Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for the plot.
The Light at the End of the Tunnel.
Chapter four: Padfoot's Favourite Prank.
The next morning came too quickly for Harry. Far too quickly. One minute he was crawling into bed and the next Seamus' alarm clock was ringing and the five of them were dragging themselves out of bed.
Harry stood up shakily and stretched in an attempt to wake himself up. A loud thump made him turn around. Ron was lying on the floor tangled in his duvet. Harry snorted with laughter.
"Too bloody early" groaned Ron as he pulled himself up off the floor. He yawned loudly and muttered the incantation to change into his DA robes. Harry followed suite, he picked up his dragonskin armour, debating whether to put it on or not. Eventually he decided against it and just strapped the sword around waist. Harry beckoned to them and they followed him downstairs.
The girls and the rest of the Gryffindors in the DA were already waiting for them in the common room. Most of them bleary-eyed and all of them glaring at Harry as if he was spawn of the Devil.
"This had better be good, Potter, or I will kill you." Growled Parvati as he descended the stairs. Harry looked at her.
"I said it last night and I will say it again. You are about to get the surprise of your life." He said, putting careful emphasis on the word 'life'.
"And what would the surprise be?" Asked Lavender.
"Wait and see." Harry led them out of the Portrait Hole, ignoring the Fat Lady's angry mumbling at being woken so early. They found a few people down in the Entrance Hall but had to wait for the majority. They did not have to wait long, however and after a minute or so the last person, Anthony Goldstein muttering incoherently, arrived. Harry stood back a pace so he could speak to them all.
"I appreciate you all being here so thanks. Now listen up. You all need to wake up properly. That is vital." Harry flicked his wand and fired a spell at Ginny. She deflected it but just barely. He did the same with Cho, Colin, Parvati and Terry Boot. Each of them deflecting the spells slightly more quickly then the last. Eventually Harry was satisfied that everyone was sufficiently awake. He turned and led them out of them double doors.
The grass was wet with the early morning dew and there was a fine mist around. The morning breeze swirled around them and chilled them to the bone. There was no sound and the sun had not yet broken through the grey clouds that loomed overhead. Everything was quiet. The stillness adding to the mystery of the moment. No one spoke. Their breath came out in swirls of fog in the morning damp. Harry led them onwards not looking back once. He would have appeared perfectly calm had it not been for the fact that his hand was resting on the hilt of his sword. A sign that he was agitated.
Time seemed to stretch onwards. Nothing drew near. The fog was thick and most of the DA had their hands on their wands, nervously looking around. Their breaths quickened as they detected a change in Harry's pace, he seemed to speed up, his hand no longer on the hilt but on the grip of his sword. The wind picked up, cutting through the silence to leave an eerie noise in the air, the fogged thickened and the DA instinctively closed the gaps between them. And then it happened.
Out of the fog black shapes appeared. Harry's pace quickened. The DA, sensing his urgency, instinctively closed around him. The blacks shape grew nearer and more of them appeared. Their breaths quickened. Harry broke into a run, his urgency evident. The DA kept up. Fear was coursing through them but not one person turned back. The black shapes loomed closer and closer and it seemed they must be upon them at any second. The DAs' wands were out and their mouths were dry, the shapes loomed closer and closer. Then they were upon them.
The DA fanned out into a skirmish line. No orders were given, they reacted as they felt. Harry stepped forward, Ron and Hermione followed. They alone knew what was happening and were determined to demonstrate their loyalty from the start.
As he walked towards the Guardians Harry turned to Ron discreetly. He knew the DA had reacted as they should but he wanted them formed in closed ranks.
"Close them up. They need to be in good order." Ron nodded and turned and looked at the DA. A few silent looks later and the DA moved so they were standing shoulder to shoulder. Five people from the mass of black robes stepped forward and approached Harry. The DA took a step forward. Harry groaned and rolled his eyes.
"Tell them what is going on. Any minute now they'll be firing off spells like there's no tomorrow." He said to Ron. Ron nodded, turned and walked back to the DA.
