The fact that the four students found dead at Hogwarts were all puffs really hit Nym, Susan and Hannah hard but it was the news Hagrid had been murdered that almost broke Harry, Minerva had to brew a calming draft as the distraught wizard was excused lessons for the day. Hermione never left his side and swore she would get even with the people who could break her husband's heart like this, he'd sobbed for hours and his throat was now raw as he clung to her hardly able to speak.
These events hardened everyone's attitudes over the coming weeks and months with all their trainers noticing the difference, this was now as real as it gets with six people dead and five of the victims students just like them.
Griphook had got in touch to say that the Longbottoms were looking to leave Britain and wanted to accept their offer of assistance so within the week Neville and his gran were added to their merry not-so-little group.
The hotel floor was easily large enough to accommodate everyone and they even had four distinct hang-out areas that just seemed to naturally evolve, Augusta Longbottom had a lounge set up to resemble the one she'd left in Britain and this was easily the most formal room on the whole floor, it was christened old-school.
The students had an area that had a play station, juke box, pool table and even a pinball machine earning it the name kiddies corner though Dan and Ted could often be found there.
Emma and Andi were the main users of the large informal lounge that had a massive TV at the centre of it though Minerva always appeared as soon as a romantic film made its way into the video player, this was nicknamed 'the hankie hall' as the ladies always seemed to be in tears at the end of the movie.
There was also the library, which everyone just automatically behaved quietly in, and it was furnished with tables and comfortable chairs placed throughout. With each bedroom also having its own sitting room people could have as much or as little company as they wished and this practically eliminated anyone getting so wound-up that serious arguments started, that and Nym was likely to smack you upside your head if you did.
Neville had trouble accepting Draco had changed but since he was also having trouble with all things muggle Nym very cleverly paired both boys for 'muggle studies' where Draco had the job of teaching Neville how things worked in their new home.
Draco got speaking to his mother about how Neville was missing his herbology lessons and asking if there was anything they could do which led to Neville's balcony being glassed-in and forming a greenhouse right outside his bedroom thus kick-starting a friendship that would grow with the years.
Harry had been adamant that they take at least one day a week off but when they went into New York the fact that the others were couples kind of forced Neville and Hannah to spend time together. Neither found this a hardship as they both enjoyed each others company, they became good friends and left the option of being more in the future well and truly open. Nym was big sister / den mother to the whole group but they quickly found her weakness. The group always seemed to find a large shoe shop that kept her happy for hours, allowing them time to do whatever they wanted.
Nym was unsure if there would be any aurors in Britain by the time she graduated though she had the former head of department here to give her lessons and intended to make full use of it, she quickly had company because the other six thought it was a great idea and soon wanted included.
Her professors were saying she could take her NEWT's a year early and cover more advanced studies for her last year, with potions, charms, transfiguration, defence and muggle studies she would be more than qualified for any career she was interested in. When you factored in now spending one day a week being trained by Amelia then she was miles ahead of any other auror candidate.
-oOoOo-
"There can be no doubt then?" Griphook asked.
"No," replied Ragnok "We have positive sightings from the elves. I had hoped for more time though they should still be safe for now but this is not something we can keep from them. Apparently Minister Umbridge wasn't a death eater but when faced with the choice of taking the dark mark or dying she quickly made her mind up, all that really happened there is the puppet got a new master. They're using this technique sparingly and sacking anyone they're sure would say no, Voldemort will have total control of the ministry and the general magical population won't even know he's back."
"Have we any idea how he managed his return?"
"The best analysis our experts can give is that he used a horcrux and took someone's life force to give him a new body, there is speculation though that he tried to join with his spirit and it didn't proceed according to plan. Their guess is that neither part of the soul wanted to accede control to the other and both are now living in and fighting for control of the same body."
"I'll go to New York and personally make our offer; the Americans are also watching the situation very closely and are interested in offering special training as well."
"If Lord Potter accepts I want you based over there to provide any assistance they require"
Griphook bowed to his leader and left to make the arrangements.
