Chapter 18

Breakfast Debates

Saturday, 28 September 1996

Harry awoke to Madam Pomfrey scrying him again in the morning. "Ah, good morning Mr. Potter. How do you feel?"

Harry did an internal self assessment. Ribs felt fine. He lifted the sheet, chest looked back to normal. Headache was gone. He looked over, a beautiful redhead asleep using his left arm as a pillow. He looked to the healer. "I'm okay, ma'am. My thanks to you and Hannah."

"I will let her know. I am willing to release you from medical, but I would ask for your ribs sake no strenuous exercise until Monday morning. Fair enough?"

"Yes, Ma'am. If anything I'm sorry I gave you a hard time last night."

The Matron stood for a moment. Then she very firmly and rigidly composed herself. "Mr. Potter, you spoke the truth. In my role as Healer I am - I want to be open and available to all the students of this institution. If for some reason you felt you could not come to me previously, clearly the error is mine. "

Wow, an adult apologizing to him. What was the world coming to? "Madam Pomfrey, I'm no saint, and I was a lot more messed up last year. Call it a draw and a fresh start?" He offered a hand.

The Matron nodded, smiled, and accepted it. "Mr. Potter, I would appreciate that."

She gave it a moment. "Mr. Potter, in that spirit, I would ask. Your headache potion. I looked at it as a healer, not just a potion master."

"And?"

"That is the most potent pain relieving brew I have ever seen. I can only imagine the level of pain you must experience to require that."

"Pain is an old friend." Harry shrugged.

Gently, the Matron rested a hand on his shoulder. "Harry, at your age, pain ought not be any friend at all. But if it has brought you to make such a brew, well… with your permission, I would like to add your potion to the medical ward's supply, obviously for extreme uses only. "

"Um sure, but besides me who gets - Stop, never mind, you can't even tell me, I know."

"Thank you for understanding but frankly, I had less a patient, and more reality in mind. Mr. Potter, you more than many others are too familiar that the war is here. We both know it will bring pain and injuries with it. Another medication to bring relief would be welcome. "

"I'll brew you a bottle, Monday."

"I would welcome it. I will let you have your day now… and your lady." he said with a smile.

Harry grinned. "I'm lucky and convinced her to slum it with me.

"Remember Harry, I've been here since her first year too. I rather doubt she sees it that way." she turned and walked away.

Harry turned to the lady on his arm and smiled. He played a hunch. "How long have you been awake babe?"

"Long enough to tell you I'm not slumming it." she yawned as she rose. "But I missed how you are doing."

"Fine, much better actually. Thank you by the way. I am medically released to leave but she asked me to take it easy this weekend till Monday morning." He walked around to the end of the bed and squatted down to put his boots back on and then his sweater. Finally now the smell of the fire and smoke was registering to him. He grimaced but then grabbed his wand to prestidigitate himself clean.

"You okay, babe" she asked as she did the same.

"I was raised muggle enough. I still prefer a good old fashioned shower, but I'd like to grab breakfast with you and NOT smell like an explosion."

"Mmmm Breakfast, ya you got me there. Good idea." she said walking around to meet him and straight into a hug. "Thank you for being okay."

"Thank you for watching over me." he smiled as he kissed hello. "Good morning by the way."

"Wow ya, good morning." Ginny said, shaking herself into reality. Hospital time always seemed to be completely separate from the rest of the world. Ginny happily took his arm as they walked to the Great Hall... only to encounter one of the saddest things Ginny had ever seen. It was empty, finally now they realized the had overslept. "Bollox." Ginny replied.

Harry grinned, "Hang on, let it never be said that I made Weasley miss a meal. Especially the morning after already having a talking from Molly."

"Ya, I'm sorry Harry I suppose, I should have been asking you or reminding you about writing Mum."

"Don't worry, I'll work it into things. They have been great, a weekly letter is not too much to ask."

He led them back up to Gryffindor common and happily fell into a pair of comfy chairs with a desk. "Dobby!" he called with a grin. Ginny smiled.

