Disclaimer I don't own Harry Potter. All rights to the characters and universe the story belongs in belong to JK Rowling

Chapter 31 - The Forest of the Underground

Later that night found Harry waiting patiently by the lakes edge for O'Manda and Vermont to show up. Vermont had met back up with Harry earlier and declared that he was going home for the night. Claiming that he needed to still cool off after his altercation with Harry.

Even if Harry hadn't already smelt a rat that would have done it for him, their argument wasn't that bad. After Vermont had stormed off Harry took the chance to inform the other two of what happened, making sure to tell them not to act any different around Vermont, even if Harry didn't return the next morning. Not that he planned on getting caught again.

The hour hand on his watch ticked over to 10 O'Clock and there were two cracks of apparation. Least they both have good timing. The two arrivals pointed their wands at each other for a moment before lowering them.

'Good Evening Sir.' Said Vermont.

'Vermont.' Said O'Manda with a nod of his head. 'We'd best not keep our employer waiting.' He waved his wand gracefully, the area was suddenly surrounded in mist. Harry had to get closer in order to see what happened next. A bridge rose out of the lake which led towards the small island in the middle.

Without another word O'Manda led Vermont onto the bridge, whilst Harry followed soundlessly. They arrived at the island which held a few bushes and trees. What caught Harry attention though was the monument that stood in the middle.

It was a larger than life scale figure, it had wings in the shape of a bat's coming out of its back, a human body, dagger like nails coming from its fingers and the head of a wolf. What in the name of Merlin is that thing meant to be?

If Harry was to take a guess, he would have to say that it was some kind of abominable hybrid between Vampire and Werewolf. It stood on a circular stone platform which was large enough for around twenty people to stand on.

'Hold out your hand.' Ordered O'Manda. Obediently Vermont held his hand, palm face up. O'Manda took out a knife and without waiting for a response slashed the palm. Vermont winced, but didn't pull away.

'Place the cut on the statue.'

There was a loud rumbling when the blood made contact with the stone figure and the ground shook. Harry somehow managed to keep from swearing aloud when the floor descended downwards.

When they were clear a new piece of stone slotted into place above them hiding the entrance. The monument was sat on a pillar which ran through the middle of the platform. They were left in darkness as they descended an unmeasurable distance.

Finally, with a loud thud they came to a halt. Fires sprang up along a tunnel, so they disembarked from the platform and walked towards the opening on the other end. When they came out of the tunnel opening they found themselves in an underground forest.

The trees were unnaturally beautiful as they gave off light from their leaves which made the place bright enough to see as if it was a clear day. When Harry looked beyond the canopy, all he saw was pitch black.

They made their way through the forest until they came to a small set of wooden cottages which were set amongst a glade. When they entered the perimeter of the buildings a door was flung open revealing Padonnis.

'Welcome friends come.' He gestured for them to follow him into the cottage. There was a crack and Blade apparated into the clearing. Harry then heard the sound of running footfalls. He watched as two werewolves burst out from the trees. Before his eyes they each morphed back into their human forms, revealing Priory and Hellman.

They entered the cottage and the door was slammed behind them leaving Harry outside. He looked through one of the windows, seeing that they were all gathered around a fire talking. He quickly threaded an extendable ear under the door and eavesdropped in earnest.

'So, Potter is here you say?' Asked Padonnis.

'Yes sir.' Confirmed Vermont. 'He is close, although he von't find this place.'

'Don't be so sure. Potter has a knack for finding what he shouldn't.' Said O'Manda bitterly 'We didn't think he would work out the blood stone either or how to work the underground in Britain.'

'Yes, that was peculiar, that was old magic I wonder how he spotted it.' Mused Padonnis.

'He said something about the Dark Lord doing something similar.'

'Hmm I'm beginning to think I worked too closely with that man. His demise has cost me dearly. Tell me Vermont how is it that Potter came here? Why search in Albania?'