The five black robed people approached Harry. They saluted him and nodded to Hermione. Harry saw that three of them were the people in Dumbledore's office yesterday. Harry awkwardly returned the salute but he must have done it properly for none of the Guardians' expressions changed in the least. Relieved, Harry felt that he might just do this right after all. The Auror Harry had saved stepped forward.
"Good morning, sir."
"Morning."
"All hundred of us are present. We five are your lieutenants in the Guardians. I am Danny Arias. This is Titus Calartius." He said, pronouncing Calartius Cah-lar-shius and indicating a tall man on his left with short brown hair and a tough but friendly looking face. "Samia Mathana." A small but pretty woman with dark blonde hair nodded at him.
"Sir."
"Samia." Harry replied. Danny continued, indicating a tough looking man on his right with black hair, though not as black as Harry's, and a definite Spanish look.
"Ricardo Mantela." The Spaniard nodded.
"And last but not least Athena Lavinio." A pretty brunette smiled at him. She was fairly small and vulnerable looking but there was something in her stance that radiated confidence. Harry nodded at her. She smiled in return.
"My lieutenants, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley." The five Lieutenants from the Guardians nodded at them.
"Right, with introductions over let's get down to business. Ron, go brief the DA on what's going on. Answer any questions. I don't want to have to deal with that later. Cheers." Ron nodded and walked off. Harry turned back to the Guardian lieutenants. "Today I need to speak to the men. That's all there really is to do. We may do a short exercise this afternoon, though. I'll get back to you on that. Tomorrow I will give you full orders after I have found out what the current situation is from Dumbledore but until then there is nothing we can do. It is more then likely that you will be guarding Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. To stop you getting bored and to stop Voldemort from growing too strong too quickly I will try and get some raids sorted. Any questions?" Everyone shook their heads.
"Great." Said Ron, rolling his eyes as he returned, "Wouldn't want to get bored, would we?"
"Shut it, Weasley. Unless you want to lead the raids personally? On top of other jobs I can find for you?"
"Good idea raids, can't have Voldemort getting too powerful can we?" said Ron, backtracking hastily.
"That's what I thought."
"You sound like a proper leader already, sir." Said Samia, grinning at him.
"Good. It's good to know that I haven't screwed up just yet. Now let's get down to business." Harry stepped forward and faced the Guardians.
"Guardians." The Guardians came to attention and saluted. That caught him by surprise, but he recovered and saluted back. "You were Aurors. So that means you were good at fighting. You could handle a Death Eater pretty well. Sod that. That's in the past. You are now Guardians and you are now the best. Or, at least, I will make you the best. I'll be a hell of a lot of money you're doubting that. You know what. I couldn't give a shit. Just because I'm sixteen means I will take crap from you. You screw me around and I will make you regret it. If I'm going to lead you against Voldemort and the might of his army then I need loyalty. I will not waste time trying to make you like me. If you don't want to like me then that's fine. So long as you fight like demons when it comes to it then I'm happy. You are the last line of defense the Wizarding world has. So make them proud. Fight like fury. You've been scared long enough. Make Voldemort scared. Show him that you can fight. Show him that you are not scared to give up your lives for what you know is right. You're good. I will make you better. The last line of defense. The first line of attack. That's what you are. So make everyone proud. Let the name 'Guardians' instill admiration in our allies and fear in our enemies. We are the best. Let the world know it. We will fight and if we die, then we will die fighting and we will take the bastards with us." A cheer erupted from the Guardians.
"Very inspiring, sir." said Athena as he walked over to them.
"Not my best." Said Harry.
"No, your one as we departed for the assault was better." Agreed Titus. Harry surveyed the Guardians casually for a minute. They looked like a hard bunch, experienced in fighting and tough enough to take some knocks. There was a confidence about them, they knew what they were doing and they knew that they could do it well. But there was something else. Something that Harry didn't like. Made him want to change it. He turned to Danny.
"Arias, what were you all doing before you defected to Guardians?" Danny shrugged and looked thoughtful.
"Guard duty most of the time. Though occasionally we raided homes of known Death Eaters. Any reason why you asked, sir?"
