The List

By: lbfan

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, the characters, and the world which was created in the books. These are all owned by JK Rowling, AOL Time Warner, and many publishers around the world. This is written for entertainment purposes only. No profit will be made from this story.

Chapter 15 – Portkey to the Malfoy Manor

Walking to their transfiguration class, Lavender and Pavarti were sharing a conversation. Upon entering the room, Pavarti complained to Lavender, "Ron beat us to the back table. We can't sit up in the front of the class again. I can't stand 'Mione since she became a professor. She is twice the prude she had been when she was our roomy."

A smug look crossed Lavender's face as she assured Pavarti, "Leave it to me. Just wait over there." She pointed to the back of the class. Lavender quietly walked over to Ron's table and sat in the seat next to him.

Startled, Ron shifted uncomfortably in his seat and looked at Lavender with panic in his eyes.

Lavender greeted him in a sweet tone, "Hi, Ron. I heard how you stuck up for me when you were talking with Romilda. That was very… sweet of you." She placed a comforting hand on his arm, and gazed at him with a warm passionate look.

Stuttering at first, Ron replied, "It… It was the truth. The failure of our relationship was my fault. You were a good girlfriend. I just wasn't in love with you."

In a quiet tone, Lavender continued, "You were a good too, especially when we were kissing." Lavender leaned in closer to Ron.

Hermione interrupted the conversation. "I'm sorry to interrupt the two of you, but we can't have the two of you reminiscing in the middle of my lesson." Grabbing Ron by his earlobe, Hermione dragged Ron out of his seat. "Won Won, you will have to move."

Ron was embarrassed that he had been caught in close proximity to his old girlfriend. He was mortified when Hermione called him by Lavender's old pet name for him and pulled him abusively by the ear.

Hermione was livid that she caught her boyfriend flirting with his former girlfriend. What was worse, she could not even slap or punch Lavender for her attempts at coming on to him. Directing Ron to sit next to Pansy Parkinson, she snapped, "Pay close attention to Pansy, she is very good at what we are covering today."

Pansy did not know whether to be happy at her praise or upset at Ron's presence. She chose upset when she heard what Hermione said.

Hermione introduced to the class, "Today you will be learning Glamour Charms."

Pavarti quickly took her seat next to Lavender and gave her a contented smile.

As the sixth year NEWT students filed out of Harry's DADA class, he noticed Luna was falling behind the others in hope to talk with him. After the remaining students left, he asked, "How are you, Luna?"

Determinately inspecting the room, Luna made sure there was no one left hiding to eavesdrop on their conversation. Once she was satisfied, she closed the door and cast Imperturbable and Silencing Charms on the doors and windows.

Seeing this, Harry knew his friend did not want to just sit around and have a friendly chat over tea and biscuits.

Expecting to stop Harry's question before he asked it, Luna snapped, "I'm not here to talk about Neville." Seeing Harry's surprised yet confused look, she moved on, "It is about the attack on Hogwarts. I believe I know when he plans on attacking."

Harry was astonished. Having a great deal of respect for her intelligence, he intended to take her seriously. He smiled as he thought, 'I would have never considered her theories last year.'

Luna continued, "I believe that the battle will be so epic and significant, Voldemort will use the deaths to split his soul once more and create another Horcrux."

Attempting to put it all together Harry asked, "How does this time when the battle will occur?"

After letting out a sigh Luna explained, "The spell to create the Horcrux is performed in a ritual. The best time of the year to perform this ritual is on the Autumnal or Vernal Equinox. The next opportunity for this would be the Vernal Equinox on March 20th at 7:55 p.m. I am guessing that the battle will start late in the afternoon to prepare for the ritual in the evening." She paused to search Harry's reactions for any sign of disbelief, but she found none. She continued, "You probably will think that I'm a nutter, but at dusk on that day we should be able to see Mars, Saturn and Mercury in the western sky."

