A/N: Hey everyone! Longer a/n at the end for… reasons… but I wanted to say thanks for all the support! We're over 1500 followers, which is silly to me, and I have new people reviewing or messaging as they find the story. That's a pretty wild number for me, and I really appreciate the support from those of you that have reached out. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 38

June 15, 1996

Harry's Saturday was a perfect example of how bizarre his life had turned, though he did his best to tamp down the constant confusion he felt. He was called back to the Village for a meeting among Commanders, and somehow sat at the head of a table filled with leaders of military forces from across Europe. France, Italy, and Poland were represented by a pair each, with Moody and Amelia at the far side.

Troops from Bulgaria, Hungary, and Ukraine would be joining them within a week, and the influx of residents made Harry glad his land was so large. Jim Griggs and his team were constantly at work on barracks and other amenities, and the Village was quickly growing into quite the bustling town. The shopping district was busy from open to close, and Charlie's most recent report detailed just how successful the shops were proving.

"I'd like to recap before we get out of here," Moody said, breaking the quiet sidebars taking place around the table. "Alpha will be joined by two Italian Companies, and two French will be staged outside the platform. The rest of our force will be here in reserve, with porkeys at the ready. Everyone okay with that?"

"Are we sure Minister Weasley can't raise transportation wards?" Enzo asked neutrally, speaking as the new overall Commander of the French and Italian forces.

"I spoke to him about it this morning," Amelia confirmed with a grimace. "The existing wards are similar to St. Mungo's in that regard, and if there's a way to add to them further, we aren't aware of it. We'll be operating without our own wards, but the good news is nobody else can add theirs either."

"So we have an hour's window of possible danger," Enzo summarized darkly. "That's a long time, regardless of how many men we station..."

"It'll be much shorter than an hour," Harry offered, glad to feel necessary. "I'd guess sixty percent of the student population is already at home, having left after exams."

"Albus has also offered the remaining students the chance to floo home," Moody continued. "The only students on the train will be those with difficult or complicated home lives, and our illustrious leader and his friends have demanded to accompany them."

"That's an unnecessary risk," the Eastern bloc Commander, who's name Harry had yet to learn, remarked firmly. "You should floo here, sir. We can still hold the platform, and the risk to yourself will be removed."

"And what of the students?" he asked calmly in response. "What happens if the train is stopped? It's happened before..."

"Then we place a Company on the train."

"I like the idea, but I'll be wherever the students are. Forgive me, what's your name?"

"Commander Aleksy Bukowski, Marshal."

"Commander Bukowski," Harry said with a smile, accepting the title he offered so freely. "I won't forget it. Your idea of a Company on the train is a good one, and I'll leave it to you all to figure out who's that will be, but these students are my peers. They look to me in ways that are incredibly confusing, and to put it simply, I won't leave them when I've promised to be there."

"I'll offer my best," Bukowski reluctantly agreed. "They'll ensure the train is secure, though the platform is another beast."

"Thank you, Aleksy, and I promise to do nothing but eat snacks during the trip. The platform is obviously a target rich environment, but it sounds like we're stacking the odds in our favor. If anyone has any other ideas, please reach out through Moody."

The gathering took the obvious dismissal, all but Alastor and Amelia rising and exiting. Harry waited until the door was shut before deflating in relief, looking at his allies with tired eyes.

"That was well done, lad," Moody offered.

"I hated it."

"Get used to it. You're the 'chosen one' after all."

"Nah… I'm just the one that's here."

"Don't look so glum," Amelia interjected with a grin. "It could be one of the twins in your seat..."

"The seat wouldn't exist. May I leave?"

"Yes, Field Marshal Potter," Moody answered with an attempt at a sarcastic grin. "Your underlings give you permission to go about your day."

"I'm gonna start calling you 'underling' if you keep it up," Harry countered as he stood. "Thanks for being here."

"It's our job."

"What a weird world this is…"

—

As Remus neared Charlie's cabin he saw smoke flowing from the chimney, a sign he'd actually managed to catch the busy Weasley. He knocked on the door and was immediately bid to enter, smiling at the younger man who held a glass of whiskey in each hand.

"So, what's up?" Charlie asked once they were settled on the deck sipping their drinks.

