Hello Hogwarts

Harry closed his eyes and leaned back. It felt strange to ride the express again. The slight swaying reminded him of waves.

"So we're going on just to add more protection for the students," Hermione said. "It's interesting to see how plans change as things happen. I'm glad Juliet and the Betas are so adaptable."

"It makes more sense anyway," Ron said with a shrug. "We'll offer every student considered an adult the chance to fight no matter the house, and we can keep an eye on those unwilling to follow in their parents' footsteps."

"Chances are at least some people in Malfoy's position don't want to get branded," Harry added. "He was a git to us but that isn't a reason to force him to join Snake-face."

The ride to Hogwarts was uneventful. Ginny was avoiding them. She was still angry they hadn't invited her along. Most other people didn't know they were on the train. They had arrived early just so they could avoid being seen. No one really needed to know anything about them until they reached the school. Once there they had actually made some changes to their original plan. Instead of working behind the scenes, they were going to do it all upfront.

Harry greeted the thestrals before hopping aboard the carriage that would take them to the castle. Silently and unmoving two Betas that Harry, Ron and Hermione didn't know overlooked everyone's entrance to the school. Most of the students probably didn't even realize that they were there. Most students hadn't received training from the special teams.

Hermione took point as they entered the castle. They walked through the entrance hall and into the Great Hall quickly. Once seated they had a good look at the staff table only to be surprised. Sirius was sitting where the Defense professor usually sat. He gave them a wave.

"Dumbledore must have asked him," Harry said. "Would have been nice if he'd told us, though."

"It's Sirius," Hermione said. "He probably thought it would be a great prank." She rolled her eyes. "At least it means that we'll have a competent Defense teacher this year. It could be far worse than Professor Black up there."

"I think it warrants a prank," Harry said. "He should have told us. If nothing else it will lighten the mood." He fell silent for a short while before adding, "Do you think Juliet will join him here?"

"At times," Ron answered. "She can't run things from here so she will want to stay at the Villa as well, but I doubt she will give up on the opportunity of taking a good look around."

The other two agreed then they fell silent as Professor McGonagall entered with the first-year students. Many of them looked frightened. They stopped between the tables as McGonagall brought out a small stool and the battered-looking Sorting Hat. There was a pause as the Hall fell silent. Then a rip opened up in the hat.

I know I am no looker

But that don't bother me

For I have brains and I have skill

That is plain for all to see

Standing here you wonder

Where to you shall go

Put me on and I will tell you

I shall let you know

Just remember that no matter

Where I send you to

You need to work together

To see these dark times through

Come here now and try me on

Let me tell you all

Where you belong in years to come

Whether great or small

You may belong in Gryffindor

With the knights of old

Where bravery and chivalry

In their hearts they hold

Or maybe you in Hufflepuff

Can find where you belong

They are kind and they work hard

To hold their friendships strong

Still, it might be Ravenclaw

That satisfies you mind

Among the wise and witty

They're the creative kind

Lastly, there is Slytherin

Were the cunning dwell

Are you a leader or a follower

It's quite hard to tell

No matter where I place you

Now you must work hard

To bridge the gap between you

To heal what has been scared

Like two birds of a feather

Together you must stand

To fight those who willingly

Hold the Dark Lord's brand

Look to those around you

To gather strong and true

No one is alone

We all are here with you

Harry rolled his eyes. The hat was really going for it this time. He stood up closely followed by Hermione and Ron. The three of them pointed their wands at their throats. They wanted to make sure everyone heard them. They stopped between the tables and waited for the Sorting to finish. Hermione gave a quick smile as her sister entered the hall and stood opposite her between the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables. As the last student sat down at the Gryffindor table and Professor McGonagall returned to her seat, three blasts of magic left the teens. A serpent and a lion formed above Harry. A lion and an eagle formed above Hermione. Lastly, a badger and a lion formed above Ron.

"Even though you have now been sorted," Hermione started.

"That doesn't mean you were not right for only the house you're now in," Ron continued.

"Everyone fits in one way or another in more houses than one. We're all more complex than a few lines spoken by a hat," Harry said.

"You might be a brave Slytherin."

"Or a cunning Hufflepuff."

"Maybe you're a witty Gryffindor."

"Or perhaps a loyal Ravenclaw."

"Don't limit yourself. Just because you have been placed in one house that doesn't mean you can't make friends in another," Hermione said.

"You could do great in Slytherin. It's all here right in your head, and Slytherin could lead you on the path to greatness," Harry said. Ha gave a small smirk. "That's what the hat told me during my sorting." He met Draco Malfoy's eyes and offered him an apologetic smile. "I had just met a right git though. So I wasn't too keen on the house of serpents right then. That combined with the fact that the man who killed my parents had once been a Slytherin sent me straight to Gryffindor."

