Politics
That Sunday, Sev asked Lily at breakfast that they keep an eye on Potter during the intervals they were going to walk through the seventh floor corridor, and she confirmed that they would.
Avery, on his right, get a letter. Sev glanced at it. Malfoy's handwriting. The snake, excited, did not wait to open it and read it. He hopeshim to appoint him, how deluded, he thought.
"Wow, Snape... Malfoy tells me that they're going to appoint you by May, what luck, you're going to start training now…"
Lucius, letting me know in advance without committing myself.
"Tell them about me, please," Avery continued. "I also want to start as soon as possible."
"Sure, Avery, I'll do what I can," Sev replied. What a surprise you are going to get.
"I'm sure they'll listen to you."
I don't even need to read these ones anymore, I have them completely mastered.
He projected to Lauren, "Avery just received a letter from Malfoy in which he warns me of the appointment in May."
"That cunning snake," she said with admiration. "Then you can also tell Jack tonight about the day you're going to receive it.Next week you have the last training and you must plan it together.Tell Lily."
He projected to Lily and told her.
"I still find it incredible that Malfoy is protecting you like that," she told him.
"I think he is very worried about me."
"Well, in two weeks he won't be."
The time he had left from breakfast to going up to the Room of Requirement, Sev spent in the Library making a list of everything he had to talk about with Jack in the afternoon.
He finally went up to the seventh floor. At ten past ten he demanded the Training Room. The door was medium, like the one in the Classification Library. He entered. George, the Sly, who introduced him to his girlfriend, Angie, and Lorenz, the Rave, who introduced him to the other two eagle girls, Genevre and Julia, were already waiting for him at the door.
The three of them shook his hand firmly and expressed their relief that he was on their side, and that they were to dead with him. I don't have to read them.
He observed the room, very wide, enough for more than fifty people. We will be able to train here in winter, and in any case, demand it for more people.It is perfectly illuminated by windows on both sides, and in the background, a large bookcase with books, Defense Treaties.A cabinet and a desk with four chairs next to it, material for planning.Great, we're not going to need to leave here to do it.There are also numerous cushions to fall on, what a bargain.
Well, we are fifteen, Jack has already organized the training of the other nine and they have started, I have to organize these five with me. I should try the Rave girls out, see who is the best, to make her a commander.
He told the Sly couple and the Rave boy, "Talk to Jack and have him organize you," and to the eagle girls, "I'll stay with you to test you." They did so, Sev against both of them. "Without disarming, non-verbal, legal and if you like, without Protegos. Use them if you are in a bind, so that the fight is balanced." This way I file the one that uses them the least.
"Okay, Prince, let's get to it."
Within a few minutes he already realized that both were as good as the boys and were very even, neither used Protegos. Wow, I'm going to have a hard time choosing.Let's see, politics.Genevre is Lorenz's girlfriend, better a couple as commanders.Then she'll be.
They stopped a little before twelve, called the Sly couple and the Rave boy and sat on the floor on cushions to chat among the six of them. They all told him that since Jack suggested they join the Guard on Monday, they had spent the week training in empty classrooms or in the Forest, that they were very happy that some of them had taken the initiative to organize and thought it was great that they were doing it around him, for a reason as essential as freeing him from the risk of having him on the opposite side in war. Just as Lauren expected.
The others were leaving the room in turns. The six of them were last and they all went down together through the passageway to the Great Hall. Sev waited for the others to leave and he did last.
During lunch he projected the good news to Lauren and Lily.
"You already have three commanders, you need the alternative fourth one," Lauren told him. "Another Sly girl, two Slys and two Raves, two boys and two girls, balance. You have three to choose from, don't just think about their level, but also about politics, like you did with Genevre. I let you think."
Sev thought, Angie, the new Sly, I haven't tried her out yet, I was thinking of doing it this afternoon, but if I put her and not her boyfriend, there could be an imbalance between the two, and the same with Valerie, even if she's a better warrior than Deborah. In addition, the latter has been in the Guard from the beginning, she is in the secret of the Ancestral Magics and she was the one who had the idea of recovering all the hidden books. She has worked hard since I joined, she is totally loyal to me and she is being very respectful and discreet, she deserves recognition. Besides, she and Jack know each other well and Anthony will understand that perfectly. "I got it, Deborah."
"Very well, she deserves it," Lauren agreed. "It was she who had the idea to form the Guard, and the others will understand it."
"Oh... so you've also read her."
"Of course. When you were in the process of entering, to find out if she would betray you."
