::Author Note:: This covers the rest of the month of July, aside from Harry and Neville's birthday. That will be in the next chapter. Things start to move a bit.

===xxx===xx

The next morning the mostly dressed teens were gathered in the kitchen having breakfast and talking about things they had planned to do. Harry was cooking once he had explained to Dobby and Kreacher that he actually enjoyed doing that they backed off.

Neville and Lavender were happily together it seemed as she was sitting in his lap with her arms around his neck, her head on his shoulder with a large grin.

"If you were a cat Lavender I swear you'd be purring." Hermione teased.

"Oh yeah indeed." She said making purring noises.

Dobby popped in, "Mr Wolfman is in the floo wanting to know if he can come through."
"Yeah sure Dobby. Tell him we're in the kitchen."
Dobby popped out.

Lavender tugged at her shirt which barely covered her knicker clad bottom as she sprung up.

Hermione chuckled, "Relax Lav. We're all covered."
"Yeah but he's a professor and I just." She lamented nervously. "Well I'm not used to this."
Neville patted her bottom, "Well you've got nothing to be ashamed of."

"You've certainly adopted the motto quick enough." Harry laughed.

"Why not?" Neville agreed as Lavender sighed and sat back down.

Lupin came in looking at the teens in surprise. Harry was in his boxers and a T shirt, Luna was wearing just his Quidditch jersey and Hermione was wearing a robe and knickers. Neville seemed to be the most dressed as he had his trousers and shirt on.

"Oh uh. Well I'm sorry. I hope I'm not intruding."

"No Professor. The orgy was last night." Luna enthused as Harry put her plate in front of her.

Hermione sighed, "Not helping Luna. Come in Professor. We're all covered but we can get some clothes on if you want."

"Uh no. I guess if you're comfortable. I was hoping to talk to Harry for a moment. I was thinking about something and wanted to talk to him about it before he uh. Well there are certain things I wanted to tell him."

Luna chewed on her pancake a moment before saying, "You wanted to tell him you like boys?"
Remus looked at her curiously for a moment before saying, "Uh how could you tell?"

Hermione sighed, "Because you and Uncle Paul have been looking at each other like you've got some big secret history and Paul is about as gay as a parade float." Hermione said thanking Harry for her plate.

Remus blinked several times before sighing in relief this time, "Oh yes well. I suppose that makes this a bit easier. And uh none of you are upset by it?"
Neville shrugged, "You're not going to hit on me or anything are you?"

Remus frowned, "No I am not. You're off the table for a multitude of reasons Mr Longbottom."

"Oh. In that case then that's alright."

"Really sir. I agree with Neville." Harry said. "Do you want some breakfast?"

"Yes please. You're all taking this very well."
"After associating with Uncle Paul and some of his friends you kinda just get used to it." Hermione said absently.

"Yes. Well uh then I suppose you won't be upset when I tell you about Sirius and I?"
Harry froze for a moment then finished sliding the sausages onto Neville's plate. "As long as you do NOT tell me any details of your involvement with him I'll be fine."

Remus laughed, "No no details. However well Sirius was a bit of a wild man. He played the field quite a bit on both sides of the fence. Knowing him back in school was quite an experience. It was like he had this roguish charm and exuded just sheer sexual energy. The girls wanted him and the guys wanted to be him. Especially if you asked him." Remus looked like he was fondly remembering something.

"He did allude to a few things in his past when we talked some." Harry smiled handing Lavender her plate before he made one for Professor Lupin and himself.

"Oh yes. While your father only had eyes for Lily, Sirius had eyes for anything in a skirt, or a kilt, or trousers. Lily was among the few females immune to Sirius' charms though. We thought that she might be an ice queen that would never melt however when your father grew mature and responsible enough to catch her eye that was another story altogether." Remus chuckled at some random memory.
"So you and Sirius had a fling. How did it end?" Lavender asked.

Remus' face had a cloud pass over it as his expression lost some of the fond memories. "Ah yes. Well I found out that they thought I was the traitor so they did not entrust me to be secret keeper or to even know the secret once they went into hiding. When Sirius and I made up before he." Remus paused to clear his throat. "Well when we made up he told me that Pettigrew was the one who had convinced James and Lily not to trust me. Not to make me the secret keeper. For some reason James decided on the joke that Sirius would act like he was the secret keeper and it would accidentally get slipped he was, so they could know who the leak was by who went after him." Remus looked troubled as he stared into the memories of the past.

"Unfortunately I did not know that back then. We all trusted Peter. He was one of the gang. Smiling and laughing and joining in the jokes. Sirius fought for me but James over ruled him. With a great reluctance I will say Sirius told me. Your father was a good man Harry. He did not exclude me without cause. Many of. Many of my kind flocked to the dark banner in hopes of lording over those who had oppressed them. Who had excluded them and called them monsters for so long they became monsters."

The room remained silent for several long moments before Remus sighed and continued speaking, "So yes. Well. I wanted to warn you before you went looking through Sirius' things that uh. You may find certain letters and other things from his past."

"Are you trying to tell me that Sirius was not a perfect saint?" Harry looked at Remus with a sad smile.

