Harry and Daphne were in the Three Broomsticks where things had changed very little from his last world except the inn seemed deserted. It was bursting with joy in that world at this time with patrons from the village and the students but in this world, it looked like there were very few patrons and those who were in the inn were minding their own business. It was not strange to him for he knew that war could do this to others.

He slipped into a bench with Daphne which was hidden by a potted plant kept in front of it and hollered for two Butterbeers.

"Have you been to the Three Broomsticks before?", Daphne asked.

"No but I have heard a lot about this place from my father and Godfather", he said, "Sirius told me about the charming barmaid and the hospitality of the establishment."

"My father told me that the village used to be merrier and joyful before this war began", she confided in him, "but ever since the war, this village is under constant charms and protection of the Ministry. Once an attack happened in the village which resulted in death of thirty wizards, and it forced the Ministry to keep it under heavy guard."

"This war has gone on long enough, isn't it?", Harry asked her.

"Yes, it started before my father graduated from Hogwarts and it continues today", she said, "we suffered some very heavy losses in this war. Entire families were wiped out."

"Which families?", Harry asked her.

"The McKinnons, the McGonagalls, the uncle of Susan Bones was killed with his entire family, the Ashford family. The house of Sayre was deemed extinct till the inheritance tests showed that Dean Thomas was the son of the last Lord of the House of Sayre", she said, "Even your grandfather, Lord Charlus Potter, was killed in an attack trying to shield his friend, Lord Arcturus Orion Black, during a fight."

Harry gasped, "Lord Potter was killed? But I was under the presumption that he died during the Dragon Pox epidemic."

"No, Lord Potter was killed", she confirmed, "It is said that a contingent of Death Eaters under the leadership of Walburga No-name was sent to kill Lord Black and Lord Potter by chance was present on the spot. He killed all of the Death Eaters but was killed by a curse from behind by Walburga who had to run when Lord Black turned his ire on her."

"What happened to Lord Black?"

"It is said that he lived that day, and this act aligned his entire family against you-know-who and his men", she said, "I wish he had lived. He could control the dark faction like no other."

"They were great men", Harry said, "And they did deeds that would make us deem like puny mortals. Men who come after would be nothing but feeble, watered-down imitation of that greatness."

"Enough of this sullen talk", she said, "tell me one thing."

"Please ask."

"Do you like any girl?"

"Don't you think it is a useless question considering we are on a date here?"

"Lord Peverell", she said, "I am not in the haste of creating a relationship. As you may know, these things are taken seriously in our society for any relation between a witch and a wizard also connects two families. You are a charming gentleman, but it is early to think of this friendly outing as a date."

The denial stung him but he knew Daphne Greengrass was frank and not one to hold back her words. She was merely telling what she thought of the matter. This world was quite different from the last one may be because he had never been faced with the pureblood customs in that world, but he could understand where she was coming from. Bonding or marriage between two families was taken in a broader perspective in the Wizarding world than the Muggle world. Here any such marriage was seen as a declaration of joining of the two as one, an alliance between them and the ramifications of every such act were seen and calculated before any further moves were made.

"I respect your opinion, Miss Greengrass and I know where you are coming from…"

He was interrupted by her mid stride, "Don't evade my question."

"Alright, I don't like any girl in that sense at the moment", he said, "I felt an attraction towards you however I see that there is lot to be done before you would be certain if it is mutual. I, for my part, am willing to wait and see how things will turn out."

"You don't like anyone?", she asked speculatively, "What about Pansy Malfoy?"

"What about her?"

"Well, she has been going on and on about you and her being an item in the Slytherin dorms", Daphne said, "She even told us that you had the audacity to refuse to do what other wizards in the castle only dream about."

"I am not infatuated with her", Harry told her frankly, "At the best, I see her a person who is an acquaintance and at the worst, she is Malfoy's sister, and I won't have anything to do with her."

"But she is very interested in you and after you elevation to the Wizengamot as Lord Peverell and heir Black, she has even started fancying herself as the future Lady Peverell."

Harry was stumped, "How can she do that?"

