AN: Don't own Harry Potter. %$^

Thanks for the support. Things start to change so...on with the show.

Chapter 6

Harry and Moody spent the day rechecking equipment and thinking about all they learned that morning. By dinner time, they were both anxious to do something to take their minds off it. As they sat at the table, neither were talking very much and remained in their own thoughts.

Harry finally broke the silence. "Hey Pops...I think it'd be okay if we let Remus and Tonks in but I'd want you to get an oath before they find out who your partner is."

Moody nodded. "Probably a good idea. You and me alone aren't going to be able to handle a large assault."

"Yeah but who can really handle fighting with the odds we are. Four ain't much better than two plus we know each others moves. Adding someone else in might cause problems."

Moody nodded. "They'll have to train with us before they go out on a mission. You do realize that when he hits either of the next targets, he's gonna have a lot of bodies there?"

"Yep...got a special plan for it too."

Moody chuckled. "You been playing with your balls again junior?"

Harry laughed. "Every day"

Moody grinned. "They say that'll make you go blind."

"Must be why I need glasses. Well if it gets any worse, I can always get one of those crazy eyes like you."

"Makes the ladies swoon it does."

"I do not want to hear you telling any more stories about you and Nana. That's just so wrong."

Moody just threw his head back and laughed. "So what did you come up with this time?"

Harry smiled. "Modified transfiguration runes. Nana will be so proud. Turns everything within fifteen meters into ice for five minutes. I call them snow balls."

"How's that do any good...wait...blanket the area with blasting hexes and then they're just piles of ice until they revert into..."

"Yeah exactly"

Moody sighed. "We may need it on this next one."

"Probably so. I also made some I call blue balls."

Moody snorted. "Let me guess. Directed blungeoner that focusing on the family jewels?"

Harry chuckled but it was an evil one. Moody was so proud. "Close, directed blungeoner followed by a directed castration hex thirty seconds later."

"Why? You already have them down."

"But not out. By the time the castration hex fires, their hands will be over their goolies so we get their hands at the same time. They may live but what kind of life will it be?"

Moody chuckled darkly. "You could also call it the line ender."

Neither home was attacked that night although the wards were twinging as they were being probed. The wait was driving both men crazy as they would much rather be fighting than sitting around on a high level of alert that an attack could come at any moment. They were even holding off on sparring and dueling so conserve their physical and magical energy.

**ALM**

The next day, Malfoy Manor was a hub of activity as Voldemort planned his next raid. Amelia Bones was his primary target at the moment followed by Alastor Moody and whoever was helping him. He planned to lead the raid personally tonight and make sure Bones was eliminated. He only hoped that Moody would show up there so that he could take out two problems at once. He was no longer concerned about Dumbledore as he had been effectively neutered. Granted he still had to die but since he wasn't a major threat at the moment, he could wait. The vaunted Order of the Phoenix was in shambles too if Snape's report was believed. The once feared fighting arm of the Order was now gone and in its place were women, children, and those too old to put up a decent fight. He rejoiced that the 'Light' was so splintered at the moment and could only praise himself since the death of Harry Potter basically was the catalyst to make that faction ineffective.

His only worry was that the fighters for the 'light' would reform under a new leader. Hopefully, he could eliminate Moody before he became that leader and his DE's were put to the test. As insurance to his success, the entire inner circle would be with him at Amelia Bones' home. He was just thankful that she didn't live at Bones Manor where the ancient war wards could be deployed against his forces. He'd need those forces when he went after the Greengrass family for defying him and their house was well equipped when it came to wards.

By the time dinner came around, the large banquet hall was filled with his troops. Knowing there was a possibility that some may not survive the attack, he wanted to make sure they all at least had a last decent meal.

**ALM**

Amelia came home early tonight from the Ministry as she was expecting a very special guest for dinner. Her great-niece, Susan, was coming to spend the evening and night with her. It was a usual occurrence in the past to do this weekly but Amelia was extremely busy at the Ministry trying to do her best to clean it out from Voldemort's supporters. It even worked to get her off the cases of her former teammates in trying to figure out what they were doing. She knew Poppy and Minnie were back at Hogwarts after taking a vacation to who knows where. She assumed it was wherever Moody was since Minnie and him couldn't stay away from each other for very long. She just wished she knew for a fact who Moody's partner in crime was. She had her suspicions but confirmation would be good. Little did she know that she would get that very thing tonight.

