Eaters were streaming in.
The auror battalions that had been laying in wait behind obstacles hidden from view to anyone advancing up the rocky slopes and hilly grounds had engaged the dark wizards with their own brands of battle spells. The Japanese aurors were using the cutting curses to slice through the shields the D.E.'s cast and the others shot battle curses right behind the steel colored light signaling a fallen shield. This attack plan was doing well It did take a large number of wizards to accomplish the task against one or two D.E.'s but the light warriors weren't losing anyone to injury or worse and their targets were neutralized. Bodies were being banished to a location out of the way of the battle to be sorted out at another time. In truth, they were frozen to prevent decay and stacked at perhaps their final place on Earth waiting for disposal.
'Harry, by the time on the tower clock it is half past four. You should probably land and get some food in you.' Draco said hovering next to Harry.
'If I go we all have to go Draco. You know that. We're only invincible when we're together like this.'
'Well, it's clear that Voldemort isn't here yet and I think it would be a good idea if you had a good amount of energy when you face him. Now is a good time.' Draco said crackling some lightening from under his wings.
'Draco's right Harry I could use something to eat too. I'm not tired but I could become a bit peckish if we transform to fight Tom before hand.' Hermione said using the 'Tom' reference as a form of disrespect for Voldemort.
'All right you lot want to get some food?' Harry questioned his comrades.
'I could go for some roast anything,' Ron said, now hovering next to Hermione, nuzzling her beak.
'Greg, Vince? We have not heard much from you two for the last hour. You been getting in your licks?' Draco questioned.
'Oi! Been having the time of our lives you notice these people aren't British? They are pretty easy to catch. They have been looking out for the dragons, not us.' Greg said for him and Vince.
'I have noticed that. I am not surprised though. They are the ones with the experience on those cannons,but they are using two hundred year old battle techniques. The inner and second circles will show up before Voldemort does and when they get here expect the action to get kicked up a notch' Blaise said from next to Luna.
'Well then, let's land and change and get something to eat. I for one could use some of that battle potion for some extra energy' Luna thought.
'I think Draco's mum might be inside the castle and your mum too Weasleys' Neville said. He and Ginny were circling the hovering Thunderbirds.
'Thundercloud tower then, come to think about it, I think when I change, I'll have to really pee.' Harry said turning to dive to his home tower at the castle followed by Draco and the rest of the flying warriors.
Before the Thunderbirds could all land, Harry had landed and changed into his human form. He was right about needing to urinate because his expression was one of total terror and panic. He was about to wet his pants. The Thunderbirds could see a glimmering arc of fluid squirting from between two high pillars. Harry must have really had to go because the arc was unbroken from top to bottom where the pee was landing in a golden shower splattering in a huge, wide, ever-growing puddle.
Draco and the others had all landed and transformed while Harry was peeing over the top of the tower and could not believe what they were witnessing. Harry had finished making water finally and had given himself a very satisfied shake before he put his equipment away and zipped his pants shut. He turned around and saw various facial reactions from his peers. Every one of them had huge smiles on their faces and was silent until Harry looked them in the eyes. When he realized he'd just become closer to them by necessity, he joined them and laughed at what he had just done. First making, completing and maintaining a pee stream that was over a hundred feet high was a huge accomplishment. Many have tried over the thousand years Hogwart's has had teenagers in it but perhaps only two had ever done it and Harry was one of them. Ah, something else to put into the journal.
Thundercloud house was empty totally save for three house elf guards. When the Thunderbirds came walking down from the tower, they made noise to let the elves know they were coming home and it was safe to appear. Dobby and Winky were the elves in Thundercloud tower another elf in the corridor below the common room.
"Oh, King Harry, Prince Draco, Prince Adam, all you misters and ladies look tired. Would you likes Dobby and Winky to draw baths and bring fresh clothes?" Dobby said with his trademark toothy smile.
"Thank you Dobby, but we've no time for a bath. We would like some food though. Perhaps two beefsteaks each, potatoes fried, baked and mashed six eggs each, over easy and a stack of griddle cakes with syrup and coffee." Draco said.
"Yes Prince Draco. Your wish is our command. We will bring other things too. We be back quick sirs and madams with your food. Does you wish to talk to Dobby's Dumbleydore?" Dobby asked while he bowed.
"That might be a good idea. You can tell him we're up here if he want's to come." Harry said to the elf.
"King Harry's Prince would like to see his mother too?" Winky squeaked out breaking her silence.