"Just coming to check in," he answered with a shrug. "It's a bit too easy for us at the Manor to forget you're down here… wanted to make sure you aren't overwhelmed."

"I'm good! Macmillan as Mayor has thankfully taken some things off my plate, as I don't know if I'd have been able to manage that on top of everything else."

"I'm glad to hear it. The extraction went well..."

"Did it? We accomplished our goal, but I feel like everything went tits up at the first sight of Voldemort…"

"That was always going to happen," Remus countered reassuringly. "For most of us, that was the first time we'd even seen the man… much less fought him and his people."

"Still a shitshow... All the planning and training went out the window immediately, and if it wasn't for Harry and Albus chasing the bastard everywhere he went, things would've gone much differently."

"That's their role in this, though. As much as I hate it, Harry's purpose in this fight is to deal with Riddle, and ours is to keep everyone else off his back. When you break it down to that foundation, things went exactly as we needed them to."

"Pretty optimistic way of looking at it, but I'll take it. It's a damn miracle we didn't lose anyone."

"He seems to have a knack for those," Remus offered with a grin. "I'd say he has the lives of a cat, but he passed nine long ago."

"I don't know how he does it... It's like he's everywhere at once, and whatever the issue is gets fixed within moments."

"Harry said the same about you not long ago..."

"Come off it."

"He did! He was waxing poetic about how you've managed to get everyone settled here, and how conflicts were resolved before he even heard about them. He's incredibly grateful for your work here, as am I."

"It's been fun," Charlie admitted with a bit of a blush. "I didn't expect to be so happy here, but it's impossible to be bored and I have everything I could ask for. I guess a pretty witch could knock on my door, but that's about…"

He trailed off with a confused expression, and Remus couldn't help but chuckle at his sudden dumbfounded expression.

"Is Harry here?" Charlie asked incredulously.

Remus checked his pockets sarcastically, eventually shaking his head in the negative.

"Well his spirit must be, because Narcissa Malfoy is coming up the walk."

"Narcissa Black. Pretty witch, indeed..."

Charlie grinned in response before standing and heading for the front door. He opened it as Narcissa approached the porch, and Remus stood to join him.

"Charlie, Remus," Narcissa greeted as she stopped a few meters away.

"Miss Black," Remus smiled in response. "You look well! How are you?"

"Bored, and thank you. I had a question for Charlie if you two don't mind the interruption."

"I almost hope for one with Remus," the man in question answered with a grin. "If left alone for too long, I'm bound to get roped into another insane idea. Please come in."

The three quickly situated themselves in the living room, though Narcissa declined the offered drink. Remus noticed Charlie's appreciative glances at the woman, though he knew he wouldn't be so insensitive as to begin his normal flirtatious act.

"What can I do for you?" he asked warmly instead.

"I've grown a bit restless sitting in my home all day," she admitted with a grimace. "But I don't want to impose my presence on the villagers given what my ex-husband… is…"

"That won't matter here," Remus argued confidently, trying to set the woman at ease.

"The notes left on my door and rocks thrown at my window say differently..."

"The what!?" Charlie and Remus spoke together, like a bizarrely offended duet.

"I've had a few… issues with my neighbors," Narcissa admitted softly, her cheeks reddening. "Mrs. Brown came by with a cake when I moved in, and word must have gotten out about who I was."

"Narcissa," Charlie breathed, clearly trying to control his righteous anger. "You should've come to me... I would've put an end to it immediately."

"And then what? I'm the kid that ran to the teacher? I can handle myself, and so far it's been nothing but empty threats."

"But something could've been done," Remus offered, feeling the same anger Charlie felt.

That sort of behavior may be commonplace in the outside world, but the Village was supposed to be a refuge of sorts... A united group doing what they can to remain safe and fight back the darkness. The fact that a darkness existed within the refuge was alarming, and he wasn't looking forward to briefing Harry on the matter.

"You two are sweet to be so offended on my behalf," Narcissa countered, her face a neutral mask. "Honestly, I expected worse, and I was prepared for it. It's nothing. The issue is, I've grown tired of sitting in bed all day, but I don't want to make the other villagers uncomfortable with my presence. The short walk here was… awkward at best."

"Then I'll come to you," Charlie offered immediately. "Every afternoon, when I'm available, I'll stop by and we can take a walk or go for a fly. The other villagers know me well enough to be sure I won't stand for that nonsense."