After a private dinner, she and Susan retired to the sitting room so they could indulge in girl talk. It was something they did ever since Susan was little. She cast the opening salvo. "So Susie...how was Hogwarts this year?"

"Not the same. With Harry not there, most of us were scared to move about unless we were in a group. The dark kids seemed to think they were empowered to do whatever they wanted to whoever they wanted. After what happened to Granger, even the light guys seem suspicious. There's only a few boys I'll even hang around with anymore. Neville one of them."

Amelia frowned. "Dark kids...that sounds..."

"Death eater's kids. You know from the dark families. I guess it's better than the little bastards as some people call them."

Amelia was shocked. "Susie..."

Susan smiled sweetly. "And that's why I call them the dark kids."

"Fine...you called your friend Granger. Why's that?"

Susan sighed. "Cause she's not my friend anymore. Not really. Her master won't let her out of his sight and I refuse to be around that traitor."

Amelia nodded. "Understandable. Some of the things I've heard have not left a very good impression about him."

Susan snorted. "Good impression? Ha! He might as well be a little Malfoy the way he acts and he had the audacity to say that he was the brains and skill behind Harry Potter. As if! Harry had more skill and brains and power in his little finger than Ronald Weasley will ever have!"

"Sounds like someone is still hung up on Mr. Potter."

Susan blushed. "Maybe a little."

"You know he's gone don't you?"

Susan teared up them tried to wipe from her eyes. "That's what everyone says but I don't believe it. It has to be some kind of sick joke or prank."

Amelia found this interesting. "Why do you think that?"

Susan was getting fired up in his defense and Amelia loved in when Susan became passionate about something as it just made her glow. "Okay think about this. Even if he was with his muggle cousin...two dementors would be nothing for him. He chased off over a hundred that night at Hogwarts. I didn't see it but Hermione did. Back then, she didn't lie about anything. Not like now. Of course I think Weasley makes her say things bad about Harry at times so that Ron will feel good about himself. He still gets so jealous when someone talks about Harry."

"How so?"

"Well you know defense was horrid this year? (Amelia nodded) For one, Umbridge couldn't teach a niffler to find gold. Not to mention that sickly sweet voice makes me want to vomit. Well anyway, the text she made us read was all about how to surrender properly and wait for the Aurors to come save us. I mean really, her idea of defense was to throw your wand on the ground and hope the DE's don't kill you."

Amelia nodded. "I saw the text. From what I understand, she and Fudge were trying to prevent Dumbledore from training an army at the school. I think her real plans were to go after Harry Potter but after what happened, it was too late to find someone to fill the post and she got stuck there. I can say the Ministry was a much nicer place without her there."

Susan snorted. "I'll bet. I imagine if Harry was there, it would have gotten nasty between them and he wouldn't have backed down. Anyway, she was horrible and we weren't learning anything so someone came up with the plan to study real defense on our own. It was mainly fifth years at first then some others wanted to join in since we can't seem to have a decent defense teacher most years. I mean Lupin and Mad-Eye were the best we've had so far and you know how crazy Moody is. Plus from what we heard, it wasn't even Moody most of the year. It was some DE polyjuiced to be him."

Amelia nodded to confirm.

"Well we finally meet and they chose Weasley and Granger to lead us since they've been with Harry on most of his 'adventures'. So anyway, Weasley gets the big head and starts spouting off all kinds of garbage trying to make himself look better by saying Harry was nothing if it wasn't for him. He even downplayed Granger's role and we all knew she was the brains behind the trio. While Ron may have somewhat been a strategist, Harry was the power. But what no one really realized, and Granger wouldn't comment for fear of upsetting Ron, was Harry was brilliant and could turn almost any situation into a win. That's why I say two dementors wouldn't have been a problem because Harry just didn't lose."

Amelia's eyes were sparkling while Susan was on a roll. She sat back and enjoyed listening to her niece tell her story. "So...we weren't going to stand there and listen to MoRon bad mouth Harry so a group of us walked out. Sadly, it was mostly Gryffindors who stayed and they knew Harry better than the other houses but they listened to that crap and continued to train with the idiot until they were caught by Umbridge. The funny thing about it was Aunt Minnie didn't blink an eye when her house went to last place in the points and those twenty students were given detention. It was almost as if she was pleased for some reason."

Amelia smiled. "Let's just say Minerva had a good reason for it and leave it at that. You mentioned Neville earlier?"

Susan just smiled and didn't blush so she knew they were just friends. "Neville was one of the ones who I walked out of the meeting with. Hannah has a thing for him."

