Chapter 9
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.
Chapter 10
Friday 8th August 1997
The people in Diagon Alley all stopped what they were doing to stare at the young couple who had just left Gringotts and were slowly making their way along the alley, had there been any muggle borns present they wouldn't have needed Ennio Morricone's soundtrack or rolling tumbleweeds to recognise a Clint Eastwood spaghetti western when they saw one. Just like in the movies the public all stood back and waited to see what was going to happen next while at the same time making sure they had something to hide behind when death came a' calling.
It was the fact that they weren't strutting like the pureblood peacocks or trying to be invisible like the rest of them that drew your attention, here was a couple who strolled down the centre of the alley as if they had a perfect right to do so and appeared ready to defend that right in an instant.
A very recognisable voice was being broadcast into the couples right ears, "Ok guys, we got you covered, Hermione you take care of your husband's cute arse for me. Draco and Susan be careful and get the hell out of Dodge if Voldemort makes an appearance."
"Hey cuz, don't I have a cute arse?" Draco asked.
Susan butted in, "Yes you do and don't worry because I'm watching it for you."
"Oh great, does that mean that I'm the only guy that doesn't have a cute butt?" bemoaned Neville.
Hanna's answer was again heard by all seven of them, "Nev you've got a great butt honey but I can't think about that and concentrate where my bullets are supposed to go at the same time."
Nym was smiling at their usual banter before a mission kicked off and even though this was their biggest to date she was pleased that they were still relaxed enough to joke around.
All that changed when Harry's voice came over their earpieces, "Aw shit, SNAFU. Hermione's about to pull a wicked witch on us and somebody's going to feel as if a house just dropped on them."
Nym spied what he was talking about, "Ok the situation is unavoidable but why did the dipstick have to pick today to make an appearance? Draco you and Susan are going to have to use your best judgement as the plan just went AWOL."
Hermione had never been so angry, walking towards them was the unmistakeable figure of Ron Weasley but it was the two partially clothed, collar wearing teenage girls who he was pulling along behind him that had her temper at previously unrecorded levels.
The arrogance in this arsehole's manner as he strolled towards them screamed confidence in a system that informed the world that he was among the elite of British wizarding and everything was his for the taking.
Ron's eyes were wide with surprise at who was walking towards him and just how bloody hot Hermione looked, "Well if it isn't my former friends, long time no see but then a lot has changed since we last met."
The sneer on his face was pure evil and the authority contained in his voiced command brokered no argument, "I'm evoking pureblood law so you mudblood can get down on your knees and attend to my needs now, the half blood can have the pleasure of watching."
Hermione licked her lips and used a breathless tone of voice that was dripping with sarcasm, "Oh Ronald you have such a masterful way with words and are just about to make this girl's dreams come true, I'm so glad you're allowing Harry to watch."
The fact that he might be in extreme danger never entered Ron's tiny mind as he stood proudly with an expectant smile on his face, his revenge would be sweeter than anything he could have imagined. The three soft pops couldn't have been heard more than six feet away but the redhead's horrific screams reverberated the entire length of the alley.
Ron's eyes were now even wider but this time in terror as both hands held tightly to the bleeding mess that was once his groin, "How was it for you Ronald? I'm so glad you chose me to be your last, now if you can manage not to lose too much blood you may just survive though thankfully no woman will ever have to be troubled by you again."
Hermione's microphone had picked up and broadcast every word Ron uttered so it was no surprise when Nym's voice came through loud and clear, "You go girl! Shoot the bastard one more time for me."
A stunned Draco could be heard over their earpieces, "Did Hermione just shoot Ron Weasley's wedding tackle off and I missed it?"
It was a slightly shaken Harry who replied, "Trust me on this one guys, not a sight you ever want to see."
Ron was now whining and crying on the ground when Hermione turned her attention to the two girls, "Get those collars off now! No one should ever have to be subservient to a shithead like this."
