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 17 – Slytherin Tower Rescue

Suspended from the ceiling from her bound wrists, Ginny hung in a large chamber filled with Death Eaters. The bruises and cuts all over her body seeped blood staining her only garment, a thin white-linen dress. Beaten, bruised and tortured, she thought to herself, 'How appropriate, now I must look on the outside, how I feel on the inside.' Wallowing in sadness, she recalled the last month of Harry's irritation and hostility. Each time he snapped at her, it felt as if he was slowly killing her on the inside.

Over by one of the few windows, a young Death Eater called out, "Here he comes, wearing shining armor on the back of a flying white horse."

"Perfect, just as I expected. Harry Potter has come," Voldemort sneered. Sarcastically, he told Ginny, "Well my Lady, your knight in shining armor has arrived." His laughter was followed by many of the others in the room.

It was probably the first time in a month, but Ginny started to smile. The title, "her knight in shining armor," brought back hope. She responded, "You will all be defeated and not a stone of this fortress will be left standing."

Voldemort hissed, "Your pathetic suitor will be captured and brought here where he will watch you being raped and stabbed. Then I will slowly kill him myself. There will not be any fairy tale ending for you." He pointed his wand at her and cried out, "Crucio!"

Flying down into the barren valley, Harry noticed a small encampment of soldiers. A strong field of magic hid something large behind them.

A strong sensation of pain pulsed through Harry and Sweetbriar causing them quickly land. They knew that Ginny was alive and being tortured at that moment

Quickly jumping off Sweetbriar, Harry removed his wings and cast a Disillusionment Charm on him.

Approximately fifty Death Eaters were rushing towards him in their thick winter gear. Harry reached into his bag and pulled out seven New and Improved Heated Portable Swamps. One by one, he set them up. These new products of the Weasleys were much bigger and had Hinkypunks, mosquitoes and alligators in them as well. The freezing air around them mixed with the hot, moist air of the swamps created a heavy fog over the area.

Using battle tactics he learned from Vietnamese sources, Harry lured and attacked the soldiers, one or two at a time. Prepared for warfare on the icy moors, the Death Eaters found themselves at a disadvantage. Many of them lost their lives to the Hinkypunks and alligators alone. Tired and exhausted, Harry found in his determination to rescue the woman he loved.

In the fog that surrounded the area, the remaining fighters and officers, who did not want to brave the swamps, were quickly cut down with explosive marbles. These glass spheres were previously charged with an enormous amount of magical energy. When they were Banished into something, they released their energy in a large explosion.

Analyzing the field of magic, Harry started to bring down the wards one at a time. Each time he broke one of the wards, an explosively loud boom was created causing the ground to shake.

Inside the castle, Ginny kept checking her promise ring for Harry's pulse. When the stone building started shaking at the loud explosive sounds outside, a Death Eater explained, "He is bringing down the wards."

Ginny just smiled to herself despite the residual pain from the Cruciatus Curse.

Voldemort sneered, "He defeated my army, but he won't get past my pets."

Draco Malfoy smiled at Ginny. He asked his master, "If Harry is eaten may I still have the pleasure of doing and gutting her?" He gestured to their captive.

Voldemort glowered, "I insist." Voldemort was still very disappointed in Draco. He failed to kill Dumbledore, and then he let this Blood Traitor girl take his wand. If Draco failed to show the necessary backbone it took to rape and kill, Voldemort had to kill him.

Outside, Harry just finished the last ward when he noticed a Romanian Ridgeback Dragon attack him. He dodged the attack just in time. After a few more dodges Harry realized there was only one way he was going to take out this dragon. He transformed into the Black Griffin and flew into the sky. Once airborne he was quickly able to out fly the dragon. Harry flew high up into the sky, as far as he could go.

From inside the castle, the Death Eaters saw shadows blocking out the light streaming in from the windows as the creatures circled the tower fortress. The Dark Lord asked his minions, "What was that?"

A slightly rattled Death Eater said, "One of the dragons is chasing after a large black griffin with green eyes."

Smiling Voldemort commented, "So Harry wants to play with my dragons. He will find that they have very sharp teeth."

As Harry reached the apex of his accent, he pushed hard into a dive and rushed down at the dragon from above.

Still having difficulties gaining altitude, the dragon was taken off guard when the griffin swooped upside down underneath him.

