Eclipse of Time by lilausty

by CNG25

Dumbledore is dead, Voldemort is strong, and Harry is in an abusive household. Could things get much worse? Despair grips Harry as he realises that he now has to complete his task without a guide. What magic could he possibly invoke during a full solar eclipse that could turn the tide of the war? Watch as Harry completes his final year and prepares for the war that he was born for.

40. Chapter 40 - Plans

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 40: Plans

No sooner had Harry and Ginny walked into the hall than the DA dashed over to him with many of the younger students yabbering excitedly about what they had been able to do over the last couple of days. Harry, grinning at them, raised his hands for silence and gestured for them all to sit back down again.

When they had done so he gestured for Hermione to speak, "Alright then, what's been happening?"

She immediately answered, "Well, we moved all of the newcomers to the left-back wing of the castle. We figured it would be better that they be out of the way until we can decide what to do with them. Also, since all of us were living in the front half we didn't particularly want them stumbling over the founders in their blundering around. Most seemed pretty astonished by your castle by the way. Anyway, we told them that until you two got back, they had to stay there and that the library and duelling hall in that section would be more than enough to keep them out of trouble. I think a couple were a bit annoyed but Neville's grandmother set them straight."

Neville grinned and nodded, "Yeah, she said something about them being guests of Lord Potter and if they didn't like his rules they could shove it up their ass."

Harry looked impressed, "She actually said that? Wow Nev, your gran is certainly not a woman to be trifled with! Alright, anything else?"

Ernie spoke up, "Yeah there is one thing that we have been discussing amongst ourselves." He sighed and fiddled before looking Harry in the eyes, "Look Harry, we are thrilled that more people are willing to fight beside us. But we are kinda worried that because they are 'adults' with more experience, that their word is going to count more and that they are going to try and take over the DA. That even though we are the ones who created the group, that you will start to lean more to their way of thinking."

Harry nodded, "Yes I had expected that such a fear would arise. Firstly, let me make this very clear. The 'newcomers' are just that, newcomers! They don't know how we run things yet and I will be making it crystal clear to them that any 'usurping' will result with them outside on their arses. Secondly, until we know who the spy, or spies are, no one outside of you guys is going to know about the founders or any specific plans we make regarding the war."

Ginny smiled at the DA, "You have stuck with us through thick and thin, risking expulsion, not to mention your lives. Do you think we would so easily cast that aside for some older individuals who realise that they should be on the winning side? The others will be invited to general information sharing and planning, but make no mistake, we are the DA and for now, they aren't!"

"That is going to piss them off you realise." Ron pointed out, "they think that they are coming in here as equals at the very least."

"Then they are fools." A voice from the door said. The founders entered the hall, Salazar shaking his head, "No new recruit should consider themselves equal to their leaders and that is what you all are. Sure, you follow Harry, but in turn, they are going to be following you."

Harry nodded, "Exactly, so no Ernie, you don't need to worry about being 'replaced.' Any other questions?"

After a few moments of silence where the DA shook their heads he turned to the founders, "I know you have only just arrived, but could you choof off again? It's just I was going to hold a full meeting and…?"

Godric looked mock insulted, "Oh I see how it is. Come on guys, I can tell when we aren't wanted!" The other three laughed and Harry grinned, waving goodbye merrily.

As they left Ginny called out, "You know you love us Godric!" He turned around and rolled his eyes at her before shaking his head and leaving, shutting the door behind him.

After asking Dobby to bring the newcomers down to the hall, Harry sat down and sighed, "Now it truly starts."

Ginny placed her hands on his shoulders, massaging them slightly, "It truly started fifty years ago Harry, it's just there have been interludes all over the place."

"I suppose, it's just it feels like the war is coming to a head."

"It is." Luna spoke up, "But that is not necessarily a bad thing. Once the war is over, the magical community can rebuild is peace and safety, living their lives in freedom."

Harry smiled at her, "And that is what we are all fighting for."

