Chapter 311
"Correct, Missus Granger-Potter," smiled
Daphne. "If it was in my power, I'd award
you ten points for that."
A little sheepish, Harry softly said,
"Oops?" He thought for a moment before
he asked, "But, how do we get them to
drink a potion?"
"We don't," smiled Daphne. "We go talk to
the redheaded devil twins, as you call
them, and tell them we need a potion that
puts you instantly to sleep on contact with
skin. But, that the potion does not affect
house elves."
"That'll work," said Hermione. "I think I
might have just such a potion in mind. Or,
at least, one that can be modified to do
what we want."
After figuring out his idea would now
work, Harry turned to Daphne and said,
"Sorry. But, you had ideas, too. Care to
share?"
Daphne thought a bit and said, "Let's go
back inside and I'll share."
Daphne's idea was along a similar vein.
However, her idea was to set the field up
right outside the cabinet and drug them as
soon they stepped through. But, as soon
as she gave it, she saw the flaw in trying to
set up the ward inside such a large room.
And she also did not know how the magics
of the room would affect the ward.
"That's why I think your idea should be
our first option," she said. "However,
we're going to have to work fast if we
want to get it set up before Nott gets the
cabinet working."
"We can get more time by breaking
something that powers the cabinet, but
making it look like it isn't broken. That
should slow Nott down enough for us to
get the ward in place and working," said
Hermione.
"And, where do we put the rune control
panel?" asked Daphne.
"Behind the tapestry of Barnabus the
Barmy and his dancing trolls," replied
Harry.
"Second, we don't know if the ward will
break the magic that allows the door to
appear," she said.
"It didn't break either Professor Whittaker
or the Raven," said Hermione. "We'll
operate off the assumption it doesn't and
abandon the concept if it does."
"Then we get the elves to simply tag each
DE with the potion as they step out of the
cabinet and pop them away before the
next one comes through," said Harry.
"And we can still set up the field and array
in the abandoned classroom, irrespective
if it damages the door or not."
Hermione was thinking for a bit before she
looked up with a sly grin. "This potion. If it
works like I think it does, a simple
Enervate charm won't work on anyone
tagged with it. Right?"
With a frown, Daphne said, "Enervate
charms don't work on any potion that
renders you asleep or unconscious, of
which I'm aware."
Hermione's face lit up and she asked, "Tell
me; do either of you know what a paint
ball gun is?"
Shocked at the idea, and the simple utility
of it, Harry burst out laughing.
"Well, it appears Harry does," smirked
Hermione.
"It's bloody brilliant!" crowed Harry. "And,
because they're air-powered and the base
models have no electricals, they'll work
inside Hogwarts!"
"What are you talking about?" asked
Daphne, confused.
"A paintball gun is a muggle toy," said
Hermione. "It's powered by compressed
air. What it does is shoot a small pellet
about the size of an average red grape
down a tube and out in the direction you
want at about 300 feet per second. And, a
red grape is a good analogy because the
pellet, on impact, splits open. Inside is
usually brightly coloured dye that washes
out after a while.
"What we can do is drain the dye out and
replace it with the contact sleep potion.
So, when the pellet hits, it tags the target
with the potion. Then we have what my
father calls a stand-off weapon. Effective
range from shooter to target is about fifty
feet outdoors with wind; but, that should
be more than enough distance. Indoors, of
course, it'll be further; because there's no
wind to curve the pellet away."
"First problem," said Harry. "None of us
are that accurate with any sort of weapon
where we'll be able to tag them on an
area of skin. That is... with the exception
of Lestrange... they'll be robed up and
masked. And that'll leave us with having to
target their hands."
Each thought about the problem for a few
moments before Daphne said, "We'll have
to ensure the potion is viscous enough it'll
pass through the material of their robes
and reach the skin underneath. The
thinner the potion, the better. If we can
make it alcohol based, it'll get through
faster.
Nodding, Hermione said, "It'll also dry
faster. That way, if someone accidentally
touches the same area later, they won't be
as likely to succumb to the potion."
"Alright," said Harry, rubbing his hands
together. "Whether or not we go with the
elves dabbing the DEs with the potion, I
still think we should purchase paintball
guns and develop a quick way to replace
the dye with the potion."
"Why?" asked Daphne, before she said,
"Oh. With Professor McGonagall now
Headmistress, no matter how temporary it
is, you think it's not going to be too long
before we get the request to start putting
up those magic suppression fields in every
corridor and other public places
throughout the castle."
"Exactly," grinned Harry. "It's in the school
rules that magic is not to be used in the
corridors and hallways between classes.
With this rune array, they can
now force the issue."
"Actually, we should suggest it to
Professor Flitwick in his role as Acting
Deputy Headmaster, anyway," said
Hermione.
"Do you know how much work that'll be?"
asked Harry, already thinking of sore
hands, arms and shoulders from carving.
"We don't have to be the ones doing it,"
smiled Hermione. "As the inventors of the
array, we and Luna should be excused
from doing them. After all, the school will
get the design of the array for free."
Daphne laughed and said, "Even though
you're a muggleborn, Hermione, you
should have been a Slytherin with thinking
like that."
"That being said," continued Hermione,
left wondering in the back of her mind if
she felt insulted or not. "We should also
see if we can find a way to make sure the
killing curse is blocked by the ward. It
should be, of course, because
it's cast magic. And we know the first
spells in the arsenal of a Death Eater is the
killing and torture curses."
Chapter 312
That had a few of the Gryffindors laughing
as they headed back into their common
room. Harry just caught sight of a very sad
Ginevra Weasley, before she returned to
the common room. He didn't see Ron,
though.
When the others had all left, the
bondmates were still there with the twins
and Jordan.
"Alright, they're gone," said Jordan. "Now;
spill!"
Daphne stepped forward and said, "We
need a potion developed. Hermione has
the recipe for a potion that's along the
lines of the one we need. But, we want to
see if you will take up the challenge of
developing something a little different."
"We'll pay you for both the ingredients
and the development," said Hermione.
"And, at the end, you get to keep the
rights."
The twins had finally released Harry and
one stepped forward to take the small slip
of parchment out of Hermione's hand
when she offered it to them.
"It needs to be effective on contact with
the skin. The faster, the better," explained
Daphne. "It would also be very helpful if
you made sure it didn't affect house elves,
if you have the ability to test that."
"And, if possible, it needs to be able to
quickly soak through material, such as
Death Eater robes," said Hermione. "We
think you can do it as an alcohol-based
rather than water-based potion. Definitely
not oil-based, it won't soak through. And
it can't be corrosive."
"What are you going to use it for?" asked
one.
"Besides on Death Eaters," said the other.
"We're going to switch out the dye in
paintball pellets with it," said Hermione.
"Ask Lee to explain what those are to
you."
Looking at Lee, the boy clearly knew what
they were from the wide grin on his face.
"Later," he said to the twins.
Harry fished out twenty galleons from his
money pouch and firmly placed it in the
hand of one of the twins. "Use this to start.