Hermione got no arguments from either girl and the younger one actually threw it at Ron before regaining some courage and kicked the crying pureblood, this appeared to be a brilliant idea to her fellow slave who couldn't wait to join in the fun.
"Two bad guys inbound from your right," was broadcast as the Potters turned to face what now passed for aurors in Britain, NEWT's were no longer an employee requirement but the dark mark was.
Before the aurors got too close the cry of 'Liberty' and 'Potter' was heard from the crowd as the couple had been recognised, the two death eaters by another name turned and attempted to flee but just about everyone present who carried a wand fired a spell at them as the ordinary witches and wizards of Britain began to fight back.
The crowd fell upon them kicking and punching both to death with Ron Weasley quickly meeting the same fate, four other unfortunate purebloods who were 'walking their pets' in the alley were slaughtered where they stood with the girls being set free.
"Well that was unexpected," voiced Nym with the understatement of the year. "Draco and Susan, things should be getting pretty hectic your end any time soon but it's still your call. You do not have permission to get yourselves injured so don't go upsetting me."
Things were getting hectic in the alley as the potters were being mobbed with well wishers and Nym was beginning to get worried, "Harry we may have to pull out, at the moment we can't protect you because there are a lot of innocent people crowding around you both."
Draco cut in, "Panic button being pressed here, this place is emptying quicker than Nev's pockets on poker night so expect imminent large contingent of incoming bad guys."
Harry answered back, "Nym we can't back out now, this is snowballing and my gut is telling me to go with it."
"Your gut is telling you never to let your wife do the cooking ever again, Sophie can sure pick the times to go into labour. Ok Harry your call but would recommend taking command of the situation down there immediately or we could have a bloodbath on our hands, these bastards will shoot at anything and at the moment your presenting them with a pretty big target."
Harry fired a cannon blast from his wand to get there attention, "Listen carefully because we don't have much time, here's what I want you to do."
-oOoOo-
Draco watched as panic reigned with the news that Diagon Alley was under attack with spell use off the scale, when a terrified pureblood floo'd confirmation that it was Potter then a flock of headless chickens would have been better organised.
"Ok love, now it's our turn." Draco and Susan were putting there goblin stealth training to good use as they ghosted through the ministry towards their target, with the addition of the American aurors communications system combined with the required silencing bubble over their mouths then they were invisible and silent while still being able to talk and listen to the entire group.
They reached their destination just as a worried looking wizard came barging out the room clutching a piece of parchment, Susan was able to jam her foot in the closing door as they started removing equipment from their belts. Neither liked this part as the people in this room were probably not murderers but they relentlessly pointed the people who were towards their targets, this is what had cost Aunt Amelia her eye and was capturing every young muggle born in the country, Susan was determined that after today no one else would get caught in their web.
It was basic, it was brutal, it was devastatingly effective as they pushed open the door, chucked in a couple of bombs before closing and sealing the exit then running like the clappers down the corridor before the 'whump' was felt throughout the entire ministry building.
Draco and Susan made it out the building mere meters in front of the rolling dust cloud that would have highlighted the invisible duo as effectively as New York neon.
The bombs had been especially designed and built by the Americans for this specific task and worked on two levels, the first was obvious in that the contents and occupants would be rendered into paste. The second level though had sent a massive pulse out over the net destroying ever magical sensor in the British Isles, Liberty had just taken away Voldemort's biggest weapon and left him blind to any magic being performed in the country.
-oOoOo-
The Potter's watched as about thirty of Voldemort's aurors made their way slowly down the alley towards the lone couple, they all heard Susan proclaim "Elvis has left the building!" which should have been the signal for them to pull out and celebrate the complete success of their most daring mission to date. Draw people away from the ministry then blow the magical net to smithereens looked a good plan on paper but that had went to hell in a handbasket as soon as the wizarding public had joined in, should they withdraw now then those people would be publicly tortured to death as a warning to others. They heard Nym scream at Draco and Susan to get their arses to Gringotts as they needed back-up but the Potters never took their eyes off the approaching enemy. Nym, Hannah and Neville were on the rooftops, invisible and armed with rifles which they had just stripped the noise suppression from after switching to hollow point ammunition, they were hoping the unaccustomed attack would shock a few of them into running and they were now aiming at head shots for the same reason. They wanted to loosen their resolve as well as their bowels, if they were determined to get to Harry and Hermione they were going to have to earn it.
