A/N: Thanks to those who read this caffeine-induced fanfic! Book 7 is now officially called Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! Hmm…. It should be "Hollows" instead of "Hallows"… The first thing that came to my mind was the hollows or where people to be executed were imprisoned…. But it's in plural form…. Gee…. Any speculations or ideas out there? Email me!!!!!!!!!!!
Chapter 65: Minnie Meets Minnie
The meeting was held in the Headmistress' office. It consisted of several groups. One was the representatives of the student body --- the Head Boy, the Head Girl and the senior prefects of each House. Another group consisted of the professors. The last group consisted of the Order members, including one of Ianthé's cousins, Edmond.
"The Head Girl's hunch was right. Voldemort is calling out all of his troops. His original plan is not to terrorize Hogwarts. The even graver news is that he intends to invade the castle as his stronghold. We have learned that the Ministry will be attacked simultaneously. We have informed several trusted Aurors about this," Edmond stated to the group.
"He also plans to send in the werewolves first, to clear the path for his arrival…" Lupin also told them.
"The students, especially the prefects, are well-equipped to escape the castle through several secret exits."
"The problem is, someone in Voldmeort's ranks knows of those exits…"
"If you're talking about Pettigrew, he won't," George suddenly announced.
"We have blocked all those exits that he knew of and made new ones… Pretty ingenious, eh?" Fred said.
"What about the castle? Hogwarts keeps an enormous amount of magic that You-Know-Who desired."
"Sir, that problem was solved as one student volunteered her dragons to guard the castle," Ianthé answered Professor Flitwick.
The professor almost fell of his seat, "Dragons, Miss Herze?"
Ianthé nodded.
"Wicked!" Fred exclaimed.
"I think Professor Hagrid is thrilled by the news…" Ernie McMillan smiled.
Hagrid was, in fact, grinning wistfully, "Almost domesticated dragons… I never thought I'd ever live to see that day…." He wiped his eyes with a handkerchief the size of a picnic mat.
"Everything in this escape plan should be followed to the strictest detail. Prefects, keep watch of your dorm rooms and corridors near them. Send news discreetly of any suspicious actions from any students. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Professor McGonagall."
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"Is there any way we could sneak into Hogsmeade unnoticed?" Nikki whispered during breakfast the next day.
Ianthé shrugged, "Is there a problem?"
"Charlie's already here…" Nikki smiled.
"Isn't it too soon? I mean, wouldn't the students panic if ever they hear a rumor of dragons near Hogwarts?"
"Nah…. Remember the Triwizard tournament? The students won't have a clue…." Nikki winked.
"So where is Charlie staying then?"
Nikki shrugged, "I haven't got a clue…"
Ianthé watched as the headmistress talked to Professor Slughorn, "I may have an idea on how to sneak out…"
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"Everything ready?" Ianthé asked Nikki.
"Yep. I have food to last about a week, some Healing potions from Slughorn, and me… So, everything's ready…."
"Harharhar…" Ianthé rolled her eyes.
"Ready, girls?" Hagrid's footsteps thundered on the ground.
Ianthé nodded, "Let me remind you, professor, not to be too excited…"
"Yeah yeah yeah… It's not everyday I see domesticated dragons….." Hagrid waved his large hands.
"And why are you leaving without me?" a stern voice asked in the shadows.
The shadow walked towards them.
"Professor McGonagall!" Ianthé whispered.
"I gather it is important to see those creatures for myself. I already checked the security of the castle and put Moody in charge for the meantime..."
Ianthé nodded.
Professor McGonagall looked around, "Nobody must know that I am with you. Take good care of my cat, will you?"
The professor changed into a tabby cat with distinguishing black lines in replace of her spectacles.
The cat jumped into Ianthé's arms and it snuggled near her velvet cloak.
They reached Hogsmeade and walked towards a cliff face.
A puff of steam came out of a crevice.
"I think that's them…." Nikki pointed.
The three hiked slowly towards the cave.
"Who's there?" a wand pointed out of the cave.
"Charlie!" Hagrid's voice boomed.
"Hagrid?" Charlie lowered his wand.
"It's us…" Nikki lowered down the hood of her cloak.
Charlie's features softened as he smiled at Nikki.
"Is that Minnie?" Nikki looked at the Hungarian horntail sleeping soundly.
"Minnie?" Hagrid asked.
"Yep. Charlie named her after the tournament.."
"As much as I am flattered to have a dragon named after me, Mr. Weasley, I would like to get this meeting quick," the cat in Ianthé's arms transformed.
"Professor McGonagall!" Charlie exclaimed.
"I would like to see my namesake, Mr. Weasley…"
The three followed Charlie near the Hungarian horntail.
"You could pet her if you want…"
Nikki boldly approached and touched the dragon, "She's pretty warm… Come on…"
Hagrid was already petting and crooning Procyon on the farther side of the cave.
"Are you sure these are perfectly safe, Mr. Wealey, Miss Hadfield?"
"They have been trained well, professor. They used to protect dragonlings in the colony," Charlie answered.
"Very well," Professor McGonagall said, "It's getting late. We should get back in the castle."
Ianthé waved goodbye at Charlie while he was engulfed in Hagrid's bone-crushing hug.
Nikki, meanwhile, looked as if she didn't know what to do.
"So… erm… Charlie… erm…. bye…."
Charlie blushed.
Nikki shyly waved at him as they went out of the cave.
Professor McGonagall transformed back into her Animagus form.
"What was that?" Ianthé whispered to her friend, "The tension in there with you two was so thick, I couldn't cut it even with a Severing Hex! And what's with Charlie? Did you see him? He blushed!"
Nikki smiled and just shrugged.
"Oh, for goodness' sake! Just quit blushing and get on with it!"