{A/N}: Back for another chapter. And thanx for the reviews.
About Kingsley, I think betrayal is an easy part of his character. He's employed by the Ministry (ultimately Fudge) yet spying on Fudge for Dumbledore. No reason, given cause, that he wouldn't also turn on Dumbledore.
To Slytherin66's Luna comments I'd reply she's one of my favorites because of that sideways perception and way of speaking. And Dudley, I thought I'd pair with someone else who knew about the Magical World and more even knew about him before they ever met. With Dumbledore, he's just outlived his usefulness (besides almost all of his contemporaries)
What, possibly, may have caused some confusion about Harry's schooling is that he missed almost a year during his time in prison. Then returned to complete it, just without a Fifth Year.
About the action here I got the idea from a SF Movie. The science is mostly right, at least for a non-scientist.
Enjoy!
39 - Harry's Return
Hermione's entire speech was derailed by the arrival, in bulk, of Harry's long missing Horcrux hunters. Sirius was supporting an unconscious Charlie Weasley and between them Remus Lupin and Mad-Eye Moody carried a bag made of steel links. All four men wore malevolent looks to one degree or another.
"Charlie!" squealed Ginny as she hugged him. Her athletic figure engulfed by his bulky one.
Sirius left the redheads to each other and gripped Harry's shoulder "It's done kiddo! We got them all. None of it was fun. And it'll take Norbert days to destroy them all. Right now … all I … wanna do … iszzzzzzZZZZZZZZZ."
"Ginny…uh" Harry was going to have her portkey to Hogwarts and bring the mediwitch "Never mind. I'll go get Madam Pomfrey." And he disapparated with a flash, returning in minutes.
Setting quickly to work Hogwarts' mediwitch waved her wand this way and that. Dudley and Katie were treated to a display of healing impossible in the Muggle World. A relatively insignificant crushed finger re-inflated itself. Cuts and bruises, many minor, a few severe just seemed to go away.
"I would say Charlie's burns were the most serious." She reported almost two hours later "He is no longer unconscious, just a natural sleep. Allow him to waken on his own. There is nothing a good long sleep will not cure now. With the exception of an aura of evil…it seems-"
Lupin snarled at her, more than a hint of his werewolf showing. He snatched the metal bag away and ordered "Back off! No touch!"
"Remus, hand it to me." Harry said quietly "Remember, I sent you to find them."
Immediately, Remus' expression cleared "Harry, they're very dangerous. All of you listen to me They affect your personality. If you hold that bag too long, Harry you will start saying and doing things you don't really mean."
"Like Susan has funny ears. Or Sirius needs a haircut." Harry chuckled "Or maybe I'm secretly in love with Dumbledore. We'll talk more about it later, but I've got a few tricks up my sleeve."
Susan gave a look that was somehow both frown and smile, and asked "Funny ears?"
"Well, you're perfect otherwise." Harry retorted without batting an eye. He settled his arms around her neck and kissed her.
A long quiescent body stirred and spoke "Merlin, Potter, don't you two ever quit? And what happened to me?"
"You, Draco dear" Hermione began sarcastically "are the unfortunate victim of a blind reapparition. Which happens when a witch or wizard-"
His legs and arms swung wildly until he managed to right himself "Beanbags! Bloody stupidest Muggle invention!" he complained, kicking his former prison. "I know what a blind reapparition is Granger!"
"BE CAREFUL WITH THAT HARRY!" Sirius snapped awake just then and shouted. Though Remus restrained him slightly.
It was hours later that the Horcrux tale was told. What with one or more of the group nodding off randomly, or a thoroughly fascinated Katie or Dudley asking a question. But the tale was finally told. It was decided the still intact Horcruxes would be taken by Harry to Potter Manor and hidden there and Charlie, when he'd rested, would take Norbert to destroy them.
"Dud, I need to understand why Granger hit Malfoy with that spell." Harry returned well after midnight and his cousin was the only one awake.
Dudley entered a few commands, saving his schoolwork and asked "What do you know about the Large Hadron Collider?"