The one that said that she does not read allies, Sev thought. She breaks her own rules to protect me at all costs.
"In fact, I think you should make all four of them commanders, no alternatives, and you supervise and be available to the Gryffs who join, so five up front in the Great Hall," Lauren continued. "Two Raves, twoSlys, two boys and two girls, and you, in the center.Now think about how to distribute them by years.Remember, politics and balance."
He thought, If I put the two boys in sixth and seventh year there is an imbalance. Deborah does not have a level to teach the seventh years and it would be two Slys in the upper years. So I'll put Genevre with the seventh years. I have Deborah and Lorenz left for fourth and fifth years. Deborah is capable of teaching fifth year and Lorenz is so nice that he will win over the fourth-years who are undecided and he won't mind if his girlfriend takes the seventh-years, total, she's only going to organize them for a month and a half. "I have it. Genevre for seventh year, Jack for sixth, Deborah for fifth, and Lorenz for fourth."
"Okay. Add the numbers for Rave and Sly and for boys and girls."
Rave, seven plus four, eleven; Sly, six plus five, eleven; boys, six plus four, ten; girls, seven plus five, twelve. "Eleven, eleven, ten and twelve, with an advantage for the girls."
"But the Commander in Chief is you, a boy," Lauren said. "Totally balanced. Bravo! Don't wait for next week. Finish at half past five and plan the whole strategy now, all five of you. You'll still have time to hang out with Jack for a while if you have anything else to talk about in private."
"Won't it be a lot at once? Jack still doesn't know about May 15th, and I don't think it's a good idea to let him know at the same time as everyone else. And is the first day Genevre comes."
"Jack will understand, rest assured. And Genevre will be honored that you would give her such a position on the first day of meeting her. Politics."
"It is now your favorite word," Sev said.
"I bet what you want that if you do it like this, next week they will get the other sixth-year Raves and some seventh-years, and there would also be a balance in the ranks. Those who remain at the tables will not hesitate to join, you would already be the twenty-nine."
That afternoon he battled the two sixth year Sly warriors, Valerie and Angie. A little to hide and to try the second one, which is also great. After the break, he did it with Ariel, as he was used to. Wow, he's practically at my level in third year.I already know who will be the Commander in Chief when I finish school.That way he will also be protected from the strife when it is his turn.
They stopped for a while before half past five to chat, the little one told him, "We are already many, soon you will be able to be with us, won't you?"
"Yes, honey, have a little more patience and we'll make it," Sev replied. "We are going to try to be more to throw the bad guys out of school."
"Wow… that would be great."
"Sure. And all thanks to you."
The boy smiled wickedly at him. How he looks like me, Sev thought.
At half past five they concluded the training and left in turns, while Sev and the four commanders sat at the table in the back, he Summoned a fifth chair. He explained to them, "Avery, one of the malefics of my year who sits with me in the Great Hall received a letter from Malfoy this morning in which he told him that he will write to me on May 15th to make an appointment."
"Wow…" said Genevre, the Rave girl. "Besides, you're a magnificent double agent."
Indeed. Sev explained to them the strategy to follow in the Great Hall, when he'll receive the letter.
"Yes," said Lorenz, the eagle boy. "Those from home would be willing to join immediately if we are more Raves. Let me talk to some of them, Prince, and we'll do like today, so they'll be at the next training, which will be the last, and meet you in person."
This guy is so nice that he knows how to win people over right away.I'm going to trust him, Sev thought. "You have my permission, Lorenz."
"Brilliant."
"Many Slys will join too, Prince," Jack said.
He's read them, later I'll talk to him alone. "Well, in case we'll be enough... Have you brought the list I asked for, Jack?" Sev asked.
"Yes, here it is."
They tallied up fifth, sixth, and seventh-year warriors, which Sev already knew by heart. These two must already be smelling that we read. "Shooting high, we would be twenty-nine Slys and Raves, plus seven Huffles, if they dare, maybe some Gryffs and also fourth-year students who plan to prepare the OWL next year," Sev said.
"Booaaah," said Lorenz. "Almost fifty, maybe."
"The objective is to throw the malefics out of the school."
"Of course."
"And to form the germ of an army," Sev added. "That's why I've stayed with you four." Everyone but Jack looks at me expectantly.He knows Lauren well enough to know that it was all her idea. "I can't control so many people alone, not even Jack and me, so I need you as commanders. I would like to organize a training session right after the uncovering, on the shore of the Lake, where we can all fit and in full view of the bad guys. Let them find out what awaits them and get scared of us."
