Chapter 24
-
Harry left Rosmerta's office to an empty tavern, not even with the cadets there, except for Sergeant Tonks. Rosmerta followed behind him.
"Doing alright?" Tonks asked
Rosmerta exhaled deeply, "Considering things, and the weather, I think I'm closing the tavern early."
"Understandable," Tonks nodded, "Though if you don't mind I'd like to borrow it for a moment. I need to have a private word with Master Potter."
"Sergeant, you are welcome to whatever you like, just please lock up."
"Already done," the Sergeant said with a smile. Rosmerta disappeared upstairs.
Tonks stood at ease behind a table. Never had Harry felt more as a target than he did with her eyes keyed in on him. "Wotcher, Harry," she smiled. "Let's you and me have a chat." She said it pleasantly enough, even with a smile, but Harry really didn't feel as if he had a choice in the matter. Harry looked around again to see if he had missed anyone before. "Just you and me, Harry. I released everyone else. I pulled a string and let most flame back to school. You and I need a word."
Harry took a seat on the opposite side of the table as Tonks. She slid a butterbeer over to him. Then she took her badge off and laid it on the table. "Let's drop rank for this, Harry."
Though he knew it wasn't any rank insignia, but to show agreement, Harry took his Ministry pin off and laid it down too.
"Let's set a few ground rules here." Tonks started, taking a drink. "First, I've already set up the privacy charms and such. Neither of us here is a bad guy. We both want Riddle dead and this war over."
"Agreed," Harry nodded.
"Good, also neither of us is an idiot."
"Absolutely not, I've never considered you anything but brilliant Tonks."
"Thank you, and I've been telling you, you have a first rate mind Harry."
"Thanks ma'am." Harry said, sipping his own beer. He couldn't help but feel open and exposed. He'd never seen the tavern this empty before. It felt hollow, like an empty shell of its former being… or like an empty grave. The only sound was from a grandfather clock in the corner ticking away like a heartbeat.
"Relax Harry," Tonks said like she could read his mind.
He raised an eyebrow.
"No Harry, not even magic. I've been trained to read people for five years now. And I know you a bit. So that brings us to our next point. Both of us have experienced it enough, let us not insult each other by lying to each other, fair enough?"
Harry felt like he was being led to dangerous waters. But Tonks had covered him more than once. He was willing to risk this.
"I am aware that the last few weeks our relationship has been very formal by the nature of auror training. And I don't necessarily apologize for that. I stand by that training the team as efficiently and rapidly as possible is in everyone's best interest. But at the end of this damn war, I would still like us to have some kind of familiar relationship. It might have been a bit distant, but Sirius was basically my uncle."
"I remember, and I- I do want that too. I have understood the needs for training and I appreciate the results."
"And I'm not just an auror. I sit at that Order table in that house of yours."
"I remember, Tonks." Harry could tell she was setting the stage for something.
"All that to say I would like to think there is some mutual trust here, Harry."
Harry took a breath, but had to admit. "I do trust you,Tonks."
"Feeling is mutual, Harry." Tonks took another drink.
Harry cocked his head in curiosity.
"Harry, I don't approve Field Cadet to cadets I don't trust. I already trust you to watch my back."
"Thank you, Tonks." Harry nodded and took another drink.
Tonks took a drink too. "So now we get to the uncomfortable conversation. Again, you're not dumb Harry. You have to know we professors talk."
"Of course." Harry answered honestly.
"I walked into this position knowing about your Golden Trio, which now seems to be a quartet."
"Ginny deserves it, I'm better with her."
"No argument or complaint, Harry. You were the subject of more than a few girl talks we've had."
"Really? Well.. thank you," Harry said sincerely.
"But just because you two are dating, don't for a moment think I'm buying that Bowtruckle Isle 'date' excuse two weeks ago."
Harry took a drink and looked Tonks square in the eye.
"Well at least that's not a lie. About a month ago, Professor Snape asked about an extra evening training you led your team on. I happen to think he is an arse and I can't believe he's allowed to be a professor here so I don't care that I covered for you. But I know you lot were up to something then too."
Another drink not breaking eye contact.
Tonks nodded. "Alright, I can work with this at least. You just happen to be carrying a container jar that is guarded and warded against curses?"
"I'm friendly with Bill Weasley. I got it from him. He's a curse breaker. If you have questions on its enchantments, feel free to ask him."
"Now, Madam Rosmerta, wants a private word with you as Master Potter."
