Hermione and Ron were sitting in the common room talking to Tonks. "Harry," Hermione said, looking around making sure they were being paid attention too, but casting a silence cone to be sure, "if you've done your task, why are you still here?" she asked, hoping that it was something to do with the group she was going to start.
Since there was no DADA teacher at this time, it would be imperative to get something started so that everyone wouldn't fall behind. However, Hermione was honest with herself enough to know that she knew more than most, but the last four years told her she would be a terrible teacher.
'Harry' leaned over just a bit, not worried about being overhear, but making it look like 'he' was keeping secrets, which was a very 'Harry' thing to do. "Snape," was all 'he' said.
"Oh, I thought he was on our side," the bushy-haired girl countered.
"He might be, or there might be another reason. All we know about the man is that Dumbledore vouches for him. He had done nothing to prove he leans either way. I think, for one, that he plays the devil's advocate," Tonks said, leaning back in her chair with a casualness that Harry rarely pulled off. That boy was just to uptight.
"How will you find out?" Ron asked, hoping that they did catch his most hated teacher. It wasn't so much that Snape was head of Slytherin, it was the man was a right bastard.
"I'm hoping he does his little mind reading trick," Tonks said, then got a thoughtful look. "Hey, did 'I' give you that book on Occlumency?" she asked, not realizing that maybe Harry had given to his friends.
"Oh, yeah, we got that ages ago," Ron said, nodding along with his words. "'You' gave it to us right after 'you' got it. We just didn't want my mum to know. I know she wasn't at the house, but I wouldn't put it past her to find us doing something she wouldn't like. It's a mum thing, I'm sure. Also, the twins finished the book a while ago, so do don't worry about them," he added, looking over at his mischievous look-a-like brothers.
"I wasn't," Tonks denied, casting a fleeting look at the twins.
"I found that book most useful," Hermione said, tapping her finger on the chair with nervous pent-up energy. "The things I can do with my mind now would boggle any pureblood that tried to read it," she said a bit smug.
"I'm glad it worked for you guys. I read it myself and I can tell you it is much easier to do than what they learn at the Academy. I had Remus help me a bit," Tonks said, blushing at bit, which made Harry's pale skin stand out.
"Um, Harry, you might want to tone it back a bit. You're blushing like a girl," Ron said, noticing that they were attracting attention.
"Oh, right," Tonks said, getting back into character.
Hermione dropped the silence cone, and they talked about mundane things until it was time for dinner.
They made their way downstairs and sat at their normal table. Tonks was quick to note that Snape jerked as if hit. Then the man got up and went to Dumbledore, then hurried out of the Great Hall. She exchanged looks with Ron and Hermione, then looked back at the Headmaster, who was all but staring at her.
"Cover for me later, yeah. If anyone asks, then tell them I'm off studying somewhere, or, you know, trying to discover the secrets of the school, or something," she said, in a whisper in Hermione's ear.
All Hermione did was nod once, then they resumed dinner.
Hphphp
Meanwhile outside the wards at Malfoy Manor, was a group of people hoping to end a war. It was dark and clear out, so they were pretty well hidden. There was no moon, which everyone was thankful for.
Each had a pair of spelled glasses, or goggles, to see in the dark with. Getting them wasn't a problem, since the DMLE had those on hand. Amelia had brought enough for everyone.
They were all sitting outside the outer ward, waiting on Bill to get the scrambler working.
Bones, Shacklebolt, and a man named Proudfoot, were there to represent the Ministry. Amelia didn't trust anyone else. She had been iffy on Kingsley, but the man vowed to keep this night's activity to himself. They all waited in the dark, back-to-back in triangle formations of three. Sirius Alastor, and Remus were covering Bill. They were only the seven strong, but they had surprise on their side, they hoped.
Bill was so focused on what he was doing, that he didn't even note the people around him. He was completely absorbed in his task. The ward scrambler wasn't difficult to use, but it was time consuming. Every step had to be meticulously done, which was one of the reasons so few were made. Most people wanted in and out in quickly. As it was, this took at least five minutes to set up and activate. If you rushed it, the wards would trip, and you'd be noticed.
