Chapter XXXI - Step Two: As We Build Our Armies

There was a deep fog penetrating through the air as he sat in the room with the drapes closed behind him. His plans were not going exactly as he had imagined, and he was hoping to get more done as soon as possible. He looked up at the knock on the door and nodded at the tall, pale blonde man that stood there.

"Excuse me, my Lord, but I … Severus said that you wanted to see me?" Lucius Malfoy replied as he looked into the dark room.

"Yes, come in and close the door behind you, Lucius, we have some things to discuss." When the door was closed, he looked over at Malfoy again. "Now, it seems that the young Mr. Potter has stolen my Ravenclaw eagle from me; this is forbidden. I think that it is positively devastating that out of all of my loyal followers there is not one of you who managed to retrieve it, however, we are past that and my priorities are now in a different area. The army, what is going on, Lucius?"

Malfoy nodded, bowing slightly before speaking and obviously quite relieved that Voldemort was not going to bring up what a great blunder the evening had been again. Especially since it involved his own son.

"My Lord, we are in a good place. Most of the giants have agreed to fight for our side; which might have been a problem as Dumbledore had almost convinced them otherwise. However, his death seems to have changed their opinion. Trolls will fight for us as well; however we lost the respect of the goblins. They say that too many of them died in the last war, and they are trying to stay out of it as much as they can. From what I have heard, the Ministry doesn't have them on their side either. The Dementors are nothing but faithful to us, as is Greyback and a few other of his fellow werewolves. Then of course, our own number has grown in size."

Voldemort nodded his red eyes like slits as he stared at Lucius with a look of utmost contempt. "Good, I expect everything to be ready. The war is fast arriving and it will only be too soon that Mr. Potter will be here for the last time, and this time … I will kill him."

"My Lord, do you think the war will begin soon?"

"Idiot! It has already begun! Battles have already been fought! Don't you remember anything from the last two years? Our army is now set and ready and this time our large number will once and for all take over the ministry. I'm tired of these stupid games. Potter's time has reached its end, and with his death will come my immortality. Now bring me Nagini, Lucius, I need her."

Harry woke up in his bed sweating and shaking. He had dreamed it … again. He closed his eyes for a moment and thought back to everything that had happened in the dream. Then he pulled out a notebook from under his bed and quickly jotted down the main points.

He looked around the room, sighing in relief to see that Neville, Seamus, and Dean were all sleeping and that no one else was in the room. He stood up, pulling on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt before taking the notebook with him and heading downstairs into the common room. Once he was seated comfortably in front of the fire, he began to go over what he had dreamed. So Voldemort had his army? He thought, at least he knew he had it. Trolls, giants, Dementors, werewolves, and Death Eaters … that could pose a problem. He put his book down and traced his scar, which was burning, with his finger.

Why had he dreamed of it? He hadn't had a dream in so long? He shouldn't have dreamed it. He had finally mastered Occlumency so why was Voldemort's thoughts and life still seeping its way into his brain? He sighed and leaned back in the chair, his thoughts once more focused on everything that went on in his dream. Voldemort was angry that he had stolen the Ravenclaw eagle, but from what he had understood from the dream, Voldemort still didn't know about the rest of the horcruxes. That was a good sign. He had also gotten the feeling that Voldemort hadn't realized that Harry knew about the horcruxes. He was obviously more than a little angry with Lucius Malfoy, and a little tired of his stupidity with plans and ideas, but he didn't seem to be too concerned with the eagle itself.

The thing about Nagini … Voldemort had said that he needed her, for what? Was he still being nursed? Was he somehow giving the snake extra power to stay alive longer? He had mentioned his immortality as well along with Harry's own death. Obviously Voldemort was preparing for the war as well but he however, already had a full out army. Harry wondered how many of the Death Eaters were faithful followers compared to how many had been placed under the Imperius Curse. From what he could remember, there had only been about twenty Death Eaters all together.

Harry turned when he heard the creak of a door and saw Ron step out of the Head Boy's room. Ron saw him and grinned. "Harry, what are you doing up at two thirty in the morning?"

Harry grinned. "I should ask you the same question?"

Ron laughed and sat down in the seat across from Harry . "Couldn't sleep. I've been tossing and turning for hours."

Harry nodded. "Had a bad dream, didn't care much to go back to bed."

