Author's Note: Remusgrl01 I absolutely love the idea. I am using the wonderful idea in this chapter!!!
Chapter 22
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Aberforth Dumbledore sat behind the bar at Hogs Head. He was known to be a 'doggy' man. It allowed him to get witches and wizards of Knockturn Alley come to the inn. He chose to stay away from the "Greater Good" as his brother saw himself. He knew the truth of his brother's actions. It was the same with their sister. He had never for gave him for her death. Their had been rumors over the years among those of Knockturn Alley that their was another side of the war. It wasn't a "Greater Good," it wasn't the "Dark Side" their was a "Darker Shade of Light." Aberforth wondered if the "Darker Shade of Light" what it was.
A person with a black hooded robe walked into Hogs Head. The person sat down at the bar. "I know you've wondered about a Darker Shade of Light Aberforth Dumbledore." said the man.
Aberforth turned his head to the side to see the person's face. He couldn't because he kept his black hood up. "Who are you?"
"That's for me to know and for you to find out Dumbledore. I have something to tell you." he said flicked his wand and silenced the area. "The war will be fought on March 13 on the grounds of Hogwarts. We need the children safe and out of the school."
"Bring them here! I think n-"
"The safety of these children are our responsibility. Their parents are not here Dumbledore unless you want to be like your brother."
"I am nothing like my "Greater Good" brother." Aberforth hissed to the hooded man.
The wizard pulled out a book from his robe's pocket. He instructed Aberforth to hold onto the portkey. He have the hood figure a puzzled look, nodded and took a hold of the portkey. They felt a tug on their navels and vanished.
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The wizard landed on the Malfoy library. Tom walked into the room concealed with a glamour charm. He smiled at the man and said, "Welcome to Malfoy Manor." Luicus walked into the room and stood next to Tom. "I am Tom." He turned to the man in the hood. "James please show yourself."
James lowered the black hood and his brown eyes shined behind his round glasses. "Hello Aberforth." He chuckled at the man's shocked expression. "I know I'm suppose to be dead, but lies come in handy at the times of war. Such as the rumors of death eaters being nothing but evil witches and wizards."
"Sit down Aberforth and things shall be explained to you." Tom told him motioning to the empty arm chair behind him. The men got settled and Tom told his story.
Tom saw a swirl of black smoke come into the room and Severus stood in the room. Tom quickly swept over his grandson. "Severus what has happened?" he asked knowing the expression he wore.
Severus told him of Dumbledore and the youngest male Weasely's actions towards Ginny and Hermione. He swallowed hard when he saw his grandfather's eyes flash dangerously red.
"He's a dead man!" Tom boomed angrily. He paced the floor. "Where is he?" Severus knew if he told him Dumbledore would be dead. "Answer me Severus!"
Severus rested both hands on his shoulders. He had to calm him down. He knew he had a temper but it had been a very long time since he had seen rage in his eyes. "Grandfather you must clam down. The family is safe. I had to tell you what happened. Ron Weasely is dead. I made sure of that."
Tom took several deep breathes and nodded his head. He turned on his heels his robes swirled around his ankles. "Aberforth are you with us?" He nodded his head. "Good. The children must be safe."
"Yes of course. But I want my part in my brother's destruction." he told them sternly. "I'll have one of my friends Ashta watch the children."
"Ashta West, the seer?" James asked in shock.
He nodded his head. "She's trustworthy. She'll watch over them well."
"We have no choice James. I'll hold you to your word Aberforth." Tom told him. "James take him back to Hogs Head. I want you to wait for my word and help me set up the children. My wife will be getting the children out of the castle." He nodded and he vanished with James.
Lucius squeezed Tom's shoulder and nodded towards Severus. The Potions Master nodded and was gone with a swirl of black smoke. "They're safe Tom. They're safe." He nodded and Lucius left the man to his thoughts.
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Draco and Harry sat quietly in the ROR. Harry laid down and put his head in his lover's lap. Draco ran his fingers through Harry messy black hair. He sighed and closed his bright emerald eyes. He was upset because Ron had done something so stupid towards his two sisters. He wasn't there to stop him.
"It's not your fault love." Draco said soothingly. "You can't be everywhere. No matter how much you want to be."
Harry sighed heavily and only nodded and he slowly fell asleep under Draco's gentle touches. He was exhausted and ready to end the war for good. He wanted a normal life free from Dumbledore and be with Draco. He was happy with his life. He had his father, friends and he had Draco. It was funny how things had changed.
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Minerva sat in Ravenclaw chambers enjoying one of her books from the large collection. The flames in the fireplace turned green. Tom stepped out into the common room. He smiled at his wife. She looked up from her book and over her glasses. She marked her spot and sat the book down on the coffee table in front of her.
Tom walked up to Minerva and helped her to feet. He pulled her into his arms. She rested her head on her husband's chest. Tom moved her long hair from her shoulder and placed a gentle kiss on her exposed neck. He quietly lead her to the bedroom to be with his wife. He had been somewhat shaken from the news of Hermione and Ginny's attack. He had to see personally that his wife was safe.
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Minerva companied the students to Hogsmeade. She needed to speak with Aberforth about the evacuation of the students to Hogs Head. Remus had told him about the secret passage out of the castle into Hogs Head. She knew it was the safest way for the students.
Minerva looked around and saw the cost was clear of any students. She lowered her deep green hood over her head and made her way to Hogs Head. She walked into dirty inn. She found Aberforth behind the bar. She sat down at the bar.
Aberforth fixed her a glass of whiskey and sat it down in front of her. She gave him a thank in return. He leaned on the bar. "You're Mrs. Riddle?" he asked in shock.
Minerva smiled it was the first time someone outside the family or death eaters had called her Mrs. Riddle. She nodded and took a sip of her whiskey. "Now there's a secret passageway out of the castle. We'll use that to get the students out of the castle. I'll have several students in the tunnel. I'll help you place up the wards. Let's get started." She down the rest of her whiskey to settle her nerves.
The couple quickly got to work setting the strongest wards they knew. They wanted the children protected. They spent nearly three hours setting the wards. Minerva nodded, squeezed his arm and left the inn. She felt much better knowing the children would be safe.
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Albus called the Order into the ROR for a meeting. They all took their seats around the long table. Severus took his seat next to Ginny and took her hand under the table. Hermione sat down between Remus and Harry.
Albus stood up and said, "Voldemort has given a date for attack." He was interrupted by whispers. "Silence." They quickly quieted down and he continued. "The date is March 13 at sunset. I want everyone on alert. The children will be safe in the dun-" he was interrupted by Minerva.
"I think the children will be safer out of the castle Albus." she told him. "We don't know what damage will be done to the castle. I spoke to your brother three days ago and we set up wards around Hogs Head."
"Absolutely not! I will not see them under the care of my brother!" he snapped.
The Order looked at Albus in shock that he wanted the students inside the castle. The members yelled at once that they wanted the children out of the castle and at Hogs Head. Albus raised his hands in defeat and agreed with them.
"This is our plan." He drew up a magical map and set up a course of action.
The hidden death eaters among the Order rolled their eyes at the plan. It was a jumbled mess and had everyone out among the grounds. They wondered how Dumbledore lived through two wars. He had no sense of battle tasks. The death eaters knew Tom had studied the art of war for years that's why he spent so much time in Malfoy's library.
Albus called the meeting to a close. The order slowly left ROR. Minerva and the other death eaters whispering among themselves about the headmaster was truly a moron.
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