the usual disclaimers apply.

I know this chapter is short, the holiday season has had me running ragged, I hope to get chapter 28 up by Jan 3rd.

Chapter 27.

December 16, 2011

A highland snowstorm had moved my Thai-Chi class indoors, we were meeting in the great hall on Friday afternoons, my extracurricular class had grown in popularity, students from all houses had joined, and several of the visiting aurors had joined us as well. I didn't mind at all. We levitated tables out to the perimeter of the room and set mats out. I'd start each class with some meditation.

"Ok people," I announced to the group of about thirty in front of me. "put your wands down, and clasp your hands together," I demonstrated, "now raise your hands above your head. Remember to breathe, close your eyes, visualize the energy around you, feel it. Let it flow through you. Concentrate."

I heard a snicker from the back. "She thinks she's Yoda," I heard one of my muggleborn Ravenclaws mutter.

I just raised my eyebrow at the wise ass. "I am neither green, nor am I nine hundred years old, Mr. Clayborne. If you want to get out some excess rambunctiousness, go take a jog around the corridors."

"No professor," he said, quietly.

"Then concentrate," Then I turned to his compatriot next to him. "Mr. Callahan, one more 'cougar' reference, and you'll be scrubbing pots for the house elves all weekend."

I met Harry, and Ron in Hogsmeade after supper. Harry had owled me that he had a possible lead on our "mole" and he wanted my input on the matter. I was pleasantly surprised to see Charlie with them. "I didn't think you were going to make it this weekend"

"Petula kicked me out of the office, she and Hermione are writing the speech I have to give the Wizgamot on Tuesday. They're voting on House Elf citizenship this week. I decided to surprise you, so are you sufficiently surprised?" He pulled me into a hug that almost knocked the wind out of me, and kissed me.

Harry coughed politely, and said. "I was wondering if you would mind, going back to the castle? I would really like to speak to Headmistress McGonagall, and Neville as well. We have some rather disturbing information."

"Sure, we can head up there now."

"We have Rudolphus Lestrange in custody. We caught him with VonLunde, and two of his accomplices, Jeunoit, Umbridge and our mole are still at large, we believe that they may be in hiding, somewhere in the area. We questioned Lestrange under veritaserum, he confessed to contacting Sang Pur. We have orders to take Theodore Nott into the ministry for questioning."

A loud knock on the door interrupted us, Minerva went to open the door, and Filius was standing there with a panicked looking Christopher Rovener. "What's wring Chris?" I asked him.

"Professor Nott caught Teddy, Victoire and me in the halls again, he took Ted and Vic, and told me to give this to Professor Goode," he handed me a piece of rolled parchment. "There was an old, ugly woman with him, she was pulling Vic's hair, I think she wants to hurt her."

I unrolled the parchment, in bold red calligraphy were the words: "WE HAVE THE MONGRELS. PREPARE TO SURRENDER YOURSELF AT THE SHREAKING SHACK IN THIRTY MINUTES. ALONE. SANG PUR SUR TOUT."

"What is it Glinda?" Harry asked me. I just handed him the parchment. "This is bad," Harry stated.

Ron read the parchment over his brother-in-law's shoulder. "Oh, bullocks," he muttered.

"What is it?!"

"They want Glinda to surrender herself in thirty minutes."

Charlie just about went ballistic, and Harry and I began to plan.

*******************

Charlie was still fuming fifteen minutes later, "I don't like this at all, love."

I strapped my spare wand in a concealed pouch on my calf. "The only people who know that I have two wands are you and Harry. Nott's only seen the hazel wand, I should be safe. If I can go in and get the kids out, Harry can send in the hit wizards. I read Viktor's notes on Monique Jeunoit, she's a fanatic, and she's violent. As far as she and her compatriots are concerned, people like the kids and I are vermin that need to be exterminated. Teddy and Victoire may not have much time.

"Someone should go with you," he insisted.

"Not until I give the signal."

"Are you ready Glinda?" Harry asked.

"Ready as I'll ever be."