With a pop the house elf appeared on the table wearing his black dress vest, matching shorts. "Master Harry Potter!" he welcomed. Then turned to see Ginny. "And this must be the lovely lady you has been courting." the elf observed with a sheepish smile.

"As long as she'll let me, yes, Dobby. This is Ginny Weasley."

Ginny held out a hand. "Pleasure to finally meet you, Dobby. Harry has spoken very highly of you. I hear you have helped him several times, Thank you."

Dobby blushed and seemed to smile wider than he face would normally allow. "Thank you Miss Wheezy." After saying the name a thought occurred and Dobby took a closer look at Ginny's fiery red hair, then looked back to Harry. "Sir, as her name is Wheezy-"

Harry smiled and raised his hand. "Sister to our steward. In fact, I'm rather close to all the Weasleys. We're family."

Ginny smiled brightly at how casually and comfortably said that. She could tell he was finally starting to actually believe that first, not just as a corrective reflex, like how her Mum had finally converted from 'Mrs. Weasley' to 'Molly' for hm.

"So, "Harry continued, "if you encounter any of the Weasleys requiring help or asking anything, you would honor me to help them."

"Understood, Master Harry Potter. Did Sir has a reason for calling Dobby?"

"Yes, I, well, we both had a hell of a night last night, overslept, missed breakfast. You always seem to deliver for me before. I was hoping you could russell something up for us?" Dobby stood tall, smiled ear to ear and nodded excitedly. Then he disappeared with a pop.

"You are so kind to him." Ginny said.

"Dobby is a great guy. I'm not going to get into the semantics of 'why's' that don't involve me. But he is kind, friendly, also reliable and effective. Who wouldn't want him on the team?"

Again, impossibly quick Dobby returned with two white plates in hand setting one in front of each of them. Seemingly from up his sleeves seemed to shoot their knife, fork, and spoons, that he set in proper format before them. Then with a smile Dobby seemed to almost dance as with a flurry of magical popping in and out as Dobby brought in plate after plate of food: fried eggs, sausages, bacon, toast, grilled tomatoes, hash browns, black puddings. When the baked beans appeared. Harry called out. "Dobby, stop, enough we're good!"

Dobby looked up with uncertainty, "Sir?"

"Dobby, mate, We'd been happy with toast and jam."

Dobby snapped his fingers, "Forgot the jams." then popped away and back with a selection and a smile.

Ginny was laughing full heartedly at the sight. "Harry," she said as she reached over to him. "You've been good to him. He's being good to you. Let it be. You're more likely to hurt his feelings more than anything else."

"I suppose you're right, better tuck in."

They had gotten a few bites in when the other redheaded Weasley made his way downstairs. "Oi, missed you two at breakfast." Ron greeted.

"Rough night, after you left." Harry explained.

"Harry had a riddle headache, a pretty bad one." Ginny clarified.

"Damn, mate. How are you?" He asked.

"Meh," Harry shrugged. "Bad News, last night's headache did kick my arse. Good News: that potion I brewed for it works. Takes it down so that I can at least sleep it off. Overslept in fact, hence this," he gestured.

"Congrats, glad you got something that helps." Ron finally noticed the table. "Bloody hell, did I just walk in on a breakfast date?"

Ginny looked at Harry who gave an expression of indifference, basically saying 'Your call', with his eyes.

"I think we've proven when we want to be alone, you won't find us, Ron." she grinned. "Pull up a chair," she said as she gestured across from her.

Smiling, Harry had to ask. "Ron if you missed us at breakfast then haven't you already had breakfast?"

"Well ya," as he had a seat. "What, you never heard of Second Breakfast?" He grinned, then Dobby magically popped in with tableware for him. "Whoa, Dobby, cheers mate. Are you the one to thank for all this?"

"Hello Mr. Wheezy," Dobby nodded, "Master Harry Potter missed breakfast, Dobby happy to help Sir and Wheezy family."

"Well… thanks… then." Ron said to the elf. Then looked up to Harry, "Sir?"

"About a month back we literally ran into each other and got to talking. I hired him, and I mean hired, Ron. Wages, uniforms, and everything."

"I've had jobs before mate, I know how it goes." He smiled, digging in himself.