The sound of feet alerted him to the arrival of all the new members and he stood up, "Come in everyone and make yourselves comfortable. Sorry that I haven't been able to talk to you sooner, but I only just arrived back at the castle myself. I hope you have all been happy enough with the living quarters though."

There were a few mutters, but for the most part they nodded cheerfully, sitting down happily. Harry was pleased to see that they mixed fairly well with the DA with the Weasley siblings and their spouses immediately sitting with the older Gryffindor students.

As soon as they quietened down Harry began, "Alright, I'm not one for lots of feel-good talk so I'll just say welcome and thank you. Now, we all know that the war is not getting any better for our side. The longer we wait to challenge Voldemort the more forces he will have at our command. And that is the first thing I want to talk about. His forces. I have some sources within the ranks of Voldemort's supporters but nothing that can give me concrete intelligence. Do we know where the various magical communities stand?"

Remus spoke up, "nine out of the ten ruling werewolf clans have joined Voldemort, with the tenth retreating to the forests of Scandinavia for fear of retribution. Also, many of the individual werewolves like myself have also joined him, thinking that he might be able to offer them better lives then their current ones."

Harry frowned, "Mmm, I had hoped to be able to entice a few to our own side. I don't suppose you know of any Remus?"

He shook his head, "Unfortunately no. Minerva had me working on several of the younger werewolves, but most are already loyal to Voldemort, or just too frightened to intervene."

"That's disappointing, but not unexpected I suppose. What about the vampires? I know they supported him last war, have they thrown their lot in with him yet?"

Tonks, back to her customary pink hair, answered, "No not yet, but he is actively recruiting them so it is only a matter of time. The worse thing about the vampires is that they act as a collective, not just little groups. If one group joins it means that they all will join. I have yet to see a wizard army take on a vampire army without suffering a massacre."

"That's alright." Jack Sloper said, "It just means we have a timetable to work by. We need to wipe out Voldemort's support base and hopefully the bastard himself before he can get the vampires to join him."

Tonk's eyebrows rose as Christina Abbot asked incredulously, "And just how do we do that young man? The order has been fighting Voldemort for nearly thirty years and you expect to be able to wipe him out within a few months?"

"Aunty, hush! You don't need to talk to him like he is a child." Hannah admonished.

The woman opened her mouth to say something but Harry interrupted, "Alright, looks like I am going to have to have this conversation sooner than expected. For all of you that have only just come into our fold listen closely because I am going to say this once and once only. You are the new ones; we are the ones who run things. It may seem strange taking orders from people who are half your age but until you prove yourselves, that is how it is going to be. At the very least, treat everyone around you as equals. Is that clear?"

"But…? You are just children, what could you possibly know about war and how to run one?" Arabella Figg asked nervously.

Harry smiled at her, "As incredible as it may seem, we know an awful lot about war. Our ages may be less than yours, but we have all proven ourselves in battle. We have shared blood sweat and tears together as we have fought for a brighter future. We have taken on Death Eaters who have outnumbered us and still won. Do I need to say more?"

"What about strategy?" Bill asked.

Grinning, Ginny replied, "We have your little brother, who needs a professional strategist? I mean, no one has yet beaten him in chess."

Ron blushed and coughed, "Actually Gin, that's not quite true."

She whirled around her eyes wideneing with shock, "What? Are you telling me someone actually beat you?"

He shrugged uncomfortably, "Stripes and Flighty dared me to play them together. Big mistake. I think those two can read minds when they get together."

Harry grinned, "Wouldn't surprise me."

"Excuse me, but who or what is Stripes and Flighty?" Remus asked curiously.

Shrugging Harry replied, "Friends. I am sorry, but I can't be any more specific than that as they wish to remain anonymous. Anyway Bill, strategy is not something we need worry about, Ron has things well in hand."

The eldest Weasley sibling nodded and Harry pierced the rest with a serious stare, "So, do you all understand? Because any attempt to 'protect' us or 'overrule' us just because of our ages will land you on your arses out the front gate. We want you to raise issues and ideas, but everyone here is equal."

