Disclaimer:Pete tells me to remind you that I do not own Anything associated with Harry Potter. (Pete, my disclaimer, sure knows how to crush a dream).
Albus Dumbledore was furious; his plans had gone to hell in a hand basket, a pretty purple basket with bright yellow stars. His views and ideals would have changed the world had they been played out. Harry Potter had ruined his perfect world. The boy was always ruining something. Since the moment he had come to Hogwarts the boy was nothing but a nuisance.
Albus sighed and sat back in his chair. His world would have been better then what they were living in now. Magic would be known worldwide, by everyone, even muggles. Wizards would be held high and respected beyond their wildest dreams. They wouldn't have to hide behind this façade, that muggles would hate them. The world would be at his finger tips and he would control it all.
But look where he was now, he could barely keep a 16 year old boy in line. Dumbledore knew he should have broken Harry a long time ago, but he had a soft spot where the boy was concerned. And damn it if that boy hadn't gone and messed everything up. Albus sat further back in his chair; his hands were steepled together under his chin in thought. His dream would come to pass, and Harry would be brought under his guidance. All he needed was a bit more time and a few people who would be all too willing to help. Yes things were finally beginning to look up for one Albus Dumbledore. With a smug smile and a chuckle, the headmaster popped a lemon drop into his mouth.
Unbeknownst to the headmaster, Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom were undermining his plan more then he would have ever dreamed . The rather large group gathered stood silent for a moment at the request that they remove their masks. These masks were all that was keeping everyone safe, to remove them would make things dangerous. The group did not do as they were directed.
Neville sighed. "For Merlin's sake, take off the bloody masks. How can you be prepared to fight in a war with each other if you can't even show your face? For this resistance to work you need to trust every one involved. We will start off slowly; I will ask students from Hogwarts to remove their masks first, followed by the rest. If you cannot put your trust into the others in this room we will oblivate you and send you on your way. Do not think that we will allow anyone to ridicule anyone else. Once the masks are off you will be under a wizard's oath. You will be stuck in this group until it is dispersed and you will not be able to tell others of it. We do not tolerate those who are weak."
Neville Harry removed their masks. "You are all aware that Harry and I are the unofficial leaders of this resistance, we do not want you to consider us above you, and we are all equals. Will the Gryffindor students please remove their masks?" Fred and George Weasley, Lavender Brown, Lee Jordan, Hannah Abbott, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan removed their masks first. "Hufflepuff is next please." Susan Bones, Eleanor Branstone, Owen Caudwell, Emma Dobbs, Laura Madley, Zacharias Smith and Rose Zeller removed their masks.
"Then Ravenclaw next please." Terry Boot, Stewart Ackerly, Eddie Carmichael, Michael Corner, Marcus Belby, Roger Davies, Anthony Goldstein and Luna Lovegood were quick to lose their masks. "Finally Slytherin, please remove your masks." A small gasp of surprise was heard at the name of Hogwarts' most hated house. Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, Malcolm Braddock, Miles Bletchley and Theodore Nott removed their masks. At the sight of Theodore Nott, Fred Weasley slapped his twin George on the back. With at frown George handed a smirking Fred 2 galleons. Neville rolled his eyes at the twins before continuing.
"If the Hogwarts staff would please remove their masks next, thank you. Slowly as if they were unsure Madam Hooch, Professor Sprout, Madam Pompfrey and Professor Flitwick took off their masks. "As you all know or should know there were two foreign schools here for the triwizard tournament, unknown by everyone alliances and friendships were made and kept. We have those who are on our side here tonight, though it was rather difficult getting them here. Would the Durmstrang students show themselves?" Viktor Krum, Elwood Hurst, Ezra Boswell, Thaddeus Weller and Clement Emerson showed their faces by removing their masks.
"We were lucky enough to get both schools that were here at Hogwarts into our alliance. Would the lovely ladies from Beaux batons Academy remove their masks?" Fleur Delacour, Whitley Weller, Regan Ives, Alzenza Tilton and Kea Channing removed their masks.