"Well yes I'm sure you may have noticed that already. It doesn't make him any less of a person or his love for you any. Well I didn't come here to try and diminish him in your eyes Harry. I just wanted to prepare you in case you found out things and." Remus stammered a bit.

"Its okay professor. Since I left the Dursleys I've been able to do some thinking and yeah I love Sirius and miss him." Harry swallowed hard. "But after seeing Snape's memories and thinking about things I know Sirius wasn't perfect. He was still family though and that made him special."

Hermione squeezed Harry's hand in support while Luna nodded with her small smile.

"I see. Well I'm glad to see that the positive influences you've come under have been helping you."

"Yeah. I've found a home and family." Harry smiled.

"Well good. And thank you for the breakfast Harry. I should leave all of you to your, training." He said with a grin.

"Actually I was wanting to talk to you about a few things involving the training schedule and the occlumancy lessons sir." Hermione said eagerly.

===xxx===xx

Remus spent the rest of the day working with Hermione about setting up a schedule for their lessons. The Grangers had come for dinner and Bill brought some headsets and a few suggestions for armor. Discussing which they wanted to be mobile and flexible or heavily protected as they could only choose one or the other. Until Hermione pointed out with magic they might be able to a have both. She would have to work with Luna on a few ideas.

Hermione and Harry with Neville and Remus' help figured out how to use the floo network at the house without the Ministry finding out about it. Apparently the Black's had somehow set up an 'unlisted' floo address then made sure it would not be registered by the Ministry when it was used. Only those who knew about the secret address would be able to use it. This allowed the members of their group that lived in floo equipped homes to gather more quickly. Harry and Hermione sent Dobby and Winky to gather the others and bring them home.

Remus made arrangements to come over every morning and work with the group on occlumancy. The general consensus being that protecting their minds would be a beneficial thing. Afterwards Hermione led the group in a fitness routine focused on stretching, flexibility and core muscle groups. Lunch came next. Afterwards Monday saw Bill come over to work with them in hand to hand with Paul showing up later to work on knife fighting. Hermione had made magical copies of his knife that was dulled for safety.

During the knife fighting routine they learned why magicals feared muggles as letting one get close enough would be devastating. Paul managed to fight his way through multiple of the death eater dummies and actually wound Bellatrix before going down to a stunner when he was able to get close enough. Bill's hand to hand was also considered quite effective at close range.

Before dinner they worked on spells. Focusing on defense one day, offense another and utility to round things out. The Grangers were very impressed by this. With Paul coming up with some ways to incorporate wand and knife fighting together.

In the middle of the week Fudge was ousted as Minister in an emergency session of the Wizengamut. Scrimgeour, the Chief Auror, was voted his replacement by a skim margin. He promised to upgrade security and work with Madam Bones to purge the Ministry of anyone who showed any sympathies for the Death Eaters or their cause. He also said he would increase security in public parts of the wizarding world and encourage people to take extra security precautions in their own home. Madam Bones increased auror patrols and security around the Ministry under his orders.

Susan informed the group that her aunt was secretly not happy with some of the plans that the new minister had wanted implemented. Calling them security theater and not really effective so she would be using her own resources to investigate certain people. One of them Umbridge who had managed to work her way back into the good graces of the Ministry after the last year at Hogwarts.

None of the ADA liked that she was still in a position of power but realized there was not much that could be done about it for right now. They would pay attention though and be ready to deal with her again if they had to.

Katie Bell spoke up at one point during the knife training, "Harry. Are we going to be trying to kill the Death Eaters or capture them?"

Harry and Hermione frowned as they had been discussing this point between them since the concept of the ADA had come up. Hermione was no longer reluctant to use whatever force as was required against the Death Eaters as they themselves did not show any reluctance to harm children, adults, or anyone. Harry was unsure and wanted to try and avoid any more bloodshed than they had to. When Katie asked her question Harry and Hermione had not come to an agreement yet.

Before Harry could answer William Granger stepped forward, "Harry you mind if I take this?"

"Go ahead I guess. You're in the military so should know more about this idea than we do."

"Was in the military. Cashiered out on a medical. I still try to keep fit but I'm not up to the standards as the crown's doctor's say."

"If yer not up to standard then I'd hate to encounter someone who was." Seamus said rubbing his shoulder still from being tossed by William once again.

Bill Granger laughed, "Son. I was part of the Special Boat Service. An elite fighting cadre of highly trained, highly capable people. This secrecy act paper you signed? I signed one for the crown too. There are things I've done for crown and country that I will go to my grave with. I'm not telling you this to brag but to let you know that when you fight a war, when you are facing an enemy who wants to kill you. You do not pussy foot around. You do not go to wound them. You do not go to capture them unless the high command wants them for some reason. You do your best to put them down. Put them down hard enough to stay down and not get back up to bother you or your buddies in arms."
Katie frowned, "Doesn't that make us just as bad as them?"

Bill looked at her with a sad expression, "Morally no. Why are you wanting to fight?"

"Excuse me?" Ernie asked.

"Why are you here? Why are you going through all this effort and pain to learn how to fight?"
Cho spoke flatly, "To put down as many Death Eaters as I can for what they did to Cedric."

Bill raised his eyebrows at her, "Right. Well anyone else? You Miss Bell why are you here?"

"Because I don't believe in what the Death Eaters stand for. They're wanting to hurt people I care about."