If you need any more, come and see me.
You're not to be out of pocket for this."
"Merlin, Harrikins!" said one
"That's more than enough!" said the other,
looking at the coins stacked in his hand.
"You're doing a job for us, you get paid for
it," said Daphne. "Besides, you also need
to develop an antidote for the potion, as
well."
After bidding the three Gryffindors good
luck, the bondmates headed for Sirius's
office.
"We should let him know what I'm
planning," said Harry. "I don't know if
Remus told him what form my patronus
takes, as he was unconscious when at the
lake, and I don't want him freaking out
when 'Prongs' turns up to give his
message to Snape at the head table
during lunch."
"That would not be good," said Daphne.
"He'd be as likely to get upset as Professor
Snape."
Sirius was in his office when the three
knocked and waited to hear him call them
inside. At his barked, "Come in!" they
opened the door and walked in. Sirius was
sitting at his desk writing something.
Harry thought it was probably lesson plans
or Black Head of House business.
"What can I do for you three?" he asked,
barely looking up at them.
"We came to warn you Harry's pulling a
prank on Snape during lunch," said
Daphne.
That got Sirius's interest. "Oh?" he asked
with a grin.
"I don't think Snape has seen my patronus
yet," said Harry. "Therefore, he doesn't
necessarily know it's a stag; unless Remus
told him, when he was a Professor here.
Or, he was at the end of the third task."
"Harry's going to cast it as a messenger
patronus to Professor Snape during
lunch," said Hermione. "He believes
Professor Snape will think it's the ghost of
his father in his animagus form come to
visit him."
Sirius just looked back at Hermione for a
few moments before he burst into
laughter.
When he calmed a little he said, "He's
likely to recognise your voice, you know."
"Not if I just blow him a raspberry, he
won't," grinned Harry.
That set Sirius off again. When he calmed
again he said, "Alright. Consider me
warned. Remus told me your patronus
form was that of a stag. But, I must admit,
seeing it do that I'd probably think it was
your father, too."
Harry and his bondmates stood just
outside the Great Hall doors and off to
one side so they weren't in the trafficked
areas, and waited.
Once they knew enough students were
inside the two girls, ducking low under
Harry's invisibility cloak, ran through the
doors and to their spot at the table on
Ravenclaw table. As soon as the girls took
his cloak and left, Harry cast a
disillusionment charm on himself and
checked to make sure it took.
Finally, he stepped back more fully into
the Entrance Hall, took a look around to
make sure there was no one about, and
launched his patronus in through the main
doors of the Great Hall, taking a very
special message to Severus Snape. As
soon as he cast his patronus, on silenced
feet, he ran in through the doors and
quickly made his way to his seat between
his two bondmates while all eyes were on
the patronus.
He had managed to reach his spot, sit
down and remove the disillusionment
charm as he heard the patronus blow a
very large raspberry at Professor Snape,
with Sirius looking on with glee.
While the whole hall broke down into
laughter as the patronus faded away, with
Sirius leading the way with his huge bark
of a laugh, Snape seethed in his chair. He
suddenly surged to his feet and bellowed,
"Potter!"
Harry, with a smile on his face, calmly
stood in place and asked, "Yes, Professor?"
"You!" snarled Snape, bristling with fury as
Sirius began to realise what was going on
and almost immediately calmed down
again. "You did this!" hissed the black
dressed man.
As there was no actual question in that,
Harry didn't answer. Instead, he stood
there as the rest of the Hall calmed down
and watched with interest.
"Well?" bellowed Snape.
"Professor Snape! Calm yourself!" ordered
McGonagall from her own seat, now at
the Head's spot but without that
ridiculous throne.
Ignoring everyone else, Snape was
focussed on Harry. "Answer me!" he
barked.
"Certainly, Professor," replied a very calm
Harry. "I am, thank you."
Snape stared back as if Harry had just
sprouted two extra heads. "What sort of
answer is that!? Fifty points from
Gryffindor!"
Chapter 313
"Overruled!" McGonagall immediately
snapped. "Professor Snape, my office
immediately after the completion of the
meal."
Snape stood there quivering in barely
restrained fury for a few more moments
before he suddenly swept from the Hall
with billowing robes.
As soon as he was gone, McGonagall
asked, "Mister Potter, was that your
patronus?"
"Yes, Headmistress; it was," he calmly
replied. "I'll be running a small class for a
group of ex-housemates out on the lawns
outside the main doors immediately after
lunch on both the patronus charm and the
patronus messenger. I felt a
demonstration would be beneficial."
"And you decided a patronus message of a
raspberry to Professor Snape was a wise
choice of demonstration?" she asked.
"Yes, Ma'am," he replied. "It also had the
benefit of actually being funny. I did not
foresee Professor Snape... taking such
umbrage."
With a sigh, she looked back and said,
"Ten points from Ravenclaw for your
cheek. And, I'll come down after I've
spoken with Professor Snape to ensure
your unofficial and unsanctioned class
actually teaches."
Sirius spoke up and said, "I'll monitor the
class until your arrival, Headmistress."
"Thank you, Professor Black," said
McGonagall with a small nod.
Harry gave a nod and retook his seat, as
noise around the Hall increased in excited
chatter.
As soon as he sat down he sheepishly
looked at his wives and said, "Whoops?"
Daphne just grinned back, while Hermione
rolled her eyes with an exasperated huff.
As students began to filter out of the Hall
there were a great many who exited the
main doors instead of heading deeper into
the castle.
Harry watched how many actually exited
after a glance in his direction.
Daphne said, "It appears your little class
just got a great deal bigger."
"I noticed," he wryly replied.
When Professor McGonagall walked into
the Headmaster's... her... office, Snape
was standing in the middle of the floor
waiting. His face held its customary scowl.
She immediately walked to her desk and
sat down. "Be seated," she firmly said.
When Snape didn't appear to move she
almost hissed her command, "Sit!"
Scowling even more, Snape sat as he was
told and, if not for his age, it would appear
he was sulking.
"I had high hopes for you, Severus," she
began. "I had been noticing since last
October that your teaching methods had
seen much improvement. It wasn't as
much as I would like, but... at least... it
was an improvement. I had hoped to see
more.
"Your behaviour today just shattered my
belief that your petty grudge against the
memory of James Potter was a thing of
the past. The fact you tried to take fifty
points from Gryffindor, when Mister
Potter is a Ravenclaw, and has been such
for twelve months now, amply
demonstrated that.
"Mister Potter did no more than cast a
messenger patronus. It harmed no one. It
was your reaction to it that gave it power.
If you'd, for instance, smirked at it; you'd
have come off the better man. Your
over-reaction only made you look like a
grudge-bearing fool!
"As of right now, your tenure as Professor
of Potions at Hogwarts will end at the end
of this school year. If I see major
improvement in your disposition we will
revisit the subject about you continuing.
However, if I see another example of what
I saw today, your tenure
will immediately end. I would rather
have no Potions Master, than one who
behaves as you did today. Am I clear?"