"I know, I just want that clear, so when Hermione hears about this, we try to keep a proper perspective."

Both the redheads snickered, and they focused on what was truly important… food. Harry was happy Ron's table manners had improved to normal over the summer.

Dobby was pouring tea for Harry when he looked up to Harry, slightly hesitant. "Master Harry Potter, there is a matter that Sir should be aware of."

Harry exchanged a raised eyebrow expression with Ginny. Ron focused on breakfast.

"Okay, Dobby, what is going on?'

"Sir is familiar with Kreacher?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Yes," Harry said flatly.

"Kreacher ask Dobby to ask Sir for talk."

"He wants to talk to me?"

Dobby nodded.

Harry thought for a moment. "Dobby, I'd like your opinion. Do I even want to hear what he wants to say? Or will this be another round of him hoping I die?"

Dobby seemed to stand a little taller. "Since Sir asks, Dobby think you two should talk."

Harry looked over to Ginny who nodded in agreement. "Alright Dobby, I'll trust you. Kreacher, please come." Harry called. Dobby popped away and on the floor between Ginny and he popped in the much older house elf. His ears drooped and he held his hand up as such that he looked like he almost should hold his hat in hand. He turned to Harry. "Young Master," he greeted.

"Kreacher," Harry nodded. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Kreacher still bonded to house magic."

"Yes, I am aware."

"Kreacher still feels House. House is better. House healing now. Why?"

"Grimmauld House is important to me. I intend to make it my home in a few years."

"Master Black never healed house."

"Sirius, had a great many challenges in the last several years. I would think you know that."

Kreacher nodded in confirmation.

"While my life is not simple, I am attempting to make improvements to Grimmauld. I have hired a pair of stewards to supervise its repairs."

Kreacher nodded in understanding. "Dobby says Young Master kind to Dobby."

"I try."

"Master Black not always kind." Kreacher looked at Harry carefully. So did Ginny.

Harry thought for a moment, and sighed. "Sirius never claimed to be a saint, frankly never have I. I won't defend Sirius's shortcomings more than to say what I already have. He had a great many challenges in the last several years. But he was master of House Black. I am the master of House Potter. If you are going to judge me, I would prefer you make your judgements solely based on my actions, not someone else's."

Kreacher grumbled and thought for a moment. "If you continue to treat house and elf well, Kreacher willing to respect House Potter."

Harry looked up to Ginny, who's expression was a rare one, uncertainty.

"Kreacher, when we last met at Grimmauld you clearly stated you wish me dead."

Kreacher nodded.

"Um, Harry." Ron interjected.

Harry nodded and raised a hand to Ron to let him know "Now you're saying you're willing to respect me?"

Kreacher nodded again.

"Harry, babe," Ginny tried.

"Let me just please finish here, Gin. Kreacher, can you see how those two statements… seem at odds with one another?"

Another nod.

"Why do you want this Kreacher, and be honest."

"House elf should be of service to house. Kreacher served Grimmauld at its worst. Kreacher would like to serve as it heals."

Harry took a long hard thought.

"Alright, I'm willing to find a middle ground. I'm not freeing you, you know too much and you haven't earned my trust yet. But I am willing to let you start earning it. I'll add you to the staff working with Dobby. Same pay rate. No uniform. I can't allow you to try to trick me. You are allowed to serve the school or House Potter needs, here or at Grimmauld. You are still not allowed to discuss any conversations or information you learned at Grimmauld to anyone not loyal to House Potter. Acceptable?

"Yes, Master Potter, thank you." and he popped away.

"What… the … hell!" a voice Harry recognized shouted from behind him, proving karma is a bitch.

Harry looked up to see both Weasleys looking behind him. Ginny offered, "We tried to warn you."

Without turning around Harry gestured to the seat across from him, "Morning 'Mione, have a seat. Let's chat."

With a fuming expression and crossed arms she did walk behind the chair but refused to sit, rather chose to stare at Harry. "You're not freeing him?" she said in clear irritation.

"Hermione, I would be happy to have a calm and civil conversation with you and explain everything. Sit down please?" Harry practically begged.

"No! You know this is an issue that I don't take lying down."