He reassured her, "No, I understand the significance of those planets. You're right. Thank you for bringing this theory to my attention. Please don't tell anyone else. I can't risk Voldemort knowing when we expect him to attack us and why."

It was her turn to give reassurance. "I'm not going to tell anyone. If others knew I have been researching Horcruxes, they would treat me as a dark witch and try to destroy me."

"You only carry that burden of knowledge to help me. I couldn't ask for a better friend." Harry kissed her on her forehead and said, "Thank you."

As they were opening up the doors and removing the spells, Harry told her, "It is love that you are experiencing."

With a stern glare she asked, "What are you on about?"

He explained, "I have been there, and you are showing the same symptoms. It is more than just a fancy, you are in love."

Heatedly Luna retorted, "I'm not in love. I can't be, and don't you go spreading rumors."

Nodding, Harry assured her, "This observation is only for you. Others can see it too, but only you can do something about it. No pressure intended. It is just something for you to think about." He waved bye to her as he left for his office.

She looked at him in shocked disbelief. She thought to herself, 'What would he know about love anyways.'

When Luna's birthday came around, she noted how long her maturation sickness lasted. It was only for six hours, yet because she felt it was personal, she did not share it with anyone else.

The Headmistress decided to allow students in the fourth year and older to stay and fight in the coming battle. She insisted that all students under seventeen had to provide her a note from their parents at the start of school in January.

When Harry, Ron, Neville and Hermione started up the D.A., they were surprised at the number of Slytherin students who showed up to train. It was as if there was an equal representation of all of the houses in the school. The four of them split up the D.A. into four groups and trained them in a rotation. Harry taught defensive spells; Ron taught broom tactics; Neville trained them in offense spells; and Hermione taught medical spells and battlefield rescue.

Halloween arrived and Harry ran up to Ginny startling her in the hall as she tried to make her way to class.

Worried, Ginny asked, "What's wrong?"

Taking her hand to communicate in silence, Harry thought, 'Trelawney predicted that you would be taken away, tortured and killed today.'

Irritated, Ginny replied in thought, 'I don't believe in Professor Trelawney's inner eye mumbo jumbo, nor do I live my life to match a predicted future. I refuse to live in fear.'

Calmly Harry asserted in his thoughts, 'I know and agree, but you can be careful of anything suspicious. With a bit of insight, we can change what can happen. Everything will be alright, just look out for anything unusual.' Since the hall was nearly empty, Harry broke the rules and kissed her goodbye.

Ginny could feel his anxiety through his touch. His kiss was in desperation that it could be his last, yet she could also see his hopeful resolve that everything would work out.

Later that afternoon as she entered transfiguration, Ginny noticed a Halloween present for her left on her desk. The tag said, "To: Ginny, Love Harry." Instinctively she wanted to open it up, but the warning Harry gave her earlier in the day stopped her. Carefully inspecting the wrapped present, she decided that she would show it to Harry later. Trying not to touch the box, she swept it into her book bag. If he had given it to her, she would open it up in front of him.

After class, Ginny asked Hermione, "I have a wrapped present from Harry in my bag. It was left for me on my desk at the start of class. Do you know who dropped it off there?"

Hermione told her, "I didn't see the present and Harry definitely wasn't here. Let's go show it to Harry. This hour was his last class for the day. He should be in our apartment."

Once Hermione and Ginny entered the apartment, they did not have to wait long before Harry arrived. At the presence of the guests, Dobby entered the room bringing tea and biscuits for everyone.

Harry asked, "Hi Ginny, did you find something suspicious?"

"Most likely," Ginny replied. "A wrapped present was left on my desk when I entered transfiguration."

A smile crept across his face as he considered the numerous blokes who have tried to capture his girl's heart. "Who was it this time?"

She passed Hermione a concerned look, as she answered, "The tag says it was from you."

His face turned stoic, as he considered the seriousness of the situation. "Well then, this is suspicious. I assume it is a port key. Can I see it?"