The attackers were now approaching wand range when three who were in the lead had the back of their heads violently explode outwards showering those behind with bits of their brains, the sound of the gunshots was like a clap of thunder in the shocked silence before three more repeated the feat and then pandemonium ensued as the ordinary wizarding folk opened fire from under cover of their hastily found hiding places at either side of the bad guys. Draco and Susan raced to join their friends but the four were reduced to spectators watching the carnage as years of repression was vented on their oppressors while the rifles of Liberty quashed any pockets of resistance and picked off escape attempts.
Cheering from the crowd indicated the slaughter was over as the other three Liberty members made their way down from their perch's and joined in a group hug of relief, Nym was the one to break the mood, "What the bloody hell do we do now?"
Harry reached into his breast pocket.
-oOoOo-
Amelia and Jim were pacing up and down her office at Torch camp enduring the hardest job in the world, waiting on the phone to ring. Torch camp had been set up over a year ago for witches and wizards who had fled or been rescued from Britain and now wanted to fight back, they had fifty-seven people currently training under Amelia and Remus with assistance from their American cousins.
She made a dive for the phone and had it on speaker before the second ring, "Hi Amelia, mission accomplished and everyone safe."
Harry could feel her relief on the other side of the Atlantic, "How soon can you get your people suited, booted and in Britain?"
Amelia looked towards Jim who just shrugged, it wasn't something they'd gone over yet. "We could probably get there in a couple of days."
"We march on the ministry in thirty minutes so that's how long you've got to get to Gringotts, be here with who ever you can lay your hands on or we leave without you."
Amelia hit a button on her desk starting a klaxon going as she picked up the microphone "This is not a drill, we're going to London to take our ministry back NOW!"
-oOoOo-
The Albus Dumbledore who sat in the crofter's cottage deep in the great glen of Scotland was not the same man who'd been sacked from Hogwarts, his long hair and beard went the same road as his vanity never to return. His chin now sported a small goatee while his hair didn't reach his shoulders that were adorned with a brown work robe but this was not what would draw your attention to the old wizard, it was his stillness as he focused on the package placed on the table in front of him.
He'd spent the last two hours going over the information he had before him and kept arriving at the same conclusion, this was not a trap but a genuine offer.
The note had the old wizard almost dancing for joy but he'd stayed alive this long by being cautious and that's exactly the way he intended to continue.
The carrier of this note is very precious to me as she was a birthday gift from my first friend who had a heart bigger than anyone I've ever meet. The package she delivered has a purpose that will become apparent shortly and require you to speak my name at the appropriate time.
One glance at the snowy owl that was now sharing a perch with Fawkes and Albus needed no further confirmation that this was Hedwig, beloved familiar of one Harry Potter and a birthday gift from their large friend Hagrid.
Harry must be in the country because he would never risk Hedwig any other way, the package began to vibrate so Albus removed it from the envelope and after saying 'Harry Potter' watched as a young mans face appeared in the mirror. He was older and no glasses but still undoubtedly Harry.
"Hello sir, nice to see you again."
"Harry my boy you're looking well, how have you been?"
"Sorry sir but this isn't a social call, more of a request. Me and a bunch of others plan on taking a stroll down to the ministry and inviting them to recognise Amelia Bones as the new minister for magic, we wondered if you'd care to join us having fought the good fight for the last five years."
Dumbledore's head was spinning; did he have one too many lemon drops? "What if they don't like the idea and just where are you?" "We intend to make them an offer they can't refuse sir and I'm currently standing in the middle of Diagon Alley."
