A/N: There is actually a potential plot hole in this series so far. It will be addressed later, but I'm curious who spotted it? I know magitech did, but no-one else mentioned it. So, who can spot my 'mistake'? Here's a hint: it's not in this chapter.

Harry sat in his room at Grimmauld Place, checking to see if he had missed anything while packing. Tomorrow was the day the Hogwarts Express left Platform Nine and Three Quarters, and he had finally given in to Hermione's nagging to be prepared. Ron, being Ron, had flat out refused to pack any earlier than absolutely necessary, which accounted for most of the mess in the room, but not all. He couldn't help but mull over Sirius's words a week ago, when his godfather effectively told him he'd be useless and in the way during a battle. He and his friends had fought Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries, but Harry realised with a sinking heart that despite their best efforts none of the Death Eaters actually went down. Instead, his friends all got hurt and the Order had to get involved, just because he was too idiotic to spot a trap when he saw one, and it almost got Sirius killed. His heart clenched as Harry remembered the moment Bellatrix's red spell impacted Sirius, knocking him back towards the Veil of Death; it was only a hasty summoning charm cast by Kingsley that prevented him from falling through. As it was Harry's godfather came extremely close to death and gave Harry the scare of a lifetime. He suspected his new boggart would be Sirius falling through the Veil before anyone could stop him.

Sirius poked his head around the door of his godson's room and found Harry sat on his bed, silent tears leaking down his cheeks. Immediately concerned, he stepped forward.

"Harry? What's wrong?"

Harry glanced up briefly before returning his gaze to his lap.

"Come on, talk to me." Coaxed Sirius.

"I've been thinking about what you said. About me being a distraction." Sirius sighed, preparing for the argument to come.

"You're right."

Sirius blinked. That was not what he expected. Merlin knows he wouldn't have backed down when he was 15. He once got so drunk he attempted to convince James that Severus Snape was actually a Vampire in disguise that was plotting to overthrow Dumbledore. Despite regularly seeing the greasy git in broad daylight Sirius still refused to admit that he was wrong, even when he was sober. For Harry to back down about something like this was...surprising.

"Whenever I try and help other people, I just get them killed." Harry hung his head in dejection.

"That's not true!" exclaimed Sirius.

"Yes it is! I got Cedric killed in the Tournament, and then I went to the Ministry to save you, and you almost died trying to save me!" yelled Harry.

Sirius opened his mouth to reply, but a call from downstairs interrupted him.

"Sirius! Severus wants to talk to you!" shouted Mrs Weasley.

"Tell him it can wait!" Sirius yelled back.

"He-"

"FILTH! TRAITORS OF BLOOD! STAINS ON THE WIZARDING WORLD!" Screeched Mrs Black. Fortunately she was quietened fairly quickly, but it still left everyone's ears ringing. Mrs Weasley opted to climb the stairs, rather than run the risk of further disturbing Walburga. One verbal haranguing was quite enough.

"Severus said it was quite urgent." She informed Sirius upon reaching the landing.

"Well, quite urgent isn't urgent enough then." He replied shortly.

"But, Sirius, he said that it's to do with You-Know-Who's attack."

Sirius hesitated. Turning an apologetic glance to Harry and receiving a reluctant nod in return, he made his way downstairs. Their godfather to godson conversation would have to wait.

Tapping his foot irritably in the kitchen stood Severus Snape. His lip curled. "And what, pray tell, did the great Sirius Black deem more important than the Dark Lord's next attack."

Rather than rise to the bait, Sirius mused to himself, "The Great Sirius Black. I like the sound of that."

The potions master gave an annoyed huff at the ego of the other man, but decided to relay his information as quickly as possible so as to escape the brash idiot. Who did, admittedly, have some slight luck with planning battles.

"Later today the Dark Lord intends to launch a three pronged attack to remind the Wizarding populace that no-one is safe. He will send his strongest team of Death Eaters to attack Scrimgeour, another team to destroy the Weasley hut, and two giants and a small squad of Death Eaters to kill some Muggles. He plans to kill blood traitors, political opposition and a great many Muggles in one fell swoop."

