A/N: I know. I know. I'm really sorry this took so long. A month! That's the worst so far. Christmas and New Years were very busy for me and my family though so...there it is. Anyways, the story continues and we move forward heading towards a confrontation between Voldie and our hero. Let me know what you think. Reviews are the best way for me to learn what works and what doesn't. So tell me if you like it and tell me if you hate it. I just want to get better as a writer.

Thanks,

Drunken Prince

Standard Disclaimer-I don't own Harry Potter. Just the stuff I make up about him.

Chapter 14-House Elf Good, Troll Bad

Arthur Weasley watched as hundreds of Muggle military personnel marched onto the castle grounds. He was amazed at the orderly way they approached and then held formation after stopping. They moved like they were being controlled, but he knew that wasn't the case. This was just incredible discipline. These men worked and trained to be and move as a unit. It was impressive and somewhat scary. Arthur had always been fascinated with muggles. He wanted to know more about them, and he wanted to know how they thought. The truth though, is that Arthur Weasley was a pureblood wizard. He may not hold to the ways of the bigoted pureblood elitists and death eaters, but he was a wizard and had minimal, if any contact with the muggle world. He was, in all truth, fascinated by them, but he never really put much effort into understanding them or learning their ways. It was always safer and more predictable to stick with what he knew. Magic made his life easier in general and he liked it that way. Standing here now though, and watching these muggle soldiers march in formation made him think that wizards and witches had better start to learn about their non-magical countrymen. These men and women were a force to be reckoned with and they knew it. Without any magic they were more organized and probably more deadly than a similar sized force of death eaters he was sure. He watched as they demonstrated their weapons and tactics to Harry, Kingsley, Neville, and Ron. He watched as their bullets ripped through shields that Kingsley put up to test. He was now fairly confident that this force could handle the death eaters on their own. Voldemort may be a different story, but Arthur knew that there were very few, if any death eaters who were more powerful than he was, and he knew his magic could not protect him from these weapons. Arthur had been confident of a victory because he believed in Harry, but now watching these soldiers he knew the death eaters had no chance. They would be destroyed utterly by these non-magical soldiers. All he and the order would be required to do was clean up and finish them off. Harry may need to finish off Voldemort but the rest would die gruesome deaths he was confident. He was also very proud as he watched his son and future son-in-law interact with these men, most of whom were older and more experienced than the two young Gryffindors.

HP+++++++++HP+++++++++HP

In front of the large group of soldiers Harry and Ron watched as the soldier's bullets tore straight through the shield Kingsley had erected. They were impressed by the muggles and were proud to fight with them.

Harry walked calmly towards the commanding officer of the soldiers and approached him with a smile.

"Lieutenant Colonel Davis, that was an impressive display. My initial thought is that the death eaters won't know what hit them. I was hoping to address your troops in order to explain some basic information about what to expect. Would that be alright with you Lt. Col?"

Lieutenant Colonel Lionel Davis regarded the young man in front of him. He was very young, and incredibly confident. He wondered at first if the boy was just an entitled know it all. After all, he wasn't truly sure how this magical community worked. What made a person powerful among them? He didn't know. But as he watched and listened to the boy, no… young man, he noticed the power that seemed to radiate from him. It was not long before he himself had to admit he would probably follow the lad if asked. "That would be fine. Please remember these are soldiers, not students. They won't respond to fancy words and slick stories."

"Thank you. I'll keep that in mind." Harry picked up a clump of dirt off the ground and set it down where he wanted it, then silently transfigured it into a small raised platform to stand on. He then turned to the assembled soldiers and started speaking. He silently cast Sonorus so his voice would be amplified. He also let a little of his power push through him as he spoke. The assembled troops quieted almost immediately. "My name is Harry Potter. Believe it or not I am the leader of this motley crew of magical people here fighting for freedom from oppression. I am young. I know that, probably too young to be in the position I am in, but I am one of the most experienced fighters among us. I have fought and killed more death eaters than anyone alive today. I am also the only one to have fought the Dark Lord, formerly known as Tom Riddle, and lived. I survived because I was lucky. I survived because I trusted my instincts, and quite honestly I survived because I am pretty powerful."

Off to the side you could hear several people snort, including Ron and Neville.

Harry just went on. "I don't say this to impress you. I don't say this to frighten you either. I tell you this because you need to know the state of mind that your average magical person faces every day. Most are terrified of the death eaters and of Tom. Most think that I am the only one who can save them, and most are too scared or too weak to fight for themselves. We have been living for so long under this threat that most witches and wizards are too scared to even leave their homes. That is why we need your help. Now if you are going to fight with us there are some basics you are going to need to know. The first is this.."