Harry flew right underneath the dragon and used his sharp claws to kick off and slash through the soft underside scales of the dragon. He held on tight using his front talons. The two of them were falling out of the sky as they fought.

Harry soon had success as the dragon's stomach spit open, spilling its entrails to the ground. Harry let go just in time, yet was met with a burst of flames. There was another dragon.

The flame did not cause too much harm since he flew through it so fast. Harry climbed up into the sky again. Again, he reached an apex in his accent and dived. This time, he chose to use his speed and mass to attack the wings.

Harry crashed into the back of the dragon landing on its outstretched wing. The bone snapped at the impact sending the second dragon tumbling to the ground. He glided down to the entrance of the keep to find a third, larger dragon diligently protecting the door.

Running as fast as he could towards the dragon, he dodged its breath, and with mongoose dexterity, flipped onto its back and started attacking the neck. Furiously, he ripped off scales with the strength in his beak and talons.

The dragon tried to throw him off by bucking and flapping its wings. Harry held on with all of his efforts, while continuing to expose enough soft tissue to sink his beak into. After nearly falling off twice, he finally accomplished his goal and bit through the dragon's neck muscles with his razor sharp beak. With the neck muscles out of the way, he quickly snapped the dragon's neck, killing it.

Catching his breath, Harry returned back into his normal form and re-evaluated his options. Figuring that these medieval fortresses where designed to defend from a frontal attack, Harry chose to fly up to the roof and work his way down. Before he did, he Banished another marble at the portcullis leaving the front door blown to pieces.

Up on the roof, Harry took out the sentries and started down the stairs.

From inside the fortress, Voldemort felt the explosion and insisted on another update.

Staring into a crystal ball, a witch explained the front entrance has been destroyed, and he now comes on the tail of a phoenix.

Furious Voldemort looked into Ginny's eyes and demanded, "Who is this Harry we are dealing with?"

She did not say a word, and his attempts at Legilimency failed. All he found was her look of burning contempt. She finally said, "You better let me down. If he sees me like this, there will be no mercy for anyone here."

Aggressively pulling her head up by the hair, Voldemort licked her face with is long snake-like tongue. "We are going to have so much fun together."

In response, he cast, "Diffindo," sending a cutting hex across her back. Her dress fell open in the back exposing a long bleeding gash.

Quietly descending the stairs, Harry noticed snakes were talking to each other. It was from behind the door on the first landing. On the landing Harry turned back into the Black Griffin and threw open the door. Snakes were all over the place. As a griffin, he was immune to the poison, and a natural predator to the snakes. Like a dog in a hen house, he killed every snake he found. That was until he came across Nagini.

She hissed at him, "Finally you come. I have been expecting this day for two years." She lunged at him, barely missing.

Harry knocked a pillar over on top of her and retreated to the far side of the room.

Crawling out from under the support, Nagini hissed, "Scared aren't you. You should be, because you are going to die."

Harry transformed into his human form, held his wand and cast the Horcrux Reversal spell, "Exorcismus Immundíssime Spiritus." He concentrated on his love for Ginny, as he held steadfast to the spell.

Nagini squirmed and convulsed as Voldemort's spirit was ripped from her. A loud hissing wail came from her, as her body split open lengthwise spilling out her innards.

He maintained the spell until she lay still and lifeless.

After carefully inspecting the creature, Harry carefully made his way out the door to the chamber below. Looking through the walls, he saw what awaited him on the next floor. When he saw his fiancé scantly clothed and restrained, it made his blood boil. His deep feelings of love for her, the monster in his chest, roared loudly in protest to her treatment. Harry was inspired with uncontrollable protective feelings and rage.

With a deep determination in his face, he pulled on his invisibility cloak and quietly crept into the chamber where Voldemort and Ginny were. He silently cast a Cushioning spell on the floor below Ginny.

Voldemort sensed the magic spell and summoned the invisibility cloak leaving Harry revealed. After uncloaking his opponent, Voldemort saw his face of fury glaring at him with unchecked raged. This was not the normal rage Voldemort was used to seeing. This rage was powered by his selfless love and protectiveness over Ginny. The look in his green eyes reminded him of the Lily Potter's, sixteen years before. Unlike before, an aura of strong magic billowed from Harry's body intimidated him.

Harry dropped two Weasley smoke bombs and Apparated across the room to the doors. No one noticed he moved because the smoke filled the whole room. Harry quietly stunned the Death Eaters closest to him.

