Author Note: A coven begins, Sirius ends, forces gather.

Sirius was taken to the center of the Centaur village. Looking around he grinned at the females who were staring at him impassively. He thought for a moment that being surrounded by a large number of topless females was not entirely a bad way to die, although the idea was not his first one. Plus the lower half made things so problematic and limiting. Although he would give it a go, if they didn't kill him first.

"Hu-man. Come forward." An elderly female with leaves and twigs braided into her gray hair commanded.

Glancing at the very unhappy looking males with their spears pointed at him he shrugged, "Well its not like I had anything better going on."

The elder looked at him with an indifferent, almost bored, expression as he stood before her. She snorted once then asked, "So, wizard, what caused thee to invade our woods?"

"Well I was kinda trying not to get killed." Sirius said with a hopefully genuine smile.

The elder looked at him dubiously then over his shoulder at the chuckling warriors with their clubs, bows and spears. "Thou hast a strange way of doing that." She said in her accented voice, filled with amusement.

"Yeah. I I'm known for that. So uh. If its all the same to you. I'll just see myself out the other side of the woods and then be on my way." Sirius said.

"Thou art already dead, yet you still fight." The elder casually observed.

Sirius laughed nervously, "Well yeah. I know. See I've kinda got some stuff to do before I just lay down."
"We are aware of your task Sirius Black. The wind has whispered to us, the stars have shown their portents. Blood will be shed soon. Thy path has no further role here. Thou must travel away soon. The son of the stag shall rise with his tribe. He does not need thee." She said in a otherworldly tone.

Sirius laughed as he said, "What? Jamsie's boy Harry? That's good to know. Real good to know. Now are you folks going to help him?"
"That is none of your concern." one of the warriors declared. A big black haired burly one with a long beard he had braided into twin tails.

"Bane. Du defsta!" A chestnut colored male standing by the elder barked at him

"Magorian. Buht, nal'defsta. Aihr kom'ih'kehn nal'aefvadh!" The one apparently named Bane spat back."

"Du prado'nak b'thala khre'riov'ha" The chestnut one growled back.

"Ahb vootam du'rahm!" Bane sneered back his hand going for his club.

The chestnut did not reply but glared at the other one in a manner that made Sirius take a slight step to the right to try not to be quite so directly in the line between the two. The chestnut had not made a move for his bow but Sirius felt that when he did it would happen faster than he could follow.

"KROYKAH!" The elder female shouted raising her hand. Two muscular females brandishing spears of their own stepped forward. The points upraised but held in a manner that could be lowered quite quickly Sirius observed. They glared at the two males in a way that Sirius thought a gelding might happen soon.

Both males bowed to the elder after a moment. She nodded to them and the tense situation seemed to dissolve like the dew. Turning back to Sirius she said, "Forgive this moment of uncivilized behavior. Thou art our guest and not a prisoner. Thou wilst be taken to the edge of the woods and released. Thy role here is over. The stars have foretold the role we will play, as thine own role."
Sirius blinked, "So I'm not going to get killed?"

"Not by us." The elder chuckled slightly, "Unless thee challenges Bane or another."

"No. No. I'm good. I'll just uh. Head for the door." He said waiting for the armed party to begin to escort him out.

The chestnut leader turned to a party of teen centaurs once Sirius was out of earshot, "Patrol the edge of the woods. The dark ones are to be given no quarter should they enter our realm."

"We obey chieftain." The one said with a salute before turning and cantering away followed by several of his brethren.

"The moon shall see blood soon." The elder stated.

"I know wise mother. It was inevitable though. The avalanche has already begun. It is too late for the pebbles to vote." The chestnut said with a deep breath.

….

"Yes headmaster?" Minerva asked as she strolled along the corridor to the small cluster of appointed staff. Headmaster Nott, Dolohov and the Carrows were standing outside the Gargolye guardian of the headmaster's tower.

"Well you certainly took your time getting here." Nott growled angrily.

"I had some very confused and frightened first years to calm Reginald." Minerva sighed, "What is your particular crisis?"

"I cannot get into my office!" He declared angrily.

"Have you asked nicely?" She replied with a condescendingly sweet tone.

"Minerva. I am the legally appointed headmaster of this school. I do not have to ask to enter my own office." He stridently explained.

"Oh well. I'm certain if you explain that to the gargoyle politely he'll move for you." She smiled with a sense of pleased satisfaction. "I suppose if you attended an etiquette class you would know what politeness is."