"Umm…It's big?" replied Harry, who spread his arms helplessly.
Dudley shook his head, guiltily "Maybe if I'd left you alone you could've done better in school. Anyway, it is THE biggest laboratory on the world. Over 27 kilometers around. It studies particle physics, no forget that. Scientists there are trying to understand just what, why and how the Universe is. Get that?"
"More or less." Harry replied, and admitted "Less, probably."
Dudley scratched at the back of his neck and grumbled "Oh brother." Then just got to the point "Do you remember learning about black holes? Well, your friend thinks she can handle them magically and the Large Hadron Collider can make them."
"Wait. I thought they were out in space and weighed way more than the Earth." Harry cut in.
Dudley grinned 'True Potter. But, and I won't bother with the details. Even Hermione only gets about half of it, or so she claims. Someone I … think she was just being kind."
"Hard to believe." Snorted Harry.
"What's hard to believe is that you were ever friends." Commented Dudley "Or rather, sometimes it seems that you are."
Harry gave a stony look, then softened "You've been a big help in all this Dudley. So I'll make you a promise. If I survive this whole Voldemort thing, I'll tell it all. Deal?"
"You oughta tell it to an author." Dudley chuckled "I bet it'd make a good book. Maybe seven."
Harry laughed back '"Maybe, but you and your parents wouldn't come out too well."
"I feel sorry for the poor kid they pick to play me in the movies." Dudley burst out laughing.
A comment crossed Harry's mind, but he thought better of it and got back to business 'What about black holes?" he asked
"Well the kind of black holes they can make in that lab don't really weigh anything, exactly." Dudley explained "And they only last for about a millionth of a millionth of a second. But Hermione has this idea to use something called a Time Tuner to slow time then drop it on Draco's mansion and hope it lasts long enough to just suck them all into oblivion. That's great and all, but if it gets too big to wink out it'll drop to the center of the Earth and keep right on sucking."
Harry shrugged "That's what the guys in America said about the Atom Bomb. Something about burning the atmosphere."
"You remember that?!" Dudley was surprised. He knew perfectly well that Harry had not had what Vernon would call a 'normal' education.
Harry blushed and nodded "Well, yeah, back then I thought sticking a bomb up your arse was a real good idea. The bigger the better. Besides, if Granger thinks it'll work, it probably will."
"Come to bed, Harry." Susan pulled on his arm, just then.
Harry jumped, startled, and asked "How long … how much did you hear?!"
"Luckily Draco went to visit the Greengrasses tonight." She answered "You need to put up privacy spells when you want to NOT be overheard."
Upon reaching their room, Harry immediately and rather shame-facedly did so. Instead of beginning a quite enjoyable encounter, he called out "Dobby! Code Vernon is my hero!"
"Dobby. It is good to see you again." Said Susan when the Elf popped in "I did call you a couple of times., however lately you haven't been answering."
Bowing low, he answered "Dobby is most sorries Mrs. Potter. But Master Harry gaves Dobby special orders. Dobby is more sorrier he could not come at once."
"It's alright Dobby!" Harry said quickly before a string of self-abuse began "I ordered you to only reply to the code and only when you were completely alone. Now this is important. I need you to also keep a count of how many Death Eaters are in Malfoy Manor. Can you do that? And will the other Elves listen to you if you tell them to leave?"
Ears flapped all about "Harry Potter is worried about miserable, lowly Elves! Harry Potter is the—"
"Answer the question, Dobby." He ordered, testily "Tell them they'll only need to be away for a few minutes. But … ahh… don't tell them … at all if you can't get them to promise they won't tell their masters."
Susan stayed silent until the Elf popped away, then spoke quietly "You don't like the idea of innocents dying, do you?"
"He attacked me just because of that quack Trelawney." Harry grumbled "No, I'd rather not harm any Elves."
She reached around and pulled his shirt off, grumbling lightly "Well, no crazy sex, I guess. Lay down and I'll rub your back."
x
"Our operative among Voldemort's followers has sent news." An Indian agent reported to his superior, and NOT the new partner.