"Yes Winky, thank you for asking. You may want to ask Severus if he would like to say anything to us as well. Bring enough food for them as well won't you?" Draco said.
"It would be ours pleasure. I is loving Mrs. Narcissa for many years." Dobby said.
"Thank you Dobby, Winky. Won't you please run along?" Harry said sweetly to the elves.
With a wink, Dobby snapped his fingers, he, and Winky disappeared in a tiny swirling puff. A dragon's roar could be heard as it flew up the wall to the top of the tower. Only one of the dragons had that particular pitch to its roar. It was Andromeda and likely Charley. The dragon landed on top of the tower and discharged Charley from her back. Charley was through the tower door and was taking the steps two and three at a time spiraling him downwards as fast as his feet could carry him. He was not being subtle about his approach either; he was singing a dirty limerick at the top of his lungs.
"I once knew a man from Nannnnn tuckkk etttt,
With a dick so long he could suuuccccckkkk itttt, and
He said with a grin as he wiped off his chin,
'if me ear was an arse I would..."
"CHARLEY!" Everyone yelled as he entered the common room from the stairwell and interrupted him.
"Ooops I'm sorry 'bout that. I always did like the acoustics in there makes the sound ten times louder." Charley said as he walked towards his lover.
Adam was still giggling at Charley's limerick. He had never heard anything like it and could not wait to tell it to his mother. He loved to try to shock her. It was difficult at best to do that, but he tried his damnedest because he felt it his duty as a true smart ass. He loved Charley even more if it were possible right then.
"You seem to be the only one honest enough to admit you liked the wee song there Adam me lad." Charley said with a mock Irish lilt to his voice.
"Oi! We" "liked it too" "but 'ermione" "and Ginny" "are too close."
"Scared of our bright, intelligent, talented, charming, and helpless little sister are you, the true light of mum and dad's life?" Charley asked embracing and swinging his little sister from side to side, like he did when she was five earning him a hug and a kiss for his effort until that was until she figured that the words he used to describe her began and spelled out b-i-t-c-h.
"Charley, you know I could hex you for that, but I-I really am a bitch, but not to those I love. You are still on the right side of the line big brother, but let's not go getting creative in front of people I shall have to obliviate now shall we?" Ginny said with a subtle threat.
"For you little sister, anything your heart desires." Charley said leaning in to kiss Ginny's forehead and give her a very loving hug. They got along just fine. Charley was not afraid of Ginny. He respected her, but was not afraid like the others.
Dobby and Winky had snapped back to the eating area of the common room loaded with enough food for three times as many people there. Dumbledore, Narcissa, Molly and Arthur all entered the common room together just after the food had been served. They joined the Thunderbirds but not to eat. They did accept some tea and scones while the Thunderbirds devoured the steaks, potatoes, eggs and griddlecakes. Severus joined them just as Draco wrapped the last griddlecake inside a tortilla and dipped it in syrup. There were gallons of pumpkin juice consumed with the hearty breakfast as well as several cups of sweet, creamed coffee and tea.
Ever since they'd become close with Hermione, they had become used to her making tiny fluffs at the table. They knew she was helpless to prevent it and she usually said her own air freshening charms afterwards. She'd become good at doing it silently and wandlessly without much thinking about it. After downing a large bowl of flan and three cups of coffee however after a large meal, and due to the late hour, she stretched involuntarily and yawned. When she totally relaxed, she ripped the longest, loudest fart she had ever fluffed in front of anyone. Ron did not have to silently fink on Hermione this time and the head's of government were shocked to hear the disruption and smell of the atmospheric breathing quality. The older witches and wizards pressed their mouths to their teacups and looked down and away so they did not share or prolong Hermione's embarrassment. Adam was very quick to defend... 'Fartblossom' and he deflected the disruption his way by rising and saying pardon as if he'd broken wind at the table.
When Adam excused himself for farting, Charley, Adam and soon the others were just laughing at the whole thing. There was a battle going on outside and there were few casualties on the light side. The completely somber mood had been given a moment of respite and even Hermione's red face was quickly faded. Her little fart amongst her friends and family was just what they needed to change the mood.
Narcissa gave Harry her satellite telephone to call America. Harry dialed Birdy's number and pressed the button to connect. It had time to ring one time before he heard Birdy's voice on the other end.
