Notice: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the other characters or people I used here. I am just borrowing them for entertainment purposes.
Author's Note: Hey guys! Sorry for the long absence. I've been busy. I hope you like this next chapter.
Eternia:
Harry Potter and the Immortal's Knight:
Chapter 13: Attack on the Hogwarts Express:
"10:30," Ron commented checking on the time. "This is the first time that we have ever arrived early. We have about another 20 minutes until my mum and dad arrives with Ginny."
The trio had been staying in the Leakey Cauldron since the day of Sirius's will reading. The trio had thought about going to the Burrow or at Number 12 Grimmauld Place to spend the rest of the summer. But after much discussion, they decided it was far more convenient to stay at the Leakey Cauldron. Without the watchful eyes of the Order, the Trio had found themselves with more freedom to act out their plans against Voldemort. They had used the last two weeks of summer to their very best advantage.
"It's a pity Ginny isn't here, yet. You'd like, Dudley," Hermione commented.
"I can always meet her some other time," Dudley replied. The day after the incident at Diagon Alley, Harry called his cousin to talk about the inheritance he received from Harry's mother. When he found out about it, he was completely taken by surprise. Harry had told him that James and Lily Potter had made a lot of money when they were alive. But when he had seen part of their accumulated wealth In front of him, he was astounded.
Dudley knew he had to be very careful that his parents don't find out about the money. He loved his mother and father, but he was also very well aware of their greed. He could not ignore the fact that the trust fund left to him by his maternal grandparents was squandered by his parents. As far as Vernon and Petunia Dursley were concerned, he was here to visit some friends from school and to train at the Marcello Gym for a few days.
The trio and Dudley got out of the limo Hermione had rented for them for the day. Their chauffeur put the trio's luggage in trolleys and then waited for Dudley to return.
"Harry, Ron, Hermione, about your manager… I saw him at the mall yesterday," said Dudley.
"Remus was at the mall?" asked Harry.
"No, your other manager, O'Hara. He wanted to know when you three are going to release your second album," said Dudley. "It has been about a year and a half since you released 'The New Marauders' album."
Ron rolled his eyes and sighed, "Damn it! I knew he would try to push it!"
"You better give him an answer quickly," said Dudley.
"Dudley, our hands are tied. We've only been able to finish recording half of the songs for the album," Harry explained.
"I know that. But if you don't give him a definite answer, he might go to my parents. You are very lucky they haven't found out you are the lead singer of the Mauvis, Harry. If they find out, they are going to do everything in their power to get their hands on your money and everything else you've earned," Dudley exasperated.
"There is nothing we can do about that right now. We'll get to that when or if we get there," Hermione interrupted. She and the boys had already passed the barrier on Platform 9 and ¾. She took a quick look around the platform and saw that much of their schoolmates have already arrived with more coming on the way.
"Hey, you three are early!" waved Dean Thomas when he saw them. "Seamus! Look who's early!"
Seamus turned to Dean's direction and waved when he saw the trio. He looked at Dudley and asked, "Who's this?"
"Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan, meet my cousin, Dudley Dursley," Harry introduced.
Dean and Seamus shook Dudley's hand, but they both had confused expression on their faces.
"I thought you two didn't get along?" Seamus looked from Harry to Dudley.
"Let's just say that you change your priorities when your life flashes in from of your eyes. We reconciled over the summer," Dudley explained. "Harry, do you think you can leave school for a few hours six weeks from now?"
Dudley wasn't kidding when he said he changed his priorities, Harry knew. When he left Number 4 Privet Drive the previous year, Dudley was an overweight, spoiled brat half lost to alcohol and drugs. When Harry arrived at the beginning of summer, he was extremely surprised at the change in his cousin. Gone was the overweight brat spoiled by his parents. What Harry saw before him was a muscular young man aspiring to become the next big thing in boxing. He didn't say it, but he was proud of the change in his cousin. Harry explained, "It would depend on how well I do on the Hogwarts Exemption Exams in about a month. If I get anything below a 95 in the exams, I'll need permission from my Head of House. Why?"
"My championship match is in 6 weeks. I was wondering if you, Ron, and Hermione can come," Dudley held up three tickets.
Harry then remembered, "Oh, that's right! You're against the English Junior Boxing Champion."
"You're a boxer?" Dean asked.