Indira commanded "Speak."
"Several days ago, Ma'am" he answered "Voldemort's followers attacked first the Potter estate and then the Bones estate. Most of the attackers are missing. That includes Severus Snape who led both actions."
Gellert Grindelwald fairly radiated fury. Although that covered an icy terror he had not known since the day his lover stood over him in triumph. "And what has that fledgling dark lord done about the situation?" he growled.
"Voldemort and a few of his people are on some personal mission that our operative cannot determine." The agent replied. He did not particularly fear his boss's new ally. Whether through bravery or innocence, or because of his own ability, was unknown. "The Carrows, who seem to be the top underlings at the present time, are uninterested in pursuing the matter. Their main concern seems to be maintaining order in the Malfoy Mansion.
Grindelwald seized the man with a choking spell. But just as he started gurgling, Indira cast a harsh spell in Old High Indian. It broke Grindelwald's wrist and freed the suffering man. The evil wizard merely grinned in reaction to the pain "I want to know what happened to my Grandson."
"We shall do what we can." Indira concurred "In accordance with national security." And the two glared at each other for almost a solid minute.
Too heavily dependent on the woman, the Dark Wizard yielded. Voldemort, he was convinced, was to blame for this new escalation. Still determined to protect his bloodline, and willing to start diplomatically, he composed a letter.
Harry Potter
I recognize that Severus Snape has wronged you. There must be a mutually beneficial solution you and I can reach. There are numerous possibilities we can discuss. However, and please understand this is non-negotiable, ABSOLUTELY NO harm must come to Severus.
The ultimate result I would find fulfilling is perhaps a minimal punishment. Then a return to society. Naturally, if you consider it necessary, there can be generous reparations for any damages. It is important, vitally so, that you understand you will be held responsible for any mishap or legal consequence befall my charge while in your custody. Hoping for a resolution of nobility and honor.
A Friend
Claude Greengrass, Earl by Title, Ruler of an Ancient and Noble House, Member of the Wizengamot and other various titles eyed Draco Malfoy with outward disdain. In the scheme of things his House was unimportant, but he'd rigidly followed his Grandfather's policy of having a foot in both camps. A fortunate sequence of births led to today's events. His eldest daughter betrothed to the rising Weasleys and now a formal commitment that his younger girl would raise the next heir to a top-bracket Family. And a baby son to inherit the Greengrass name.
"Woolgathering is an old man's hobby, my Father." The young Malfoy head told him.
Earl Greengrass sneered and punched his future son-in-law square in the jaw "Perhaps you are unworthy of my daughter after all."
"If that is the hardest you can hit" Draco countered challengingly. He could barely see through the pain and blood in his mouth "Then sir, perhaps I should take my wife now."
George Weasley applauded the performance, earning a glare from the very soon to be Daphne Weasley.
"Astoria, dear," Tracy Greengrass invoked her matriarchal authority "take your young man upstairs and heal him. Good night to the both of you.
Unimpressed, George snorted "He was a twerp in Hogwarts and I don't see any difference."
x
"What's the good word, oh great investor?" Fred Weasley arrived with a pop at Privet Dr.
Harry gave a grim look and suggested "How about we take a walk?" This was something Susan would remain out of the loop for a while longer, until there was no doubt. And once outside he wanted to know "How long have you been seeing Padma Patil? And how serious is it?"
"You're not asking just to find out if I've been in her pants?" the redhead was suddenly serious "Are you, Harry?"
Harry could not meet his eyes as he told the tale of Amelia Bones' murder "So one, or both, of them passed information that set her up that night. One, or both, of them is just as guilty as Bella and Greyback."
"What about Diggory?" Fred suddenly growled. Then apologized "Forget that Harry. I know what that was about. If, and I assume you can prove it, I'll dump her … tonight … or even yesterday."
Harry gave a grateful smile that was tinged with regret and patted his friend's arm "You're the best Fred." He said with feeling "But, if you're willing, I'd rather you did NOT. See she may just have some information-"
"That I might Weasel out of her" Fred concluded the thought.