Nott glared at her with his nostrils flaring for a moment before he backhanded her. "I'll not put up with your insolence."

Minerva's head had rocked backward with the force of the blow but she remained standing, taking the handkerchief from her pocket to wipe the blood off of her lip she looked at him with a cold fury in her expression. In a calm even tone she said, "That is the last time I will permit you to raise a hand to myself or any of our students Reginald. Remember that."

Reginald Nott actually took a half step back before saying, "I want whomever played this trick on the door brought to their knees, after removing it."
"Albus claimed the castle would sometimes know what needed to be done. That after a thousand years of magic inside it the stones themselves have become alive." Minerva declared haughtily. "Perhaps the castle simply doesn't like you."
Dolohov laughed, "Impossible. A structure does not just awaken because it has been exposed to magic. It would take a willful enchantment and creation of a runic structure to achieve even the basest sentience. "

"Then accept the fact the founders of this school did not tell everyone their secrets before they left this world. Perhaps they felt the need to have a final check against unbridled power." Minerva said through thin lips.

"And perhaps Albus and you have conspired to undermine my legal authority." Nott hissed.

"You have the legal authority. There is nothing I may do about that, it is your moral authority that I undermine." Minerva replied. "What little there is of such authority."

"You dare a great deal old woman. Never forget that you may be replaced." Nott warned her with a waggling finger.

"And never forget that you and your fellow, authorities," She dripped as much scorn on that word as she could, "are outnumbered while in this school. So if you want a war go ahead, you had best know what you are fighting for though." Minerva declared taking a step towards the head master while drawing herself to her full height. "For if you begin this war, the end of it shall not be what you expect."

Nott seemed to consider striking the Scotts woman again as his fingers flexed. The fact that several paintings were just silently still within their frames, while a pair of ghosts too casually hovered at the end of the corridor seemed to make him reconsider. "Very well Minerva. Thank you for your assistance. I believe Dolohov and I shall be able to resolve this matter without you."
"Very well then headmaster. I have duties to perform that require my attention." She spun on her heel and started walking stiffly away.

"For now Minerva. For now." he declared with an ominous parting tone.

….

Lucius Malfoy sat alone in his office in his palatial estate. The structure had been repaired and rebuilt after the self-immolation brought about by Sirius Black using Draco. Now it appeared his wife was victim to the man's temerity.

Although Lucius could not determine how as the marriage bond had not been dissolved. She was missing though and so were the blasted Grangers that she said she had found. Even the blasted tracking systems she had installed in her expensive car had failed. The company had last tracked it to a place in Yorkshire then it was gone.

When he found Sirius Black the man would be begging for death before he was done. A thousand times over he would suffer.

Lucius leaned back and sighed as he realized he had actually cared about Narcissa, in a strange dysfunctional way. He might even have loved her. Amazing how loss brought things into greater focus.

"Lucius. Do you have a plan for how we may better consolidate our power?" He heard the smooth voice of his Lord demand as he entered the office. Lucius brought himself out of his reverie.

"Yes my Lord. We are continuing the spin coverage on the WWN and the Prophet. Dumbledore is being described as the most dangerous criminal in league with Black. The two of them, as leaders of the rogue terror group Order of the Phoenix, are plotting and working to overthrow the legal government. The assassination of Fudge just before the vote of no confidence next week is planned to take out a great many of the more problematic members of the Wizengamut. The script for Albert's response is here sire." Lucius said holding a sheet of parchment to his lord.

After reading it the host of the Dark Lord nodded, "Yes, very excellent Lucius. After this the control of our world will be complete. Then we may begin to turn our focus on our external threats."

"External threats sire?"

"The muggle world. As long as it exists there will always be muggle-borns. If there are no more muggles then we no longer will be forced to hide our world, we shall have only blood purity. An eternal Empire of Magic!" The Dark Lord intoned in a maniacal voice. His eyes glowing slightly.

"Yes my lord." Malfoy replied without a hint of discomfort or doubt. He kept any of those buried far beneath his veneer. He found it safer because once one was a Death Eater the only way to end your service was through death.

As Voldemort left the room he said , "Oh and find me another host. This one is starting to degrade."
Lucius sighed as he made a note to find another muggle. They needed to find a way to get a permanent body for him soon.

….

Albus Dumbledore had not quietly retired to a seaside villa he had been actively confirming that all of the Horcruxes had been destroyed. As far as he could tell it was down to Harry and one more before they could rid themselves of Tom once and forever.

