A New War.

It was a cold, dark night. Actually, It had been a really pleasant evening until he'd seen his mail. And the weather always seemed to dance to Harry's mood. So the dark grey clouds above looked on as one of fate's favorite toys walked down a path, kicking the stones his way.

Harry looked back to see whether he was being followed. He had hoped that this would have become a thing of the past, but if what Draco's letter said was true, he needed to be cautious. Why, he contemplated as he walked towards Malfoy Manor, couldn't he live in peace? Oh, I forgot. I'm Harry 'Freakin'' Potter. He muttered under his breath as he let himself in.

"Late as usual, Potter."

"Good to see you too, Professor."

Snape nodded curtly. "We've been waiting. Wipe your grimy shoes, the carpet's worth twice your weight in gold."

Harry followed him into a hall where the rest were. Draco was at the head of the table, his fingers steeped in front of him as he glanced at Harry. The Weasley twins were examining a carved staff, while Neville was going through the books were exchanged; all of them seated themselves at the table.

"Now that Harry's here, why did you call us here, Draco?" Neville asked.

"More importantly, what's Sparkly doing here?" Fred said, inclining his head towards he window.

Harry looked, and was surprised to find Cedric gazing at the rain which had begun to fall. Harry thought he wore a particularly odd air about him, as if someone he loved had jumped off a cliff ..

"Manners, Weasley. He's here to advise us. Diggory, sit down and wipe that look off your face before I hex it off you." Severus snapped.

Draco watched all of this without interest. A few moments later, everyone looked at him expectantly. Satisfied that he had their attention, he began: "Over the last few years, a new threat has surfaced. They haven't turned hostile yet, but we must be on our guard. Diggory here has faced them before, and he's agreed to help us to-"

"You mean those bunch of wrinkled Italian blood bags who call themselves the Vultures?" George smiled at the painful look Cedric gave George. He'd certainly improved a lot in that category.

"No, Weasley. We aren't facing vampires, though they would have been preferable. The enemy we're facing is dedicated and partly insane. There's quite a lot of fighting amongst them, but if they unite well, things aren't going to be pleasant. Sounds fun." Neville smirked, his eyes glittering with anticipation.

"Hardly, Longbottom. The ones we're facing are on a completely different scale than what Diggory's seen. They're more intelligent, committed, and almost all of them know us like the back of their palms." Snape corrected.

"So, Sparkly, you've met them before?" Fred asked.

"Course he has. He's married to one." Harry observed, without attempting to hide his amusement.

"Oh that's rich coming from you, Harry." Cedric retorted. "Well, at least I m not a walking example of a girl's best frien-"

"Will someone please tell me what you're all talking about?" Neville interrupted.

An uneasy silence set in. Draco got up, and walked across to his desk. He picked up a letter addressed to Drakey-Poo and looked at Neville.

Sensing the atmosphere, Harry gently snapped his fingers. Thunder growled ominously, and lighting flashed outside.

"Fangirls."