The eerie quiet of the night was giving way to sunrise, which illuminated the dust-streaked face of a worn young man who was raising his wand toward the menacing snake that they'd lured out of hiding. br
As Harry was casting 'Avada Kedavra' at Nagini, his anxiety only began to worsen. She turned into dust, and the final Horcrux was destroyed, but at great cost. Voldemort would only have left the snake in her den if he was busy somewhere else, and that meant that somewhere, someone was suffering. br
Ron and Hermione slowly lowered their wands, with identical looks of relief spreading across their faces. Harry knew their relief would subside just as his had in a few moments. br
"We have to find him now. We have to find him and kill him." Harry said, in a frighteningly deadpan tone. br
"We've got a plan, mate. We've been over this a million times. We'll lure him to Hogwarts. He'll come, he wants you. He has no idea what we've done," Ron stated in a calm and even voice, br
"Because if he did he would have already retaliated," Hermione finished. Or made another…the fear that had gone unspoken amongst them all. br
Hermione and Ron had gotten along surprisingly well during this journey. They worked together for Harry, and even entertained him a little with their bickering. As she became silent, Ron put a comforting arm around her shoulder, causing her to relax her stiff demeanor. Harry marveled at how much war can change people, and then felt a pang of guilt at the fact that if it weren't for his mission, they might be a normal couple now. br
Hermione stepped forward and hugged Harry fiercely. He allowed himself to melt into his friend for a brief moment; thankful he had people like Ron and Hermione to fall on when he needed them most. br
"We all know what we have to do and we'll be there with you until the end. We have the element of surprise on our sides. You know this can work," she explained as she moved closer and Ron moved once again to her side. br
Harry stood upright once more, resolute. "We need to alert the Order. Tell them it's time to execute our plan. Let's go to the Burrow and talk to your parents, Ron. We can send the Patronuses from there," he said with a strength and determination beyond his years. br
The Trio gathered their things from the abandoned meadow in Great Hangleton, and Hermione sent their trunks and camp gear ahead of them to The Burrow. As he was readying to Apparate, Harry reflected on the past year. They started in the summer, after Harry's birthday, and now it was again July and the Horcruxes were gone. Camping from place to place and searching was now over, all that was left was the battle. His mind threw away the fear and rested on Ginny's face. With three distinct pops, the meadow emptied before the sun had completely risen. br
Molly Weasley was already awake when she saw the familiar luggage fall expertly onto the kitchen floor, very near where she would be making breakfast. She decided to meet her missing brood with a contented smile; despite the anger and worry she was feeling over their dangerous mission. It was obvious by now that even Harry and Hermione had places in her heart as surrogate children. br
The first pop brought her Hermione, followed closely by Ron. And in classic Harry fashion, he arrived a good half a minute after the others, casting a relieved smile coupled with a brooding gaze at the anxious mother. br
Molly squealed something unintelligible and pulled Ron into a hug first. It never ceased to amaze her how tall her sons had gotten, but Ron always shocked her the most. He was her baby boy and she barely came up past his heart. br
Careful so that the others wouldn't hear him, Ron leaned in close and whispered to his mother, "I missed you, Mum, but don't' worry, I'm ok," he turned red as she regarded him, so to spare him, Molly reluctantly moved on to Hermione. br
The young witch stood so elegant, with an air of hard-earned wisdom Molly rarely saw in girls her age. Hermione was never like the rest. "It's wonderful to see you again, Mrs. Weasley." Hermione smiled, though her eyes remained troubled.