A quiet voice from the back spoke up, "Well, that is fair and reasonable."

Squinting to see who had spoken, Harry asked, "Sorry sir, you are…?"

"Nicholas Flamel at your service."

The gasps that rang through the air nearly lifted the roof and Harry had to hold up his hands for silence to be heard, "Ah I am glad Fawkes was able to bring you. Thank you for coming."

The 600 year old inclined his head, "You are more than welcome."

Harry focussed back upon the larger group, "Now, what are the chances of being able to get more direct sources of information from within Voldemort's ranks?"

Tonks's forehead creased in confusion, "I thought you said you had sources?"

Harry shook his head, "I can occasionally get information about what is happening, but only rarely and not necessarily very specific. It was only chance that we were able to intercept the attack on St Mungo's."

Hestia Jones looked disappointed, "So that wasn't from some secret source that we could utilise?"

"Not a source that can give us information easily, consistently or quickly, no." Harry replied.

Amelia Bones spoke up, "Is there some sort of listening device that could be used? Maybe attach it to known Death Eaters and then detach it once they return to their headquarters?"

Harry considered the new Minister for Magic, "You would know better than I Ma'am since you were head of magical Law Enforcement. What sorts of things to you use when keeping tabs on people?"

She shrugged, "Normally a disguised Eye, sort of like what Mad-Eye has permanently, is spelled to follow them everywhere so that their movements can be tracked. Unfortunately, it isn't very good for gathering intelligence. We really need Mad-Eye, he is the most qualified person I know of regarding spying."

Harry nodded thoughtfully before turning back to Tonks, "You did you internship with Mad-Eye didn't you?"

"Yes, but in that time we didn't do much spying or intelligence gathering." She replied.

"What about Auror training? What did they cover regarding the subject?" Harry pressed.

She shrugged, "Well, there is the standard tracking and stealth subject which I nearly failed. Then there is the intercept course which teaches how to put up blocks around a person to intercept all forms of communication that they use."

Harry sighed, "Alright then, so we don't have a lot to work with. That's ok, for the moment we know enough about what is going on to start making decisions regarding the war. I want everyone to return home and live your lives as normally as possible. But keep your eyes and ears peeled for anything that might be useful. Even if it is a rumour passed on by someone who has drunk themselves under the table, I still want to hear it. The more we know, the more chance we have of surviving the next few months."

"That's it? You just mean to send us back home?" Xenophilius Lovegood asked incredulously.

Harry shrugged, "Most of you have families that you need to look after. If you wish to stay here, I am not going to protest, but I would prefer all of you that can leave to do so. Voldemort has spies everywhere and if he notices a chunk of the populace missing he is going to suspect something is up."

"Sensibly said Harry. Most of us have jobs that require our attention anyway." Oliver Wood mentioned.

"Exactly. So, is there anything else that anyone wants to say before leaving?" Harry asked. As the new members shook their heads Harry smiled, "Alright then, Dobby will show you to the apparition room where you can return home. Just remember, you can't apparate in here without first contacting us for the wards around the room have to be lowered. Call either Dobby or Dingle, they know to answer all of you."

Amos Diggory looked astonished, "You let house elves look after the wards on your castle?"

Harry felt Hermione swell with anger beside him and hastily answered before she could, "I cannot think of anyone better. House elves' magic is beyond our comprehension and it is powerful indeed. Wizards have arrogantly assumed that they know all there is to do with magic, but they couldn't be further from the truth."

Diggory looked unconvinced but didn't say anything else. Realising that the meeting was over, the majority of the new members stood up and followed Dobby out of the hall calling out farewells to each other.

All of the Weasley siblings and their spouses, Remus, Tonks and a girl Harry recognised as George's girlfriend, Verity. He grinned at them, "So, I take it you would like to stay here?"

"Well someone has to keep an eye on you and our sister." Fred replied mildly, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

Fleur snorted, "Oh pleeze you two are juzt az likely to encourage zem zan stop zem! Besidz I zink we all know zat Ginny makes up her own mind and nobody can tell her what to do."