"Yes, I am. I've been training at the Marcello Gym for a while now, but I usually train with the boxing team in Smeltings," said Dudley.
"My cousin's a boxer. You ever heard of Martin Newman?"
"Isn't he the Irish Junior Champion for two years running? I heard he was very good. My coach told me that if I win the match, Newman might be my next fight," said Dudley. "Listen, it's been nice, but if I don't hurry, I'll be late for my training session at the gym."
"Alright. I guess we'll see you in 6 weeks, Dud," Harry waved goodbye.
"Don't sweat your parents, Dudley. We'll get that mess sorted out," Hermione assured.
"In case we can't come to your match, good luck," Ron added.
Dudley nodded his thanks then left through the portal to King's Cross.
"Everyone in the DA's been talking," Dean commented. "Are you going to restart the DA this year?"
"With what happened at the Ministry months ago and then the attack on Diagon Alley two weeks ago, we all thought it would be a good idea," Seamus added.
Ron was the one to answer the question, "The three of us talked to the Headmaster not too long ago. We will have an excellent Defense professor this year. Both Dumbledore and whoever this new professor is think that we should restart the DA also."
Hermione added, "They also thought we should make changes with a few things such as the name, structure, etc."
"So does this mean that the DA is definitely on this year?" Dean was excited.
Spotting Draco and his mother on the other side of the platform, Harry finished the conversation, "Sorry, Dean, but we can't tell you anything else until the Welcoming Feast. You and Seamus will just have to wait with everyone else. Ron, Hermione, you two can go on ahead. I'll catch up."
Ron and Hermione followed Harry's gaze and spotted the Malfoys. Mrs. Malfoy hasn't had the chance to swear her allegiance to the House of Black, yet. Their schedules have been far too busy to set up a meeting.
Ron turned to Harry, "Leave Hedwig and your luggage. We'll take it to the train for you."
Hermione looked around the platform. There were aurors patrolling everywhere. The aura in the air was tense as if it was waiting for something. She said, "Are you sure you want to go alone, Harry?"
"Yeah, I got this," he answered. Seeing Hedwig all cooped up and impatient, he added, "Just let Hedwig loose, Ron. She's been cooped up in that cage all morning."
"Did something happen over the summer?" Seamus commented when he saw Harry walking over to the Malfoys.
"Sirius Black, Harry's godfather, is Narcissa Malfoy's first cousin," Ron explained. "The Potters and Malfoys are ending their long-standing feud for the greater good."
Dean and Seamus responded with confused silence before shrugging their shoulders and leaving.
Hermione opened Crookshanks and Hedwig's cages to let them out, "Crookshanks, stay on the train so you don't get left behind by accident. Hedwig, you stay close and try not to wonder too far."
The feline answered with a meow before scampering inside the train. Hedwig just hooted and flew after Harry.
"Potter! About time you got here. Mother and I were starting to worry we'd miss you," Draco greeted when he saw Harry approaching. He saw a white snowy owl land on Harry's shoulder soon after.
"Malfoy, Mrs. Malfoy, it is a pleasure to see you again. I hope everything has been going well for you since the will reading," Harry greeted back. "Why don't we move to somewhere private real quickly so we can discuss things with some privacy?"
"I think that's a brilliant idea, Mr. Potter. Why don't you take the lead?" Mrs. Malfoy suggested.
Harry led the two Malfoys into a more secluded part of the platform. Once they got there, he took out his wand, "Shall we get straight to business?"
"Alright, then," Mrs. Malfoy agreed taking out her own wand. "I, Narcissa Elaina Black Malfoy, Lady of the Pure and Most Ancient House of Malfoy, descendent of the House of Black, solemnly swear my loyalty to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. I swear to never again betray the Crown of Britain."
Harry raised his own wand, "I, Harrison James Potter, Lord of the Proud and Most Valiant House of Potter, Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, hereby accept the oath of loyalty of one Narcissa Elaina Black Malfoy."
As he finished his words, light came out of his and Mrs. Malfoy's wands forming a chain around the two. The chain of light then bounded itself to Mrs. Malfoy and then disappeared.
"That is very powerful magic, Mother," Draco commented. "Do be careful."
"I hate to run off suddenly, Draco, Mrs. Malfoy, but I have to go. I hope you don't mind, but I still have much to discuss with Ron and Hermione," Harry turned to leave.