"Yeah, there is actually. I was just looking at the men and there was something about them that I didn't like. That I wasn't used to. I know what it is now, they're all individualists. Used to working on their own or in small groups. I'll change that. If you want to fight Voldemort you cannot afford to fight on your own. You have to learn to watch each others backs. We'll get that sorted." Harry looked at his watch.
"Ok. Have you boys and girls eaten?" Arias shook his head.
"No. But we'll get something in Hogsmeade." He shrugged.
"Fair enough. There will be a briefing about today's exercise at two o'clock in the Room of Requirement, Ron make sure they know where that is, the exercise will be at four. Thank you ladies and gentlemen." He saluted, it still didn't fell quite right, turned and left with Hermione. Ron caught up with them a few seconds later.
"You didn't used to be like this." He grumbled. In the background they could hear the Guardians being dismissed. Harry shrugged.
"I didn't use to lead one hundred Aurors. Now I do. Times change and I have to change with it." He laughed bitterly. "Life likes to throw surprises at me, doesn't it?" Ron shook his head in a motion that clearly said 'bloody mental'. Harry lapsed into silence, a satisfied look on his face. Ron cast a questioning look at him. Harry didn't answer. After a few minutes he could stand it no more.
"Ok. What are you looking so pleased about?" Harry looked at him slyly.
"You'll just have to wait and see. But lunch will be very interesting today. Promise."
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Double charms was torture for Ron. Harry's satisfied looks and sly grins pissed Ron off completely. Every so often Harry would look thoughtful for a minute and then scribble something down on a scrap piece of parchment, guarding it closely and glaring at him whenever Ron tried to sneak a glance. Ron sat there getting angrier and angrier. Whenever he asked Harry what was going on he got an evasive answer or no answer at all. Eventually he didn't talk to Harry at all.
Harry, on the other hand, was having the time of his life. He knew he was annoying Ron and he was loving it. Just to annoy Ron further every so often he would look thoughtful for a moment and then would pretend to scribble something down on a spare piece of parchment, glaring at Ron if he tried to look. Double charms had never been more fun.
Eventually the bell for the end of lessons rang and Ron looked as if he couldn't decide whether to run as far away from his tormentor or to stay with him and see what was going to happen. Eventually he seemed to decide to do the latter.
They entered the Great Hall, which Harry was delighted to see was full, every single teacher was there and even Lupin had a spot next to Dumbledore at the teachers table. People were used to seeing Lupin around the school but he never came to meals so there was a good deal of muttering at his presence. Hermione spotted Lupin and turned to Harry.
"Ok, Harry, what's going on?"
"Dunno what you mean, Hermione." He said grinning, his face a picture of innocence. She rolled her eyes but decided to wait and see.
They sat down at the Gryffindor table and Harry helped himself to some pork. After ten minutes of him saying nothing and doing nothing out of the ordinary Ron and Hermione began to wonder whether anything was going to happen, and whether Harry was just playing a joke at his expense. But then he stopped eating suddenly and put down his knife and fork and looked at Hermione and Ron. They looked back expectantly. He took out his wand and held it under the table. His lips moving but no audible words came out of his mouth. He glanced at them. Nothing happened for a minute.
Suddenly silence descended over the Great Hall. Nobody spoke. You could hear a pin drop. Ron and Hermione looked over at the top table. They felt their breaths catch in their throat; Ron in particular had to choke down a laugh. Snape was sitting there stunned, decked in Gryffindor colours.
Nobody could hold it in any longer, everyone in Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff burst out laughing. They began to clap and cheer. Harry, remembering that Lupin had told him that whenever the Marauders pulled a prank in the Great Hall they would stand up and bow, stood up, bowed once to the students in the Great Hall, once to the top table, once to Dumbledore and finally once to Snape. A broad grin spread over Harry's face as he listened to the shouts and cheers and the laughter that was ringing through the Great Hall. Everyone apart from the Slytherins hated Snape and to see him humiliated on such a scale by his least favourite student was a rare gift.