Ginny gave a sweet smile to her brothers, "And don't you forget it."

"So Harry, what now?" Remus asked curiously.

Swallowing a wince Harry looked at the rest of the DA. He was not looking forward to telling them that they would have to leave the meeting. However, Neville, sensing Harry's dilemma took the decision out of his hands, "Now, you all return to your rooms while we do some planning."

Shock rippled across Remus's face as Percy burst out, "Excuse me? You intend to just kick us out like a bunch of school children?"

Ron shrugged, "You have done it to us more than enough times. We weren't allowed to sit in on order meetings, well, we are returning the favour."

Percy started to swell with indignation and even Bill and Charlie looked angry, "Now wait just one damn minute!" the latter said, "We joined under the impression that we were all equals. Yet as soon as you start any form of planning against the enemy, you tell us to leave?"

Ginny got up and held her brother's hands, "Ron lacks tact Charlie. We are not doing this out of spite. But Harry made a promise that no new member would be allowed into the full meetings until they had proven themselves. We know that there is a traitor somewhere in the ranks of good and until we know who it is, we will not play favourites, not even with our own family. Everyone gets treated the same way, no matter what you may or may not have done in the past."

"So what do we need to do to prove ourselves then? Dying in battle maybe? Would that convince you?" Tonks asked scathingly.

"Hardly." Harry finally said, "Honestly, I would trust my life in any of your hands. However, if I treat you differently to the others then I would be a hypocrite and I have been around to many of them before to become one myself."

Penelope asked curiously, "So what did your friends here do to prove themselves to you?"

Harry shrugged, "Fair question I suppose. They each had legilimency performed upon them unawares to determine their loyalty. And before you say that legilimency can be beaten, let's just say a master of the subject performed the spell, a master that not even Snape could have fooled."

Duncan exclaimed, "Oh so that's how you picked us. I always wondered why you trusted us without veritaserum."

Harry grinned, "Yeah, sorry for not telling you before."

Terry shrugged, "Well if the 'master' is who I think it is, I don't think anyone here is going to care." The rest of the DA nodded in agreement.

Remus asked, "Well, can this master perform legilimency on us so we can prove our loyalty?"

"Unfortunately it's not that simple." Ginny explained, "See, our legilimency expert wishes to remain hidden from everyone's presence. And because some of you have had Occlumency training he would have to be looking you in the eyes to break apart your defences instead of just a casual scan."

"But…" Tonks protested.

George laughed, "Oh give it up guys, they aren't going to change their minds. Looks like we are going to have to prove ourselves the good old fashion way of hard work and loyalty. Personally, I prefer it that way, it means that no mistakes can be made."

He got to his feet, pulling Verity up with him, "Come on, while they are all hard at work planning old Moldywarts' demise, we can be fooling around in that spectacular duelling room."

Fred grinned, "I got three galleons that says Tonks lands you on your ass within the first minute, any takers?"

Fleur laughed, "I am not so stupid az to take zat bet. Everyone knowz zat Tonkz iz a superb duelist!"

Remus sighed, "Alright then, let's go." He gave Harry a slightly betrayed look, "I must say Harry, I thought you trusted us."

Harry forced himself not to flinch, "I do Remus, but this is beyond my feelings for you. I am a leader and must keep the promises that I make to my friends. Surely you understand that?"

The older man sighed and nodded, "I suppose so." With that, they left the hall, heading back towards their rooms. Once out of earshot, Harry spelled the doors close and cast several privacy charms around the room.

A secret door opened and the four founders joined them, Helga and Rowena arguing about something regarding feathers. However, as they sat down they quietened and Salazar said to Harry, "Well the twins are definitely loyal to you as is the pale girl, Verity was it? As far as the others go, all have some form of Occlumency training so I cannot judge one way or the other. I was the most impressed with the eldest Weasley sibling's shields. They were seamless, a thing of beauty. Not necessarily strong, but secure nonetheless."