"Hello MaBirdy...Yes, we're all just fine. We were pretty hungry and have just finished eating... Yes, I'm drinking the protein drinks. No the new belly armor fits perfectly. I hardly notice it. Yes MaBirdy? We have taken care of the cannons but there seem to be a never-ending stream of wizards and witches entering the battlefield. Yes? Oh, he has been brilliant, you should see him. How are our babies MaBirdy...Oh thank Merlin. What is that? You are kidding! I will tell him. All right MaBirdy. I love you too. Here's Adam." Harry finished his conversation and handed the telephone to Adam.
"Hiya Mama! ... I sure am. No, it changes with me. Same with Harry...Oh he is good. Yeah? No the dragons are doing a good job. No, no injuries. We are not stupid mama of course we are invisible. The only thing they see is the last thing they see. Yeah, sometimes lots of sparks. You should see Ginny. Uh huh... Uh huh... Uh huh... Nuh uh. Ok mama. I love you too. Oh, Mama Merry Christmas. Here's Mr. Dumbledore." Adam said handing the telephone to Albus.
"Yes Empress. The battle is unfolding as we expected. Unless we let them gain some ground I am afraid, Voldemort will not make an appearance. We will withdraw eighty percent of the aurors to their positions in the forest before first light giving the illusion they are afraid and are fleeing. They all have the portkeys you sent. Yes, sixty five hundred... You will be the first to know. Yes my dear. Here is Narcissa." Dumbledore finished with Birdy and handed the phone next to Draco's mother.
"Birdy, Bee here yes I'll be sure to do that. Severus has the potion with him. My grandchildren are quite well are they? Birdy Thank you for everything. Not yet…The packages arrived did they? You will be sure to take photographs for the boys and for the grandmamma? I love you too Birdy Yes they arrived intact and are quite safe. We will do it as soon as this is over with. Hopefully the next time we speak... Yes. You too Birdy Good bye" Narcissa said pressing the button ending the connection from outer space.
"Well then. Are all of you finished with your breakfasts?" Narcissa asked.
Getting polite nods in response, she continued. "Severus has the XP ready for you all. Hermione, Harry, yours are diluted and you will need to take it twice half now and half at another time when you can manage it. We don't want your unborn children getting excited now do we?" Narcissa finished.
From where he was seated Severus rose and distributed the vials containing the Xanadu / Pepper-up potion to everyone including Dumbledore, Narcissa and the elder Weasleys. Without much prompting, the vials were uncorked and downed as soon as they were in hand. Steam could be seen coming from everyone's collars in a chain reaction up one side of the tables and down the other. Severus had been spending a large amount of time in the infirmary helping Madame Pomphrey and directing the two young Thundercloud/Ravenclaws. The boys were regaled for a short time and awards were being discussed.
The full moon was not for another week but it was high and bright in the wee hours of the morning. Remus Lupin managed to get to the castle from his hiding place at the shrieking shack watching and counting the number of dark wizards entering the Scottish highlands around Hogwarts. From where he was, he counted three thousand witches and wizards apparating in from who knows where and he needed to give the information to the powers in control. His entry to the Thundercloud common room was immediately noticed because he was not exactly quiet when he entered. He saw the Thunderbirds, the Government heads around tables across the room, and he tripped over an ottoman he overlooked while he was removing his robes.
"Oops, you'd think that I would be more careful of such things. I have news for you all." Remus began to recite the numbers and rate of entry into the valley by dark wizards.
The time was approaching five in the morning when Andromeda let out a huge roar. Fire could be seen cascading down the castle wall and the magical weapon on top of the tower began to rain down its deadly bursts of powerful encapsulated curses on the advancing host. Charley was out of the room and on his way up the tower followed closely by Adam who was speaking mentally with the dragon.
'Big sister, your alarm brings us all. What is it you warn us of?'
'Several hundred perhaps thousands of the magic users are running at all sides towards us.' The old dragon told Adam as he ran the staircase behind his boyfriend.
"The dragon says there are a shitload of attackers coming. You better take her off the roof Charley." Adam said catching up with the redhead.
"Let's see if we can stop a few of them. This beastie girl looks like she wants to play up close and I think we'll let her. I'll just go along for the ride." Charley said climbing behind Andromeda's wing sockets.
"Love you Charley!" Adam shouted over the huge flap of Andromeda's wings hurling her skyward.
Charley threw a shower of sparks into the air in the shape of a heart as his dragon flew him down to the now crowded vastness of the grounds. Following Charley and Andromeda's lead, Axe and Norbert were right behind them. Norbert loved to roast things and Axe was going to let the dragon loose to see what he had in him. If the dragon's behavior were an indication, there would be several hundred incinerated people stinking up the grounds by dawns first rays of light.
