Chapter 9: Meetings and Lectures

Harry had not expected an announcement, but he shouldn't have been surprised. Over the last three days, as word got out that Ginny and Hermione had been successful in their plea for additional training, more and more students began to pester both the apprentices and the masters.

Harry's favorite had been when Colin Creevey and Demelza Robbins, currently known in the castle as the most PDA-friendly couple, had followed he and Snape from dinner to the Training Hall, where Snape finally whirled on them, his glare in full force as he gave them a tongue-lashing about their deplorable ability to stalk somebody appropriately.

Both looked frightened for a moment, before Colin drew himself up, as though attempting to make himself look taller, and announced that he wished to be trained to fight, maintaining eye contact with Snape the entire time. Harry idly wondered whether Colin's Gryffindor bravery would have surfaced without his girlfriend present. They were the fifth and sixth to approach Snape, and Snape seemed put-off that the students didn't seem to fear him as much as they had. He growled, pushing them off and announcing more information would be pending very soon.

That was last night.

Harry pulled himself back into the Great Hall, where Silverwood was standing on the dais in front of the Head Table, wearing his formal Guard robes in a bright white. Harry had just received his formal Guard dress robes this morning. "Good afternoon, all. Many of you have been requesting to learn how to defend yourselves. This is understandable. The Board, Hogwarts, the Aurors, and the Guard have been working together closely to develop a suitable program for interested students.

"We are happy to announce that Apprentice Aeternus has been named Junior Commander of the Guard. Historically, this role had been held by a third-year Apprentice during times of war, and was filled with other apprentices who would eventually fill the roles of the Guard proper. However, as Apprentice and Master numbers have dwindled since it was last activated several centuries ago, it has been decided that the Junior Guard would be open to any students located on the Hogwarts campus, as well as the apprentices.

"As Junior Commander of the Guard, Aeternus' role will be to lead and train those who would assist in the Defense of Hogwarts, should War broach her doors. Those interested will be assigned a team based on interests and strengths. Please note that this training will build on the training that Fletcher is continuing to do with you, so please expect physical training to be a large portion of this training.

"The informational meeting will be held tomorrow at ten am, for third years and up. Please hold all questions until that meeting. Aeter will set forth the structure and discuss team assignments at that time.

"However, please note that while participation is optional, it is also conditional. Complete respect for Aeternus and his leadership team is expected. Failure to comply will be met with the harshest of responses. This warning is issued on behalf of the Board, the Ministry, and Hogwarts."

By dinner time, Harry was already beginning to realize the sheer mind-numbing quality of meetings. He had been told that paperwork was hell. He was expecting that was yet to come. But the meetings were endless. He had begun to realize that he needed to strategically plan meetings that bumped up against other commitments so an hour didn't suck four hours out of his day. He wondered if all meetings would be like this.

He realized how important it was for his leadership team to be on board. And he understood that his superiors and advisors really needed to know what he was doing. And he realized that, in order to win this war, there had to be a strategic approach to every angle.

But he was beginning to feel that the meetings would keep from any actual training. He sighed. "Knut for your thoughts?" Fletcher asked him, sitting beside him at the table.

Mid-week, the Headmaster had decided that there was so much mixing at all of the tables, it would be easier to do away with the long tables and fill the hall with smaller round tables that sat 12 to a table, and announced that the long formal tables would return only for feasts.

"Fletcher, when will I ever be able to actually work with my teams?" Harry scowled. "I had no idea that war was so, well, boring."

Fletcher laughed. "It's the meetings, isn't it?" Harry nodded. "Those will always be there. Accept them. But they will dwindle. You're in the messy bit between planning and implementing a program. Everybody needs to stay on the same page for a smooth transition. 'Sides, you can't do everything. You have your Lieutenants and team leads to help run the show. That's why they'll be getting more training than the rest of them. There may be times where you simply have to step away. Aeter, trust your people."

"I trust them," Harry muttered. "It's me that I don't. All these meetings are so boring and overwhelming. Half the time I realize that I've forgotten to pay attention."

