Disclaimer: All charcters and world concepts are property of J.K. Rowling

Disclaimer: This is not the work of CNG25 but that of Lilausty, originally published on harrypotterfanfiction-dot-com.

Chapter 35: On the Cusp of War

March had just faded into April, and Hermione was in full fledged review mode, churning out study timetables like an overstressed printing press. Ron had tried to convince her that she didn't need to go to so much work for them, and that their NEWTS were still two months away.

But of course, she wouldn't listen much to the chagrin of her boyfriend and the amusement of Harry and Ginny. For their part, they refused to even contemplate studying, being engrossed with reports of Death Eater activity and trying to map patterns of attacks that they could use.

The founder spent more and more of their time in the Room of Requirement with various DA members, giving more specific help than the generalised training sessions that had occurred at the castle. For everyone, the feeling of immanent war was all around them, and nerves were flying high.

Harry especially was getting frustrated with his lack of ability to track down the last horcrux. He knew that all else would be in vain if he couldn't managed to kill Voldemort. "Gah!" he exclaimed, throwing another piece of parchment into the fire, "This is just ridiculous! How on earth am I supposed to find an object, that none of us know what it is, that is hidden somewhere in the world, with no clues? It's like being asked to find a needle, which doesn't necessarily look like a needle, in the middle of an enormous haystack, in the middle of a cyclone!" He slumped backwards and put his hands over his eyes in a gesture of exhaustion.

Ron and Ginny exchanged a glance before the latter pulled at her boyfriends hands, exposing his face again, "Harry, get a grip! We have time, we will do this. But you freaking out on us is not going to help the situation."

Ron nodded in agreement, "She is right mate, as much as I hate to admit it. You were right when you said that he is less powerful if we focus on his followers. So lets do that then and the Horcurx will keep!"

Harry sighed, "But it is Voldemort that I am destined to destroy, not necessarily his followers! I am just electing to go and do that as well."

Hermione spoke up from where her nose was buried in her potions book, "Sounds like someone needs to do some study so that they can take their mind of the war."

"Somehow I don't think that is going to help me much Herm. I know far more than what is in our textbooks, I do not need to study for my NEWTS, I already know I am going to ace them." Harry replied, giving her a slight smile even though she couldn't see it.

"Lucky you." Ron muttered, glaring at the huge pile of work he had to get through before the next day.

Ginny gave Harry a gentle kiss, "Cheer up Harry, things always work out for the best, even if we can't see it at the time."

He gave her a strange look, "You have been talking to Helga again haven't you? She is full of those sayings!"

Ginny laughed, "Actually that one is from my Mum, she told me it when you had broken up with me and I was rather moody."

"Sorry." Harry winced, causing the girl to laugh again.

~Potter! Can you hear me?~

Harry jerked his head up in surprise. The two Weasley's and even Hermione looked at him startled, but he ignored them, focussing in the voice in his head.

~Snape?~

~Who else would it be? Do you often hear voices in your head?~

Unable to stop from laughing Harry looked at the others who were eyeing each other in confusion. "Snape guys, excuse me." At their nod he returned to his mind-caller.

~Assuming that you weren't asking a trick question, no, I don't. Now, you obviously want something.~

~Actually I have information if you are interested. About a large attack planned for tomorrow evening.~

~Oh yes, I am very interested. The DA have been starting to get itchy feet and they are certainly ready for battle.~

~I still don't like the fact that children are going to be taking on the Death Eaters Potter. Even if they have been trained by some pretty impressive people, they will be fighting foes more than twice their age and experience.~

Harry sighed, ~You have not said anything to me that I have not thought about already. But rest assured, they have been tested, and their skills are more than up to scratch. Now, unless you want to continue this lovely conversation…?~

There was a slight pause and Harry swore he heard a snort before…

~Very well Potter. The Dark Lord has decided that St Mungo's must be shut down permanently if he wants to take over the ministry. He knows that if the Aurors can keep getting healed, they will keep fighting him. Since Bellatrix's untimely demise, Lucius Malfoy has become his chief lieutenant, despite his own failings in recent years.~