'He is following the disappearance of Bertha Jorkins. I don't know vot that has to do with anything though.'

'Hmm interesting.' Muttered Padonnis 'No matter, please keep him busy. He must not find this place.'

'How long do you think it vill take before he gives up?' Asked Vermont

'He won't give up, however, if all goes according to plan he will be killed during the attack on Hamburg.'

'Yes,' growled Priory 'I won't let him get away again. I can't wait to rip him apart.'

'How are the preparations for the attack coming?'

'Very well. Our forces are currently bunkered near the transporter. We have pre-keyed it already to our destination.' Reported Priory 'We will arrive in the place you suggested and fan out. Leading the Aurors through the city to the designated traps.'

'Good. There's no point over planning it. We're ready, those fools never learn, each of the previous attacks has been more than successful. Travis, David are you two taking part?'

'Yes I believe we will.' Said Blade with obvious relish 'It's been a while since I've let loose, the old Death Eaters are looking forward to it as well.'

'Yeah I'll be there. Me and Trott have some unfinished business.'

Padonnis chuckled. 'Very well then, good luck.' Realising they were all about to leave Harry quickly withdrew his extendable ear and stood back whilst they left. O'Manda and Vermont headed back towards the tunnel, Blade disappeared with another loud crack and the two werewolves headed back into the forest.

I need to find where they are all leaving from. The beginnings of a plan formulating in the back of his head, Harry followed Priory and Hellman as they made their way through the forest. Even when they weren't transformed they set an unnatural pace as they ran through the bushes. Harry quickly fell behind as he was inhibited by his cloak.

'Point me.' He whispered desperately, balancing his wand in the palm of his hand. Once he knew what direction they were going in, Harry continued at a much slower rate.

After a while he could see lights flickering through the trees, he made his way towards them, coming to a halt in horror at what he found. There were hundreds of people camped out, military style as if they were waiting for a great battle.

There were fire pits stationed at set intervals between the tents, cooking stations and even pop up medical centres. It's like they're ready for war. He moved through the tents silently making his way towards the wall of the cavern where there was a silver archway.

Approaching cautiously, weary of the guards that were stationed there, Harry silently tested it for spells and his theory was confirmed. It was the same as the maps they had found. Only this was keyed in to one location at a time. They just walk through the arch and appear out of nowhere.

He quietly left the camp and made his way through the trees where he knew he would be out the way. He walked in a small circle casting the security charms he had become all too used to over the past couple of years and finally settled down in the middle.

He pulled out the mirror in his pocket calling out 'Ginny?' There was no answer. 'Ginny!' he said again a little louder. Still nothing. Bloody hell. 'GINNY!' He yelled desperately.

All of a sudden there was whirl of colour and Ginny's groggy, yet panicked, face appeared. 'Harry, are you alright?'

He sighed with relief when she answered 'Yeah I'm fine. I'm sorry to wake you but I need your help.'

She visibly slumped 'Couldn't it have waited until morning?' She asked grumpily.

'Sorry no, wake up Hermione and go to the room of requirement. Tell her to take her mirror.'

'Why, what's going on?'

'I'll explain when you get there. Come on Gin!'

'Alright, alright I'm up sheesh.' Harry heard a muted conversation and saw a flurry of colour as the two girls hauled themselves out of bed at this ungodly hour.

'Ok we're hear.' Ginny announced moodily 'Now what's going on.'

'Hermione, can you get Ron on your mirror?'

'Yeah sure Harry. Ron!'

'Hey Hermione.' Came the groggy reply 'What are you doing up so late.'

'Harry wants to talk to you.'

'What, how is he at Hogwarts?'

'He isn't, he's talking to us through the mirror he's got with Ginny.'

'Oh right, Harry can you hear me?'

'Yeah I can hear you.'

'What's going on mate, why haven't you just come to the room?'