"And I am not your enemy here." Harry let out a sigh. "Let's at least set up a silence field."

"No! I'm not saying anything I regret! I actually believe in freedom!"

Harry rose and sighed. "Fine, I'll do it. You're the best spell caster here 'Mione, not the only." Harry took his wand and created a bubble around them to cut sound from one side reading the other. "Gin, Ron, this may get loud, You're welcome to excuse yourself and I'll catch up later."

"No! They stay too. Numbers are about the only way to get through to you sometimes."

"Right well, that's not a decision you make for them Hermione, neither of us do." Harry replied as he sat back down.

Ron actually started to get up.

"Ronald, stay!" Hermione barked.

Harry rolled his eyes, still keeping calm to even amused. "Well first, Gin, Feel free to do whatever the hell you want." She crossed her legs and fingers showing she had no intention to leave. Harry's astute eye could see Crimson's personality starting to fire up.

Harry continued. "Second, Hermione, I'd really appreciate it if you didn't order my mate around like a dog. Third I get you are mad, you have made that clear. Have a seat and let's talk like grown ups."

"Why? So you can try to charm me and woo me over like some idiot?"

"No," Harry said again, but clearly getting agitated. "Because we've been friends for six bloody years and I thought we could talk this out like we've talked everything else out."

"There's nothing to talk about. You need to free Kreacher."

"And I intend to… when safe to do so."

"What!? No, Now!"

She finally tripped Ginny's patience. "Oh for Merlin's sake Hermione. You are way off base here. Sit down and join the goddamn conversation!"

"Oh I wondered when you wind up immediately coming -"

"That's it!" Harry roared standing up with enough "Mione! Sit down and Shut up!" He glared across the room with arcs of electricity sparking in his eyes. "I can bloody well stand too! And that's now all three of us that you have gone off at. Let's pull a page from last night. If I were the one being a stubborn arse, what would you do?"

Hermione shook her head clear for a moment and took her seat. "Sorry," she said sheepishly.

Ginny was pissed. "Hermione, you personally have seen me check Harry twice in the last year minimum so you damn well I'm no love sick little first year. I am more than happy to be first in line pointing out when he's wrong. On this he's not, but you're not fucking listening to anything besides your own damn voice. And I really don't appreciate suggesting I can't make up my own mind, especially from you."

Harry kept going. "I'm fine by the way. You know from getting blown up yesterday. Thanks for asking. Had my worst ever Riddle headache too. That really sucked. How was your night? Can we bloody well talk now?"

Hermione flinched with mention of last night. "Ginny, Ronald, I was out of line, I'm sorry."

"Harry… First I am glad you are better. I was outspoken…but it will take me a great deal to believe what good can come from keeping a house elf enslaved."

"Protecting people's lives." Harry replied coldly.

"I - I don't understand."

"Which I have been trying to tell you for ten minutes. Are you willing to listen to me now?"

Hermione nodded.

"Thank you," Harry said with relief. "Now let's get our verbs straight here. I haven't enslaved a damn soul here. I inherited Kreacher with the rest of House Black, and I have hired Dobby, just like I hired Bill and Fleur. Just like the Twins hired Gin, and Mr. Diggory hired Ron. Jobs are a goddamn thing you know. As you just heard, Kreacher and Dobby are getting paid the same, for reference, a galleon a day, plus room and board. Dobby himself is still a free elf and is very aware he can leave his job here anytime he wants. In fact one of his terms of employment is that he can't punish himself anymore."

"Good idea, mate." Ron agreed with a nod.

"Why do you need any house elves? Ever since we've known you, you have never needed any of the pomp or circumstances like servants."

"The war." Harry answered plainly. "Hermione, you yourself are the one that found Regulus's journal. Riddle himself used an elf with the locket horcrux hiding place, some damn cave of something. We know that Riddle has several houses already very loyal on his side, they will have several elves at their disposal. Elf magic is unique and powerful. I want to even the playing field."

"Tactically speaking, 'Mione, he has a point." Ron bravely agreed.

"What are they doing for you right now?"