Snape scowled, gave a firm nod, stood and
swooped out of the room without a word.
As Harry and his wives walked out the
front doors of the castle, they were
greeted by the sight of over one hundred
students gathered on the lawn and
waiting for him.
"Sweet Merlin!" he gasped.
"Come on," said Hermione, taking his
elbow when Harry stopped at the top of
the steps.
The three walked down to the group and
Hermione called, "Please, gather around
in an arc." And pointed her arm out and
down, describing said arc through the air.
Once everyone was relatively organised.
Harry went back to his teaching of the
patronus during this year on the previous
timeline. Some things obviously didn't
change all that much.
As he was describing the purpose of the
charm without the messenger component
Harry saw his godfather watching from
the steps for a while before he came closer.
He still stood apart but he watched and
didn't interfere.
Harry began by describing the mindset
required for the patronus to work, and the
errors people made in selecting a
memory.
Once he was done explaining the theory
he had the students line up in ranks of ten.
They went back about twelve deep. "I've
chosen this way because it takes quite a
bit of effort to cast the charm. I'll have you
attempt to cast a couple of times, then
have you go to the back of line to rest
until you, again, reach the front."
When he saw they understood, he said,
"Right. Front rank, consider the happy
memory you want to use. Make sure it's
one where you're really happy in it. Hold it
in your mind. Remember both the
incantation and the wand movement."
Once he was sure they had their memory
fixed in their mind, he called, "Now, once
only, cast!"
Out of the ten two almost got it on the
first try. And four were able to cast a mist.
"Excellent!" he said. "A very good first
attempt for what is a very difficult charm.
Some of you don't appear to be using a
strong enough memory; or a memory that
lacks happiness. Try and find one that also
includes the feeling of love.
He gave them a few moments and said,
"Good, good. Now, once only again, cast."
This time three managed a somewhat
substantial patronus and almost everyone
got at least the mist.
"Alright!" he said, happily. "Some of you
have almost got it. The rest of you are
heading in the right direction. We'll try for
a third time before you go to the back of
the line and rest. Once more now. Cast!"
Slowly, he worked through the twelve
rows. After the first run through he pulled
those who were very close to getting it
aside and asked Hermione and Daphne to
help them get the last little bit. He
suggested they work on finding a better
memory or just boosting their confidence
in casting it.
Chapter 314
By the time he managed to get through
the twelve deep a third time, which had
now halved with Hermione and Daphne
looking after about a quarter each, he
called a halt.
As students began to good-naturedly
grumble about 'stopping too soon' Harry
realised just how exhausted he'd become.
Sirius chose that moment to walk up and
slap him on the back, "Damned good job,
Pup!"
With a grin and a tired chuckle, Harry
replied, "Bloody exhausting, though."
"You have the makings of a fine teacher,
Mister Potter."
Harry looked around Sirius and saw
Professor McGonagall standing there,
smiling at him. "Sorry, Professor," he said.
"I didn't see you standing there."
"That's because I had a disillusionment
charm active," she replied, walking
forward. "I watched quite a bit of what
you and your wives taught. The three of
you are very good."
"Thank you," he said, grateful for the
praise.
With a nod and a smile she said, "And
twenty-five points to Ravenclaw for a very
valuable lesson to the student body. I'll be
letting Professor Flitwick know how far
you've progressed the students who
attended towards mastering the charm. I
daresay he'll build on it during his classes
with them."
With another smile she then turned and
walked away. Harry really had no idea just
how big an impact he made on making
that particular charm easier for everyone
to learn.
Once all the students, especially the
Ravenclaws who wanted to ask questions
about the charm were satisfied with the
answers they were given, Harry held Sirius
back and beckoned his wives over.
When they joined, Harry said to Sirius,
"There's a muggle toy - big boy's toy - I
want to get quite a few of. About, a dozen,
for now. It's called a paintball gun."
"Oh, I know what those are," said Sirius.
"The four of us went to a muggle paintball
place once, and spent an enjoyable
afternoon there. Well, it would have been
even more enjoyable if it wasn't for the
welts those paint ball pellets leave."
"Good," said Hermione, relieved she
wouldn't have to describe in detail what
they needed. "As Harry said, we'd like
about a dozen of them.
"We have the twins developing a sleep
potion that works on contact with skin.
Once they've got the potion ready we
intend on replacing the dyed oil that's in
the pellets with the potion.
Sirius looked between the three of them
for a few moments before he asked, "Is
this to do with a prank? Because, I'm
alright with that, if it is."
"Nope," said Harry. "You know that
non-magic ward scheme us and Luna
designed? We... suspect... we'll be asked
to allow it to be installed right throughout
the castle in the corridors before much
longer. A potion is not affected by the
field.
"The idea of the guns is so that we have a
way to take down Death Eaters if they get
inside the castle, and try to cause havoc
once the wards are set up."
Sirius thought about that for a few
moments before he said, "Clever. You rob
them of everything they know in offensive
magic - wanded casting - but have a way
to take them all out without one. And, you
don't end up killing them."
"Exactly," said Hermione.
"By when do you need them?" he asked.
"This isn't a 'get them here yesterday'
situation," said Harry. "But, we'll need
them when the twins are able to develop
the knockout potion. Then comes the
tedious work of switching out the dyed
liquid interior and replace it with the
potion."
"We're also going to need surgical needles
and large syringes," said Hermione. "At
least half a dozen of those. That'll be three
to draw out the dye and three to put in
the potion."
Sirius nodded and said, "Leave it with me.
I can organise that." Smiling devilishly, he
said, "Besides, I've always wanted to
ambush a Slytherin or two with a paintball
gun."
Daphne rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"Just remember that not all Slytherins are
on the dark side; alright?"
"I never thought they were," he smirked
back.
On the Monday morning at potions, Snape
chose to ignore Harry for almost the
entire double class. However, he finally
spoke up at the end as they were all
packing away.
"Potter," he sneered. "Remain behind."
Cocking an eyebrow at his bondmates
Harry continued to put away and clean up.
When he and his wives were done they
remained as everyone else filed out.
"I did not ask your wives..." he sneered, "...
to remain behind, Mister Potter."
"We know, Professor," Harry softly replied.
Snape hesitated a few moments before he
said, "I suppose you'll tell them what I
wish to discuss with you, anyway."
He perched himself on the edge of his
desk and stared at Harry for a few
moments. Harry half expected him to try
Legilimency but he didn't even feel the
slight tickle of an attempt.
After a few moments, Snape seemed to
take a breath and said, "Headmaster
Dumbledore, before he died, asked me...
insisted, really... to help prepare you for
your final confrontation with the Dark
Lord.
"We shall begin lessons each Tuesday and
Wednesday..."
"No," said Harry, cutting the man off.
"Pardon, Potter?" asked Snape both
surprised and angry Harry spoke to him
like that.
"I said, 'No', Professor," said Harry. "I am
already getting plenty of assistance from
those I trust. Your assistance is not
required."
"You're being arrogant, Potter!" snarled
Snape, standing up and glaring back. "Just
as I've been saying you are, all along!"