"That was just a business deal, Tonks, I promise. Nothing illegal."
Dripping with sarcasm, Tonks replied "Oh, and nothing legal ever caused any problems."
Tonks sat back and looked at him, truly with an expression he had seen on Hermione when they failed to see eye to eye on something. "Look Harry, I'm an auror. My sworn duty is to serve and protect. The breadcrumbs I have already look suspicious. If I find more I'm going to need to investigate deeper and it snowballs from there. So keep me from starting down that path. Level with me."
Harry thought long and hard as looked at her. This wasn't one of his classmates. This was an auror. But still with Dumbledore unpredictable of his support, and now Malfoy involved?
"Alright Tonks, I won't lie and deny anything. But you've just said both you trust me and you don't think I'm an idiot, correct?"
"Correct," she nodded again.
'And you're no slouch of a teacher and you know I've done my reading. One assumes you are familiar with the idea of operational security."
"Harry, I'm going to need a lot of convincing to accept OpSec for this."
Harry took a big breath and exhaled. "There are about three… missions… I'm involved with. I'm sorry. I assumed Dumbledore would have briefed you."
"Dumbledore hasn't told me shite!" Tonks admitted heatedly.
"Welcome to the club!" Harry said just as vehemently.
They exchanged a look of mutual frustration at the smartest wizard in the world they both looked at as their authority figure. They were both able to hold that expression for a moment, then both broke out in laughter.
"Damn that wizard sometimes!" Tonks cackled.
"Hey, that's been my life since I enrolled."
"Okay...Harry please, read me in."
"Alright, honestly what is your opinion of Professor Slughorn?"
Tonks shook her head side to side for a moment. "Knows his craft, a bit full of himself. He has aspirations higher than his skills will take him."
"Why do you think Dumbldore hired him back to Hogwarts?"
"Previously, I thought it was because of his potion skill, but if it is coming up in this conversation, one deduces there is more to it."
"Look I don't know the precise specifics, because Dumbledore hasn't shared them with me-"
"Typical Dumbledore." Tonks agreed.
"But he's told me that Slughorn will be 'good ally to our mutual cause' and 'we will need something' from him. So a large part of my trying in potions and charming and socializing with him and that Slug Club is for that."
"That makes so much more sense. I thought you were trying to network for the nobility stuff."
"Coincidental but convenient cover."
"Alright, that's one. You said three."
"Are you aware of my private lessons with Dumbledore?"
"A certain head of house may have let me know your late return was likely twice and to grant grace. Of course your Field Cadet status covers that nicely."
"Thank you for that. But Dumbledore is teaching me more about the early days of Riddle, something akin to knowing my enemy."
"Alright." Tonks nodded.
"And that is where I start running into 'needing to know.' "
"Alright. And number three?"
Harry exhaled deeply. "Alright, you're not dumb. You've read everything and talked to teachers. You are aware I have a history of getting into the middle of the … unique events of the last several years?"
"Of course," she smiled with a bit of pride. "Just like Sirius."
"Why was I usually in the middle of things?"
"Generally, for one noble reason or another, often to save lives." Tonks said, predicting where this conversation was going.
"In my dealings with those… misadventures… is it reasonable to believe I may have discovered certain truths and secrets of this thousand year old castle."
"Yes," Tonks agreed in frustration.
"Then is it at all possible I can get you to accept I am using some of those secrets to assist in the war against Riddle, that I'm NOT harming anyone, just the opposite in fact. I'm the one doing them because for every year while I've been here there has been some agent of chaos on staff. Now, I trust you Tonks, but you just admitted that teachers talk. I don't trust them all!"
"I don't like it, Harry. You are playing with fire."
"No, that's Ginny, I play with lightning." he grinned.
Tonks snorted as she laughed. "Damn it, Harry. I'm- I'm trying to be serious here."
"Sorry, trying to keep things light when possible. Only way to keep your sanity."
"Merlin Harry, you are too young to know that." Tonks smiled.
"Most of us Marauders have had to grow up fast."
"Marauders?" Tonks asked as a smile curled up her cheek.
"Gin was the one that named us, yes after Dad's, Sirius's, and Remus's old group."
Tonks watched Harry for a few moments. She studied him. She profiled him. She calculated risk and odds. "I will agree none of you in my class are realistically kids anymore. I'm the one training you for the war."
"Thank you." Harry replied.
She paused and thought longer. "I'll be honest, Harry. A large part of the reason I'm here is to be a support role for you. You impressed the hell out of the Captain and me at Diagon Alley. So… I am willing to let you have some slack. But I need some safeguards set up."
