Disclaimer: I own no part of Harry Potter or its associated canon nor, any other already copyrighted material.

(A/N):

Chapter 31

Dedication

"You can't serious!"

"Perfectly."

"But this is insane."

"Perhaps. But it must be done."

"When you made me promise to do this if asked, I didn't think you would actually want me to!"

"But you did promise."

"I… I…" Minister Fudge was groping for words to combat Harry's statement, but he had given his word. While Harry waited for the man to find a response, he glanced at the Headmistress sitting stock still behind her desk, fingers steepled before her. She wasn't arguing with him, but that didn't mean he had her support. Harry had been right, they weren't happy with his idea.

McGonagall had accented to his written request and set up this meeting for Wednesday afternoon with the Minister. He idly wondered if she would have been so accommodating if she had known his intent was to ask Fudge and the rest of the Ministry to leave. After finding out that fake Aurors, claiming to have been on assignment during the raid on the Ministry, had been responsible for the attack and that no other Ministry employees had so much as kept an eye on the new arrivals, there had been a general annoyance bordering on outrage from the students and faculty. Harry so far had resisted taking sides and the Minister, in an incredible demonstration of how substantially he'd changed, offered a public apology at dinner and promised to do better. It had quieted the school and rumblings for them to be shown the door quickly died.

Harry was sure that was one of the main reasons the man was so taken aback by his sudden request. After speaking with Ron, they had both agreed that a large group of people, basically unregulated, running through the school was too big a risk to take right now and that getting rid of them was the safest course of action. He hadn't expected Fudge to just nod his head and leave; in fact, he was counting on the argument that was ensuing.

"But the Aurors! Even you can't argue the school isn't safer with them here!" Harry nodded. He had expected the man to keep this, perhaps his strongest, play until later, but then again, Fudge wasn't known for his tactical proficiency.

"They are a help and that's why a few will stay behind. Just the original group assigned here at the beginning of the year."

"But…that's only twenty of them!" Harry waited a moment and glanced to McGonagall who still hadn't spoken. Her eyes were moving back and forth between them, letting the pair fight it out.

"That's even a risk. How many of them do you know you can trust completely?" Fudge hesitated and Harry knew he was mentally going over each and every employee, trying to pick out the ones he knew for a fact were trustworthy. After a moment he gave up in despair. "Exactly."

"So…what would you have us do?" Harry was again surprised at how fast the battle had gotten to this point. Could it be they trusted him more than he thought? Or were they just that easy to lead?

"Hide. Send them home to spend some time with there families. Just disappear for a little while. That way, when this is over, the ministry can come back relatively quickly." Fudge considered this for a moment, clearly not liking the idea of running away.

"But what about the school? You said Hogwarts will be attacked next."

"Yes. But other than the Aurors, how many of them can really fight?" Harry knew from his experience counter attacking the ministry, that the answer was basically no one. Fudge knew it too and could muster no counter. "When the time comes, they will be welcome to join the battle." The Minister was suddenly interested in how that would come to pass and Harry noticed a cocked eyebrow that told him McGonagall had an inkling what he was doing. He confirmed the suspicion a moment later when he pulled a small bag from his pocket. "Here."

Fudge took the bag and opened it slowly. Reaching in he pulled out a small bronze emblem in the form a book with a stylized 'H' on the cover that Ginny had helped him create out of knuts just the day before. The minister looked at the object quizzically, turning it over slowly in his hands. "What…uh what is it?"

"A way to contact people when the battle begins. When the master is activated, these will each vibrate and then display the message that the school is under attack and where they should apperate to." The minister stared at the small books, surprised. "I want you to hand them out to the Aurors you think you can trust as they leave, one at a time. Don't tell them their real use, just in case. Say they're for identification should the school request they return or something." Fudge stared at the object a moment longer before returning it to the bag and sticking the whole thing in his pocket. When his eyes rose again, Harry could see the resigned acceptance in them.

"Very well… When would you like us to leave?"

"As you see fit, though I would like every one but the Aurors who are staying gone by the middle of next week." Fudge nodded slowly, his eyes drifting and his thoughts followed. After a few moments they refocused.