"And, right there, you proved why I do not
want, nor can use, your assistance," said
Harry angrily. "You are no more than a
bitter man who cannot reconcile within
himself that the woman he loved... yes, I
know about that... the woman he loved
actually loved another.
"Each time you see me, in your mind you
see him. And, because of that, I cannot
trust you not to forget yourself and take
things beyond the safe limits of training.
You will cast to hurt. You will cast to maim,
and trust in Madam Pomfrey's skills to
repair me. You will take out your ill-kept
festering resentment on me; someone
who wasn't even born well before you'd
already lost your battle for the affections
of Lily Evans. And, I will not allow that.
"I recognise you as a master duellist; but,
so is Professor Flitwick. I recognise you as
an expert on defending against the dark
arts; but, so is my godfather, the current
Dah-dah Professor. I realise you have
intimate knowledge of the thinking and
actions of Riddle's band of thugs. But, I've
been studying their strategy for well over
a year, already.
Chapter 315
"No, Professor; you will take no part in my
training, other than that as a Professor of
Potions and part of my standard education.
The risk is far too great."
"You cannot hope to defeat him without
my assistance!" snarled Snape.
"Then, you should have thought of that
before the 1st of September 1991!"
snarled Harry right back. "I was
completely ignorant of who you were. You
had a clean slate! If you wanted to help,
then you should have shown it all the way
back then!
"You kept making piss poor choices and,
when you realised you did, took out your
self-loathing on others. Since September
1991 that 'other' is, more often than
not, me.
"Then, when you realise you're doing that,
you hide behind lies of your own design.
'I have to behave this way so Riddle
continues to think I'm his spy'. 'I have to
treat Harry like dirt, because Albus needs
the boy to trust him to look out for his
best interests'. 'It's not my fault I treat
children like shit, because that's the way
my father treated me!' 'It's not my fault I
treat Gryffindors like shit, because Riddle
would become suspicious of me if I
didn't!'..."
"Get out!" roared Snape. "Get out of my
laboratory!"
Harry immediately picked up his bookbag
and stormed from the room. Hermione
was right behind him with Daphne
following.
As Harry and Hermione passed through
the door, Daphne turned back and said,
"You will find no peace, Severus, until you
accept that which you are responsible for.
Accept it, reconcile with it and move on."
And, with that, she left; pulling the door
closed behind her.
When she joined her bondmates in the
corridor, she glared at Harry and said, "You
could have handled that a lot better."
"On this issue, I don't care," he snapped
back. He was about to turn away when he
said, "You do realise this is
Dumbledore still trying to manipulate me
and events. Only, this time, he's now using
Snape to do it, right?"
"Of course," she coldly replied.
"Well, I had to slap that down... hard," he
grumbled. "I will not give even a smidgeon
of an opening Snape could exploit to see
me accepting 'lessons' off him."
"I'm aware of that," she snapped back. "I
was even in full support of you, right up to
the part where you reacted when he
called you arrogant. You could have been
the bigger man, right there, and ignored
it.
"Yes, but that's something I did for my
entire Hogwarts career, last go-around,"
said Harry. "The man is an incorrigible
bully. I refuse to let it slide anymore."
"Please don't fight," said Hermione, very
softly and quite anxiously.
Both bondmates look at her for moment
before they turned back to each other in
shame.
"Sorry," said Harry.
"Yeah; I'm sorry, too," said Daphne.
Harry sighed and stepped forward to hug
Daphne and dragged Hermione in with
him.
When they pulled back a little he said, "I
think that was really our first," he said.
"Yeah, I think it was," said Daphne.
"It's because we've all been busy with
plans and activities," said Harry. "First was
the establishment, building and finalising
the bond. Through that, it was the
collection and destruction of the
horcruxes, the planning of the tasks, the
Tournament's culmination of the
graveyard fight, the wedding, bringing in
everyone we care about up to speed with
the truth of our history, the end of
Dumbledore, and planning what we're
going to do from here.
"Now, it's waiting to see when we have
the opportunity to finally 'off' Riddle.
That's put us all on edge. And, again, I'm
really sorry for allowing my frustration to
boil over and snap at you. I have no
excuse for that."
"We're all 'on edge', as you put it, love,"
said Daphne, from within his arms. "And
we were both in the wrong."
With a sigh, he said, "Before I finally 'off'
Riddle, I want the chance to take out as
many Death Eaters as possible along the
way before we finally end him. The less
Death Eaters left at the end, the less blood
bigotry we'll have to deal with once it's
ended.
"That might sound bloodthirsty of me; but,
I can't help thinking they'll get back to
their old tricks, without Riddle, as soon as
we start pushing for modernisation of the
wizarding world. Their bigotry won't allow
it, so they'll come after us sooner or later.
The only way to end the bigotry is to
end them; then use that to show everyone
else what their future holds if they
attempt another such bout of forcing their
bigotry on the rest of us."
"Agreed," sighed Daphne.
After a moment, and with a pained look,
Hermione also agreed.
"Professor Snape is a master duellist," said
Daphne. "However, as you also rightly
pointed out, so is Professor Flitwick. I
think it's time we give him a bit of
information regarding the prophecy. We
need his help."
With a sigh, Harry nodded.
After asking for a private interview with
their Head of House, the three spent the
next thirty minutes talking with the big
man of small stature. Once he knew what
they were facing he gave his
wholehearted support. Training would
begin the next evening.
For now, the three retired to their room.
"Anything else we need to do that we
should do now?" asked Harry, once they
were again ensconced in their apartment.
Suddenly sitting up a little straighter, he
exclaimed, "Hang on! Something that has
completely slipped my mind, of late, is my
mail backlog. How's that coming?"
His wives looked at one another for a
moment before Hermione said, "Harry,
everything was caught up just after the
third task."
Daphne said, "The entire plan was for the
mail to be caught up before everyone
went home for the summer break. That
objective was reached two days after the
third task. Everyone was paid both for
their efforts and a bonus for getting it
done on time."
With a snort, Harry said, "It would have
been nice if I was made aware of that."
Both wives looked at one another again
and Daphne said, "Sorry, Harry. We clearly
both thought the other had told you."
"Who's handling the mail now?" he asked.
"Dobby," replied Hermione with a chuckle.
"And, just so you know, the little ratbag
knows how to forge your 'Harry'
signature."
Surprised, he said, "That's... oddly
disconcerting and a little worrying."
"He can forge it, as Hermione said, only
because it's not your real signature,"
explained Daphne. "All he's doing is
mimicking your handwriting and writing it.
That, after all, is all you're doing when you
supposedly sign your name using your first
name only.
"Your true signature, he can't forge.
Because, when you actually sign your
name, it also contains
your magical signature. And that can't be
forged."
"He was able to get me in trouble at the
beginning of second year for underaged
magic..." he tried.
Daphne shook her head and smiled, "No.
The underaged magical detection net only
detected that magic had been performed
at that address. As you are the only known
resident registered as a magic user there,
it pinged that it was you. Dobby was only
able to mimic a wizard's magic use, not
'match' your magical signature. It's a
loophole in how the detection net
operates."