"Such as?" Harry asked.
"Firstly, communication. These links of yours. Keep carrying them. I want you to be able to reach me if you need to, like today."
"Already doing that."
"And your ministry pins, if things get hot I want you guys to be able to get out quick."
"Understood."
"ALL of you, all the Marauders. I know you have, but if you're going to be running, Merlin, your own black ops, you need to be prepared."
"I don't think I'd call them black ops."
"They are missions that help the war effort that are literally off the books. What else do you suggest we call them, Harry?"
"Shite." running his hand through his hair in both frustration and realization.
"Shite, indeed Harry!" she replied with an incredulous expression on her face. "I would like it if you would remember I am on your side, Harry. I would like you to be a little quicker and easier with talking to me. I am here to support you, not hinder you. Sirius would kick both our arses if we didn't get along." Tonks smiled.
"Ya… ya he would," memories of Sirius made Harry smile too.
Tonks took another drink. "As you have admitted you know things, I feel it's my job to secure them. My understanding is your original instruction in Occlumency was less than successful?"
Harry mimicked as he explained "It was Snape holding his wand saying, 'Clear your mind.' as he psychically punched into my brain."
Tonks hung her head. "Fucking brutish approach," she muttered under her breath. "Technically, Harry, yes that is a training method but not the one I learned by and certainly not how I train. You saw me legilimens Rosmerta. Did she look near as stressed as you went through?"
Harry shook his head. "No, to your credit, she seemed far more at ease."
"Harry, as an auror in general, but even more so for individuals in our positions, occlumency would be a good skill for you all to have. I would like to give you a demonstration of what my approach is for you to compare with… please."
Harry looked at her warily for a moment. "I trust you, go ahead."
"Alright to begin with, for all of these lessons you have my word, any accidental thoughts I encounter will be held completely private. I'm not going to judge, or even acknowledge, I encounter them. And I'm not going to give examples because I don't want to trigger any. For this lesson, yes, please try to clear your mind. Take a moment, take a breath, tell me when you think you are ready."
Harry took a moment, and did his best to clear his mind. Return to oblivion. "Go ahead."
"'Legilimens.' Tonks cast again but barely above a whisper.
Harry braced for the impact… and waited … and waited. From the center of the nothingness he looked around and found nothing. "Tonks?" he asked.
Still inside his mind, he instantly felt a tap to his right shoulder behind him. He spun around to see Tonks smiling. "Wotcher Harry," she waved and smiled. "It doesn't have to be brutish. In fact, especially for intelligence work, it's best if you can slip in and out gently. But.. we'll pick this up on the outside." she said as she released Harry from the spell.
"How was that?" Tonk asked as they returned.
"If that's how it goes, I can deal with that, Tonks. Thank you."
"From what you described, I think … I think Snape wanted to prove he was better than you at something. Which is bloody asinine because he's a professor, of course he's going to be better. But our jobs are to try to teach you students… hopefully to be better than us. Sodding bastard." Tonks trailed off for a moment and took a long drink.
"If you feel you can't tell me what you're doing, at minimum, who's involved. Who do I need to train in the first round? Logic suggests you, both Weasleys, Granger… I am assuming Bones and Longbottom."
Harry nodded, "Add in Hannah."
"Really? Good, at least you're smart enough to get a medic on the team."
"After five years, ya." he grinned.
"Harry, I can't help but notice.. similarities in your Marauders."
"Because you're not dumb," Harry smiled as he took a drink.
"That explains the new patrols." Tonks replied with a look of realization
Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Few weeks ago the order got news of Houses joining the fight and being added to the patrol routes. They didn't mention you were the instigator."
"Surprise, surprise.. the Order is not giving me credit." Harry said in frustration. "Yes, I'm playing politics. I'm using the connections I have with people who Riddle has harmed to join forces. We're also working on a network of safehouses for when things really get bad."
"Merlin Harry…" Tonks smiled and shook her head. "You're a damn Sixth year student, and you're talking about this war like … friends I went through Auror training with."
"Well, like you said, at the end of this we need to be friends, family, whatever… " Harry raised his bottle. "For Sirius?"
"For Sirius," she returned the toast.