"Everyone knows that Voldemort used to be a Slytherin. What they don't know is the name he actually went by. Tom Marvolo Riddle," Ron said. "The son of a squib of the Gaunt family and Tomas Riddle a no-mag." He raised his wand. "If you don't believe me, take a look at this," he said as he pointed his wand into the air. In golden letters, Riddle's name showed up. Then slowly each letter was crossed off as Ron wrote a second line. 'I am Lord Voldemort.' "I know for a fact that Riddle attended the school," he said. "I spent hours of detention cleaning a trophy of his in my second year."

"So the Death Eaters are following a half-blood. Less pure than Harry. At least his parents were properly magical. Despite this they claim pure-blood supremacy even though the strongest among them is barely a half-blood," Hermione said.

The hall was abuzz with voices. Slytherins were shouting and many others seemed unwilling to believe what was being said.

"That's really not all that important in the end, though. We just felt you should be informed," Ron said. "What is important is what you do now." He walked up closer to the head table. "Will you join us and defend what is right. Protect freedom and our right to live the way we wish. Or will you follow a madman? A man that can't even realize that no-mag born really are just children of squibs coming back to us." He gestured towards Hermione." Just look at Hermione and her sister Juliet. We found that they were daughters of the Chevalier family. How else do you explain Juliet to be a Mage? Mages are certainly not born from no-mag blood. Too much magic is required to produce such a child."

Quite a few distrusting murmurs rose from the Slytherin table. Only to stop as Draco stood up. "Weasley is right. Mages can't be born from no-mags," he said. He studied the golden trio as Harry and his friends were called by some. They had changed. A lot. He didn't see students standing at the head of the tables. He saw warriors. He had noticed the woman at the foot of the tables too and noted the similarity between her and Granger. They looked a lot alike, and they moved the same.

"We aren't interested in joining him," he said loud and clear. "Can you keep us safe?"

"Yes," four voices said at once.

"We have prepared for this," Juliet said. "We know what is coming. He has the Ministry. Now, he'll want Hogwarts."

"He is coming here no matter what we do," Ron said. "So we have prepared. You don't need to join us. There is no need for you to fight. We're just inviting those among you who want to help."

"But you have to be seventeen or older," Hermione said. "We will not have anyone younger mixed up in this. You will all be kept safe behind the wards."

Draco nodded slowly. He sat back down. He would find one of them later and speak with them about the Slytherins and his parents. He hoped they would be willing to help. At the very least he wanted his mother safe. She had never been a Death Eater. She had never liked what the Dark Lord stood for, but she never had that much of a choice in the matter.

Harry, Hermione and Ron returned to their seats as Dumbledore called the feast up. For now, all they could do was follow the flow. Neville moved closer to them. "What are they doing about the Hospital?" he asked. It wasn't strange that Neville asked.

"We have strengthened the wards. And we have guards on point. Right now a plan to move everyone is being formed," Ron answered.

"Our healers have had a look at your parents and they think they can fix it," Harry said. "We're going to have to deal with Voldemort first though. It would take a lot of time and effort to heal the Longbottoms. While we still have Voldemort out there we can't set our healers aside."

"That's understandable," Neville said. "I'm just glad there is a plan in place."

"Certainly," Hermione said. "We do try to think ahead or at least Juliet is. She is much more experienced than you might think just looking at her."

For a while, everyone focused on the food on their plates. It was quiet in the hall. All you could hear was the clinking of silverware against plaits. There was a strange air about as people thought of their futures. What did they want with their lives? It was a time to reflect without the input from parents.

As conversations picked up again, the tone was serious. Harry and his friends had brought about a change. Some were now even more firmly set in their beliefs while others had changed their minds. Maybe the world was not as black and white as they had first thought.

Then came the end of the feats and Dumbledore bid them all a good night. Prefects led the younger students through the school to their dorms. Harry was in no hurry to get back there. Hermione and Ron went ahead, but he had a feeling someone wanted to talk to him. He wasn't wrong.

"So you came back."

Harry turned around slowly until he was standing face to face with Malfoy. "We did. Hermione got irritated with the wizarding world and begged her sister to take us in and train us," he said. "People seem to have woken up a bit since we left."

Draco nodded thoughtfully. "He lives in my home," he said with a shudder. "Sharing a house with Him isn't easy. I'm expected to take the mark during the Yule holiday. I'd rather not." He looked off in the distance. "He treats my parents horribly. He doesn't care about anyone but himself. Even if I believed in the nonsense he spouts I wouldn't want to follow him, but he has my parents."

