Harry continued running until he was in sight of the castle. He knew it wouldn't do any good to alarm the guards and make them think something was wrong, so, calming his nerves and excitement, he walked in long strides up to the gatehouse. One of the guards noticed him and raised the gate, allowing him access. Once he was safely inside, he picked up his pace gradually and made his way towards the rooms that were located along the left side of the castle walls. The rooms had originally consisted of a great hall, library, and bedrooms, but the bedrooms had been remodeled into meeting and training areas. Harry's father also kept an office there which was where he was heading.
He passed a few people he knew along the way, offering them a courteous wave as he made his way by. There wasn't anybody present when he stepped into the main hallway of the castle, but when he entered his father's office, he was pleasantly surprised to find his godfather sitting in one of the chairs.
"It's about time you showed your ugly face around here," Harry called, gaining the man's attention.
Sirius stood up from his chair and turned around quickly, his long black hair swinging freely. He had a winter cloak on, but Harry could see the outline of his armor underneath. "The last female I woke up next to seemed to think I was quite dashing, and seeing as her judgment on this topic matters much more then yours, I'll let the ugly comment go…for now," he responded, grinning like a school boy.
"Please Sirius, the last time you woke up next to a member of the opposite sex was twenty years ago," Harry laughed ignoring Sirius' threat.
"Oh ho," Sirius said raising his eyebrows. "I'll have you know it was more like twenty days ago."
"Is she the reason that you've been away for the past month?" Harry asked teasingly, but in reality actually wanting to know the answer.
Sirius' carefree demeanor dropped off suddenly and he took his seat again, motioning for Harry to do the same. "So your father didn't mention what I was up to at all?"
Harry shook his head. "You know how Dad is—he trains me like mad, but won't let me in on anything the Resistance is up to. Honestly, he told me that you were helping Moody with something like I couldn't figure out that you were on some type of mission."
Sirius reached over and patted his godson on the knee. "Don't be so hard on your Dad, he just wants you to be prepared. As to the mission part you got that correct. I've been running around the past few weeks as my animagus doing some reconnaissance work. I didn't hear anything that would be considered important up until yesterday which is the reason I'm here and Moody's talking with your father."
Harry leaned forwaed and spoke softly as if he was conspiring. "Can you tell me what's going on? I was out running and Dad sent me an owl to come back because of your information. He actually made it sound like I was getting a chance to do something."
"That's because you are getting a chance to do something son," James Potter interrupted as he walked into the office. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a thick, black, winter coat. Most witches and wizards in the castle had taken to wearing muggle clothing, but some still insisted on robes. He walked over and took the empty seat behind his perpetually cluttered desk. "Sorry I'm a little late, but Moody was in a hurry and he had something else to discuss with me."
"No problem at all Prongs—it gave me some time to catch up with my godson," Sirius said offering a quick smile to Harry. "Now let's not leave the poor lad in suspense any longer because we've got to move quickly." This statement drew Harry's attention because the way the men were talking suggested that this situation was of great importance.
"Alright Harry, the problem that we're facing now is the prospect of Dumbledore killing the rest of the muggle population remaining in the United Kingdom. We don't know when it's actually going to happen, but we don't think it's going to be too much longer," James finished.
"What are we going to do about it? We're not just going to let them be slaughtered are we?" Harry asked heatedly.
James shook his head and sighed. "We are working on a way to move them when the time comes, but there's a more immediate problem that's arisen."
"What could be more of a problem?" Harry inquired.
"It's not necessarily more of a problem, but like your father said, it's a more immediate problem," Sirius explained. "While I was out yesterday I was in Hogsmeade and overheard a couple of Dumbledore's top advisors talking. They were just walking out of the pub and were speaking louder than they probably thought they were. Anyway, the point is that they said that Dumbledore is planning to go after any left over muggleborns first—something about taking out potential threats."
"Are there really that many muggleborns left?" Harry questioned.
"We don't know, but there could be," James answered. "Dumbledore stopped accepting muggleborns as soon as he took power, so that means there are seventeen years worth of them out there who may have no idea that they posses magical ability. I'm sure a majority of them left with the rest of the muggles, but chances are there is still some remaining."