--
Wednesday, 23 October 1996
Katie returned to the tower Sunday night, with long hugs for both Ginny and Hermione. Dean seem to step up and be more around Katie as well. Harry couldn't get over the fact that Draco had gone to this level. Pranks were one thing. Domination and attempted murder, that was another level. Katie was a friend. They practiced and played quidditch together for over 5 years now. Tonks clarified that memory is shaky at best to press charges with, and even worse with no clear memory of the face, still they all knew. He couldn't understand why.
Monday night by the common room fireplace, Ginny offered the first clear thinking.
"Harry, you know how the Ministry basically drafted us?" she asked in a hushed tone.
"Ya, I don't really mind, but yes."
She looked as gravely and seriously as she ever had before. "What if the Ministry was the only one recruiting?"
Ron looked up. "If they were going to, he'd be the obvious choice."
Hermione looked at her, calculating what she was thinking. "Death Eaters? You're suggesting Draco has been promoted to full Eater?"
"All summer we've been seeing our generation take the lead seats because our parents are gone… The Marauders. Well… where's Draco's dad?" Ginny asked.
"Azkaban… " Harry said, nodding his head.
"More to the point." Ginny continued. "Who is the one wizard that gives Riddle pause for thought before doing anything?"
"Professor Dumbledore." Hermione said. "But why? What would Draco offer?"
"Access," Ron answered. "Here, inside the school. Striking distance to the Professor and…" he trailed off, trying to not finish his sentence.
"Were you going to say 'me', mate?" Harry asked.
"Sorry, but ya." Ron winced.
Hermione couldn't make it balance in her head. "I'm not saying any of you are wrong, but I just can't balance it in my head. Draco is a prat. But full on Death Eater?"
Harry sat forward. "'Mione, there's a variable I don't think you are calculating. He lost his father."
"I don't think Death Eaters staffing would be so critical they would be recruiting teens."
"Why not, our side is?" Ginny reminded all of them.
"Agreed, but more to my point, Draco suffered loss. Maybe not to death. But Draco lost his father to a large degree, and a host of other stuff with that. Major events like that change a person." Harry stared at Hermione with eyes begging her to not spell this out too bluntly.
Finally understanding lit her eyes. "OH!"
"Now she gets it." Ginny said. "And I'm not saying he's a full Death Eater or officer or anything. But did Dumbledore gave Harry a special assignment to charm Slughorn. Why couldn't Draco have something like that?"
Ron leaned in. "I don't disagree with any of this Draco is up to something, but what do we do about it?"
Harry sighed. "I admit there is a part of me, a large part of me that wants to light him up… literally."
"You wouldn't be alone." Ginny agreed with a spark of flame in her eye.
"Honestly you two!" Hermione scolded like they swore. "Violence is not always the solution."
"But it's fun." Ginny said with a fake whine, which got both lads laughing.
Hermione continued to try to be the voice of reason. "You heard Sergeant Tonk's position. We need evidence. Otherwise we are no better than them. For now, the best we can do is watch him."
Harry was about to say something when he felt the link warm up in his pocket. As he watched, the other did too. He quickly clipped it on.
"This is Tonks, we've got a mayday and you're answering! Training Hall, now! Grab Bell too."
"Yes ma'am!" Harry replied.
Ginny was already pulling her hair back.
"Katie. We're being deployed and you're up." Harry shouted as he leapt over the team.
Seeing hesitation, Ginny barked. "You want to be on the flight team or not? Fucking now!"
"But… it's the middle of the week." Hermione said with shock.
"War doesn't care babe, Go." Ron clarified pulling her up. "Mayday means we're the rescue team."
That realization finally clicked for Hermione, "Merlin," she bolted up.
Once he had a visual, he linked in. "Gryffindor team on our way. Neville, you here?"
"I was at the hospital with Hanna. We're on our way."
"This is Susan, I'm coming."
Harry held the painting open for Hermione as the last one out of the tower then quickly ran to the front, then kept on running.
"Harry, " Katie asked. "No one told me I was approved for the field yet." She said with a look of concern.
"Battlefield promotion! Welcome to the war." Harry replied over his shoulder.
"Okay but what the hell do I do?!" she asked.
Tonks piped in over the link. "You're flight team. You do whatever I or Crimson tell you to do. Now, shut up, suit up, and get here!"
They dashed down the castle halls as fast as they ever had before. More than a few students quickly moved to the sides as it was clear Harry's team was stopping for no one. If they didn't think of it before they certainly did when Harry barked at them. "Move! Auror Deployment, make a hole!"