Almost as suddenly as it had come, the laughter died. Harry's smile faded slightly. Snape was standing up, a look of pure loathing on his face. The closest Harry had ever seen him this angry was when Snape caught him looking in his pensieve. The scene would have been comical had it not been for the ugly expression on Snape's face.
Snape made no pretence of looking around for the culprit in Gryffindor. He knew who it was. He recognized this prank and it left no doubt to the culprit's identity.
"What do you call this, Potter?" His voice was soft and deadly, much like the hiss of a snake before it bites you. Harry took a deep breath. He gave an over exaggerated bow to Snape, never taking his eyes off him.
"Padfoot's favourite prank. A small tribute to his memory, from the son of a Marauder." Harry grinned at him. His voice was swift yet polite. Ron grinned and turned to Hermione.
"Harry in his element. How I wish Fred and George were here to see this." Hermione nodded, a small smile playing on the corners of her mouth.
"And you really think that I want to be part of any form of tribute to your mutt of a Godfather." Snape said sleekly. Harry stiffened. The Great Hall detected a change in the atmosphere. There was no longer any harmlessness in it any more. Snape had played dirty, forcing Harry onto the defensive, using his worst memory against him.
"Sir, I request that you do not speak of my Godfather in that way." Harry's voice was polite yet there was an edge to it. Snape, sensing weakness, moved in for the kill.
"Why not? It is not as if there is anything good to say about the mutt. Stupid fool couldn't even keep himself alive. Couldn't even do that right." That was it. The Great Hall sensed he had gone too far. An electric shot seemed to course through them, Harry had gone rigid, his hand tight on his sword. Snape knew he had gone to far, but his pride wouldn't let him back down, wouldn't let him stop now. Not when he had Harry right where he wanted him.
"If you ask me, Potter, the fool is better off dead." Snape had pushed his luck one step too far. Harry made an angry step towards him, but Lupin got there first.
He punched Snape around the face with all the might he could muster, Snape fell to the ground. Everyone in the Great Hall leapt to their feet. A deadly quiet descended as Snape slowly got to his feet.
"Never, ever talk about Sirius in that way again, Snivellus." Lupin snapped, glaring at him.
"You know what I keep in my office, werewolf? Silver. Lots of it. And if you ever touch me again. I'll make sure that silver finds you." Snape sneered at him. Lupin didn't even flinch. Seeing Snape bully one of his closest friends like that caused something in Harry to burst. He ran up to where Snape and Lupin were staring at each other. He jumped in front of Lupin and gave Snape a hard shove backwards. Rationality had long since taken flight. Everything Harry did was done on impulse. He vaguely knew there would be consequences later but he could not afford to remember that now, not when Snape had insulted Sirius like he had done.
"If you ever even think about hurting any of my friends I swear I will kill you. A Marauder always gets revenge and next time, Snivellus, it won't be so harmless." Harry growled. It was the insult more than anything that got to Snape. Snapping, "How very like your fool of a Godfather." He drew his wand and shoved Harry backwards. Lupin kicked out at Snape in retaliation. Snape fell to the floor with a crash. Harry and Lupin stepped forwards with their wands pointed at Snape's throat.
"I say we kill the bastard now and be rid of him." Harry growled, there was nothing but anger and hate in his expression. Lupin looked ready to agree.
Two spells were flung at them in quick succession, Lupin's wand flew out of his hand, but Harry was prepared for the second one and had a shield charm up and waiting.
The expelliarmus spell bounced off the shield charm and hit the wall. Harry was surprised to see that it was Dumbledore who had his wand pointed at them.
"Harry, lower your wand." It was not a direct command but more of a request. Harry almost complied but a surge of adrenalin coursed through him and made him feel defiant.
"No." It was a short, simple statement but the effect was massive, McGonagall leapt to her feet along with some of the other teachers looking angry at such disrespect. Ron swore and jumped to his feet with his wand drawn and the DA followed suite. It was a stalemate. But the attention of the Great Hall was fixed on Harry and Dumbledore. Neither, strangely, looked angry. Both had oddly calm looks on their faces.