"Dream or real?" Ron asked. Harry looked over at his friend, knowing that Ron had been the one who knew about Harry's dreams the most.

"Real … at least I'm pretty sure. Voldemort was having a conversation with Lucius Malfoy. I don't know why I dreamed it though, I mean, I can do Occlumency now, and I've been using it. So why was Voldemort in my head?"

Ron shrugged. "I don't know. You know, sleep, being relaxed and all, I guess his emotions just slipped through or something. What happened in the dream?"

Harry shrugged. "Nothing important, he's unhappy and he wants me dead. He's also definitely planning that immortality potion."

"The one where he wants to … to pass Gin around and …"

Harry nodded. "That would be the one. Malfoy did mention their army though, and we pretty much had it right: trolls, giants, werewolves, Dementors, and Death Eaters. He's preparing for a battle, a battle where he assumes he will get me, kill me and become immortal."

"Blimey, this is getting scarier and scarier. Our side doesn't have anyone but people."

"I know, which is why we have to be as prepared as possible. We still have a chance with the goblins though, from what I understood, the goblins are definitely not on their side."

"Well, at least there's some good news." Ron muttered.

Harry nodded. "Yeah, something." They were both quiet for a couple of minutes, both of them lost in their own thoughts. Finally after about five minutes, Ron spoke up.

"The D.A.'s doing awesome though. I mean they are really learning how to fight and to fight well. I know I'm learning tons more too."

Harry grinned. "Yeah, that is something. From what Remus and Tonks have been telling me, the Order is doing pretty well too, making sure that everyone is prepared and ready to go. They've got tons of new members and now that the ministry is actually on our side, many of them have been doing well too. Then we've got all the civilians who are willing to help."

"Yeah, that's true and definitely a good sign. The more help we have the better … on a happier note, I got a letter from Mum today."

Harry grinned. "Oh yeah, what's going on with them? Are they working hard with the Order?"

Ron nodded. "Yeah, I suppose they are. You'll never believe it though; there was some giveaway at Gringotts to like the hundredth person who went into the bank that day, and Mum and Dad won two million galleons! Can you believe it? They are so happy. Mum says that they could really use the money."

Harry grinned, trying not to laugh. "No one deserves it more."

Ron grinned back. "Yeah, they really do deserve to win. Well, I guess now that we've got our minds full of things about the battle we should try to go back to bed, get a little sleep before class in the morning."

Harry nodded. "Yeah, I suppose. Night Ron."

"Night Harry. See you tomorrow."

Harry nodded as he watched Ron go back into his room. He couldn't sleep again, no matter how hard he tried so he knew that there was no point of going back up to bed. He sighed and settled himself comfortably in the chair; at least not in bed. In seconds he was sleeping soundly in his favourite armchair by the fire.

Ginny bolted upright in bed, her heart pounding wildly all over again. She had been back in the Chamber, only this time it was worse because the vision came with Tom looking like he did now, surrounded by Death Eaters. He sucked the blood from her body and then she had been raped over and over. She shivered and wiped cold sweat from her brow.

The dream had been intense; and a little too real for her liking. She had taken a traumatic experience from her past and mixed it with the horror story that Harry had told her months ago, making the dream even worse. She climbed out of bed, shaking and went into the bathroom. She stood in front of the sink and splashed cold water on her face, her very pale and scared face. She jumped a mile in the air when someone knocked on the door.

"Ginny, are you in there?" Lavender's voice called from the door.

"Yeah." Lavender stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. "Hey, are you alright? I heard you thrashing around there and crying. Was it a bad dream?"

Ginny smiled at Lavender; she had really become very fond of her ever since she and Ron had broken up. Then when she and Seamus had gotten together the two of them had become really close, especially since Lavender's relationship with Parvati was a little strained because of the whole Dean thing. "Yeah, it was terrible."

Lavender gave her a reassuring smile and walked over to pull Ginny into her arms for a hug. "Want to tell me about it? I can be a real good listener."

Ginny felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders as Lavender smiled at her warmly. "Yeah, I think I would like to talk about it."

Lavender took a seat on the bathroom floor next to Ginny, grinning. "Hopefully Parvati doesn't wake up and have to pee."