"I agree with you there, Aeter. Every time the Headmaster calls a staff meeting, I leave without knowing what I've agreed to. Are you ready for tomorrow morning?"

Harry shook his head. "We've done the planning. We have ideas of where to put some people. I wrote a speech, but I have a feeling that there will be a lot of questions I haven't planned for."

"When the time comes, Aeter, I think you will find the words your friends need to hear," Fletcher rose. "Now, I believe we have both been called to the staff room for a last-minute strategy meeting before tomorrow morning?"

It turned out, the meeting was to refine the agenda, and to begin planning for a similar meeting that would take place with apprentices later in the week in London, lest word get out that they had allowed students to join an age-old mastery tradition before apprentices. Harry sighed. The political situation was more overwhelming than anything.

The next morning, Harry was thrilled to be tying his shoes after what was a nearly-sleepless night, trying to prep some sort of inspirational speech for the students. At best, he was pretty sure he plagiarized a Muggle sports movie that he'd once heard at Privet Drive.

Snape stretched his legs. When taking sunrise runs, it was not unusual for Snape and Harry to not speak until they were well into the workout, enjoying the peace and quiet of the castle before its inhabitants awoke. However, when they reached the entrance hall, they found Terran and Ginny waiting for them. To their credit, they remained silent also, joining the other two on the way outside.

Upon reaching the bottom of the castle's exterior steps, Harry was surprised to see Silverwood and Saldor chatting quietly with Fletcher. As the group paused, Harry looked around, surprised.

Ginny grasped her friend's hand. "Harry… Aeter. We believe in you."

"You all planned this?"

"Actually, no," Terran smiled. "I did not have a run on the schedule this morning. But I got out of bed, and Master Silverwood was already up, and we decided we thought you could use some support this morning, and that you'd probably be up for a run."

Fletcher laughed. "I usually check-in at home on Friday nights. You should have seen the wife's face when I climbed out of bed this morning."

Saldor shook his head. "Nope. Ferraldin has the day off, hence he's still sleeping like a rock."

Harry glanced at Ginny. "I couldn't sleep, because I knew how stressed you looked last night. Thought to pop in by Ron and Hermione, but I wasn't sure if even I would be welcome to join you this morning."

Snape smiled thinly. "I suppose this makes us your 'crew,' as I've heard in my classes of late."

Harry snorted at his master's attempt at slang. "Well, thanks. Let's run?"

The group set off at a slower pace than usual, keeping Ginny's beginner rank in mind. While her breathing came out slightly heavier than usual, even she seemed comfortable. In a companionable silence, nobody asked Harry about the speech they knew he was trying to prepare.

After twenty minutes of silence, Harry finally broke the silence. "I'm less concerned about the Hogwarts students," he admitted, "and more worried about the Apprentices and their Masters this weekend. Hogwarts is… home. I always have people here. I don't really know enough Masters or Apprentices to know how they'll accept me."

"You mean you're comfortable here," Fletcher said gruffly. "Growth doesn't come from comfort."

There were several hums of approval, before Ginny timidly asked, "You know, would it be helpful for a Hogwarts student to be in attendance at the meeting? To really indicate how important unity and collaboration is?"

Saldor snorted. "Miss Weasley, I think you underestimate the arrogance of most of that crowd-"

"She has a point though," Silverwood mused. "We cannot continue to separate the two, if we're expecting the Junior Guard to consist of both groups."

"Congratulations, Miss Weasley, you've just volunteered for this role," Snape sneered.

"I meant Ron or Hermione… one of Harry's closest friends-" Ginny grouched nervously.

"Gin, look around. You're the one that's here," Harry pointed out. "We all love Ron and Hermione," he ignored Snape's snort, "but their strengths will not be in integrating, perhaps with force, this group. Besides, you've agreed to be a lieutenant, so this can be your first assignment. Terran and Ferral will already be there, so it makes sense to have all three lieutenants there."

"You know Ron and Hermione would've been there if we'd asked," Ginny seemed to be defending them out of obligation now, as she trailed off.