"Okay. And if they wanted to hurt your family what would you do to stop them? How far would you go?"

Katie seemed to think for a moment before saying in a soft voice, "I guess I'd do whatever it took."

"You'd do whatever it took. Longbottom you're awfully fond of Miss Brown. Say one of these bad guys wanted to hold her down and have his way with her. Rape her until she was left bleeding on the floor what would you do to prevent it."

Neville's nostrils flared as his eyes narrowed. "I'd do whatever it took."

"Even if that mean killing the bastard?"
Neville nodded grimly, "Even if."

"So would killing him make you the same as him?" Bill had begun to pace in front of the teens.

Neville shook his head, "No. Because I'd be saving a life."

"By taking his." Bill pointed out.

Neville was starting to breath a bit hard, "Yeah. But Lavender or Luna or any of the girls don't deserve that. If they couldn't defend themselves someone has to defend them."
"Hermione did that fellow try to wound you or kill you?"

"He tried to kill me Uncle Bill. The spell would have burned and decayed my organs from the inside out within minutes if I hadn't been lucky enough to have silenced him before hand." Hermione shivered slightly at the memory of how close she had come to dying.

"Yeah and if I recall what your mom and dad said you still had a rough time of it afterwards."

Hermione nodded as she was hugged by Harry.

"Harry how'd you get that pretty scar on your forehead?"

"Voldemort tried to kill me as a baby. After he killed my parents."

Susan paled but Bill noticed it and didn't ask her to say anything. He nodded and turning back to the group as he sighed, "Look I'm not happy to be teaching a bunch of teens to do this. I'd love to go back down to Poole and gather up the old group and go storming in but unless your government gets with my government I can't do that. Anyone I get would be off the books and with your magic it would be a rough go of it no matter what. So you'll have to do this."

Sighing he frowned grimly, "So we teach you to fight. To put the bad guys down fast and hard because that is what they are going to do to you if they get the chance. Lavender showed me some of your healing magic. Hermione told me about a lot more of it. With that kind of quick recovery you can't fight to wound. You've got to fight to remove them from the battle. Either hurt them so bad that even with magic it'll take them out of things or yeah, kill them."

Katie and Lavender both took a deep breath at that but nodded in understanding.

"I bet they won't recognize the red cross either will they?"
Lavender shook her head, "Mother said healers were one of their prime targets in the first war because they could bring aurors back into the battle quicker. Saint Mungo's lost several healers due to torture or death." She shuddered a bit as the others got thoughtful.

"Right. You'll have to decide right now how you're going to fight. Because you fight how you train and you train how you fight. You're not playing a game where you can just get back up. This is for real and for keeps. Understand?"

Everyone looked grimly at Bill but some of them nodded.

"So Harry why don't we give everyone a break. Pick this back up after a breather and get our minds back into the training." Bill said.

"Good idea. Take fifteen and relax a few." Harry called out as Lavender took Neville's arm and talked soothingly to calm him down.

Bill and Paul drifted over to Harry who looked unsettled, "Look Harry. I know you probably don't like the idea of leading a bunch of kids into battle. I didn't like it back in the Falklands and I didn't like it the day they pinned my third stripe on me. I didn't like it when the doctor told me to pack my kit and go home. No good leader ever likes it and that probably goes back to the ancient Romans."

"No but you know the price if we don't. Plus there's the prophecy I have to contend with."
"Yeah, he's made you marked man. So you have to fight him no matter what. At least you're all of age or close enough. Not like some third world with child soldiers." Bill stared off into the distance for a moment as he rubbed his left arm.

"Still you'll do good Harry." Paul said, "Although I might watch that Cho girl. She seems to be in this to cut some people hard core anything else be damned."

"She wants to avenge the death of her boyfriend Cedric." Harry replied darkly.

Bill rubbed his chin, "That might make her a loose cannon Harry. You'll need to take that into consideration."

Hermione nodded making note of that."I know but she's powerful and skilled. We need her with us."

"Well keep your eyes on her. Make sure that when you set up your sections she is watched by the leader. You got an idea who the team leaders and section leaders are going to be?"

"Yeah Harry and Neville will be team leaders and I'm still working out who will be the other two." Hermione stated.

"Bell and Brown make them your team medics. Have everyone else learn at least the basic stuff but make sure them two are taught the most life saving stuff they can do. Also the kits. Like the one I brought you. You got a magical version of all that stuff?" Bill said listing off the ideas.
Hermione nodded, "Lavender worked with her mom to get equivalent stuff to all of that. But we are going to hang on to the muggle stuff too just in case for some reason we need it."
"Good idea." Paul and Bill agreed.

"Do you think we'll have a problem with anyone else?" Harry asked.

"Nah. The others all seem to understand the seriousness of the fight. Longbottom has got a bit of a temper but his heart's in the right place." Bill shook his head thinking.

"Yeah he does." Hermione agreed watching him lay his head on Lavender's shoulder as they sat and talked quietly. Susan nearby talking quietly to the two of them as well.

