CH 22 Defenses

Over the next few days Harry's Christmas presents trickled in. Madam Pomfrey gave him one or two at a time-she said that she didn't want to overload him so quickly after regaining consciousness. By New Years Eve Harry had gotten all of his presents: a book on Magical Defense from Hermione, a Quidditch encyclopedia from Ron, a blessed amulet from Ginny and a burnt out light bulb from the Dursleys.

Harry was released on New Years Eve, under strict orders not to attend the Gryffindor party. So naturally he went straight to the common room and grabbed a butterbeer- dropping onto a couch beside Ginny, and kissing her hello.

The party wasn't very entertaining, and Harry was thinking of leaving when a cheer rose from the portrait hole.

"It's 10:00 and the party is here!" came the voice of… Fred Weasley?

"That's right, Lady's, gentlemen and Magical creatures the Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes party team is here!!!" George Weasley's voice confirmed.

"God no…" Ginny whispered to Harry.

"Why is this bad?" Ron asked "The party is going nowhere as it is"

"There was a fire at the last one of these!" Ginny said - Hermione tensed.

"They promised not to use the nuclear fireworks inside anymore!" Ron insisted. He turned and, seeing the look on Hermione's face, reassured her "They weren't really nuclear, it was just a name… but they did spit fire."

"Thanks, I feel much better." Hermione said, obviously not meaning it.

"And here we are!" Fred announced, approaching the couch that the group was sitting on.

"Happy to see us?" George asked.

"Yes" Ginny said, hugging her brother.

"No" Hermione said eyeing the suitcase Fred was carrying.

"Relax, it's nothing illegal…"

"Well almost nothing illegal."

"Let's go, Harry." Ginny whispered in Harry's ear.

The pair left the common room quietly, leaving the sounds of conversation and arguing behind. They walked the deserted corridors of the castle, avoiding Filch and roming teachers as best they could. There wandering took them to the owlery, where they called for Hedwig and talked as they stroked the majestic bird.

"It's been a strange week Harry" Ginny said "So much has happened and you havn't been around for any of it."

"What all happened?" Harry asked.

"Dumbledore sent for the DA and told us of his plan..."

"Which was?" Harry asked.

"Hold your horses, I'm getting to that. He said that a reliable source has informed him that Voldimort was very keen on attacking the castle. Apparently, he thinks that Dumbledore is so old he's losing power."

"Can that happen?"

"Of course it can, as people age they lose some of their magical control. So Dumbledore wants to make sure that the castle is safe."

"What all has he done?"

"I suppose the cannon is the biggest one" Ginny told Harry "And I know because Me and Hermione have been the ones organizing without you"

"I'm sorry"

"Sorry? You were unconscious!"

"Ya well…"

Harry was cut off by a small explosion from the direction of Gryffindor tower.

"Well that should keep the teachers busy. Do you want to look at some of the defenses?" Ginny asked.

"I'd love to." Harry replied.

Ginny and Harry walked to the astronomy tower. They walked in silence, staying well clear of Gryffindor tower; where Fred and George were likely talking there was out of criminal charges.

"Here is the cannon" Ginny announced, after they arrived at the astronomy tower.

"Yes, that's what Snape was carrying" Harry confirmed.

"That would have hurt" Ginny said.

"It knocked me out." Harry replied.

"For a week as it were"

"What other defenses are there?" Harry asked.

"Dumbledore has a couple of trap curses on the lawns and there are several safe-points where our side can either hide or prepare for an attack."

"What about the castle itself?"

"The towers have special windows that allow people to shoot while being safe from attack"

"Sounds like he's been thinking." Harry said.

"The strategy is defiantly in place" Ginny said.

"Isn't this a great view?" Harry asked.

"It is." Ginny agreed.

The pair sat long into the night, talking about everything and nothing. They never did return to their dormitories, but slept in the tower.

About 2 in the morning an old wizard entered the tower, but seeing a couple on the floor he turned around and left, smiling.