"If we can find them, we can bring them back here and offer to educate and train them, or give them the option to leave the region altogether," Sirius added.
"Yeah this sounds like a great plan, but how are we going to find them? The only record of muggleborns is the Book of Students at Hogwarts. You can't seriously be suggesting that we break into Hogwarts?" Harry looked at his father and godfather incredulously, but when their faces remained the same he realized they were dead serious. "Oh hell, you're not joking."
"No we're not joking. It sounded like this muggleborn attack was going to happen soon which means we must act quickly. Now we know that Dumbledore isn't going to be at the castle this week, so that's one thing to our advantage, but there is still extreme danger," James said looking warningly at his son. "The whole castle isn't a school any longer; it's a Dark Arts Academy. Any person in there wouldn't hesitate to throw a killing curse at you. That's why the whole purpose of this mission is to get in and out undetected—force is only to be used as a last resort to avoid capture."
"And you're letting me go on this mission?" Harry asked skeptically. "This is my first assignment and your letting me sneak into Dumbledore's stronghold?"
James leaned forward and leaned his elbows on his desk, clasping his hand together. "I know you've been wanting to do something for a while now and have been frustrated with me," James started, "so this is my way of showing that I trust you and have faith that you'll succeed. Just promise me you'll be smart and safe or your mother and sister will kill me."
Harry listened to his father's explanation and gained a whole new respect for him. He instantly felt ashamed for being so frustrated with him. After all, he couldn't even imagine being a father and knowing your son was being thrust into danger. He realized he had been silent for several moments and focused back on the problem at hand. "Who else is going and how are we going to get in?"
"Just you and me kid," Sirius responded. "And to how we're getting in, well, I know you've seen the Marauder's Map before. It gives us a layout of the castle and once we get within the grounds the map will show the people inside."
"There's a problem with that though," Harry asserted. "Pettigrew knows all about the hidden ways into the castle, and there's no doubt that Dumbledore has sealed them."
James nodded, "You're right about that son, Pettigrew and Dumbledore know every route on that map, but fortunately for us, Sirius and I deliberately left a passage off in case the map was to fall into the wrong hands. The other way into the castle is through a tree stump on the left side of the Hogwarts gates. All you have to do is tap the top of the stump with your wand and a hole will open up allowing you to slip inside. The passage opens up into what used to be a spare classroom, but you'll have no idea what it is now until you're on school grounds and can activate all of the map's features."
"The real trouble lies in actually getting into Dumbledore's office to retrieve the book," Sirius continued. "If we can't find a way to get past the gargoyles and up the stairs, then we have to go to the back up plan. That is we find the nearest class room and go out the windows. We can use sticking charms to climb over to Dumbledore's windows and break through." Sirius turned so that he was face to face with Harry. "Now listen closely because if things go bad there aren't many options for us. If we can't make it back to the passage then the only other ways out are by foot or by portkey. Trying to run out would probably be suicide so we're each going to carry a portkey. The only issue with that is that you cannot be inside the castle for it to work, you must be on the grounds." Seeing Harry about to say something, Sirius raised his hand to silence him. "I know what you were going to say, and no, brooms won't work. The wards around the grounds won't allow someone to fly in or out. It would be like flying into a wall—I know you're good on a broom, but you aren't good enough to get through that."
They all sat in silence for several minutes, simply digesting the information. Harry knew he should be more nervous or concerned, but the adrenaline running through him wouldn't allow it. He knew the other two men in the room were watching him carefully, waiting for him to change his mind after Sirius' bleak explanation of the situation, but Harry's resolve remained steadfast.
"So when do we leave?" Harry asked breaking the silence. The other two men looked each other and realized that Harry was committed to going.
"We're going immediately because it's still early and there should be a good amount of people still sleeping or at breakfast. Wear some light body armor and a concealment cloak over it. Only bring your wand, because the sword will only slow you down," Sirius ordered.
"And when you go back to change son, if your mother asks where you're going, just tell her you're going on a scouting trip with Sirius. If she knew where I was actually sending you I would be sleeping alone for a very long time," James said shuddering at the thought.