"Anyone else?"

"Not anyone really worth mentioning except maybe that Creevey boy whose family was attacked a few weeks ago."

"Oh?"

"Yeah Colin was...well he could be quite annoying but he is a nice kid. He practically worshiped Harry and would do anything for him. Harry was always looking out for him and was patient and nice to him."

"Hmmm...would he lie if he had seen Harry recently?"

Susan snorted. "In a heartbeat if Harry asked him too. Why?'

"Oh no reason. Just a theory I've been toying with."

Susan studied her aunt for a minute before a smile formed on her face. "You think Harry is alive too. But why would he hide?"

"Why indeed?"

Susan frowned. "His godfather dead. Yes I know Sirius Black was his godfather. Forced into a tournament. Getting spat on by the whole school for a year. His best friend abandoning him. Losing his girlfriend to his best friend. Being used in a ritual to bring Voldemort back to life. And then being sent back to his relatives who obviously didn't care for him. What reason would he have? To be free of course."

Amelia smiled. "Well aren't you the little detective? That's almost as complete as my files on him."

Susan snorted. "That's cause all the original information came from yours truly."

"True"

"So what do we do with that knowledge?"

"Leave it be. He'll return when he's ready."

"I hope so! I'd love to grab him and snog the heck out of him and help him get over Granger."

Amelia looked shocked. "Susie. That's no way for a proper young lady to act."

Susan snorted as Amelia began laughing. They couldn't enjoy their laughter for long as a loud gong sounded throughout the house. Amelia rose to look outside. "Shit. Okay Susie..time to get out of here. There's DE's out there trying to get in."

Susan got up and they both ran for the floo. Amelia threw the powder in and nothing happened. She then grabbed Susan and tried to apparate but that failed too. She then grabbed Susan and tapped her monocle with her wand to activate the portkey that wouldn't take either. "They've cut off escape."

Susan thought for a second. "What about Tiny? Couldn't he get us out of here?"

"Maybe. Tiny?"

She waited for a minute but he never came. "They must have somehow got him. It must have been one of my former guards. They probably summoned him and killed him."

"What are we going to do?"

"I guess we're going to have to fight and until we can escape. If you see an opening, run until your portkey activates."

"What about you?"

"Don't worry about me...you just get to safety. That's more important."

Susan recognized an order when she heard it and nodded. The house then shook again as the wards were taking a pounding to hurry up their fall. As a last resort, Amelia pulled her Auror guards back into the house and then pulled out her badge. Once in hand, she used her wand to tap all five points in the star calling in emergency help.

**ALM**

Moody sat in his favorite chair fully suited and waiting for the inevitable. The alert charm for Amelia's house finally began ringing. He yelled up the stairs. "Hey junior."

"Yeah?"

"They're hitting Amelia's place. Let's go."

Harry ran down the stairs just as ready as Moody was with his ever present 'goodie' fanny pack being strapped on. "You ready?'

Harry nodded. "As I'll ever be."

"Let's try to make it out of there alive. Our goal is to get Amelia out of there. Screw the house."

"Got it"

Harry stepped behind Moody and stood back to back with his wand already out. As soon as he felt Harry back against him, Moody activated the portkey.

They landed in a hot zone for as soon as they appeared, curses were flying at them from all directions. They both hit the ground and came up firing. Moody yelled "Better thin the crowd." Harry pulled out the Scorpion and started spraying fire in front of him. He drained a clip and then popped in another. He yelled "switch" and they both took a step to the right as they swung around and Harry was able to spray another volley of bullets in that direction. They repeated this two more times clearing out their immediate area and hopefully a little beyond.

Up ahead towards the house, they could hear the high-pitched voice of Voldemort issuing orders and then they saw the flash of magic as the wards fell.

Harry whispered. "I thought Amelia had top-of-the-line wards? They haven't been on site for more than five minutes and they already have the wards down?"

Moody grunted. "Let's deal with this first and then we'll figure out how they did it."

They moved towards the house and could hear the spell fire followed by screaming. They moved quickly and caught up to several groups moving towards the front door from different angles and were just in sight of the front door when they saw a flash of green from inside the house. Knowing they didn't have much time, Harry took out some of his balls and started lobbing them in the direction of the groups. The first to activate was one of the death balls in the middle of a group of six. They were down a minute later.