He sighed as the memories of the mistakes he had made weighed upon him, one of the more unfortunate things about his life right now was the pauses that let him think far too much. If he had done this or that differently then things would have proceeded differently.

Dismissing the negative thoughts he read the latest Daily Prophet headlines to see what it was he had done. Laughing at their outlandish attempt to link him with a rain of frogs in Lower Tidmarsh and how it would threaten the peace and security of the magical world.

One thing they did not report though was another attack by Sirius. He had gone silent for the past several days which concerned Albus. Chuckling at the thought if it concerned Albus what Sirius' silence must be doing to the other side. Sirius had done quite the number on the Death Eaters, whittling their core numbers down to a mere double handful, in some very public and violent spectacles. However they still had a great many allies and people like the former Ms. Umbridge who felt the same as they did.

Then there were those who would trust and believe what the Prophet reported above their own eyes and brains. They would go whichever way the Ministry winds blew which made them even more dangerous. For them security meant not causing waves and keeping their nice quiet lifestyles.

Albus read the letter from Flitwick informing him that Gringotts had been approached by the Ministry in an attempt to seize assets belonging to resistance members such as himself and Sirius. The Goblins had refused and were debating their response. If the Goblins closed their doors to the Ministry that could be devastating to the magical world's economy.

Hagrid had also reported that the giants of Dartmoor and Cotswolds had been approached but refused to get involved. They had been mistreated by magical kind for far too long to become pawns in their war. Even if they had been offered villages to eat and rampage. They had tasted the weapons of muggles and feared them as well.

Albus sat at the desk in his hidden cottage thinking. The muggles they would be the deciding factor. They had come so far from the days when he and Gellert had laughingly decided to control them. In many ways it was Gellert himself who had spurred their development. His support of that Austrian painter to cover his war on the muggles was a critical mistake.

The muggles who had been exposed to magic had remembered the old tales, they had learned and from that fear learned how to be strong. How to counter magic as much as they could with their technology. They had even accepted and welcomed the squibs that pure-blood families so casually tossed away. How the magical society had marginalized and pushed away them. One reason he had tried to find ways to employ and accept squibs as much as possible. They still had magical blood and as such were a part of their world.

As head of the Wizengamut and the ICW he had been given access to many muggle government contacts. It was time he became more proactive in that world. Before they became more proactive in his world.

…...

Late that night Harry took his cloak and snuck up to the owlery to have Hedwig take a letter Neville had written to his uncle. Neville had used a special spell to ensure that only a member of the Longbottom bloodlines could read the message.

They had to use this method as Remus was unable to contact Neville's uncle. As a werewolf Remus would be watched and tracked now whenever he was in the magical world. They didn't want to risk Remus being tracked to Neville's uncle.

Hermione's dad was incredibly apologetic for not having contacted her sooner. He admitted he had been distracted and forgot about it. Hermione had forgotten about the mirror too so they both took responsibility. She was introduced to the mother of her sibling and they spoke for a long time. When their conversation was over Hermione shrugged and said she seemed nice.

After sending Hedwig on her way he took the time to explore the castle a little bit. The corridors were quiet and empty. It seemed odd to not have to be trying to hide from Mrs. Norris or Filch but then the Death Eaters I charge would be far worse to be captured by.

Harry noticed something odd in that whenever he heard footsteps there seemed to be a stairway, corridor, ladderway, or alcove to duck into and hide. He was able to follow a spiral staircase from the fourth floor to the ground floor at one point that he did not recall being there before. Going past the headmaster's tower entrance he paused because the gargoyle statue was missing, the entire doorway was missing, replaced by a solid stone wall.

Deciding that he had spent enough time outside the dorms he began to make his way back. He found a stairway that spiraled up and placed him in a corridor only a few yards from Gryffindor Tower. Deciding to ask Hermione about it in the morning, maybe there was an explanation in Hogwarts a History, he shrugged it off and went to bed.

…...

Sirius was pacing. He had been kicked out of he Forbidden Forest and told not to return. They would deal with things without him. This did not sit well with him but arguing with centaurs was generally very pointless.

Sirius stopped pacing then laughed at his own mental stream. "Pointless. Yeah. Pointed is more like it right Jamsie? Oh what shall we do now? I fucked up the plan to get Hogwarts cleaned of those animals. The filth are sitting right there in charge still. Harry is not going to be happy. I just probably made things worse for them dammit. Dammit dammit." Sirius leaned against the wall pounding his fist against it leaving bloody smears behind as his tissues broke down.
"Master. Kreacher has information that may make master happy." Kreacher said with a malicious grin.