"You don't need to do that. I was only going to ask for a portkey to visit Andromeda occasionally since she's yet to move here."

"We'll do that too, but you shouldn't have to wait all week for a chance to feel like a person. If you don't want my company, I'll ask Tonks when she has down time…"

"No," Narcissa interrupted, quicker than Remus expected. "She's busy enough with whatever she's doing. I'd appreciate your company if it's not a burden."

"I look forward to it."

Narcissa's eyes widened slightly at the admission, and Remus' couldn't help but follow. Charlie was great at playing an extrovert despite his introverted nature, but Remus didn't detect the slightest amount of acting from the man.

The blonde and redhead made formal plans and said their goodbyes, and Remus smiled at Narcissa as she made her exit. Charlie closed the door behind her, taking a moment before turning back to his remaining guest.

"Don't," he hissed, his hand still on the knob.

"Don't what?"

"Just… don't."

"In that case, I'd never."

Charlie turned with a glare, and Remus couldn't help the grin that grew on his face. He gestured to the chair opposite, and the redhead sat with a huff.

"I'm just doing my job, Remus."

"Your job as Head of the elves? Or as a member of Harry's team?"

"As a member of this Village."

"I didn't know we'd hired you..."

"Then my job as a decent person!"

"Charlie," Remus laughed, enjoying his friend's awkwardness. "I'm not gonna make fun of you for flirting with a pretty woman, if that's what it was."

"Sirius will."

"Then I won't tell him! Relax! This is what Harry was talking about, though… Problem arose, and you jumped at the chance to fix it."

"If only all problems were as interesting to fix…" Charlie admitted with a wry grin. "I'm sure Harry would've had some thoroughly fulfilling, intelligent, and meaningful solution."

—

"Should I just blast it?" Harry asked dumbly, earning exasperated glares from his friends.

"Absolutely," Neville answered sarcastically. "An unknown magical package from an unknown sender in a room filled with children… Let's blow it up."

"There's a card attached," Hermione offered with a roll of her eyes, grabbing the envelope.

"Harry," she read. "I ran into an old friend who works in exotic magical items. He had a basilisk skin, and after the story in your last letter, I couldn't think of a better early birthday gift. This beast wasn't as old as the one you fought, but its skin still made for a solid pair of boots and wand holster. Let me know if you need me, I'll be there immediately. Your friend, Viktor Krum."

"Its return address is the shop he bought it in," Daphne said as she studied the package. "That's why you don't recognize the magic."

"Okay, okay... I won't blow it up. Basilisk boots though, huh? Pretty cool."

"Very cool," Ron corrected. "They're completely magic-resistant."

Harry glanced at his friend, trying to see if there was a hint of jealousy in his tone. The gift being from a potential rival for Hermione would've been a point of frustration a year ago, but the boy had clearly matured. His excitement was genuine, as was his security in his relationship.

"Sweet," he finally offered with a grin. "I'll have to see if we can harvest the one in the Chamber."

"I'd like to see it," Daphne said softly.

"The Chamber?"

"If it's not a painful memory for you…"

"It's not," Harry assured her, a bit surprised by the request. "The fact that everyone made it out of that one alive means it's bottom twenty at best."

"So we can go?"

"Of course. Now, if you'd like."

"I'd like to come," Neville added immediately.

"Me too," Hermione agreed.

Harry was about to agree before Daphne's hand fell on his wrist.

"Guys," she began. "Do you mind if it's just the two of us today? We can plan a group trip before we leave."

"Of course," Hermione answered for the group. "I'll speak to Ginny and see if she wants to come. I have a feeling it'll be a bit different for her..."

"I'll talk to Astoria, Tracey, and Blaise."

"Perfect. You two go have… fun?"

Harry grinned at his friend's awkwardness, and grabbed his girlfriend's hand that remained on his wrist.

"Tall order for that place."

—

Harry held the door to the girls' bathroom for his girlfriend, feeling as awkward as he ever did entering the room.

"Why'd you want it to just be us?"

"Are you complaining?"

"Of course not, just curious."

"Two reasons," Daphne said as she peeked in the stalls for Myrtle. "The only one I'm willing to share is that we don't get enough alone time."

"Not exactly a romantic spot we're visiting…"

"You don't say?"