Ginny dumped her bag out on the floor. Saying, "Wingardium Leviosa," she cast the spell that levitated the present to the table.

Harry asked, "Can I open it?"

That question brought a smile to Ginny that dispelled the tension. "No, you can't open my present. Besides, I could use the practice." Her eyes started to gleam as she contemplated how she was going to unwrap it. With swishing wand movements and a quick snap she muttered, "Strippearo." The wrapping on the present opened neatly and flew onto the floor.

"I don't remember Flitwick teaching us that spell," Harry noted. "Will you show it to me?"

Hermione buried her head in her arms.

Dan and Emma entered the apartment, and Dobby left to get more tea.

Blushing, Ginny replied, "Not until we're married."

Emma gasped, "Ooh, your casting magic? What spell are you doing?"

Beating her to the answer, Harry replied with a smirk, "Ginny was demonstrating her talents with casting a spell which is intended to remove someone's clothes."

Emma's face dropped and she gave Ginny a stern look.

Ginny's face flushed a deep red. She smacked Harry hard in the arm, and explained to the parents, "I used a spell to unwrap this box."

Playing it up, Harry gave her a fake stern look and accused her, "That spell work looked well practiced, my Lady."

Ginny's mouth opened up in disbelief, and she hit Harry again.

Unable to maintain it, he started chuckling.

Walking over to the counter, while looking over a paper he had to grade, Dan remarked, "Hermione always told me there is a spell to do just about anything."

Hermione snapped, "Daddy, don't encourage them."

With some well-placed Severing Charms, Ginny returned to her work. Shortly afterwards, she discovered the intended gift. As she levitated the hoop bracelet out of the box, Harry inspected the box and wrapping for residual magic.

Looking at them curiously, Dan asked, "Is this another custom in the magical world I don't know?" Answering their confused looks, he explained, "I mean why don't you just unwrap it normally and hold it in your hand?"

After first giving Hermione and Harry an uncomfortable look, Ginny answered, "We believe that this bracelet is intended to magically transport me into a Death Eater trap. We are using magic to prevent touching the item with our hands"

Hermione continued the explanation, "A port key is common everyday item with an enchantment placed on it which will transport one or many people to a different location."

Harry followed that up by explaining, "Because Sybil warned me that Ginny would be taken, beaten and killed, I asked Ginny to be on alert for anything suspicious. And looking at this bracelet, it is definitely a port key. I imagine that there are a number of Death Eaters impatiently waiting for Ginny to arrive somewhere." Harry was working hard to control his anger at this attempt to kidnap and harm is girlfriend.

Thinking hard for a while Harry said, "I'm going to take this port key and teach those Death Eaters a lesson."

"No!" Ginny exclaimed. She grabbed his arm tightly. "We identified the danger, lets just be happy and leave it alone."

Shaking his head, Harry explained, "No, they will just try harder next time. They need to learn to stay away from you."

Ginny conceded, "Fine, but you are taking me with you. You can be under your invisibility cloak."

"I'm coming too," Hermione added.

Harry started to protest, but Emma reluctantly said, "Harry you will take Hermione with you. She is brighter than you are. Make sure the three of you come back safely."

With a defiant smirk, Hermione asked, "So, when are we leaving?"

Too tired to complain, Harry suggested, "We should go in middle of the night to surprise them. Let's say 2:30 in the morning?" Harry gave Ginny his invisibility cloak and asked that they meet in the living room.

Ginny and Harry enjoyed the Halloween feast held that evening and retired early before all of the festivities ended. Early in the morning, Harry woke up with Ginny shaking him. "Come on sleepy head. You are the one who wanted to do this. Do you want some breakfast tea to wake you up?" Ginny wore a comfortable black robe with her red hair pulled back in a black stocking cap.

Groggily, Harry looked around to find Ginny's beautiful features coming into view. "You look like Rambo Witch."

Confused, Ginny did not know how to take that comment. "Who is Rambo?"

