Disclaimer: Loyalty up, loyalty down, loyalty makes the world go round.
Loyalty Up, Loyalty Down
"Can I talk with you for a moment Harry?" Hermione asked as the DA meeting began to break up.
"Sure," Harry agreed. "What do you need?"
"I had my mum send a few books for you," Hermione explained as she handed over a large package.
"On War by Von Clausewitz?"
"I was hoping they could help you with the DA," Hermione said in a rush.
"How could muggle books help me with Defense?" Harry asked with a mystified look on his face.
"They're about how to be a good leader," Hermione explained. "Just look at them Ok?" She rushed off before he could answer.
"I'm no leader," Harry muttered to himself. Feeling a bit guilty, but reasoning that no muggle book could hold the magic he needed to learn. Harry absently tossed the books into his trunk and forgot about them for several months. Forgot about them until after he'd spent a disastrous night in the Department of Mysteries.
Harry was feeling lower then he ever had. The battle was over, Sirius was dead, and his friends were all in the hospital wing.
"You OK Harry?" Neville asked with an earnest expression on his face.
"No," Harry admitted. "I really cocked things up didn't I?"
"I wouldn't say that," Neville replied quickly. "We won didn't we?"
"But everyone . . ."
"Knew the risks," Neville interrupted. "And we went anyway . . . of course we would, you're our leader Harry. We'd follow you to hell if you asked us to."
"I never asked for any of this."
"But you have it," Neville retorted. "So you made a mistake, the important thing is that you learn from it. I'm always messing up in class Harry, but I rarely make the same mistake twice . . . well, not without help anyway."
"Thanks Neville," Harry said with a grateful smile. "I needed that."
"Happy to help Harry," Neville said with a grin.
"I gotta go do something," Harry said. "See you later Neville."
"Ok Harry," Neville agreed.
Harry rushed up the stairs and dug through his things until he found the books that Hermione had given him. "A good leader would have never led his friends into an ambush," Harry muttered to himself. He grabbed a book at random and began flipping through it until a quote caught his eye. "'There's a great deal of talk about loyalty from the bottom to the top. Loyalty from the top down is even more necessary and is much less prevalent. One of the most frequently noted characteristics of great men who have remained great is loyalty to their subordinates.' General George S. Patton, Jr," Harry spoke the words aloud. He read and reread the quote a dozen times, allowing himself to feel the full impact of the words. The DA, his friends had certainly been loyal to him but was the reverse true? Harry's expression firmed as he walked into the common room.
"Katie," He called out.
"Yeah Harry?" She asked a bit nervously.
"Put out the word that the DA is going to have another meeting before we go home," Harry ordered. "Ok?"
"Ok," she agreed.
"And see if you can find Parvati or Lavender, tell them I would like to speak with at least one and preferably both of them."
"You got it Harry."
"Thanks, I'm gonna be in the library for a while . . . not sure where I'll be after that."
"We'll find you," Katie assured him. "Glad you're feeling better."
"I'm just too busy to feel sorry for myself right now," Harry replied. "I'll go back to sulking when I have a spare moment."
"We'll just have to keep you busy then," Katie giggled as she ran up the stairs to the girl's dorms. The potential double meaning sailed right over Harry's head.
Parvati and Lavender found him in the library studying several small travel guides about forty five minutes later.
"Harry," Parvati called out. She and Lavender rushed to his side.
"You wanted to speak with us?" Lavender asked.
"Yeah," Harry agreed. "I need your help on interpreting a Prophecy."
"Important?" Parvati asked.
"It has to do with me and Voldemort," Harry said.
"Do you mind if I get my sister?" Parvati said nervously.
"I didn't know Padma was interested in Divination?" Harry said thoughtfully.
"And . . . well, there . . . " Parvati and Lavender shared a meaningful look. "Promise you won't tell anyone?"
"Tell anyone what? That your sister likes divination?"
"No," Parvati replied. "You know how Fred and George like to change places?"
"You too huh?" Harry said with a laugh. "I swear on my magic and my life that I won't tell a soul unless you give me leave."
"You didn't have to do that," Parvati said with an odd look on her face.