Draco stopped him asking, "About that group of yours, Potter – the DA…are you restarting it this year? I know plenty of Slytherins who would love to be a part of it. That is…if you and your friends would give us the chance. We are not all like the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters."
Harry turned back around saying, "Draco…like we told Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan earlier: you will just have to wait until the Welcoming Feast." With a final nod of farewell, Harry left the Malfoys. He still has much to discuss with his best friends.
"Thanks for waiting up for me," Ginny greeted Ron and Hermione sarcastically when she arrived at the platform.
"Sorry, Ginny. We had things to do," Hermione apologized.
"What kind of things?" Ginny narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Oh, now, never you mind, Ginny. You know how Ron, Hermione, and Harry are always busy around the summer," Mrs. Weasley chided her daughter. "Speaking of Harry, where is that boy? If he doesn't hurry, he'd miss the train."
"He's talking to the Malfoys, Mum – unfinished business," Ron answered. "Oh, there he is! See nothing to worry about."
"How did things go with the Malfoys?" Hermione asked once Harry was close enough with Hedwig in tow.
"Very well, actually," said Harry. "Hey, Mrs. Weasley, Ginny. How was your summer?"
"Fine. But it wasn't the same without you three there," Ginny replied.
"Harry, you and Malfoy aren't causing any sort of trouble, are you?" Mrs. Weasley questioned with her signature glare.
Harry shook his head, "Nothing of that sort. We were just finishing a few things from Sirius's Will."
Just then, the train's whistle blew signaling its departure.
"Hurry up and get on the train, all four of you. Don't forget to write," Mrs. Weasley ushered the four into the train. "Try not to get into so much trouble this year."
"Bye, Mum!" Ron and Ginny waved goodbye.
"Goodbye, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione waved.
"We'll see you in the holidays!" Harry shouted his farewell.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny watched and waved goodbye until the train station passed over the horizon.
"If you three don't mind, I have to find Luna. We'll meet you guys at the Prefect's Carriage," Ginny turned to the trio then left to find the Ravenclaw.
He turned to the three next to him saying, "Ron, where did you put the luggage?"
"It's a bit further down the middle of the train," said Ron.
"We have to go to the Prefect's Carriage first," Hermione told them. "You're the House Captain this year, Harry. You need to come, too. Come one. It's this way."
When the trio arrived at the Prefect's Carriage minutes later, Draco was there with Pansy for the Sixth Year Slytherins. Ginny and Luna were Fifth Year Prefects for Gryffindor and Ravenclaw respectively. Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbot were there as the Hufflepuff Sixth Year Prefects with Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil for the Six Year Ravenclaws.
"Ahem," Eddie Carmichael, the Head Boy, called for everybody's attention. "First of all, welcome back everyone. I know some of your parents didn't want you going back to school this year. They think that we'd be safer at home. But, let us ask ourselves this: how many places in the world are safer than Hogwarts?"
Katie Bell, the Head Girl, answered, "Very few. Because of what happened in the Ministry a few months ago, the Headmaster and the professors didn't want to take a chance in the safety of the entire school. As you may have noticed, there are security personel patrolling the train and platform. The Headmaster has also made arrangements to have additional security at the school."
"What kind of security measure?" Padma Patil asked.
"The professors want to keep those secret until the Welcoming Feast," Harry interrupted before Eddie Carmichael could answer, "So didn't bother asking."
"You know of them?" Eddie was curious. "Even Katie and I haven't been told."
"We helped a little with the security. The other professors were against it at first, but Dumbledore ended the argument before it could even start," Ron explained.
Hermione smiled thinking about how that conversation went, "Yes. He just asked them who knew Hogwarts better than we did and nearly everyone had to reluctantly agree. After all Harry, Ron, and I have done since our First Year, no one could really argue."
"We tend to come across a lot of things that the professors miss. Some of them have proven to be dangerous, even lethal, on a daily basis. It's actually come some sort of a yearly tradition for the three of us. 'Sides, Dumbledore and the House Heads take a much closer look on our actions than they do the other students," Ron continued.
"Alright, then," Eddie nodded in acknowledgement. "You all know your duties: prefects, captains, and Heads are to patrol the train. If you see anything wrong, come to us Heads or to one of the adults on the train."