"Look at it like this", she explained, "Most of the pureblood girls are seen as nothing but breeding stock and raised that way since they are young. Pansy comes from House Malfoy and House Parkinson, both of them are epitome of all the things which are wrong with pureblood doctrines. She has been raised to believe that she will be the breeding stock for a Lord and she won't amount to anything more than that. She has been taught by her mother, Guinevere Parkinson, to set her sights on a Lord who is wealthy and would keep her happy. Her mother is like that and ensnared Lucius Malfoy when she realised that he wasn't going to get married to Narcissa Black. Before you arrived, she had tried forming a relationship with many of the scions of other pureblood houses such as Bole, Miles and Pucey. Pucey won't even touch her and treated her like she was something nasty. Bole and Miles tried to get into her knickers, but she rebuffed them and in consequence, she thwarted them with help from her father. Since you have become a Lord, are heir of an equally illustrious house and related to Potters who are some of the wealthiest families, she set her sights on you."

"Do you know I have heard that her father has connections with the Death Eaters?", he asked.

"I have heard that too and I know that there is some truth to those rumours", she said, "But Pansy is not going to be one of them. She is not a fighter, and she can't do things that they do. She is looking for a wealthy husband who would fulfil her demands."

"And what about the affairs that she has had?"

"She had a lot of them and with boys who are from families which are rich. Her goal is to marry rich and settle for life and that is one of the reasons she has set her eyes on you."

"One of the reasons?"

"Yes", Daphne explained, "She also fancies you a lot and has been boasting of plans to slip you a potion to tie you to her or to drag you to a broom closet."

Harry cringed, "Please let's not talk about that. But I thank you for telling me."

"Well since you are a Lord now, I guess you are thinking about the way ahead. I mean what have you planned about your future provided this war would end sometime soon?"

"My lordly duties are not my concern actually", he said, "Thankfully father is there to assume the regency of Peverell Lordship and Sirius is looking after the Black one. I can do without going into the Wizengamot for a while. And I have thought about professions and an Auror is something that I find noble and honourable."

"Are you sure that you want to be an Auror and nothing more?"

"I have thought about other professions, but I can't be full time curse breaker, I don't want to be quill pusher and I don't want to work in Gringotts. Magical research interests me so maybe I'd like to apply to the Department of Mysteries later in life. I like Quidditch but I'll have to see if I am good to play professionally. What about you?"

"I am knowledgeable in potions, and I wish to become a master in the subject", she told him, "My father owns Greengrass Potions, and I wish to take over the reins from him someday."

"But as far as I know, the Greengrass family is patriarchal, right? It means your brother will inherit the title, estates and business. Wouldn't he?"

"We have many businesses", she said, "My father has promised to give me the reins of Greengrass Potions, Astoria wants the export import business, and the rest of the businesses, titles and estates will go to my brother."

"That is nice to know that your father thinks pragmatically", he said, "What about Astoria? She is in Hogwarts?"

"Yes, she is a first year", she told him, "And already has been learning the business from our father. For many years I was groomed by my father as the heiress apparent until my brother was born."

"So, Daphne, what is good in the village to see?", Harry asked, "As we have had three butterbeers and the barmaid is giving us the stink eye, I think we should leave."

"We can go to Honeydukes or Zonko's", she said, "Honeydukes is famous for its candies and Zonko's has a wide variety of joke items."

Before they could make up their mind, they heard the explosions and the sound of spell fire being traded.

As they were stepping out of the shop, they ran into Lily Potter, "Harry, the village is under attack. Go and hide. I have sent messages to the Aurors."

"Mum, there are hundreds of students in the village", he said, "We have to secure them. Let me go and herd them together in one of the shops in a defensible location."

"But…"

"Mum, it is not the time to argue", Harry said forcefully, "You help others in repelling the attacks, I will take the students towards Honeydukes."

Before Lily could protest again, Harry dragged her to the ground and a spell went whizzing past their heads.

Furious, Harry summoned his wand in his wand and turned in the direction that the spell had come from and saw three Death Eaters approaching them at a languid pace. They looked as if they had all the time in the world.

Harry knew his advantage was in surprising them before they could do anything. His capabilities were also severely restricted due to the fact that his magical core was that of a child of 14 years. He decided to attack first without giving them a chance to retaliate.

