A/N: To begin this chapter, I would foremost like to thank arandomcat for the great honor of being my first reviewer! I will be making replies to reviews at the bottom of the chapters to come, as not to annoy my amazing readers. But because arandomcat was the very first to review, I'm making my reply here at the top. So, without further ado:

Arandomcat: Hella thanks for reviewing! You're comment brings up what I feared you guys might be thinking. I know it's really early into the story, but I promise there will be action in the next chapter and the chapters to follow. The two sides will finally meet! Oh shit! Kind of left you on a bit of a cliffy last chapter, so be prepared for this one. Thanks!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Harry Potter nor the Band of Brothers miniseries. This is purely fictional. I mean no disrespect to the legitimate members of Easy Company. I give them nothing but my utmost admiration.

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"You'll never settle any of your score
your grace is wasted in your face;
your boldness stands alone among the wreck
learn from your mother or else spend your days biting your own neck.
But it was not your fault but mine
and it was your heart on the line
I really fucked it up this time
didn't I, my dear?"

-"Little Lion Man"- Mumford and Sons

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She turned promptly towards the assembled student body and pressed her wand against her throat.

"Attention, members of the Order and Dumbledore's Army: I must ask a grave favor of one amongst you. A scout is needed to discover what lies outside. I am not urging any individual; this is by no means forceful. Come of your own accord."

Surprisingly, a hand shot immediately into the air.

"I would like to volunteer, Professor," said the sweet, airy voice of Katie Bell.

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Utter shock reigned in the Hall. Katie Bell? The raven-haired, petite Gryffindor, who had graduated the previous year? The girl who had been cursed by the necklace? She must be one barmy moppet, or possibly just plain dull. Doubtlessly not the brightest bulb in the circuit.

No one spoke for several moments, as the seemingly ridiculous request sunk into their minds. Scared, unsure minds that wanted to be sure of the scout's capability and success.

Katie Bell's repeated demand broke the hush.

"I would like to volunteer, Professor."

Surprisingly, it was not McGonagall who responded first, but Harry. The former still floated amongst her thoughts bathed in incredulity.

"Of course, Katie," he assured, his emerald eyes speaking another message to the rest of the Hall's occupants. 'Let her have her chance to prove herself' they seemed to command. "But I must ask, are you sure you're capable of this?"

There it was: the question upon everyone's souls had been voiced. Capability. Adeptness. Efficacy. Did she possess these necessary traits?

Confident russet eyes bored directly into those of Harry.

"I'm sure."

Harry let a small smile grace his visage. Such a brave girl. But even the Chosen One had his doubts.

"Alright then, come up here so we can discuss the details."

Katie Bell was an amiable and kind-hearted girl, but a fighter? A steel-spirited warrior, callous when required to be? Nevertheless, she was an obvious choice. A lithe figure, inconspicuous dark hair, adroit movement. Altogether a physically apt scout.

Katie rose from her spot amid her House and traversed the Hall, whilst every eye followed her shape. The solitary walk of death. Every person in the room silently bereaved for her, for they presumed she would meet her grave.

Upon her arrival at the front of the Hall, she was greeted with silence from most of the gathered individuals. Hermione gave her a weak smile, whereas Ron simply nodded once. Kingsley was the first to speak.

"Greetings, Miss Bell. I'm afraid there isn't time for further pleasantries, so let us 'jump right into it'." The brawny, dark-skinned man's eyes held a comforting determination to them. "To begin, I must state that we are only aware of the fact that there are unknown intruders on the grounds of Hogwarts. We need you to effectively identify these trespassers without drawing their attention. Can you complete this task?"

Katie firmly set her sculpted jaw. Brown eyes flashed in cross certitude and little fists curled in eager frustration.

"Yes, Minister," she bit out. "I've already prepared myself for this. For contributing in this war. In this coming battle. I'm not going to stand by and be useless whilst the rest fight." Her russet orbs were hard as she gazed pointedly at both McGonagall and Kingsley. She was benevolent, of course, but quite stubborn.

McGonagall, obstinate to her very soul, raised her chin.

"Very well," she stated, quite irritated. "Then hop to it, Miss Bell."

"Erm, well then," Harry broke in. "Follow me, Katie."

No more talk was made. Katie, already quite aggravated, followed a wordless Harry as he led her out of the Hall. He led her through several winding passages while the torches that lined the walls cast eerie shadows of themselves. They walked together in silence for several minutes, before Harry spoke quietly.

"Katie, be careful out there."

His words took her by surprise. She turned her head and gazed at the Chosen One, pondering that encumbrance of a question.

"Yeah; I will, Harry. Thanks."

Not a minute passed before they arrived at a side entrance of the castle. The air was foreboding, and the danger of the circumstances was nearly tangible. A dark layer of clouds had pervaded the night sky, partially obscuring the moon. They stood noiseless for a few moments, lost in fears and thoughts.

"Harry?" inquired Katie, breaching the silence.

"Yes?"

"How do you do it?"

A perplexed reply followed. "Do what?"

"Act so valiantly without freezing up in the moment? I've always admired that about you. You never seem to put yourself first, it's always others." Her brown eyes peered in admiration into his jade ones.

The quiet recapitulated as Harry contemplated this.

"Well," he finally uttered, shrugging his shoulders. "I don't really know the answer to that myself." He shifted, stance slightly uncomfortable. "If you want a response, I guess that all I know is that no matter what, I always think of those I love when peril rears its bugger head." She giggled. "I always find the strength to do whatever I can to keep them out of harm's way."

He pushed his glasses up further on the bride of his nose and ran a lone hand through his messy, jet-black hair.

"I trust in you, Katie. Just have faith in yourself, and you'll be able to keep cool when the time comes."

She looked at the ground.

"I hope so, Harry; I hope so. Thanks for everything."

He nodded.

"Oh, before I forget" he said, reaching into a satchel he carried at his side. He withdrew seemingly nothing, though his hand was definitely conformed to a shape. "Take this."

He handed her the emptiness. She reached out and was astounded when her digits grasped a hold of something. A cloth. No, an invisible cloth.

"Your Invisibility Cloak?" she whispered disbelievingly, fondling the unseen material. "Why?"

"Because; I'll do anything to keep you safe."

She donned the cloak around her shoulders so that only her pretty countenance showed in the torchlight. Harry comfortingly clasped her shoulder, which subsequently appeared very humorous. She sincerely thanked him once more.

"Take care, Katie," bid the Boy Who Lived.

She nodded, and she watched as Harry's fleeting form grew smaller and smaller and finally disappeared as he exited the corridor.

His footsteps faded into stillness, and Katie turned and peered into the depths of the night.

It was at that moment that the urgency of the task struck her. If she failed, it would surely mean the demise of every person in the castle. She gulped as fear doubled its weight on her bones. All of her friends-annihilated. The beloved castle-obliterated. Meaningless slaughter. And it was her duty to prevent these acts from coming to fruition. Hers alone.

And then the ultimate finality of the ordeal resounded through her skull as she took that first quiet step onto the Hogwart's lawn.

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Preview of Chapter 6:

"You hear something?" asked Guarnere to his assembled comrades.

The quintet of soldiers looked about the empty lawn that led to the castle.

"Nah, Bill. I think you've just gone off-,"

Suddenly, the indistinguishable figure of Katie Bell popped into their visions, about fifty yards away and dead center on the lawn.

"Oh, shit! A Kraut sentry!" shouted Luz. "Someone-,"

A single shot rang out in the night.