Albus had forgotten that when dealing with Harry the norms do not apply, first time on a broom and he becomes the youngest ever Hogwarts seeker. "Harry I have a request of my own, I want Snape! I now realise the man should have died sixteen years ago so I intend to rectify my mistake with extreme prejudice and reduce that abomination he calls a school to rubble."
Harry couldn't hide the grin, "You have my permission, support and anything else you might need, just remember to bring Hedwig with you to the alley as that is one lady you don't want to upset."
Albus had no sooner put the mirror in his pocket than the snowy owl was landing on his shoulder, there was no way she was being left behind.
-oOoOo-
Tom/Voldemort was reading the parchment that had just been delivered by a very nervous follower, the news that Diagon Alley was under attack by none other than Harry Potter didn't make any sense. His thoughts were cut short as a shudder running through the ministry building and an enormous pulse of energy provided his answer, the fools had probably sent everyone they could after Potter's ghost while he attacked his real target.
Voldemort ranted and raved while Tom quietly congratulated Potter on being a worthwhile adversary and wished for the millionth time he'd never attempted to rejoin his soul.
His reasoning at the time was sound, according to his only source of information, the Weasley girl, Harry was this great hero who had defeated him as a baby and then again at the end of his first year in Hogwarts. It was only the boy marrying another that allowed him to take control of the young witch and his first act had been to destroy that precious jumper, had she actually met and spoken to Potter then he was unsure if he would have managed to absorb her life force such was her devotion to her hero. He badly needed that information but got more than he bargained for, he now knew he couldn't physically touch the boy and later heard the complete prophesy in the department of mysteries stating that Potter could actually kill him. With no news for the last five years he had no idea what power his nemesis might actually possess.
The soul joining had proceeded perfectly except for the fact that Voldemort was unfortunately quite insane, being destroyed for the second time by Potter had pushed him over the edge of what was normal even for a megalomaniac. They were currently in control of magical Britain with their every whim being catered for and most of the population totally unaware who pulled the strings, Voldemort wanted to have the fountain in the foyer replaced with a grand throne constructed from skulls where he would sit every day and be worshiped. Tom had no qualms about killing, he'd murdered his father and grandparents to make the diary but pointless killing just robbed you of a resource you could no longer exploit. Voldemort was so filled with hate he wanted to torture and kill the entire world's population, leaving him to rule over the desolation he'd wrought.
Their continual battles over the same body was taking its toll though as, instead of twenty-two they now looked nearer forty than thirty. Yes he received valuable information from the joining but paid a very high price, Tom had to keep all his emotions clamped down tight or that gave Voldemort the toehold he needed to begin their next battle for dominance.
The next piece of parchment delivered started a battle that Tom knew he had to win, Voldemort would stand and fight but this would only add impetus to their enemy's endeavours and they would be destroyed.
Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore were marching towards the ministry at the head of an army after slaughtering the people they sent to the Alley, he had assumed that attack was a feint to allow him access to his actual target but now they faced real danger. The smart thing to do would be to withdraw and regroup but he could already feel Voldemort's response, he would stand at the top of the ministry steps and demand they all kneel before the greatest wizard who ever lived. As red began to creep into his eyes Tom knew he was in a fight for his life before Potter even got here.
-oOoOo-
Amelia and Remus led their people out of Gringotts and straight into a scene from Dante's Inferno, bodies were hanging from every structure tall enough to support one.
She saw the Liberty group standing to the side and headed straight for them, "Harry what the hell is going on here? We must put a stop to this at once."
"Amelia, they came here to commit murder and instead discovered that choosing the wrong side can cost your life. Those bodies are already dead and the people putting them up there might not see supper tonight as we're marching on the ministry so leave them alone."
Amelia was astonished by this, "These people have no training and could get themselves killed, this is not their fight."