"Cunning Sly…" Lorenz said. "And why did you choose us instead of those of your House?"
"It's obvious, isn't it? So that there is balance. Two boys and two girls, two Slys and two Raves," Sev replied.
"Sure…"
"Are you willing? You will acquire prominence and more risk."
"Yes, I am," Genevre said.
"And me, of course," said Lorenz.
"What a stupid question, Prince…" Deborah said, smiling at him.
She is delighted to command a squad, of course.She's going to be perfect.Jack just smiles at me, he doesn't need to say anything, he already knew it was going to be his turn.Until now I have been second to him, but now he is mine, Sev thought. "Very well, then let's plan it. We are going to shoot high, just in case, if we are fewer later, it will be easier. I have thought about organizing ourselves for years, the level will be more equal and we will all be mixed, with which we will strengthen ties."
"Great," Lorenz said.
"Let's see what you think of what I thought. Genevre, you with the seventh-years, I know that it may be a lot of responsibility for you, but I see you perfectly capable of organizing them so that they fight among themselves and perhaps they will be the least involved, since they have the exams in sight. Do you see yourself capable?"
"Yes, if you teach me next week," Genevre replied.
"Okay, then we will organize the training between the two of us and I will also help you supervise them at the time," Sev proposed. "Jack, you with the sixth-years, they are the ones from your year and they will continue next year, they are the ones who are going to show the most interest and to whom we must give more prominence."
"Perfect, Prince," said Jack.
"Deborah, you with the fifth-years," Sev continued. "Focus on the OWLs syllabus, which you know perfectly well. They must take out the Outstanding, they will also be very interested, and you have already been training enough to know how to organize them."
"All right, Prince," Deborah said.
"Lorenz, you stay with the fourth-years. Does it seem to degrade you?" Sev asked.
"What are you saying? Not at all," Lorenz replied. "I am proud that you are counting on me knowing me for just two days."
"I thought of you for it because I know that with your character you are going to win over the undecided, and next year many more people will be encouraged to prepare the Defense OWL, it seems to me an essential position," Sev explained.
"Thank you for trusting me like that, Prince."
"And you?" Jack asked.
"I will oversee and win over the Gryffs who join if the miracle happens," Sev replied. "And in any case, I'll give Genevre a hand. All right?"
The four nodded.
"Okay, something else," Sev continued. "What I told you before about we all will stand at the back of the Great Hall, in front of the teachers' table."
"Yeah."
"The five of us in front, in formation and on guard, with the clothes with which we usually train camouflaged under the robes, we'll take them off."
"Wow, of course… And you in the center," said Jack.
"That is. The girls next to me and the boys next to them, but not in pairs of Sly and Rave, but also mixed," Sev said. "Politics, unite both Houses, half of the school."
"That's fantastic, Prince, we're going to blow it up," Genevre said.
"Historical," said Jack.
"And the same between the rows, all mixed up," Sev added. Faces of illusion, the five of us are already dreaming. "I have already told you so that we can talk about it together next week. Since we will be twenty at most, five in front, fifteen behind, they can form a single line, so everyone can be seen."
They were nodding.
"And since we know the exact day, all you have to do is pay attention to when the owls arrive with the mail," Sev continued. "You get up, you all go together to the back of the Great Hall and form, leaving my hole, while I slap it."
"And if it drops the letter?" Genevre asked.
Very good question, but I know Lucius is going to send it to me tied up so I can return it unopened, Sev thought. "Whenever Malfoy writes to me, he does it waiting for an answer, because he knows I don't have an owl, especially in a case like this." It's a lie, it always drops it and I answer him with one from the castle.
"That said, a magnificent double agent," Genevre said.
"What I was telling you, you form leaving my hole, I will arrive last."
"So you can be seen heading there alone," said Jack.
Jack has been reading about me for a long time and he knows how famous I am. "That is."
"Wouldn't it be better the other way around?" asked his friend. "That you placed yourself in front and the others after?"
"I've been mulling over the issue and I alone wouldn't attract attention other than the snakes that surround me," Sev answered. "It is better that you have already created the expectation yourselves, so people will be aware of what happens."
"Right," said Jack.
"And what do we do with our robes?" Genevre asked, laughing.
"On the ground, the elves will pick them up to wash," Sev replied. "It's Saturday, there's no class. If all goes well, we'll repeat on Sunday."
"You think big, Prince," Lorenz said admiringly.