Harry sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Come on," he waved for Draco to follow. "We better go talk to Juliet. I hope she's still here. She'll know how to handle your situation better than me," he said. "Besides," he added. "She is Lady Black and you are a son of the Black family so you could always appeal to that. Though Lord Black might get stingy. He doesn't like your father very much." Harry stopped in front of a door and knocked. A few seconds passed before it opened revealing Juliet. She smiled at them. "Hello, Harry," she said. Then she looked Draco over. "So you were right I take it," she said.

"You could say that," Harry said.

Juliet waved them inside the Professor's quarters. "Harry was quite certain you weren't that interested in joining Voldemort," she said.

"I've always thought you're too smart," Harry said with a shrug to answer Draco's questioning look. He retold the information Draco had already given him to Juliet and Sirius.

Juliet nodded slowly. "I have contacts," she said. "I can get your parents out. They will have to abandon their home for a time, but they will be safe. That, however, does not protect your father from a trial. The United Nation's Magical Division will hold the trials. He can get a more lenient sentence if he were to give us information on the Dark Lord, but he won't get away scot-free."

Draco nodded slowly. "I can understand that," he said. "I still think father would prefer that to the alternative."

Juliet hummed. She would have to push things ahead if she was to save the Malfoys. The information they could give would be worth it, though. She'd have to act quickly. A small sigh left her lips. She had thought that maybe she could get a quiet evening with Sirius, but that didn't seem likely now. "What does my contact tell them?" she asked Draco. "They need to know that they can trust my guy."

"Nest is burning. Save the hatchlings," Draco said.

"You have already spoken of this possibility with them," Juliet asked.

"Yes."

Draco sighed. He sat down heavily. He looked tired, almost broken. He gazed up at Juliet. "Can we win?" he asked.

Juliet chuckled. "I don't like being overconfident, but we're doing well. Unless Voldemort has a hidden army of magic users as powerful as your family we can take them," she said.

"What she means is that Juliet Black Lady of the house of Black knows we will win, but Juliet the commander of Beta team can't allow herself to think that way," Harry said cheekily. "Isn't that right mother."

Juliet rolled her eyes. "Something like that," she said.

"You seem confident," Draco told Harry.

"I have seen her bend the ocean to her will. Sonja has seen her turn a tsunami away," Harry said. "We have a team of the best of the best. If anyone can deal with Voldemort it's them."

"And if I'd like to help but maybe not be fighting?" Draco asked.

"We need a team of flying retrievers," Juliet said. "Guarded by Ron's flying squad. They will rescue people who have been hurt and bring them to the great hall to our healers. Or you can aid the healers."

"You can also help by brewing healing potions and salves before the battle even starts," Harry said. "There are several positions that won't put you in danger but will make a difference in the end. We will offer some of the in-school positions to the sixth year students as well. They won't be part of the fighting in here."

Draco nodded slowly. He knew people who might want to help but didn't feel comfortable fighting their own families. "I'll speak to the Slytherins," he said. "We will help."

"Good," Harry said. "We'll speak to Ron. He is the commander of the student fighters."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "You aren't the one in charge of that?" he asked just a tiny bit surprised.

Harry shook his head. "The best strategist is the one in charge. That means Juliet for Beta team and Ron for the Dragons," he said. "We needed a neutral name for the students. And well you know what the motto of the school is."

"Don't tickle a sleeping dragon," Draco said.

"Don't piss off the students. We may be young, but we have something they don't. We don't think inside the box," Harry said with a smirk.

Draco left not long after that. He had some Slytherins to convince. He felt better than he had in months. Potter's confidence had rubbed off on him. They would do this. They would take their world back from insane adults who were slowly destroying it. He entered the snake den. People moved aside. "We will protect our school," he stated loudly. He went on to explain how each of them could help even if they didn't fight.

"And why should we listen to you?" a sixth-year student asked.

Draco tilted his head slightly. "Because the Dark Lord will not survive the forces that now stand ready to defend the castle," he said. "He has no idea who he is facing." He was pushing the confidence Potter had given him before he himself started feeling doubt once more. He left the common room before anyone else could question him.

Juliet kissed Sirius before heading off. She contacted her man among the Death Eaters. The sooner he could come to speak with her the better.

A day and a half she waited for a response. In the meantime, Ron was drawing up plans for the Dragons. He had spoken with Draco who was now overseeing the creation of healing potions. The students had been split into five groups. One would follow Ron as air support. Harry and Hermione would lead their ground teams. Draco would lead their rescue team, and Daphne Greengrass would head their medic support team inside the school. Everything was coming together.

It was late when Juliet finally met with her contact. She sent him off with the information he needed and returned to the Villa. His wife showed up that same night. "I really hope you know what you are doing," she told Juliet.

"So do I," Juliet said. Things were coming to an end.