Harry shook his head. "But I didn't have to ask any of you. Thank you."

After the breakfast tables had been cleared away at 9 am, most of the student body was cleared away, and several house elves entered the Hall. Harry had decided to wait in the chamber attached to the Hall, again reviewing his agenda and notes. Ginny and Terran were speaking quietly on the other side of the room.

At quarter to 10, Harry could tell that students had again begun to reenter the Hall, as the noise grew steadily through the door. Snape entered and whispered to Terran and Ginny before making his way over to Harry.

"Silverwood will make his remarks. While this is ceremonial, Aeter, think of this as a run-through for this weekend. You've got sixty people out there-they want to fight. Let them."

"Yes, Sir," Harry nodded. "I'm still just an Apprentice…"

"We've had this conversation, Aeter. You're ready. Besides, don't think for a moment that the sincerity with which I approach your training will change. We will be focused, but you will complete your Apprenticeship with flying colors."

Harry had no doubts about that. "Thank you, Sir. I guess it's now or never."

Snape nodded and stood. "Yes, there's a stage. People are bound to be waiting for you, already, being famous and all. You will exit first, then these two lieutenants- Ferraldin is already seated with Ron and Hermione-and I will follow you all."

Harry could not recall anything that Silverwood had said in his remarks. But when the time came, he adjusted his dress robes and moved to the podium, smiling tightly at Silverwood, who stepped away.

"Thank you, Master Silverwood," Harry glanced at his notecards that had notes scribbled illegibly. "Thank you all for being here and learning more about this great opportunity that you have before you. While we have a lot to get through today, I know many of you are still on the cusp of making your decision, so I thought it might be beneficial to show you what it can look like to defend yourself.

"Ginny has kindly agreed to participate alongside myself in a duel against four volunteers. You will see, then, how much Ginny has already learned in the mere month that she has been working with us, and appreciate my ability to lead. Do we have any volunteers?"

From those in attendance, Harry selected two students each from sixth and seventh years, one from each house. The seventh years, in particular, already wore arrogant expressions. Harry and Ginny stood beside each other as Saldor moved the podium and created a shield barrier to prevent any wayward spells from hitting the audience.

Though Ginny was only a fourth year, she looked fiercely at the older students. Harry smiled lightly. Once the signal was given and the opponents bowed, Harry waited a moment to allow the Hogwarts students to advance. Angelina Johnson watched him skeptically for a moment, and Harry realized that she was the most dangerous opponent, knowing him better than the rest.

He smirked at her, not raising his wand, but instead sprinting straight toward her. She gave a surprised shout as she, just barely, missed being knocked out by him. She was caught off-balance, however, when Harry hit her in the back with a stunning spell.

Harry spun to see how Ginny was faring, and realized the other three had thought it best to dispatch her before turning their attention toward Harry. However, what they had not anticipated was that Angelina's distraction would only last twenty seconds. Harry raised his wand and ropes came flying out of his wand, bringing Marcus Belby to the ground with a hard thud.

Realizing they were in trouble, Cedric Diggory and Scarlett Lymphsham glanced at each other and mutually decided to move separately. "Thanks," Ginny muttered, releasing her shield spell, and casting toward Cedric. She dodged two stunners sent in quick succession, while Harry followed Scarlett, advancing slowly and easily sidestepping the spells being sent toward him. He didn't even bother seeing how Ginny was fairing, knowing she would likely hold her own for a little longer.

Scarlett finally stopped when her back hit the wall. Harry smirked, seeing her stunned face, and she fiercely attacked, sending a tripping jinx toward him. In quick succession, Harry sent off a stunner in quick succession first to the left, then to the right. Having already twisted, Scarlett had nowhere to return but back to her center of gravity, where Harry had already sent off a third, very accurate stunner.

Harry turned to Cedric and Ginny's battle. While Ginny was fairing alright, it was clear that Cedric was older and still with more experience, though he lacked the agility. Harry was pleased to see her double-casting, something that he knew she had worked with Saldor very closely with the week before.

Cedric finally hit her with a disarming spell, to which Ginny didn't react except to smile. "Ha!" Cedric gloated.