Pulling his feet to the floor, he explained, "Rambo is a Muggle movie hero who dresses in camouflage and carries a big gun."

Pulling Harry out of the bed and guiding him to the loo. She said, "I was shooting more for a Princess Lea look like in 'Star Wars: Return of the Jedi'." While he was gone, Ginny set out some comfortable clothes for him to change into.

When Harry returned from the loo, he smiled at Ginny's mothering behavior.

Harry and Ginny entered the living room from his bedroom holding hands. The room was filled people. With Hermione were Dan, Emma, Ron, Luna, Neville, Professor McGonagall, Remus, Tonks, Alice, Frank and Dobby. Tailspin and Mopsy where serving coffee, tea and biscuits.

McGonagall gave Harry and Ginny a stern disapproving look.

Noticing the reaction, Ron explained, "Don't worry Professor, they won't do anything. Ginny has a unicorn and six brothers to think of."

"Our choice for abstinence has nothing to do with you, Brother. Even though we are allowed to do so under the betrothal, for the honor of our family, the school and Sweetbriar we chose not to," Ginny responded.

Confused by everyone's presence, Harry asked, "What are all of you doing here?"

Neville answered, "We're all going with you."

Harry's first instinct was to object, but he bit is tongue. He learned from the excursion at the Ministry, that they would not be dissuaded. Attempting to be more tactful, he asked, "Why do you want to go?"

Frank answered, "This is opportunity to fight back, isn't it? They have given us a key to their hideout."

Tonks added, "We all care for you, Ginny and Hermione. We're going to make sure that you well protected."

Minerva said, "I have a responsibility to my students and you. If you are killed or injured it becomes my fault."

Remus added, "The Order will continue to watch out for you."

Neville replied, "Whenever you face danger, I'll be there to watch you back."

Luna just simply stated, "What are friends for?"

Ron answered, "As if I would let you go without me."

Harry looked at Dobby for a reply.

Seeing the questioning look, Dobby replied, "Dobby is a free elf. Dobby chooses to go to protect his master and mistress. Bad wizards who trys to hurt Mistress will be punished."

Harry then looked over at his Mum and Dad.

Emma replied, "Oh no, we're not going. We're just going to stay up and worry. I do feel better that a whole group of you are going instead of just the three of you."

Rolling his eyes, Harry conceded. Hoping she would change her mind, he looked at his girlfriend. The look in her eyes told him not to even ask.

They all talked about what their goal and strategy. Standing all together in a tight circle, Remus enlarged the hoop bracelet and dropped it over the group. Together, all of them were transported to a dingy prison cell.

Beyond the bars, they could see two guards stirring awake.

Neville quickly cast a Wall Shield Charm to protect everyone port keyed into the cell. Harry, Alice and Remus cast Stunning spells at the guards. One guard was quickly stunned, but the second was able to sound an alarm before being disabled.

Hermione, Ginny and Professor McGonagall were transfiguring dungeon rats into Nifflers.

The alarm was blaring. Frank was having trouble getting the getting the cell door open.

Neville exclaimed, "Quietis!" The spell did not work. The Alarm continued louder.

Harry urged Frank to hurry.

Footsteps were heard approaching from down the hall. Taking note the desperate situation, Hermione cast a complex spell on the bars of the cell.

Frank took a step back giving Hermione an irritated look as even the lock he was working on was starting to glow.

Luna joined in with transfiguring the rats.

Neville killed the alarm with the Finite Incantatem spell. Alice praised her son with a pat on the back.

Just as the reinforcement Death Eaters entered the dungeon, Hermione managed to transfigure the steel bars into marbles. The marbles cascaded to the floor causing the approaching Death Eaters to fall sprawling into the room.

Harry, Frank, Alice and Remus were able to disable the disheveled Death Eaters without incident.

Shuffling their feet to prevent stepping on the marbles, Harry looked up the stairs to find an impassible black curtain spell that the Death Eaters used at Hogwarts earlier that year. Harry exclaimed, "It is that impassible field again."