"But, the magical signature can only be...
appended... to a normal signature on
parchment when you use a quill," added
Hermione. "Your magic flows through the
organic nature of both the quill and the
ink to the organic nature of the parchment.
You tend to use an inorganic fountain pen
with inorganic ink when you write
anything but official documents, class
assignments and exams, and that doesn't
carry your magical signature over. That's
why the wizarding world still uses quills,
organic ink and parchment."
"So that's why..." he muttered. Looking at
Hermione, he asked, "And when did you
find out that very important piece of
information?"
Hermione blushed and said, "When
Daphne and I set up the mail response
system back last year."
"And you didn't think to tell me?" he
asked.
With a shrug she replied, "I thought it was
interesting but not that important."
He thought about that for a few moments
before he realised she was right. "Still, it's
the sort of thing that I'd like to know," he
sighed. "It explains the... anachronism of
quills that frustrates us muggle-raised."
"Yeah," she sighed. "But it also explains
how Dobby is able to mimic your signature
for the thank you cards, but not on official
documents such as those for the
Wizengamot and Gringotts."
Chapter 316
With Dumbledore's passing, things quickly
settled down for Hogwarts and it's
denizens. Harry continued for a few weeks
to show those who wanted to know how
to cast a messenger patronus - of which
those from about fourth year up could do
and helped those in lower years better
understand the charm, and aid them in at
least conjuring a mist shield.
Of course, now in their OWL year,
assignments were measured in feet rather
than inches. So, time was short for
individual pursuits. Thankfully, the three
already knew what was required for each
of their assignments and were able to
keep well ahead of the due dates, plus
provide that little extra information to
ensure their grades remained in the
Outstanding range.
That gave them time to meet regularly
with Professor Flitwick for duelling
lessons.
"I understand why you refused Professor
Snape's offer of assistance, Harry," said
the diminutive Professor during one of
their breaks to regain their breath.
"However, the man can help with his
wealth of knowledge of Death Eater
tactics and styles of fighting."
With a sigh, Harry finally capitulated.
"Fine," he said. "However, I insist on your
attendance, as well. I still don't trust him.
And, I doubt I ever will."
With only a nod to acknowledge Harry's
words, Flitwick said, "I'll set things up with
him starting from next week."
After the three left for the afternoon to
head for an early dinner, Flitwick sat in the
old classroom to think things through. A
few minutes later he'd reached a workable
plan and left, to head for his own evening
meal.
Flitwick and Snape arrived in the Great
Hall at near enough the same time for the
Dueling Master to approach the sallow
Potions Master.
"Severus, I'd like a moment to chat with
you after the meal, if that's alright?" he
asked.
Snape looked back for a long moment
before he gave a curt nod in return. "I
have potions I need to attend. My
laboratory?"
"Excellent," agreed Flitwick. "I'll join you
there." And headed for his own seat to
enjoy his evening meal.
About five minutes after Snape left, cloak
billowing out behind him, Flitwick finished
his own meal and made his way out of the
Great Hall and down to the dungeons.
When Flitwick reached the door to the
Potion Master's private laboratory, he was
about to knock when Snape called, "Come
in, Filius."
Knowing it was a simple alert ward the
Potions Master had used, Flitwick wasn't
the least surprised. He simply opened the
door and walked in.
"Thank you for seeing me, Severus," said
Flitwick.
"What is this about?" asked Snape, barely
looking up from his work.
Knowing his colleague hated to 'beat
about the bush', as he put it, Flitwick said,
"I've finally managed to get Mister Potter
to agree to your offer of assistance to help
train him."
Snape grunted once in acknowledgement
as he worked on one of his potions. After
a few moments he said, "He is right, you
know."
"In what way?" asked Flitwick.
"That I have not made it possible for him
to trust me; and that I'll struggle to
maintain my own temper and not think of
him as... James Potter's spawn."
"He is as much Lily's as James's," Flitwick
gently rebuked his colleague.
"I'm aware of that," scowled Snape, his
eyes fixed on his task of dicing potions
ingredients on the cutting board before
him.
"Are you going to be able to control
yourself?" asked Flitwick. Even if he had
convinced Harry Snape's assistance could
be beneficial, he would not allow his
colleague to assist if the man harboured
any lingering resentment towards the
young man.
After he'd thought it over for a few
moments, Snape replied, "I believe so.
However it would, perhaps, be... wise for
you to remain for at least the first few
lessons."
"I intend to," replied Flitwick. "Mister
Potter has also asked me to remain for the
lessons, as well."
The Head of Ravenclaw House was quite
happy with his accomplishments of the
day when he made his way back to his
own office and the stack of assignments
awaiting grading he had yet to do.
As he walked back to his office he stopped
where he saw a couple of seventh year
witches of his own house working up high
on opposite walls of the corner of a
corridor.
'Carving runes, ladies?" he asked.
"Yes, Professor," one replied. "These are
the ones Lovegood and the Potters
designed."
"Who would have thought little Lovegood
was such a genius?" asked the other.
"The Sorting Hat, Miss Thompson," the
Professor replied, a little curtly. "She was
sorted into Ravenclaw for a reason. And it
wasn't just because she has Ravenclaw's
Gift."
"But, for a third year in her first year of
Ancient Runes to come up with something
so advanced..." the girl tried.
"Miss Lovegood's mother was a renowned
Arithmantist and Runes Master, Miss
Thompson," said the Professor. "As
neither requires the use of wands in
introductory teaching, I suspect her
mother taught her quite a bit before her
passing."
The Professor was just about to move on
when a thought occurred to him. "Who is
in charge of where the wards are
created?" he asked.
"Miss Lovegood, Professor," replied the
other. "She's got the whole castle mapped
out and just where each ward scheme is
to be created, so fields aren't overlapping
too much; and in what order."
With a nod, the Professor said, "Thank
you," And moved on.
That evening, the three were working on
their assignments when Hermione softly
nodded her head in the direction of the
Map, where it was spread over the coffee
table, and said, "There he goes again."
The other two looked at the map and
watched as Nott walked back and forth in
the corridor on the seventh floor before
the tapestry of Barnabus the Barmy,
before he walked at the wall opposite and
disappeared through the wall.
"How's his repairs of the vanishing cabinet
coming along?" asked Daphne.
"Dobby says he's stuck," replied Hermione.
"He's still not found the split in the wood
we put through one of the rune strings
under the cabinet."
"He'll find it eventually," said Harry.
"How's the anti-magic fields in the
corridors coming along?"
Chapter 317
Hermione pulled out a small sheaf of
parchment and replied, "Every corridor on
the seventh and sixth floors are done. As
is the entire grand staircase."
"No damage to the moving stairs?" asked
Harry.
"None," she replied. "They're just as big a
pain in the bum as ever."
"What about hidden passages?" asked
Daphne.
"I think we're going to have to do those,"
sighed Harry.