"We are truly lucky to have the experience of the next few members. Would the order members and the Aurors please remove their masks?" Bill and Charlie Weasley, Mad-eye Moody, Kingsley Shacklebot, Nymphadora Tonks, Remus Lupin and Hestia Jones took off their masks. "There are a few more adults who we managed to convince to join us, would you all please remove the mask." Dirk Cresswell (who works in the Goblin Liaison office), Barnabus Cuffe (Daily Prophet editor), Gideon Crumb (bagpiper for the weird sisters), Pierre Bonaccord (official Mugwump of the International Council of Wizards), Melinda Bobin (Former member of the Slug club), Madam Malkin( Robes for all occasions) and former students Oliver Wood and Marcus Flint removed their masks.
George nudged his twin Fred with a smirk. Fred handed back the 2 galleons he had just gotten from George with a scowl towards Marcus flint. They looked up when Dean Thomas spoke. "There are still three members with their masks on. What's going on?"
"That's a very good question. It's simple you see, the last three members are very special and I wanted everyone to understand that they are not to be harmed in any way. They are here at great risk to themselves. It was hard to get them to agree to coming but I needed members with firsthand experience in battling with Voldermort and against the Order of the Phoenix. They are welcome here and all ways will be." Harry said turning to the three people left with masks on. "Alright please take off your masks."
The three people looked at each other before complying with Harry's requested. Lucius Malfoy and two other death eaters Avery and Yaxley removed their masks and an outraged cry was heard. "How can you allow Death Eaters into this? Haven't they caused enough pain and suffering?" Someone yelled. Harry turned a deadly glare towards his audience.
"They are here for the same reasons you are. They are here because they have seen firsthand the destruction Voldermort can cause. They have seen what Dumbledore has done as well. They want an end to the madness and to live in peace as the rest of the world as wants. These men can tell us what to expect in battle and they can give us valuable information that the order doesn't have, as we can also give them valuable information. We are all going to get along and if you can't handle that then you can leave right now. I will not have this group fighting with each other. Fighting is what has gotten us to where we are. I was hesitant about revealing every one's identity, but I know if this is going to work then we must know and trust each other. Trust is the key in this. Without trust we are nothing more than a bunch of useless twits who can't get anything done. I will not let Voldermort win because we couldn't let go of our prejudices and work together." Harry said with passion laced in his voice.
The group was silent as they disgusted what they had just heard. After a few moments Neville spoke. "If no one has anything else to say let's get the meeting started and get something done." With that said the group took their seats and the first official meeting of the Resistance began.
It was hours later before they were done. When the meeting had finally ended Harry and Neville were putting away maps and plans by themselves. They had urged everyone else to go ahead and leave. Neville sighed and sat down in the closest chair. "I pray all meetings aren't that stressful. I swear when they all start arguing I'm sure it's heard in the Great Hall." Neville stated rubbing his eyes tiredly.
Harry laughed and closed one last book. "They were just over excited that's all. I talked to Madam Malkin before she left. She's willing to alter everyone's mask and robes to whatever crest we decide on, for a small fee of course. And Lucius said he would help train some of the more promising students and adults who haven't been in battle before. That will cut our work down just a bit. But we still have so much to get done. I hope we can get the training well underway before we have to actually face a battle. And we still have to devise a way to call meetings without it being obvious."
Neville groaned. "Merlin Harry stop talking about all the work that needs to be done, you are giving me a headache." Harry snorted. "Do you think this is really going to work Harry? Do you really think we can succeed where the Order has failed?" Neville asked watching his friend take a seat across from him.
"We have to Neville, or our world is doomed to fail. We have to be stronger then the order and Voldermort combined. This is the only chance we have left." The boys were silent for a moment. "Come on Neville forget the war for a while. Let's go back to the Slytherin Common Room; I'm sure Draco is having a fit because he hasn't seen you all day. He's smitten with you. Just seeing your face will make his day better." Harry said with a smile.
"Just when I had forgotten the git you bring him back up." Neville said with a scowl as Harry laughed.
"Come on let's go back now, this can all wait until next time." Harry said dragging Neville out of his chair. The two boys laughed on their way out of the chamber.
Just as they were leaving the girls lavatory a shadow fell over them. "Well, well what have we here? Just what have the two of you been up to?"