Harry moved to the sink with a grin, but was interrupted from opening the door by Myrtle's sudden appearance.

"HARRY!" the ghost squealed happily. "It's been ages since you visited."

"Yeah, sorry about that, Myrtle… I've had a weird year."

"I heard Peeves talking about it… he also mentioned your girlfriend..."

"The ghosts gossip about my love life?"

"Not much else to do," Myrtle countered with a shrug. "I wasn't happy when I heard, but the Bloody Baron seems to approve..."

"Tell him I said thanks," Harry said as the ghost glared in Daphne's direction. "We're headed down to the Chamber, but it was lovely to see you."

"I'd still enjoy visits…" she offered shyly, moving back towards the toilet she appeared from.

"I'll try."

The pair watched as the ghost disappeared, and Harry turned to find Daphne smirking at him. When he met her eyes they rolled dramatically, and he physically shook himself to move past the encounter.

"Competition in the spirit world…"

"Told you life around me would be weird."

"I believed you, but somehow that exceeded my expectations."

"Keep that in mind if you decide to leave me. I have options."

"A life in a toilet," Daphne agreed supportively. "Don't let me keep you from it."

"Just a solid backup plan."

"Was that a plumbing pun?"

"I'd call it a 'plun'..."

"Open the door, you idiot."

Harry did so, and turned to watch Daphne's expression as it opened. She was as shocked as he expected, taking a few moments before looking away. He gestured her forward, grabbing her hand as she neared.

"I'll go first," he offered. "It's a bit of a ride to the bottom, so I'll cushion the landing for you. Just hop in a few seconds after me, feet first, and try not to lose your dinner."

Daphne nodded nervously, and Harry kissed her hand in support. With one last smile he turned towards the pipe, climbing into it confidently.

Seconds later he was standing at the bottom, a large charm covering Daphne's descent. He heard the girl squealing slightly as she slid, and managed to catch her as she stumbled upon landing.

"That was… something," she observed breathlessly.

"At least you knew it was coming." Harry accentuated the words with two quick cleansing charms, and the pair shook themselves as the magic took hold. "You sure you wanna keep going?"

"It would be a bit of a tease to come this far," she said while looking around in wonder.

The pair made their way through the Chamber, and Daphne's eyes went hilariously wide at the sight of the shed skin. Harry widened the hole in the tunnel collapse with a simple wave of his hand, slightly overwhelmed by the difference in his magic in just a few short years.

"We're almost there," he began, turning to Daphne once the rubble settled. "Last chance. There's a big dead snake in there, and I'm gonna guess it hasn't grown more pleasant in the few years since I've visited."

"I can smell it from here… but after you, sir."

Harry led the way through the rubble, casting an air cleansing charm as he did. The Chamber freshened slightly, but there was only so much magic was capable of. Slytherin's stone face sat on the far side of the room, the snake's body laying pathetically between.

"That's what you fought?" Daphne whispered breathlessly as her eyes found the corpse.

"Yep. Wasn't an issue, really. Just did my King Arthur impression and…"

Harry's flippancy was interrupted by a hand on his wrist, and he spun as his girlfriend tugged. She melted into his chest when he neared, and his arms encircled her automatically. He was a bit surprised by the reaction, but after a brief thought of how he'd feel if the roles were reversed, he began rubbing her back supportively.

"I'm fine, Daph. That was years ago. Not a great moment, but I'm still standing."

"The shit you've gone through isn't fair," she whispered, muffled by his chest. "A twelve year old shouldn't have to deal with a fucking basilisk… An eleven year old shouldn't have to fight a Dark Lord… A baby shouldn't be hit with a Killing Curse."

"Took one at fourteen, too," he whispered with a grin, lifting her chin gently. "They shouldn't. But I wouldn't be standing right here if my life was any different."

"That's not a good trade," Daphne countered, tears falling silently down her face. "None of this is a good trade! You went from an abusive childhood into a death-defying attempt at going to school for god's sake. That's not how people grow up!"

"I managed pretty well," Harry defended, his heart warming at the girl's concern.

"You've managed incredibly, but you shouldn't have had to! I'm so pissed at Albus right now I could scream."

"I had a phase of that on the other side... It'll pass when you remember he's merely human, and not the all-knowing benevolent ruler we tend to view him as."

