Chapter Fourteen
Hogwarts School of Deception and Espionage
They were all sitting on the train wondering what the next few months would hold. It seemed that only more fighting could be guaranteed. Their plan against Malfoy was hard to plan, because the timing would have to be perfect for it to work. They finally gave up, saying they would just improvise.
They had all attended Ginny's wedding as planned. It went wonderfully, and no trouble was caused during the event. It was good for them all to know that they were allowed to have a few happy days in life. They celebrated the marriage of Ginny and Neville well into the next day, deciding to sleep only when they started to fall asleep while talking.
They were back to being in their separate groups planning their next moves again. Serena and Harry were busy discussing what the best move against Voldemort would be. They seemed stuck in a stalemate and none of them were happy about it. They wanted to bring the war to an end quickly, none more than Harry. Serena was helping him devise the best plans to draw out Death Eaters and hopefully Voldemort.
Hermione and Ron were planning their own important events. In less than two months they would be married, and they had only sent out invitations so far. Harry smiled the few times he had turned his attention away from Serena and saw them in what looked like a serious debate. It was just like them to turn a simple thing like planning a wedding into a debate over why flowers were important.
Ginny and Neville were planning the DA meetings, which were becoming more important than ever before. Most of the things they were preparing them for were going to come soon, and they needed to be ready to face it. At the current time they were discussing whether to teach them fire spells, cutting curses, explosive curses, or just teach them all at once and give everyone the time to learn them.
The ride passed quickly this way, and none of them managed to pull any pranks. This both bothered them and eased their teacher's minds. This also caused the Slytherins to worry even more, jumping every time they saw them. They laughed at this and continued on with their discussions. However, that night in their common room, the conversation grew very serious.
"How are we going to get this potion into Malfoy?" Ron asked.
"That's the easy part." Harry said. "I have Dobby here waiting for us to be ready. What I'm trying to figure out is how we can get the information we need after we give it to him."
"Why don't we just take him and force him to tell us?" Serena asked.
"Voldemort would find out, move to a new location, and find a better secret keeper." Harry said. "We need a way for him to take the potion, but be in a place where we could talk to him alone."
"How bout if we break him?" Ginny asked smiling. "I found this interesting new spell I've been wanting to try on somebody."
"Might work, but might draw too much attention to ourselves." Hermione said. "What we need is a spy."
"Where's James Bond when you need him?" Harry asked jokingly.
"I'm serious, Harry." Hermione said. "Problem is that none of the Slytherins will work for us."
"Why do you want a spy?" Harry asked. "I really doubt he's handing out Voldemort's hiding place to the Slytherins."
"No, Harry." Hermione said. "I don't want a spy to gather the information. I think a spy would be the best way to find out when the best time to give him the Veritiserum would be."
"Damn, why didn't I think of that?" Harry asked himself.
"Because of the reason I said." Hermione answered. "We have no one in Slytherin who would help us."
"Wait! We don't need a Slytherin!" Serena said quickly. "We have the best spy in the world just hanging out in Hogwarts."
"You don't mean..." Harry started.
"Yup." Serena said. "Dobby."
"Dobby?" Hermione asked her. "How did you come up with that?"
"Simple. Dobby can go places without being seen. Being as he's a house elf, no one will think twice about seeing him around if they do see him, and those pureblood freaks will think that he is too stupid to understand what they say. So people will act normally around him and he will be able to get us all the information we need." Serena said happily. "If he agrees, that is."
"Well, it does sound like a good idea." Hermione said thoughtfully. "It'll serve them right too, thinking house elves are stupid."
"Right. So is that the plan?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, lets do it that way for now." Hermione said.
Harry nodded. "Dobby!" He called.
Dobby appeared with a pop. "Is Harry sir needing Dobby for something, sir?" He asked.
"I have an important mission for you, but only if you want to do it, ok?" Harry asked. Dobby nodded. "I need you to watch Draco Malfoy whenever he is not in classes. We need to know what he does, who he talks to, everything, really. This is very important to us, Dobby. Would you do it?"