"Yes I did," Harry disagreed. "You guys have given me everything, loyalty, friendship, everything. The least I can do is the same for you."
"I . . . wait here," Parvati said haltingly. "I'll be right back with Parvati."
"But I thought . . . oh," Harry laughed. "No problem Padma."
"That promise means a lot to her you know," Lavender said after her friend had gone. "You really didn't have to go quite that far."
"I really did," Harry maintained stubbornly. "I led you all into a trap, I have to do everything I can to make that right and to protect you."
"But . . ."
"No buts," Harry interrupted. "I'm sure you'd do the same if you were in my place."
"Ok Harry," Lavender agreed. The thing was, she was absolutely convinced that Harry believed everything he was saying, actually believed that he wasn't doing anything special. At that moment Lavender decided, she would give Harry her loyalty, her wand, and her life if circumstances required it. From that moment unto the end of time, she was Harry's girl and the thought it likely that her friends would join her after they'd had a chance to talk.
The twins joined them a few minutes later and Harry led the three girls to an empty classroom and put up every privacy charm he knew.
"Feel free to put up any I missed," Harry said. The girls nodded and added a couple of their own.
"What's this about Harry?" Padma asked.
"There's a prophecy regarding me and Voldemort," Harry replied. "Roughly it states that one of us must kill the other."
"Exactly what does it say?" Lavender asked intently. "Word for word."
"I'd also like to know all the details," Parvati interjected. "Start from the beginning and tell us everything you know about who gave it, to whom, where, when, who knows, what do they know, what have they done with the information . . . basically everything you know."
Harry took a deep breath and began speaking, telling the girls everything he knew and giving every detail he could think of. He spared nothing, The potential embarrassment was worth it when he considered the fact that holding something back could be worth the life of one of his friends.
"So that's it," Harry finished, feeling a bit drained. "That's why Voldemort came after my family, that's why he was in the Department of Mysteries, that's the reason everything happened. What do you think?"
"I think the prophecy has already been fulfilled," one of the twins said after a moment of thought. "You vanquished the Dark Lord and he marked you as his equal. It seems fairly straight forward to me, what do you two think?"
"I agree," Lavender said quickly. "But I don't think we should discount the fact that it may not even have anything to do with Harry or Voldemort. It's too vague to mean much. What do you think Pad?"
"I think that's possible," Padma admitted. "One has to admit that the ability to reflect a killing curse, even if only one time, is an unknown power."
"So you think he may be able to reflect it again?" Parvati asked.
"I think it'd be best not to test the theory," Padma said with a grin. "If it works, great. If not . . ."
"No more Harry," Lavender said with a shudder. "What do we do now Harry?"
"That's all I needed," Harry replied, "I've got a few other things I need to do before the meeting but . . ."
"Do you need help?" Lavender asked quickly.
"Sure," Harry agreed, "but wouldn't you rather do something else?"
"I'd rather do something important for a change," Lavender replied, "what about you two?" The twins shared an unreadable look before nodding in agreement. "So that's it Harry, what do you need us to do?"
IIIIIIIIII
"What do you think this meeting is about?" Dean asked for the hundredth time.
"Harry say's it's important," Neville maintained, "so it must be."
Across the room, Hermione and Ron were discussing the same thing, a bit mystified by the fact that their friend hadn't chosen to let them in on the agenda before the meeting started.
Unnoticed, Harry walked in with the three girls. For a few seconds, Harry stood facing the crowd, flanked by Lavender Brown and both Patils. Taking a few deep breaths, he opened his mouth and began speaking.
"Can I have your attention please," Harry called out. The room became quiet and every eye turned to him. "Thank you. First of all, I'd like to start by apologizing to all of you. I've made mistakes, mistakes that have sent some of you to the hospital wing. I can't promise that it won't happen again but I will promise that I'll do my best to keep it from happening again."
"Don't worry about it Harry," an anonymous voice called out.
"To start with, I'd like to bring some things out into the open. If you decide to stand by me then it will probably mean that we'll have to fight Voldemort and his Death Eaters again. I'm not saying that I'm planning to go out looking for a fight, I never look for trouble."