Harry muttered "Something like that."
"Hmm…dangerous" Fred scratched his scruffy chin "lotsa undercover work. Interrogations? Would I be free to use a few err… torture … techniques?"
Harry looked alarmed for a moment, then noted the mock-malicious expression. He replied formally "Mr. Weasley, you have license to act as you see fit."
"Yes Your Grace. Thank you, Your Grace." Fred bowed in exaggerated fashion "And may I ask an unrelated question, Your Grace?"
As they walked, Harry playfully slapped at his head and declared "Enough!" then "What's on your mind?"
"Well, I know Ginny's been spending her time here or at Hoggies." He commented "What's going on? You're not …err"
Harry shoved down a thrill of panic and replied "No. And we haven't done a formal announcement yet, so keep quiet. But Sue and I both signed our marriage treaty."
"You do know our illustrious Minister doesn't like it when unexpected things happen." Commented Fred, and at Harry's expression he burst out laughing. "But, seriously, congrats mate. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Answer this, though. She as big as she looks?"
Harry's face went through several emotions. Finally settling on a mischievous and answering "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Freddie!" it was Ginny accompanied by Susan "What are you doing here?"
Fred returned the hug as forcefully as his sister delivered hers "Well, ya know Squirt, had to make sure Harry was taking proper care of our little one. And I can see that he is most Definitely NOT! What have you to say for yourself, Lord Potter?"
"And what do you mean by that?" Ginny started pushing herself away.
When she succeeded, Fred took in her clothing and became actually angry "And you let her out like this!" he exclaimed.
Ginny was wearing a tube top that, while thick enough to not show bumps of nipple beneath, left a pierced navel exposed as well as freckled shoulders. A pink leather skirt that reached her knees and was fairly conservative by 1990s British standards, was the height of scandal in her brother's eyes. But the absolute worst was the high-heeled shoes that made her MUCH closer to his height.
"I suppose you let her date too, Earl Potter." Accused Fred in cold tones.
Surprise worn off, anger building, Harry countered "Earl Potter thinks Ginny's love life is none of Earl Potter's business."
"Cut this Fred!" Ginny hissed and demonstrated that her high-heeled shoes were quite effective as weapons.
The entire scene was interrupted by a pop and shout of "Avada Kedavra!"
And everything happened at once. Ignoring his wounded foot, Fred pushed Ginny over and threw himself on her. Harry flung himself at Susan's legs to similar effect. And Sirius Black appeared from under his best friend's Invisibility Cloak and yelled "Ossifus Fractum!"
"Expelliarmus!" came simultaneously from Harry and Fred. And all three spells converged on the hapless attacker. Sirius' spell hit the wand arm between wrist and elbow, causing a horrible snapping sound, eliciting a scream. The arm just flopped over.
As has been seen Expelliarmus can just disarm a wizard, or blast them across the room, depending on the force applied. The two young wizards had yelled the spell with everything they had. And the masked Death Eater was hit from opposite directions. Imagine two male hippogriffs squaring off to mate with a female. They lower their heads and charge. Now put your average human right between the charging bucks. Even the mask seemed to show agony. The sound of the impact was nauseating. The Death Eater's pelvis, spine and lower ribs were not merely broken, they were pulverized. The figure stood there for an endless two seconds then crumpled like a puppet whose strings were cut.
Morbid curiosity catching all the magicals, they looked down on the results. They'd all (except Fred) been through suffering of varying degrees. Even Sirius, without a doubt the longest sufferer, choked down bile.
"Do you know her, Sirius?" asked Harry, with loathing in his tone. He'd been the first to recover his voice and act, pulling off the mask.
The witch was gurgling futilely. There was a fear in her eyes, but also a hate that even impending death did not deny. She clutched at Ginny's ankle and Fred yanked her away stomping on the offending hand. But the fallen Death Eater was beyond pain. There was a last trembling breath and the face was still.