"Well…if there's nothing else?"

"Thank you sir."

"Thank you Mr. Potter. Now…I have some employees to let go." With a last respectful nod to Harry and then the Headmistress, he turned and paced slowly out the door. Harry took a deep breath after he had gone, thankful that part of the fight was over. He had only a moment to wait though before the next, and in many ways more important, part of it began.

"Was that really necessary? He did apologize." Harry turned to find the Headmistress staring at him. He nodded slowly in response to her question.

"Yes…yes it was."

"Why?"

"It was too dangerous to let them stay and risk a repeat of what happened to Slughorn."

"That was one mistake. It won't happen again. Besides, you said yourself that V-Voldemort will attack here next. Don't we need every person we can find to help?"

"Yes. Which is why I gave them the books."

"But without them here…we're weaker and more vulnerable…" She paused for a moment, her eyes widening. "…to attack…" Her eyes narrowed again as she stared at him. He waited for a moment as realization crossed her face. He just caught a wry grin tugging at he corners of her mouth. "Very well Mr. Potter. Was there anything else you wished to discuss."

"No Headmistress. Thank you." She nodded as he turned and headed out.

Pausing as the Gargoyle jumped back into place, Harry let out a long sigh. It was done. There was no turning back now. He checked over his growing collection of objects and tools that he was carrying at all times these days. Each was a massive step up in both necessity and importance from the books and quills he had had to keep track of his first year.

First year seemed like a lifetime and a half ago and Harry felt he could hardly relate himself to the timid, naive sliver of a boy that had first walked through the doors six and a half years ago. But after all this time, some things hadn't changed. He still loved the world he had known nothing about for over half his life and he still had a score to settle with the man that had taken it from him. According to the prophecy, Tom had marked him as his equal, but that didn't mean they were the same. And now, it all came down to whether Harry could pull it off.

He was so caught up in his musings, that he didn't notice the two people silently stalking him until they were almost on him. Whipping around, he drew his wand, ready to do something unpleasant. "Whoa! Watch it! You'll put someone's eye out." Harry chuckled a little as he found the twins standing there with outraged looks on their faces. They broke a second later into wide grins as he returned his wand to its sheath.

"Hey guys! Just a second." He stepped to the nearest door and pushed it open. Finding the classroom empty he gestured them in. After closing the door behind them he drew his wand and dropped a silencing charm over the room. "When'd you get here?"

"Just a few minutes ago. We were looking at Zonko's again and decided to stop by Honeydukes." Harry knew they meant the basement rather than the shop proper. "We actually just came from visiting mum and dad."

"Yeah. She said to thank you for Percy and that she understands you did what you had to do, so don't worry about it. Thanks from us too. He's annoying to have as a brother, but mum'd crack if she lost him." A weight he hadn't really known was there lifted off his shoulders at hearing Molly's thanks despite what he had done. Harry nodded slowly in thanks for the message and acknowledgement of theirs.

"So…how's it going?" The sudden severity of his gaze told them this was far more than a cursory inquiry. Their eyes similarly focused as they considered the question.

"Good so far."

"I think we'll have it all ready in time."

"Good. Time's the one thing I think we're running out of." They each looked a little solemn for a moment before the usual joking countenance flared back to life in the twins.

"So, you keeping out of trouble Harry?" Harry gave a rye chuckle at the idea.

"Haven't had time to get into trouble. I'm sort of being good by default."

"Well…good. We'd hate to think out little sister was going out with a troublemaker." Harry cocked an eyebrow at what was possibly the most ludicrous thing they had ever said. And considering the twins, that was saying something. They were both looking dead serious though as Fred continued for his brother.

"That's right. We'd really like her to settle down with a nice, respectable wizard who can take care of her. I mean, sure, we're making galleons hand over fist at the joke shop-"

"Which our silent partner will, of course, share in."

"Right. But still… Say…you wouldn't know any available guys like that, would you?" Harry couldn't help but lock his jaw and play along. The double crazy ideas that they might actually want that type of person for their sister and that Ginny needed to be 'taken care of' made it hard not to laugh.