Harry changed into Talon for all to see. The results were a bit chaotic. Most of the soldiers dropped into a crouch and over half of them raised their weapons towards Harry. Just as quick as he changed, he changed back and continued his speech. "…I respect the quick response by many of you, but shooting me wouldn't do you any good. You couldn't hit me, and if by some lucky chance you did manage to hit me it would only hurt you. I'm a good guy. I showed you that so you would know that I am fighting for your side if I take that form during the battle. The second thing you need to know is this…"

Harry pointed at Ron who took his queue and changed into Raptor. He lifted off the ground a few feet and screeched loudly, then dropped back to ground and changed back.

"Ron is also on our side. Please don't shoot him." Ron put his hands together below his chin in a universal begging gesture, and mouthed the word 'please'. Many of the soldiers, who weren't still in shock, chuckled at his pleading.

Harry didn't even slow, "You also need to know about him..." He pointed at Neville and waited expectantly. Neville stepped back a few steps and changed into Scorch. Immediately the soldiers raised their weapons and went on high alert. Harry continued as Neville changed back.

"This is Neville Longbottom. He is not the creature many of you saw in Wales. Yes, they are both blackin color. That is where the similarities end. Neville can become a Hebridean Black Dragon. The Dark Lord is a Chimera. He has three heads and is furry, and ugly, and much smaller than Neville here. You'll know the bastard if you see him."

At this point Harry grabbed the twins and dragged them forward for all to see. These two jokers are Fred and George Weasley. They are going to be doing some right nasty things with potions and charms during the battle to throw the enemy off his game. Don't pay them any attention. Just ignore them and appreciate the level of moral depravity it takes to imagine up some of the things they will do to our enemy. They are also going to be my demonstration subjects for a few minutes so give them a hand."

With this statement Fred and George looked at Harry with fear in their eyes and both attempted to run away from the makeshift platform they were standing on. Harry held out his hand and both twins snapped to attention and became immobile. Then Harry gently floated them into place side by side on the platform. A few of the soldiers snickered at the predicament the twins found themselves in. Harry pulled out his wand and transfigured Fred into a short little brown creature with pointy bat ears, then turned towards George and changed him into a nine foot tall green troll complete with uni-brow and bogies dangling from its nose. Harry pointed towards Fred and said "This little creature is a house elf. Yes I know they look like a younger version of Yoda, and they aren't the brightest creatures out there, but they are noble and good. They may fight for us, or help with other tasks during the battle." He then turned towards George and continued, "and this unfortunate creature is a troll. A mountain troll to be exact. They are huge, ugly, smelly, vicious and as dumb as rocks, but they will likely be fighting for the other side. You will need to kill them to stop them. So…house elf good, troll bad. Got it?"

Most of the soldiers nodded in the affirmative and several were quietly chuckling to themselves. Harry then transfigured Fred into a Vampire and George into an acromantula. "Both of these creatures will be fighting for the enemy. The vampires will have to be handled by a wizard most likely as they will need to be beheaded to be killed. But your weapons will be very effective against the acromantulas."

George noticed he was growing into a giant while Fred found himself looking like a transformed werewolf. "These creatures will also both be fighting for the enemy. Your guns will be made to fire silver bullets in order to fight the werewolves, and your explosive weapons will work very well on the giants."

Harry transfigured both twins back to themselves and let them go.

"Oi mate, that was just wrong…"

"…on so many levels!" Twin number two finished.

"Oh I almost forgot…" Harry said as he stopped Fred mid stride and transfigured him into a black cloaked figure with a white mask. "…this is a death eater. They serve Tom. If and when you see a death eater you should be shooting to kill."

He finally let Fred go for good and smirked at the twins' antics as they walked away. He invited the next group of his friends up and began to introduce them. "This is Professor Filius Flitwick, the lovely lady to his left is Hermione Granger, and the burly guy with the flaming red hair and awesome scars is Bill Weasley. These three people are going to be in charge of charming your guns. When they are finished, you guys will have clips full of silver bullets that never run out and your guns will never jam. Hopefully these charms will make your jobs just a little bit easier. I guess I would just ask your officers to guide your troops into three receiving lines so that the charms can be applied, it shouldn't take longer than an hour or so. I will be around and available if there are any more questions as the evening goes on. I guess that's it for me right now. I just want to thank you all again. Your presence here is going to save countless lives and I, for one, am grateful."

Harry stepped off the platform and walked over to where Ron, Neville, and Kingsley were waiting. "How'd I do mates?"

Ron responded. "You did great. I think you showed them everything they need to know. That bit with the twins was brilliant. I don't think they're stupid enough to try and get you back right away, but if we all survive this fight you should probably watch your back.