"I is being happy to help, Harry sir. Is you wanting me to start right now?" Dobby asked.
"Tomorrow will be fine Dobby." Harry said. "Thank you very much, this is a great help."
"You is most welcome, Harry sir. I is being going now, unless you is needing anything else." Dobby said cheerfully.
"No, thank you, Dobby. See you later." Harry said. With the same pop that announced his presence, Dobby was gone.
"Well, say what you will about house elves," Serena started. "but never say they wont stand by their employers, help them with a spy mission, then offer to get them a drink. That's loyalty."
Harry laughed. "Yeah. Dobby is one of a kind though. Think he'll come to the States with us?"
"I hope so. I'll miss him and Winky terribly if they don't. They are almost like family to us now." Serena said.
"I know. But it is their choice." Harry said.
"Dobby will go. He'll follow us to the ends of the Earth if we asked him." Serena said. "Winky would probably go to, but I have a feeling she would be happier with Sam and Moony."
"You think that too huh?" Harry asked.
"Yeah." Serena said.
"Why don't you two talk to them about that then?" Hermione asked.
"Mione, do you remember when Winky was first fired by Crouch?" Harry asked. "She turned into a drunk. I don't want her to think we feel the same way about her as they did."
"Maybe if you talk to her about Remus and Sam, she will decide for herself." Hermione suggested.
"She's got a point, and I could work that out perfectly." Serena said.
"All right. You can handle that. I've got my own plan about the Malfoy situation though." Harry said. "Who here is willing to do whatever it takes to get to Malfoy?"
"Mate, don't even ask, just tell us." Ron said. "You know we are all ready for this."
"No more pranks." Harry said. "They have to feel secure before they'll start moving and acting freely. We need that if we're going to get our opportunity."
"Damn, I had a brilliant prank for them too." Ron said. "Alright, Harry. No pranks till we get the information."
"We also need someone to find out the Slytherin password. Moony couldn't get it this year, due to unfortunate events that happened in their last year." Harry said, smiling at the memory. "So, who's up for that?"
"I'll do it." Ginny said. "I'm the smallest, so I can hide easier than any of you under your invisibility cloak."
"Okay, that takes care of most of the important things." Harry said. "There is something left, but I guess that's up to me."
"What's that Harry?" Neville asked.
"I want to know what side Connie is on." Harry said. "I don't like the idea that Remus, McGonagall and Dumbledore don't trust him. That can only be a bad thing."
"What are we going to do about Wormtail?" Serena asked. "I mean putting him in a room that no one can leave but the few who know the password is one thing, but either we need to get the information from him, or turn him back over to the aurors."
"I know. I'm going to talk to Moony and Dumbledore about that though. If I go to a room no one knew of before, people will get suspicious and start snooping around, but if they do it then its just them doing whatever teachers do." Harry said.
"When did you get so smart?" Hermione asked jokingly.
"When I found that I had no choice but to be." Harry said seriously, though he was smiling.
"Wait a minute." Serena said. "What are the rest of us supposed to do while you two are playing spy?"
"I'm so glad you asked." Harry said. "Ron, you're job is really important. You have to find a way to get around Crabbe and Goyle without causing a scene. Something small and quiet is preferable. Use the Spellbook I made, as it has a few things that might come to your advantage."
"I'm on it, mate. You can count on me." Ron said.
"I know I can. Neville, your job may not seem important, but it is." Harry said. "I need you to find the best items needed for the potions Hermione and Serena will be making this month."
"No problem, Harry. I will pick the ingredients I can myself." Neville said.
"Thanks. That just leaves you two." Harry said. "You two are easily the best potion brewers in the school. Take the other Marauder's Spellbook and find the potions on the list I'll give you. They will play an important role in things, though I don't know when. Are you guys up to it?"
"I'm with you, love." Serena said. "At least I have a good partner for potion making. No offense, but you are a bit thick in that subject."
"Thanks." Harry said smiling.
"I'll be brewing as fast as I can." Hermione said.
"Thanks. Well we all have our jobs, we all start tomorrow. So I'm going to get some sleep. G'night." Harry said, standing and leaving the room.