"Not off hand, but I'll keep my eye open." The twins finally cracked a smile as he responded. Harry smiled again, remembering the earlier days of his time at Hogwarts joking with these two in a common room or over dinner. The triumphs and failures they had shared on the Quiddich pitch and the Map they had given him that made so much of what he had subsequently done possible. For the last though, they were the messengers. It had been his father and fellow Marauders that had unwittingly created one of the most powerful tools in Harry's possession.

The twins had to leave almost immediately to return to their mission. Harry almost wished they could have stayed a few minutes more, but they had to be gone before anyone found them. Wishing them well, he continued back on his previous course to the Defense classroom. He had arranged with Professor Keystone to move their sword practice back a little so he could have the meeting. Since it had ended early, he would be just about on time.

Rounding the corner and approaching the door, he heard the sounds of fighting once again emanating from the room. Expecting that the professor was practicing against himself again, Harry set a hand on his wand but did not draw. He still took the last few steps slowly, just in case it wasn't training. Glancing around the edge of the door, he found what appeared to be practice, but Keystone wasn't alone and he wasn't dueling his friends.

Across the dais from the professor, Remus Lupin was moving furiously, obviously sparing with all he had. The incredible thing was, Harry's current Defense teacher looked to be fighting just as hard as his former one. Like a finely honed dance, they went back and forth, parry, block, riposte, attack. It took Harry a moment to get over his surprise and realize that Lupin was matching the champion duelist blow for blow, neither gaining a clear advantage. Letting his hand fall from his own wand, he stepped in slowly, watching them go. After only another minute more they came to a mutual stop, pausing for a moment before they both nodded and turned to Harry.

"Mr. Potter."

"Harry! Afternoon."

"Professor, Remus." Harry's eyes jumped between the two before settling on Lupin, surprise obvious in his gaze. He just noticed Keystone bowing himself away and heading into his office. Harry stared at the older man for a moment. "How…?" Lupin's face turned just a little sheepish with a touch of sadness.

"I'm a werewolf Harry. I've had to learn how to protect myself from those who were less accepting of me." Harry nodded slowly in comprehension as the man continued. "I was here visiting Nymphadora and she mentioned just how skilled your professor is at dueling. I stopped by to visit, checking up on what was teaching my old students and all that, and he offered a chance to practice. I couldn't pass such a rare opportunity up." Harry nodded again. His eyes traced the man's hands as he put the coat of his suit back on and slid his wand into an inner pocket. As he straightened the lapels, Harry noticed a glint of gold on his left hand. Having already seen its match, he knew what it was instantly.

Lupin noticed his focused scrutiny and held up his hand for a better view, staring at the ring with a slightly quizzical expression himself. "Nymphadora said you noticed her ring. It may not be binding in the magical world, but it is a step closer."

"Congratulations."

"Thanks." Lupin's eyes slid off to the side and Harry could tell he was thinking of Tonks. After a moment of reverie they refocused on him. "So…Alex tells me you've been training quite a bit."

"Oh…yeah. Got to be ready."

"Well…I'll let you get to that." He stepped off the dais and headed for the door. As he passed Harry, his hand again went to his foster son/godson's shoulder. "I won't pretend to know what you've gone through Harry, or the minds of those who've died to protect you. But I know each of them, your parents, Sirius and Albus…they're proud of you. You've come so far and done so much."

"Thanks." With a slow nod, Lupin continued out the door, turning to head down the hall. Harry watched him go and stared past the open doors for a moment. Raising his hand, he pushed them closed and turned back to the dais to find Professor Keystone waiting, the sword of Godric Gryffindor in his hands. Only this time, the blade was encased in a long leather scabbard with a matching belt.

"I had Brian make this and owl it over. Thought it might be helpful." Harry approached slowly, taking the fine piece of leather work into his hands. Along the deeply tanned hide that encased the raw steel of the sword, scroll was worked lightly in gold filigree highlighted with traces of red enamel. He at first assumed the intricately created 'H' near the metal edged top was for Hogwarts…until he saw the equally intricate 'P' set in behind it. Neither was particularly conspicuous at a casual glance, but up close they were impossible to miss. The back side and attached belt were worked in less intricate scroll that just barely shone from the leather. "It's been a while since he worked in leather, but I think the results speak for themselves." Harry couldn't agree more as he looked over the piece once again.

