Last time, our heroes were attacked by deadly creatures that weren't so deadly as they seemed. And now, on with the show!

Chapter 12: At McGonnagal Manor

Upon arriving at the home of Professor McGonnagal, Harry and the others were welcomed by two old friends. "Neville, what are you doing here?' asked Harry. "Well, I'm doing my part to help the war effort." Replied Neville Longbottom. Harry tuned to Will and the other Guardians. "This is Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood. Introductions were made.

"So you're from another world?" asked Luna. "Yes, we are." Replied Will. "I don't suppose you know that the fabric of reality is full of holes." Will looked at Luna with a mixture of curiosity and confusion. "Several hundred years ago, a secret group created a knife so sharp, it could cut through the fabric of reality. They left several holes leading from their world to others." Will looked at Harry with a confused look on her face. "Don't ask," said Harry.

Will then told everyone there her story about her and the other Guardians. Professor McGonnagal walked over to Hay Lin. "So, you're Yan Lin's granddaughter." She said. "You know my grandmother?" asked the air Guardian. "We've crossed paths before." Replied McGonnagal.

"I'd like a word with you, Potter," Said Professor McGonnagal, "Alone if you please." Herminoe and Ron followed Harry. "What you say to Harry, you can say to us, Professor." Said Herminoe. "Us too," said Will as she and the rest of her friends followed. "Oh, very well," said an exasperated McGonnagal.

"What I'm about to tell you," said Professor McGonnagal, "Not even the Minister of Magic knows. Less than a day after the incident at the castle, a giant was found dead." "An Aurora killed it?" asked Harry. "Not even ten Auroras can kill a fully grown Giant, but someone killed this one. What makes it stranger, was that its neck was broken." "I'll bet that one of the other giants working for You-Know-Who killed it." Said Ron. "That's what was assumed at first, Mr. Weasley," said McGonnagal, "But the next day, another giant was found dead, only this one appeared to have been shot several times."

At this, Harry was stunned. Two giants killed, and one was shot to death? "Is it possible that the muggle military is involved?" asked Herminoe. "A distinct possibility Ms. Granger, but doubtful. Over the next several days, the Order found several bodies of the creatures you fought. Some were shot, some were beaten, and others were stabbed. Another giant was found dead; this one had its chest blasted off. We also found several Infri; shot, then burned. We even found several dead Dementors. This one was the most puzzling to date: Upon investigating a sighting of the Dark Mark, a death Eater was found with his head cut off."

Everyone was stunned at this. It was Hay Lin who broke the silence. "Why would the enemy kill one of it's own?" she asked. "Probably executing a traitor," said Irma, "But that's just my opinion." "No," said Harry, "Voldemort doesn't cut his victim's heads off. It's not his style." He turned to McGonnagal. "Where there amy other bodies found in the area?" he asked. "No, but there was evidence that the killing curse was used at that time."

"When was this?" asked Harry. "Some time in the afternoon the day after Professor Dumbledors funeral." The same day my scar hurt, and when Voldemort lost his cool thought Harry. "There's more," said McGonnagal. "Several Dementors were found in a large pile, incinerated. More Infri were discovered, shot, decapitated and burned. Six trolls were found hacked to pieces by a meat cleaver. And just this morning, A Death Eater was captured alive."

"Really?" asked Harry. "Of course, but the strange thing was that he was captured outside the Ministry of Magic. He was already bound and gagged. Apparently, whoever had been killing the minions of the Death Eaters had captured this one, questioned him, and left him for the Ministry to pick up."

"I'd like to know what he said when this Death Eater was taken." Said Herminoe. "Unfortunately," said McGonnagal, "he won't be giving any secrets anytime soon. All throughout the interrogation, he kept mumbling nonsense about muggles with magic powers."

Later that afternoon, Harry and the others conversed on what Professor McGonnagal told them. "That's a contradiction," said Herminoe. "Muggles can't have magic powers." "What am I, chopped liver?" asked Irma. "Present company excepted of course." Said Herminoe quickly. "What baffles me," said Will, "Is how they are doing it, and then getting away before anyone from either side arrives. From what McGonnagal said, the killings were very fresh by the time anyone found them."

"Shakespeare said it best," spoke Cornelia, "' There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in our philosophy.'" "Uh, I think the line is 'Your philosophy'". Said Irma. "No, it's 'Our philosophy.'" Replied Cornelia. "Well, you're wrong, Miss I'm So Perfect." Said Irma. "They'll be like this for a while." Said Will reassuringly.

"So what do you think?" she asked. "It's a complete mystery." Said Harry. "Well, we've uncovered mystery's before." Said Ron. "None like this." replied Herminoe." "Well if we all can figure out who is doing this and stop Voldemort as well," said Hay Lin, "Then we'd be in pretty good shape, that is, if those two ever stop debating Shakespeare." She said, pointing at Cornelia and Irma, who were still arguing over the line from Hamlet.

The end of Chapter 12. Next chapter, Harry is asked to participate in a 'side quest.' Se you next time!