"You-Know-Who wants Hogwarts. That cannot be denied," said Katie. "None of us can fool around while the train is on its way to Hogwarts. We are an open target, so keep your eyes open. We don't know if or when the train is going to be attacked."
Eddie finished the meeting then dismissed everyone, "As Heads and Prefects, we are responsible for our fellow students' safety. I hate to sound like a broken record, but it needs emphasis: KEEP ON YOUR TOES! It could mean the lives of your fellow students as well as your own. Now move along! We haven't got all day!"
"Wait a sec, Harry, Ron, Hermione. I need to talk to you real quick," Katie stopped the trio all of a sudden. She motioned for them to follow her. Finally, "About the DA…"
"We are not going to answer any questions," Ron rolled his eyes. This was getting ridiculous.
"Actually, I wasn't going to ask any questions," Katie smiled. "I was just going to say if you are planning to restart it this year, I have a couple of things that may prove useful. Just come to me when you make your decision."
At that, Katie left the trio with curious looks on their faces.
"What's she up to?" Hermione wondered.
"Come on. Let's just do our patrol," Harry led his friends.
"You know, Harry, Dudley isn't like what I thought he would be," Ron brought up suddenly. He has known about Dudley for years from stories from his best friend Getting to know him over the last few weeks, he found the boy to be very different from the boy Harry had told him of.
"Yeah, he's really changed a lot," Harry agreed. "He's very excited with the championship match coming up. He's been working his arse off all summer just getting in shape."
"Is he thinking of going pro one day?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, he is. I think he has it in his mind that it's the only thing that'll get him out," Harry revealed.
"Out?" Hermione turned curiously.
"Uncle Vernon wants him to work for Grunnings once he finishes his schooling. You can imagine just how much he's excited to be working with drills for the rest of his life," Harry rolled his eyes and his tone full of sarcasm.
"So, he thinks that if he becomes good enough, he could earn a living as a professional boxer," Ron concluded.
"Did his encounter with the dementors really change him that much?" Hermione asked. She had never met Dudley personally before the summer, so she didn't know how much of Harry's original descriptions of the boy were exaggerated.
"Yeah, it did. I always wondered how it would be like to have a good relationship with my cousin," Harry admitted. "Now I do and it's very nice and refreshing. Is it bad that a part of me is glad that he was attacked?"
"It doesn't make you a bad person, Harry. It's only natural for you to want a good relationship with your family," Hermione comforted.
"Just take me and my siblings, mate," Ron agreed. "We don't always get along, but I wouldn't trade them for anything…even Percy."
"You never did tell us who approached first, you or him?" asked Hermione.
"He did actually. We talked for quite a while and just got some stuff out of the open. Eventually, he told me he did some digging into the family," Harry reminisced.
"Is that how he found out about the Evans' estate?" asked Hermione.
"Yeah. It turns out that our grandfather was a bit shot lawyer. He and our grandmother started buying stocks just before Aunt Petunia was born. Over time, those stocks became worth a few million pounds."
"Where did all the money go after they died? I mean, if they had a few million pounds in the stock market, I'm pretty sure you guys wouldn't be living in the suburbs," Ron commented.
"Like I said before, when our grandparents died, everything they owned were given to their grandchildren. They apparently didn't leave anything to their kids because they were already pretty well off at that time. When Dudley found out about that, he tried to find out how much his inheritance had grown over the years and came up with nothing. It was like, the money just disappeared into thin air," explained Harry. "We only know that his parents were placed in charge of it all."
"Have the solicitors found anything, yet?" asked Ron. "I understand that it has only been two weeks. But shouldn't they have found at least some information by now?"
"They're having a difficult time just getting the files as it is. Macready is going to America later today, so they are going to be one man short," explained Harry.
"Didn't they try to subpoena the files?" Hermione wondered.
"Yes, but the bank is countering it saying there is no cause or sufficient proof to give the documents."
"Bullshit! I think they're to hide something," Ron exclaimed.
"It'll take a bit longer than expected, but we'll get the files in the end," Harry was confident in it. Harry and Dudley weren't the best of friends, yet. But both boys were waiting for the day they can call each other that. Besides, they're family.
"Vernon and Petunia Dursley could have those files destroyed, though," Ron worried.
"Well, one way or another Vernon and Petunia Dursley will get what's coming for them," Harry finished firmly.
"Hey, Harry?" Hermione said suddenly.