Early the following morning the Malfoys showed up with the undercover agent. Juliet greeted them and quickly moved them into the Villa. She sent her man off to join up with his wife. "Frankly the more information you can give me the easier life will be for you," Juliet told Lucius. They spent two days together. Lucius told Juliet as much as he could. He didn't know everything the Dark Lord had planned.

Juliet returned to Hogwarts to speak to Ron. She needed to know how the Dragons were doing.

Ron was sitting in an empty classroom. He was peering over the Marauders' Map. Juliet sat down next to him. "Within the week," she said. "We removed Lucius' mark so as far as Riddle is concerned the Malfoys are dead. That should keep him on point. If he goes dormant now that would be bad.

"Harry can taunt him," Ron said.

"Just don't overdo it," Juliet said. "We don't want him to catch on."

Ron nodded slowly. They would have to think something up. Maybe Draco could construct a missive just infuriating enough to get snake-face going.

They caught up on the latest additions to the plan before going their separate ways. There was much to do and very little time to do it in.

Harry was sitting by the Slytherin table that evening speaking to Draco and Daphne. They were putting together an article for the prophet in an attempt to pull Voldemort in.

Ravenclaw's Lost Diadem

This reporter has been informed that a team of students interested

in the founders of Hogwarts have made a breakthrough. After

speaking to the Gray Lady also known as Helena Ravenclaw,

they found that the Diadem was taken to Albania in her time.

However, they believe that it has returned to Hogwarts. After

searching the castle floor by floor they have narrowed the location

down to the seventh floor. We have learnt that there is a room on the

seventh floor that changes in accordance to your wishes. It can be

full of chamber pots as it is known to have appeared to one Albus

Dumbledore. It can also become a room that holds all hidden or lost

items of Hogwarts. Currently, the plan is to catalogue and go through the

entire room. It is believed that the diadem will be found amongst the

various other items in the room.

~Raco Phen

"Good," Harry said. "That should get him going."

"I guess," Daphne said. "Why is the Diadem important by the way?"

"You don't want to know," Harry said. "But if you're really interested I'll tell you after the Battle."

Daphne sighed. She wished he could just tell them. She guessed it was important somehow and that's why he couldn't say anything. She put the finished article away. She would send it to her father, who in turn would get it printed in the Daily Prophet. They were one step closer to mayhem.

The alarm sounded. Ron grabbed his things and headed for the great hall. This was it. All his planning would payout within the next few hours. Dean and Seamus showed up only to moments later be joined by Fred and George. "Okay, you know what to do. Lay the traps then come back. Do not engage in combat. If any sharks break through leave them to the wolves," Ron told them. He sent their trap team off to join a few of Juliet's people and then he turned to the filling hall. He jumped up on the Hufflepuff table. "Falcons to me," he called.

"Bears to me," Harry called from the Gryffindor table and Hermione called out for the Griffins to join her. They had split people up in accordance to what house they had attended mostly. Harry led the Hufflepuffs and some of the Gryffindors. Hermione led the Ravenclaws and some of the Gryffindors. Ron had a mix, but they were all good flyers. Then there was Draco who led the Crows and Daphne who led the Mantas. The last two were support teams. The Crows would rescue and the Mantas helped the Healers inside the Great Hall.

Harry and Hermione led their teams outside to join up with Juliet and her people. They defended the school and they would take the bulk of the attack with Juliet and her people taking point.

"Mind if I join you?"

Draco turned slightly only to be surprised by who was standing there. Marcus Flint. "Certainly," Draco said. He wasn't sure why Flint was there, but then it clicked. Flint must have been Juliet's inside-man. He wore the Dark Mark openly. He wanted to help them. He knew about their plans and Draco had received a very cryptic message from his father a few days prior. Now he understood what his father had meant. "It's good to have you," he said.

Flint smirked and they went back to preparing for what is to come.

Ron saw how Fred and George showed back up. They offered him big grins and thumbs-ups. Everything had gone well. "Falcons at the ready," Ron called out. "Take flight."

They were off. Out through one of the large windows that had been opened up in preparation for the battle.

One way in. One way out.

Ron scanned the ground below. Everything seemed to be going according to plan so far. The Death Eaters were bombarding the outer ward. They would break through soon. Dumbledore and the other Professors were walking out to join the battle. Juliet quickly directed them to their positions. They had counted on the professors joining them even though none of them had been part of the planning except for Sirius.

Dumbledore stood side by side with Juliet. "Our plan was for you to draw Voldemort's attention," Juliet said softly. "I can't guarantee you'll survive that."

"Have you dealt with all the Horcruxes?" Dumbledore asked. "Including the one in Harry?"

"He was the first," Juliet said. "We have taken care of all of them. The snake died a couple of days ago. That was the last one."