Sirius slowed down then with a mighty heave turned to look at the elf, "What is it Kreacher?"

"Master Kreacher talked to elves at Malfoy Manor. Dark One is getting body on night of full moon. One of followers giving son to Dark One for Dark One's body. Many dark one followers will be there."

"All of them or just a bunch of them?"
"Kreacher knows not for Malfoy elves know not. Elves told to prepare feast for twice dozen."

"Oh my little friend you have made me sooo happy. We have just under a week before the full moon. We have a lot of work to do. Did you find out where they are doing this?"

"Yes Master. Kreacher knows the Dark One is doing the ritual in the manor. Dark One has taken over ballroom to be Dark One's spell chamber. Ballroom rebuilt after Master's last destruction."

Sirius laughed, "Oh, well Lucy is the last peg. And he'll have to be there. The driveway is long straight and if I get enough speed up it shouldn't matter if I make it through the wards or not." Sirius said pacing again.

"No Jamsies, the car that dear cousin Cissa gave me will be perfect for this." Sirius said shaking his head, "Harry will appreciate the Jag. I know Lily he's got a few more years before he can drive it but still. When he grows up he will be thrilled."

Kreacher stood by with a feral grin as he watched his master plot and plan.

"Now Kreacher. Where did we put those rockets?" Sirius laughed moving towards the garage part of the bunker.

….

For the next five days Harry and the other students found going through the corridors far easier. The dark professors though had found their lives becoming even more complicated and annoying. Doors refused to open for them, opened the wrong way or moved before they could get to them. Toilets backed up with them sitting on them. Candles and lamps extinguished themselves or flared up into frightening jets of flame.

When Harry mentioned it almost seemed like the castle itself was coming alive Hermione smiled and pulled out her copy of Hogwarts a History. Turning to the chapter about the construction of the castle she explained that the castle could only exist due to magic. That it was not so much built as grown from a magical seed by the founders themselves. That is why some rooms were bigger on the inside. There was some rumors that due to the way it was grown plus the sheer amount of magic cast within the walls over a thousand years, plus the amount of people who had lived, died and believed in the castle, had given it a sort of semi-sentience.

Harry accepted that explanation quite readily and tried to make sure that others understood that. The Weasley twins scoffed at the idea and wondered who was trying to become the king of the pranksters. Hermione tried to explain the situation but they simply nodded and went about their own plans. Ron pointing out they had to learn the hard way far too often.

Sirius spent the next several days taking the Mercedes that he had appropriated from Cissa and modifying it. Not so much increasing power other than mounting rockets to the back frame to increase its boost capabilities but also packing every spare cubic inch with explosives. Magically enhanced explosives. He figured the armor would protect him from the effects of the wards long enough to ensure the car entered the house before it exploded. He was a dead man who hadn't laid down yet so he might as well go out with a bang he told James and Lily.

….

"Severus will you be going to the manor tonight?" Nott inquired of his potions professor.

"I was not aware of any events that required my presence." Severus calmly stated.

"They will be inducting several new recruits to replace the ones Black removed. It would be a good time for you to renew your commitment to the cause." Reginald smiled at Snape, although the smile never reached his eyes.

"My commitment is still as strong as it ever was." Snape countered.

"Your recent actions have thrown some doubt upon that. It might behoove you to prove yourself loyal." Nott menacingly declared.

Severus stepped closer until his long hawk nose was inches from Nott's gray eyes. "I do not have to prove myself to you. As long as our Dark Lord is satisfied with my loyalty that will be sufficient to you."

Nott took a step back before sneering angrily, "You should watch yourself Snape. Some of us are not going to be satisfied with just your word."
"I shall let the Dark Lord know when I speak with him again. Shall I give him your regards Reginald?" Snape dismissively sneered as he turned his back on the headmaster.

"That will not be necessary." Nott casually replied, "I will do so myself."
"Yes please do. Perhaps you can also explain to him how you have lost control of the castle?"
Nott bristled, "I have not lost control. We are being undermined. And you are not doing enough to find the perpetrators."

"So you say." Snape dryly stated, "Assuming there are any."

"There are and we will find them and make an example out of them." Nott declared. "We will have control or else."
Snape raised his eyebrow but said nothing. Simply turning and walking away.

…...

Later after dinner with the moon high in the sky the five climbed to the top of the astronomy tower. They opened the shutters in the roof allowing the moonlight to stream in.

"Okay lets get the floor cleaned and prepared. This is the last chance for you to change your mind." Luna declared solemnly.