"Amelia," Sirius whispered to the woman in charge.
"What?" she hissed back, making sure to show that she didn't like that he was making noise. Sometimes she hated working with amateurs. Oh, Sirius had been an Auror back before he went to prison, but it seemed that he had forgotten everything taught to him.
"Did you tell Albus?" was the quiet question.
"No," was all she said, looking at him puzzled. Why in all that was holy would she even think on telling the Headmaster?
"Oh, okay, good," Black sighed. He didn't really think she had, but it was a tense moment, and he wasn't thinking completely straight.
This was the defining moment in keeping Harry out of this 'war'. Last thing he needed was for Albus to come and try to stop them from doing what needed to be done. He hadn't even thought anyone would tell the man until now. He glanced questioningly at everyone else, getting shakes of no in return.
"Quiet," hissed Moody, his eyes never leaving the manor in front of them.
No one said anything else.
"Got it," Bill said quietly as he stood. He brushed his hands on to his trousers, standing and getting his wand out. He joined Amelia's group and made ready.
"Go, go, go," Amelia said with urgent quietness, waving her hand in an 'get moving' motion, and rushing everyone forward.
Bill was in the lead, while he had taken his time with the outer ward, the inner one was going down in a blaze of glory. They didn't need to be stealthy for that one. Now that the trip ward was gone, Voldy and his DE's would think they were further away.
BOOM! went the wards.
"Go," Amelia shouted, then called to the manor, "Tom Riddle, you and yours are under arrest."
She knew it wouldn't help but one had to obey the law. Especially, if one was the law.
A score of men and woman in black robes poured out of the house. Most of them didn't have masks, so it was easy to identify them. Narcissa took the lead, having learned of her sister's squibbing, had turned her to her husband' cause. She had always believed in blood purity but was smart enough to know that inbreeding was a thing. So, when she learned of Bella's death, she wanted revenge. Anger drove her forward now, while the others spread out.
Most of the Death Eaters were caught flatfooted, seeing that their opposition was so close to the house.
All seven of the attackers sent a barrage of spells to the unsuspecting 'victims'. If you could call those like these people a victim. Not one of the attackers had any sympathy as they mowed down half of Riddle's minions, bar those like Narcissa and Greyback. For someone who had thus far stayed out of the fight, Narcissa was one hell of a fighter.
Said woman avoided the first volley, sending deadly curses in return. That was enough for the attackers to go lethal. The Death Eaters were not expecting that. They were to use to the Order firing disabling spells. A good half of the defenders were down before they could blink. Most of them won't be getting back up.
Two of the Death Eaters had already broken off from the fight and ran back into the house. Amelia let them go, figuring they going to do the futile thing of warning their 'Lord'. Like the man didn't already know they were there.
As fight raged on it was clear that Sirius and Amelia's people were winning. Riddle had yet to come out of the house, neither had the two Death Eaters. Which made Sirius concerned, so he whipped out Harry's invisibility cloak and snuck past the fighting. He quietly crept toward where he knew the ballroom was. Figuring that ole Tom would have set up shop there. The man was pretentious enough.
He heard hissing and peeked around the doorway. It was a scene that would have made him laugh any other time. Voldy was arguing with his snake. At least that is what it looked like. That and it appeared that the man was losing. The snake was coiled up in front of the Dork Lord, only standing high enough to be in Tom's face. It was clear from the expression on Riddle's face that they were fighting.
Sirius, instead of laughing, line up his wand and fired a cutting curse. The curse hit true, and Nagini was dead before old Voldy could react. Sirius fired off a few more shots, then ran to get to an empty room. He quickly took out his mirror and called the house.
"Harry, it's done, your turn," was all he said in a hushed whisper. Then he put the mirror away after disconnecting it.
Then he laid in wait, while the Dark 'Lord' moved around the house casting a revealing spell in each room he entered. Sirius knew the Cloak would hide him, but he needed to wait until the idiot was mortal. So, after Tom left the room he was hiding in, he snuck behind him and followed the frustrated man around the house. Any other time, Sirius would have found this hilarious. Okay, he did think it was too funny, but he had enough control not to laugh.