An angry Hermione was on her in a flash, "You are so wrong, this is their fight and they're ready to die for what they believe in. Freedom isn't a right that's just handed out like a chocolate frog card its got to be earned and for the first time ever the magical population of Britain is saying they've had enough. The ordinary wizarding folk are sick of changing one greedy bigoted bastard for another one while the only option left to those not considered worthy is to sneak out the country or become a slave to the ever-worsening system. Today a pureblood demanded that I, Lady Potter-Black get down on my knees and service him in the middle of the alley, I would rather die than submit to a system where the law declares I must comply with his wishes. I may die today but I will die free, fighting hard so my friends and family can have a better life. These bastards cut out your eye Amelia and have committed atrocities too numerous to mention. If you don't have the stomach for this then perhaps we need another leader as I have no wish for my children's generation to go through this oppression again because we didn't deal with the problem when we had the chance."
Amelia, wand in hand placed her clenched fist over the Liberty emblem on her uniform, "I Amelia Bones promise to hunt these people down and ensure their punishment matches their crimes, if they have stolen they will pay dearly, if they have murdered, raped or tortured they will be publicly executed."
There was a massive cheer as neither witch had realised their raised voices had drawn an audience, the audience stretched far further than the confines of the alley with the WWN, sensing a change in government and the story of the century started broadcasting these events live and picked up all of their arguments which entered every wizarding home and had listeners heading for the alley. This brought
Liberty reinforcements with the added bonus of emptying the ministry of anyone who didn't want to fight and the guilty could be tracked down later.
It was into this melee that Fawkes flamed Albus with Hedwig on his shoulder, the snowy owl flew immediately to Harry and took her rightful position on his right shoulder.
"Good to see you again Harry, quite the party you're throwing here."
'Thank you sir, the decorations are not to everyone's taste but a necessary reminder of what happens when, by our inactions we let a few oppress the many."
The sudden hush alerted them both that something was happening and as they turned the sight of Griphook and Ragnok in full goblin battle dress leading a hundred of their elite troops towards them left a lot of people unsure of what exactly was going on here.
Ragnok tried to bow to Harry but he was having none of it and griped his arm in the grasp of goblin brother/warrior, the goblin leader held his head high and made his proclamation.
"The goblin nation stands firmly behind Lord Potter-Black on this venture."
"Lord Potter-Black graciously refuses and instead offers the spot by my left side, Lady Potter-Black always fights at my right or you would be there my most trusted friends."
"On behalf of my nation I humbly accept."
Harry had the man in a bear hug before moving onto Griphook while the rest of Liberty greeted both goblins just as warmly, the crowd was stunned to silence watching this and some of the team shouting over greetings to goblins they recognised in the troops.
Harry saw this reaction and decided it was time for a few home truths, knowing full well the whole thing was being broadcast on WWN. "The goblins have looked after me and my family since I was eleven, they got me out the country and into a location where we were safe from Voldemort and able to train for this day. They provided the help that got most of the vulnerable off to other schools and even their families away from Britain. They arranged our training thus allowing us to form Liberty and provided us with the information to save as many as we could. I publicly apologise to anyone listening if you needed us and we weren't there but we're here now and here to stay, there is no one Liberty trusts more than our goblin brothers and I am delighted to have these noble warriors fight by my side as we take back our country from those not fit to rule. For the last five years the goblins have frustrated our enemies while helping us every way they could and all they have ever asked for in return is the hand of friendship, they have mine and that of every member of Liberty unconditionally."
A fierce roar came from the massed troop of goblins as they clattered their swords and axes off their shields in a display of gratitude that terrified those present in the alley and they were the good guys, the bad guys would be shitting themselves.
Harry could see he had the momentum so reached for the brass ring, "A centaur saved me from Voldemort in the forbidden forest, my first magical friend was a half giant and the nearest thing I have to an uncle is a werewolf yet every one of these is classed as a dangerous creature by the very people who led others around like animals. We have a chance today to make history and create a country where we all live free from persecution regardless of race, creed, colour or heritage. When our grandchildren ask us what we did on this day you can hold your head up high and say we fought side by side to achieve the most important thing in the world, FREEDOM!"