"We're with you Luna. All for one and one for all." Harry stated with a grin.

Hermione smiled as she hugged Harry then Luna. "All the way."

"Okay. Everyone knows your part so lets begin."
They swept and cleaned the floor. Taking charcoal to draw the runes and symbols required they soon had the space prepared. Stripping their clothes off they cleaned and prepared each other drawing a few more runes on each other.

They took their places in the circle and Luna began to chant. She raised her arms to the moon imploring, "Mother Moon hear our call. In your light, upon this night join us in a coven. We come free of fear and false pride. We dedicate ourselves to the service of the light. Grant us the strength, the unity and the power to perform the deeds we must. So mote it be."

She repeated this two more times when a light pale blue beam shot between all of them at their heart. The beam did not hurt and actually made a slight tingle. Harry felt a surge of happiness and joy enter him before the beam stopped. All five of them smiled dreamily, looking around at each other with a giggling grin.

…...

Sirius had finished fixing the Mercedes Defender. It now had a quartet of military JATO units mounted where the trunk had been. On top of them were some warheads from a Soviet anti-ship missile he had picked up. Replacing the back seat was a barrel of fuel oil and fertilizer with several boxes of Semtex. More boxes and other exploding things replaced the passenger seat. Under the hood Sirius had pushed and molded more plastic explosives until the car was stuffed completely.

"Well Kreacher this is it. I'll be going out with one of the biggest bangs in the magical world eh?" Sirius said earnestly patting his elf on the shoulder.

"Yes master. Kreacher will miss master." The elf sniffled.

"I know little buddy. Harry will probably not be as much fun as I was but try to be understanding. He's going to need some help from an elf. So serve him as well as you served me and I'll make sure there's a place in the afterlife for you."

Kreacher blinked his huge rheumy eyes several times before nodding.

"Okay little buddy. Before this gets too maudlin I better roll out. Now you have the envelopes for everyone?"

"Yes Master. Kreacher will obey Master's last order." the elf nodded with the saddest voice Sirius had heard.

Fighting back his own tears Sirius got into the car. Putting a WWI leather helmet, goggles and scarf on he gave a cocky grinning thumbs up to the elf.

"Take care of Harry. Guard him and protect him. Keep him safe Kreacher. That is your ultimate duty now." He shouted as he started the car. The modifications to the large turbocharged engine under the hood making it rumble with restrained power.

"I obey Master!" Kreacher shouted back before saluting.

Sirius closed the door and with a puff of glittering smoke took off. The car growling as it sped along the roads towards his rendezvous with death. A traffic patrolman blinked at the strange slightly glowing vehicle that blew past him . He picked up his radio microphone to report it but as he watched the glow shrinking in the distance, the sparkling gold trail fading on the pavement, he wasn't sure what to say. Putting the mike back on its holder he decided that getting some more coffee might be a better idea.

The lane towards Malfoy Manor was straight and level. Sirius grinned as he pushed the throttle the last little bit to get all he could out of the engine as he flipped the safety off of the switch for the rockets. He saw the gates looming ahead of him so he closed his eyes and hit the toggle. The thump of all four rockets igniting overwhelmed all other sounds as the car became a projectile guided by its own inertia.

He hit the wards at the gates a split second later, the actinic white lighting that played over the car and danced over him stopping his heart. From this point forward Sirius' cares were over. The unguided missile flew down the lane, hitting the walkway to the front steps the car leapt upwards, slamming through the front doors wheels first before flipping over onto its roof. The rockets were still burning turning the car into a giant Catherine Wheel of doom that spun a few times before burying itself inside the entry hall of the manor. The sudden stop caused relays to click and circuits to become powered. The detonation of the explosives were heard several miles away as Malfoy Manor was reduced to a smoking crater in the ground.

The Death Eaters in the ballroom only warning had been the brief light show from the wards activating. Some of the ones closer to the windows who had survived the previous attack realized what was happening and ran. How close they were to a window or door decided who would live and who would die. The Death Eaters would not be completely removed but their numbers would be reduced wholesale.

…..(Review Responses)

Dennisud: Well Sirius was always a more proactive kinda guy so I figured he would not go out like a punk. And as for the castle I was getting to that. She was taking his measure and seeing who was going to be worthy of taking up the position. I remembered Umbridge having trouble getting into the office, the DEs would get a lot more than just a closed door. They say great minds think alike but I'm not sure if thinking like me is a good thing. LOLOL. (Or to be honest that I'm a great mind.)