"Well, anyone think this won't work?" Serena asked.
"Of course it will work." Ron said. "Harry's plans always work."
"As long as he lets us help him, I've got no doubts." Hermione said.
"Agreed." Ginny said.
"Same here." Neville said.
"Fuckin'-a right." Serena said, smiling. "I'm going to bed, sleep well you guys."
For the next month they worked on their plans. No one made a move to prank the Slytherins, and all six of them were teaching the DA new spells. It seemed by the end of the month they had a formidable army on their side, even if they were young. Many of the students received extra credit in DADA after Remus had given them the first test of their abilities.
After the month everyone decided it was time to share information. So in the common room sat Remus, Dumbledore, Harry, Serena, Ginny, Neville, Hermione, and Ron. None looked grim at this meeting, meaning everyone had found out or done something that they thought was a good step forward from before. Harry called Dobby, who appeared instantly. Harry smiled and offered him a seat.
"Okay, I'm just going to let everyone say what their doing on their own." Harry said. "It will save me trouble of telling you two what they are doing, and you five what those two are doing. Sound good?"
"Agreed." Five voices said.
"Good." Harry said. "Professor, Moony, please tell us what you have learned."
"Harry, we have no good news I'm afraid." Dumbledore said. "I can only bring you what we know."
"That is all we can ask of any of us." Harry said.
"We have found that Voldemort has built an army stronger than we thought." Dumbledore said. "At the time of the battle at Hogsmeade, that was only an eighth of his forces. He had been recruiting all over Europe as well as London in the last year. It seems that since his duel with you, he decided a stronger army was needed.
"From the things Wormtail heard from Lucius Malfoy, it seems that he has an even larger force. All this does not bode well for us, and gives us a greater threat to go against." Dumbledore said.
"Also, it seems that Wormtail had been forced to help in a number of spells that made Voldemort nearly indestructible." Remus said. "Wormtail told of his bragging that no one alive could kill him now."
"Just bloody great." Harry grumbled. "Okay, we'll work on that problem later. Slytherin's ring said I would beat him when the time was right, so I will trust that wisdom. Wait a minute, wasn't Kingsley supposed to be here too?"
"He will be along shortly. I have your fire linked to his office as well as my own for the reason of all of us communicating freely." Dumbledore said.
"Alright fine." Harry said. "On my side, I've found that Connie is hiding something. I don't know what because he is hiding it deeply and trying to rip something from his mind that's that well hidden would attract his attention. I don't know what this means, but I will assume we should be on guard with what is said around him."
"I agree, Harry." Dumbledore said. "I worry about his loyalties myself. He was never seen associating with Death Eaters, but then neither was Severus."
"Dobby, what have you learned?" Harry asked.
"Dobby is watching the young Malfoy every day like you is asking sir. He is only being alone when he is sleeping, sir. All the time he is being surrounded by friends, sir." Dobby said, looking warily as he said the word 'friends'.
"What is it Dobby?" Harry asked.
"His friends is bad, sir." Dobby said. "Dobby is remembering when they is coming with their fathers to the mansion. They is all being sons of the dark ones sir."
"I know, Dobby. Don't worry, they won't have a chance to hurt anyone." Harry said.
"Sir, I is hearing something when I is watching them. Is you wanting to hear?" Dobby asked.
"Certainly, Dobby. If you are mentioning it, I know it must be important." Harry responded.
Dobby nodded quickly. "It is, Harry sir. They is planning to hurt you and Miss Serena too. I is hearing them talk about it all the time, Harry sir." He said quickly.
Harry nodded grimly. "I see. I'll handle them Dobby. Don't worry, it will take more than a few of those gits to get us two." He said.
"They is knowing this sir." Dobby said. "They is planning to help Dark ones enter here and come for you, Harry sir. Dobby is being scared that you is going to be hurt, and your miss as well."
Harry thought for a second. "Dobby, I am going to do something. It will not hurt you at all, I promise. I need you to relax and close your eyes. I will be done in a second, and you will be in the same condition as you are now. Is this ok?"