Ginny laughed. "Yeah. Okay, so every once and while I have this nightmare about my time down in the Chamber of Secrets and it's terrible, it's like reliving everything all over again. But in my nightmare, Harry doesn't come to save me and I die down there. Well, tonight, it was worse." She shivered as she remembered the dream in vivid detail. "Tom took me down into the Chamber and he stepped out of the diary. He was telling me what a silly little girl I had been and how I deserved to die. He said that since I had been such a big help to Lord Voldemort that he would let me die painlessly, sort of like going into a deep sleep. That actually happened, but then instead of falling unconscious like I did in real life, I stayed awake. Tom changed into Voldemort, the way he looks now, with his creepy red eyes and snake like face." She shivered again as she spoke.

"Death Eaters began to apparate around him as the huge basilisk came out of the wall. He told me that I had been bad and was to be punished. Then Harry came in, threatening to kill Tom. They tortured him in front of me with the Cruciatus and he was screaming and telling me to run. But I couldn't move, I was … I just stood there. Then I finally came to my senses and cursed them away from Harry and I ran to him, trying to help him up. Then all the Death Eaters moved in and began to rip at my clothes, cutting me with knives and carried me over to Voldemort. He started sucking the blood from my body and I was screaming. Harry was being tortured still and at the same time he was trying to fight the basilisk. Then when I was really weak, Tom stopped and passed me around to each Death Eater and while Harry was fighting the basilisk, trying to stay alive, they … they raped me one by one. I was screaming and crying and oh, Lavender, it was terrible. It was a dream filled with every fear that I've ever had." Tears poured from her eyes as Lavender pulled her into her arms for a hug.

"Shh, it's okay, Ginny, it was only a dream." Lavender soothed quietly.

Ginny nodded, and after a few minutes of crying she pulled away. "Thanks, I needed that."

Lavender smiled warmly. "No problem, what are friends for. Besides, you helped me and Seamus get together and I think he's the best thing that's ever happened to me. And you've been a really good friend to me … which I've needed since my best friend betrayed me."

Ginny nodded. "I don't understand how Parvati could have done anything with Dean knowing that the two of you were together. I'm another story, but … you two were best friends!"

Lavender nodded. "I know, but that's over now. Right now, I just want to make sure you're okay. I'll always be here for you if you need a friend, Gin, always. I owe you for getting me together with Seamus."

Ginny grinned. "You two are perfect for each other and thanks, dido on the whole always here for you thing. But I didn't get you two together." She rubbed her hands over her face. "God my skin is all clammy. I think I'm going to take a shower."

Lavender nodded. "Alright, when you get out I'll be in bed if you need to talk some more."

Ginny smiled. "Thank you. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Ginny waited until Lavender left before she undressed and quickly showered, scrubbing her entire body to get off the imaginary dirt that plagued her since the dream. She washed her hair, shaved her legs, and then rinsed off before getting out and rubbing her entire body in lotion. She quickly brushed her teeth; she could never go back to sleep without doing so, and then she slipped into the robe she left on the back door before going back into the bedroom. She pulled out a new pair of pyjama pants and a tank top before she went back into the bathroom. She got dressed and then blow dried her hair, brushing the silk so that it hung down her back in soft curls, and to prevent it from knotting into an enormous frizz ball. She tossed her other pyjamas into the hamper and then went back into the bedroom.

Ginny glanced back at the bed and realized that she didn't want to go back to bed, not with the dream still so fresh in her mind. She turned to head down to the common room when she heard Lavender whisper her name. "Ginny, where are you going?"

Ginny turned to look over at Lavender's bed. "There's no way that I'm going back to sleep after a dream like that. I think I'll just go sit downstairs, maybe I'll read or something."

Lavender hopped out of bed. "I'll go down with you; you shouldn't be alone after such a dream."

Ginny smiled. "Oh, you don't have to, I appreciate it, but really you should go back to sleep."

Lavender shrugged. "Come on, I'll keep you company."

Ginny gave Lavender a quick hug before they went downstairs into the common room. Just as they reached the landing, Ginny turned. "Thanks for doing this. I really appreciate it."

"It's no problem. I'm not really tired anyway; I had a … dream as well. Only my dream was about Seamus and he was doing wicked things to me. I don't think I'll be able to sleep ever again … well, at least I hope the dream is real. And if I go back to sleep … well, I hope I have the dream again."