"Frankly, right now, not much. Mostly they assist with duties with Hogwarts as needs be. In the month I've had Dobby on the team I've had three jobs for him. This is the third and you and Ron had the second."

Hermione searching her memory in confusion bore a clear expression on her face.

Ginny made things clear. "The picnic basket for your Astronomy Tower date."

"I told you I could give you a long boring explanation, OR I could give you a nicety for your date with Ron. I couldn't do both. I voted for the date then. I still don't regret it. I hope you don't either. Dobby is actually more like a mate than even a hired servant."

Hermione's head spun. Harry kept going.

"We are voluntarily putting ourselves through hell, well you all are voluntary. So no, I'm not going to feel bad about putting a friend on my payroll and occasionally asking him for help to give all of us a bright spot here in and there in this damn war. Call it cheap therapy."

"So Dobby is free but Kreacher is not. What's the difference?"

"Fair question, trust. Dobby knows less and I trust more. Kreacher was the elf for Grimmauld place for years. Can you think of anyone else who has used Grimmauld place in recent years?"

Hermione thought for a moment, then realized… and could barely whisper. "The Order…"

"And there we have it! Kreacher has already proven he'll talk to the enemy. There's no telling how much he knows. And I won't risk the Phoenix members' lives for some noble gesture. So yes, I'm keeping him bound to me until the war is over. Then I will be happy to give a uniform or free him and he can do whatever the hell he wants. Nine hells 'Mione, I love you. You're a mate, but your idealism is exhausting sometimes."

A silence came to the table and all eyes fell to the brightest witch of the age, who was starting to realize how far from correct she was.

She started looking to her left. "Ronald, you're a good man. One who certainly didn't deserve to be treated like an animal. I am sorry."

She turned to her right. "Ginny, you are one of the strongest and most independent people I have ever met. And yes, I agree you can put Harry in his place like no other. I should never have assumed otherwise. You, both of you actually are quite bright and insightful. I should have listened. I'm sorry."

Ron offered a hand. "Look, Merlin knows that Ginny and I know a bit about shouting off during a row-"

"Understatement," his sister agreed.

"So we'll be fine but, we're not the major elephant in the room."

Hermione nodded. She finally took her own courage breath. 'You didn't deserve that Harry. You… You've grown so much in the last few months I guess I was worried that your moral compass that I always respected more than anything had begun to drift. Now, I realize it's never been more firm. Your logic is sound. People's lives are more important than principals. You've always had a way of cutting to the essentials of any situation. I should have listened to you. I shouldn't have gone off like that. You are better than that. I am sorry. "

"Apology accepted, Now can we please get to breakfast? You too Mione."

After seeing forgiving nods and smiles from the other two, Hermione nodded and sat back. No sooner did she than Dobby popped in with a smile. "Miss Grangee!" he welcomed, setting the table for her.

Hermione looked at the elf now dressed in a black uniform with her friend's crest over his heart. "Hello Dobby, You're looking quite well. Almost dashing."

"Dobby free elf and wants to bring respect to House of Master Harry Potter," the elf said as he stood up straight and puffed his little chest out.

"Well… you do that well."

When he popped away, Hermione again, with more heart said. "I'm sorry, Harry. You are doing a good thing here."

"I try."

"You said you had a Riddle headache last night?" she asked while starting with marmalade on toast.

"Massive," Harry confirmed. "Pain was ridiculous."

"For while there Harry was contorted into an arch from it. It was all Mum and I could do to hold him down."

"Mum was here?" Ron asked.

"So you missed her?" Ginny asked. "Harry I keep telling you, you're the favorite."

"Well Ron, we were… indisposed." Hermione smiled.

The table was filled with snickers. Harry continued "Apparently the severity of it was enough to rattle Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall. They both seem to be a bit more… accepting of our reality now. McGonagall seems to be a huge supporter of Tonks. So for the first time I can think of seems like we may have friends in good places.

"Harry, are you suggesting we win this war… with the power of friendship?" Ron asked with a straight face… that held for about three seconds before descending into laughter. Taking the table with him. The four of them caught up and agreed they should get a war council meeting set for the next night.