"I've been trying to work out the path
LeStrange and her party of Death Eaters
took the last time," muttered Hermione.
"Between us, Luna and I think we have it
figured out. She's managed to get most of
those corridors and hidden passages
warded first down to the fourth floor."
Sitting back and pondering things, Harry
said, "I think we need to talk to Tracey,
Blaise, Draco and Horace to see if they
know if Nott is aware of the warding yet.
It's really not something we can hide."
"Already done," said Daphne. "They've
been subtly telling everyone it's an alert
based ward for casting magic in the
corridors against school rules. However, it
won't be too long before someone tries to
curse someone else in a warded area and
fails. The truth will soon be out, then."
"Maybe," mused Harry. "Whichever idiot
casts in such a warded corridor may first
think they just got the incantation or wand
movement wrong. Just how secret is the
list of which corridors have been done,
which are being worked on, and which are
still to be done?"
"Only those taking Ancient Runes, and can
therefore carve, know," said Hermione.
"Unless, of course, they decide to wander
the corridors and check for the runes.
They're small but you can see them if
you're looking for them."
"Mmm," said Harry. "Frankly, I don't think
Nott's smart enough to do any of that.
Does he take Ancient Runes?"
"No," replied Daphne. "Care of Magical
Creatures and Muggle Studies."
"Ah!" said Hermione. "He's looking for a
career in the Ministry, then. And,
hopefully, he won't recognise the purpose
of the runes, anyway. Is there anyone in
Slytherin likely to tell him?"
"Some," replied Daphne after a few
moments. "Mainly sixth and seventh years
who're studying runes. However, I do not
think they'll tell him directly. I suspect it'll
be more along the lines of mentioning it
between themselves and he overhearing
them."
"And listening in on the conversations of
others in a public place is not
eavesdropping," smirked Harry. "It's
intelligence gathering for a Slytherin."
With a grin of her own, Daphne replied,
"Exactly. It's good to know you understand
that subtle difference."
"I think it's time we invited our friends up
for a Friday night gossip session," said
Hermione.
"It's not a 'gossip' session, love," Daphne
mock scolded her bond mate. "It's an
'intelligence exchange' session."
Hermione grinned back and said,
"Tom-ah-to, tom-aye-to."
After a full day of classes, afternoon work
on assignments, and an early dinner, the
three ensured their Slytherin friends
received their invitations. This was only
their second such session since the new
year had begun, so they weren't surprised
when all of them accepted.
As none of them needed directions the
three headed directly to their apartment
to set everything up, only to find that
Dobby had already anticipated their needs
and had it all done.
Taking a look around their common room,
Harry turned to his wives and said, "Well,
in that case, I'm going to go change into
something more comfortable." And
headed for their room. Both wives were
seconds behind him and decided they'd,
too, change into casual wear.
By the time their first guest arrived, the
three had already changed and were
sitting on one of the couches waiting for
them. Surprisingly, Draco and Horace
arrived together and only a couple of
minutes ahead of Blaise and Tracey. Then
Neville arrived with Luna on his arm.
"Neville?" asked Hermione. "I thought you
and Hannah..."
"We still are," replied the other boy.
"However, I met up with Luna and
escorted her here. Hannah's on Prefect
rounds and will join us later. I hope you
don't mind but she'll be bringing Sue with
her."
"Not at all," said Daphne.
"I meant to ask," said Hermione. "How's
life in the Gryffindor tower, of late? Is little
'Ronnikins' still jacking up?"
Neville grinned back as he sat down. "He's
given up on trying to move his bed into
the fifth year boy's dorm. He managed to
do that for the first week; now, I think
Professor McGonagall put a spell up that
stops him able to do that. He even tried to
carry just his bedding up and sleep on the
floor, but Dean called in Professor
McGonagall and she forced him back to
the fourth year dorm. Now there's a
charm up that blocks him even being able
to enter the room."
"Oh, yes," said Hermione. "Thomas is the
fifth year Prefect, isn't he."
With a nod and a smile, he replied, "That
he is."
"It must feel almost like living in a palace
with only three beds in there now," said
Harry.
"It's great," said the other boy. "With both
you and Ron gone, we've been allowed to
put desks in there. It makes for a better
place to do homework when we want
peace and quiet."
"I'm glad I was able to help," grinned
Harry.
"The odours in the room must be much
improved, too," said Draco, a little quietly.
"I've heard he's quite the... trumpet
master... in the morning."
The fact Draco made quite a crass joke
took a moment to percolate through their
minds before everyone burst out laughing.
That it was true was even better.
"You know, Potter," the blonde boy
considered. "Since you've divested
yourself of the Red Weasel you've become
someone much more interesting to be
around."
Smirking, Harry mimicked doffing his hat
to his ex-nemesis.
"When are you going to ask us?" Horace
suddenly asked.
"Ask?" asked Daphne.
"About Nott," replied Horace with a smug
little smile.
Harry gave a snort. "Never play your cards
close to your chest with a Slytherin as he,
or she, will already know what's in your
hand. No; instead, lay them out in the
open as it'll completely befuddle them
trying to figure out what you're hiding."
Chapter 318
Horace and Draco burst into laughter
before Blaise said, "You know, that's
actually quite clever."
Nodding Draco said, "It is. Any Slytherin
worth their salt will then try to figure out
what it is you're not telling them. That
there's nothing to figure out will have
them off kilter."
"Nott," said Daphne, bringing things back
on track. "We know he's up to something.
And that something will clearly have
something to do with Riddle. What we'd
like to know is; does he have any idea
what the rune carvings in the corridors are
for?"
"He doesn't," replied Blaise. "He even
came to me asking what they were a
couple days ago."
"And, pray tell, what did you tell him?"
asked Daphne.
"I told him the lie that everyone believes
is the truth," shrugged Blaise. "That it's
part of a scheme that'll inform the staff if
someone casts magic in the corridors
against school rules."
"No one in the Snake Pit has tested that
theory, yet?" asked Hermione.
"No," the boy shook his head. "With
McGonagall now Headmistress, they all
think she's waiting to catch them out so
she can expel them."
With the relief that Nott was very likely
still unaware of the true purpose of the
runes along the corridors the night drew
to an early close. Most said they still had
assignments they wanted to get out of the
way. The only exception was Luna.
As soon as Susan, Hannah and Neville left
together, with Neville escorting the two
young witches back to the Badger Burrow,
Luna pulled out the sheaf of parchment
with the floor plans of the castle's
corridors on them.
Spreading them out she indicated how
well they were doing getting the
anti-magic fields in place.
"Seventh, sixth and most of the fifth floor
are now done. The areas on the fifth floor
not yet done are mostly in the corridors in
parts of the castle left unused," she
explained.
"I've also got the main routes from both
the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw common
rooms already done, and have some folks
working on the main routes from both the
Hufflepuff and Slytherin common rooms.
However, most of that is also done."
"What about the hidden passages, the
Entrance Hall and the Great Hall?" asked
Hermione.
"All done, except for the hidden passages
that are not commonly known." said Luna.