"Yes, Hermione?" he answered.
"You said earlier Macready is going to America later?"
"Yeah."
"You did tell him why, didn't you?" she looked at him pointedly.
He didn't answer. But his reluctance to meet her eyes was all she needed.
"Harry! You should have told him!" Hermione chastised.
"She's right, mate. We don't want him to be taken by surprise. Who knows what he'll do," Ron added.
"It's not that serious. Her other 'connections' have already done a lot of damage control. We just have to make sure her legal problems go away and out of public eyes," said Harry motioning his two friends to be quiet when he though he saw someone spying on them.
Hermione and Ron followed his line-of-sight discreetly.
"Let's not talk about this in the open," said Harry feeling the hairs behind his back rise in alarm.
Ron and Hermione nodded in agreement and resumed their patrol.
Woodlum Private Airfield:
Augustus Macready was a middle-aged wizard in his 70s. He had seen and gone through much in his life. He has met up with and worked with many various people from many different backgrounds. And, as one of the chief solicitors for Macready, McGonagall, and McCarthy Lawfirm, he has had experience in dealing with very powerful, and sometimes dangerous, people.
'But it never gets easier, does it?' he thought to himself. He has heard of the two people his client had 'asked' him to work with: Willow Rosenberg and Charles Gunn. Both have saved the world from more than half a dozen apocalypses in total and are known to be very dangerous, even for witches and wizards, when needed or angered.
"Excuse me," he started as he approached the security desk. "My client told me I was expected here?"
"Your client would be Mr. Potter, correct?" the security guard checked the schedule.
"Yes."
"And you would be his solicitor, Augustus Macready?"
"Yes, I am," Macready started to get nervous.
"Ms. Rosenberg is already on the plane. Christopher will escort you there," said the security guard gesturing to the younger man beside him.
"What about Mr. Gunn?" Macready asked when he noticed his name wasn't mentioned.
"Mr. Gunn called earlier. He said he'd be late," the security guard informed him. The guard then nodded to his younger co-worker, "Christopher."
"This way to the plane, Mr. Macready," Christopher led the solicitor.
As the younger guard let him to the private jet, Macready noticed the size of the place. He asked, "Who owns this place? Wolfram and Hart?"
"I'm not really sure, sir. I'm new here. They just hired me last month," Christopher answered.
"Wait. You were hired without telling you who you are working for?" Macready turned to the young man curiously.
"I was told the owners wanted to keep a low profile, sir," Christopher answered stopping to open a door.
When Macready walked through, he saw the private jet waiting with the captain standing near the door talking to a twenty-something redheaded woman. Walking closer, he greeted with a wave, "Hello, there! You must be Ms. Rosenberg!"
The captain and the redhead stopped talking and turned to face him.
"Mr. Macready?" the redhead's voice sounded hesitant.
"Yes, I am," Macready noticed his voice sounded more confident than how he felt.
Macready complied and entered the place. He saw that the plane had been remodeled. On the far side of the plane was a bar full of liquor from various places of the world. There were small flatscreen TVs for each seat coming out of the roof. The seats were custom made with dark brown leather and looked more like luxury couches instead of airplane seats.
"Very nice," he commented. When he didn't see any magical enhancements, he wondered, "No 'extra' enhancements, Ms. Rosenberg?"
"None that you need to know of, Mr. Macready," was the reply. "Oh! And you can call me Willow. Everyone does."
"Only if you call me Augustus," he started to let his nervousness go once he realized how friendly Willow was.
"So, do you want to talk about business?" Willow asked as she directed him to one of the seats.
"What about Mr. Gunn? Shouldn't we wait for him?"
"Oh, don't worry about Charles. We'll just bring him up to date later when he arrives."
"Um," Macready started hesitantly, "what, exactly, is Ms. Potter's 'legal problems?' Mr. Potter didn't tell me anything other than that."
"I'm slightly surprised Harry didn't tell you anything else. But, honestly, I shouldn't be given the circumstances."
"Circumstances?" this was where Macready's curiosity was peaked.
"I'm guessing you don't know much about Rogue, so I'll start there. Rogue is a mutant with the ability to absorb anyone's lifeforce by touch alone. This ability is always on and it makes her, potentially, the most powerful mutant in the world. She is a junior member of one of the most powerful mutant groups in the world: the X-Men. She also has a successful music career going on for her for the last 3 years," she explained.