Almost as one, the advancing wizards and witches began to pull back as fast as they could to the area beyond Hogwart's grounds. Something was indeed up. The cold of the night had finally dipped giving the air a crisp feel but it was contaminated with the acrid smell coming from the battlefield. With the attack abating somewhat, the bodies on the grounds were sealed in airtight bubbles and sent to 'the place', frozen and stacked to be sorted out later. The air around the castle was refreshed with a breeze brought forth from the south by Ginny and Luna with their mage powers. The Thunderbirds had landed and changed once again as the hour approached six.
Snack type meals were handed out by the elves that pledged to keep them as healthy as possible every chance they got. The food was just the remedy for all the excitement and exertion the Thunderbirds put forth. Harry was the most excited. Soon it would all be over with. Either he or Voldemort would be dead. Since Voldemort's magic could not hurt Harry, it was a sure bet that by the end of the day, Harry would have done his job and he could begin to finally live.
Hogwart's castle walls were protected once again by restored wards. The grounds were a different thing all together. Every ward protecting the grounds had been lifted and the power concentrated on protecting the stone and mortar of the castle itself. People could for the first time apparate onto Hogwart's grounds. This was the bait that Birdy, Narcissa and Dumbledore were going to gamble to bring forth Voldemort and his inner and second circles all of whom were former Hogwart's students.
At half six the grounds fell quiet while the sun rose making the sky's deep red color glow on the horizon. Adam, Harry and Draco had gone to the infirmary to check on their young friends and to offer a hand if it were necessary. They knew better than to disturb Madame Pomphrey unless one of them was injured but Frank and Ben had a glowing report from Snape himself and that was saying something. Calming and cheering charms on their minds before they turned the knob on the door to perhaps their fate as men, or not, they hoped.
The casualties were surprisingly few but severe. A dozen of the beds were occupied with curse victims they counted as they approached quietly. The three wizards could hear Madame Pomphrey calmly giving orders to Frankie and Benny. Staying visible in the shadows Draco, Harry and Adam watched the two boys work tirelessly for about ten minutes and they had finished the tasks set to them before they let their presence be known.
"Ahem. Ah... Hello you two, I thought I told you to stay put upstairs" Adam began while the boys paled.
"We-we saw the explosions and the dragons and everything and the stairs were gone and... and well, we wanted to help. We are not 'ickle firsties you know" Frankie said with a new air of confidence after his long night
Severus had given him a lowered dose of the XP while he was lowering the dose for Harry and Hermione. Benny had also been given a dose as well but he was keeping his tongue to himself not knowing how solid his relationship was with Adam and the others.
"Just pulling your chain little dude, I'm not surprised to find you here doing a great job" Adam said ruffling Frankie and Benny's hair.
"Aw, it will be good experience someday when we become healers" Frankie said to his friends.
Adam asked "Indeed it will. Is that what you wish to become Frankie a healer?"
"Yeah, I don't suppose I'll be able to afford it. Medical school is very expensive and getting into a muggle school will be hard with only my Hogwart's certificate" Frankie speculated.
"As of this moment, you will be able to afford the tuition and everything else you'll need for the time it takes you to become doctors, I presume you mean both a muggle doctor and a wizard healer don't you?" Adam asked.
"Yes, both, but Adam, what do you mean by that?" Frankie asked.
"Your reward for services to the MNN and Your Crown... Sir Frankie, Sir Benny if you wish to be healers and doctors well then who are we to stop you?" Adam said grinning at the two boys.
Madame Pomphrey was beaming at the two young wizards behind them. Before they could see her smile, her face turned stone like and stern once again when they turned their heads to look at her for approval. She gave herself away with a very tiny smile on her face, soft expression in her eyes. just for a moment.
"You two it's time to change the dressings and add the Xanadu ointment to the sealed cuts. The young man that was brought in earlier missing his toes has a nice new set well on their way and I do not want to change the schedule. Now off with the two of you and do as I showed you. Now scoot." Poppy said with her stern nurse voice.
"Yes ma'am" the two said at once entering the cubicle surrounding the resting auror.
Adam, Harry and Draco left the infirmary through the door but snapped up to the Thundercloud common room. When they snapped in, Dumbledore's entourage was just closing the door.
"You should see those two down there with Madame Pomphrey," Draco began "Doing exactly as she'd only, told them and they're performing wizard medicine. We are going to send them to medical school and healer's training. In the muggle world, they will be smashing. In the wizard world they'll be heroes if we have anything to do with it" he finished.