The next to go off was a snow ball which was followed by a wide area blasting hex by Moody normally used for digging holes in the dirt but cast at waist height. Five more dropped to that one when their pelvises shattered basically cutting them in half. Harry turned to look for another target of his balls and found just what he was looking for. A group of somewhat smaller men were standing around watching the activities. They were out of sight of Voldemort as the other groups were so Tom didn't know he was losing troops rapidly. While Harry was tossing the balls around, Moody was taking out as many as he could find before they went after the main group. He used his eye to check for more DE's and found most on the other side of the house. They weren't immediate threats so they could wait.

Harry focused on the group he was watching and activated the blue ball after hearing the voice of one of his favorite people. The ball was in their midst before they could react. It went off a second later and Harry watched in glee as they all immediately bent over. He did a quick count in his head as smiled as the second spell fired. The screams that erupted out of their mouths would no doubt alert everyone that new players were on the field.

Moody growled out. "You just had to test it didn't you?"

Harry grinned. "Abso-freaking-lutely. That's Draco and his butt boys. I'm sure many girls will feel much safer in the castle now that Draco can't use his hands or goolies anymore."

Moody snorted. "Time for the main event."

Moody took a step forward and then turned and fired into the dark. That he fired an AK was surprising but not out of character for him. Harry asked. "What the hell was that?"

"Big freaking assed snake. Let's take the bastard down for good if we can."

Harry then pulled out four balls at random and hit the activation rune. He held them to a count of ten and then started hurling them and flashes were going off as they moved forward to engage the enemy. Just as they arrived Harry had a Ruger in one hand while his wand as in the other. Harry fired three times in quick succession putting down three silver masked idiots.

Voldemort made it inside with a few of his inner circle after stunning and binding the two Auror guards. Since they massively outnumbered and overpowered the occupants of the home, they were able to overwhelm Amelia quite quickly. This was why Tom had such a large force on this mission. He knew he would need numbers and the ward breaking devices to take them down as fast as he could and then there was no telling how many people they would encounter in Amelia's home. It was known that she held meetings, with her most trusted lieutenants, away from the ministry to ensure secrecy. With both guards down, Amelia was forced to split her attention between protecting herself and Susan with little effect because she was facing over twenty DE's and the chief snake himself. The numbers against her were intentional because most feared the fearsome witch's wand and even Tom respected her for it as well even though she had to die because he knew she would never turn to his side. Susan was moving for cover to try and escape when she was hit with a body binding spell. She landed behind the sofa she was trying to use as cover with a loud thump. It was enough to distract Amelia just enough for a curse to sneak in past her defenses which which led to more curses and hexes sneaking through and taking her down. If Harry and Moody had seen the battle, they would have been very impressed with the way Amelia held them all off so that Susan could possibly get to safety.

Once Amelia was down, the DE's moved in to secure both ladies. Susan was hauled to her feet and the binding charm canceled. They wanted her to watch the destruction of her aunt before she too would succumb to their ministrations. The fact that they had her by both arms as she fought and struggled was just foreplay to the two DE's. With his stinky breath and also reeking of body odor, one of her captors began softly telling her all about what was to befall her once her aunt was dead. The threats of multiple rapes and tortures were what she could look forward to before they killed her. He taunting her by saying that if they found her more fun than the usual, they may let her live for a while as their plaything until everyone grew tired of her and then maybe they would kill or give her to the werewolves. Her struggling increased as they two nasty men laughed at her. All the while, she was pleading with the gods of magic to send someone to rescue her and Amelia.

**ALM**

As he was concentrating on the battle inside, Tom didn't know his forces outside were being decimated. He was very focused on Amelia as she had long been a thorn in his side from as far back as the first war. At her current level and with the chance she could be elected to the Minister's position, Tom knew she had to be eliminated only he wanted to savor the moment. As the body bind on Susan was removed, two of the inner circle hauled her to her feet to watch as her aunt was being tortured. Amelia's scream was enough to force Harry and Moody to rush the house. Bullets and spells were flying as the group bunched at the door were systematically being taken down. While there weren't so many left that impeded their movement, they still had to leap over bodies as they made their way inside.

Just as they cleared the door, Tom heard a loud bang and then felt a sharp pain in his wand arm. With his focus on the torture spell broken, he looked down to see his black blood oozing from the wound. Another look around and he could see Moody and his partner moving to confront them.

He hissed out. "Kill them now. Make this night's victory complete."