"Never met her personally." Sirius answered Harry's question after a moment "But yeah. Your Dad and I had a few run-ins with her son at Hogwarts. This is surely the unlamented Mrs. Avery. The body can't stay here. Portus Grimmauld."
x
Long laid plans were implemented after the attack and #4 Privet Dr was emptied in less than an hour. Magically. Everything shrunk to fit in the trunk of Vernon's luxury BMW. Dudley was getting detailed instructions from Susan and Petunia was doting on Draco as she had for the past several months.
"I guess you expect us to thank you for this, Potter?" Vernon sneered from his driver's seat.
Long gone was the child who could be bullied by him "No, I don't expect it from you Uncle Vernon." He retorted "Deserve it? Yes. Really you should thank Dudley that he got his head out of his ass. Or I just might have left you here for Voldemort. And he would have, too. Sooner or later. Count yourself lucky that Katie came along, too, the only other places would've been magical ones."
"Black!" Vernon snorted "More pollution of my family."
Harry shrugged "You'll have to take that up with Dudley. If they marry, your grandkids could come out black or magical or both. Bye Uncle Vernon. If I see you again it'll be because I couldn't help it."
x
It had been discovered that computers just did not function properly in magical areas. Like the current safest place for Harry's group, which was Bones land. The other problem being it was 20 miles from the nearest communication line, so no internet. So Hermione's bedroom was the command center, with enough of the computers from Privet Dr. to do the job. There were now thirty witches and wizards in her magically expanded room. She whispered to Harry "No Malfoy?"
"At the Greengrass' for the evening." he replied.
She shook her head "I feel sorry for that little girl."
"You need to stop thinking of Astoria that way. We grew up, so did she." Harry rebuked her without anger "And you haven't seen them together much. She might end up running him. Forget that now. The sun is already setting over Switzerland."
She nodded at him "Right people! We have a lot to cover in the next few minutes." She touched her wand to the computer screen and said "Engorgio!" It filled her window "This, ladies and gentlemen, is the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland and France. It is the largest laboratory on Earth. We have worked out a way to combine part of their work with magic to create a weapon that, if it works right, will wipe out You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters in a single blow."
"A thing the entire Auror Corps has been fighting," Alastair Moody groused "and a Muggle-born with a pretty painting thinks she can do it all by herself! Hmpf! Tommyrot!"
Hermione did not want to claim more than her due "I had plenty of help from—"
"Whom?" Remus was curious.
Harry shook his head "That's need to know. And just now, if you don't already, you don't need to. Go on Granger."
"There are several entrances you'll need to secure." She said "You all have maps like this one. Your assignments are marked on yours. Almost the entire staff leaves at night, except ten technicians and one or two scientists who could be anywhere in the complex. We'll need them to do most of the work. Get them by surprise and Imperio them as quickly as you can."
Neville looked displeased "Are Unforgivables really necessary?"
"I remember Professor Moody's class too, Nev." Answered Harry "But there's also a very good chance the last Lestranges will be there when we strike our real target. And no one, I mean NO ONE has any permission to use ANY lethal curse. Am I clear?"
Remus nodded, but put in "Have you carefully considered this Harry? France and Switzerland could take offense and cause an international incident. And any weapon as destructive as you say… How much damage can it do?"
"If it works the way it should" answered Hermione "only about an acre should be affected. And there will be no evidence of how it happened."
Harry nodded, just the right amount of detail there. Then answering the other concern "We should be in and out in an hour. No alarm should be raised. But if anything does go wrong, then our illustrious Minister will have to save our collective asses."
"I really wish you would show Dumbledore some resp-" Remus complained.
Harry ignored him "Me, Granger, and some others will run things from the control room. And once we're done, we'll shoot up good old Voldie's Mark which is the signal to leave. Plus it'll point the French and Swiss at the bad guys."
"Any other questions?" asked Hermione. The wizards and witches did not even know enough about what they had in mind to know what to ask. So when nothing was heard she said "Everyone apparate to your positions."