"This is…thank you." Harry wasn't exactly sure how to respond. He had received incredible gifts before, his father's cloak, Dumbledore's pensieve, but this was so unlike those it truly shocked him. The professor seemed to understand and the couple words were all the thanks he needed.

"You're welcome. Now…try it on." Harry nodded slowly and pushed back his robe to strap the belt around his waist. He fumbled a bit having never put on a belt with a rather heavy weight attached to one side. Once he figured out to get the sword positioned and hold the rest tight though, it went on easily. Held straight the tip of the blade didn't quite reach his ankle. Letting it go, the grip rolled a little forward, pivoting against his thigh. He glanced up to notice Keystone nodding. Apparently he had done it correctly.

"Good…now draw." Having always started with the sword out, this gave him more trouble. Grabbing the grip, he pulled roughly at the sword. Instead of sliding smoothly out as Keystone's did, it pulled the scabbard with it for a second before releasing and stuttering out. "Again. This time, hold onto the scabbard with your other hand." Harry did and the draw was smoother this dim, the high pitched tone of metal on metal nearly continuous as the blade emerged. "Better. Again."

For hours he drew the blade over and over, trying a variety of different stances and angles to make it as smooth and useful as possible. As he repeated the move over and over, the professor had him incorporate different moves. Some draws turned into blocks, others into rising strikes and a few into feints that were followed by a spell. Having to draw doubled the difficulty of his training, but also made it far more realistic.

As the afternoon wore on into early evening, Harry could feel himself losing focus. He tried to keep himself in the here and now, but the thought of what would happen when he had to do this in anger lingered in his mind. He received a sharp wake up call when he felt cold steel against his neck. The flat of Keystone's blade. Had this been a real, that would have been his head. He gulped loudly and met the professor's eyes as the man held the steel just below his jaw.

"Something on your mind? A pressing engagement perhaps?" Harry flushed at the tone, embarrassment fighting anger for having lost his focus.

"Sorry. I was thinking about my friends…"

"Well. You're dead now so I'm sure that will please them." The fierceness of his tone combined with the sudden withdrawal of his blade felt like a slap to Harry's face. The professor turned away and let his sword spin freely in his hand for a few moments. Harry felt a wave of rage rush through his system at his own actions. Pushing it down firmly, his eyes refocused as the professor spoke again, this time as he did when lecturing the class. "When a warrior fights, his only concern must be the total destruction of his opponent be it the lord god or Merlin himself, this is the way to win." Keystone waited another moment, sheathing his blade, before turning back. "Do you understand?"

Harry could tell it was more than a simple yes or no question. He was being asked right here, right now if he could do this or if this was the last day of training. "I understand."

"Good. Then defend yourself!" The professor drew in a blink and slashed toward Harry. Godric's sword rose, responding to Harry's arm rather than the other way around, to block.

As Harry had thought, the news that the Ministry had been asked to leave the school found its way into the Prophet. The thing he hadn't counted on was how long it had taken. It was Wednesday morning and the officials had only just finished moving out by the time the story hit the front page. He read the other upside down headlines over his breakfast as Hermione paged through the paper. Having finally completed all the meetings he wanted to with his appearance at the previous evening's DA meeting, Harry was hungry for news from the outside world.

Ginny sat beside him, idly flipping through a copy of Witch Weekly and laughing occasionally at the articles. Harry wasn't curious enough to risk asking what she found funny. Ron sat next to Hermione, as usual wolfing down food. It was amazing how thin he was for the amount he ate, but considering his height, his frame could hide a lot easily. For all the lightness in a Hogwarts breakfast, it was hard to believe the darkest time in wizarding history was happening right now.