Voldemort cleared the smoke with a Clean-Air Charm. He was shocked when he did not see Harry. He quickly turned around and found Harry had already disabled half of his Death Eaters.

Looking at Ginny's hand, Harry noticed that her finger was bruised and bleeding, but she still had her promise ring on. This promise ring was enchanted so it could not have been removed by anyone but her. The ring also kept her warm and protected from fire attacks. Harry was sure she would have died from the cold alone without that protection.

Another thing Harry noticed, Ginny was looking at him with warm eyes. He did not deserve it, but she still looked fondly upon him. He only let his eye rest on her tired, peaceful gaze for second before he continued his fight. The monster inside him roared loudly, sounding the attack.

With a wave of his hand, Voldemort opened the doors behind Harry and called out, "Guards, attack!"

Harry ignored the doors behind him and cast "Incendio Valesco." A wall of fire shot up burning half the other Death Eaters. He already knew what was beyond the doors behind him.

From behind Harry, a repetitive barrage of stunning spells streamed into the room.

Draco Malfoy was crawling over towards Ginny.

Harry cast stunners that were powering their way through the Death Eater's shields. He worked his way from right to left, and his ally behind him was casting from left to right.

One of the Death Eaters threw a metal star at Harry with deadly precision. The Repulsion Charm on his armor sent the weapon back at the thrower, killing him instantly.

In irritation, Voldemort aimed his wand at Ginny and cast "Avada Kedarvra," sending the killing curse streaking towards her. In the nick of time, Draco stood up and took the curse before it hit her. Draco fell down to the ground, dead.

Ginny screamed in terror.

Voldemort tried the spell again, but the bindings that held Ginny gave way. She fell onto the cushioned floor below her just in time.

He tried a third time, but Harry hit him with a Banishing Charm that sent him flying into Sweetbriar's horn. Still disillusioned, Sweetbriar crept around the fighting to reach Ginny. The horn pierced through Voldemort's chest, but he was still alive. Sweetbriar threw his head to the side throwing Voldemort's vile body off his head. Finished with the other Death Eaters, Harry and Neville rushed over to Voldemort.

Noticing he moved Harry aimed his wand and cast the Body-Bind Curse, "Petrificus Totalus."

Voldemort rolled out of the way just in time. Across his smile, he had the silvery unicorn blood on his lips. Before another spell had been shot, Voldemort activated an emergency port key and disappeared.

Across the floor, Harry noticed many puddles of unicorn blood. Looking over Sweetbriar, Harry found the injury on his hind leg. Harry quickly healed up the gash on Sweetbriar before he turned his full attention on Ginny.

Ginny was also bleeding heavily, but Harry knew he could get her stabilized quickly enough. If Sweetbriar fainted, he was not sure what to do.

Curious, Neville removed Sweetbriar's Disillusionment Charm, bringing him into full view.

Harry carefully rolled Ginny over and healed the cut across her back. He also found a few broken ribs and fibula. As he did with Hermione a half a year before, he started emptying in potions from his belt into her. He carefully inspected her body and repaired the bruises and cuts as he found them.

Neville searched around making sure the floor was secure.

Harry told Ginny, "Hold on there. You are loosing some of that potion from your lips. Let me help you." He bent down and gave her a deep heartfelt kiss. "I'm sorry Ginny. I treated you so horribly over this last month. Can you forgive me?"

The Pepper-up Potion must have been working, because she was able to respond, "I am yours till death do us part… I have missed you."

Gazing into her brown eyes he told her, "I love you."

Neville urged, "Hey! Hurry it up. We have to leave. Reinforcements could arrive at any time."

Without releasing her eye contact, she mouthed, "I love you too."

Suddenly, Ron voiced yelled, "Hey Neville, you need some help?"

Hermione, Ron and Remus entered the room. Each in turn hugged Ginny, Harry and Neville. Looking around, Hermione commented, "Well you two have been busy."

Harry said, "Ron, you are in charge. Search the rest of the fortress for prisoners, and then destroy it. The Muggle Prime Minister can use big bombs to destroy this place beyond repair. You just need to know how deep into the ground the dungeons are. Tell him that this is a terrorist camp and give him my name."

Turning to Remus, Harry added, "You can have the Dragon carcasses. Just remember, the Giants could eat the meat you don't want, and hide them from the Muggles."