He was going to use the memory for his next Patronus.
He did wonder where those two Death Eaters went though. He really hoped they weren't calling for back-up.
Hphphp
Earlier.
Harry had been waiting on pins and needles for the okay. His wand was hovering over the items, and his face was so tense, Andi was afraid it would break. The mirror was laying on the table in front of him, just waiting for the signal. If Sirius got the snake, he'd use the mirror. If Amelia did the deed, then she would send a Patronus.
"Calm down," Andi said softly, putting a hand on his arm. "If you make your arm tired now, you will not be ready when it is time."
Harry took a deep breath and lowered his arm. She was right, it was getting tired.
"Wotcher," came a voice from the doorway.
"Tonks, what are you doing here? I thought you were keeping an eye on Snape," Harry said whirling around, almost falling in the process.
"He left," she answered with a shrug. "As far as I know, he's with Riddle," she added, going to give her mum a hug. "Since he's probably going to be arrested, I figured I'd help here," she finished, taking a seat next to Harry. "I've got the gang covering for me, just in case I'm wrong."
"Oh, okay," Harry said, not sure how he felt about Snape being in the fight. Just because the man warned them about the horcrux, didn't make him a nice man. For all Harry knew Snape might have made an oath about making sure Harry survived, or some such rot.
"I, for one, am glad you are here," Andi said, getting up and heading towards the door. "I did not like to be here," she said, stopping right before leaving and turning to them she explained. "When I married your father, I gave up 'dark magic'," she said, nodding to her daughter. "While the spell that Harry is doing isn't 'dark,' per se, it isn't 'light'. It makes me uncomfortable being around those objects as well. I don't know what they are, but they give off an evil feel. So, no, I am glad you're back, Nymphadora, so that I may remove myself."
"I get it, Mum," Tonks said. She knew that after the Blacks had kicked her mum out, the older woman had sustained on only doing spells necessary for her work and keeping house. It was kinda sad that so much was lost, but even though her mum was now brought back into the family, she still only wanted to be surrounded by 'light' magic.
"I don't get it, but it is your choice," Harry said, scratching his head. "Thank you for almost going against your principles."
"You are more than welcome, Harry. I would do anything to prevent a war, even bending my morals, if needs must. Those can be brought back, the dead cannot," Andi said, giving the boy a small smile. Then she nodded her head and left.
Harry turned towards Tonks and lifted an eyebrow.
"I'll explain another time," she said, shaking her head. "We need to be ready for the signal," she added, moving so that she was next him.
"Right," was all he said.
They didn't really talk after that, but there were a few words of encouragement from Tonks, here and there. Like 'any minute now,' or 'you can do it, Harry,' things like that. Every time Harry got antsy, Tonks would try and sooth him. If she could, she would do the spell, but it was decided that even though they don't know the exact words of the prophecy, they wanted to make sure Harry had a part in Tom's demise.
Right when Harry was about to cry out in frustration, Sirius's call came through. The message received; Harry cast the spell on each of the items. One by one a ghostly image of Voldy appeared, screamed and died. It was almost anti-climactic for Harry and Tonks, but at least now they knew he was mortal. It had taken longer than anticipated because Harry had to use Parseltongue on a few, like the locket.
"It done," the boy said, slouching in his chair. Tonks did the messenger Patronus to give Sirius the go-ahead. "Do you think they are alright?" Harry asked when she was done. He was glad she took that initiative because he was beat.
"I'm sure they are. They've been training for this day for weeks now. Sure, that's not terribly long, but they put their all into it. That and most of them are veterans to war. I know all but Kingsley fought in the last one," she answered, trying to be reassuring. She, like Harry, wished she were there as well. It was her job, however, to keep the teen here. For all he too had been training, he was nowhere ready to face a man with decades more experience.
"We can spar," Harry offered, knowing that there was no way he was just going to sit and wait for them to return. Sparring would take his mind off things. He had thought about reading the book that Sirius gave him last night, but after about an hour reading it the night before, it didn't really keep him distracted. He didn't let his brother know that though. It had been a nice gesture.