He raised his wand and flicked it in a motion which was hard for eyes to follow and before the Death Eaters could do anything, three arrows were impaled in their hearts, and they were drowning in their own blood.

"Harry!", Lily gasped, "How could you kill them with such ease?"

"Mum, go and help others. We will herd the students to Honeydukes and protect them till help can arrive."

Lilly realised the gravity of the situation and took charge of a few older students and went in the direction of Dervish and Banges. Harry led Daphne towards Honeydukes when he ran into another group.

This group of Death Eaters had cornered a boy who was shielding or dodging their spells the best way he could. They were playing with him as cat plays with mice before it eats them.

Harry caught glimpse of the blonde hair of Neville Frank Longbottom and sent a bone breaker at the Death Eaters who had not yet seen him. The Death Eater who faced the brunt of the attack, collapsed while others turned towards him.

Harry was not going to give them a chance to retaliate. He shouted to Daphne, "Take these students away, Daphne. I and Neville will hold them off."

Daphne took the hint and started herding the students towards the shop. The four remaining Death Eaters were facing trouble because they were being forced to fight on two fronts. On one there was Harry and on another was Neville. Neither of the boys were using simple defensive magic but using spells that would incapacitate them.

Harry kept firing spell after spell but his were being blocked by a shield. Frustrated he shot a spell at the ground just beneath the foot of the Death Eaters and the ground erupted throwing them off balance as the tunnelling spell took effect. As they were recovering their wits, Harry sent 'Sectumsempra' at them. They started bleeding profusely as the curse hit.

Neville on his hand had disabled the death eaters and turned to Harry, "Thanks for your help, mate. You saved me again today."

"We are going to the Honeydukes, taking the students to safety. Do you want to join us?"

"I will come with you", said Neville, "But once I have seen to their safety, I will have to return. There are students holed up in the shops and homes and we need to get them to safety."

"Alright mate", Harry said, and they walked towards Honeydukes.

Harry saw a group of Death Eaters harassing Susan Bones who was protecting some younger students. Susan was not a helpless lass but a fierce warrior. She cast spells with such impunity that the Death Eaters were hard pressed, but they had the advantage of numbers.

"Neville, you keep moving to Honeydukes. Daphne is leading some students there. See that she reaches there safely. I will help Susan."

As Neville departed, Harry waved his wand and stones and pebbles littered on the roadside rose. With another flick of his wand, handful of daggers were hurling themselves at the Death Eaters. Before they could find out what was happening, three had been impaled.

Two of the Death Eaters who remained, turned towards this new threat but were met with Bludgeoning hexes which knocked the air out of their lungs. Before they could recover, Susan lassoed them in a fire whip and pulled at it. In a moment, only pieces remained of the Death Eaters.

"Miss Bones, I am going to Honeydukes to secure the students", Harry said, "Are you coming with me?"

She nodded, "I was going the same way. Let's move, Lord Peverell."

When they reached Honeydukes, they found Neville and Daphne in it for their lives. Neville had a gash on his arm, his sleeve was torn, and blood was rushing out. There was a cut on his cheek bone and his eye looked swollen. Two Death Eaters were in front of him and not moving. Neville was standing in front of Daphne covering her with his body and roaring, "You will get to her only through me."

Harry decided to not to waste any time and conjured a fire whip and started lassoing the Death Eaters. Aided by Susan and Neville, they made short work of the Death Eaters.

"Is everything fine, Neville?", Harry asked.

"Yes, we got the students inside but one of them is hit. He will have to be seen by a healer as soon as possible", Neville said, "As far as I can see, the Death Eaters have formed a perimeter around the village. No one can get in until the Auror arrive or help arrives from Hogwarts."

Harry ran up to the proprietor of the shop, "Mr. Flume, can you show these students the secret way to Hogwarts?"

Flume gasped in surprise, "How do you know about the secret way?"

"It is not the time for questions", Harry growled, "show them the way. We need to get them to Hogwarts."

As Flume led the students away, Harry turned to his friends, "We have to hold the way until help can arrive. In the meantime, if you see any students coming in, let them go the same way as others. Guard the shop with your lives."