The younger man started laughing at him and threw three balls in his direction. Voldemort tried to banish the balls and manged to hit one before two sunk under his spell and landed on the ground. Pain erupted next as cutting curse flew in all directions. Voldemort now sported gashes all along his body but was protected from the worst of them by the rituals he had performed to make his body able to withstand such spells. His minions were no so protected and many more fell to the curses.

Harry reacted quickly to the ball that was banished back at him as he caught it in a spell and deflected it towards one of the other groups that were now making their way towards him and Moody. The snow ball froze them in their tracks but Moody and Harry had no time to deal with them as their hands were busy fighting Tom and what remained of the inner circle.

Harry continued the assault, unloading a clip of 9mm into the inner circle and then switching out hands to the other and drop the other wand into his now free hand. He put two more bullets into Tom's chest before tracking a DE who was trying to slink off. Two more quick shots and that DE was on the floor leaking blood from the tail he tucked as he tried to sneak away. Harry could have easily hit the man in the head but this one seemed familiar and he hoped he'd get the chance to find out who it was.

Tom now had to make a choice. He could stay and fight and continue to lose his inner circle to these two demons or he could run away to heal up and attempt it again. He really wanted to stay and fight. His anger was high and his blood was boiling but the situation was becoming unwinnable with his wand arm all but useless at this point. It would be another five minutes before his wards would come down. If he waited, he would then have to face Moody and his partner AND whoever else was in the house if there was anyone else. If that was not enough, he knew that the Auror teams would be aborted but couldn't count on some of the off duty Aurors not showing up.

He knew he didn't have five minutes before his entire team would be down. Just as he thought it, he mentally summoned Nagini back to him and got no response. Had they killed his familiar already? He barely had enough time to think this as Peter, who was standing in front of him acting as a shield, was thrown into him with a clear shot through the head. He could see what the younger man was holding and knew it was a gun. Something they had no defense against other than conjuring a wall and was the answer to how so many of his followers were being killed other than those magical balls and some pretty devastating spell work courtesy of both of the attackers.

He then did the only thing he could think of. He fired off an AK at each of them with his off hand causing them to dodge out of the way and ordered the retreat and vanished before either could resume their attack on him. All around, some of his inner circle began to disappear as well. Some were unconscious and couldn't activate their portkeys while some of them couldn't because their portkeys were destroyed. Unlike in the past, the injured DE's were left as the others knew to tarry even a second could mean their death.

Moody finally said. "Stay here and protect the lasses junior. They had to use a sapper on the wards so I'm gonna blast it so the wards will recover." A few minutes later, there was an explosion and a magical wave washed over the area. Harry managed to stay on his feet but everyone else was tossed about like confetti.

Harry stood straight and brushed himself off before beginning to check himself over for injuries. He had multiple cuts, some pretty deep but most not, and his clothes were ripped up but there were no truly serious injuries. He was just happy most of the DE's were such lousy shots when they were under fire. He looked over to Moody who was slowly moving back into the house and noticed his injuries were mostly the same.

Harry walked over to Moody and smirked as he acted like he was checking the older man for injuries. "What's the matter old man, this getting to be too much for you?"

Moody slapped his hand away. "I ain't no spring chicken anymore but I still have enough in the tank to take out these bastards."

Harry chuckled. "You got that right pops. I'm just amazed we came out of that one as good as we did. I really expected us to need Poppy to put us back together."

"Me too son. Me too. We'd better still call Poppy or we'll never hear the end of it but let's go check the grounds and then get out of here before her Aurors arrive."

They fell into step as they moved out of the house. Harry said "Dammit!"

"What?"

"The tosser got away."

"Yeah but the last of his doodads are gone."

"Still, I hit him with two bullets and a ball and he just stood there like nothing was wrong."

"Rituals son. He strengthened his body so he could withstand a lot of damage. Did it in the first war too. He can be killed now though but I never said it'd be easy."

As they walked down the stairs, they came across the one Harry shot in the butt as he was trying to crawl away. "This one was familiar. I gotta see who it is."

Harry kicked the crawling man who went down from the added pain. Using his foot, Harry flipped him over. He waved his wand and the mask was torn from the face leaving a long, beak-like nose below beady black eyes. "Well hello Snivelous. Long time no see. I hope you know your little butt boys won't be going to Hogwarts this year and if they do, they might be missing parts. Hell, they might have to add some beds to the girls dorms."

Severus looked up into the hood Harry was wearing but couldn't see anything. He finally growled out. "Who are you?"

"Ah..that is a good question. I've been many things to many people. But I guess to you...I'm only two things. You're most hated student and...your executioner. Moody told Albus what would happen if you crossed us while playing with Tom and his death seekers."