If you knew what it took me to get there, I never would have done it without Lauren, Sev thought. "At the moment nothing else."
"Shall we train both days next weekend?" the Rave boy asked.
How they want to train. "We'll meet on Saturday, we'll explain to everyone what is there and decide," Sev answered. "Will you stay a while, Jack?"
"Of course," Jack replied.
They all got up to say goodbye. The three gave him hugs and the two Raves to Jack, the hand.
"We are in contact and we will tell you the progress," said Lorenz.
"Great," Jack replied.
Sev and Jack were left alone in the immense space. His friend asked him, "How will we do the rest of the time to escort you?"
"What we had planned at first, the four fifth-years between classes, but the rest of the time we would leave Heather and Fiona aside," Sev replied. "It would be enough with you three if Valerie and Andrew joined too."
"I'm sure they'll want to, I'll tell them. You and Anthony are going to be in even more danger at night."
"I think that if we reach a critical mass Dumbledore will propose some solution. In any case, we can escape here to sleep. And in the most favorable scenario, none of this will be necessary. If we make a big mess, the malefics will escape from the school. They are terrified of me, I have them dominated, and more since this morning they found out that Malfoy is going to appoint me now, they consider me his future commander. What a scare I'm going to give them, I'm looking forward to seeing his faces when I'll throw the owl out."
"You must be sick of seeing them," Jack commented.
"Of course. And you? I've noticed you've been reading allies from home."
"Yes, I've been doing it all week when I've had time. They did notice the movement last Saturday and are eager to join, all seventh-years, it will do great for their Auror Academy exams."
"Sure…"
"And I think they are going to accept you the same as they all have, when they see how many we are and how clear your ideas are," his friend continued. "We can risk bringing them next weekend, there are four more and there is another sixth-year boy, Edward, plus the Raves that join, we will be between twenty and twenty-six."
"You have to discount the two little ones, between eighteen and twenty-four, but we will far exceed the malefics, critical mass. Do it. Go for all."
"I'll entrust it to Valerie and Andrew, they know them better."
"Brilliant."
"Shall we bring Ariel next week?" Jack asked.
Ugh… I should explain to him why he can't get up with the Guard or train with the elders, but he shouldn't be present when we plan the strategy together, which is the first thing we have to do, so that whoever decides doesn't join, Sev thought. "Only in the afternoon, in the morning we all have to hold an assembly."
"I'll explain it to him."
"Thank you, Jack. If we are around twenty, we will divide into two groups to train. I'll take care of the seventh-years with Genevre, that way I teach her and they already know me, and you of the sixth-years, they're going to be your squad. The two little ones together as always, and also the fifth-years. Anthony is doing great with our two companions."
"Do you know that he has told me that they feel sorry for not being able to get the Defense OWL?" Jack said.
"Oh... If we had transmitted the magic of the Forest to them, perhaps they would have succeeded."
"Well, yes, but there would have been too many of us to learn to occlude in time. How are the Gryffs doing it?"
"Lily knows how to read deeply, I taught her well and she already had the talent, she passed it on to me," Sev replied.
"Yes, and they have been using the clearing all these afternoons, they have warned us."
"So if they keep asking you, leave it to them, so they can train and continue with the Mental Arts. Dumbledore might also suspect they're in on it, because of Lily and me, and try to read them."
"Of course, I'm sure they'll get it in fifteen days," his friend agreed. "I can't wait for the fifteenth of May to arrive."
For Lauren. "Me too," Sev replied. And Lauren.
"And with the books, what do we do?" Jack asked.
"Ugh… let's wait for all the trouble to pass. We've had a very tense two weeks, focus this week on swelling the ranks. We will still have a month and a half ahead of us before finishing the term. Don't tell anyone else at the moment, there were a lot of Dark Magic."
"I noticed."
"It will be necessary to choose very well who to entrust those secrets to," Sev said. "The best thing will be that we study them calmly and communicate orally what we consider useful or essential." We'll do it between the three of us, when Lauren reveals herself to Jack.
"Did you find the Red Magic one?"
"Yes, they were all three in the same closet, the Red, the Moon and the Druid, and many more Beneficial Ancestral Magics from other cultures."
"They were classified," Jack deduced.
"Yeah."
They chatted a while longer until it was time to go downstairs for dinner.
Sev just projected to Lauren, "Sailing wind."
And she to him, "All in order."
And he devoted himself to talking to Lily, who had spent the entire day watching over Potter.