"But it always seems to find you," another voice called out. The room dissolved into laughter.
"Right," Harry agreed. "So I think I should start by admitting that I can't beat Voldemort in a duel, we did well in the Department of Mysteries but I think we should call that a fluke. So we have two problems," Harry continued. "The first is that Voldemort is going to come after me and everyone around me. The second is that at best, we'll be able to hold our ground until help arrives . . . does anyone disagree?" Harry looked around. "Good, so how do we solve those problems?"
"We train," Neville said loudly. "Until our hands are too tired to hold a wand."
"Partly right," Harry agreed. "But if my time at Hogwarts has taught me anything, it's that safest place in the United Kingdom is relative. I've been attacked by Voldemort and his cronies here more times then anywhere else combined. What we need is time, time to train ourselves to the point that we can return knowing that we have a good chance of winning."
"Return?"
"I've contacted several schools around the world," Harry replied. "You'd be amazed at how many doors open to someone named Harry Potter." The DA shared a brief laugh at Harry's last statement. "They're all willing and able to accept anyone I recommend as a transfer student." Harry took a deep breath. "Now and in the last war, the Death Eaters confined themselves to Europe. I'm hoping that they won't decide to change their minds."
"What about you Harry?" Neville asked.
"I'll be going with you," Harry said quickly. "Well . . . some of you anyway. I'm hoping that we can break up, every school teaches different things."
"Why?" Neville asked. He held up his hand and added, "not saying it's wrong. Just wondering what your reason is."
"Different schools specialize in different things," Harry explained. "For example, Hogwarts is considered by many to have one of the best Transfiguration programs in the world. Anyone here know that?" Hermione raised her hand with a smirk. "Okay, did anyone besides Hermione know that?" He looked around the room. "Thought so. Why don't we go to schools that specialize in things we want to know? For example . . . Neville, what subject are you best in?"
"Herbology," Neville said immediately. "You know that Harry."
"Yes I do," Harry agreed. "Would you like to attend the school with the best Herbology program in the world?"
"Yeah," Neville agreed. "I would."
"Belize is the home of the 'Institute of Herbal Magic,' set up as a small school to train students that couldn't take the time to return to the United Kingdom it rapidly came to prominence as the best place to study plants and it changed its name one hundred years ago to reflect that. Also has a fairly good potions program."
"Potions?" Neville asked sickly.
"No Snape," Harry reminded him.
"That's right," Neville said brightly. "Sign me up for that one Harry."
"What about Defense?" Susan asked from the back of the group.
"Well," Harry began. "That depends."
"Depends?"
"On what aspect you want to study," Harry explained. "There is a small school in France that specializes in Formal Dueling, there's a Military Academy in the United States but it's more of a preparatory school, there's one in western Canada that has some good instructors, and there is one in Australia that deals in Defense against creatures . . . well, there's also another in South Africa that has a program on Defense against creatures but that's a small part of the curriculum, main part is on game management."
"Which one are you going to?" Susan demanded.
"The one in Canada," Harry replied.
"Sign me up for that one then," Susan said firmly.
"Sign Hufflepuff house up for that one," Hanna corrected. "Well, most of the house anyway. Few of us might want to branch out a bit." The assembled Hufflepuffs gave a nod of agreement.
IIIIIIIIII
"Cornelius," Dumbledore announced himself.
"Dumbledore?" Fudge asked in shock. "How'd you get in here?"
"There are some things I need to tell you," Dumbledore said seriously, "would you care to listen?"
IIIIIIIIII
Amelia sighed in annoyance as she read the take from the bugs she'd had installed in the Minister's office and home. It was so much easier to monitor someone when your people were responsible for their security, she thought with a smile. Nevertheless, the information was disturbing. With a sigh, she picked up her report on Hogwarts and reread the pertinent sections. The way she saw it, she was at a crossroads. With another sigh, she summoned her assistant.
"Yes Madame Bones?"
"I want you to pass a message along for me."
"What is it Madame Bones?"
"Be sure that Auror Brooks is told that 'the cattle are restless' be sure to use that exact phrase."