Dobby yelled out in his squeaky voice, "Dobby knows where we's are. Passage is this way." Dobby pointed to a solid wall of the room. With a snap of his fingers, a portion of the wall transformed revealing a secret passageway. With another snap, torches in the passage way lit up. Several of the Nifflers scampered down the passageway.

After twenty have been transfigured, they ran out of rats. The other Nifflers were already burrowing though the walls and floor looking for their treasures.

Tonks and Frank started binding up the fallen Death Eaters. There were seven in all.

Harry, Neville and Ginny followed Dobby down the passageway. Gradually, everyone else followed.

At the end of the passageway, there was a vault door. Dobby tried to open it with a snap of his fingers, but the door would not open. Puzzled, he told Harry, "It used to open up for Dobby all the time."

Harry asked, "This is Malfoy Manor?"

Dobby nodded quietly.

Ginny moved close and took Harry's free hand, as he searched the door for magical signatures. She could actually see what he was doing through their connection.

Harry beckoned Neville, "Take a look at this and tell me what you think." He was pointing at one of the runes on the doorframe of the vault. "Ginny claims that these runes are the key to the doorway. Do you think we could break the incantation and destroy the runes?" Harry was hoping that from Neville's experience with magical security that he would have some knowledge of locks.

Neville replied, "That is not a good idea. I'm not Bill, but the weakness of these doorways is the ability to add additional runes to them. We should wait for Hermione, Remus, Luna or Professor McGonagall for advice."

When they arrived, Remus agreed with Neville and suggested adding runes to negate the others. Hermione suggested that they just change just one rune to add former house-elves. Everyone agreed. Hermione did the transfiguration herself, and Dobby let them into the vault.

As soon as Dobby entered the vault, he squeaked out, "Watch out! Dragon!"

Right behind Dobby, Harry transformed into a griffin and leaped into the vault to protect him.

Ginny screamed in terror as she saw Harry being slashed and thrown.

Quickly getting back onto his fours, Harry dodged the next attack. He leapt out of the way just in time to prevent being burned to a crisp by the dragon's fire attack. Harry grabbed the barbed tail of the Dragon and swung it around and into the wall.

Before the dragon could regain his footing, Harry leaped on top of it and broke its neck with his strong beak. After he was sure that the beast was dead, he bounded over to Dobby and returned to his human form. "Dobby, are you alright?"

Stammering, Dobby squeaked out, "Yes sir. Dobby is thankful. Yous saved Dobby's life."

Pulling his elf into an embrace, Harry replied, "That is what family is for. I would have been very sad if something happened to you."

Harry felt arms wrap around them and heard a sniffle. Ginny reinforced to Dobby, "I too would have felt very sad if anything happened to either of you."

As the others were cautiously entering the vault, Harry and Ginny released their family hug.

Harry asked, "Dobby, I assume that the dragon was new too?" Harry glanced at Ginny. Her face was damp with tears, and her eyes were busy scrutinizing his body with a wary expression.

With a smile Dobby answered, "Yes sir." He was still taking in the feelings of love and affection his masters expressed to him.

Hermione was also touched by the demonstration of affection and belonging Harry and Ginny showed their elf.

Feeling concerned Ron asked Hermione, "Are you alright?"

Dabbing her eyes, she smiled and answered, "Just happy tears. I'm fine."

After Ginny grabbed his hand, he thought to her, 'I'm just a little sore. I'll be fine. You can look at my shoulder after we get back.'

The vault was large, and gold galleons were everywhere.

Ron was taking in the treasure with a wide-eyed expression. "We should be able to load up on this as spoils."

Unimpressed by the treasure, Harry answered, "Ginny and I have plenty. You would have to direct your question to Professor McGonagall. If we consider it spoils, then it belongs to the Order. One thing is certain; we have to take it. This trove could fund an army of Death Eaters."

Dobby pointed to the trap door up in the ceiling. "That is how we get out."