-oOoOo-
All thoughts on a party to celebrate Nym's five NEWT's were forgotten with the news that Griphook had brought to New York; Voldemort was back and ruling magical Britain from behind the scenes.
They were all present and everyone was shocked but none could fail to notice the reactions of the Grangers and Potters were far more severe.
"Harry, do you know something we don't?" a worried Nym asked.
He looked around the table at all these people who had tied their lives to his and reckoned it was time they knew the truth. "Before I was born a prophecy was made concerning me and Voldemort, he'll be coming after me."
Nym was on her feet; "Well the bastard is going to have to go through me first, I've put too much time and effort into making you a decent brother to let some shit take you away from me now."
Draco didn't hesitate for a second, he now considered his oath to the house of Black to be the best thing he ever did and so also stood, "I stand with my liege lord and friends, my life and my wand are yours to command."
Cissi was almost in tears she was so proud, she'd spent the last year watching her son become the young man his mother knew he could be and the betrothal she and Amelia arranged that day in the Wizengamot dining room was working out better than they hoped.
Neville then stood, "Cissi and Andi please excuse me but if that bitch Bellatrix is back walking the streets with her husband and brother then I swear vengeance in the name of Longbottom, I stand with Harry."
Susan stood staring straight at her aunt, "I stand with my betrothed and with my friends."
Hannah joined them, "Well there's no bloody way you're leaving me behind, I wasn't in Hufflepuff for nothing and I stand with my friends."
There were a lot of scared but proud parents and guardians sitting around that table though no one was surprised when Amelia and Minerva stood proclaiming their support, even Augusta looked determined to help in any way she could.
Harry was deeply touched, "Thanks guys, Griphook please tell me you have some options for us?"
"We don't know the complete prophecy but do know one of you must kill the other and that Harry will have a power Voldemort has not, we plan to give you as many 'powers' as possible in the hope that you need only one. Goblins are recognised masters of stealth and blades; we offer to teach you and your friends this mastery." Griphook spun and a concealed knife left his hand and imbedded in the wooden door.
Nym was ecstatic, "Oh yea, I so want to learn how to do that!"
"Now when you first came here I approached Amelia's counterpart about finding teachers who were good but trustworthy and discreet, it turns out you have been receiving your lessons from the best that American magical law enforcement has to offer and they've been singing your praises to their boss who wants to meet you. Unlike aurors in Britain these guys use a mixture of muggle and magical devices which is again a power Voldemort won't have."
Dan felt helpless; he and Ted had spent many a night talking about this since they shared the experience of their only daughter's who would stick with Harry to the bitter end. Both had found themselves on the support team and Dan at least wasn't too happy with this, Dan was the group's trainer and they were now up to two sessions a day while Ted had become the unofficial quartermaster who so far had managed to find them anything they needed. Ted was not a powerful wizard but was smart enough to know that and used what talents he had to make his family's lives quite comfortable, Dan on the other hand approached Amelia at least once a week saying that with a gun in his hand he was a match for any wizard but so far she showed no sign of weakening.
Andi was a trained healer and as well as teaching the group battlefield first aid was in the process of setting up an infirmary to keep up with their injuries as the training intensified, her role was well defined in the group though it broke her heart to see these children make ready for a war they all knew would be knocking on their door.
Nym was practically drooling, the top British auror was already training her and now there was the possibility of learning from the goblins and the best that America had to offer. This was better than the four O's and an E she just got for her exams.
-oOoOo-
Hermione was sitting cross-legged on their bed facing her husband with her eyes closed while becoming more and more frustrated; she wanted this so much but just couldn't seem to let herself go. She heard the growl and wasn't sure if it came from her or Harry but when the tongue licked her face she surmised it was her husband, she opened her eyes and looked deeply into the green ones she knew so well but this time they belonged to a black panther.
"Oh Harry you did it!" she now had both arms around the great cat's neck as she gave it one of her trade mark hugs, she could still feel Harry in her head through their still strengthening bond and stared into the panther's eyes. "I'm so proud of you and you look gorgeous as a cat, Nym's going to freak the second she see's you."