Harry was pulled form his contemplations as Hermione folded the paper back and spun it around so he could read, her finger tapping a small headline on the last page. Barley a hundred words were dedicated to the story which was jammed into the inside corner near an add for stones that repelling Death Eaters. His eyes whipped across the print. "Inhabitants of hamlet vanish." Rapidly scanning the text he found that over five hundred muggles, the entire population of a small town to the west of London, had disappeared over the weekend. No wizards or witches had been taken though, so the happening was of low importance.

Harry glanced up and could see the same thought in Hermione's eyes. Waiting only a moment, he mouthed the word 'Inferi." She nodded slowly and swallowed hard. Ginny noticed the silent transaction and leaned closer. After reading the story, she came to the same conclusion. Hermione leaned over and explained to Ron, cautioning him against saying it out loud. He still almost did before catching himself. So…Tom had just added significantly to his army. His forces were massing and it was only a matter of time.

Rising from their seat, the quartet headed off to their classes. While Ginny broke off to head for her Transfiguration class, the trio continued deeper into the school for their potions lesson with Professor Montoya. As they neared the classroom a few minutes early, Tonks dashed up to the trio and slid haphazardly to a halt, Only Ron and Harry's lightning fast assistance keeping her from falling. Regaining her footing with their help, she went from embarrassed to panic again in a split second.

"Harry! We need you up at the entrance!" Harry hesitated for a moment, wondering if this was the long awaited attack. She obviously made out the question in his gaze. "Not Him, but…come on!"

"Okay…"

"Harry…you want us to come with you?" He shook his head.

"No sense all of us being late. Let the professor know would you?"

"Sure."

"Thanks." Turning, he followed Tonks at a quick walk as she nearly ran back to the entrance. Still not entirely sure what he was to expect, his hand tentatively rested on his wand. Climbing the last staircase two steps at a time he emerged into the large entry way and found four Aurors waiting, pointing their wands at the door which still stood closed. Tonks rushed to join them as she drew her wand. Harry glanced around, wondering what the hell was going on. He followed her furious gesture and moved to stand behind her, looking quizzically over her shoulder at the door. "Uh…what's going on?" One of the Aurors standing off to the side answered him.

"One of You-Know-Who's followers just walked up to the gate and surrendered." Harry didn't know whether to laugh because this was someone's sick idea of a practical joke or draw his wand.

"One of Voldemort's followers…surrendered?"

"Yes. On the condition she be allowed to speak to you."

"Wait…she?"

"Yes. It's-" He never found out what the man was going to say as the doors began to fold open at that instant. As they did and Harry's eyes adjusted to the bright sunshine, he made out a ring of three figures walking slowly with wands drawn, all pointing at a fourth. It was indeed a woman walking proudly despite now being surrounded by seven highly trained Aurors. It took a minute for him to work out who she was, but after a moment and figuring in the added year, he discovered with a shock that it was Pansy Parkinson.

He stared at her in surprise as her eyes scanned around the room searching each face. They flicked to his forehead and ran back down over him, a slight sneer on her lips. One of the Aurors that had acted as an escort spoke from behind her. "Okay…he's here. Now talk." Harry glanced at the man, slightly annoyed that he was being used once again as a pawn. He stepped past the line of Aurors and waited. Pansy stared at him before her eyes flashed back to the Auror.

"Alone." The Aurors all tensed at the demand and Harry knew they were about to object. Forestalling them, he stepped forward and held out his hand.

"Your wand. Or we talk here." She seemed at first slightly surprised he would speak in the place of what she must have assumed were his Auror baby sitters, but running a second glance over him, reached into her robes and drew the wand. He accepted it carefully and handed it to Tonks. He glanced around at the others. "Seven Aurors for one witch without her wand? Surely you have other duties to fulfill. Two will suffice. Tonks, choose one." Pansy looked truly surprised as the Aurors obeyed. Tonks choose her second and waited for Harry. "Follow me." Without checking if she had complied, he turned back toward the stairs and headed down a flight.

Making a right turn he found the first unused room available. Desks and chairs were stacked around the edges and the layer of dust told him no one had been here for a while. Taking one of the chairs, he placed it on one end of the open space in the middle of the room and gestured to it. As she reluctantly took a seat, he stepped to the other side and glanced to the door. "Wait outside." Tonks nodded and pulled the door shut. Drawing his wand, he dropped a silencing ward around the room and locked the door. Leaning back against one of the stacked desks, he stuck his wand back up his sleeve. "Why are you here?"