Ginny laughed and went to sit in her chair, surprised to find Harry slouched in it, sleeping. "Looks like we're not the only ones who are awake tonight."

Lavender smiled. "I'll go back upstairs, I'm sure you'll be perfectly safe and content with the world's sexiest wizard. Besides, maybe if I try hard enough, I can bring my dream back."

Ginny grinned. "Yeah, I think I will be. Good luck with your dream."

She said goodnight to Lavender and watched her go back upstairs. She grabbed the throw blanket from the back of the couch and she curled herself up onto Harry's lap, covering them both with the blanket. She snuggled up against him, placing her head on his shoulder and sighed in contentment. Harry was only partially asleep or he was having the beginning of a good dream, because he could feel Ginny's warm body snuggled against him and he could smell her shampoo and the delicious soaps she used on her body to drive him mad.

He slipped his arms around her waist, quite pleased to feel her there. He opened his eyes and grinned down at the pile of red hair that was cuddled just on his shoulder. "Gin?"

Ginny smiled up at him, grinning when he lifted her and shifted to make them both more comfortable. "Hello Harry."

"What are you doing down here? It's got to be late." He looked down at his watch and nodded. "It's four in the morning."

Ginny grinned. "I know, I had a bad dream and I didn't want to go back to sleep. Lavender was going to come down to keep me company, but when we saw you here she said that I had all the protection I needed."

Harry grinned and leaned down to kiss her softly. "How do you taste and smell so damn good this early in the morning?"

Ginny smiled. "I'm a mystery." She kissed him back, biting back a moan as his tongue slid along the inside of her jaw, tangling so gently with hers. "What were you doing down here?" She asked when he pulled back.

"I had a bad dream too … but I think mine was real."

"But that's what your Occlumency was for." Ginny replied, looking at Harry with worry.

Harry nodded. "I know … it doesn't matter it came through anyway. Nothing really important just stuff we already suspected or knew about Voldemort. What was your nightmare about?"

"The Chamber with a mix of other terrible things."

Harry held her closer, kissing her neck and shoulders softly. "It was just a dream, it's over now, love."

Ginny nodded. "I know." She stayed cuddled warmly in his arms. "Kiss me again."

Harry smiled at her. "Always."

He leaned down and captured her mouth with his, in a long passionate kiss, as their lips met over and over, tongues dancing together, Harry moaned and pulled her closer, letting his hand travel under the blanket and up the small tank top she wore. She grinned when his hands touched her skin and she wanted. She was just about to see if he wanted to take a night time stroll to the Room of Requirement so that they both could feel better when Ron's bedroom door opened.

"Forget everything I said about sleeping, Harry, I'm still wide awake." Ron replied.

Harry groaned and pulled his mouth away from Ginny's throat. "Go away, Ron."

Ron grinned when he saw Ginny cuddled on Harry's lap and figured there was no way he was leaving them alone, engaged or not. Besides, he was wide awake and bored. "Nah, I think I'll hang out here with you two for a while. So Ginny why are you up?"

Ginny laughed, the sexual tension in her body aching for Harry, as she knew he was for her. It was going to be a long day.

The next D.A. meeting was to test the skills of every member. Harry split them into groups of two and stood in the centre of the room explaining what was going to happen. It was literally a test of skills to see who was at the top. He started with physical defence. He called out moves and ideas to everyone and then just let them battle it out to see how things went. It went extremely well. To Harry's surprise and pleasure, every single member of the D.A. had not only learned everything amazingly well, but had perfected it. The idea that every person in the room was more than ready to go into battle pleased Harry as much as it scared him. They would fight and they had an enormous chance at winning. He had done his job and he had done it well. When he dismissed them, hours later, he realized that their army had just taken another step in the proper direction.

As the days continued to go by quickly, Harry had continued correspondence with Lupin and Tonks. They were having the same amount of luck with the new Order members as Harry was with D.A. Lupin had also begun training the other people that wanted to help but were not in the Order. They too were showing signs of being an asset to the final battle. But the one thing that really brought a smile to Harry's face was the news from Bill Weasley. After over two years of discussion, Bill had finally gotten the goblins on their side. Over two hundred goblins were more than willing to fight against Voldemort. The armies were there, but the lingering question was which one would come out on top? And when?