Hermione continued to stare into those eyes as if communicating with the Panther before appearing to melt into them and suddenly there were two panthers exploding off the bed and frolicking around the large room, they played chase before the male leaped over the sofa and pinned his mate to the floor. Two powerful cats became two powerful laughing teens as they rolled around on the carpet, "Matching forms, I can't believe it."
Harry kissed her, "Did you ever doubt it? I can still communicate with you even in our forms, which gives us a massive advantage when searching or hunting. I say we stroll into breakfast transformed."
Hermione could only giggle her agreement as she pulled him down for another kiss.
Breakfast was eventful to say the least as a pair of black panthers ambled in and took their places at the table, Nym's scream was easily the loudest but she at least had worked out what was going on, "Merlin you two are beautiful, oh you're just so cute I could kiss you."
She ran round the table and had both panthers in a headlock before they transformed back to the total amazement of their parents, Emma's jaw had almost hit the floor. "You two that was unbelievable, I sat here and watched it and it's still unbelievable."
They transformed back and padded over to Emma to allow her to pet them, "Minerva when you told us my daughter was a witch I thought we might have to buy a black cat, I didn't know she was going to turn into one."
Dan just saw two very powerful predators that would have a serious advantage if they needed to escape or fight.
Draco thought it was fitting that the heads of the Black house were totally black while everyone else was figuring to get them collars, squeaky toys and a scratching post for the kiddie's corner.
-oOoOo-
Jim Brogan was Amelia's counterpart in the States and he was not happy, the news filtering out of Britain recently would spoil anyone's day.
They were holding their normal meeting where Jim was going to pass on this information and his fears, "Some of the people in the ministry were forced to take the dark mark or their family would suffer so they have been very quietly passing information out the country. It started where it always does with the media, bemoaning the lot of the poor impoverished pureblood whose wealth, culture and heritage was being eroded by these new magical users who were taking over."
Andi just had to jump in, "I'll bet it didn't mention that these purebloods were stupid, lazy, inbreed bastards anywhere in that propaganda?"
"You are of course right Mrs Tonks, Voldemort realised that the people leaving the country were taking a lot of the wealth with them and what's the point of being a supreme ruler if there's no one left to rule over. Thanks to your groups efforts we estimate that about sixty percent of those most vulnerable were able to escape the country and we know you're still providing aid but the stories reaching us of the ones that didn't make it have our ministry really concerned."
Cissi voiced their own concerns, "We receive most of our information from elves via the goblins but, like you are also very worried. Remus has reported a site near one of the Potter properties that just suddenly had heavy wards and powerful anti muggle charms all over it, he's waiting to find out what we want to do about it."
"I think we should go and take a look," Harry held his hand up to forestall the barrage of objections he knew would be coming his way, "Hermione and I have unique advantages here and we'll take Amelia and Remus with us, we're only going for a look so what could be the harm in that?"
-oOoOo-
Hermione's diamond portkey had been reset to their home in New York and that's where it took her and everyone she was touching, which happened to be a bleeding Amelia and Remus who she was lying rather inelegantly across while gripping a very angry black panther by the scruff of the neck.
"ANDI! We need medical help now!"
Dan raced in and made to approach his daughter to be faced with a set of bloody fangs, "Dad stop, Harry's not himself yet and thinks you're threatening me."
Nym got down on her knees and crawled towards the panther that was covered in blood, "Harry, come back to us so we can heal you."
She had his head pulled into her chest before Hermione answered, "Don't worry Nym, the blood's not his. Remus and Amelia are the ones that got injured."
Draco was trying to comfort a hysterical Susan at the sight of her aunt's mutilated face as Andi attempted to stop the bleeding, Harry transformed back and held Nym while looking for his wife who quickly joined them in a three-way hug.
"What happened to her eye?" Andi asked.
"They cut it out and left it lying on the ground, they were just about to start on her other one when we got there." The tremble in Hermione's voice wasn't needed to portray the horror of that image.