"You're talking about Frankie and Benny aren't you? Their brother's will be very proud of their younger brother. I do not know about Benny's family. Do any of you?" Neville asked to everyone.
"Not a lick. I am sure that Benny comes from wizarding money. He has changed a lot since Pansy attacked him with the dragon turd. He does not cry as easily. I have not seen him cry since. It's an amazing change. I suppose he's growing a few hairs in his nether regions," Adam said.
"Most third years would quake in Madame Pomphrey's presence after an hour or so. They have gone all night listening to her bark orders. They will be fine if they get through this." Draco added.
"No doubt about that cousin. I can pick 'em pretty good." Adam said sitting on Charley's lap looking in his lover's eyes.
"You know as well as I do that the fates choose for us Adam" Hermione said from Ron's lumpy lap, trying to get comfortable herself but making him horny.
"I do. Hey, I wonder what Voldyface is up to... Harry want to give up your necklace for a look-see in his head?" Adam queried.
"He does not!" Draco said loudly.
"I can speak for myself, thank you very much Draco. No, I do not Adam. I cannot risk my children's lives for what I know is coming. The when isn't that important," Harry said looking at Draco the whole time he spoke eliminating the need for further tirade from him.
"I suppose when it gets either creepy quiet or really loud, old' Voldeypants will be here and we can get the show on the road," Adam said.
"I can wait." Hermione said.
"So can all of us 'Mione, but we've been waiting all our lives for this. We will cast the magic neutralization spell and defend your location so you can get your job over with and we can have a proper Christmas." Ron said wide-eyed suddenly feeling the good tidings of the season and on his willie his wife's hand.
"Let's get something to eat before we go back to watch the battle. If it looks like there are going to be casualties other than on the other side or if Voldemort shows himself, we'll join in." Harry said suddenly hungry again.
"Oi, I'm with Harry. He should take that other dose of XP and so should Hermione. Food will make it easier on their systems too," Ron said now holding Hermione's marauding hand.
"We better not snap into the Great Hall it might spook everyone," Blaise said remembering the wand happy aurors in the building.
"Lead on then. I hope they have a roast cow." Harry said
"And tortillas." Draco said.
"And flan." Ginny said.
"And maybe some baked Alaska," Adam said thinking of his favorite dessert.
"And if you lot do not get moving we will not have time to eat anything," Harry said with his need to feed showing up a bit in his voice. His hormones had not been a problem but that did not mean that they could not rear their ugly heads at any minute.
"Alright love, we'll just snap into the classroom next to the Great Hall and no one will know we're there so they won't shoot us. How does that sound Harry?"
"Condescending, Well, what are you waiting for?" Harry said batting his eyes at his husband.
"Nothing dear, hold my hand." Draco sighed and the two of them snapped into the classroom next to the Great Hall. The door to the room was just closing when they appeared like a house elf with soft pops. Draco quickly secured the door and mentalled the others it was safe to pop on down. The Thunderbirds unlocked the classroom they snapped into and stepped out into the corridor turning towards the Great Hall. They had a certain cadence when the Thunderbirds walked together, and their robes all swayed and billowed like banners behind them.
The Great Hall had been transformed into a multipurpose, twenty-four hour room. Food was going to be available whenever it was requested. With the limited number of residents and the assigned auror battalions, the house elves managed to keep up with the demand even while under attack. When the Thunderbirds entered the Great Hall, the food they discussed upstairs was on the table waiting for them when they sat. There was a XP dosing station in the room and it was manned, or rather, stationed by Frankie and Benny. Adam got himself a huge pile of food and a tall glass of milk and headed over to where the boys were sitting with records to keep and potion to dispense.
"Hey you two how are you holding up?" Adam asked sitting down next to his little buddies.
"Pretty good Adam the XP is working like a charm," Frankie said while taking care of an auror that appeared to be bone assed tired until they got the potion in him.
After the steam around his collar abated, the auror looked and felt as fresh as he would have if he had slept the night through. His uniform could use a scourgify but he was tiptop. He thanked the boys, signed the record, left the station, and headed for a table for some food his appetite suddenly returning.
"Looks like that stuff really works good are you two hungry?" Adam asked.
"Nah, we've been nibbling since we've been in here. After the shelling stopped, Madame Pomphrey sent us in here. So far, we have given out a little more than a hundred doses. Adam did the wards really fall?" Frankie asked.
"Yeah, they did. But only the ones around the grounds. The ones the castle has in place will never fall as long as light wizards are here defending it." Adam said to relieve his little friend.
