Huge thanks once more for all the favourites, follows and reviews. I continue to be slightly staggered by the reaction to this.

CHAPTER SEVEN: Declaration of War

The residents of Gryffindor common room had got used to quite a few strange sights, but teachers casually walking in wasn't one of them. Maxwell actually stood to attention. "Professor Potter!"

James gave an understanding smile. "At ease, Maxwell. Is my sister about?"

Nymphadora, who had been chatting with Beverley, raised a hand before drawing him aside. "How did you get in here?"

"Advantages of being in Gryffindor for seven years. Have you any idea what's happened to Dad and Hermione?"

"No but I heard about you taking one of Dad's classes."

James looked around to make sure no-one was listening. "They haven't been in school all day."

"And they didn't tell anyone?"

"No. What's more I can't get hold of Emily or Lily. I spoke to Gordon and he hasn't heard from Lily either. Emily left Tracey and Joshua with a neighbour and didn't say when she'd be back."

Nymphadora was starting to get worried. She didn't think either Lily or Emily was the type to abandon their husband and children…not unless something serious was happening. "You said Dad was planning something?"

"He's been calling a lot of Order meetings. I haven't been going and Professor Longbottom hasn't been going. Even Professor and Madame Macmillan stopped going after a while."

"You haven't been going? Why not?"

"Because the school needs me and my children need me. And rumour has it that going to these meetings is tantamount to declaring war on the Ministry."

Harry, Hermione, Luna, Lily, Rose, Teddy and Martin were making their way through a sewer system with varying degrees of enthusiasm; Luna was happily skipping through the water while Martin gave a disgusted look at every step. Eventually Rose stopped them, tapping on a wall. "The lowest level of the Ministry is just the other side of here."

"And that's where the Purification Device is?"Harry asked.

"It's in a special vault at the end of the left hand corridor. The corridor isn't patrolled but there's guards outside."

Harry nodded. "Let's get started then."

Hermione drew him aside. "Are you sure about this?"

"Aren't you?"

"Harry, I'd follow you to the end of the world, you know that. And I agree with you about stopping this. But we're crossing a line here. I just want to make sure you know that."

"I know."

Hermione gave him a quick kiss. "Then let's get started."

Harry turned and aimed his wand at the wall. "Confringo!" The wall blew open and they all climbed through the hole.

"Which way now then?"Martin asked.

Rose pointed. "This way." She led them several yards down the corridor…and then Ron, Padma, Parvati and Scorpius emerged from hiding ahead of them, wands drawn. They looked back to find Hugo, Seamus and George had appeared to cut off their retreat. Harry noted that they were blocking the exit through the hole in the wall.

Lily looked at Rose in anger. "Did you set us up?"

"No,"Ron replied. "She didn't. I knew that someone in the Ministry would feel sympathy for the Order so I left that loophole in the defences. As soon as someone was detected apparating in the sewers, I knew to set up an ambush. But you, Rose?"

Rose shook her head. "You're pushing too hard, Dad. That's why there's opposition. No-one wants this."

"Some people do,"Hugo countered.

Scorpius held out a hand to his wife. "Rose, come and join us." He looked at Ron. "That's okay, right?"

Ron nodded. "Anyone who realises they've made a mistake, step away from Harry Potter."

"And what about me?"Harry asked.

Ron looked at him sadly."You're under arrest, Harry."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Well I hope you're not expecting me to come quietly."

"Come on, Harry, be sensible,"Seamus urged.

Luna cleared her throat. "I don't think any of us are going to be leaving Harry. There was a reason we came here with him, you know."

Ron nodded then unleashed a spell. "Incarcerous!"

Harry dodged the spell but it hit Teddy, who fell, imprisoned in ropes. "Help him!"Harry snapped before firing off a spell of his own. "Stupefy!" The spell hit Padma, knocking her down.

Scorpius loosed off a Stinging Jinx, which Harry deflected. Rose tried to ignore the fact she was fighting against her husband, her father and her brother. Instead, she knelt by Teddy and severed the ropes with a quick "Diffindo!"

"Get the others!"Ron shouted. "I'll take care of Harry!" He and Harry began duelling, deflecting each other's spells.

"Clear the path to the exit!"Harry shouted over his shoulder, as Luna and Teddy came to his sides to fend off Parvati and Scorpius. "We've got to get out of here!"

Hermione turned to the group behind them and paused. The sight of Hugo left her reluctant to cast a spell. But Martin had no such qualms. "Impedimenta!"he shouted and managed to send Hugo, George and Seamus careering backwards. He ran forward, Hermione, Lily and Rose with him. They fired off spells at the group. Hermione and Rose were aiming to miss but Lily hit George with a Stunning Spell that sent him flying back down the corridor.

They reached the hole in the wall. "Protego!"Hermione shouted and the others joined her, filling the corridor with Shield Charms. She looked over her shoulder. "Harry, come on!"

It was Luna who responded. "Aguamenti!"she snapped and a great wave of water encompassed Ron, Parvati and Scorpius. The trio of Order members ran to join their friends and all of them dived through the hole in the wall. As soon as they were clear of the Ministry's charms, they apparated.