===xxx===xx

The next three weeks of work had seen all members of the ADA outfitted with magic communication mirrors as well as headsets that would magically work over longer ranges and in magical locations. They would also not allow anyone who was not using a head set to hear anything that was spoken into the microphone, even if they were standing right next to them. Hermione's Uncle Bill said his old teams would have given a great deal to have those on some of their missions. Hermione said her next trick would be the body armor as she would have to farm some of that out to perhaps the Goblins.

Harry had also been busy as head of the Black family making changes to who was and was not a member of his family. Narcissa had been disowned and Andromeda reinstated. Bellatrix had not produced any children in direct contravention to her marriage contract so Harry was able to seize her vault contents as penalty for her dowry. He had the Goblins going over the contents of the vault and auditing them.

Training had been going well as everyone accepted and realized they were involved in a war that could very well decide the fate of their world. Serious work and attitudes began to show up, although Seamus had taken over the role of jokester on the teams it seemed like. Bill saying that no matter what there always was one, and as long as he did his job and fought well to let him be the valve to blow off pressure on the team.

Susan Bones had managed to cast a patronus with the training joining the ranks of those who could. Her patronus took on the form of a small hunting cat. What was cause for even more celebration was when Neville cast his full corporeal patronus. Everyone found it quite interesting that it was a small animate tree with a highly expressive face upon its bark.

Harry had not had anymore bad dreams or visions induced by Voldemort. Hermione credited it to regular cuddles, sex with her and Luna as well as the love and support of the rest of his friends. Lavender and Neville were very firmly involved in their relationship and Susan seemed to be settling in very nicely with the two of them as well.

Harry had been told about the Weasleys but had not had a chance to visit them yet. It had been determined that Ginny Weasley would be a rather long term guest of Saint Mungo's as she had been repeatedly molested and obliviated so often, as well as the trauma of Voldemort possessing her, that her mind was broken. She had fixated on Harry due to the events of the Chamber as well as her fan girl worship of him when she was a child and would do anything he told her to do. Utterly compliant and obedient to him as if she had been imperiused. This disturbed Harry greatly when they did make a visit there.

Ron was not entirely himself as between the brain's attack on him as well as his own pattern of discovering Scabbers was really Pettigrew and being obliviated of it his mind was a bit scrambled. He recognized Harry but had a mixed reaction to him. Blaming him for all of the problems and pains he had suffered one moment then declaring himself Harry's best friend and brother. Harry was not sure how to react to Ron. He would be in Saint Mungo's for a bit longer as well the healers said.

The other Weasleys were going to have problems but were not as deeply injured by the repeated obliviations and mental manipulations. Although it looked like Arthur would be living the rest of his life in a permanent state of befuddlement while Molly and the twins would be problematic in their behavior. Having self control and emotional issues.

===xxx===xx

It was in the early dawn hours of Saturday July 27th 1996. Harry was happily snuggled in the bed between Hermione and Luna after their athletic lovemaking earlier that night. It was a happy and pleasant night.

Dobby popped in causing the lights to come on. "Harry Potter and his wives must wake up now, please!" He wailed.

Hermione rolled over and sat up in one smooth move, "What is it ?" She demanded as Harry and Luna stirred awake as well.

"Mistress it is being Susan Bones who sent a message through the floo before floo was shut off. Bones be under attack Harry Potter's Hermione."

Harry and Luna had already begun to get dressed. "Kreacher, Winky!" Harry called out moments before both elves appeared. Winky more promptly than Kreacher.

"Kreacher I need you to wake Neville and Lavender. Stay here and help Lavender get things ready for wounded. Tell Neville to be dressed and ready in a minute."

"Yes master. Kreacher does this for the master." he said before the elf popped out.

Hermione had pulled on a pair of tights and a sports bra quickly. Luna and Harry were dressed as quickly in sportswear they had kept on hand. "We really need to work on apparating."

"They probably have an anti-apparate ward up. Dobby can you get us to Susan?" Harry said quickly.

"Yes Harry Potter. Dobby is able to do so. Wizards not be thinking of elves as warriors."

"Well that's going to be their mistake." Hermione declared.
Neville came in pulling his shirt over his head, "What's going on?"

"Susan's under attack. Lavender getting the clinic ready?"

"Yeah." Neville said gripping his wand tightly.

"Okay Dobby, Winky. We need you to take us to Susan but be careful." Harry said stressing the word careful.

"Of course Harry potter Dobby and Winky is doing so now."

===xxx===xx

They popped into the middle of a small room. Amelia Bones and her niece were desperately trying to hold off three Death Eaters.

"Sorry we're late. Had to pull some pants on." Harry joked as he joined the fight.

"No problem Harry. We're just fighting for our lives here." Susan grumped at him.

"Are there any others?" Neville asked throwing several spells at the one on the left trying to come up the stairs.

"There was a fourth but they'll have to get a replacement for their next bridge game." Susan proudly declared.

"Good job." Hermione said rocketing one up the wall into the ceiling hard enough to stick their body into it. "Leviosa that bitch!" She shouted as the body stopped twitching.

The two remaining Death Eaters went on the defensive as a growing darkness filled the stairway. Harry felt a sudden painful pressure inside his skull. A growling scratching sensation clawed at his mind and made his vision grow darker, "He's here!" Harry gasped out.

Hermione immediately spun to the elves, "Get everyone out of here. We need to back off now."