"The drawing room?" Harry asked.

Confused, Dobby asked, "Have you been here before?"

Harry answered, "No, it was something Draco said once before." He glanced at Ron who gave him a knowing look.

There were many dark objects in the room from questionable potion ingredients to torture devices. Hermione destroyed a cabinet of hair, fingernail clippings, etc… from different individuals. She commented, "They even had a vial of my hair."

Staring up at the ceiling, Harry asked Remus, "After I am ready to fly, could you open the door?"

Remus hesitantly answered, "Yes…sure."

Looking at Ginny, Harry thought to her, 'Do you want to go for a fly?'

A broad smile spread across her face in reply.

Harry transformed back into a griffin, and Ginny lifted Dobby up onto his shoulder. She climbed up on Harry to sit behind him.

Remus opened the door. With a strong leap, Harry flew up and into the drawing room above.

In the drawing room to investigate to racket, six Death Eaters had their wands out and pointed at Harry, Ginny and Dobby. Their triumphant looks dropped to fear as they looked behind them.

Neville arose out of the trap door on the back of large blue dragon. Ginny trapped them where they stood by casting a Viscid Charm on the floor. Since she knew that Neville worked from left to right, she started stunning the Death Eaters from right to left. Sure enough, by the time she got to the third Death Eater, Neville stunned the rest. Harry and Luna dropped their passengers on the floor and called out an 'All Clear' to the others below.

Hermione conjured a lift to carry the rest of them up.

Since Tonks was complaining about not getting any of the action, Harry decided to have the group split up to cover the first floor and meet at the foyer. A few minutes and eight Death Eaters later, they met at the bottom of the stairs as planned. Systematically, they went through the upper floors. No real resistance was found until they reached the master suite. Narsissa Malfoy defiantly made a stand casting shields and dodging charms. Her attention waned when a Niffler ran in front of her dragging off a diamond necklace. Luna was able to hit her at that moment with a well-placed stunning spell.

With the mansion clear of visible threats, Harry brought down the wards one by one. Some of the wards were strong enough, that the spell he used made a loud sound like thunder.

Frank and Alice helped Tonks and Harry transport the prisoners to the ministry holding cells and fill out the reports. In his report Harry explained, "Lady Ginevra Molly Weasley Black received an invitation to attend an exclusive Halloween Party where she would be the guest of honor. This invitation was in the form hoop bracelet port key. The hoop bracelet transported her and her guests, which included me, into a cell in the dungeon. Objecting to the level of hospitality, we captured the entire party of guests and the hostess, who incidentally bore the Dark Mark on their arms identifying them as Death Eaters." No mention of the vault or its contents was made in the reports.

While the prisoners were being taken care of, the rest of the Order transported the vault contents to an undisclosed location where it remained locked up. The vault was closed as if it was undisturbed.

When he was all done at the ministry, Harry retrieved the dragon carcass and delivered it to Hagrid to divvy it up between Slughorn and the giants. The giants were given preferential choices of what they wanted of it.

Harry arrived back at Hogwarts just in time for Saturday morning family breakfast. It was after that Ginny got her chance to inspect Harry. Practicing her healing spells, she stitch up a gash in his back and removed some bruising. She thoroughly chastised him for not allowing her to tend to it sooner.

Before he went to sleep that night, Harry also took the opportunity to write a thief an anonymous letter telling him that Malfoy Mansion was open and left unattended. He decided that he would not lose any sleep if the Malfoys were burglarized. He thought to himself, 'Maybe this is the reason I didn't receive a phoenix companion. I have too much Weasley in my blood. It's amazing the lot of us aren't Slytherins.'

The next morning, Susan Bones approached Ron at breakfast. With warm eyes and a gentle touch, she asked to sit and talk. She and Ron made plans for organizing a Yule Ball for the last night before winter break. From the front table, Hermione could not make out what they talked about, but whatever it was Ron was enjoying it.