"Harry," Dumbledore said gently, "I don't want to have to force you to lower your wand."
"You won't touch me." Retorted Harry. He knew his defiance was ridiculous, but there was something inside him that made him feel it was necessary.
"Harry." Dumbledore warned. Harry's only response was to move into a dueling stance. Ron rolled his eyes.
"I'm going to regret this later." He muttered to himself before walking to take his best friends side. Harry looked mildly surprised at Ron's actions.
"Not this time, Ron. This is my battle not yours." Harry said quietly, but he made sure the gratitude he felt was echoed in his tone. Ron nodded and backed off.
"Harry. I will ask you one final time and then I will be left with no option but to use force. Lower your wand." For a minute Harry was tempted. He didn't know if he could handle Dumbledore in a fight. Maybe for a while. But he would not beat him. He knew there was no logical reason for this defiance but he felt he had to do it. Slowly and deliberately he opened his mouth.
"No." Several things happened in the next second. Before Dumbledore could utter a spell Snape had leapt a Harry, knocking him to the floor and wrapping his hands around his throat, Lupin kicked at Snape and caught him in the side. Snape rolled off Harry clutching his ribs. Harry leapt to his feet and kept his wand pointed at Snape.
Things were crazy. Reality had taken a backseat. Harry was ready to kill his potions master. Dumbledore stood with his wand pointed at Harry. Something that most people would never have dreamed could ever happen.
It was Dumbledore who lowered his wand in the end. Who finished it all.
"Harry please." Harry sighed and lowered his wand. He was sick of this. Normality had fled. A few moments ago he had been ready to kill Snape and duel Dumbledore. He shook his head wondering what the hell had happened. He had just one more thing to do before he resigned himself to the consequences. He knelt next to Snape.
"You know what, sir? I am like my father. And it's at times like this that I couldn't be more glad I am." Snape stared up at him with intense dislike.
Harry knew that the enmity between him and Snape had just reached new heights. And it was going to get higher before it fell.
A/N – I am sorry this chapter is a week late, I'm sure you read the note in my bio. The problem has been fixed thankfully and thank you for your patience.
I am expecting some criticism for this chapter. Not realistic I know but I needed the relationship between Harry and Snape and Harry and Dumbledore to become tenser. Right now Harry feels to an extent that he is being used as a pawn in Dumbledore's game and he is not altogether happy with it. In the next few chapters he will realise that is why he wanted to defy Dumbledore. To prove he was not going to be a mere pawn. I felt I had to tell you this to prevent too much dislike of this chapter as a result of lack of plausibility. Sometimes to create a good story plausibility has to disappear for a while to create a certain atmosphere only to return later. At least, that is how I see it. In the next chapter Fudge will find out about the Guardians and will make a fatal mistake. Literally.
Deathdefeater – Thanks for the review. Can't do R/Hr next chapter but there will be in the one after that. Hope that's okay.
FSI - Thanks for the review. Can't do H/C next chapter, but there will be in the one after that.
Colm – Thanks for the review. Harry was joking with the Aurors, I apologise for not making that clear enough.
The Phoenix King - Thanks for the review. Thank you. I enjoyed writing that scene with the Aurors. You're right, Fudge won't last long.
Sugarnspice3729 - Thanks for the review.
LogicalRaven - Thanks for the review. Elves, Aurors? I hope you know what you mean because I'm not quite seeing any connection! But I must say I'm honoured to have my style of writing likened to Tolkiens. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. This is the first chapter I have written that I have actually disliked, not matter how hard I tried it just wouldn't come out right...
The Enchantresses - Thanks for the review. Since when do Harry and Ron know catholic past leaders? Well Harry lived as a muggle for eleven years... and just because he is a wizard doesn't mean Ron wouldn't have heard about him, they do live near a muggle village after all...
Goddess Usaqi - Thanks for the review. That was a really pleasant review to receive, I hope you liked this chapter as much.
MystikalMagic - Thanks for the review. Harry was joking with the Aurors, sorry, I should have picked up on that one.
Keep reading and reviewing 'cos I'll keep writing.
Fireboy.