Biting his lip Harry processed the information, ~Ok then, I haven't heard much of Lucius since you and Draco fled at the end of last year. I take it he is as charming as ever?~

This time there definitely was a snort ~Potter, your ability for understatement never ceases to amaze me. But yes, he has lost none of his charm. A little stay in Azkaban did nothing for his personality. Anyway, as far as the attack goes, it is planned for midnight, since they seem to like that time. Lucius will only have Death Eaters at his command, no creatures since they are too hard to control in close quarters. Still, he will have numbers up and above 50 Death Eaters.~

Harry hissed, ~The DA only numbers 40. We will have to come up with something to lessen their numbers quickly. I don't suppose you know where they will be attacking from?~

~Actually I do, Voldemort has a hide-out only two streets from St Mungo's which is unplottable. To prevent detection, Lucius plans to walk to the hospital from the house.~

Harry nodded in understanding ~Because any apparition would be detected by the alarm system in St Mungo's. Alright, can you please give me the address of the house?~

~Use your brains Potter! If you attack the house, Voldemort will know that he has a spy in his midst!~

Rolling his eyes Harry replied, ~Ithink when his attack is thwarted by a bunch of children who are supposed to be in school, he is going to suspect that anyway Snape.~

~Yes I am well aware of that, but the hide out is only known by his inner circle, so giving its location away would kind of narrow down the suspects.~ he retorted.

Harry pondered the situation before grinning, ~I know, how about we are on brooms, circling the area. That way it can look like we just knew about an attack but not where they would be coming from? Would that give you a bit more cover?~

There was a pause, ~That is a surprisingly clever idea Potter, I have no idea how it came into your head. But yes, it could work, though being on brooms could make you easy targets if the DA's flying ability isn't brilliant.~

~Oh don't worry about that sir, duelling isn't the only thing we have worked on. Even Neville can fly now fairly confidently.~

~I don't believe you.~

Harry laughed ~Just one more question, are you going to be apart of the attack? Its just having you caught in the crossfire could be quite lethal for you sir. The DA has no intention of holding back when they come face-to-face with the Death Eaters.~

~You have taught them to kill? Potter!~

~Don't start sir, or you'll start sounding like McGonagall. And no, I haven't, not specifically anyway, but our friends have.~

~Mmm, well, in answer to your question, no I won't. The Dark Lord has me working on some experimental and fairly temperamental potions that require my attention 24/7.~

Harry sighed with relief, ~Well that's good then. Was there anything else sir?~

~Just one more. Draco.~

Harry felt his face darken slightly, ~What about him?~

~I know you know what Dumbledore's last words were to the boy. I ask you to honour them. If Draco suddenly appears to you or any of your little army, I ask that you do not kill him, but listen to him. He is not the same person that you went to school with.~

The request was so honestly spoken that for a moment Harry was silent. The night of Dumbledore's death replayed in his mind, and the offer that his former mentor made to the terrified Slytherin echoed in his thoughts. Sighing slightly he felt himself nod ~Very well, I will tell the DA to let him live, but to bring him immediately to me. I am trusting you Snape, you had better not be wrong!~

~Have I been wrong yet Potter?~

~About a great many things sir, I just tend not to hold them against you! Or have you so quickly forgotten how you treated me just because of my father and godfather? I do not hold grudges like some I can mention, but don't push it!~ Harry let a little bit of annoyance seep through the bond and he could feel Snape's grudging acceptance of his words.

~Very well Potter, you may be correct. Still, I ask you to give Draco a chance if you do get to see him. Now, I must be going before someone notices my somewhat vacant expression.~ Without even waiting for a reply, Snape broke the connection.

Harry slumped forward, blinking his eyes quickly to moisten them. He looked at his friends who were watching him expectantly. "Tomorrow night the Death Eaters are to attack St Mungo's. We are going to stop them!"

There was a moment of silence before Hermione burst out, "Well it is about bloody time!"

Ron smothered a grin as Harry raised his eyebrows at the girl. She blushed slightly but said, "What? Aren't I allowed to want this war to happen so that it can be over?"