Dumbledore nodded slowly. He understood what had to happen, and he, just like Juliet, knew he would most likely not survive the fight. But the knowledge that they would win the battle was enough for him. He was an old man. He could go out with a bang. A silly smile made its way to his lips. Maybe for once, he'd play a little. It would certainly infuriate Tom if he did.

"Must Snape be with us?" Sirius whined.

"Yes," Harry said. "He is one of the few I'm happy to have guarding my back right now."

Severus raised an eyebrow. The boy couldn't possibly know about his vow to Dumbledore. He wondered how that conclusion had been reached.

"Remember!" Harry and Hermione called out. "Protect each other first. Fight second. We don't want any unnecessary deaths on our side. WE WILL PULL THROUGH!"

The wards broke.

Everything went silent.

Then the trees in the Forbidden Forest started swaying. Giants broke through.

"House-elves at the ready!" Juliet called. "Remember to stay alive and save your comrades." She waited until the smoke traps that Melonni had placed went off filling the field just before the forest with thick black smoke. "House-elves attack!" she called out.

From above Ron saw how the little elves teleported around. Little clouds rose in the smoke as Dobby and the other elves quickly jumped around and stabbed little blades in the giants' feet.

Heavy clubs hit the ground as the giants started attacking the elves, but the tiny creatures were too small. They moved around and between the giants so quickly that the big brutes didn't stand a chance.

"Dobby report!" Juliet commanded as the last giant fell.

Dobby showed up next to her. His clothes bloodied and a strange sheen visible in his eyes. "Twenty-six wounded and three dead ma'am," he said.

Juliet nodded. "Make sure the wounded get treated and the dead are laid aside. They will be buried as the heroes they were when this is over," she said.

Dobby gave a determined nod. "Dobby will tell the others," he said before disappearing.

"They have sent the werewolves now," Sonja said quietly.

Juliet nodded slowly. "Argo's turn then," she said.

In the forest Argo's werewolves were waiting. As what was left of Fenrir's pack came close, they sprung their trap. Argo's eyes narrowed at the sight of so many child turners. They bit children. He let out a low growl before rushing forward. He slammed his massive fist into the new alpha's chest sending the man to the ground. Aspen, Fenrir's dearest son, snarled and drew his wand, but Argo was faster. He pulled a heavy axe from his belt and chopped Aspen's arm off. "You will never touch another child again," he growled before the axe sank into Aspen's skull.

Hermione bounced on her heels. She could hear the screams from the forest, but she couldn't see what was happening. It put her on edge.

"Argo will have them surrender soon," Remus said softly. After spending as much time with Argo as he had, he knew that the gentle alpha didn't want to hurt those who were forced to be there. It would be over soon.

Just as the screams died down there was a shout from Ron, "Inferi!," he called loud and clear.

"Ready with the mote. Seamus. Dean," Harry said. "Let them enter before igniting it."

"Gottcha Harry," Seamus said.

They all watched as shambling bodies made it out of the forest.

"Wands at the ready!" Juliet called. "Dementors incoming!"

Ron looked around. He located the despair spreaders and turned towards them. Together with everyone else that could cast a Patronus he prepared for Juliet's signal.

"Three, two, one!"

"Expecto Patronum!" almost a hundred witches and wizards called out. The wave of golden light was magnificent. The Dementors froze for only a moment as the golden wave crashed into them then they fled.

"Now," Harry told Seamus.

A second past and then another.

Then as the inferi moved closer there was an explosion. Body parts went everywhere. Fire spread across the grounds. Ron led the Falcons down and behind the wandering corpses. The Falcons pushed the corpses into the fire. They flew towards the fire in sweeps so that they were never stagnant.

One of the Hufflepuff beaters called out in fear.

Ron spun around and pointed his wand at an inferius' arm. "Colobos," he hissed. The inferius didn't react as its arm was cut off. Ron slashed with his wand and pushed the corpse into the fire. "You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, thanks."

Ron gave a curt nod before taking off again. He sent his Patronus to Juliet. "Death Eaters are on their way," the terrier said as it reached Juliet.

"Everyone at the ready," Juliet called out. The real battle was coming now. Everything else had just been to test them. "Ready Headmaster?" she asked.

"As ready as I will get," Dumbledore said with a sigh.

"I know this isn't fun, but we don't have much choice. All we can do is make sure everyone on our side survives," Juliet said.

Dumbledore looked very old suddenly. He grunted and then he pulled himself together again. He would do this. He looked at the people around him. He would fight for everyone there.

"Wands at the ready!" Juliet called.

Then everything was quiet.

Ron pulled his people back.

Slowly, Voldemort and his Death Eaters left the forest. They reached the mote of fire and put it out as they crossed.

Shields went up around the defenders. Juliet together with several other Mages focused on stopping Unforgivable Curses.