Sirius exchanged a grim look with the spy. They both knew that this had the potential to be catastrophic.

"Molly, call the Order. Tell them to get anyone and everyone here, right now." As Mrs Weasley hurried off to do as instructed Sirius leaned forward. "Where are the giants attacking?"

"London, one on each side of the Thames." Replied Severus promptly. "Or that's his plan. Only one of them will make it there."

"What do you mean?"

"Right, what're we up against." Growled Moody as he stumped out of the fire. He was one of the first Order Members to arrive, and wasn't going to waste any time with greetings.

"Three squads of Death Eaters and two giants." Reviewed Sirius. Moody swore.

"One of the Death Eater squads will be attacking the Weasley house, which is empty." Pre-empting the next question Snape explained, "My cover was blown anyway, so I decided to do as much damage as possible before leaving. I convinced the Dark Lord that the Weasleys were at their hovel, so he wasted a team by sending them there. I also rigged one of the portkeys for the giants. Instead of the centre of London, the giant will appear over the Atlantic Ocean. I am fairly confident that giants can't swim, so we shouldn't be seeing him again."

"That leaves two squads and a giant. Targets are?"

"Scrimgeour and the Muggles." Fired off Sirius. They were on borrowed time, and were talking at a mile a minute in order to keep themselves on time.

"The Muggle-hunting Death Eaters are just Jugson and Travers. Gibbon and Avery are with the other giant, but being deposited in the Atlantic will probably stop them participating. They're weak Death Eaters anyway."

"What about Scrimgeour?" Questioned Moody.

Snape winced. "The Carrows and the Lestrange Twins."

The other two mimicked his wince; both pairs of siblings were a force to be reckoned with when together. The Carrows especially were to be avoided where possible.

"The Weasley team?" checked Sirius

"Rowle, Rookwood, Selwyn and Malfoy."

"Strong group." Grunted Mad-Eye.

A shrug was his only answer. "Perhaps the Dark Lord anticipated reinforcements for the redheads?"

"Don't question a Unicorn's intentions.*" Spoke Sirius.

"The giant is the problem." Began Moody.

"Shame we don't have a very powerful wizard who might be able to defeat it." Said Sirius pointedly.

With impeccable timing, Professor Dumbledore stepped out of the floo to find the unlikely trio of Sirius, Snape and Moody all looking at him thoughtfully.

"I am terribly sorry, but to what do I owe the, ah, pleasure of your scrutiny?"

"You're killing a giant today Albus." Moody informed him.

The ancient wizard paled drastically. "I beg your pardon?"

"You heard." Snapped Sirius. "Voldie has a giant, and you are the only person who might be able to bring it down. So psyche yourself up or whatever to prepare."

"Surely you do not wish me to kill the giant? The damage-"

Moody growled. "Albus I swear if you complain about diplomatic relations I will hex you."

The Headmaster remained silent.

"Alright, Mad-Eye?" said Sirius.

"Aye lad?"

"You and Kingsley are on protection duty for Scrimgeour. The moment Kingsley comes through you turn him round and head straight there. Tell Scrimgeour you got a tip-off or something. It'll be a tough fight, so good luck."

Moody nodded before his good eye landed on Kingsley, whom he manhandled back into the floo.

"Aberforth, you're with me!" called Sirius. "Albus has a giant to deal with, we'll watch his back for any Death Eaters."

'Right." Nodded the innkeeper. He and his brother followed Sirius through the floo and prepared for one heck of a fight.

*That's a wizarding expression that means the same as 'don't look a gift horse in the mouth.' Or at least, it is in my universe.

A/N: Hopefully magitech will enjoy Dumbledore being forced to get off his backside and do something. Thank you to everyone else who has reviewed, favourited or followed this story. As always, thoughts, reviews and even flames are welcomed and appreciated. If you think you see a plot hole please tell me. Also, are you happy with my update style, or would you rather I take longer, but post bigger chapters? At the moment I post what I have, when I have it.