Dobby and Winky grabbed the nearest person who then grabbed the person beside them. Vanishing just as a gout of flame in the shape of a winged dragon flew from the darkness into the barriaced they had assembled.

===xxx===xx

They landed in the ballroom at Grimmould place. Harry was laying on the floor panting heavily as he held his head. Lavender immediately ran over to check him out.

"Harry. What happened?"
"Its him. He's pissed." Harry declared.

Luna grabbed Harry's head and kissed him deeply and passionately. Straddling him as he laid on the floor. When she came up for air she declared passionately, "Harry I love you."

Harry chuckled weakly as blood seeped from his scar, "I think you blew his mind up a bit Luna."
"Good. No one gets to make you writhe but us." she declared.

Lavender was worried as she ran her wand over Harry, "Ok Harry do you still feel him in your head?"

"No I think he put whatever wall he uses back up. He was angry at us escaping so it must have dropped a bit. He doesn't have the best emotional control I could feel. I got a glimpse that he wanted Madam Bones dead."

Katie Bell called out from the other side of the room, "Well she's going to live for quite a while longer from what I can tell."

Harry looked over at her with a confused expression. "When did you get here?"
Katie moved to check on Susan with a grim expression "About ten seconds before you guys got back. Lavender called me to come help in case things were too ugly."

"Good call Lav." Hermione said patting her on the back.

"Thanks. Is anyone else hurt?" Lavender said looking around.

"I don't think so. We got really lucky." Neville said in awe.

"Thank you Mr Potter, everyone. I greatly appreciate your help." Madam Bones said sitting up.

Susan was visibly shaking and looking like she was trying not to vomit as Neville came over to hold her, "Was that really him? Why did he come for us?"

"I believe I know why. Earlier today I presented evidence to the Wizengamut security council that the Ministry itself has been infiltrated at the highest levels. I was granted authorization to issue arrest warrants against multiple people. Some of them fled while a few we managed to capture and last I was aware were sitting in holding cells at the Ministry. None the less their credentials at the Ministry have been canceled."

"Impressive. No wonder he was upset. You must have put his plans off track completely." Hermione congratulated her.

"Perhaps. It just means if he goes against the Ministry he will do so openly next time. Which means we only have until he feels strong enough to do so." Madam Bones sighed unhappily, "Hopefully you and your companions will be a thorn in his side long enough to prevent that."

"We'll do our best ma'am. Dobby will fix up a guest room for you to stay in as I doubt going back to your house would be safe."
"Thank you. Susan looks like she needs to have some rest too." Amelia said worriedly looking at her niece who Lavender and Katie were talking to as she clung tightly to Neville.

Hermione nodded, "She'll be okay I'm sure. My uncle Bill says the first time in combat can be rather intense."

Madam Bones nodded curtly, "yes it can be. Very well Mr Potter if you'll call your elf I believe I'll retire for the rest of the night."
"Dobby?"

"Yes Harry Potter?"

"Can you fix a room for Madam Bones please?"

"Yes Harry Potter. If madam be coming with Dobby to Madam's room now?" He said smiling at her.

"Yes please."

Katie yawned, "Okay I think I'm going to go back to my home too. Mum and dad got rather worried when Lavender called me."

"Thanks. You did good." Harry said smiling at her.

Katie gave him a quick hug then left.

"Susan are you alright?" Hermione asked coming over.

"Yeah I think so. I just keep wondering if this is what my parents went through at the end. If you guys hadn't been able to show up I don't think we could have held them off." She said in a shaky voice.

"Okay well lets all try and get some sleep or at least lay down and rest."
Susan nodded, "I guess I'll stay in a spare room."

Lavender shook her head, "No you can come snuggle with Nev and I. Nev makes a very good teddy bear to snuggle with."

Susan looked at her in surprise, "Really?"

"You shouldn't be left alone. You're in shock and visibly upset. You need to get some rest. Trust me I'm a healer." She said with a gentle smile.

Harry glanced at Hermione who shrugged. "Okay well we're going to get back to our bed too. So you guys take care okay?" Hermione said giving Susan a hug.

===xxx===xx

"You think she's going to be okay?" Harry asked as he and the girls went back to their room.

"Yeah remember back when we were dealing with Quirrel? My legs didn't stop shaking until the next day." Hermione confessed.

Luna sighed, "I was not entirely prepared for the depth of emotions getting involved at the Ministry would cause."

"Yeah. I know. Is it bad that I'm getting used to this kind of thing enough that I'm only a little bit shaky?" Harry frowned in concern.

Hermione shrugged, "I don't know. We could ask Uncle Bill how he deals with it. He's got a lot more experience than we do."

"Yeah. Although before this is all over I have a feeling all of us will be a lot more experienced too."

===xxx===xx

The next morning Harry found madam bones in his library. "Good Morning Ma'am?"

"Good Morning Mr Potter. I hope you do not mind my taking the liberty to use your library to write a few notes."

"No I don't mind. Do you need Dobby to deliver them to anyone? We need to keep this place a secret of course otherwise I'd not suggest it."
"I understand. Susan told me what she could and I recall from the previous unpleasantness the need for secrecy as well." Madam Bones nodded in agreement her monocle hanging off a chain.

"Thank you ma'am. Dobby!"
"Yes Harry Potter?"