He pulled off his hood to reveal a face Severus had gleefully thought he'd never have to see again. "Potter!"

"Aww Snivelous, you figured it out."

"Let me go. I have to get out of here before the Aurors arrive."

"Well you see that's the problem. I can't let you go because quite frankly, I'm going to kill you for what you've done to my parents, my godfather, and everyone else you've screwed over during your life. No Severus...Albus can't protect you anymore."

"You...you don't have the stones to do it."

Harry grinned. "Don't I. Look around you Sevy. Every single one of them were killed by me or Moody. We didn't know them for the bastards they were but we know you. Goodbye Sevy."

"Wait!"

"No...you've lived too long as it is." Harry pointed his wand and concentrated. A tight beam came out and bored straight between Snape's eyes. The body of his most hated teacher slumped to the ground. Harry reached down and grabbed Snape's mask. He thought he might keep it as a trophy or even as a way to taunt Albus. The possibilities were endless.

Moody stepped back in the door and canceled the binding charms on the guards before casting the spell to wake them up from the stuns they were hit with. He was suspicious of why they were still alive and would bring it up to Amelia. He then walked back over and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Let's go"

A few minutes after they were awoken, the guards stuck their heads out the door and looked around before gesturing inside that it was clear. A limping Amelia came out supported by Susan. She was visually scanning all the devastation along with the many bodies lying around. She caught Moody out of her eye and saw his partner but since they were not a threat, she didn't linger on them as she was getting a clear picturein her head.

Susan did a quick glance at the bodies but as the sight was gruesome, she couldn't look at them for long. She did see someone she thought she'd lost and Amelia didn't have time to react as her niece let go of her and headed straight for Moody's partner. She almost went down but caught herself before she fell. Harry barely had time to react as Susan slammed into him and forcibly kissed him for all she was worth. As tired as he was, Harry didn't stay upright and she took him to the ground never releasing his lips. As Amelia watched the scene in front of her, she couldn't help but chuckle as the kiss turned into a snog.

She waited another minute or two before she finally said something. "Susie...don't you think you need to let Mr. Potter breathe? He did just return from the dead. Besides...that's not how a proper young lady should act."

Moody snorted and walked over to her. She looked at him with grateful eyes. "Thank you Alastor. I don't think we would have lasted much longer."

"No you wouldn't have lass. He was here along with his inner circle and quite a few others."

"Still..I can't thank you enough especially with Susan here."

Moody chuckled. "I think if Voldie employed young Susan then we'd not been so successful. Seems she took the lad right out of the fight or is that the fight out of the lad."

Amelia let out a laugh despite the pain she was in. "That she did. I'd say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

"Aye." He then shouted. "Hey junior...if you can find the time, how about we help Ami clean some of this mess up since her Aurors still haven't showed."

Amelia scowled at that. "Alastor..."

Moody patted Amelia on the shoulder. "If it helps, I did destroy a ward sapper. Expensive one too. I'd say he was trying to get in and out quickly."

"Yeah...evidently too fast for my alert teams to get here."

Moody nodded. " Go lass...find out what happened and take your guards with you. We'll see Susan home...IF SHE EVER PULLS HER LIPS AWAY FROM MY PARTNER."

Funnily...it wasn't Susan who responded but Harry as one arm unwrapped itself from around the affectionate girl and gave him the finger.

Amelia snorted. "That one doesn't fall too far from the tree either."

"Aye"

It was another minute before Susan released Harry and they slowly stood. Susan was sporting a full body blush as she thought of what she just did. She turned to Harry. "I...I knew you weren't gone. I knew two dementors would never be able to take you down. I told myself that if I ever saw you again I'd kiss you and let you know how much you were loved and wanted. At least by me. I couldn't act before because you were with Granger but now..."

Harry just smiled at her. "Can't say I wasn't surprised but well...you can't kiss me like that then expect to just walk away."

She blushed again. "I...I would never..."

Harry smiled and kissed her forehead. "Its okay Sue...I'd like to get to know you better too."

They were interrupted by Amelia. "Well...now that you're not rolling around in the grass...I need to find out why my Aurors never showed up. Susie...Alastor and Mr. Potter will see you home. I will contact you in the morning."

Susan broke from Harry and ran to her Aunt and gave her a tight hug. "Be careful Auntie"

"I will"

As Susan stepped back over to Harry, Moody spoke quietly to Amelia. "I can drop the lass off and then follow. I don't like you walking into an unknown. Something doesn't feel right."

