Okay, since responding to reviews is now done by clicking the respond button to each review and other than that not allowed, I'm sorry to say that I can no longer respond to the reviews of anyone not logged in. Sorry! I still love to read reviews of those people, and know that I wish I could respond to you, but I can't, so keep reviewing and know you're being thanked for the review even if not by a reply or a notation in the story.
If you would like, I can email the people who don't log in, just mention in the reviews that you don't mind if I email you and it'll be no trouble.
The inhabitants of the wizarding world started to pour in after Hogwarts was officially opened and smiled at finding an exact replica of their houses inside the trunks. The trunks would be safe should anything happen to Hogwarts and there were other trunks being made for the little children should their parents need anything. Each trunk was connected to each other and made it easy for families to see each other. There was even now a trunk serving as a place for the children to play and hang out that weren't yet in Hogwarts.
As the wizarding world streamed in, the Kindred Riders were kept busy screening everyone who came in and building new trunks. Kevin, Blaise, Draco, and Harry were kept busy re-warding the castle as well as Kevin and Harry organizing all the Kindred Riders. Needless to say, there was not much free time for our four boys.
It was strictly by accident that the boys found out that some of the students could use elemental magic at a basic level and though this laid an extra burden upon the boys, they felt immense relief at this possible new defense against Voldemort, or as more and more people were calling him "Lord Almighty Pain in our Arses."
The new nickname lightened the atmosphere around the castle as this name was not nearly as scary and made people have fun poking fun at Voldemort. The children loved being able to joke with their parents about him.
However, even with this lightened atmosphere, there was an under current of tension. Voldemort was getting closer and everyone knew it.
"He has taken Hogsmeade Harry. We must move now, without delay. We cannot allow him to keep hold of that stronghold against us." One of the riders, looking hassled, glanced at Harry. "All I hear from the people here is when are we going to do something, they're starting to get pushy."
Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair absently, scattering the already unruly mess, he had dark circles beneath his eyes and looked like he hadn't slept for some time. "You're right." He sighed again. "We'll attack tomorrow. Let all the others know."
Draco looked concernedly at Harry. "You need some rest. You won't get any at this pace of working."
Harry looked at him, "I don't know what you thought war would be like, but welcome to reality! I'm the Savior of the Wizarding World, the Golden Boy! I get no sleep! I'm expected to do anything and everything around here!"
Draco looked shocked and slowly left the room, looking sad and hurt, but Harry didn't notice, he was too busy sorting out this newest development.
It had been discovered Voldemort was now staying in the Hogs Head. This still made everyone smirk, after all, could the Dark Lord not have found a better place to stay? To rule his legions of Death Eaters, apparently not.
The plan was to wait until dark came when the dragons could sneak in and do the most damage. A quarter of the dragon riders would stay and guard the castle while another quarter would make sure no one got out the conventional way, the doors.
The remaining half would then be split into four separate groups. The first would be warding the place to make sure no one got out magically. The second would go around the back and sneak in through there. The third group would be waiting for any hostages and such. Finally, the fourth group would be going inside, undercover and waiting for their chance at this. (After all how hard is it to blend in when everyone is in black cloaks and masks?)
The plan, if all went according to plan, would eliminate the death eaters and leave Voldemort essentially helpless (not counting his own powers). This would be when Harry would enter the scene and take him out. But things usually never work out according to plan.
The things that could go wrong was leaving everyone on edge, and further making Harry aggravated. All the more expectations were on him and he was snapping more and more on people for littler and littler things.
"Harry, maybe you should go beat up something, a dummy or something in the practice arena." Kevin said from behind him, making Harry jump.
Harry just glared and grumbled, this being his typical answer for the last hour or so.
"I'm serious, you're scaring people and in case you haven't noticed, people are on eggshells around you."
Harry looked around; indeed people seemed to be looking at him like he had grown another head that was currently spinning around his current one, the faces were quite amusing actually. 'Hmm, maybe I should try that as a prank on Kevin sometime . . .'
"Okay, you're right, though I'm not in the mood for hitting a dummy." He grinned. "I feel like playing. You game?"
Kevin gave a wide grin, "Always. When have I not been?"
Harry smirked, "Hmm, what to play though . . . ?"
"I say lets go back to the originals. You on the piano, me on the violin. You can't get much better than those two? And maybe it'll relieve some of the tension around here."
"True enough, I know it'll relieve ours at the very least. So, will it be just us? Or shall we invite some other people to play?"
Harry tilted his head and grinned, "Do I recall seeing Blaise playing the guitar?"
"You do indeed. Shall I go fetch lover boy and bring him to play sweet sweet music with us?"
Harry just raised his brow at Kevin's speech and then laughed, "Yes, go find your lover boy and bring him back to the Great Hall, I could use some tension relief and we may yet scare the kiddies here." He grinned impishly.
Harry changed into some more interesting clothes, a mesh black shirt and tight ripped jeans. He spiked up his hair and magicked the tips red and gold. "Just for old time's sake." He told himself and pulled one some shades as he looked in the mirror, then he headed down to the Great Hall and moved a grand piano out from the hallway, tuned it with a quick spell and pulled up a seat to wait for Kevin and Blaise.
They arrived, dressed much the same as he was. Harry moved himself into the shadows and grinned. "We ready to show this school what we can do you two?"
"You know it. Lead us oh leading leader!" They mocked a bumbling crash and pulled out their instruments.
Harry shook his head and grinned, "Honestly you two, I'm already feeling better." He played a few notes and grins. "How about the one we wrote just before graduation? You know the one Kevin, and Blaise, you'll get the feel of it quickly."
Kevin nodded and started playing a haunting melody on his violin. Harry joined in after a few minutes of letting Kevin have some fun. Then, after he had caught the tune, Blaise joined in as well. Soon the haunting tune filled the Great Hall, bringing curious students, riders and teachers in to listen.
They sat quietly at the tables, spellbound by the tune. No one spoke for fear of breaking the spell. As the song played on, Draco showed up in the hall himself and sat and listened. The Hall stayed quiet as people became more and more affected by the music.
When the boys finished the song, they looked and realized everyone was here. They hadn't even realized that people had gathered to listen.
"Well, so much for just a quiet release of tension huh boys?" Harry grinned and shook his head, "Well, since they're here anyways, should we give them a show?"
Blaise and Kevin smirked and nodded, a mischievous twinkle coming to their eyes.
"Okay then boys, let's give them a show!" Harry waved a hand and the lights dimmed and with a Dumbledore-ish twinkle, he changed the ceiling to reflect a night sky where planets zoomed by.
As soon as the music had stopped, the crowd had snapped out of it and now stared in wonder at the ceiling that had changed. They started talking in hushed tones and murmured their gossip.
The boys smirked again and started playing a livelier tune than before, this one more for dancing than listening to, even though it was just as captivating.
As they played their music, people got up and started to dance and the tension was slowly released as people relaxed and started to enjoy themselves. The trio smiled and kept playing happy cheerful songs.
As the hours progressed, food and drinks were brought out and generally enjoyed themselves.