"He's the ruler of this school, though. The one that housed a big ass snake you had to kill."

"In a Chamber he couldn't access…"

"Don't defend him, Harry," Daphne whispered as she buried her face back into his chest. "I'm gonna be pissed at him for a while, because it's better than crying for the next three days."

"Be pissed for years if you'd like. He's grown far too comfortable giving me shit recently."

"This is the other reason I didn't want others to visit," she admitted as the pair moved slightly apart. "I knew if that monster was even close to as big as I imagined I'd be a mess, and I didn't want anyone else to see it."

"I didn't think of that, though I should have. You think I should bring Ginny down alone if she decides she wants to see it?"

"I was gonna suggest it."

Harry watched as Daphne forcibly composed herself, something that took much less time than he expected. A few firm shakes of her head and a harsh wipe of her eyes, and the tears were a thing of the past.

"I want to see the body up close."

—

June, 27 1996

Harry took Ginny to see the Chamber a few days later, and it was an emotional moment for both of them. Blaise waited at the entrance for the pair to return, and Harry was glad to pass the tearful redhead off. What he'd gone through was hard enough, and he couldn't even imagine the trauma Ginny dealt with because of the Diary.

He'd asked Arthur for permission before taking her, and the Minister granted it under the condition that Ginny speak to her mind healer the next day. It seemed to be a relatively positive experience despite the pain it brought, and Ginny had thanked him a few days after.

He'd led a bigger expedition the next day with his friends, Albus, McGonagall, Snape, and Ragnok. The goblin's presence was a surprise to Harry, but he'd been delighted to renew the acquaintance. Ragnok was easily the most knowledgeable about the money the corpse could bring in, and Harry immediately agreed to let the goblins deconstruct the beast for a hefty fee as it was technically his by conquest. Ragnok seemed pleased by his trust, and he'd have doubled the fee if it meant the goblin's continued friendship.

The remaining students were set to head home the next day, and Harry had been in constant contact with the other allied Commanders. They'd kicked around the idea of forcing the students to floo to the Leaky Cauldron or another unknown location, and also the idea of providing portkeys. Unfortunately, many of the students lived in less than supportive environments, and Harry put his foot down on switching up the normal plans if it would cause distress to those students' home life. He could barely imagine the Dursleys' response if he suddenly appeared in their kitchen after first year, and he'd fight Voldemort every morning for a week if he could save just one student the punishment he would've received.

Dumbledore supported the decision, sharing a brief background of a few students whose home lives were far from ideal. The knowledge was infuriating to all that heard it, and his team was quick to accept the plan that would put their troops in danger. Everyone was loath to do so in principle, but they weighed the lives of a willing soldier to that of a helpless child, and the balance weighed heavily in one direction.

The other Commanders were slower to agree, though after a bit of an emotional explanation, they finally relented. Harry demanded they explain the situation to their troops, and allow any who didn't want to participate when safer options were available the chance to stay back without punishment. Not a single man or woman deferred when it was explained to them, and he was once again blown away by the selflessness of his force.

"Harry," Dumbledore greeted with a smile as he entered the man's office, one last meeting before the exodus in the coming morning.

He nodded warmly in return, smiling at the gathered Professors. Snape, McGonagall, and Flitwick would all be joining them on the platform upon arrival, though they'd be relegated to guarding the train due to their lack of experience with the troops.

"Any last minute disasters to deal with?"

"None," the wizened man answered easily. "The danger shall be exactly as we expect… Not the most reassuring of thoughts, but good news all the same. I would ask that you keep everyone on board until I join you, though."

"No problem. Alastor has the Italians and Alpha running mockups four times a day, and he'll send you a detailed map of where everyone will be stationed."

"I'd bet my left arm that the Dark Lord will try something regardless," Snape offered pessimistically.

"That's why we're training so hard," Harry countered with a shrug. "Over-preparedness saved us at St. Mungo's. The speed with which we evacuated the building meant we only had a couple minutes of chaos, and we're hoping this will prove similar."

"I've seen the new hospital," the man replied with a nod. "Your team works fast."

"Let's hope it continues to go unneeded for a while," Flitwick added with a smile. "The three of us will do what we can, but we don't want to be in the way."