She hesitated for a moment before reaching slowly into her robed and pulling out a small crystal phial with a black stopper. "To give you this." She held it out and he stepped closer to take it before stepping back again. It held no trace of dark magic, or any magic for that matter, and seemed to be merely a phial of some crystal blue liquid. Tipping it to the side he could tell it was just a little thinner than honey in consistency. Setting it to the side, he turned back to her.

"What is it?"

"Anti-venom."

"For what?"

"Nagini's bite." Harry's eyes popped open wide. A hundred questions shot through his mind, not the least of which he asked.

"Where did you get it?"

"Professor Snape. I overheard him telling Draco about it. And then…I stole it." Harry glanced down the phial resting calmly on the upturned desk. His scrutiny returned to the witch sitting across the space.

"Why?"

"Because the Dark Lord treats his followers worse than his victims and this is my vengeance."

"What did he do to you?"

"Nothing. Yet. Though now he will surely kill me for betraying him." Harry waited for a moment and gestured for her to continue. Her gaze finally broke from him and slid off to the side in a look that Harry would almost call pained. "He killed Draco's parents. Lucius killed Narcissa and then turned his wand on his own son. Snape killed him to save Draco's life." She returned her eyes to his a moment later, just giving him time to fake surprise. "That's why." Harry could see a hint of compassion cross her face but it quickly disappeared.

"How am I supposed to trust you? You march up to the gates, demand to see me and then hand me what you claim is the antidote to the venom of Voldemort's pet snake. In exchange for what? Leniency when we win?" He noticed in passing that she had also flinched at the name. She shook her head slowly.

"No. I don't want your…mercy." Her mouth twisted in a sneer at the word. "I'm doing this because it's the only way to save Draco from the sins of his father. Unless you defeat the Dark Lord, he's doomed to walk Lucius' path as the right hand man of a murderous, maniacal half-blood." She paused for a moment and pain did cross her eyes. "You ay not believe it, but Slytherins are capable of caring about other people. We just don't flaunt it like the rest of you." Harry wished for a moment he had learned legilimency so he would know if his instincts were right that she was telling the truth.

After a moment he picked up the phial and placed it carefully inside his robes. "Why ever you did it, thank you." He gestured to the door which pulled open. Noticing the door, Tonks and her second stepped in and waited. "Hold her for an hour to make sure it's not polyjuice…then find her a room left over from Christmas. Ward, guards, the whole bit."

"Did she tell you anything?" Tonks cut her eyes at the man, annoyed he had spoken out of turn. Harry shook his head.

"Nothing I didn't already know." To his surprise, the Auror drew his wand with a flourish.

"There are ways of making her talk." Pansy, who had been following their interaction, didn't flinch at this. Apparently she had resigned herself to whatever happened now that her mission was complete. Harry fiercely shook his head.

"No. Anyone touches her, they answer to me." The Auror rapidly sheathed his wand and stepped back at the intensity of Harry's gaze. He turned back to Pansy. "You'll get your wand back once this is all over. My advice? Stay in your room and wait. Study if you want. You missed a lot of school." Dropping the silencing ward he headed out the door and nearly ran into McGonagall.

"Mr. Potter! What's going on?"

"Pansy Parkinson just surrendered and will be our guest for the duration. Talk to her if you wish. She won't tell you anything." He hesitated for a moment. "I'm sorry. I have to get to class." She nodded as he turned away and headed into the room. Harry made his way back along the corridor to the potions classroom. Stepping in, he joined Ron and Hermione who were already hard at work.

"Mr. Potter, you're just in time to start working on your blood restoring potion. We'll speak after class." He nodded slowly as Professor Montoya walked by and began flipping through his book. Hermione was the first to ask.

"So…what was it?" Harry wasn't exactly sure what to say.

"You'll never believe this."

(A/N): If you feel it is warranted feel free to review. I welcome any and all opinions.