"Dobby, Madam Bones will have some letters to be delivered. Please help her do so."

"Yes Harry Potter. Dobby be delivering no matter what."

"Well there is nothing there you need to risk your life over. Just making certain that the right people know I am still alive." She said handing over the set of letters.

"Dobby understands Madam." He said before saluting and popping out.

"That is quite an eccentric elf."

"Yeah but I wouldn't trade him for a dozen other ones." Harry smiled.

"Do you know how my niece is this morning?" Madam Bones asked.

"Uh. You'd have to ask Neville or Lavender. I believe they took charge of her care last night." Harry evaded.

Madam Bones gave him a look that made Harry feel glad that it would be Neville explaining his intentions for her niece and not himself on one hand, but wished him luck on the other hand.

===xxx===xx

Breakfast found the group feeling a bit more relaxed and recovering from last nights events. Madam Bones took Neville and Lavender off to the side for a brief discussion that seemed to satisfy her as Neville settled at the table between Lavender and Susan calmly.

Susan seemed to be feeling better and more relaxed. She had changed out of her nightgown into one of Neville's shirts and a skirt of Lavender's. Given her being rather curvier than both of them the clothes fitted slightly tightly but she didn't seem to mind.

"If you don't mind your elf taking me to the Ministry I have a safe place I can hide in from there." Madam Bones asked.

"Are you sure auntie?" Susan jumped in quickly.

"Yes Susan. You'll be safe here. If I need to contact you is there a way?"

"I can give you my mirror auntie. Can't I Harry?"

"Well if you're staying here I don't see why not." He said looking at Hermione who shook her head, "I don't see a problem either."

"Very well. Thanks to all of you again."

===xxx===xx

The day was spent gathering some clothes for Susan and relaxing. Hermione and Luna worked a bit on the armor prototype. Using Harry as a sewing dummy quite frequently.

Dinner went well. Bill was liking the way the armor and uniforms were working out with Hermione and Luna's changes.

"So how many of these things can you get built?"

"Well once we get the prototype made we can speed it up slightly. I'm taking a basic spandex bodysuit and soaking it in a cocktail of potions to make it stronger, tougher to penetrate and able to absorb physical blows a lot better. The chest, codpiece, bracers and greaves will be from a tough leather that has been enchanted and had runes burned into it making it more resistant to spells and physical damage. I'm hoping for it to be as light as leather but as tough as steel."

"You know you get this stuff working right you could make a ton of money from the military."
Luna frowned, "Unfortunately it will have to be a custom made piece with each person having to be fitted like in the old days"
"Still though. If you guys can come up with something lightweight, durable and protective." he gave a low whistle, "I know guys who'd give their left nut for a suit like that in a firefight."

"Wouldn't it be less painful to pay us in money?" Luna asked with her brows furrowed.

===xxx===xx

The evening of the 30th Dumbledore came by just after dinner. Asking if he could speak to Harry a moment the others who were now living at Grimmould frowned but left Harry and Dumbledore in the dining room alone at Harry's nod.

"Ahh Harry I hope your birthday tomorrow shall be a good one."
"That's what the plan is. We're having a bit of a party for Neville and I. Hermione said there's going to be a nice surprise." Harry grinned. "So what did you want to speak with me about?"

"Ahh. Well I was wondering if you could come with me to visit an old friend. I found where Horace Slughorn is hiding and would like to give at least one more try to convince him to come to the school."
"And you want me to come with you why sir?" Harry asked crossing his arms showing a doubtful expression.

Sighing at Harry's new resistance Albus considered the options. Telling Harry the truth which might make him and his friends angry or lying to him and definitely making Harry and his friends angry. Taking the path of discretion he said, "Horace likes to ingratiate himself with people of potential. People who he feels will become the movers and shakers of our society. With his help and a few introductions to others in his little 'club' he believes they will be grateful and help him with little gratuities over their careers."

"So he grooms and manipulates people so that he can use them. Nice. Sounds like a typical Slytherin." Harry frowned.

Albus chuckled, "Succinct, if a bit negative, interpretation of his behavior. However Tom Riddle was one of his favorites in his time at school. There are things Horace knows that might prove useful still that he has not shared with me or that I have acquired elsewhere."

"Doesn't that mean that The Death Eaters are looking for him too?"

"Yes Harry it does. Another thing I hope to use to entice him into our circle."

Harry considered, "So you want to dangle me in front of him as bait?" When Albus nodded in conciliation Harry continued, "I'll help, with conditions."
Albus smiled, "Now who is behaving like a Slytherin?"

Harry chuckled, "The hat did want to put me there, but I argued against that due to Malfoy."
Albus agreed, "Ahh. Young master Malfoy. Not the sort who should be used on the recruitment poster no. However there are circumstances with him that will hopefully be resolved before its too late for him."

"Yeah, well anyhow, I talked to Remus about teaching us to apparate an d he said he'd defer to you. I want someone to teach us one way or another. I suppose Hermione could read up on it but having someone experienced would be better." Harry explained.

Albus nodded, "As long as you understand that you cannot get a license until next year."

Harry laughed, "We're going to be fighting a battle against terrorists who want to murder me and my friends and you're worried about us getting a ticket or what expelled?" Harry thought he heard a muffled voice outside the dining room but ignored it.