They were in position outside the shop when they saw two children running towards the shop being followed by four Death Eaters. Blood rushed in Harry's head when he realized that the children were Charlus Henry Potter and Edgar Edward Bones.

He waved his wand once and a hail of stones fell upon the Death Eaters forcing them to stop chasing the students.

Harry and Neville pulled the children behind them, and Harry roared, "You will not touch my brother. You'll have to deal with me before you can touch him."

The lead Death Eater said in a drawling tone, "Children trying to play heroes. What has the world come to?"

Harry realized that Lucius Malfoy was leading the attack. He didn't rise to the bait but kept his wand trained on the Death Eaters and as he saw one barely moving his wand, he roared, "Confringo."

The blasting curse took off the arm of the Death Eater who collapsed to the ground clutching the stump where his hand was just a moment ago.

Neville on the other hand, had sent a curse at another Death Eater who was momentarily distracted. His distraction proved costly to him when his heart stopped working.

Daphne and Susan were still alert and when Susan realised that Malfoy was aiming his wand at Harry, she sent a cutting curse at him. The curse hit him in the face destroying the mask that he wore.

Before Malfoy could get over the shock of being unmasked, Daphne sent a stunner at him, and he collapsed. Harry wasted no time in tying him with chains while destroying his wand.

As they were momentarily clear of the Death Eaters, Harry turned on Charlus, "What the hell are you doing here, Charlus? Are you daft that you can't understand simple instructions? For a few sweets and chocolates, you put yourself in danger and you dragged Edgar in it? Wait till I can reach father and tell him about this."

Charlus could only hear as Harry berated him. Harry had selflessly saved his life and he knew he couldn't talk back to him. Besides what Harry said had merit in it. For a few sweets, he had jeopardised his and Edgar's lives.

They all missed Lily Potter who had arrived sometime in between. She saw Charlus and screeched, "What are you doing here? I never expected you to break any rule! What made you resort to such foolishness in the first place?"

Charlus whimpered in terror at seeing Lily enraged at him. Harry however spoke, "Mum, let them go back to the castle through the secret way. We have a lot many students to save."

"I'll stay here and see that he goes back to the castle", she said, "Daphne and Susan, you both also come with me. I will need your help."

As Lilly left with Susan and Daphne, Harry and Neville went in the village in search of the main event.

The fighting was intense at the centre of the village, where a few of the older students were fighting the Death Eaters. The Death Eaters were using the Killing curse with abandon, but the students were being able to dodge them. A few students however were not so lucky and had died.

Harry and Neville shared a look and started attacking the Death Eaters. They were making timely progress until they realised that they were trapped within a circle of Death Eaters.

Dolohov said in cold voice, "Well! Well! Well! A Potter and Longbottom. Just the trophies that our Lord desires. It wasn't a total loss."

Harry raised his wand and roared defiantly, "You won't succeed in your motive. I will fight you alone if I have to."

"Actually, that won't be necessary", said someone and he turned to see that the Prewett twins had arrived with many order members. Among them were Frank and Alice Longbottom and Alastor Moody.

The Prewett twins started firing curses after curses at the Death Eaters as Harry watched them in amazement. In his other life, he had heard about the amazing feats of magic that they had accomplished and how they were very proficient duellists, but he had never thought that they were that good. Their wands spoke as one and they could read each other's minds pretty well. They always seemed to know what the other was going to do and they were amusing themselves by not using any curses or hexes but most simple spells.

Fabian hit Dolohov with a stinger and as the Death Eater was surprised, Gideon shot a banishing charm at him. Dolohov was thrown to a distance before he regained his footing and raised his wand when one of the twins gagged with a muzzle made of iron mesh on his mouth. Dolohov clawed at his mouth when the other twin waved his wand in complex motion and presto! In place of Dolohov stood a Donkey. The other twin wasted no moment in putting a bridle around it.

Harry was fighting Death Eaters as he watched the twins make things seem like a walk in the park. As he watched, one of them changed another Death Eater into a horse and then tried to ride it. It was so hilarious that it made him laugh. However, he also knew that they were outnumbered, and they needed help soon.

Harry was facing three of them who were firing curses at him in rapid succession, and he was fending them off but barely. One of the Death Eaters got behind him and tried to hit him but before he could do so, a spear protruded from his back and exited from the front.