After breakfast the couples broke apart. A tired Ginny turned to Harry, "I don't suppose I could sweet talk you into letting me borrow your shower one more time. It is far more comfortable than the dorms."

Harry smiled, "I never moved your soaps and stuff out. Feel free."

Sunday evening marked the second meeting of the War Council, now with Hannah at the table. "Welcome to the inner circle." Harry greeted. "I trust Neville has spent some time briefing you, I have to believe you have questions."

Hanna smiled as she sat leaned forward. "Thank you for having me. First after hearing what Neville has told me, first let me say…holy hell you lot!"

Everyone snickered around the table. Susan replied. "That's honest."

"Well before I go too far into your material. I did have a question or two from home. Harry, Dad tells me in the last few days there has now been a burning galleon half buried in your parents headstone?"

Ginny raised her hand with a smile.

"Ah, and the Potter cottage now marked with your Riddle phrase?"

"Ya that was me," he said a grin

Hanna nodded. "Dad's words were, "Well done. He likes your chutzpah."

"It's nice to be appreciated." Harry smiled.

"And from what I understand. Right now you are aligning houses of the Sacred 28, but we are very early in that." Harry nodded. "But more importantly you've discovered Riddle's immortality is connected to a collections of extremely evil magic items that this team is specifically looking to destroy."

Harry smiled, "Considering the insanity of what we're dealing with, pretty good. Neville good job briefing. Horcruxes let's table till later. How are we with safehouses?"

Neville nodded. "Susan and I coordinated. We've identified locations we can use in: Appleby, Ballycastle, Barnton, Chudley, Chudleigh, Falmouth, Holyhead, Ilkley, London, Muld-on-the-Wold, Puddlemere, Tinworth, Tutshill, UpperFlagley, and Wimbourne."

"If I may," Hanna slipped in. "Godric's Hollow is at your beck and call, Harry."

Harry was shocked. "Well… damn… That's awesome work."

"I am already putting requests in for wands to be delivered on site. Might take a few weeks if you want it done subtly." Susan reported.

"I do and that's fine. Thank you." Harry nodded. "Get me addresses and I'll work on more mundane equipment. Cots, sleeping bags, maybe MREs etc."

Susan and Neville nodded.

Hannah hopped in, "Harry, I want help coordinating with getting healing supplies there too."

"Thank you, do it."

Hermoine hopped in, "I have two prototypes for the two way letters, but especially with the volume that we are talking about now for safehouse I'm afraid I have a new problem. I'm going to need a lot more spell ink than I can reasonably requisition from the school. They already raise an eyebrow at me."

"Okay, so clarification." Harry asked. "We're talking normal spell ink like we normally pick up in Diagon at the beginning of semester?"

"Yes, this would just require a lot more than is reasonable for me or even a few of us to reasonably need."

"Okay but what I'm getting at is that it is not like a regulated thing? Available off the shelf?

"Well yes, that's why they let students use it." She nodded.

"Get me a catalog, I'll send an owl, order you a crate."

"And I thank you Harry, I assumed you would but, the quantity we need exceeds what the owls generally deliver. So you can see my dilemma."

Ron leaned forward. "What if we had them deliver Hogsmeade?"

"Hogsmeade is outside the school grounds." Hannah noted, "We can't get there easily."

The quartet collective bit their lips and exchanged looks. "Hogsmeade hasn't been a problem for years now." Harry clarified, "As this develops, we'll let you in on that."

"That's another matter we want to talk about, Harry." Susan said. "The three of us have wracked our brains, and unless you have an angle on it. There is one major wizard population center where we don't have a manned safehouse candidate."

Harry realized it without them saying it. "Hogsmeade."

"Right in one, Harry." Susan confirmed. "This town is a collection of independent wizard businesses. So it has precious few locations, and even worse on contacts."

"But it is the only and thus largest all wizarding population in Britain." Hermione reminded gravely.

"That plus the school almost guarantees the war will come here." Ron deduced.

That idea clearly didn't settle well with Ginny, there was too much of her Mum in here to not try to help people. "We got to do something."

"How strongly do you believe that?" Neville asked very carefully.

"Um… very. Harry, why does everyone think I'm a heartless bitch?"