Nym got them on their feet and heading towards their bedroom to clean up as both were splattered with blood, her own clothes would have to be changed as well.
Harry stopped just before they left the room, "Cissi could you get hold of Jim Brogan, ask him if he could bring a pensieve. Susan I'm so sorry." With that they left.
Dan was pacing up and down in the large lounge and only the fact he knew his daughter was uninjured prevented his building temper from blowing a gasket but if he didn't find out what happened soon then all bets were off.
Seeing his daughter covered in blood, even someone else's blood was not how he imagined it would be when she was a little girl. Dan was well aware Harry would protect her with his life but he'd been against them going in the first place.
Jim Brogan arrived and Harry, Hermione and Nym followed not ten minutes later, the big surprise was a heavily bandaged Amelia being helped into a seat by Draco and Susan.
"I had to see this and apologise to Harry and Hermione, Remus and I behaved like rank amateurs tonight. We just assumed we were far enough away and safe so leaned against a tree for a chat; I think they've reconfigured the magical net because two minutes after we cast warming charms on ourselves we were ambushed. They must target the areas around certain locations and if any of you had behaved like that I would have chewed your arses off, this was not your fault kids we actually let you down tonight."
Harry nodded stoically before removing a memory and placing it in the pensieve, "This is not pretty so be warned, no one here will think any less of you if you wish to leave." As he expected nobody moved an inch so he started the memory and sat back down between Nym and Hermione.
Harry proved to be a master of the understatement, it wasn't pretty - it was barbaric. Whispers of atrocities being carried out in the name of re-education were whispers no more, both had done well to hold back from charging straight in there and had silently promised they'd return with no prisoners being taken.
The two panthers were making their way back to where they'd left Remus and Amelia when both heard the screaming, they were already angry beyond reason at what they'd seen tonight and anyone hurting their friends could expect no quarter.
Augusta shouted stop and the memory froze, "That's Rabastan and Rudolphus Lestrange!"
"That 'was' Rabastan and Rudolphus Lestrange," said Harry as he continued the memory.
Two unknown, probably newly recruited death eaters were having fun taking turns administering the cruciatus curse on Remus while the Lestrange brothers were using wicked knives to take their revenge on the woman who led the team that arrested them. Death was upon them in a flash of claws and teeth, the panthers were merciless and the death eaters screams soon became gurgles then silence.
Hermione transformed and dragged Amelia over beside Remus, panther Harry looked ready to take on all comers but answered his mates call, she grabbed him by the scruff of the neck before throwing herself on top of the two bodies and shouting "Thunderbirds are go!"
The memory ended but they all still stared at where the images had been, everyone had their own thoughts on what they'd just seen but all had tears in their eyes.
Augusta broke the silence, "Lord and Lady Potter-Black the house of Longbottom owes you a debt of honour that we will repay anyway you wish," she announced formally before adding, "If you would excuse me I intend to retire to my lounge and get seriously drunk."
"The house of Bones also owes a debt and I would love to join you Augusta but I promised Andi I would be right back to the infirmary as soon as I saw this."
"I'm with you Augusta," chipped in Minerva before Harry interrupted.
"Ladies wait, let's have no more talk of debts between us and instead concentrate on what needs to be done. Amelia I'm sorry but stunning and petrifying is no longer an option for these people, we won't be arresting them but will destroy them like the evil creatures they are. Walking away and leaving those tortured souls was the hardest thing we've ever done but our inner selves were telling us this was not what was needed, we both swore we would return and free the prisoners. Their tormentors will die like those death eaters tonight, when we saw what was happening to you and Remus we didn't even hesitate. If you brutally torture someone for your own enjoyment that takes you outside the norms of human behaviour and our only regret is not getting to you both quicker, is there anyone here who doesn't think they deserved to die?"
The mood in the room was to tool-up, head right back there and rescue everyone.
Jim Brogan gave them the American ministry's official position, "We cannot become involved in what is basically an internal dispute in a friendly country, unofficially, apart from people on the ground we will aid you any and every way we possibly can. Ideally we would like to see a British force training on American soil under Lord Potter-Black to take back their country."