Remus did not leave, nor did Sirius because he caught the worried expression on his friend's face "I'll be honest" said the werewolf "Harry, this use of Unforgivables. A plot against Muggles? Framing even You-Know-Who for a crime he did not commit? How could you have changed in the just a few months?"
"What's good for the goose is good for the gander." Harry quoted "And now really isn't the time for a philosophical debate. Are you in or out?"
The werewolf could only nod "You're the only remnant of my best friend. And I promised to make up for wronging you. But, would you explain what this weapon is?"
"We don't even know if it will work or not, Remus. But once it's ready, you'll see it in action." Hermione replied. It was an evasion and everyone there knew it.
x
There were almost forty pops along the Swiss/French border. But so spread out were they that no one noticed any particular one. Entry into the vast underground research center was at a few carefully placed buildings and only by authorized personnel. The witches and wizards walked up, casually, using various pretenses, and Imperioed every mostly bored guard. Then took up a place where they could see every approach.
"It's done and the physicists are on the way." announced Harry.
Hermione only nodded. She'd carefully studied every photo of every piece of equipment. Dudley and Katie had hacked into the Large Hadron Collider's database, so even the secret stuff was an open book. The witch was busy setting up everything she possibly could, but before the physicists arrived she hit the brick wall of unbreakable codes "Sod it!" she cursed "so untrusting!"
"These the ones you need Potter?" asked Moody. He, Fred and George arrived with five of the specialists in tow.
Hermiome gently, so as not to distrurb the effect of the spell, Hermione directed them to all enter code after code. Nor could she do all of the work herself. There are things she had not had time to learn, but she knew enough to put the Muggle scientists to their tasks.
"All gluon and positron emitters ready." A zombie with a nametag of 'Merkle' reported.
Nametag Smythe reported "All power intake at peak. Over twenty terawatts available."
It was intoxicating for Hermione. At this moment, no single person on the planet had control over as much power. She took a calming breath, put the Time Tuner into position and concentrated on it. More and ever more power focused on the exact same spot inside the Time Tuner. There was nothing visible, even in the most powerful microscope, but something was happening. Dials and monitors began reacting. From her trance, Hermione ordered "More power."
"White Dwarf density achieved." Announced nametag 'Merkle'
Again, from Hermione, "More particles." The lasers forced the subatomic particles in the exact center of their focus into smaller volumes. More matter in ever less space. But it took time, increasing the risk. And more power for less result, like walking up an ever steepening hill. Then, they succeeded. Hermione cast "Pico-Impedimenta" She had created the spell herself for this occasion. A normal Impedimenta will cause a person or thing to visibly slow. This spell slowed time to one trillionth of its normal speed. This was the problem that Large Hadron Collider scientists had with creating Black Holes, they would evaporate almost before the computers were able to detect them.
"Great! We're done?" asked Harry in worried tones.
Susan, from the opposite side of the large control room yelled "You know we're almost an hour over time!"
"And we've used almost twice the energy I thought!" gasped Hermione. "We probably blacked out a quarter of the homes in the area! Why did someone not tell me?"
Harry demanded, more forcefully "ARE we DONE?" And barely had the word Yes even formed on Hermione's lips that he ran up the steps to the surface taking them two or three at a time. He pointed his wand in the sky and yelled "MORSMODORE!" Small flashes of purple let him know his allies were leaving.
"Obliviate them all." Moody ordered. Neville and Susan obeyed while Moody assisted Hermione outside. Soon they were safe in England.
x
"Great to see ya again mate!" exclaimed Ron Weasley. It had been over a week since Harry's last visit. "Now what have you gotten my wife doing?"
Harry retorted "How about if I give you my word that, if you get to the Wizengamot tomorrow, you'll know as much as I do. I don't want to say more now because. Ahh, Malfoy… greetings and felicitations."
"Likewise Potter." And Draco gave the nod one noble would give an equal. "Your company is always a delight, My Lady." Then he roguishly took Susan's hand and kissed it.