"I appreciate you being there all the same. The Weasleys', Davis', and Greengrass' will be there as well, and have similar orders."

"Harry," McGonagall began, her tone expressing the concern she felt. "Do be careful tomorrow. I don't have favorite students, but I'd hate for something to…"

He smiled in understanding as the woman trailed off emotionally, and reached over to grab her hand. The normally stern witch smiled at the gesture while wiping her eyes, and Harry nodded confidently.

"I'm lucky enough to have the best trained force our world's seen in years at my back, and years of tutelage under the best Transfiguration professor of all time. I'll be just fine."

"Good boy," she answered, her voice a bit rough. "I don't think I'm cut out for war, but I'm with you all the same."

"A reassuring thought," he smiled. "If that's all, I think I'll spend the rest of the evening with my friends."

"And here I was thinking I was still considered one," Albus answered wryly, successfully breaking the tension.

"You are, sir. But it's nearly seven thirty, and I wouldn't want to keep you from your bed."

"You aren't far off," he countered with a grin.

"Before I go, what's the final number of students on the train?"

"Excluding you and your friends… thirty."

Harry shook his head in frustration, wishing the situation was different. His and Daphne's best friends all refused to leave early, though he'd managed to convince the rest of his training group to do so. Thirty students were putting a large group of others at risk, but he knew it wasn't of their choosing, and he forced the frustration away roughly.

"Could someone reach out to them somehow? I'd like to add them to our lists."

"I'll write up a form letter," Minerva offered.

"Floo Charlie first. He'll assign them elves, and you can include their elf's name in the letter."

"It'll be done in an hour."

—

June 28, 1996

Remus stood impatiently on the platform, his team forming the far right flank of Alpha Company, and knew they were in for a long day. Mad-eye's plan demanded their force be in position hours before the train's arrival, ensuring the Death Eaters couldn't set unseen traps. In addition, four fireteams had been stationed at the platform in rotating shifts for the last week, and none had reported any suspicious behavior. It was as safe a location as they could make it, but he knew one large portkey would send everything into chaos.

He couldn't help glancing to his left, quickly finding Tonks talking to her squad leaders. She looked completely calm and in charge, and he felt a familiar stir of desire as he watched her. She was a confusing partner, for sure, but the last few months had been something he'd never expected and he was happy in a way he wasn't sure he deserved.

"Quit ogling my cousin," Sirius hissed from his right, though his tease was evident in his tone.

"Then have less attractive cousins," Remus countered with a grin.

"How's it going with you two?"

"It's been great. Except for the constant demand on her time and mine, things have been better than I could've dreamed."

"Told you. I should open up a matchmaking service... 'Padfoot's Partners: I'm not satisfied until you are'."

"Gross."

"I'll workshop the tagline, but I feel like I nailed it first try. You okay with her being at the front of all this?"

"It wouldn't matter if I wasn't," Remus answered with a shrug. "She's more capable than almost everyone I know, and she's determined to do her part. I'd never ask her to take a step back."

"She'd curse you if you did," Charlie interjected with a grin. "You should've seen how she dealt with our classmates when they got too comfortable around her. Not someone I wanna demand anything of..."

"She told me some stories about you back then," Remus countered neutrally. "Told me to ask you about the party after winning the quidditch cup in seventh year?"

"Mentioned that, did she?" the redhead barked in laughter. "I got hammered after winning, and kept pestering her to turn into a Ravenclaw I fancied. After the third time I asked she stormed from the common room, just to return transformed as Mum and ream me big time. Sobered me right up."

"She said you'd be embarrassed…"

"When you spend months at a time around dragon wranglers you learn to lose your sense of pride."

"Well that's no fun."

"You'd be great at therapy, Charlie," Sirius added with a grin. "The number of times I've been told I 'struggle with accepting past mistakes'..."

"Well your past mistakes involve making a drunken pass at Lily. And Peter's mum. And Alice. And McGon…"

"We get it!"

"It's her accent, isn't it?" Charlie asked immediately.

Remus watched as Sirius winked at the man, and rolled his eyes at the pair. Bill was chuckling softly behind them, and he realized he couldn't help but feel grateful for the group. He smiled as his eyes found Tonks once more, and the smile widened as he saw her looking back at him. If the morale of his group was anything to go by, they'd get through this just fine.