"I have no wish to lead anyone other than those in this room who have sworn to stand by me, I would gladly throw my support behind such a group if it was lead by our next minister, Amelia Bones."
Jim Brogan looked confused until Hermione filled in the blanks, "When this is over neither Harry or myself want anything more than to go somewhere quiet and increase the number of Potters in the world. If we can get those people out will your ministry grant them shelter or will we have to make other arrangements?"
"If I can get a copy of that memory to show the minister then I can guarantee it."
Cissi wasn't happy with that, "Can we give you a version that doesn't show Hermione's transformation? That's one of our biggest secrets and we wouldn't want it getting back to Voldemort."
"That's a very good idea and sorry that I didn't think of that first, I'm prepared to take an oath that information won't leave this room."
"That's not necessary Jim, what is required though is training and equipment to get those people out of there."
"I can but it's going to be hard to fit it around your already full schedules."
"Jim our schedules just cleared, what are a few OWL's or NEWT's compared to peoples lives? We need training to get people out and take people out putting ourselves at as little risk as possible."
Jim nodded his agreement and took the shortened version of the memory away with him, he was going to have a busy few days but these people would get the best he had to offer.
Things were breaking up when Dan asked to speak to Harry, he'd been expecting this as Hermione had been not only put in danger but also killed two death eaters.
They went out onto the large balcony and Dan stood with his back to Harry leaning on the railing and looking out over the harbour.
"It's hard for a father to accept that he's no longer the most important male in his daughter's life but when she's only thirteen at the time then it's pretty near impossible to express those feelings and if I've behaved poorly to you in any way because of this then I apologise. I would have preferred my daughter to have a normal courtship, engagement and then marriage but I could not have wished for her to pick a better man than the one she has chosen. I was very proud of both of you tonight but watching your pensieve memories made me realise that without you my family would have been in that disgusting place. There are no words to express how grateful I am and you already have the heart of our daughter but what I'm badly trying to say here is that you're the best thing that's ever happened to our family."
Harry didn't know how to respond to that, he'd connected with Mum almost instantly but Dan had always held back a bit. Here was the acceptance he craved all those years spent with the Dursleys and a man who was big enough to admit when he was wrong, Harry could only mutter, "Thanks Dan."
Dan's reply was also chocked with emotion, "Harry you've been married to my daughter for over three years now, could we give 'Dad' a try?"
"Ok dad," what started off as a handshake became a hug that was interrupted when Hermione burst onto the balcony. She'd felt Harry's emotions go haywire and thought her dad was giving him grief for tonight so had burst in there to give him a piece of her mind, the sight of the two most important men in her life embracing took her breath away.
Both men were now trying to wipe their eyes so she didn't notice, "I just wish I didn't have patients tomorrow or I could have joined Augusta and Minerva with whatever they're drinking."
Hermione was delighted by what she found as she knew her dad still struggled with her whole marriage, "Dad you do know that Jake can get you a hangover cure that will instantly sober you up in the morning?"
He tried to look indignant, "No I bloody didn't, your mum and I are going to have a drink with some friends so if you'll excuse me."
He headed off to find his wife with the sound of his daughter giggling in his ears.
The morning brought a visit from a serious Nym, "I was thinking we need to start small, get a family out before they get snatched while working our way up to taking on a full camp. If we get the right information we could pull this off, we would need to move very quickly though."
-oOoOo-
Roy Macdonald had just put Natalie to bed then found himself faced with a black clad figure with a large knife at his wife's throat, a pressure in his back and a hand on his shoulder told him there was more than one intruder.
A woman left his daughters bedroom carrying Natalie in her arms when another man spoke, "Mr Macdonald we mean you and your family no harm but you must come with us, please just stay calm and we'll be gone in seconds."
Roy had no idea what happened but they were suddenly elsewhere and if he was not mistaken New York, the knifes disappeared as Natalie was handed to his wife and they were asked to take a much needed seat.