As Susan walked over to Harry and more or less hung herself over his shoulder, Ron frowned "I could maybe get used to Malfoy as an ally. MAYBE. But his filthy paws on Hermione! How can you stand it Harry?"
"Because, no matter what other choices she might have made, Susan chose me." Replied Harry, earning a warm snuggle from his wife. And with a look of mischief added "Plus I get to boil her lips if she kisses him." There was not a single negative from Susan punching his shoulder, to Ron's raucous laughter and Draco's glare of utter contempt.
Crossing his arms, outraged dignity in every line "I did not come here to be insulted Potter. Nor does seeing Weasley fill me with joy. He brings out the worst in you. What do you want?"
"Oh nothing much." Replied Harry, flippantly "Just all the back door passwords, spells and secret entrances to Malfoy Mansion. And, of course, as detailed a map as you can possibly supply." Then he just stood there.
And Draco blinked, thinking The audacity! "Do I get to ask why?"
"Our alliance is based on my helping get you back in your estate?" asked Harry in reply "Is it not?" Into the blond wizard's befuddled mouthings, he added "I can't get my spy out to plan without them."
That suddenly made sense, you could not accuse Draco of stupidity "The Elf. That's where he's been all these months. Right, one condition. I go with you."
"Yep. Took you long enough." Harry commented. He wasn't lying to Draco, quite. But the result of tonight's actions would not be what he expected. Nor would Draco's presence be allowed to disrupt the plan.
Draco only waited long enough to see his ally nod in agreement and departed.
"I imagine you're sick of this Hospital Wing?" Harry less than asked of his friend.
Ron rolled his eyes "Do you know how many holes there are in the ceiling? Huh? From end to end 14,778,304! I'd kiss McGonagall to get out even for a day!"
"Knew you had something for her." Harry giggled "You two made great dancing partners."
Ron flushed scarlet "Fred and George are bad enough! Don't you start!"
"That's the best I've seen you yet, old friend." Harry's smile was in full evidence "but, now that I think about it, you deserve to see this happen as much as me. How about you come along on this little expedition? And I was looking for someone to konk Draco a good one at the right moment. Interested?"
Ron gave a gleeful, delighted snicker, then frowned "But I can't walk. I can barely stand!"
"Wanna bet a Galleon or two you can stand long enough to knock out Draco? And even if you fall, you can have the fun of landing on him." This remark coming, surprisingly, from Susan.
Ron shrugged "Sounds like fun. So, just what is this great plan of yours?"
"Oh no!" Harry laughed "You're going to have to be as surprised as Draco."
x
For the next few hours events were the same as the day before. Plans were discussed, positions were assigned. Folks were fairly spread out as the Malfoy castle was particularly large. Not as large as Howarts, perhaps, but still a huge structure.
"How much time do we have, Harry?" asked Susan, timidly. They were just two of the vastly outnumbered members of Harry's group currently encircling the castle.
He glanced at her, the castle, then his watch before answering "Dobby should be here in five minutes. What's on your mind?"
"We are betraying Draco." She commented "You do realize that, right?"
Harry frowned at her, then shrugged "We are doing exactly what I promised. Ridding his property of Death Eaters. Have you looked around this place? Voldemort hasn't done anything to keep it up. Though I can't believe it could fall apart like this in a year. From what Sirius tells me about her, I'd bet Narcissa would approve even at the cost."
"Maybe, but it's Draco we'll have to live with for the next century or so." She pointed out, more practically than philosophically. "Even now, you could tell him the truth. He might even agree with it."
Harry considered it for a time, thinking bitterly 'It'd serve him right, though.' Then he changed his mind "Well, if it's important to you. Then alright. Let's see what it gets us." Less than a minute later, Harry was asprawl on the polluted Malfoy grounds, unconscious. And Ron dropped Draco a moment after.
Dobby appeared and looked about in confusion "I has a report for Harry Potter."
"You'll report to me." Susan turned on all of her Ancient and Noble training.
And Elf ears hit the ground "Yes Mistress Potter! Dobby sees 149 Death Eaters. Theys use only Dark Lord wards. Bad news, no Dark Lord present. Dobby is so sorry. Chief bad wizard has it He returns tomorrow."