—

"You're zoning out again..."

"Well damn, Daphne! Can't a guy daydream?"

Harry softened the sarcastic response with a smile and a shoulder bump, grateful for his girlfriend's attempt to keep him in the moment. Their compartment was a bit tight with the ten of them, but nobody wanted to split up. They knew it was the last time they'd all be on the train together, and the significance of the trip wasn't lost on them.

"Start daydreaming with a pleasant look on your face and I'll allow it," Daphne countered with a smile and a squeeze of the hand.

"Maybe if you lot were more entertaining company…"

"I'll have you know I'm lovely," Astoria countered imperiously.

"And humble," Neville added supportively.

"Thank you, dear."

"You're welcome, sweetie."

"Gross," Blaise interjected with a grimace. "I'm fully aware you two are joking, but no obnoxious pet names, please."

"I think they're sweet," Ginny countered, a challenge in her eyes. "I've been meaning to ask you to start calling me 'honey'."

Harry grinned as Blaise's eyes shot open, clearly uncomfortable with the term of endearment. He knew Ginny was messing with him, but her boyfriend clearly had some learning to do.

"Er… sure… hon…" Blaise trailed off as the rest of the compartment burst into laughter, though he merely sighed in relief. "Oh thank god. I'd have tried Gin, but I'd hate it."

"'Gin' is the only nickname I'd allow."

"Lavender calls Dean 'sugar bear'," Ron offered with a grin.

"Dean's a stronger man than us," Neville answered confidently.

"Harry," Hermione interjected, clearly wanting to steer the conversation away from the subject. "How are the other students doing?"

"They're a bit terrified. I thought about sugar-coating the situation, but I wanted them to understand what was happening. They're gonna stay on the train for five minutes after we arrive, and I'd like you guys to stay with them."

"I'm coming with you," Neville argued stubbornly, while Daphne nodded in agreement.

"I figured," Harry answered with a grin. "You two can come, but everyone else moves to the other students."

"I hate that plan," Ron muttered glumly.

"I know you do, but that's where you need to be."

"Rub it in, mate."

"I'm not trying to, I just don't want anyone getting in the way. We're prepared, but things could still get… rough. McGonagall, Flitwick, and Snape will join you guys, and the Polish force will be right outside the doors."

"They're a serious bunch," Blaise offered sarcastically, having run into a group of them during a trip to the loo.

"Would you rather they weren't?"

"Just saying they could've laughed at my jokes…"

"Try funny ones next time," Harry countered with a grin. "Guys, I just wanna say that I'm thankful you all refused to go home early, no matter how much I'd have preferred it. This has been a good send-off."

"I'm looking forward to a normal school year," Astoria replied. "Without you, Neville, and Daphne messing things up, I should be able to focus on my classes finally."

"You'll miss us," Daphne argued.

"Don't go there. I've almost made it through the entire trip without a maudlin thought."

Harry couldn't help but appreciate the girl's timing, as he felt the brakes engage underneath. The train took a long time to slow, but the anticipation coming to an end was almost a welcome feeling.

—

"Marshal!"

Harry heard the familiar call as he helped Daphne off the train, turning and finding Moody striding forward as Neville disembarked.

"No issues on the train?"

"None. And here?"

"Quiet as the grave."

"Good. Did you tell everyone the students will be holding for five minutes?"

"Sure did," Alastor answered as he gestured to the gathered families. "A few weren't too happy by the hold up, but I can be rather persuasive when I need to."

Harry felt Albus apparate nearby, and the older wizard scanned the area before joining the quartet. The other professors followed his arrival, but quickly moved to board the train.

"This is what I like to see," he offered darkly as he approached. "Ranks of uniformed soldiers, and a tiny number of terrified family members…"

"Not really ideal, is it?" Harry asked in agreement. "Better safe than sorry, though."

"We'll be back to business as usual before you know it," Alastor argued, surprisingly optimistic. "Half of the Polish element will exit before the students, the others after. All said and done, we should be clear in a few minutes."

"Easy enough. I'll go check in with my team, and take Daphne to her parents."

Harry grabbed his girlfriend's hand, a bit uncomfortable with the countless eyes he found trained on him. With everyone else on the platform unwilling to break the silence, he'd somehow become part of a well-rehearsed stage show. He shook off the awkwardness and moved towards the Greengrass', Daniel's height making him easy to spot.