"I'm sorry about the dramatics but we needed you to come quickly and quietly with us and this seemed like the best way, tonight another group was coming to take you away because Natalie is a witch. All the people who took you out your house tonight were witches and wizards but there are some who would hurt Natalie because her parents are normal and not magical, my wife is like Natalie as her parents are dentists and had to flee Britain for their safety. Natalie performed accidental magic and was scheduled to be picked-up in the next twenty four hours, I know you must feel like you're having a bad dream but let us convince you we're speaking the truth."
Hermione performed some magic and then led an excited Natalie away for some milk and cookies, "My wife took Natalie to another room because we don't want her to see these images."
The penseive memory of the camp had both Macdonalds feeling sick, "You would have been taken to a place like this, we can help you anyway we can but Britain is no longer safe for you. A room has been prepared so please say the night and think about how we can help, this is not a prison and you're free to leave whenever you want but we genuinely do want to help."
They were shown into a luxurious room where both parents spent the night hugging their daughter, they still were not sure what was going on but the people who kidnapped them were looking after them and those images of that camp were burned into their brains for all time. The Macdonalds were by no means wealthy and these people seemed to have money to burn so if there was another motive other than what they claimed then it was beyond their limited knowledge. The most important thing though was they were all together and seemed to be in no danger at the moment.
Nym was hugging everyone, her plan had worked like clockwork and three people still had their liberty, this caused her to pause. "I just had a thought on what we could call ourselves!"
-oOoOo-
Pansy was staying with Daphne Greengrass for the first week of the holidays since they hardly saw one another now that Daphne attended Beauxbatons, her father had thought having someone else pay for his daughter to get a better education was the Slytherin thing to do.
It was the letter her friend had received last night that intrigued Pansy, Daphne looked disappointed and wouldn't talk about it so when she went for a shower next morning Pansy went straight for the drawer that she'd 'hidden' it in.
Noticing who the sender was she wondered what could be upsetting in a note from her roommate Lavender Brown but was blown away by the implications of the letter.
Dear Daph
Have found out where the party is and am even more determined to get in there though how I'm going to get my parents to take me to New York is something I'm still working on. Katie Bell let it slip that she's going there for three days and the party of the decade is on a luxury yacht in the harbour, can you imagine how romantic that will be? It's our duty to make sure the two most beautiful witches in Britain (us) are at Potter's coming of age celebration, can't believe I shared a dorm with his wife for a year and still didn't get an invite! The thought of Bones and Abbot being there and us not is driving me crazy, any ideas on how we could gatecrash would be appreciated. All I've got at the moment is the two of us offer to screw Oliver Woods if he'd take us but his fiancée would certainly object. As you can probably tell am getting desperate here so write back soon.
Lav.
Pansy knew she'd have to get this information to her father, the fact that Draco would be there with that Bones bitch was the icing on the cake. Just because she didn't want Draco didn't mean someone else could have him.
-oOoOo-
When Nym heard the arrangements she hit the roof, "Emma what were you thinking?"
Emma was not for backing down, "I was thinking my son could have one night where he could just be normal and celebrate like everyone else, all the arrangements are done in my name so Potter isn't mentioned anywhere. Minerva helped me with his friends and even told me to send someone called Lavender's invitation last as she would gossip it all over the country."
Nym tried to explain, "Because we're living in this bubble we created you still don't understand just how famous Harry is, this is the biggest social event in about the last fifty years. There is no way this is going to be kept quiet and we will have people coming out the woodwork, I'm in charge of security for the group and this should have been run past me at the planning stage, not after most of the invitations had been issued."
Emma had tears in her eyes, "They couldn't have a wedding, they had a mission the day after Hermione's seventeenth and now you're telling me we can't celebrate Harry's? We're missing the point of all this if we can't actually live our lives because of fear."