Tonks waited by the gyms washroom, with a uniform for Katie complete with Ministry pin. They all changed quickly, and ran into the training room. Crimson led Katie to the rack of brooms recently installed by the floo. "Gear up." she barked, as she made a point of taking the bracelet off the boom and put it in Katie's hand with a link coin.
"What's our situation?" Harry asked, tying his boots.
Tonks was watching the projection from a crystal ball. It was a map of Britain. "Order member sent a patronus. They were on patrol and encountered a heavy attack party in north Scotland, rural location. I'm trying to think of the closest point I know how to apparate to near Longstem Farms."
"Longstem?" Neville repeated with surprise.
Tonks snapped her attention to him. "You know it?"
"I should, it's one of mine!"
"Perfect." Tonks drew her wand and reversed the shield and fields. "How many side alongs can you handle?"
"Er.. Two?" he stammered.
"Excellent, you take me plus one there. Drop them off, we both return, get the rest of the team."
"Right." Neville quickly grabbed Tonks and Hannah's hand, quickly they blinked away.
"Link in and clear center floor people, We know when those portkeys land." Harry reminded everyone to keep focus. "For clarity, flight team with Neville, rest with Sarge. This is a mayday, they probably have injured. Save the innocent, hex the rest."
A moment later the pair popped back into the Training Hall. "We can get there but we will be under fire as soon as we do." Tonks reported.
"Hannah?" Harry asked.
Neville waved a dismissive hand. "Our arrival point is in front of the main gate, I was able to Master open it and pretty much thow her inside. The perimeter fence is charmed with a pretty decent force wall "
"Can we apparate anywhere near?" Hermione asked.
Neville shook his head. "Someone suggested the Gringott's Guard and Wards package to me." He shot a grin at Harry.
"Then we shield wall when we arrive," Ron said.
"Katie and I only need a few seconds to get in the air." Ginny said.
"Seconds?" Harry repeated. "I can hold a shield three minutes now. No problem"
"Alright," Tonks summarized. "We blink in, we shield, you fly, Lightning plays rear guard to get us in the complex and assess from there. Hands in."
In a blur and twist Harry's feet spun from the familiar stone floor of Hogwarts to the cold gravel. The moment the world stopped spinning Harry called 'PROTEGO!' with Hermione and Ron right next to him and following suit. A large blue shield flashed before them that immediately was filled with arcane blasts of red cutters. Crimson and Katie shot like rockets into the air. Neville's Master ring quickly opened the gate enough for them to flow through a single file. Harry held the shield masterfully, slowly moving back giving the team ample time to inside.
"You too, Potter," Tonks ordered when they were the last two.
"I'm coming, I'm coming." Harry replied as the red glow of cutters collided with his shield, until he got behind the gate and dismissed it. The gate closed and re-shimmered with red energy as the force wall within it recharged.
Finally Harry took a moment to look where he was. Snow covered fields before him for a short horizon due to the dark of the night. They stood behind a 10 foot tall gate that connected to a four foot high brown stone wall with a chain length fence extending another 8 feet higher. By the size and design of the buildings this was clearly a professional farm, not simply a single farmer's. The stone buildings clearly had bits of moss growing on them showing they had stood, and presumably worked for quite some time. Near the entrance the was the largest, a three story tall building with stained oak pillars built in to the wall, with the stone and mortar filling between off each pillar hooded lantern hung where a magical flame burned to illuminate the area.
Harry's first concern though was the team. "Crimson, Flight team status?" he linked.
"We're fine. We're wearing all black and the brooms are too. I don't think they are going to see us till we start hexing."
"This is Tonks. Do not fire till fired upon then. Give me a recon. Aerial scout and give us an estimate headcount and anything of interest we need to know."
"Yes ma'am." Crimson replied.
"Longbottom, your place, lead the way.
"Right, well if anything happens, this is the rally point. But those drills were always for fire or something. We never drilled for attack."
"Understood, no one expected war." Tonks nodded.
Neville led the way to a set of wood and glass double doors under a sign, 'Longstem Farms, Main Office.'
Tonks kept delegating. "Iceman, Bones, Patrol and safeguard the structure. Link if you see something. Rest of you with me."
When they entered the office the most striking thing about it was first it's warmth compared to the outside scottish winter. But then Harry nostrils were filled with smells and aromas stronger than he ever imagined. Many were familiar, mostly from the Weasley kitchen, but far deeper and more potent.
Then he could hear the moans of the injured off to the left. Harry's head shot to the side where he saw about a dozen people sitting up against the stone wall spread out against the hardwood floor, with two others laying on the long wooden tables of what looked to be a dining area. Not waiting for an order, or technically permission, Hannah ran over opening her pack and started triage and treatments.