Facing all of them, he continued, "Neville is right, I have to take Ginny and Sweetbriar back and see to their health."

Carefully picking Ginny up and leaning her against Sweetbriar, Harry Apparated the three of them to the front gate of Hogwarts. After they arrived, Sweetbriar whinnied in protest.

In an understanding tone, Harry assured him, "I know what you mean. It is a horrible way to travel, but you are not healthy enough to walk or fly."

Once through the gate, Harry picked Ginny up off the ground and carried her to the castle. Luna came running out from the front doors to greet them.

Harry asked, "Luna, could you take care of Sweetbriar? He received a big gash on his hind leg and there may be other injuries as well."

Luna nodded, gave Ginny a warm pat, then left to see to the unicorn.

Setting Ginny down, Harry took off his cloak and wrapped it around her. He knew that Ginny did not need the warmth, but the damaged dress was too flimsy for him to consider modest. He cradled her in his arms again and carried her into the castle. When he entered the entrance hall, they were met with many well-wishers and applause. Harry walked her through the crowd, up the stairs, and to the hospital wing.

As soon as he entered the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey walked out of her office. She instructed Harry, "Put her over on that bed."

Harry set her down gently on the bed. He started to say, "I have a few things to tell you…"

Interrupting, she told him, "If you are in good health, please wait outside."

Ginny pleaded, "Harry, please stay."

He insisted to Madam Pomfrey, "You are going to want to know…"

Still, she interrupted, "Potter, stand outside."

Giving Ginny a defeated look, he turned and walked outside the door. Outside the hospital wing, Harry called Dobby.

Dobby arrived and bowed his head. Tears brimming in his eyes showed the worry he burdened.

He told Dobby, "Ginny is fine, but she will need some rest. She is in the hospital wing right now. I'll have her call you as soon as she is ready to visit with you. Please pass the news to her mother Mrs. Weasley."

From inside the Hospital Wing he heard Madam Pomfrey holler, "Potter, get in here!"

Returning back into the Hospital Wing, he saw Madam Pomfrey give him an irritated look.

She asked him, "Do you mind telling me everything you did to heal her?"

Trying to put a polite look on his face he answered, "First thing I did was control her serious bleeding. She had a laceration across her upper back and a ruptured vein in her calf caused from the broken fibula. Second, I mended her broken bones. Again that is her fibula and ribs 6 through 9 on her left side."

Ginny cringed when he pointed.

He apologized, "Sorry Darling, they'll still hurt for a few days."

Ginny melted at the term of endearment he used.

He continued pulling empty vials off his belt, "I then medicated her with Blood-Replenishing Potion, Pain Relief Potion, Calming Potion and a few drops of this Pepper-up Potion."

Madam Pomfrey's mouth was open in shock.

Harry continued by pointing, "I healed the cuts and abrasions, here…here…and here." He then pointed out all of the locations of the bruises he healed. He tickled her when he pointed, "And there was a bruise on her bum right under here."

Ginny squirmed and giggled.

Madam Pomfrey gave him a stern look, but continued with a few more tests.

She said, "She will need to stay here overnight for bed rest."

Harry inquired, "Couldn't she stay in my bedroom?"

With a strict look she replied, "That is a very inappropriate request."

Embarrassed, Harry corrected her perception, "It is not like that. I just thought that she would be more comfortable with family. I would sleep on the couch or in Ron's Head Boy room. Mum, Dad, Dobby and Hermione will be there if she needs anything."

Smiling a bit, Madam Pomfrey asked, "Could I drop in tomorrow say ten o'clock?"

Pleased that she could get out of the hospital wing, Ginny eagerly replied, "Yes please, that would be nice."

Harry again covered her up and picked her up in his arms. When he arrived at the apartment, two very worried parents greeted them. They kept on asking questions they were not ready to answer.

Tired, Harry told them, "I want Ginny to take at least a one hour nap. If she feels up to it, we'll talk some, but for the full story from her, we may need to wait till tomorrow."

Before he tucked her in, he pulled out her Monomens necklace and engagement ring from his pocket. He explained, "I confiscated these from Pansy Parkinson. Using Polyjuice Potion, she was masquerading herself as you." Harry clipped back on her necklace and replaced the ring on her finger. With the effects of the Monomens necklace, emotions, thoughts and feelings were flooding between them again.