Ginny smiled again, not showing any teeth. "Uh uh, Cedric, rules were clearly laid out. Battle's not over until I forfeit, and I'm not ready to forfeit." With that, she slipped into arms reach and began throwing punches. Harry glanced at Silverwood who, Harry knew, would not be happy with her sloppy form.

Cedric, in true wizard fashion, had no idea what to do with the physical assault and dropped his wand to stop the blows from hitting him. Harry was content to watch this play out, and leaned against the podium, keeping an eye on the three fallen opponents to make sure they didn't rise.

Finally, Ginny, having pinned Cedric to the ground, pulled her knife from its holster and held it to Cedric's throat until he yielded.

Harry smiled as he ennervated each of the opponents and sent them back to their seats, the podium already being replaced by Silverwood. "Thank you, all," Harry smiled at the four who had returned to their seats. "Now, that was to prove that I am qualified for both the fight, and to lead the defense of this castle.

"You will have found a handbook on your seats when you entered. If you are to join us, read them, and take great care to follow the instructions for obtaining your new uniforms and supplies and deadlines for doing so, on page five. We have created several rules, of which I will highlight the most important here, though you are responsible for the entire handbook.

"Discipline is crucial. If I give you an order, in training or the heat of battle, you are to obey my orders without question. If a captain or lieutenant gives you an order in the heat of battle or in training, you are to obey it. As I report to Master Silverwood in his role as Master Commander, any objections or complaints may be issued to him, and he will be final arbitrator.

"This is ultimately a time-honored Mastery tradition to protect the wizarding world when great evil arises. You are being granted this opportunity by the Mastery, and as such, you will be treated by many Masters as Apprentices, though they have been spoken to about acceptable punishments while here. You will feel that you are being treated unfairly, or this training is too harsh. That is a decision you must make for yourself, but will you be ready when war comes?

"Make no mistake, war is coming, and war will come to Hogwarts' hallowed grounds. We do not know when, or how. We have no idea what troops Voldemort will bring. But we do know that we can have the upperhand, and that we will defend her magic to the end."

Harry glanced around at the students before him. "I have no idea what brings each of you here, or what your stories are. But your stories matter. Your inspirations and challenges and every moment that you think about, it matters. Hold those stories close to you as you consider what is worthwhile to you.

"We will have different roles. The different teams and roles are laid out in your handbook, but it seems appropriate now to introduce to you my leadership team. Much of your training will be led by my three lieutenants: Ginny, Terran, and Ferral. Respect is expected for each of them, and they have my faith when I am not able to attend. Ron will lead the Strategy and Alternate Methods team, who will focus on castle layout and inventive methods to overcome enemies in various parts of the grounds and castle. Hermione will serve as our Research specialist, and her team will follow her lead in whatever corners the library-or other libraries- may take them. Finally, Neville's expertise on plants and healing has enabled him to learn more about healing than the rest of us. He will lead our medical team."

Nobody seemed surprised by the leadership team Harry had selected, even as he continued. "This weekend, I and my lieutenants will make our way to London. There will be Apprentices who join, and Masters who make their way here to either assist in the Guard or find other things to do here. You are to respect them, and welcome them, even as they will likely watch with close scrutiny.

"Finally, Fletcher's class is compulsory. Absolute attendance and satisfaction to Fletcher's satisfaction is required. Timetables will be modified slightly so that any Junior Guard members are in his advanced class. You will get your modified schedules from your House Head, once you have agreed to the terms.

"Once you read the handbook, you may sign the agreement at the end. If so signed, please be prepared to be in the entrance hall promptly at six on Monday morning." Harry tried to glare at the groans, but, judging by the grin on Snape's face, probably looked more like a perturbed puppy. He ignored him. "Any questions?"

Harry was surprised by the silence in the room, until finally somebody timidly asked, "What happens if we're late?"

Harry couldn't tell who had asked, but he smirked. "I think I could convince our Resident Masters, and Fletcher, to brainstorm a delightful treat for anybody who dares test that possibility?"