"Master Longbottom!" a voice called in surprise. "We never expected you!" It was from a tall slender man, with chestnut hair and glasses. His button up shirt likely started out white but was now stained with blood, sweat, and dirt.
"I'm part of the rescue team, Winston. Who sent the patronus? And where is Gregory?"
"Mr. Cheznic is with the injured. He was cut by one of hexes from the Eaters in their first volley. As is Mr. Weasley who sent the charm."
"Weasley?" Harry, and Hermione both repeated.
Winston led them back and on the end of line was Bill. His long hair was disheveled and he had a sizable burn mark to his right shoulder, and blood splattered along most of clothes. Already trying, albeit poorly, to treat him was Fleur with minor cuts along both arms but seemed to be able to walk and function normally. She nodded in recognition, "'Arry," but focused on treating her fiancee.
The pair both smiled when the cadets arrived. "It seems I am continuing the family tradition of being saved by Harry Potter," he smiled, and they could tell it was being forced through the pain.
"Sergeant," Hermione asked, "Permission to-"
"Swap with Iceman, agreed." Tonks nodded. Hermione ran off. The Sergeant quickly looked at Harry. "I still need Crimson in the air though. Sorry, but she's our best."
"Understood, I'll handle her." Harry gave a nod of respect to Bill and Fleur as, looked off to the side. "Private link to Crimson," he adjusted. "Status, Gin. Anyone take a shot at you two yet?"
"No, we're fine. Why private babe? What's going on?" The suspicion and concern in Crimson's voice was clear.
"I need you to let me finish my entire next statement before you react."
He could feel her take a deep breath to summon self control, "Alright."
"Bill sent the patronus. He's here looks a bit rough around the edges, but nothing an overnight in medical can't take care of. Looks like he took an incendio to the shoulder. Fleur is watching him now, and we have Hannah coordinating the healing."
"I need perspective. When you say 'rough' do you mean by your injury scale, or a normal person's?"
"Fair question, normal person's. I won't kid you with family."
"Thank you. Does this mean I can confrigo these bastards to hell now?" Anger now replaced the suspicion in Crimson's voice.
"Not yet, I'm sure that will be coming, but give Sarge and I a minute to plan. Go back to the public link and let us know your scout and headcount. Love you."
"Love you too, switching." Crimson ended privately, then sounded back to everyone. "This is Flight Team. Report approximately 50 eaters in the field outside the main gate. Based on their snow tracks it looks like they apprated into the middle of the field and headed straight from the farm. You're already in the main structure. Outside the fence line, looks just to be empty snow covered fields, not much cover one way or the other."
"Understood Flight," Tonks replied. "Maintain scout, advise of changes."
Ron came running in, and took a knee near his brother. "What the bloody hell happened to you?"
"Good to see you," Bill greeted, he looked up to Tonks. "All of you, thanks. Give a brother a hand, Ron?" As Ron did, Bill yelled in pain as he rose.
"You can not wait to be treated?" Fleur mildly scolded as he stood and she slipped under his left arm for support, physically and emotionally.
Bill looked over to Hannah quickly but efficiently assessing and working. "There are others far worse than me. I'll keep for a bit." He turned back to the cadets. "Logic suggests my sister is 'Flight'?"
"With Katie Bell, yeah." Ron said.
"So there's two of them now?"
Tonks nodded, "With two more on in training. What's our situation? Or at least what was it before you were hexed?"
"Fleur and I have been taking a fair bit of Order patrols. We were on patrol checking in. Mr. Cheznic said at the time that it had been quiet. Few people have much trouble with a farm. We were walking around the complex. You know me. I was doing a standard checking of the guards and wards. They opened fire when they thought they had an open shot."
"The force walls are not up all the time." Fleur "Only triggered by arcane attack. We were fired on en masse. We do not know how many. "
"Gin says about fifty." Harry repeated.
"Mon dieu… No wonder so much of the spell fire made through before the walls went up."
"We fell back into here, I knew we were outmatched. And respectfully Tonks, I know what you're doing with my family so, yes, I called in a favor."
Tonks had been listening intently, nodding along. "It's fine, Bill. Literally what we are here for. She turned to Neville, opened her mouth to speak, then remembered where she was and adjusted. "Master Longbottom, this is just a farm right? No secrets I need to know about?"