Worried for her brother's safety, Ginny smacked him in the shoulder. "You may want to explain to Hermione what you are doing." She gestured up to the Head Table where Ron found Hermione's heated glare.

Sneering in disgust, Susan turned back and asked, "What's on with her?"

Ron explained, "Hermione and I are seeing each other. She is just being jealous."

Susan blushed at her inappropriate reaction.

Ginny countered Ron, "She wouldn't have to be if you didn't have a history of being a prat."

Ron snapped back, "What are you talking about?"

Ginny explained to Susan, "Ron here, hooked up with Lavender just for the pleasure of snogging last year. Just a few weeks ago, Hermione caught him flirting with her in the back of her own class."

Ron protested, "She sat next to me and started talking."

Susan and Ginny both gave him glares. After elbowing him hard in the side, Susan got up off the bench and walked up to the head table across from Hermione.

"Ouw," Ron exclaimed.

Ginny explained to her dim-witted brother, "You have to think how everything you do looks to Hermione. She may love you, but it doesn't mean she fully trusts you. It looks like Susan is taking care of the situation for you."

Susan asked, "Professor Granger, please understand I consider you as a respected friend. The Head Boy and I wish to have your blessing on planning a Yule Ball for the end of term."

Hermione's face relaxed. "Thank you, Susan. You are a good friend."

After Susan returned to Gryffindor table, Harry leaned over and asked Hermione, "I couldn't help but hearing. Did Ron do something? I could straighten him out. It is my brotherly duty you know."

She gave him an amused look and replied, "No, you would probably break his arm."

Concerned, he assured her, "I feel my responsibilities as a brother does supersede that of best mate. Madam Pomfrey can mend broken arms, and Ron will eventually forgive me. Besides he would do the same to me."

She respectfully replied, "You're sweet. However, I believe Ginny has it all under control this time." She pointed down at the Gryffindor table where it looked as if Ginny was lecturing her older brother.

A few weeks later in the Slytherin Common Room, Blaise was yelling at Gregory Goyle in front of the whole house. "What are you doing joining the DA? You know that you have to sign the Mudblood's contract that certifies your allegiance. It is the same as taking the dark mark only for the other side!"

Gregory looked at Tracey Davis for confidence, then stood up and yelled right back at him. "I am not going to back out of the DA. This year, I learned that what I considered friendship was only companionship. For the first time in my life, I have real friends. I know what I am doing and what I am fighting for. I know what Professor Granger's loyalty contract is because I signed it! I am fighting with HARRY POTTER!" He yelled out Harry's name as if it was a Slytherin swear word.

Furious, Blaise glared at Goyle and ordered him, "You will go immediately to that Mudblood and strike your name off of her contract. You are the Slytherin Quidditch Captain. You have an example to set. Besides, on winter break, a select few will be going through initiation if you get what I mean. When you return home for Winter break as a DA member, you will be killed, if not by the Dark Lord, then by your own family."

Defiantly Gregory snapped back, "I am setting a good example for the Slytherin House, and I am not going home for the holidays. I am not going to take the Dark Mark. Muggles, Muggle-Borns and Half-Bloods are not people we should despise. It is the hatred of people based solely on their genealogy is what we should despise. Professor Potter is right, and I am going to fight with him."

While Blaise was staring at Gregory Goyle with utter contempt, Tracy Davis quietly walked over, took Gregory's hand and stood defiantly with him. "I stand with Gregory. I support Harry Potter too."

Vincent Crabbe stood up next to Goyle on his other side and said, "I stand with Gregory. I support Harry Potter."

One by one, everyone stood to show their support for Goyle and Potter. Blaise noticed that only Pansy Parkinson, Daphne Greengrass and a few others refused to support them.

Blaise announced, "Then you all have sealed your fate. There is no stopping the Dark Lord from destroying the whole school now."

It did not take long for the news of the Slytherin vote of support made it through the rest of the school. It was the first time in years that the school felt truly united in their cause.