"That is not all, is it?" Macready guessed.
"No, it isn't. You are aware of who her adopted parents are, aren't you?"
"The mutant terrorists known as Mystique and Sabertooth," Macready answered. "Mr. Potter told me on our first meeting."
"U.S. Senator Graydon Creed is her brother."
"Wait! Did you say 'Creed?' As in Victor 'Sabertooth' Creed?"
"Yep. He is Mystique and Sabertooth's only biological child together. Combined with her relationship with her adopted family, her membership with the X-Men, her music career, and her abilities, Rogue is microscoped by the media. But, unlike the rest of her adopted family, she is depicted as the tough and rebellious yet porcelain and clean-cut Southern Belle. Senator Creed, her siblings, and the X-Men would like to keep it that way."
Macready nodded understandingly, "I can understand that. But what's the problem?"
"Her boyfriend is Remy LeBeau, also known as Gambit, the Prince of Thieves," a voice answered from the doorway. It was Gunn.
"Gunn! About time you came!" Willow greeted cheerfully.
"Hey, Willow," he returned. He introduced himself to Macready, "I'm Charles Gunn. You can call me Gunn."
"Augustus," Macready shook his hand. "You were saying Gunn?"
"A little over a month ago, the FBI raided a warehouse in New York City. They found guns, some bombs, and a lot of drugs. Rogue and Gambit were inside the warehouse when it happened. They couldn't get away in time and were arrested and charged on sight. Luckily, Senator Creed found out about the bust before the media did. He has had to pull a lot of strings and call a lot of favors to keep the whole thing quiet. And so far it has stayed that way. But we have to move fast."
Macready rubbed his forehead feeling a headache coming, "This is not going to be easy. I take it that it doesn't matter if she's truly guilty of the charges or not? What about Mr. LeBeau? Will we be representing him as well?"
"That is a yes to all your questions," said Willow. "If Rogue is found guilty of the charges, we have to do everything we can to have her sent to England."
Gunn handed Macready some documents to look over as they felt the plane take off. Silence filled the plane save for the jet's engines roaring.
As he looked over the documents, Macready though to himself, 'This is going to be one of those cases.'
Hogwarts Express:
It was dark. They still had about an hour and a half before the train arrives at Hogsmead. Hermione was reading a book and Ron and Harry were busy playing Wizard's Chess.
A chill suddenly ran up Harry's spine.
"Your move, Harry," said Ron.
Harry didn't respond. Something was wrong. Something just was not right. He just knew it! But for the life of him, he could not put his finger to it. It was bugging him.
"Harry?" Ron tried again to gain Harry's attention. "Is something wrong?"
Harry snapped out of his reverie, "Did it get cold all of a sudden?"
"Actually, yes it did," Ron noticed.
"Harry!!!" Harry heard the familiar voice of his mother screaming inside his head. It could only be one thing, "Dementors!"
At that, Hermione immediately jumped up and saw about a hundred dementors from the cabin's window. They were a little over a mile away and closing in fast.
"There's about a hundred of them about a mile from and closing in fast!" she exclaimed sternly.
Harry immediately took control of the situation and gave out orders, "Hermione, get the aurors, heads, and prefects ready. Ron, get the DA. I can hold off all those dementors on my own, but I do not know for how long."
"Right, we'll hurry then," Ron took out his wand and did as he was told.
"Just hang on for as long as you can, love. Don't do anything reckless," Hermione caressed her boyfriend's face. She was worried, but she was confident in Harry's abilities and powers.
"Hey! I'm always careful!" Harry replied with a roguish grin. He kissed Hermione's hand and ran to the roof of the train so he could get a much better vantage point of the dementors.
"I was afraid you'd say that," was Hermione's unheard reply.
'I should have expected this sooner,' Harry chastised himself as he climbed to the train's roof. 'With the busy schedule we've had, I had relaxed my guard.'
Carefully steadying himself, Harry took out his wand and summoned his happiest memory, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
I can honestly say that this is the longest chapter that I've ever written. It took me a very, very long time to write. It's actually part of the reason I've been gone for so long. I knew what I wanted to put in the chapter. I just wasn't sure how to put them all in and still make it tasteful. I originally planned for this chapter to include the battle as well. But after much thinking, I decided that the actual battle should have a chapter all on its own.