"I would tell you, no nothing unusual. This place is mostly pumpkins, and a variety of crops for potions. Speaking of which." He turned back to their medic. " Hannah!" he called. She looked up briefly. "Potions supply crop farm. You need something, just ask." Hannah nodded. He turned back to the manager in charge. "Winston, make it happen, full authorization."
"Yes - yes sir," he nodded with some trepidation then rushed to Hannah's side.
"Team, be aware. We have someone approaching, male, six-six, blonde, caucasian."
"Coming." Tonks replied. The Cadets followed in tow. Then so did Bill. Until Tonks stopped him with a hand up. "Not you."
Bill opened his mouth, only to have Tonks beat him to anything. "You sent the mayday, we answered. Let my people handle it. That's an order."
Bill stopped and looked on in dismay. "Something wrong dear?" Fleur asked.
"I'm the eldest, and I'm getting saved by my two youngest brothers, and my little sister."
Tonks left the main office and gathering the cadets as she did. "Stick with me, shut up, and show no fear. She walked with the seasoned confidence of a veteran negotiator. She crossed her arms and leaned slightly onto her right side. "Thorfinn Rowle, I wondered when we would cross paths."
Rowle snicker as he strutted up to the gate. He smiled smugly and even licked his lips as he got a look at Tonks. "You seem to have me at a disadvantage, and I truly hate not knowing a lovely lady's name."
"Sergeant Tonks, D.M.L.E." she replied coldly, almost bored.
"Well, well, well, a full fledged auror… and her footballer club? Or a school trip of some sort?"
"Irrelevant. I'm the officer in charge. Your people already have 12 charges of assault, attempted trespass, and breaking and entry. Considering the days we're living in, I'll allow you to leave now in peace."
Rowle smiled and positively laughed at Tonks. "You misunderstand sweetheart, I am here for the Dark Lord feels generous."
"His name is Riddle." Tonks quickly corrected.
"Ahhhh." Rowle chuckled. "You're one of those. Well… whatever name you call him, his wishes are actually not for anyone's death tonight. His desires are but some of the supplies of this location. Open the gate, stay out of the way, you'll be able to tell your boss that you kept these innocent children safe and sound."
Tonks looked down to the ground, nodded her head a bit. Then rose to look at Rowle in anger. "You know, that is one of the biggest mistakes I have heard in a long time."
"What is that love?"
"My associates… are far from innocent." Tonks took her wand to the underside of her chin, amplifying her voice. "Attention Death Eaters, This facility is under the security of the D.M.L.E. You are ordered to leave NOW. Refusal to do so will be met with lethal force. You have two minutes to comply."
Rowle started walking backwards, still smiling. "So the lady likes it rough? Well… who am I to deny a lady."
Once he returned into the darkness, Tonks turned to the squadron. "Large scale battle, your specialty, Potter the squad is your."
Instantly Harry turned to Ron. "Iceman, limited time, got me something?" as the team quickly huddled up.
"Ya, actually." Ron took a knee and drew in the light dusting of snow that recovered the ground after it was shoveled. He poked a collection of holes into the snow representing the Eaters. "If we have a front gate wall here," he drew a line, "that would be a good place for some snipers. Neville, Can you make me a ramp or something to get a pair of us to shoot over the fence line?"
"No problem," he quickly turned and started to mold the stone to rise just inside the wall to create a five foot square platform on either side of the gate with ramps from the ground to the tops.
"Ginny, any sign they've seen you two yet." Ron asked.
"None, upsides of brooms at night, we're quite and hard to see. We just saw Tonks talk with someone. Is this about to heat up?"
"Perfect, on the Sarge's call I want you to drop a fireball on them as first strike." Ron quickly drew a large circle around the Death Eaters. Tonks nodded in agreement.
"Oh! Someone wants to be my favorite today." Crimson replied.
"Limited time, Weasleys," Harry reminded.
"After that, Katie, we could use a few lumos lights in the sky to see our bloody targets."
"Yes, sir." she answered reflexively.
"Right," Ron continued, "Then I want the flight team focusing on being the rear guard forcing them to our wall." He drew a line behind them. "Those of us engaging, we levosa / decendo over the wall. Harry, you make a run to the side, that should set up a literal alley to shoot down for your lightning bolt."
Then he looked up to the rest of the team. "At that point, we keep pressing in."
"Nicely mate," Harry said with respect. "Remember, this is war, give 'em hell. Get to position."
Harry took off immediately running for the side. What surprised him was Tonks running with him. "Sergeant?" he asked.