Hermione and Harry started moving. They closed in on the Death Eaters from the sides. Ron dove down from the sky casting freely as he passed by the Death Eaters. Fred and George activated several of their dormant traps. Explosions and spell mines went off.

"Angelina!" Fred called out as the Gryffindor chaser fell off her broom.

"Let's get Draco and his team in there," Ron called. They went down again, but this time more people joined them as Draco brought in the Crows. Marcus Flint and Adrian Pierce grabbed Angelina and headed back for the castle.

Harry felled one of the black-robed wizards, before moving on. Spells went flying.

"Here you go Muncher asshole," Sirius called out as he bombarded a Death Eater.

Harry threw up a shield in front of his godfather as a slew of spells headed his way.

"Snape you traitorous git!"

One of the Death Easters started heading their way. He was throwing spells towards Severus. The dour Potion Master switched his stance. He caught spells directly with the barest of shields, before returning fire. Suddenly, the Death Eater was ripped apart. Blood went everywhere. Severus walked up to him and ripped his mask off. "Rowel," he spat.

On the other side of the field, Hermione was fighting side by side with Mrs Weasley.

"Oh, the wittle girl has a bite," Bellatrix sassed Hermione. She grinned and then she turned to Mrs Weasley. "And how about the mother. Brought all of your little children here. They will scream sweetly."

"Oh, quiet you evil hag!" Molly shouted. She pushed Bellatrix back with Hermione's help.

"Crucio," Bellatrix screeched.

Molly collapsed in pain. While Bellatrix was focused on Molly, Hermione moved around she took a steadying breath, and then she pointed her wand at the insane witch. "Accio Bellatrix Lestrange's heart," she called. She almost threw up as the heart came flying towards her. She burned it as Bellatrix collapsed.

Mrs Weasley coughed. "Thank you, dear," she said as Hermione helped her up.

"Are you alright to keep going?" Hermione asked.

Mrs Weasley nodded. "I'm fine dear," she said. "Now let's take care of these horrible people." She redied herself and the two kept going through the masses of dark-clad wizards and witches.

"Tom, Tom, Tom," Dumbledore said with a sigh. "You aren't going to win."

"You are a fool, old man," Voldemort said. "I have fighters. You have children and their parents. You know nought of true battle. You're not ready for the death that will follow."

"If all you see here is children you are truly blind, Tom," Dumbledore said. He threw up a wave of water and sent it towards Voldemort. The droplets turned to ice as they moved. Fire met the ice turning it to steam. The steam solidified and became a rain of sharp needles. Dumbledore swished his wand and spells went flying.

Voldemort shielded himself and sent several colourful spells towards Dumbledore. A shield of ice took a Killing Curse.

"It's such a shame that you couldn't see past your anger," Dumbledore said. "It could have been so different."

"Quit your senile hopes, old man," Voldemort said. He sent a flurry of spells at Dumbledore. Ice caught some of them, but a few went through. In the corner of his eye, Dumbledorter could see how Juliet who had been aiding him was forced to focus on one of the Lestrange brothers. He was on his own now. He moved to the side just out of the way of a Killing Curse. Pain flared up in his side. He was bleeding heavily. He threw off spells and the grass around Voldemort's legs turned into vines that grabbed at him.

"Old fool. You die now," Voldemort called as he threw a Cruciatus Curse at Dumbledore. He destroyed the vines around his legs before moving towards Dumbledore. With a victorious grin, he pointed his long ivory wand at the old man. "Avada Kedavra." The green streak hit Dumbledore square in the chest.

Voldemort laughed. "Dumbledore is dead. Give up or join him," he called. "We will bring you down."

Harry slashed his way through another Death Eater. He made it to Dumbledore's body. "We will never give up," he told Voldemort. He fired off an array of spells.

Voldemort blocked them. "Silly child," he spat. "I will take you down. You are nothing in comparison to him." He pointed a finger at Dumbledore's body. "He was the greatest in his time. I killed him. He was no challenge to me. You are nothing in comparison. A small child in over his head. I will crush you, boy." He cast a Killing Curse at Harry who dodged. An irritated growl passed his nonexistent lips.

Harry raised his wand. "It might not be as easy as you think," he said. He was buying time. In the distance, he could see how Juliet and one of the Alphas moved up behind Voldemort. They would help him. He knew that. He raised his wand and threw off a blasting curse at the ground by Voldemort's feet followed by several minor cutting curses.

Voldemort responded with unforgivable curses and other rather nasty spells. Harry either shielded or dodged depending on the spell. He fired off a heavy confusion and a bone-breaking curse. He screamed out as a burning sensation spread across his abdomen. He was breathing heavily.

"Tired Potter?" Voldemort asked. "This looks familiar. I believe Albus found himself in the same predicament."