"Well, We are strong wizards we'll fight if necessary" Benny said.
"You sure are. It takes a strong wizard to do as he is told too. I kind of wanted to talk to you about leaving the common room when I told ya to stay," Adam said looking at Benny in the eyes.
"Aw, don't be mad at us. We did not go outside... very far but we were invisible. When the curses started from those cannons, we got inside. We thought people might be hurt and we-we wanted to help. The stairs were gone and we didn't mean to blow the door to pieces to get to the brooms but we were trapped in there," Frankie said in a slightly panicked voice.
"Don't unglue Frankie. It was important that you stayed because you were told to do so. It worked out this time. For your safety, you do as you are told when you are told to do it. Thundercloud honor alright?" Adam said finishing his lecture.
Frankie and Benny were just about to sniff back tears when they were hit with one of Adam's more powerful cheering charms. It just about counteracted the tears... just about. Frankie got a hug from Adam and so did Benny to show them he cared.
"I love you two and I don't want you to get hurt. If you were a few years older, I would have you with us out there. I want you to know you are doing a fantastic job helping Madame Pomphrey. We peeked at you while you were working. I think you might both get an award too," Adam said.
"We don't need awards we need our diplomas from school and if Hogwart's isn't here, I'm afraid that our folks won't send us to anywhere else to finish up, so we got to help any way we can" Frankie said.
"That's my guys you two keep up the great work. I think that you will get busier today. Oh, by the way. Merry Christmas I have something for the both of you." Adam said pulling a small box out of his robes.
The box was labeled to Frankie and Benny. Frankie held the box and looked up into Adams smiling face before he turned to Benny who couldn't believe that he got a shared gift with his bestest friend in the world. The tiny box was hefty in weight; its delicate wrapping was a deception to that fact. Frankie and Benny huddled together and opened the box. When the lid was removed there setting in Thunderbird blue velvet, were two hand fashioned rings. Adam had spun the gold into two bands himself and with some help, he charmed them to be just like the ones that the Thunderbirds wore to communicate with each other. The rings were gleaming in the soft glow of the candlelit hall. Frankie put Benny's ring on him and Benny Frankie's. The two of them held hands and touched foreheads before the pulled apart to admire their gifts.
"Thanks Adam they're great." Frankie said.
'I thought you'd like them' Adam thought to the boys blank faced.
The faces the boys made when Adam entered their heads with voice was priceless. They did a double take and finished with trying to think of something to say back.
"Don't worry. They'll work. If you want to just talk to Benny, just think his name before you go blabbing. He should hear you. If you do not say his name first, we will all hear you. We think we can trust you with them and we want to know if you are in danger so this is the fastest easiest way to do that. Besides, those two are the only ones that look like that. The charms are the same though. Does that mean you don't want to give them back?" Adam teased.
"Oh no! These are going to come in handy in class," Frankie said thinking of the possibilities.
Adam said "No cheating using the rings" preventing further thought on the matter.
'We wouldn't think of it.' Frankie managed to communicate without his voice.
"This is so cool. Thanks Adam." Benny said gushing.
"You're welcome. Hey wegotta go. Stay inside and you can hear us. If it gets too gross, you can just take off the rings." Adam said leaving the two to their potions dispensing.
'I love you Benny,' thought Frankie.
"I love you too you Frankie' Benny thought out to everyone wearing a ring.
'We heard that Benny keep practicing use Frankie's name first. You can do it without saying anything pretty soon' Adam thought from across the Great Hall.
'Oops. Sorry everyone,' Frankie said grinning at his friends from their spot waving goodbye.
The Thunderbirds had just left the Great Hall when an auror was reporting to Dumbledore in the middle of the entrance hall. It seems that his recon wizards had detected a strong concentration of magic between Hogsmeade and the castle grounds. The excited aurors group had detected Voldemort and the inner circle arriving to join in on the Yule battle to claim victory for the dark side. There was not much need for secrecy but news that Voldemort had arrived in close proximity was information enough to strike fear into anyone. Harry and the Thunderbirds all heard the auror give his report. Dumbledore looked at them and nodded that it was time for them to take their positions. The Thunderbirds disappeared from view in front of the now stunned auror and the headmaster and headed out the small opening in the massive doors. They took the sky as soon as they were outside. None of them thought a thing to each other. Each of them lost in their own inner turmoil.
Harry was the first to break the silence said 'I'm going to kill him for the wizarding world, but I'm going to enjoy doing it for me.'