"I agree."

"Then take the boy with you and leave your guards. He's as good as me and better in some ways. I'll be right behind you."

She nodded. "Change of plans...Mr. Potter, Alastor has graciously offered you as my escort while he sees Susan home. I'd suggest you put your hood back up."

Harry kissed Susan on the forehead again and pulled his hood up. She then hugged him tightly. "Take care of my aunt and yourself too. We have some unfinished business."

Harry mock saluted and said "Yes Ma'am" before walking over to Amelia and standing at her side.

Amelia then turned to her Aurors. "Start tagging and bagging. I'll send the investigation team directly."

One of the guards didn't like that scenario. "Madam Bones. Head Auror Scrimegour ordered us to stay by your side."

"And I am countering that order. I will be well protected won't I Mr. Potter?"

"Yes ma'am...with my life."

"See, I'll be completely safe. And I order you not to speak about Mr. Potter's presence here until I give approval. Is that understood?"

"Yes ma'am but...he's a rogue. We don't really know who he works for. Look at how many he's killed."

"Auror Stevens. Mr Potter fights for the light even if his methods are quite gray. I don't see you complaining about what Master Auror Moody did tonight so don't question his methods and be thankful he came and saved our hides tonight for without him, we would have been dead before the night was over."

"Yes Ma'am. And thank you Mr. Potter. Please keep Madam Bones safe."

Harry gave a nod. "You can be assured I will."

She grabbed his arm and they disappeared.

Moody did the same and he and Susan disappeared as well. As soon as they landed, Moody escorted her to the front door. Just as she was about to enter, he said. "You'll see him again lass. I'll make sure of it."

"Thank you Mr. Moody. And thank you for saving me and my aunt."

Moody nodded and then stepped away from the house and back through the wards before disappearing as well. He knew the night wasn't over as there must still be rats in the Auror force including one of her guards.

**ALM**

Amelia and Harry appeared directly in the Auror dispatch office. As soon as she was seen, the dispatcher jumped to her feet. "Madam Bones. I'm pleased to report that your test of the response team was successful. Two squads were ready on the pad with a third formed up to follow within seconds. We were then informed that it was a readiness exercise and that we performed within acceptable expectations and told to abort."

Amelia was barely controlling her fury. "I see. Who gave the order to abort?"

The dispatcher gulped before answering. "That would be Senior Aurors Thickness and Dawlish Ma'am."

Amelia's scowl deppened. "Did you not notice that it was a priority alert that can only be countermanded by myself? Ms. Quinley...I had Susan at my house and I had Voldemort himself WITH his inner circle who tore down my wards and then did their very best to kill us both along with my two guards. In the future, no priority alert is to be ignored and the Aurors WILL be dispatched to the location of the alert. AM I UNDERSTOOD?"

Quinley was quaking in her shoes. "Yes Ma'am."

"Now...where are Aurors Thickness and Dawlish?"

"They were heading back to the DMLE offices ma'am. Do you want me to call them for you?"

"No and you will not inform anyone that I am here."

"Yes Ma'am."

Amelia and Harry left the dispatch area and made their way to the offices. She first stopped to check Thickness' office and found he wasn't there. She was muttering under her breath as she realized just where they might be and headed for her office. As they got to her door, Moody was just stumping his way towards them. She gave him a glance. "Susan safe?"

"Dropped her right at her door and didn't leave until she was inside. Situation?"

"Thanks. Thickness and Dawlish declared the alert a drill and ordered a stand down. They weren't in Pius' office so I'm guessing they came here."

Moody nodded. "For their sakes, I hope they ain't. Orders?"

"If they draw a wand, put them down hard."

"Alright...junior in front. Cast a shield and then fire through it. Incapacitate at first but if they throw anything really bad. Take them down permanently."

Harry reloaded one of the Rugers and then dropped his wand into his off hand. With shield already in place, Amelia opened the door and stepped out of the way."

Thickness was sitting in Amelia's chair with his feet propped up on the desk. Dawlish was in front with his back turned to the door but his feet were up as well. Both were not in any position to defend or go on the offensive and were barely moving once the door opened as they had drinks in their hands like they were toasting something.