"He might have been here," Harry said. "But I'm quite a lot younger." he spun around and kicked out Voldemort's legs. He jumped back as Voldemort got back up. Several spells were sent his way and he dodged them. "Look around you. Where are your Death Eaters?" he asked.

"I have no need for weaklings," Voldemort sneered."If they have fallen they were useless."

"Well," Harry said. "Unlike you, I don't stand alone."

"I am the Dark Lord! I will stand victorious! I am the most powerful Wizard this world has ever…"

Ice spears had shot up out of the ground. Harry shifted and sent a full-body bind at the Dark Lord. Then the Alpha walked forward. He pulled a giant sword and aligned it.

"Sometimes you have to see the bigger picture," Juliet said. "You were full of yourself. Thank you for that. Juto, are you certain?"

The man next to Juliet nodded. "I will take this," he said. He swung the sword and chopped Voldemort's head off.

Harry breathed out. He looked around the grounds. A few fights were still going, but the sharks were losing. He could see Hermione and Mrs Weasley taking down a Death Eater. Remus had walked closer to the forest and was speaking with Argo. "Where is Ron?" he asked.

Juliet looked around. "He might be inside. I haven't seen him in a while, but his team knew what to do if something happened," she said. "Why don't you head inside and get yourself looked at?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah, I could use some healing," he said. He headed inside slowly. His side hurt. Breathing felt like fire. He pulled a deep breath as he entered the Great Hall. "We have won. Voldemort is dead!" he called out. That at least he could give them. He sat down heavily as Jonathan came over and gave him a quick scan. "At least you're no worse for wear. Just sit still for a moment." He walked off a bit and shouted.

Only moments later Malfoy came over with a salve. "Shirt off Potter," he said.

"Oh, my so demanding," Harry said with a sly smirk. "Anything else you want off, huh?"

Draco rolled his eyes. "Just the shirt for now," he said.

Harry chuckled, wincing as he did so. He grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it off. He raised an eyebrow at the look Draco gave him. "Like what you see?" he asked with a wink.

Draco sighed. "I guess I didn't expect you to be this buff is all," he said as he opened a jar and started spreading its contents over Harry's side. "You'll heal quick enough. You should see Ron."

"So, he is in here?" Harry asked.

Draco nodded. "Took a nasty curse to his throat, but they got him stable and mother is with him now. The Healers can't do anything else for him right now so they just needed someone to keep an eye on him," he said.

Juliet walked into the hall. She had put some of her people on dealing with the captives outside. The MD would hold trials. For those that deserved prison time, there was a prison held by the UNMD somewhere. Not even Juliet knew exactly where. She had a person that did, but she as the leader of a team wasn't privy to the information. "Jonathan report," she said.

"About a dozen dead," Jonathan said. "And thirty badly injured and many more with lesser injuries." He looked her over. "Including yourself," he said. He scanned her and cast several healing spells at her. "That will have to do for now. Have Malfoy give you a potion too just in case. I have to get back to work." He left to take care of a witch who had lost an arm. She was stable but her condition was still critical.

Juliet walked over to Harry and Draco. She was handed a potion. She drank it and sighed. "Now comes the bad part," she said softly. "This is one of those things that deter people from leadership roles."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"I have to identify the dead so I can inform their families," Juliet said.

Harry rose with a groan. "I'll come with you," he said. "I know some people better than you do."

"Thank you, Harry," Juliet said with a sad smile.

The two of them headed towards the back of the hall where the Healers had placed the dead. The bodies were covered. Juliet kneeled by each one of them taking note of who they were. Sonja lay there and Rita, Nate's mother, was there.

"That's Ernie MacMillan," Harry said. "He was in Hufflepuff and Jessica Parker, she was a Ravenclaw."

There were a bunch more of Juliet's people and a couple of Aurors and then… "That's Ron's dad," Harry said sadly. Arthur had a deep cut going from shoulder to hip. That was going to be devastating for the family.

Dumbledore also lay there and Kingsley Shacklebolt. Alastor Moody lay only a few feet away.

Harry found Cho Chang and Oliver Wood among the dead.

They had lost a lot of good people.

Harry walked next to Juliet as they moved back through the hall.

Hermione entered the Hall together with Mrs Weasley. Harry looked at Juliet. Was she going to tell her now?

"My family," Molly said. "Do you know where they are?"

"Fred and George are helping my people sort out Death Eaters outside," Juliet said. "Ronald is over there. Celestine says he's stable and should wake up by morning." She took a deep breath. "I am sad to inform you that your husband Arthur fell during the battle. His body will be released to you when you wish until then we keep it in stasis."

Molly breathed in slowly. She wasn't sure what to do. Arthur was gone. "Where is Ron?" she asked. "And have you seen Bill or Percy?