"Understood Madame Bones."
IIIIIIIIII
Dumbledore wondered briefly if he was doing the right thing when he left the Minister's office. Fudge was a fool, but could be counted on to do the right thing even if his motives were less then pure.
"It's for the best," Dumbledore told himself. "For the greater good. What are the wants of the one when compared to the needs of society as a whole." Doing his best to ignore the little whispers of doubt in the back of his mind, Dumbledore did his best to put the matter out of his mind. Right or wrong the dice had been cast, it was too late for second thoughts.
IIIIIIIIII
Harry had expected to use that Hogsmead weekend to make a few last minute preparations. What he did not expect was to be approached by a strange wizard.
"Mr. Potter," a nondescript man said with a smile, "a private party wishes to meet with you in one of the back rooms at the Three Broomsticks. It would be in your best interests to grant them a few moments of your time."
"Who?" Harry demanded.
"I'm just a messenger," the man said with a shrug, "what you do with the message is up to you."
IIIIIIIIII
"Is everything ready?" Fudge demanded.
"Madame Bones is taking care of a few last minute details Minister," one of the flunkies simpered.
"Lock down the Ministry until she gets back then," Fudge demanded. "I don't want there to be any chance for word to leak out."
"Dumbledore sent another note demanding that we be gentle Minister."
"Dumbledore isn't in charge here," Fudge growled, "I am."
"Yes sir."
IIIIIIIIII
"Susan," Harry barked as he walked into the Great Hall, "be sure that everyone packs up and is ready to go with no prior notice."
"Yes Harry," she agreed, "what's up."
"Someone just gave me a rather disturbing warning," Harry replied. "Be ready to fight and run, with any luck we'll be gone before we have to fight."
"You don't have any luck Harry," she said quickly, "Hufflepuff House is ready to fight."
"Knew I could count on you Susan."
IIIIIIIIII
"You don't really think we'd let you go do you Potter?" Fudge asked with a sneer. "The only person that can defeat the Dark Lord."
"So you're planning to force me to fight?" Harry asked mildly. He ignored Fudge and focused on Amelia Bones. "I'm disappointed in you Madame Bones, Susan really did think that you were better then that." Amelia avoided Harry's eye and made no comment.
"Aurors," Fudge screamed shrilly. "Arrest him."
Amelia raised an eyebrow and asked Fudge in a neutral tone "What's the charge minister?"
"Sedition, what else? When word gets out that "The-Boy-Who-Lived" has left Hogwarts, it will cause my government to fall."
"Sorry about this lad," one of the Aurors said mournfully.
"So am I," Harry replied. "Guys, if you would."
The Aurors froze, when half the students in the great hall produced wands and pointed them at the Aurors. The few in Gryffindor and Hufflepuff that hadn't already, quickly joined their housemates with grim looks on their faces. Minerva shared a meaningful look with the heads of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw and they discreetly drew their wands and focused on the group surrounding the Minister, hang the law they weren't going to stand by and allow their students to be harmed.
"Stand down," Amelia said firmly. "Aurors, put away your wands."
"Don't listen to her," Fudge screamed. "They're just children, they're no match . . ."
"Exactly," Amelia said firmly. "They're just children."
"We also have an advantage you don't Aunt Amelia," Susan said in a shaky voice. "We can use deadly hexes, you can't . . . not unless you want a bloodbath."
"Susan . . . you'd really?"
"You'd have kidnapped Harry," Susan said firmly. "Sorry it had to come to this Aunt Amelia."
"These things happen Susan," Amelia said with a sigh. "I said Aurors, put down your wands."
"But Madame Bones . . ."
"Now," Amelia said sharply.
"What are you doing?" Fudge demanded.
"Preventing a bloodbath," Amelia replied tightly. "May I offer my parole Harry, or would you rather I disarm?"
"Susan?"
"I think we can trust her," Susan said uncertainly. "If we can't then I'll handle it."
"Good enough," Harry agreed.
"Your career is over," Fudge said shrilly.
"I've been thinking about retirement anyway," Amelia said with a shrug. "I presume you have a way out of here Harry?"