"I don't, Ginny I swear. I have an idea," Neville clarified, " but you might be sensitive to it."

Ginny looked at him suspiciously. "We've got some time together Nev, and I can take a hit. What are you thinking?"

Neville still had trouble spitting it out. In mercy Hannah grabbed his hand and explained, "Neville wants to repurpose the Chamber of Secrets into an emergency bunker."

"Ginny, I don't expect you to go down," he quickly clarified. "But realistically I don't see us seven, and especially you four to really hide anywhere. But this would be something we could evacuate students or the town too. Structurally the chamber is damn secure. There are some people that may think it does exist, but hardly anyone knows where or, much less, know how to get in. There's plenty of space and water."

The table fell silent, eyes drifted to Ginny, who thought for a moment. Harry reached over to grab her hand in support. She looked over and even gave him a small smile. "Neville, You're right, I'm not going to want to go down there. But we're not talking about me. If you can think of a way to turn that godforsaken place into something that will save people's lives, you do it with my blessing. Just make sure to spit on Riddle's remnants and remind him who won."

Harry grinned in support. The smile was shared around the table. "Alright Neville, I see your point of view, but I have to admit… hesitations. But there are reasons we're all on this table. You want this project, you got it. Step one, you need to learn how to say 'Open' in parseltongue. Once you've got it so you can open the sink in the girls bathroom, we'll do a recon to see how the ice is holding up. If that's clear, we can look at prepping more in earnest. I admit I would feel a lot better if that chamber had a back door."

"We thought the same thing, Harry." Susan nodded.

"Earth elemental," Neville reminded. "You saw me with the door. I figured I'd use the stone shape spell to create a back door and second tunnel out."

"Hogsmeade tunnel?" Ron suggested.

Harry and Hermione looked at each other and exchanged glances.

"It does go all the way to town. Would have to trim some of the distance." Harry surmised.

Hermione smiled while planning verbally. "Regardless of the distance, if we branched off the Hogsmeade tunnel we wouldn't need to find and hide new entrances. And it would allow an easy evacuation for anyone in town if we needed to."

The three newest members looked to Ginny for clarification. She raised her hands in defense. "From these three I've heard there is a tunnel to town, I don't know more than that."

Harry shook himself out of planning. "Sorry, er, ya, welcome behind the curtain. Let's definitely keep this quiet. There is a tunnel from the Whomping Willow to the Shrieking Shack in town. That's what we mean by 'getting to town isn't a problem'."

"I knew it!" Susan said with a triumphant thump to the table. "A thousand year old castle, I knew there was a secret passage or two."

"Let's try to keep it secret, but ya." Ron confirmed.

Hannah trying thinking logically. "Neville mentioned the Chamber is basically under the lake. I get Neville has the spell skills to do it, but how do we dig in the right direction to connect to it."

"The Point Me spell?" Harry offered.

"For those of us who've been there it would work, yes." Then Hermione explained to the table. "Navigation spell I developed for Harry during the Triwizard tournament. If nothing else you can use your wand to find North, but I've polished more since then, and so long as you have been there before you can get the proper direction of travel. I should teach it to you all as just in case."

To demonstrate Harry rose with his wand, 'Point me Chamber of Secrets'. Sure enough the wand rose a few inches off his hand, spun around once then settled pointing to the left, but sharply declined.

Neville nodded. "Okay, I can handle excavation, that covers navigation."

"What about lighting?" Susan asked. Our wands are going to be busy. Do we want to get some candles?

"Bluebell flames." Ron volunteered.

Hermione immediately summoned one in her hand. "We've got that covered. And we can put these in the jars and bottles along the way."

"Bottles? Like normal glass bottles?" Ginny asked.

Hermione nodded.

"Whatcha thinking, Gin?" Harry asked.

"I'm thinking we will wait till after a match party and collect the empties." she grinned.

"They'd work." Hermione confirmed with a nod and laugh.

"Harry mate, you wanted a low profile."

Harry shook his head at the ridiculousness of it. "I did, wow okay. Everybody save your empties. Neville, I'm going to leave the Chamber project under you but don't be bashful." then turning to the male redhead. "Ron, you had a thought about mail before that bunny trail."