In the living room, Harry was just relaxing from his stress-filled day when Professor McGonagall came to visit. She started, "Harry, a lot happened just today, and I need some answers. I have a dead student in my office and two more are missing. Please start with why you have been so agitated over the last month."

Harry invited her to sit. "Care for a spot of tea. This will take a while." Pop, one of his house elves, popped in and set out the tea.

She sat down, and Harry started in, "Dumbledore and I were after pieces of Tom Riddle's soul stored in objects called Horcruxes. Since Dumbledore died, I used my friends help to find all of the pieces. As of the first of the year, I had one more to discover and destroy before facing him again. If I don't no one will be safe and killing him would be impossible. My frustration put me in a very foul mood. With Hermione's help, I created a list from all of my findings. This led me to search for it here in the castle, where I did find it. Unfortunately, when I found Ginny to share the good news, her aura was wrong. I could tell immediately that she wasn't my fiancée. She was Pansy Polyjuiced as my Ginny. I used Legilimency to find out why she wanted to be Ginny and where she was. Pansy intended to kill me using poisoned lipstick. Ginny was abducted after breakfast and taken to place called Slytherin Tower. Even though the tower was Unplottable, Ginny's unicorn companion, Sweetbriar, was able to take me to her. After fighting off a few guards, I was able to destroy the wards Salazar Slytherin erected to protect his refuge."

McGonagall asked, "How did you know Salazar erected the ward?"

Harry shrugged, "They were stronger than Tom's.

Then, there were three dragons I had to kill. I believe they were Romanian Ridgebacks. After destroying the portcullis, I decided to fly up to the roof and work my way down. With a few more sentries out of the way, I cleaned out a bedroom filled with poisonous snakes. Nagini, Tom's pet, was the last of the Horcruxes I had to destroy. The floor below was where I found Ginny, Voldemort, Draco Malfoy, and many other Death Eaters. Tom quickly discovered my presence and the battle started. Neville came to the rescue with Sweetbriar. Just as second…"

Sensing Ginny wanted him, he walked to his room and returned carrying her in his arms. She wore one of his old t-shirts and a dressing robe.

Professor McGonagall objected, "Potter, you didn't have to wake her up for me. Weasley, why aren't you in the hospital wing?"

Ginny replied, "I was listening from my, erm…, Harry's room. I was just trying to get up when Harry came in and helped me. Madam Pomfrey released me to stay with my family." Her gesture implied those who stayed in the apartment.

Listening from the dining table, Emma added, "That is what I prefer too. Ginny dear, can I get you something to eat or drink?"

Harry lowered her to the settee next him.

Ginny replied to Emma, "Yes, Mum, some pumpkin juice and something light. I suspect we will have dinner soon. Thank you."

Harry continued, "Neville and Sweetbriar entered the room. Neville and I quickly subdued the remaining Death Eaters leaving Tom alone. We released Ginny from her bonds and pushed Tom into Sweetbriar's horn. Unfortunately, Tom sipped some of Sweetbriar's blood keeping him alive enough he port-keyed away."

McGonagall asked Ginny, "Can you tell me anything you remember about your abduction?"

Ginny replied, "Pansy called me over to ask me a private question in the hall, when I was hit with a spell. I woke up very sore, and dressed in only a thin white garment. Later, Draco entered my cell and dragged me up to Tom's audience chamber. Draco whispered to me to just play along and he would get me out of it. Tom bound my wrist and suspended me from the ceiling in front of his lot. He tried to interrogate me, but I wouldn't talk." She looked over at Harry, "He told me that my knight in shining armor was coming to rescue me." She could see the realization in the form of a smile on Harry's face. She continued to tell the Headmistress, "I warned them that they would all die, but they just ignorantly laughed. Tom thanked me for the warning by giving me the Cruciatus Curse. In the fighting, he tried to kill me three times with the killing curse. Draco sacrificed himself for the first one. Harry released me from my bonds before the second one could hit me. And the third spell wasn't fully completed when he was thrown into Sweetbriar. Apparently, Tom doesn't like fairy tale endings."

Shaking her head, McGonagall told them, "What you two went through makes the tri-wizard cup look like child's play."

Sorrowful, Harry pulled Ginny into a hug and held her.

Ron and Hermione entered the living room holding hands. Professor McGonagall gave them a stern look. Hermione started to cower like Ron, but she changed her demeanor to a defiant posture. She told the Headmistress, "We are engaged. It is no secret. If I don't hold his hand, it would look wrong."