"And everyone's got their trunks in their pockets," Harry agreed. "Ready guys?" The group gathered around Harry who had produced a long length of cord. "I'm sorry it had to end like this Madame Bones."
"So am I Harry," she said with a sigh. "So am I." The group of students disappeared and Amelia looked over her Aurors. "Will that be all Minister?"
"You're ruined," Fudge squealed. "Ruined."
"You'll have my resignation on your desk in the morning," Amelia replied. "Let's go Aurors, I don't believe we have any further business here." Amelia returned to her office and packed up her things. Not much to show for a lifetime of work, she thought to herself as she looked over her possessions. She wrote out her resignation and paused before signing it. "Auror Tonks, my office now."
"You called boss?" Tonks said as she ran through the door. "You're really doing it then?"
"I'm really doing it," Amelia agreed. With a wave of her wand she raised the privacy charms around her office. "Up for an undercover assignment?"
"What do you want me to do?"
"Become fifteen again," Amelia replied. "And Canadian."
"Uh . . ."
"I already have your paperwork drawn up," Amelia continued. "You'll be listed as being on a deep cover assignment with no opportunity to report."
"What do you want me to do?"
"I'll explain later," Amelia said. "If of course you agree."
"Why not," Tonks agreed with a shrug.
"Pack your desk," Amelia said simply. "And your apartment. I'll meet you there within the hour. If I don't . . . well, if I don't you are to open the envelope containing your new identification, take out the silver coin, and say the word 'raid' is that understood?"
"Yes boss," Tonks agreed.
"Do the same thing if anyone that isn't me arrives."
"Yes boss."
Tonks returned to her apartment and spent a very nervous half hour packing and waiting for her boss to arrive.
"It's me." The sound of Amelia's voice behind her caused Tonks to jump.
"How in the hell did you do that boss?" Tonks demanded.
"If you have as long a career as I did, you learn a few tricks." Amelia said smugly. "Do you have that portkey?"
"Right here boss," Tonks agreed.
"Let me touch it," Amelia said. "You have everything?"
"Yes boss."
"You've told your parents that you won't be around?"
"Yes boss."
"Raid."
IIIIIIIIII
The group of students reappeared on a brood savanna.
"Where are we Harry?" Ron asked with a frown.
"We should be in Alberta," Harry said with a relieved smile. "Spread out, don't get too jumpy I'm expecting company . . . the good kind if we're lucky." His companions nodded grimly and spread out. "Susan stay by me."
"Who are we waiting for Harry?" Susan asked as she walked to Harry's side.
"Me," a familiar voice said dryly.
"Aunt Amelia?" Susan screamed. Her hand went for her wand but was stopped by Harry's grip on her wrist.
"She's with us," Harry said loudly. "Don't do anything."
"Thank you Harry," Amelia said with a smile. "And Susan, did you really think I'd back Fudge against you and your friends?"
"I didn't know what to think," the girl admitted. "I . . ." Without another word she threw herself into Amelia's arms.
"She warned me what Fudge was planning and arranged the portkeys," Harry explained. "I couldn't have done any of this without her help."
"And you didn't tell Susan," Hermione said in an odd tone, "how very Dumbledore of you."
"I asked him not to," Amelia said loudly, "I needed everyone's reactions to be natural. I'm very proud of you Susan," she said to her niece, "you chose your friends and what was right over me and what was easy. Very very proud."
"What if I had chosen the easy way?" Susan asked in a small voice.
"I'd have still loved you as much as ever," Amelia said, "and then I'd have been proud of you for other reasons."
"This is all very heartwarming boss, but what am I here for?" Tonks asked in a petulant tone.
"Bodyguard," Amelia replied. "I want you to stick to Harry like glue until after he's had a chance to deal with the Dark Bastard."
"Happy to do it boss," Tonks agreed cheerfully.
"What about you Aunt Amelia?" Susan asked.
"I'm retired," Amelia said dryly. "I'm going to dedicate my time to my niece, where you go I go."
AN: You didn't really think I'd write an evil Quisling Amelia Bones did you?