"So, we're basically ready," sighed
Hermione. "What about our chosen
'waiting' room?"
"Done," Luna promptly replied. "I had a
couple of fourth years carve that one. I
told them it was a test for them to ensure
their carving ability is suitable. I only had
to fix a couple of the runes to have it
working properly. And the control panel
rune set is hidden behind a painting of a
landscape left hanging in the room.
"After the corridors, we'll begin working
on the unused classrooms along the oft
used corridors," she continued.
"However," said Harry. "We're still waiting
for Sirius and or Remus to get us those
paintball guns. And then we have to get
the potion off the twins and switch out
the dye for the potion."
A few days later another attack on Diagon
Alley by Death Eaters was reported. This
time the report included how the
shopkeepers had banded together and
driven them off.
"Well, finally!" exclaimed Harry, from
where he was reading the Daily Prophet at
the Ravenclaw table.
Daphne smirked back as Harry looked like
he wanted to get up and dance in glee. "It
looks like your tongue-lashing of the store
keepers has paid dividends," she said.
"I know!" he said, a little quieter this time.
"One died," said Hermione a little sadly
from where she was reading the article.
"However, they managed to take them all
down. Apparently there were six, this time.
It doesn't look like there were any from
the inner circle, though."
"Aside from someone being killed," said
Harry. "They're now showing backbone. If
they keep this up they'll soon leave the
sheep mentality behind and continue
defending themselves."
"The article states they're feeling quite
pleased with themselves," muttered
Hermione, from where she was still
reading. "And, they credit you for showing
them the error of their ways for their
victory."
"Let's just hope Riddle doesn't see that as
a direct challenge and go after them in
force," said Daphne. "If he uses the same
tactics as in the previous war, those shop
keepers just became high priority targets."
"We'll write a letter to Madam Bones
pointing that out," Harry firmly stated.
That evening the student body noticed a
new face sitting at the head table. The
wizard, for that was what he clearly was,
seemed about the same age as Sirius and
Snape, or possibly a little older.
They found out who he was when
Headmistress McGonagall stood to
address the Hall.
"If I may have your attention, please,
students," she called, before waiting for
the Hall to quieten down again. "I have
news for you. First, I have been informed
by the School Board my temporary
position as Headmistress has been made
permanent."
That lead to all four houses applauding in
congratulations, though the Slytherins
appeared to do so only out of politeness.
"Professor Flitwick's temporary position as
Deputy Headmaster has also been made
permanent," she continued, once the
noise had calmed down again.
And, again, a similar level of support
shown through applause was shown the
diminutive professor, who smiled back
with a nod of his head to each of the four
tables.
"Next, as I'll be taking the position of
Headmistress, fulltime... and as promised...
I have secured the services of a new
Professor of Transfigurations,
Transfiguration Master Belvedere
Bartwinkle..." She gestured with her hand
towards him, and the man rose in his seat
before nodding once to the student body.
"Professor Bartwinkle will be resuming all
Transfiguration classes as of tomorrow
morning, and I'll be also handing over the
fifth and seventh year classes to him," she
explained. "Professor Bartwinkle holds
Masteries in both Transfiguration and Care
of Magical Creatures. His specialisation is
inanimate to animate transfigurations. His
classroom and office will be my old ones
in the Transfiguration corridor. That is all."
When she returned to her seat, the noise
in the Hall rose again, as students
discussed this new turn of events.
It was while Harry and his wives were
training with both Flitwick and Snape late
the next evening that Harry's mental alert
regarding the shields on Potter Retreat
went off. Someone had used one of the
emergency portkeys to portkey straight
into the Potter Retreat welcoming room.
Chapter 319
The slight mental nudge was enough to
cause Harry to have to dive out of the way
of a low level curse from Flitwick and cry,
"Halt!"
Immediately, all casting stopped.
A moment later, as every eye turned to
him in shock, Harry said, "Someone's just
used an emergency portkey to the
safehouse. I've got to go."
"We're coming," said his wives, both
clearly worried for their extended family.
"Use the floo in my office," said Professor
Flitwick. "It's the closest."
Together, the four, minus Professor Snape,
hurried to the Professor's office. As they
hurried, Harry said to the Professor, "The
wards on the property will bounce you out
if you try to follow. Only us three can floo
direct."
"Understandable, Mister Potter," said
Flitwick.
As they hurried into the Charms Master's
office, the three cast repair spells on their
combat robes to ready them for battle,
while the diminutive Professor readied the
fireplace for floo travel.
"Ready, Mister Potter," said Flitwick
moving away, again. "Floo call me when
you're ready to return."
"Will do, Professor," replied Harry. "Thank
you."
Grabbing a large pinch of floo powder,
Harry tossed it into the flames and called,
"Potter Retreat! Home Sweet Home!" He
was whisked away.
While both wives heard what Harry called,
Professor Flitwick heard nothing. Or, if he
did, he could not remember what was
called. Both wives followed Harry through
a few moments later.
Harry already had his 'secret' wand out
when he arrived in the welcoming hall at
Potter Retreat and immediately erected a
shield before he was even more than one
foot out of the flames. He was greeted by
Madam Bones, who was using a large slab
of what appeared to be marble as a shield
while she peeked around it.
"Madam Bones," he said, stepping further
into the room, making sure he stood
between the witch and the fireplace. "I
swear on my life and my magic that I am
the real Harry James Potter."
After the flash of magic being accepted,
the older witch stood and held her wand
in the oath position. "Mister Potter, I
swear on my magic and my life that I am
the real Amelia Susan Bones."
With her own flash, Harry allowed his
shield to drop as she banished the block of
marble.
"What happened?" he asked.
Before she could explain both wives came
out in quick succession from the floo, also
with their own 'secret' wands casting
shields.
"Riddle happened," she scowled, as both
witches took a quick look around before
allowing their shields to drop and
banishing the soot from their bodies and
clothes. "He's found himself a ward or
curse breaker who's apparently quite
good. They took down the wards on Bones
Manor and were coming in through the
main door as I managed to get out
through the tunnel."
"Where were your guards?" he asked.
"There was an attack on Azkaban earlier
tonight," she replied. "I sent both to boost
the forces defending the prison."
"Damn it!" he half swore. "I didn't expect
that to happen for a while yet. He must be
getting desperate for lackeys."
"Those are my thoughts, too," she said.
A moment later, he said, "If there was an
attack on the prison, Riddle would have
led that one. Feel like going to an area a
little apart from Bones Manor to attack
the Death Eaters who were attacking you?
We might get lucky and stop them from
burning your manor down, or even
capture a few of them."
Madam Bones developed a gleam in her
eye and a smirk. "That sounds like a
wonderful idea," she said.
With a nod he said, "Make the portkey
and I'll add the charm that allows it
outbound through my wards."
Picking up the quoit she'd used to get to
Potter Retreat, Madam Bones created the
portkey and Harry added the necessary
charm.
"Come, ladies," he said, beckoning to his
wives. "Let us go kick some Death Eater
arse."