Any windows in the alley that survived the battle succumbed to the tumultuous roar of approval that followed Harry's speech, it probably reached as far as the ministry.
There plan was simplicity itself, it had to be with so many untrained people there. Griphook and the goblins would take the left flank, Remus and the trainees from torch the right. Harry, Hermione, Ragnok, Amelia and Albus were in the centre with all the witches and wizards following on behind the three groups. There ranks were swelling by the minute so Harry was keen to get moving as they were beginning to get crushed by sheer numbers, their army was over two thousand strong as they set off towards their goal.
Susan and Draco had point along with six of their goblin tutors to make sure the route held no nasty surprises for them while Nym, Nev and Hannah had all disillusioned themselves and flown ahead to find placements to provide covering fire.
When a muggle born began playing the bagpipes he'd brought and the goblins used their shields like drums, beating them with their weapons in time to the music Harry couldn't help but feel his blood stir, his thoughts turned to their family and a certain Celt who would have loved this only now remembering that they hadn't phoned home. Shit, even when they won today they were going to get a rollicking from their worried family.
-oOoOo-
Over ten thousand miles away in Sydney, Australia a group of people sat huddled around the wizarding radio, WWN London knew the interest in these developments would be worldwide and had immediately offered the live feed to their wizarding network associates who almost bit their hand off in their haste to accept. The result was the events in London being broadcast live throughout the entire wizarding world.
When they didn't get a phone call to tell them that everything was all right their nerves got more frayed the longer the blasted thing didn't ring, Ted had put the wizarding wireless on because an attack on the British ministry was sure to be mentioned on the news at some point. Everybody started talking at once when the news started coming through from London before quickly realising that they couldn't hear the radio and promptly shut-up.
When Dan heard what that pureblood had tried to do to his daughter his blood pressure hit the roof as he wanted to tear the bastard limb from limb, knowing what Liberty was capable of and the fact Hermione was talking about it probably meant the prick wasn't breathing anymore and he had no problems with that.
As Hermione mentioned fighting for her family and wanting her children to grow up free of this oppression every woman in the room as well as Dobby were crying their eyes out, Amelia's promise of justice was expected and well received.
Minerva had a smile on her face as Albus joined them for the battle, her old friend had finally come to his senses and was ready to fight side-by-side with Harry against the real enemy. When the news that a hundred goblin warriors had joined their side for the battle was announced everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief, all had witnessed the goblins training the group and Dan had even taken part in some of it so they knew the odds had just swung heavily in their favour.
They were aware the groups original intention was for their usual in-and-out strike but the commentators description of what happened had trapped them into either abandoning the people who fought back or taking the fight to the ministry, they all were aware that was a decision that was only going to go one way with Harry involved.
Dan had reached for the brandy with everyone having at least one tonight, when Harry gave his 'freedom' speech they were on their feet toasting the wizard they all loved. After five years living together it was more like a communal family with everybody bringing something to the table, losing even one of those young people would be a devastating blow heartfelt by all.
None of the boys or Susan had a father so Dan and Ted had become the unofficial fathers of the group, Emma, Cissi and Andi the mothers, Amelia and Minerva as the great aunts while Augusta was everyone's grandmother. It was Nym's role that was pivotal though, as big sis she kept the younger ones in line while was their strongest protector from the adults if they thought they were overstepping some mark. She was scarily protective of the group and with her and Harry there the pureblood who'd accosted Hermione was sure to have met a quick but painful end.
Sitting listening live while your family went into battle was a horrendous thing to bear and not even the brandy could take the edge off that. Listening to the commentator's description of how Hermione and Harry with Hedwig on his shoulder were leading the revolution filled them to bursting point with pride but when the bagpipes started playing Minerva broke down and expressed the deepest wishes of everyone in that room, "I should be there!"