Nym had her arm round the woman, the Grangers had kept their practice going otherwise they would have been driven nuts just sitting waiting for the next mission and hoping everyone came home safely. "I agree we need to live and my job is to make sure that we do by keeping everyone alive, if Voldemort finds out about this then we can be certain he will send some people to wish Harry a happy birthday but my real fear is the guests. We're going to have to screen them for polyjuice, imperio, weapons and poisons before we let them anywhere near the party, I'll ask Jim Brogan to handle that side of it and the team will need to be on high alert and carrying the tools of the trade. I'm sorry Emma and I know that's not what you wanted but that's the reality of the situation, sooner or later they're going to find us but we don't need to make it easy for them."
"I'm sorry Nym you do a wonderful job of looking after them and I can't thank you enough, it's just so hard sometimes and I just wanted one night where we could forget we were at war. I've spent the last five years watching you all train to fight with each mission getting progressively more dangerous yet every time you rescue some poor soul my heart almost bursts with pride. I just wanted to do something for the person who means so much to us all."
"It's ok Emma but you need to let me do my job, if a lot of people jumped out and shouted 'surprise' at those two then you would have a body count. They need to know and we need to plan, if Voldemort sends anyone we need to be prepared so the right people end up going home at the end of the night."
-oOoOo-
Lavender Brown's plans for them to be the most beautiful girls at the party died before they even got past security on the dock, the most stunning woman she had ever seen walked over to where the Weasley twins were currently being pinned to the wall while more and more contraband was removed from their person by the American aurors. Walk seemed the wrong word for this beauty's form of locomotion as every muscle in her body appeared toned to perfection while working in absolute harmony with its neighbour, she was poetry in motion. Her black form fitting dress was trimmed with red and matched perfectly by her jet black hair with red highlights.
She got Fred and George released though all their pranks were confiscated but whatever she said to the twins rendered them ghostly white and speechless as all they could do was nod in agreement, clearly this woman was not to be messed with.
A further shock awaited Miss Brown when they finally got aboard and waked down the staircase only to bump into a gorgeous Hannah Abbot who was draped over an absolute hunk, when the Adonis spoke to her she almost fainted.
"Hi Lavender welcome to New York, so glad you could make it."
She managed to stutter "Neville Longbottom?" before a passing waiter saved her life with a much needed drink.
When she spied Harry on the dance floor with Hermione her glass was suddenly emptied, their movements together were the most sensual thing she'd ever seen a couple perform with clothes on. They glided across the dance floor in perfect harmony seemingly oblivious to the number of people attempting to cut in to the hottest couple here tonight. She and Daphne were used to being the centre of attention but the way things were going they wouldn't even get noticed tonight, her dream of being kissed by the boy-who-lived on his birthday looked like remaining just that – a dream.
Harry's next dance was with his mum, she had worked so hard to make tonight special for him and he would never admit even under torture to wishing that half the people here could be thrown overboard. Minerva had invited the members of their year group who hadn't gone dark or been captured and Harry was never more thankful that he had quit Hogwarts after one year than suffer this lot for another six. Justin was a pompous arsehole, Seamus already drunk while Lavender looked as if she wanted to rape him in the middle of the dance floor.
It had been cool meeting his old Quidditch team mates again though and having the teams' photo taken with Minerva was one of tonight's highlights. There were a few eyebrows raised when he danced close with the beauty in the black dress and she appeared to spend the whole time whispering in his ear but Nym was keeping him up to date and Hermione was able to pass the information she received through their bond to her dance partner Draco.
The night was going well until the death eaters made their dramatic entrance, they blew the double doors off for effect and positioned themselves on the balcony between the double staircase that led down to the room. The dozen of them now had clear shots at the entire company but were going to use cutting hexes as a dead prize would see them quickly meet the same fate, their leader shouted "Happy Birthday Potter" as they prepared to open fire certain it would be a turkey shoot.
He was proven correct but instead of a screaming and panicking crowd they were faced with the seven members of 'Liberty'.
There clothes had been clever illusion charms that had concealed their uniforms and equipment, they had also planed on being spread out through the hall unlike the death eaters who were bunched together in one mass target. With an automatic pistol in one hand and a wand firing reducto curses in the other the seven members had opened fire even before the crowd had time to react and panic.