Ron nodded, "that would be because of his curse-breaking training. He was frequently in situations where mind-altering spells would attempt to coerce him. The shields allowed him to retain his concentration while he worked on breaking the curses."

Hermione exclaimed in understanding, "So that is how he never succumbed to Fleur's charms!"

Ginny snickered, "What do you mean Herm? He married her for goodness sake."

The older girl rolled her eyes, "Yes, but he never turned into a drooling fool around her unlike some I could mention." She pierced Ron with a stare who blushed and stared at his feet.

"Moving past Ron's fascination with Fleur, we have something called the war to prepare for, remember?" Harry interrupted. At the girl's bashful looks he continued, "Well the others didn't tell us anything we couldn't guess. It is a little worrying that if a single vampire joins Voldemort then they all do, but there is nothing we can do about it at the moment. I am more concerned about the other magical communities like the elves, goblins, centaurs and the like."

"The goblins and elves should join you pretty easily due to your standing within their society." Godric assumed. "The centaurs may be a little more standoffish, it'll depend what their blasted stars say."

"Language Godric, they know more about the future than any seer I ever heard of. Just because we don't understand their ways doesn't necessarily mean they are wrong." Helga admonished.

"What about creatures? Like dragons and unicorns etc?" Neville asked curiously.

Rowena frowned, "Dragons serve no one but themselves. I would be astonished if one could be convinced to co-operate. That is why they are kept on reserves in captivity, they just cannot be trusted to fly free. Still, Harry can speak dragon so if anyone can convince them it'll be him."

Harry shook his head, "I don't particularly want to try and get them involved. From what I have heard, dragons don't tend to discriminate when their blood lust gets up. Bring a dragon into a battlefield and it'll be just as likely to attack us as the enemy."

"As far as the unicorns go Neville, while able to defend themselves, they are generally peaceful creatures. Not since Merlin's time have they engaged in battle." Hermione pointed out "And personally, I don't think we should try to involve them. We already know Voldemorth as no qualms about killing them and I would feel exceptionally guilty if they were massacred in a battle that didn't even involve them in the first place."

Harry nodded in agreement, "Hermione is right. This war was started by wizards and by wizards shall it be finished. I will speak with the elves, goblins and centaurs to see if they will aid us, but I am not going to feel betrayed if they refuse." He grimaced, "There is one other party who I think I should talk to as they will form an exceptionally strong defence of the Forbidden Forest."

Ron's eyes went wide, "You have got to be joking Harry. Please tell me you are kidding, they'll kill you if you go in there!" he started panting as memories overtook him.

Harry gave a wry grin, "Don't worry Ron, I won't be taking you with me, you have been scarred enough by what happened last time. For the rest of you who don't know, there is a nest of acromantula in the forbidden forest. Hagrid is responsible for their being there and they used to be under his control. However when the head spider died they went feral and are now a threat to all who live in the forest. Still, they are sentient and I think if I can talk to them I might be able to convince them to protect the forest from the enemy."

Ginny frowned, "You'll have to have a mighty good escape plan if things don't go according to plan. I have heard stories about your last trip into their nest. They were going to eat you weren't they?"

Harry nodded, "Yeah if it wasn't for your dad's car we would have met a rather nasty end down there. Still, I think it is worth a try for they would be very powerful allies."

"We'll come with you to help convince them." Helga volunteered, "Rowena here once negotiated with a acromantula who was preying on livestock in the southern part of Wales. It worked out fairly well."

"Fairly well?" Harry asked apprehensively.

Rowena shrugged, "Well it stopped preying on the livestock. Unfortunately it took to hunting Peryton eggs for kicks. As you can imagine they didn't take too kindly to that and the acromantula ended up being dinner for a nest of deer-bird hybrids."

Wincing Harry replied, "Right, well you are more than welcome to come along. I would definitely feel safer, the nest is quite large." He looked around, "Alright, I'll meet with the elves and goblins. We can then tackle the acromantula nest and the centaurs. Hopefully by the end of the week we will have an army that will rival Voldemort's."