Emily moved forward first, hugging her daughter close. Daniel took the moment to shake his and Neville's hands, though everyone seemed reluctant to break the strained silence.

"I'll see you lot at the Manor," Harry whispered, receiving nods of acceptance and a smile from Daphne in return.

"Harry!" Sirius called loudly when he neared, forcing some among him to flinch at the sudden volume. "Fancy seeing you here!"

"Hey, Pads," he said as the man pulled him into a hug. "Remus, Weasleys, lovely to see you all."

"An absolute pleasure, Marshall," Charlie countered with a grin. "How long till we get outta here?"

"Everyone should be coming out in just a minute, and I'm gonna take an hour-long bath to wash this awkwardness off my skin when I get home."

He took a moment to survey the gathering, suppressing a shudder as he took in the nervous and frightful expressions. There were a few determined faces here and there, though most seemed as if they'd very much rather be elsewhere. He saw Tonks whisper a command to her squad leaders, and her Company stiffened a bit at her words, though the more confident posture did nothing to ease the fear the families were obviously struggling with behind the unit.

"We're to move out front of Alpha at Moody's command," Remus offered softly. "He, Shacklebolt, Robards, and Albus will join us, though far enough to one side to not interfere with what we do."

"Sounds like fun," Harry replied, his eyes still scanning.

His heart went out to the students remaining on the train, knowing this episode wouldn't go over well with their families and would likely strain already tough relationships. He knew it was the best case scenario, but he made a mental note to ask McGonagall to check in with the students throughout the summer. He saw the Greengrass' and Neville speaking softly, slightly nervous smiles on their faces, though the others around them wore varying looks of anxiety.

Tracey's parents stood near the group, her mother nervously biting her lip. Her father, however, seemed ready to end this exercise, as he continued to glance at his watch. He couldn't blame the man for wanting to make their exit, but his anxious tension made Harry's hair stand up on his arms.

"Marshal!" Moody called, interrupting his observations.

Harry led his team to the prearranged mark at the command, drawing the Elder Wand with a flourish. The familiar rush of power filled his body, the wand begging to be used, though he truly hoped it would be disappointed in its desire.

Commander Bukowski was the first to step off the train, his troops following from a variety of exits and forming up around the man. The number of drawn wands on the platform must've been a new record, but they'd hopefully prove to be a simple deterrent. Harry's friends followed the last of the soldiers, preceding the rest of the students, the three professors, and the second half of the Polish unit.

The students quickly made their way around Harry's team and Alpha, and Harry watched their journey warily. He saw a wide variety of welcomes, with Molly and Emily being the most effusive, though most merely greeted their students and turned to leave.

His fingers twitched around his wand subconsciously, and a worrying darkness fell on Harry's heart. He knew better than to raise an alarm at a pessimistic feeling, but also knew well enough not to ignore his instincts. His eyes darted around the platform in an attempt to find the sense of his sudden discomfort, eventually falling on Tracey's father once more.

The man's gaze was already on him, and the guilt and uneasiness in Davis' eyes was more than enough for him to act on the negative feeling.

"SHIELDS!"

The multinational military force was immediate in their response to the order, though it did little to keep the world from exploding around them.

A/N: To give you all a brief peak around the curtain (though I may have already mentioned this), I'm very much a 'stream of consciousness' type of writer. I have an outline I try to follow, and moments I think of beforehand to build the story around, but when I write I tend to just open the laptop and let my fingers loose. I don't reread what I've written unless I need to look back to make sure there's no glaring plot holes, until I reach that chapter in my editing/posting schedule. All of this to say… turns out I'm a cliffhanger writer, and it's honestly a surprise to me.

I'm finishing up Chapter 50 in the writing phase, and after re-reading this one a few days ago I took a quick look at the ending of the next 11 chapters… Cliffhangers ABOUND. Most are at natural moments, and it's not an example of 'oh no Harry's bleeding out, let me wait a week to find out what happens', but there are definitely milder cliffhangers that I'd rather not spend the time to readjust, as my life is a bit hectic at the moment. So I'll just reaffirm my promise to upload the next chapter as quickly as I can, and hope any frustrated parties don't find out where I live…

Thanks for reading!