"Well, first I was thinking we should just go simple and get like a post box. But that would still be in one of our names, likely Hermione's. But Harry, you want things low profile right."

"If possible, yes." he nodded.

"And it's not just going to be a case of ink is it?" Ron clarified, "There's more to come isn't there?"

Harry looked at Neville and Hanna. "Especially if we are planning a bunker here, ya."

"All right, well if you want to move a large amount of supplies we need to get business on our side. Preferably one with a wide rage of hours that we might be able to reach them out."

"Bloody hell, Ron. Tell me you are not suggesting I buy Three Broomsticks?" Harry asked, slightly annoyed.

"What?! No we want the place in someone else's name." Hermione confirmed.

"Thank you," Harry asked. "What's the real plan?"

Hermione smiled, "We want you to charm Madam Rosmerta."

"What?! NO!"

"The less she knows the better, but sus her out and if she's somewhere on the anti Riddle side of things… sweet talk her into receiving the occasional pallet delivery that we will pick up from there.

Harry pitched the bridge of his nose. "And the pair of you are suggesting this with Gin sitting right here."

"I'm actually totally for this, Harry." Ginny smiled.

"What?" he asked her dryly.

"No one is suggesting you romance Rosmerta, every bloody boy for the last two decades has tried to do that. We want you to charm her into a business deal. Not to tell you how to spend your money, but I'm sure for a few galleons she could be persuaded to look the other way if some deliveries came and went out of her backroom."

"When? When the hell did I become this much of a damn charmer?"

All four of the ladies at the table exchanged looks and together answered, "Dragon slay."

"Bloody hell, seriously?"

"Language Harry, you're nobility." Hermione reminded with a teasing grin.

"Fine… I will do what no bloke has done before, charm Madam Rosmerta."

Ginny put a comforting hand on the back of his neck and scratched. "If anyone can, it's you," she smiled.

"Argh… okay… So let's talk about the next horcrux we have, might as well kill it while we have it. Hannah, are you familiar?"

She reflexively looked at Neville. "Magic item that keeps Riddle alive?"

"Exactly. Last one we have currently is Hufflepuff's cup. But now we know these damn things fight back. We know how, so I suggest we all pack a fang, I am open to suggestions on where? I am going to suggest not going back to the Chamber. Our luck we'll cause another cave in."

"Quidditch field? Open spaces and we know the lay of the land." Ginny volunteered.

"Not bad." Harry nodded.

"To me that feels dangerous," Hermione objected. "Whatever is summoned, could walk away. The locket did have a very effective stun to it."

Susan nodded, "Hate to say it, I agree with Hermione. More contained would be better."

"Bowtruckle Isle?" Ron suggested."

"Help me out, Ron, I'm new." Hannah asked.

"Ever see that island out in the Great Lake? That's its name."

"Barely an island." Neville noted. "

"True but small area keeps… whatever, contained for us too." Hermione noted.

"We fly out," Ron explained. "Then everyone takes a fang, spreads out, first one to stab the cup wins. If something does get past us, it'll have to deal with the squid and the merpeople too."

"That's actually a really decent plan, Ron." Ginny complimented… with a touch of surprise.

"Not all of us can fly a broom." Hermione noted.

"Anyone else not learn to fly a broom?"" Harry asked, looking mostly to the newer members.

Hannah raised her hand. "Sorry, never my thing."

"Fair enough." Harry shrugged. "How about this? We have our Ministry Pins. Hannah, I think you could use a little extra target practice for A.C.T., right?" he winked.

"Sure… Harry?

"And I'm tutoring her?" Hermione confirmed.

"Exactly, if something happens to one of us we can portkey back to the training hall."

"Oh!," Hannah replied, now understanding. "And I have a healer's kit available."

"Now you see how we operate. Yes." Harry and the rest of the table smiled. "The rest of us meet at the quidditch pitch at 8:00 Friday. My Captains badge will let us get brooms. Neville, Susan, there's plenty there for you to borrow. We fly. We stab. We get back and lick our wounds."