"Oh I'll be ready." He responded with an evil smirk.

Neville smiled and said. "The bit at first where you let out some of your Altor Regnum power was classic. The soldiers all shut up and focused right on you. Most of them had their mouths hanging open. I wonder what that looks like to a muggle?"

"It looked like all the descriptions we've ever had of a deity appearing in the flesh. It was scary as hell is what it was. Definitely awesome though. Glad you're on my side." Lt Col. Davis finished speaking as the others all focused their attention on him.

"Lt Col. I didn't mean to cause a fright if that's the case."

"No lad. You caused respect. Two very different things those. You also laid out very clearly what we are up against. You did well and they took notice." He paused then just for a second. "I have some other logistical questions if you lads have the time?"

All four wizards nodded and walked away with the officer to answer whatever questions they could.

HP+++++++++HP+++++++++HP

Later that evening after dinner Hermione, Hannah, Ginny, Susan Bones, and Luna Lovegood were all gathered in Hermione's dorm room. Hermione handed the potion to the other four girls. Susan had heard Hannah talking about it and wanted to learn her form as well, if she had one. Luna had asked to be there as well. As Hermione handed the potion to her though, she piped in saying "No thank you. I already know my form. I've been an animagus for about five months now."

"Luna you never told us that!" Ginny said. "What are you?"

"I'm a Crumple-Horned Snorkack. My daddy was so proud when I told him." She rubbed away a tear that formed in her eye.

"Can we see?" Hermione asked. "I'd love to see what a Snorkack looks like."

Luna stood up, walked away from the beds and transformed. In her place was a very short and squatty white rhinoceros. She pranced around the room and held her horned snout high in the air. Hermione wanted to say something desperately. She realized though that her friend's happiness was much more important than her own need to be right. She wisely kept her mouth shut and let Luna have her moment. Luna changed back and everyone clapped for her. The smile on her face told Hermione that she was right to stay quiet.

"Well let's see what you girls can be. After you take the potion you will fall into a sleepy trance and at some point in your dream trance you will come face to face with your animagus form if you have one."

They each took their potion and waited. Hannah, and Susan fell into their trances immediately. Ginny on the other hand didn't. There was a slight golden light coming from her and her eyes got really big. She looked at Hermione and then transformed right there on the bed into a red squirrel. Her hair color was exactly the same. Hermione couldn't help herself she squealed in joy and started cooing at the adorable little squirrel. The squirrel for its part did not appreciate the cooing, and hissed back at the bushy haired girl in front of her.

"Don't be like that Ginny. You're adorable. I guess the natural animagus trait really does run in your family. Do you want to try and change back?"

Squirrel Ginny looked at Hermione intently then morphed into her natural petit woman's form and pouted a little. "I thought I'd be something awesome like a hawk or an eagle like Ron. It did feel really natural though."

"You're perfect Gin. Think how great that's going to be for your role as spy for us. You can hide almost anywhere."

"True. Maybe it will be ok after all."

It took several more minutes before either of the other two girls stirred. Hannah woke up first.

"What did you see?" Hermione asked.

"I saw myself. I walked up to me and said 'Sorry love. This is all there is.' I guess that means I don't have a form."

The other girls all patted her back or shoulders. "It's ok Hannah." Ginny cooed. You can be the best healer in the world without being an animagus."

Susan woke up right then. "Wow that was weird. I'm not sure what it means though."

"What happened?" Luna inquired. "Did you talk to yourself too?"

"I talked to something. It wasn't myself, at least I don't think it was. There was a phoenix there. A very big phoenix. Bigger than Ron's eagle form. It said 'the power runs true in your blood. You're son will birth in fire.' Then the other bird flew forward and touched my forehead with its beak. It was a heron. A Grey Heron I think. It wasn't too big. It was very elegant though. What does that mean Hermione?"

"Susan you know about Harry and Neville right?" Susan nodded, then Hermione continued. "Well, your family was originally part of that. I think your ancestor was originally the Altor Regnum who could turn into a phoenix. The power of the Altor Regnum is supposed to be passed from father to son. I think magic is giving you a gift because your father was taken from you. Magic is promising you that your son will carry on the Altor Regnum magic and be like Harry and Neville. As to your animagus form, I'm pretty sure your just a Grey Heron but the rest is pretty amazing."

"My son! How can it…? I've never even had sex. How does magic know I will have a son?"

"That's why it's magic!" Luna chirped. "You don't have to understand it, just embrace it. Then, a few years down the road when you have a son, you will know he is blessed by magic itself! I think it's beautiful."

Susan smiled. "That kind of makes sense…in a strange sort of way." Luna just giggled.