Harry burst through the door and had both covered by the Ruger. Both looked at Harry as Amelia came through the door. "I think you gentlemen are a bit premature to be trying out my desk to see if it fits you. By the way you've acted, I'd say you were aware of what was planned tonight so that is at the least conspiracy to commit murder. But... as it was an act to take control of the rightful government through acts of subversion and assassination, I think I could make treason stick as well. Oh...and since you were already a part of the established government and were trying to make a coup to take over, I could go ahead and order your execution for mutiny."

Thickness finally stood. "Come now Amelia. It was a simple mistake. Besides, I'm a pure-blood...you can't just execute me. I'm entitled to my rights by law."

"You're right Pius, I cannot order anyone in my command to carry out that order. How foolish of me to forget."

"I'm glad you're seeing reason now Amelia. I apologize for being in your office and will return to my own."

"Not just yet Pius. You see, you are right. I cannot order your execution but what I can do is give you over to these two fine gentlemen to do with you as they please. You see, they are just two private citizens exercising their rights to defends themselves from anyone who would cause them harm."

Pius looked at her in fear. He knew what Moody was doing recently and wanted no part of the crazy ex-Auror. He knew what Moody thought of traitors and was well aware of the fate that awaited him much like his DE brethren if Moody caught them. "I see. In that case, may I at least know the identity of the one hidden under the hood?"

Moody felt Harry's eyes on him and gave him a nod. It wouldn't make much difference anyway in a few minutes. Harry didn't want to take down his shield or move the gun from either of these two DE's. "Madam Bones...would you do the honors?"

She smirked. "Certainly...this should be fun!"

Once the hood was down, both looked at Harry with wide eyes. Harry could only chuckle. "surprise surprise"

"You're dead."

"I got better."

It was all it took as both men went for their wands at the same time. Harry put a bullet through Dawlish's head then sidestepped to place Amelia further behind the shield. The Ruger jumped again as Thickness' throat was blown out and he fell to the floor."

Harry dropped the shield but kept his gun firmly pointed in the Senior Auror's direction. Amelia stepped forward and leaned down to Pius. "Your Dark Lord ran away after having his ass kicked by those two. Many of your compatriots are lying on my lawn dead or dying. You will make fine additions to that lot and I will see to it that everyone knows what you were...even your families. They will now have to not only bear the burden of knowing their husbands and fathers were evil men...but they were also selfish as by their own actions cost their families the pension and death benefits that would have been their due had they been honorable men."

Amelia stood and walked back out of her office. As soon as she left, Harry began transfiguring the two bodies into simple stones while Moody set about cleaning up the crime scene.

As they finished, both disappeared from the office and landed back on Amelia's lawn. Harry threw the stones down and then canceled the spell on them making them lie there for all to see. As an added bonus, he reached down and ripped the sleeves off their robes exposing their dark marks.

Harry was about to make a joke about how they could go into the assassin business with the way they could clean a crime scene but it fell flat as he could tell Moody was upset by this. They were probably his trainees at one point. Harry just turned and said "I'm going home" and disappeared.

Moody stood there and waited for Amelia to return. Tonight was assuredly a victory but it was still bittersweet. As soon as Amelia arrived with her investigation and clean up team, Moody called over the two guards. As they came to attention in front of him and Amelia, he cast a binding charm on them and watched as they fell to the ground. Without waiting for her to respond, Moody tore their sleeves revealing the Dark Mark on Auror Stevens arm. Without a glance back, Moody cast a piercing hex between his eyes. The other Auror was released and stood there staring at his partner with wide eyes. His eyes then turned to Moody whose wand was pointing in his direction. "Do you support that madman as well...just like your partner?"

He went to attention. "No Sir! Never!" He then went as far as swearing an oath on his life and magic.

Moody nodded. "Good man. You're lucky to be alive tonight Jones. People may say I'm paranoid but I'm still alive and I made sure I knew just who my partners were."

"Yes Sir! I...I don't think I'll ever make that mistake again."

Moody looked at Amelia and gave her a nod before activating his portkey and disappearing.

**ALM**

Once he was back home, Harry sat at his desk and wrote out a message. Once he was done, he called for Dobby. Dobby was then there with a 'pop'.

"What cans Dobby be doing for Master Harry?"

"Hey buddy...can you take this message to Susan Bones. I think she lives in Bones Manor."

Dobby grinned. "Would this be the same Missy Susan that Master was making kissy with not long ago?"

Harry blushed. "How'd you know that?"

"Dobby always watches over Master Harry."

"Yeah okay...yes that Susan Bones."

With another 'pop', Dobby was gone. Harry began taking off his clothes and making his way to the shower.