"I have not, but I will send them to you if I find them," Juliet said.

"I'll take you to Ron," Harry said. He took Mrs Weasley's hand and led her over to his fallen friend.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Lady Malfoy said as they sat down. "Arthur was a good man."

Molly almost responded with something mean, but she thought better of it. Narcissa had never done anything to her family. "Thank you," she said quietly instead. She reached out and took Ron's hand in hers. Her brave boy. Silently tears started falling down her face. A warm hand squeezed her shoulder.

A handkerchief was offered to her.

In the background, the healers and their assistants were moving around quietly.

Bill, Percy, Fred and George joined their mother eventually. They all sat there around Ron.

Most of them were crying.

Juliet headed up to the Gryffindor dorm and fetched Ginny. It wasn't fair that she wouldn't learn of her father's passing. Ginny wasn't the only one she had gone to gather. Every student that had lost someone was brought down. The injured were slowly moved.

"I'll stay with him," Narcissa said as the healers came to move Ron.

"Thank you," Molly said.

Bill was holding his mother. Ginny had collapsed in Fred's lap. She was crying and swearing. She blamed Ron even though that was in no way fair. She cursed the Death Eaters.

Harry slowly moved away from the grieving family. He was dead tired. Someone grabbed hold of him and guided him into a shower and then a warm bed. He didn't reflect on who helped him.

The following morning dawned grey and gloomy. Green eyes opened slowly. Harry groaned as he rolled over. His eyes narrowed as he realised that he wasn't alone in the bed. A warm body pressed against his. He turned around and moved back. A dark eyebrow rose. "Did you want company?" he asked somewhat amused.

"You could barely stand," the muffled voice of Draco Malfoy responded.

"And that is reason for us to share a bed?" Harry asked.

"You grabbed onto me," Draco defended himself. "What was I supposed to do?"

Harry chuckled. He rolled out of bed and stretched. "I wonder where Hermione went last night," he mused.

"Her sister made sure she got to bed," Draco said. He climbed out of bed after Harry and ran his hand along Harry's spine. "You sure you don't want to have some fun before heading out?" he asked.

Harry turned slightly. He looked Draco up and down. "Are you serious," he asked. His voice and tone had changed drastically.

Draco nodded and Harry smirked.

...

Ron woke up. His eyes hurt. The room was bright. He blinked several times.

"Good morning Ron."

Ron focused on the voice. "Juliet," he croaked.

"Yes, Ron I'm here," Juliet said.

"What happened to Cho?" Ron asked.

Juliet smiled sadly. "She didn't make it," she said.

Ron sighed. Damn it. He had seen her go down. He had gone after her, but something must have happened. He couldn't remember hitting the ground. He'd lost focus and missed something.

"Don't beat yourself up over it. We all lost people. Sonja is gone and…" Juliet paused. "Your father didn't make it."

It took a few seconds for Ron to realise what Juliet had said. Sonja was dead. One of their Masters that was a blow to him. His father… His father was gone. No more quirky muggle experiments. No more strange surprises. He buried his face in his hands. Slowly his shoulders started shaking. Juliet moved over to the bed and wrapped an arm around her student.

Jonathan walked into the infirmary. He headed straight for them. He checked Ron over. "He's doing alright," he told Juliet. "There are a few potions I want him to take. I'll leave them here. There are still others that need my attention. Father brought in a few of his pack."

"I'll take care of Ron," Juliet said. "You take care of the others."

Jonathan nodded before hurrying off.

It took a few more minutes before Ron calmed down enough to take his potions. He had cried himself dry. There was an emptiness inside him that he didn't know what to do with. He barely recognised that Juliet was right there next to him. He didn't react when Harry and Hermione showed up.

"Is he going to be alright?" Harry asked Juliet concerned.

"It will take time, but he should pull through," Juliet said. "I've seen this before. It isn't as bad as it seems. At least as long as it doesn't go on for too long. All we can do is be available, and he shouldn't live alone. I'll probably bring him back to the Villa."

"That might be good," Hermione said. She didn't feel too great either. She kept seeing blood on her hands even though she knew they were clean. Maybe Juliet knew a shrink.

The funerals were held in the following days. Some choose to bring their dead with them to family burial grounds others appreciated the offer to bury their dead in the hero graves setup on Hogwarts' grounds.

Arthur, Dumbledore, Sonja, Alastor and Kingsley were all buried there. Sonja's little brother Desmond approached Juliet after his sister's funeral. He had wanted to join the Betas before now, and he hadn't changed his mind.

Just like Juliet had said, she brought Ron with her back to the Villa. Percy moved back with his mother to keep her company. They didn't want her to be alone. It surprised everyone that Percy took that fall.