20 Allies

Seamus was in the middle of a first class roast beef dinner when the howler came.

"Seamus Finnegan report to the Headmistress immediately!" It shouted and promptly exploded.

"They're not supposed to do that," said a puzzled Neville Longbottom.

Finnegan made his way to the Head's office. Crabbe and Goyle were standing there looking somewhat befuddled. McGonagall was often perceived as austere but now she was looking downright imperious. "You two boys are going to volunteer to guard vulnerable patients at Saint Mungo's or face summary expulsion and a charge of assault against Mr. Finnegan. Mr. Zabini will join you when he's fully recovered unless he wants to explain what he was doing showing a wand to Muggles." She glared at the pensieve. "Failing that, I'll set the Dursley boy on you again."

Seamus's mouth dropped in surprise.

The two bullies nodded their assent dumbly and shuffled out.

McGonagall's glare slowly turned to a wicked smile. Seamus flinched involuntarily.

"Yes, Mr. Finnegan, I know what you've been up to even without these pensieve memories. I hope you don't mind my sending one of the Dursleys to your aid. "

Seamus said nothing.

"I take it we are in agreement then that it's fitting for one of the Dursleys to help in the Potter cause." She slid her glasses to the end of her nose. "Might I take your order," she said stiffly, her forefinger pointing at him like a pistol. "You need to work on your American accent."

Seamus's face fell. He had been outmaneuvered by the Headmistress from the beginning. She looked at him kindly. "The Potters of the world need you. Someone working discreetly behind the scenes for them. Someone who can organize and rally frightened children to fend for themselves. Someone who helped the brightest witch of her age invent a certain sieve and saw to it that it's named after her. Then using Granger's Sieve to enhance a wand and disguising it as an artifice for testing spells no less. You don't have to be the best at wizarding to serve well Mr. Finnegan, but we can work on that, too. Students like you are sometimes the only thing that keeps me standing some days. Even the mighty Albus Dumbledore felt the same way. I'm proud of you."

Seamus turned bright red.

"Seamus, your talent for getting things done is needed beyond Hogwarts. For some reason Cornelius Fudge is most insistent that you join the Ministry. You'd think he was still Minister. I've secured you a position there, if you'll take it."

She looked at him sternly.

"You mean like Crabbe and Goyle?"

"No, this internship is strictly voluntary, Mr. Finnegan. I imagine an enterprising young man such as yourself could find limitless opportunities. We can't be sure Voldemort is truly gone and we need people on watch, especially inside the current regime."

"So what you're saying then ma'am is that you need an inside man at the Ministry?"

"Oh heavens no." McGonagall put her hand to her chest, her eyes glinting.

"Only if Dean Thomas joins me." Seamus said suddenly.

"Your loyalty to your friends is admirable, Mr. Finnegan, but you are in no position to bargain."

"Am I now?" Said Seamus expectantly, "Dean's stuck by me since we were children and he deserves this. I'll have no one else watching my back at the Ministry."

An owl flew onto Minerva McGonagall's desk. She took the parchment and read it. For the first time he'd seen in seven years she looked slightly perplexed.

"It seems the same opportunity has been extended to Mr. Thomas as well."

Seamus grinned mischievously.

"Right then, I'll be sure and keep you informed of my progress at the internship." Seamus winked and turned toward the door.

"One moment," McGonagall flicked her wand. Seamus's robes split and at least a dozen wands spilled onto the rich carpet.

"I was going to return them to Olivander's. The Death Eaters won't be needing them."

"I'm sure Mr. Olivander will appreciate that when he returns. You and a certain witch weren't going to run them through a sieve were you?"

"Well ma'am, maybe it's best to set them aside for students without any galleons, better than no wand at all I suppose."

"If they are a good match, perhaps; except that one on the end." The headmistress said, zapping it with her wand. Seamus looked at the spot where his black phoenix wand had been. "It was beyond redemption. Have Miss Granger check the remainder out, under Professor Flitwick's supervision of course. At least you didn't waste them on Slughorn."

"Professor Slughorn, Professor," Seamus grinned, "and he drives a hard bargain."

"Prudent of you Mr. Finnegan. You may go." McGonagall said dryly.

Seamus was halfway down the corridor when the headmistress summoned him back. Seamus was worried that maybe she may have been toying with him. Did she really know about all the other things he'd done? He put his head in the door.

McGonagall peered at him through her spectacles and held up a scroll.

"You forgot your letter to the Ministry. Oh and Seamus, don't give up on Miss Patil."

Harry recovered slowly. Madam Pomfrey allowed him out when the weather was warm. He always went to the lake. Ministry Aurors, The Order, a few old DA members and a professor or two would be watching from a distance when he walked around the lake. Minerva McGonagall had trebled the wards and added many of the safeguards she'd divined from Grimmauld Place. No one trusted them.

Harry lost himself in the perfect afternoon. He'd be well enough to travel soon. He wanted to remember his home as fondly as possible. His feelings about the school were stronger than trolls, basilisks, Umbridge, dragons, and Malfoy. He knew every time he did a kind thing, a brave thing, the right thing, he was really showing his loyalty to Sirius and Dumbledore.

A shadow crossed his brow. Ginny Weasley sat beside him.

"Don't turn me away, Harry Potter. Not after you've fought the most powerful Dark Wizard in a century to a standstill. I won't be denied again. I've killed for you, Harry. I will again if I must. I killed the Death Eater that got past Moody at Godric's Hollow. Well, thought he got past Moody. I've been with you every time you've left these grounds. I'll take the risks with or without your blessing."

"How did you--, No, I don't want to know." Harry stumbled.

"A lot of people are behind you including me. Seamus spent months readying the black phoenix feather wand that you nearly killed Voldemort with. And believe it or not, your cousin Dudley was the one that royally trashed Crabbe, Goyle and Blaise after they beat up Seamus and stole the wand. He made a big show of things but he did it for you."

Harry stared at her in disbelief. "Dudley?"

"Hermione was awake for three days straight brewing potions after you got her the snake essence. Ron conjured up the bludger disguise and got our brothers to round up anything she needed. Neville grew the rest in a protected corner of the forbidden forest."

"I have to kill him, Ginny."

"You don't have to do it alone. He's possessed me in a way he never did with you. I know Madam Pomfrey and Dumbledore both said there were no lasting effects but I know how he thinks. I can help you find him."

Harry was moved. He'd never thought the little girl who dropped dishes would one day drop Death Eaters because of him.

"Ginny, when this is over--"

"Don't say it Harry. We share the good and the bad together or we have nothing. Don't shortchange me by giving me only half."

"I've no right to ask, but I won't stop you from following me."

"You haven't so far."