The lead death eater was right in his prediction of it being a turkey shoot, he just didn't realise they would be the turkeys with only one spell being cast before they were slaughtered under a hail of devastatingly accurate bullets and curses.
The screaming started but Harry quickly took command, "Silence! Nym contact Jim Brogan to make sure this was the entire group and tell him we have some trash needing taken out, Draco and Susan check we have no one playing possum in that group and I don't need to tell you to be careful, Neville and Hanna crowd control and don't take any shit off anybody because someone leaked information on this party."
Hermione was already checking two wounded guests when Andi came to help while Harry went straight for mum who was standing gazing in horror at the sight on the mezzanine, he hugged her before speaking, "This is not your fault, they came here to kill and maim and got their arse kicked. I'm sorry you had to see that mum but this is what we do, take out the bad guys as quickly as possible so everyone here gets to see the sun coming up tomorrow."
The ear splitting shriek had Harry spinning to cover Emma with his body while he, along with the rest of the team drew their weapons while searching for targets only to find Lavender staring at Hannah with reverence and awe. "You guys are LIBERTY?"
You could have heard a pin drop as everyone turned to their nearest member and saw the badge on their uniform, "You've heard of us?" Hannah asked.
For answer Lavender hiked her dress up, not to flash her knickers but to display the tattoo of the 'Liberty' emblem she had on her upper thigh. "There's a Liberty chapter at Beauxbatons and most of us here tonight are members, you guys give us hope that things can get better but we've got to keep it a secret as even mentioning your name in Britain could get us arrested."
Quite a few people were staring at their unknown heroes and nodding, some now displaying 'Liberty' tattoos of their own.
Harry was staring at the girl still holding up her dress showing her tattoo and red thong panties, "Well there's something I never thought I would see," he was just about to get a clip round the ear from Emma when he finished his statement, "Lavender Brown being able to keep a secret."
There was a pause before the giggling started and pretty soon there was full-blown laughter not so much at the joke but in celebration that they were still alive while the bad guys lay not breathing.
Nym and Hermione approached Harry as the American aurors started removing the bodies, "There were two left outside to observe and keep their escape route open, Jim's guys dealt with them, they apparated from a small boat inside the wards we erected. They now know where we are so it's time to put our plans into operation."
Emma and Dan weren't happy about this but Harry was brutal, "Look mum we tried to live our lives but they came after us, New York is blown and we have to move you out of here."
Dan was going over the same old argument, "We don't mind the moving its being shepherded somewhere safe while you lot go and fight that I object to."
Hermione tried a different tact, "You two, Minerva, Cissi, Augusta, Andi and Ted are our family, we can't be worrying about you when we need all our attention to protect each other. We're about as ready as we'll ever be and news that we're 'Liberty' will be all over Britain within a week, we can use some of that momentum to help us deal with these creeps."
Dan hugged his daughter, "I just feel like I'm the one supposed to be doing the protecting, not hiding out in Australia. You guys were awesome there and so quick you saved a lot of lives tonight."
Nym saw the decision had been made, "Ok we start to pull out tomorrow, get our folks to safety then see about giving Voldemort a bloody nose."
Jim Brogan had a trauma team on standby but most of the British magical world were now getting used to the sight of violent death and the fact the bad guys were on the receiving end was an unusual bonus. The two wounded were quickly healed and the band played on, the waiters were quickly obliviated as the damage was magically repaired so nobody would be any the wiser.
-oOoOo-
Hermione's prediction proved remarkably accurate, within a week the country knew Harry Potter was the leader of Liberty and, like a seed, hope began to grow in those seeking the light. The story also grew with each telling and soon the-boy-who-lived was at the head of an invincible army who were getting ready to take back the country.
The smarter ones with darkness in their soul had a different problem, Liberty took no prisoners and they were now aware who headed that organisation. The worm of doubt began burrowing into their psyche and for the first time in years it wasn't only the oppressed that were trying to flee the country as Voldemort's organisation began haemorrhaging followers as their sense of self-preservation kicked in. As yet not one death eater had encountered Liberty and lived to tell the tale, those were horrible odds to bet your life on.