"Yes, Harry sir." Dobby said, nodding quickly before settling back in his seat and closing his eyes.
Harry let his mind out and sorted through Dobby's mind to the plan he had heard. Harry paid careful attention to what was being said, knowing that every detail would be important. Malfoy seemed to think the plan was flawless, and bragged about how Voldemort had handed him the plan and the assignment, knowing he was the best to handle the job. When Harry had heard everything he slipped out of Dobby's mind.
"Thank you Dobby." Harry said. "Well, it seems our problems are a bit bigger than we expected. However, this can work to our advantage if we play it just right."
"What do you mean, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"Lets just say, we are going to be hit hard. However, if we play this just right, we can take up to half of Voldemort's forces in a single battle." Harry said.
"That would be quite a feat." Dumbledore said. "What is your plan?"
"I don't have one just yet, but its starting to come to me." Harry said. "First we need to do something interesting. I now have names of a hundred Death Eaters, and their accounts should be frozen, as well as anyone associating with them. I think its time for my advisory role to come into play again."
"Well, then let us hear what has been happening with you five while we await Kingsley." Dumbledore said.
"Ginny and Ron's news won't affect you two, its just something to help us." Harry said, winking at Ginny. "Someone has to keep up on planning pranks for us. Hermione, why don't you inform everyone what was going on with you, Serena and Neville."
"Well, we have been brewing defensive potions in large amounts." Hermione said. "We have little more than half of the potions you requested Harry. Some we can't brew without special items that we can't get unless we ask Snape or go to an apothecary. Here is a list of what we need. I'm sure you can find a way to get the stuff for us." She finished handing him the list.
"Alright, we'll get Kingsley to find this stuff for us." Harry said. "I'm sure he'd be more than happy to help."
"I believe you may be right about that Harry." Dumbledore said, smiling.
"I believe so as well." Kingsley said, stepping out of the fire. "Sorry I'm late, Ministry business of course. What can I do to help?"
"Well, you can have your aurors ready to help us as soon as you get word that help is needed for one." Harry said. "And you can get us these items." He added, handing him the list.
"Done." Kingsley said. "I will deliver them personally tomorrow night. The aurors are at your side, all you have to do is say the word. You know this already."
"I know." Harry said. "Now for the interesting part." Harry said. Pulling out his Marauder's quill he laid it on a blank parchment, saying, "I solemnly swear I am no good." Quickly the quill wrote a hundred names on the parchment, which Harry handed to Kingsley.
"What is this?" Kingsley asked.
"That is a list of a hundred confirmed Death Eaters. It is time to show the wizarding world how caring you are, Kingsley." Harry said, smiling.
"What do you want me to do?" Kingsley asked.
"First you will freeze their accounts. Take all the money from the accounts frozen from the time you were elected Minister to now, and create orphanages, scholarships, and places to help all those who's lives were affected by Voldemort and his servants. Also use some of the money to provide wolfs bane potion to werewolves who cannot afford to buy it. This will help us in many ways, as well as piss off the Death Eaters." Harry said smiling. "Also seize their homes, just for a bit of fun. Make sure that they know if you are a Death Eater, you will not live rich and comfortable, but be destitute and miserable."
"I like this plan of action. How will I say this information was gained though?" Kingsley asked.
"Tell any who need to know that a spy was placed in the Death Eater ranks, and this was the first bit of information you received." Harry said. "It's not entirely untrue after all."
"I like it. Now what is that you will need the aurors for?" Kingsley asked.
"An attack on the school, but do not let that out. Only tell them to be ready to act on a moments notice. Use the new names as your excuse." Harry said.
"What do you have in mind for this attack, Harry?" Dumbledore said.
"Well, the school has an efficient army, though I wish they had more time to train." Harry said. "With the potions Serena and Hermione are brewing, their defense and speed will be stronger. So we have almost two hundred strong fighters with us. That does not count the teachers who will be asked to help. But what we really need is something to help make the Death Eaters happy to come and attack."
"What is it that you have in mind, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"I'm sorry sir, but you are going to die." Harry said.