The Headmistress asked, "I came here to find out what happened. Please tell me everything."

Ron explained, "Dobby told me that Ginny was kidnapped and Harry was leaving with Sweetbriar on a rescue. My instructions were to prepare a rescue party. As soon as I gathered up a crew to go, the Slytherin Fortress showed up on the map. We all mounted brooms and flew to the valley where the black tower stood. The first thing we did was pick up the portable swamps."

Hermione interjected with a smile, "I always have to pick up his toys."

Harry gave her a playfully astonished look.

Ron continued, "We had to separate out the live prisoners from the dead ones. Some of the Aurors took the prisoners to the ministry. We then went past three dead dragons and in through the destroyed front door. Again, bodies were scattered everywhere. Among them, we found two students who were out of bounds: Blaise Zabini and Daphne Greengrass. They were dead.

Hearing Neville lecturing Harry, we went up a staircase to a large chamber where there were many more dead Death Eaters. Notably Draco Malfoy was among them. Ginny, Harry, and her unicorn all Apparated away. Everything was clear in the floors above, so we went below to the dungeon where we rescued Ollivander. Florean Fortescue was there, but he had died shortly before." Ron looked to Hermione.

She added, "We removed the surviving prisoners, and called the Prime Minister. After dropping Harry's name, it was easy to convince the Prime Minister to demolish Slytherin's Fortress with high yield bombs. We told them 'There was a black tower in Coire Gabhail that is being used by the terrorist. Please send the RAF to destroy it completely.' Within fifteen minutes, the place was leveled. Unfortunately, some Death Eaters had already returned to the tower and were caught in the explosion."

Harry asked, "What happened to Pansy?"

Professor McGonagall answered, "After a few minutes in my office, she turned back into herself. By licking her lips, she committed suicide and died. Ernie feels responsible because he forgot to tell me about the poison."

Neville and Luna entered the living room hand in hand.

Harry suggested that they start a meeting. Seeing Neville's concern over present company, Harry explained, "I already told everyone here about the Horcruxes. At this point, the next opportunity for him to create a Horcrux is in the up-coming battle. Part of the news I bear is that there are no more Horcruxes for him to move or hide if he found out. We should still keep this to ourselves, but the secret is no longer critical."

Luna started by asking, "Alright Harry, why are you sociable again?"

Harry looked down and apologized, "I'm sorry. I let myself become irritable and hostile when I was frustrated over not finding the last Horcrux. It is a good thing I have Hermione to kick me in the arse when I need it."

Shrugging, Harry answered her question, "Like I said, I found the last Horcrux in the room of requirement."

Sassy, Hermione replied, "No problem, Harry, that is what a sister is for. What was the Horcrux?"

Harry could not help but smile at the word 'sister'. He answered, "It was the scabbard for the Sword of Gryffindor.

Okay, let's review the list then."

Professor McGonagall interrupted, "Before you begin, I should get going. Dinner will be starting soon, and I need to announce the loss of three of our students and the well-being of Ginny. You lot should eat up here in the apartment and work on this. That way Ginny doesn't have to eat alone. I will have the elves bring up some food."

Ron's eyes lit up. "Thank you much, Professor."

Hermione just stared at him.

Protesting, Ron asked, "What? We don't want to miss a meal."

Together, they went over the list and checking off the items accomplished. Hermione announced that the potions research team has found a short-term potion that will block the Cruciatus Curse and allow the user to throw off the Imperius Curse.

Hermione explained further, "The Killing Curse has a sort of ridiculous solution. The curse is very passive if it hits or hits near a live target. If it doesn't make contact with a live target, it is explosive. Rather than conjuring a live chicken to use as a shield, I focused on a shield, which won't hurt when it explodes. I chose Styrofoam. A three centimeter thick piece of Styrofoam will stop the curse and not harm anyone."

Dan praised her, "Brilliant, Hermione!"

Harry considered it out load, "A Styrofoam shield three centimeters thick should also be good against pretty much any spell except the Cutting Hex. It should also be good for elemental attacks of water, ice and electricity."

The others looked entirely lost.

Emma explained, "Styrofoam is Muggle invention. It is a white, rigid, light-weight substance."