Harry turned and watched in amazement as Aurors poured in from all sides. James Potter stood there, in all his fury, his wand raised and his eyes blazing with anger. Sirius Black was barking orders to the Aurors who had made it to the village. Death Eaters were either fleeing or being captured or committing suicide. The battle of Hogsmeade was practically over.

"Pup", said Sirius who had come up to him, "Take the students out of here. Lyra and Ernie are in Dervish and Banges with some students. Rescue them."

'But Sirius…."

"Don't protest", Sirius said sternly, "Do as you are told. The adults will handle things from here."

Harry went to Dervish and Banges with a couple of Aurors. Lyra was him coming and threw herself into his arms, "Harry, I am so glad you are safe. I had heard that from someone that you were fighting the death eaters and I was scared. I wanted to come to help you, but I had to keep these students safe. Besides, Ernie wouldn't let me leave."

Harry patted her back, "It's alright, Lyra. I am fine. I didn't even get a scratch. Think you can come with me to Honeydukes. We are going back to Hogwarts."

The students followed them to Honeydukes guarded by the Aurors who were sent to protect them. at Honeydukes, Mr. Flume was still sending students back to the castle through the secret passage.

"Mr. Flume, thank you for your timely help", Harry said, "I will remember to mention to my father that you helped us."

Flume nodded, "I only did what was right, lad. How do you know about this secret passageway, anyway?"

"My father is James Potter and Sirius Black is my Godfather", Harry said with a grin.

Ambrosius Flume shuddered, "Merlin save us! You take after them."


When Harry and Neville returned to the castle, it was in chaos. Students were being rushed to the infirmary. Aurors were standing guard in the corridors, and no one was allowed to wander. Students were being sent to their common rooms by the teachers if they were not injured. The secret of the passageway from the old crone to Honeydukes was public knowledge now but there was nothing that Harry could do about it. He had to use it for save lives of students and to get them out of the war zone.

"Mr. Potter", said Professor McGonagall who was standing outside the hump, "the Headmaster wants to see you in his office after you have met with Madam Pomfrey."

"Yes Professor", he said, "Can you escort Lyra and others to their common room."

Harry turned to Neville, "Please go and see Madam Pomfrey. I'll come to see you as soon as I can get away from the Headmaster."

The Headmaster, as it turned out, was not alone in his office. The Minister of Magic, Arthur Weasley, the chief of Unspeakables and the head of Aurors, James Potter were also present there.

James rushed to him and hugged him while checking him for injuries as Albus watched them fondly. After James had made sure that Harry was not hurt, he guided him to a chair.

When everyone was seated comfortably, Arthur turned to him, "Harry, first of all, I am thankful to you for the courage shown by you in the village. If you and Neville hadn't acted as you did, we might have suffered more damages than we did."

"I did what anyone else would have done, Minister", Harry said.

"Lord Peverell", said Croaker, "I apologise to you for doubting your words that there is a traitor in the Department of Mysteries. The Death Eaters entered the village by manipulating the wards which wouldn't have been possible if one of us was not helping them. I have sent some of my best men to hunt down Augustus Rookwood who is in hiding at the moment."

"There is no use crying over spilt milk", Harry said, "What I don't get is how they were able to work the wards that the Aurors couldn't get in."

"Rookwood knew how to manipulate them to one's will", Croaker said, "That secret was known only to me and him. I didn't tell anyone, so it is obvious that he was the one. Rest assured that we will catch him."

"Is there anything else to discuss Headmaster?", Harry asked Dumbledore.

"No, my boy", the old wizard said, "There is the issue of Barty Crouch making noise that he will investigate into the battle and will prosecute every witch or wizard who used a lethal spell today."

"Then maybe you can tell the world that his son is a Death Eater", Harry said, "That would force him to step down from the head of DMLE and we can place someone we trust in that position."

"Any ideas?", James Potter asked.

"Amelia Bones", Harry said without doubt, "She is a respected Auror, comes from a family which has always been in the service of the Ministry of Magic and can make tough decisions."

"We will think about it", said Arthur, "Barty has become a nuisance. We'll have to do something about him."