Albus raised his eyebrow with a resigned smile, "True when you put it like that. I never did really understand the point of that measure. It seems a bit pointless indeed. I will make the arrangements."
"Then let me tell Hermione and the others and off we can go."

===xxx===xx

Harry and Dumbledore apparated to outside a quaint Victorian house in a nice neighborhood.

"This is his home?"
"No Harry. He was one of the few that believed you the year before about Tom returning. As such he has spent since then moving from house to house. Mainly muggle ones whose owners are away on holiday or otherwise away for an extended time."

"Oh. How wonderful. Taking advantage of muggles too."

"Yes well. Horace is a rather complicated man Harry. He views all magicals as equals regardless of their blood-lines yet finds muggles as a curious and interesting set of creatures. Somehow not quite hating them yet being very dismissive about them." Dumbledore replied offhandedly.

"I'm not really seeing the bonus from being nice to him right at the moment sir."

"Yes I know. My friendship with him has been quite strained over the years. However knowing him can be useful and occasionally even enjoyable."

Harry just made a noncommittal grunt. Dumbledore looked at Harry for a moment then shrugged and started walking up the path. Harry sighed and followed his headmaster.

Entering the house they moved through a disaster zone. Glass and furniture was shattered everywhere, burns and gashes occurred on the walls in the entire rooms they saw. Eventually they reached a sitting room that had the ugliest most over-stuffed chair in the entire house. Sprawled on the floor beside it was the burned and mutilated body of a corpulent, man with a huge walrus mustache and a bald pate with a fringe of snow white hair.

Dumbledore sighed, "Oh bother. It would seem that my dearest, oldest, friend in this world has been killed. Such an unfortunate thing to occur. Oh well Harry I suppose we should leave now and allow the muggles to clean this mess up. I'm sure the detectives will be quite curious about the anonymous report we'll have to make. After all its our duty of course."

"Uh. Yes sir. I suppose so." Harry was unsure why the headmaster wasn't reacting with more concern about his dead friend when the headmaster raised his finger to his lips in the shooshing gesture. Then jerked his head slightly to the left at the ugly chair.

Harry took a closer look at the chair and then tilted his head as he noticed the chair had a very strange pattern, almost like a face woven into the back of it. He watched as Albus snuck carefully over to the chair and then poked it right in the nose with the tip of his wand.

"OUCH! Do you know how much that stings!" The chair shouted as it shifted shape and form until it was a healthy and whole version of the corpse. "Hello Albus. Congratulations on tracking me down. I sincerely hope you managed to not bring a horde of those vile characters behind you."

"No. Harry and I were not followed. Although if we had been Death Eaters your disguise would have been quite atrocious."

"Here now. I think that was quite a brilliant piece of transfiguration you know. Plus throwing the corpse of myself. That should have thrown them off the scent."
Albus shook his head, "Ahh Horace you failed to realize though that you were the only piece of furniture left untarnished or undisturbed. A simple enough flaw, but one that a man in your position can ill afford to be making."
Horace Slughorn frowned then glancing at Harry paused and did a double take. Slowly staring at Harry.

"Well as I live and breathe if it isn't Harry Potter. Oh my. I suppose you think that this gives any weight to your desires to get me to tie myself to that death trap of a school of yours Albus think again. I've heard about what goes on within those walls. Trolls, werewolves, not to mention interference from the Ministry. How is a man supposed to get any peace to do his work in that sort of environment."

"Well what with warm beds, good food, camaraderie of your fellows it more than makes up for it. And after all I was hoping for you to teach potions and not defense. So its not like you'll have much trouble."

"I know what you were hoping for my old friend." He said shaking a finger in Dumbledore's face, his jowled jaws set. "You can just keep hoping. I've told you all I can tell you on that subject."
Albus slumped in defeat, "Well if you must. Oh Horace while we are here I need to visit the little boys room. Do you happen to know where it is?"

"Yes I do Albus. Its right down the hall, out the door and down the street at the Esso."

"I believe I saw one in the hall when we came in. I'll not be but a minute." He said turning and walking out.

Harry stood staring at the strange rotund man. He seemed almost as wide as he was tall with his mustache growing into his sideburns and then running in a ring around the sides of his head. He was muttering under his breath as he stood there.

Turning to Harry the older man sighed, "I am really sorry you know. I. Well I'm not as young and healthy as I used to be."

"I understand. I wasn't very happy to be used as bait for this either."
"Oh. Well. That's rather surprising."
"What that he did that or that I'm aware of it?" Harry said crossing his arms as he leaned against a wrecked stereo system.

"Well to be honest a little of both. I always told Albus he would have done well in Slytherin House." Slughorn sighed looking into Harry's eyes. "I taught your father and mother. You look so much like them. So very much, especially around the eyes." he sadly said.

"So I've been told. You knew my parents?"
"Yes. Yes I did. I. I enjoyed them in my class very much. Your mother was astoundingly good. One of the best I've seen. One of the best. She would have." he stopped to take a deep breath, the smile he had grown while remembering faded. "She would have gone far indeed."

"Only she got killed. Murdered by Voldemort."
The round man shook his hands in front of himself like he was warding the very specter of the dark lord himself away, "Please don't say that name. Don't ever say that accursed name."