"Bloody hell!" exclaimed Susan, thinking furiously. Dobby's disappearance would be noticed by some demanding Death Eater in minutes. And given the result of her suggestion, Draco would never let them get close again. "Hermione go!"
She hesitated "Err… are you sure?"
"That was the first warning." Susan pointed at the blue sparks she'd just shot from her wand. And a minute later she fired off a streak of red light and bluntly told her "Right now everyone is throwing anti-apparition jinxes and hexes. Dobby told Harry how to block House Elf apparition, but he's out now. What'll happen to us if they get out?"
Hermione nodded and took Dobby's hand. In a fraction of a second, they were in the castle. She took on a nasty expression and shoved the Elf "Move wretch!" she screeched. To be the cause of even that much suffering disturbed her, but it had to be kept up. She kicked the dishrag clothed Elf in the back.
"Missie Grangey is too soft!" hissed Dobby.
She whispered "No Dobby!"
"You is a weak Mudblood!" the sneer was impressive.
And she'd been pushed too far. Hermione slapped Dobby with all her might and he went flying. She was immediately regretful and chased the flying form.
"HEllooooo young one." Hot, stale breath crept across her bare neck "Misbehaving Elves. Fine job, girlie. How about you and me split a few bottles of Firewhiskey?"
Her lip curled in a look of disgust "Smells like you've had a few already. Go crawl back into your hole!"
"Hehhehheh!" the Death Eater forced an embrace on her "In case you did not know, I'm Antonin Dolohov. And you would be well advised to be nice to me. You'll even enjoy it. I guarantee it."
Unnoticed, Hermione's wand slipped out of her wrist holster and into his groin "Listen here, Dolohov, I've developed a possible castration spell. It's not perfect, not enough testing. Shall I?"
"Enough of this!" ordered Amycus Carrow, who then turned on Hermione and added, suspiciously "I do not know you. Your arm! Show me!"
That had been planned for, but Dobby did not know and magically blasted both men. The noise was attracting attention and brought the curious.
"Dobby! Get us out of here!" Hermione yelled. She tossed the burden that had been hitched to her hip all day and it spun to a stop at the feet of several Death Eaters. A curious one picked it up, turning it in her hand. All the preparation, complicated spells and planning, the whole thing came down to a simple "Finite Incantatum!"
The problem with the micro black holes in the Large Hadron Collider always was that they winked out of existence almost before they were created. The Time Tuner and Hermione's spell changed that. Deep inside that magical device, this one lived and grew for a full day. But it grew slowly. With normal time resumed everything within its pull was sucked in. Before the two escapees vanished, they saw the Time Tuner and the hand that held it get sucked into oblivion. The witch screamed as madness took her. She attempted to run, but that was useless. Gravity run amuck caught the others in the room, not even allowing them to scream as they died.
"MY CASTLE!" roared Draco Malfoy as it happened. And knowing the full danger of charging in, Susan grabbed his arm and spun him around with his own momentum.
A second later, Ron was shaking his left hand "That bloody hurt!" he complained. Looking down at the again prone blonde wizard he was thrown off his feet by a powerful force. And while his legs were essentially useless, Ron's arms were very powerful. He caught Susan's leg just above the knee.
Draco had hit Harry a lot harder than Ron's first punch hit him. He was still very groggy, but in his daze he dug his nails into the ground as he felt the same force. He had little success at resisting, but after a few seconds the irresistible force was gone. He sat up and took stock. Malfoy was unmoving, over a hundred feet away. Nor could he see Hermione and Dobby.
"Hermione should have come back here." Ron, supported by Susan was beginning to worry. He was approaching panic when the others started to arrive.
Moody took over "Right. Good news, looks like we got them all and Voldemort too apparently. Potter, you and the Weasleys are the best on brooms. With no Death Eaters left, you should be safe. If trouble develops, run. This is command central. Report back here on the double if you find them, or danger arises. Flit!"