With wands ready, the four all hooked a
finger of their off hand on the ring. A
muttered activation from the older witch
and they were away.
After the hooked feeling of a portkey, the
four of them arrived about one hundred
yards out from where the wards should
have stood for Bones Manor. It was quite
clear those wards were now down.
Also apparent was that the manor was not
yet on fire, and that the attacking group of
Death Eaters were still searching. Clearly,
they thought she was still there.
"Daphne, you're the shield for Madam
Bones. Hermione, you're the shield for me.
Let's go," he quietly but firmly directed.
As they moved forward carefully scanning
the area ahead of them, Madam Bones
quietly said, "You know, Mister Potter; it
should be me giving the directions."
"Nominally, yes," he softly muttered in
reply. "However, I've been training with
both these ladies and know them and
their capabilities better than you do."
"Point," she muttered back, acceding the
point.
They came across only one robed Death
Eater who was holding right back out the
front. He was hidden from the house but
not from the four carefully approaching
from his rear. The man wasn't even
bothering to check his surroundngs.
Madam Bones hit him with a stunner in
the back, causing him to soundlessly drop
to the ground. The single spellfire didn't
draw attention their way.
Pausing in their progress, Madam Bones
affixed 'cuffs to the man and stripped him
of his single portkey and wand. With a
muttered "Activate" the Death Eater was
portkeyed away.
"Look at this," Hermione softly called,
kneeling down to look at a large stone
that sat on the ground a few feet in front
of where the Death Eater had stood.
"A ward breaker," muttered Bones. "That
explains how they got through the wards
so fast. Plus, it'll come in handy for my
aurors." She bent down and used a
sticking charm to affix another stone to
the middle of the ward breaker; and
portkeyed the stone away.
"It'll be on my desk when I get into the
office," she said, by way of explanation.
With a nod, Harry then turned to look
around the grounds.
Chapter 320
"Ladies, please go with Madam Bones," he
said. Before they could object, he
explained, "I'm going to do a sweep under
my cloak around the perimeter and round
up those who're acting as lookouts."
"Be safe, Harry," said Daphne, thereby
stopping Hermione from objecting.
With a huff, Hermione joined Daphne in
acting as shield maidens for Madam
Bones, while Harry quickly pulled out his
cloak and donned it. A quick silencing
charm on his feet and he took off to his
left, intending to round the manor in a
clockwise direction.
He found one very quickly and barely
slowed down as he came up behind the
thug, stunned him, stripped him of
portkeys and wand, bound him and
moved on.
He then found two behind the manor but
closer in. Both were spending their time
talking to one another, and both were
taken down almost as quickly. Two quick
stunners close enough that the flash of
red light didn't alert anyone else, the
same search and binding, and he was off
again.
As expected he found the fifth simply
standing and watching the manor. As with
the others, he wasn't even looking
anywhere else or expecting trouble. He
got the same treatment.
Rounding back around to the front doors,
sure he'd picked off all the 'guards', he
entered the manor.
Seeing spell fire but not hearing any
fighting coming from within and to his
right, Harry hurried down the hallway,
making sure his silencing charm on his
feet was still in place, and his cloak had
him completely masked.
He saw his wives and Madam Bones
hunkered down behind a wall either side
of a wide open set of double doors. They
were exchanging spell fire with someone,
or someones, within.
Bending down behind Hermione, who was
the only one on his side of the doorway,
he muttered, "It's me."
Once Hermione got over her initial gasp of
shock, he said, "In... twenty seconds, take
out the window. I'll get them from out
there."
Once he saw her give a firm nod and
check her watch, he stood back up and
hurried back out of the manor, practically
running to get into place in time.
Thankfully, the windows were on the front
of the manor, and he was there in plenty
of time. He used the remaining time to
peer in the window and see if he could
see the bad guys. There were two and
both were clearly visible to him. Both
were behind sofas.
He stepped away from the window and
waited only a few moments more before
one of the windows blew outwards.
Another few moments wait for the Death
Eaters to stop looking at the window and
he stepped forward.
Two quick stunners and they were down.
"They're down!" he called through the
window.
He watched as Madam Bones quickly
moved forward to check on both DEs
before he called, "Coming in!" He then
climbed in through the shattered window
with his cloak off.
"Any more?" he asked.
"We need to continue the sweep," she
said.
With a nod, he replied, "You lead and I'll
tag along under the cloak."
A quick search through the manor found
two more upstairs searching through
cupboards and walk-in robes. It was
obvious they didn't hear the fighting from
downstairs as neither was looking behind
them. They were quickly dispatched with
another two stunners.
As with the two downstairs, these two
were quickly portkeyed away. They were
making their way back down the stairs
when, with a cry of "Aurors!", three aurors
came in through the front doors with
wands ready to cast.
"Stand down!" barked Madam Bones.
"We're friendlies."
All three aurors relaxed with the one in
the lead, who Harry recognised as the one
who tried to arrest him not long ago in
Diagon, stepping forward. "Ma'am," he
said with a nod. "I take it they all got
away?"
"Hell no!" she snapped back. "With the
help of these three they were all
captured."
When all three aurors gaped back in shock,
Madam Bones firmly ordered them, "You
two. Go down and search the basement.
Treat it as a hostile environment." Looking
to the remaining auror she said, "Sweep
the grounds. Mister Potter here took out
three..."
"Four," he quickly interrupted.
"... Four Death Eaters on watch outside,"
she continued. "They've been stunned and
bound. Cuff them and portkey them to
holding cells."
Quickly pointing in the relevant directions
before the auror could hurry out again, he
said, "You'll find one each out each end,
and two to the rear next to each other."
The auror gave a curt nod in response and
hurried out.
Once the aurors were hustled off, she said,
"Come. We'll head for the kitchen."
"Don't you think you should get your
wards back up first?" asked Harry.
"I... don't have the power," she grudgingly
admitted.
"Can we add ours to yours to get them
up?" he asked.
With a frown, she said, "We can try, I
guess."
She then led them down to the basement,
meeting the aurors on their way back up.
"It's clear, Ma'am," reported Auror
Kennedy, giving the three the evil eye as
he did.
"What of Azkaban?" she asked.
With a poorly disguised surreptitious
glance at the three bond-mates it was
clear Kennedy didn't want to report in
front of the three teens.
"Out with it, man!" barked Amelia.
With a sigh and wince, Kennedy said,
"They were in and out fast, Ma'am. They
appeared on the beach next to the dock
and... well... it was clearly rehearsed..."
With a sigh of her own, she asked, "How
many?"
"I'm..." he tried before giving his head a
little shake. "Sorry. How many what?"
Harry just snorted in amusement and
shook his head. Kennedy scowled back but
didn't verbally reply.
"How many, Kennedy," scowled Bones
after rolling her eyes. "How many escaped?
How many of my aurors were killed?" How
many?"
"Oh," said Kennedy, finally understanding.
"We lost five aurors. Nine inner circle
escaped; and, about a dozen more. There
was also... I think... nine other prisoners
killed."