"I'm your bloody commanding officer. No way in hell you charge into battle without me."
"Yes ma'am."
--
They circled above in the sky watching the two leaders meet with the gate between the two of them. Crimson looked over at Katie. "Private link to Katie. If you have something big, drop it early when we know the enemy is collected as a group. As our guy's and their's mix we'll want to use smaller spells to take out a person at a time to avoid shooting our team."
Katie nodded. "How do we tell the difference?"
"Two ways. More often than not our guys are singled out. Also more unique spell energy." Katie nodded again, her eyes not leaving the gathering forces beneath her.
"You alright?" Crimson asked.
Katie nodded again. "Pre-game jitters, first battle."
"Sarge wouldn't have called you up if she didn't think you were ready. I agree with her."
Katie looked over to her, the two chasers exchanged smiles. Crimson continued with reminders of training and last minute advice. "Speed and altitude are your friend. If it gets too hot for you, pull up and jet out, come around for a volley. We just keep doing that. Most wizards aren't used to us yet. We're probably a hell of a lot safer on these than the ground team.
--
"All units, this is Tonks, in three, two, one, go!" Crimson shot down from the heavens and beneath her erupted in flame. Closely behind her Katie flew just as fast, dropping four lumos lights hovering in the sky illuminating the battlefield below. Crimson led them round and behind the Eater when Crimson poured flame and Katie loosed bombardas.
Hermione took her position behind the right side of the gate. She watched as Neville and Ron spell leapt over the gate, then she looked out to the fiery battlefield. As soon as a group of the Eaters appeared about a hundred feet out, her eyes and wand glowed purple as , "hypnoticus exemplar". At least half a dozen Eaters who had been charging forward were brought to a halt. Which were then assaulted with Ron's ice daggers and Neville's thorn whip throwing backward.
Tonks and Harry made the spell jump over the wall and ran down the sidelines. As the fireball went off their targets became clear. "Get in range, take your shot. I'll be your cover." Tonks ordered. Harry simply nodded as they made their approach. The flight team rocked over and behind them as Harry took a knee to steady his shot. 'Fulgur fulmenso'. The bolt arced down the battlefield, shocking dozens.
Then the counter strike launched. Cutters and explosions fired out to the forcefalls at the gate. Instinctively Susan and Hermione ducked for cover behind it. "Team be aware," Hermione linked, "They are hitting harder, Bombardas I think."
"So can I," Susan replied as her eye clouded over with the appearance of oil. She cried 'languor' and black shadow lept outwards over the other side of the gate. The Eaters in the shadows soon began coughing and retching in illness.
Ron and Neville took a moment to look at each other then quickly stunned the incapacitated eaters.
A volley of fire rained towards Harry, stopped only by a blue shell summoned by Tonks's 'progtego!' Harry looked over. Tonks winked. "Yes, I've learned a trick or two from you. Now press in."
"Yes ma'am." Harry replied as they charged the center.
Around the backside Crimson and Katie continued to circle tighter and tighter with flame and explosions and for the sorry Death Eaters trying to flea.
Tonk and Harry could tell they were reaching center mass as the winter ground beneath them was burned clean. Harry let a small grin grow as he walked in the blast radius Crimson had already cleared for him. "Lighting and Tonks engaged in the center. Watch your shots." Harry warned.
Finally as they drew deeper in they came to close quarter combat. Harry stopped with the larger spells dropping to a vicious lightning whip. That he was adept not only at striking but also moderately blocking with. Tonks gave the Death Eaters one more time, boosting her voice. "Final warning! D.M.L.E. Drop your wands, on your knees, hands behind your heads and you will be treated fairly." Then she returned to shields and hexes to the Eaters becoming more and more frightening.
"You BITCH!" Rowle howled, firing a green wave at the pair. Their reflexes made Tonks and Harry throw themselves to the ground.
"Potter, rapid fire!" He can't dodge both of us!" Tonks ordered.
"Yes ma'am," Harry switched silent stuns and unfurled a blitz of bolts to the Death Eater lieutenant. Tonks followed suit forcing Rowle to concentrate only on his own shield.
He looked at both of them and snarled. "I will be seeing you… both of you. RETREAT!" he shouted as his spare hand reached for a silver necklace and he disappeared in a blur. Soon after the conscious remnants started to pop away too.
Harry looked over to Tonks, who nodded in approval. "Team this is Lightning. We won. Secure the stunned. Nice work."