Hermione cast a long spell and a board of it appeared. She passed it around and explained, "See it is light weight and it can break. The only problem is too much heat and fire will melt it, and once melted in a tar like substance, it will burn creating noxious fumes. However, I have already taken it upon myself to talk to Fred and George about mass-producing a small chip of shrunken board. When thrown out of the hand, it expands to full size." She pulled one out of her purse and tossed it. Just as she said, it expanded into a Styrofoam wall. "I call them disposable spell shields."

Ginny snickered, "Oh this is funny. Tom is being out smarted by a Muggle invention adapted for battle by a Muggle-born witch. He is going to go nuts."

Hermione smiled and added, "The Killing Curse takes a lot of energy, so it would be unlikely Death Eaters will be using it repetitively. Five of these chips given to each fighter should be enough. They should be very selective on what curses they use them. Too much Styrofoam debris will also make it difficult to maneuver. "

Pleased, Harry gave Hermione a soft pat on the back. "Brilliant as usual, Hermione." To everyone in the apartment, Harry offered, "Three cheers for Hermione! Hip hip…Horay! Hip hip…Horay! Hip hip…Horay!"

Everyone joined in the cheer seeing that it was well deserved.

They changed the list:

Kill Voldemort.
D.A. – organize and train. – Ron, Harry
Train physically, build strength and endurance. – Neville, Harry
Coordinate with Allies.
Wizards and witches. – Ron
Goblins. – Harry
Centaurs. – Harry
Dwarves. – Harry
Prepare community for a hostile action. – Ginny
Prepare ministry for hostile action. – Harry
Live for another day.
Help prepare a safe hospital ward. – Luna
Train D.A. and others in defense. – Hermione
Produce and distribute potions and shields. – Hermione
Analyze Hogwarts security. – Neville
Have some fun.
Watch some movies.
Schedule time to get on a broom.
Date the one you love.

Neville commented, "Well, it is getting shorter."

Ginny moaned, "I can't wait for the last on the list to become the first on the list."

Luna said, "I know what you mean."

Ginny and Hermione looked at her shocked.

Trying to change the subject, Neville asked, "Can I skip 'flying on a broom'?"

Later in the week at the Ministry of Magic, Harry was attending another one of his training session. Auroras gathered around a table discussing the latest intelligence report. The female spy said, "We have determined when they plan on attacking. It looks like it will be on March twenty-seventh in the early morning." She effectively used Occlumency to shield her mind from him. He was hoping to find out what she was thinking.

Harry played along. "Good work. Let's plan on bringing this all together on that date."

Gawain suggested, "To insure that everyone is well rested, I would like to give the week of the sixteenth off to anyone who would be interested." This was greeted with thankful responses. Harry knew if Tonks was there, she would have given him significant looks right then.

Harry looked about the room for other Auroras whom he could trust. He was pleased to see that most of them were not hiding anything.

Harry's suspicions were confirmed on March 18, when the Ministry of Magic was taken over by Voldemort. Because of Harry's work with the employees, many got away safely including Arthur Weasley. Unfortunately, Percy died in the fight. Reports later mentioned that Rufus Scrimgeour had been executed.

With Hermione's help, Harry had to soften the news to Ron and Ginny about their brother.

Arthur Weasley, fulfilling the role as the acting Minister of Magic, ordered businesses in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade to close their doors until the coup d'état attempt has been rectified. He also notified the Prime Minister and the other magical governments not to recognize the hostile faction.

Harry also had to play to Robards' plan by soothing the Hogwarts students, "Everything will be fine and we will evacuate next week."

March 19, in his new office at the Ministry of Magic, Voldemort ordered, "Wormtail! Bring me Gawain Robards."

Gawain proudly entered the office with Wormtail at his side. "Yes my Lord," Gawain said as he knelt to the ground before him.

Voldemort hissed, "You did well Robards. The ministry was taken over effortlessly because of your work. Because of you, we were able to operate without Ministry interference. It seems to me that I owe you a great deal. I wish to give you the lead position as we march on Hogwarts tomorrow."

In a sudden panic, Gawain asked, "Tomorrow? I thought you told me a week from tomorrow?"

"Ah!" Voldemort exclaimed, "Your thoughts betray you. You were hoping that Potter's puny defense would succeed!" The Dark Lord cackled evilly. Voldemort pointed his wand at Gawain and cast, "Avada Kedarvra!"

"Wormtail," Voldemort called. "Tell Rodolphus Lestrange he can now take Gawain Robards' wife."