Ginny patted her on the shoulder, "Yes Herm, but you don't tend to use such language very often." She turned to Harry, "So, what's the plan?"

Harry smiled, "I intend to tell everyone together, so that I don't keep repeating myself. Could you please send a message to the DA to meet us at Potter Castle? I'll flash over there with Fawkes and be waiting for you in the main dining hall."

The other three nodded and he stood up, calling the phoenix who automatically came and in a flash of fire the Gryffindor common room disappeared.

Harry was only waiting for around 20 minutes when the Founders joined him soon followed by the rest of the DA. Their serious faces told him that they knew why they had been summoned. He dove right in, "Right, our resident spy has given us information about an attack on St Mungo's tomorrow night at midnight. As such, we must stop it. If St Mungo's falls then the ministry will be left without any way of healing their aurors."

Taking a deep breath he plunged into the plan, "The truth is, we will be outnumbered. Our spy couldn't give us exact numbers, but we know that there will be at least 50 Death Eaters attacking. They intend to walk from a safe house up to the hospital to avoid detection. So, we are going to catch them in transit. Everyone will be on brooms 'patrolling' the area and when the Death Eaters become visible, we attack. We must get their numbers down as quickly as possible, because we will be slightly vulnerable in the air. However, once their numbers equal our own, we are to land and duel properly."

Most of the DA were nodding in agreement, though some looked a little apprehensive. While they had all consciously accepted their role in the war, it was obvious that the truth hadn't fully hit some. Harry gave a sad smile, "I know that some of you, actually, a lot of you, have never killed before, and I do not necessarily ask you to, I will say this; if you merely stun someone, they will get back up and fight against you again. And believe me, they will not show you the same courtesy. However, we have set up a secure cell down in the dungeons of Hogwarts, so if you do stun anyone, bind them so they can't get away and we will take them prisoner for interrogation later."

Salazar spoke up, "Do they have any creatures with them?"

Harry shook his head, "No, thankfully. Apparently Lucius Malfoy, who is the person leading the attack, believes them to be too hard to control in close quarters."

At Malfoy's name several members growled but Harry ignored them, "Please be assembled with your battle robes, your broom and of course your wand and be in the Room of Requirement at 10pm. I do not need to tell you to be careful about getting caught by the teachers. The last thing we need is for McGonagall to realise we are operating right under her nose."

Ginny frowned, "Won't Hogwarts tell her that we are out of bed?"

Rowena grinned, "Oh I think I can take care of that, at least for a short period of time. She will know about your activities soon enough though. I mean lets face it, St Mungo's and the ministry are not going to miss a full blown battle happening in the streets of London, and when they see it is children fighting, McGonagall will put two and two together."

Harry winced, "Hadn't thought of that."

"Don't worry Harry, we're with you all the way!" Terry Boot exclaimed

There was a muttering of agreement from the other members and Hannah Abbot spoke up, "Yeah, if she wants to speak with you about it, she won't just be speaking to you alone this time. We will stand by you, she can't put the blame solely on your shoulders. We have chosen to fight, not having been duped into it by a, what is the term? Ah yes, an attention seeking hero!"

Laughter rang through the air and Harry grinned at her in appreciation, "Thank you all very much, though I fear the situation that you just described is exactly what is going to happen. McGonagall is not going to just let it be, she is going to be demanding answers and will definitely try and stop us. This time permanently."

Romilda rolled her eyes, "She can try!"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves yet, we still have to get through the battle first. And I doubt very much that Lucius will only be taking the stupid and untalented Death Eaters. Make no mistake, this battle is not going to be easy, even if we have the element of surprise." Godric cautioned.

Harry nodded in agreement, and the DA automatically sobered. For the next hour or so, they went about detailing the plan until all were happy with the result. Most of the students were obviously nervous about what they were planning for the next night, but none looked like they wanted to pull out.

Sighing, Harry looked at them, "Well, we should get back to school, get some rest. Try not to worry about the battle through school, as impossible a task as that may be. We don't want to raise too many suspicions just yet."

Nods of agreement signalled the end of the meeting and they all returned quickly to the castle.