"How about the name you knew him better by?"

Slughorn shook his head, "This really isn't very fair you know. Bullying an old man."
"Sir. Its my fate to fight him. He wants to kill me and those I love and care about. I'll do whatever it takes to prevent that."
"And there is your father's contribution young man. You are your parent's child indeed." Slughorn pursed his lips into a flat grimace for a long minute as Harry stood staring into him. Emerald green eyes meeting pale sea foam green ones. The two of them remained silently contemplating the other.

Finally Slughorn called out, "Alright Albus. You can come out now. I'll come do your job. But I'm still saying I've told you all I can on that."
A moment went by before Albus came back into the room, "Ahh what was that you shouted Horace?"

"I said I would take your job offer. But I want my old office back. Those dungeons get awfully damp and chilly. Not to mention I prefer a real window I can open." He waggled his finger again.

Albus smiled widely, "Of course I had the elves clean and prepare it for you just the other day."
"Your confidence is going to be your undoing one of these days."
"Perhaps but not today. Now shall we clean things up before we leave. It would be rather rude to not do so."

Slughorn chuckled, "Yes I suppose you are correct."

The two men pointed and waved their wands like they were conducting a symphony causing all of the shards and splinters to reform and return to their original places. Wallpapers regrew and furniture returned from the floor. Harry stood in the middle of a whirlwind of repairing and restoring until the house looked like nothing untoward at all had occurred. Even the 'corpse' had vanished to become a small glass figuring of a ballerina.

"Ahh that was quite nice. Well we shall see you at Hogwarts Horace. I must return young Harry to his ladies."

"Ladies? Now that reminds me of another young man I knew."

Harry chuckled, "Sirius Black?"

"Ahh yes. Unfortunate the way things turned out with him. Very unfortunate." Slughorn shook his head making his jowls move.

"Yes the death of my godfather was quite unpleasant." Harry flatly declared.

"Oh. Oh yes. I suppose he was wasn't he. Well he did have his merits Harry. Especially if you asked him." He laughed awkwardly.

"Well come along Harry we need to be going. I'm sure that your ladies fare are missing you."

"Mostly likely. Harry said walking out.

===xxx===xx

When they returned to Grimmould Hermione was in the library with Luna and Lavender talking about spells. Harry came in after bidding the Headmaster good night.

"So how did it go?"
"Well Slughorn's going to come to the school. Dumbledore's bait worked."
"And you don't like him." Luna stated.
"I don't like him but I don't dislike him. He's about as fake as you can get but he's nice about it. I mean if he was trying to sell me a broom I'd check for rot on the handle and to make sure all the bristles were there. But I'd feel bad for doing it I think."

Hermione raised her eyebrow, "So do you really think the information he has is worth it?"
"Dumbledore seems to think so and I'm willing to go along with him at least on that. Plus if it gets Snape out of teaching potions it's not all that bad of a thing." Harry said with a grin.

"Yes but Professor Dumbledore isn't going to get rid of Snape that easily." Hermione frowned, "I wonder where he's going to put him."

"I remember Percy saying that Snape wanted the defense position very badly. Maybe there. After all we need a new one at the school." Harry pointed out.

"Oh dear that's all we need." Luna sighed. "He will enjoy it entirely too much."

"And on that note I think we need to go to bed." Hermione said shutting the book she was reading. Harry noticed the title was about ancient Egyptian funerary practices.

"Looks like some fun bedtime reading." He said nodding at the book.

"Well considering how the concept of an immortal soul that can be separated from the body or split into components originated in the ancient Egyptian culture it is rather fascinating." Hermione declared before taking Harry's arm and heading out talking about the various concepts and practices.

Luna sighed, "I hope she doesn't start without me. I know how a thick bibliography gets her going."
Lavender chuckled, "I just hope they make it to the bedroom. Good night Luna."

"Good night Lavender."

===xxx===xx(Review Responses)

OfficerDonNZ: As this is the smarter more mature Lavender I prefer it does work out fine. And oh yeah Dan is a big sci-fi geek indeed. Harry and Snape will definitely have some discussion of things at some point in this. Thank you for the story referral. I'll have to check it out. And as for Dumbledore. I like this version too. He's flawed, he's not perfect and he realizes he needs to do better than he had been. Sometimes a smack upside the head is what it takes to reset the soul.

Dennisud: Thank you. I am trying to keep to their somewhat core personalities and yet put my twist on it. They should hopefully make it quite an interesting battle. I cannot guarantee what the casualty numbers are or will be. All I can say is that at least anyone whose name appears above the title if this was a TV show or movie would survive. Oh Neville got his second in this chapter too. And don't worry they will not be the only ones to reap the benefits of the polyamore atttiudes.

Jadesabrexiv: Aren't Puffskein kinda Tribbles? Only without the efficient breeding? They both nice, soft, furry and make a pleasant sound. Mwahahah. As for their reaction. Hermione might get a bit miffed but Luna would probably react rather unpleasantly towards the person who harmed it. I like the fic you mentioned. I think I either read it or the Lady Rah did as I recall that. The entire battle fell silent for a moment, a pause before the Dark Lord said "Uh, Do NOT! harm the kitten." Glad you're enjoying.