'Don't tell me you've got caught again Potter because I will kill you.' Snapped Ginny.

'No, I'm fine and I'll explain. Ron I can't come back. In the morning tell Vermont that I've been called back to England. Then make sure you go back the day after OK?'

'Sure, but what are you doing?'

'I've found where they are gathering and I'm hiding here. I know how they are getting to Hamburg too.'

'Good come back and we'll work out a way of infiltrating it.'

'It's not that simple. It's an army down here. There are hundreds of them. They have medical centres and everything.'

'Well we can't let the attack go ahead.'

'I know and that's why I've got a plan…' He proceeded to tell them what he wanted to do. After flushing it out as much as possible they all agreed it would work. Ginny and Hermione promised to go to the Ministry to act as liaison between Harry and them.

The next day passed slowly, the two girls were working hard to get everything ready for the attack in two days time, so they had no time to talk. Harry spent the majority of it exploring the forest so that he could navigate it easily.

He had checked the wards around the place and noticed that whilst Blade had apparated he could have only apparated within the forest which mean that no one could come and go as they pleased.

He was finishing his dinner (canned tomato soup with some bread) when he heard Ginny's voice come from his mirror.

'Hey Gin.'

'Hey Harry, Leanne wants to speak to you.' Ginny passed the mirror over and Leanne's face appeared.

'Hey Harry, are you sure you're up for this I don't like you doing this on your own.'

'Yeah I'm sure, don't worry about me, just worry about stopping this army.'

'I am, I spoke to Roza and she will help us. We are going over tomorrow to set up.'

'Good, good. O'Manda's going to be there so be careful.'

She cracked a wicked grin 'Good It's about time we had ourselves a little talk.'

'He's good Leanne, don't underestimate him.'

'I won't, I worked with that rat for years. He's got it coming to him.' She growled.

'Am I allowed to set up the international portkey?'

'Yeah you got the go ahead for that. Send him straight to Robards' office we'll have a team waiting. As well as a medical team in case you need it.'

'Thanks.'

'You're welcome,' someone said something in the background which made Trott chuckle 'Ginny says you best use the medical team if you need it before flying off to help us. Otherwise she will personally throttle you herself.'

'Tell her to stop being such a worry wart.' Trott turned to tell her. There was a pause where Harry could hear Ginny shouting but couldn't make out what was said. He didn't think it was good by the way Trott was wincing.

'She says, now these are her words not mine, although I do completely agree with them. Tell that bastard, she means you, to get a better sense of self preservation and she will stop worrying. If you end up in a hospital bed again, she's is going too nurse you back to health then kill you personally.'

'Seems fair.' Said Harry grinning. 'Is she there?'

'No, she's stormed off.' Said Trott taken aback 'She's quite something when she's angry.'

'Wouldn't have her any other way.' Said Harry fondly. 'I'll let you know when I'm all set on my end. Stay safe yeah?'

'And you. Bye Harry.'

'Bye.' He set the mirror back in his pocket and returned to his soup.

The night before the attack eventually came, Harry was fidgety with anticipation wanting to get on with what he had to do. Waiting wasn't his strongest suit and he found it agonizing, he was used to being thrown into situations without having to time to think.

This was a new experience since joining the Aurors, one he was sure he would never get used to. He spent the night tossing and turning. Eventually giving up on the idea of sleep, Harry was about to head towards the arch early when Ginny called him.

'Hi.' He said gingerly, He hadn't spoken to her since she had stormed off a couple of nights before.

'I'm sorry for the other day. I just don't like you being there on your own.'

'It's OK, I shouldn't have wound you up so much.'

'You ready?'

'Yeah just heading out now.'

She looked at him sadly 'Come home, promise?'

'I'll be home before you know it.'

'I'll be waiting. I love you, good luck.'

'Thanks, love you too.'

She smiled radiantly at him before pocketing the mirror. He took a deep steadying breath and left the confines of his camp. This ends today!