"Call me Molly, love," she said as she took Hermione in her arms and whispered, "Thank you for taking care of my son." Hermione looked as though she was going to question the statement, but just blushed and backed away. br
Molly turned to reach for Harry, but he had already taken her into a warm hug. Molly was taken back, but understood. Harry needed to be reassured, to feel a part of the real world again. She knew this and deftly stroked his back until he finally released his breath and backed away. br
"We need to get the Order here immediately. I've got a plan to execute. Professor McGonagall knows what to do. We've been in contact with her for months now. Lupin does as well. Contact them and the rest of your sons, and they'll do the rest." Harry said with a strength of purpose and natural sense of leadership that shocked Molly into silence. br
"I'll do that, dear," said Arthur coming down the stairwell. "Ron, it's good to see you're well. Welcome back Harry, Hermione," Arthur said wiping the sleep from his eyes. "We can convene the Order here or at Grimmauld by this afternoon." br
"Actually, can we have them all meet at Hogwarts, and tell them to come prepared? As I said, Remus and Professor McGonagall will understand," Harry said to the room before turning to Hermione. "Hermione, get out the coins, and see who comes. Tell them to meet us in the Room of Requirement at around four," Harry knew they might not be paying attention as school was out, but he really needed the DA there. Not just for help, but to know that they were safe. br
Thoughts of Ginny sleeping soundly in her room started to invade Harry's head. He knew she would not let herself be excluded from this, no matter how much he wanted to protect her. "Molly, it might be a good idea if Ginny comes for this," he said more quietly then he meant to. br
This was going to be the biggest moment of their lives.
The members of The Order (namely, Arthur Weasley, Remus Lupin and Minerva McGonagall) decided it would be best if everyone met in the Headmistress' office, so that they would be less conspicuous. br
A great number of people were grouped around what had been the Headmistress' desk, but was now a long table in a magically expanded room, speaking in hushed voices, which the portraits of all the former Headmasters were straining to hear. Harry was reluctantly seated at the head of the table, with Ron and Hermione sitting on his right. Minerva brought up the opposite end of the table, with Flitwick on one side and Aberforth Dumbledore on the other. If the situation had been different, Harry would have been shocked to see him, in the same room where Harry had spent so much time with his brother. Among the upwards of thirty people were Fred, George, Bill and Charlie looking more somber than ever before. Moody, Tonks and Kinglsey looked to be in deep discussion while Lupin ran his hand over Tonks' small pale one distractedly. Fleur was seated with an unknown woman in a St. Mungo's uniform, as the first Weasley grandchild, Corbin, cooed in her lap. Madame Pomfrey was conversing with Hagrid and Firenze, making her looks very out of place. Then Harry's eyes fell to Ginny, who had rushed into the room and taken the seat right next to his, and he met her eyes before speaking. He was completely nervous addressing a number of wizards who were probably much more experienced and wise than he would ever be. Ginny put her hand on Harry's under the table and looked up at him with potent meaning before he stood to speak. He was almost rendered speechless at the first form of contact he had had with Ginny in almost a year. br
After Harry (with welcome interjections by Hermione) explained the plan, some members made helpful adjustments and they were on their way. They moved into smaller groups for further instruction, to work out the minute details that would help win the day. It was only everyone working together that would win this. This is part of what Harry had, that Voldemort didn't. Friends. br
"We're off to the shop to fetch some useful things," Fred said to the room. He and George Disapparated shortly thereafter. br
Harry nervously followed Ginny to where Ron and Hermione were talking in the corner under the portrait of Artemis Fortescue, who looked fascinated by their discussion. Harry almost didn't want to interrupt, but time was rushing forward, "We should head on to the Room of Requirement, whoever responded has probably been waiting for ages." The four of them left, winding their way through the halls to the traditional meeting place of the now re-invigorated DA. br The secret room held a small amount of people, but more than Harry had expected. Parvati and Padma were missing, as they had been all year, pulled into hiding by their parents. Dean and Seamus were there already posturing about their wartime abilities. Harry's eyes nearly bugged out of his head as he saw Luna in quiet conversation with none other than Cho Chang. Neville was trying to ease the mind of Colin Creevey, who looked as though he was to have a panic attack. Zacharias Smith greeted them at the door, somber after what had happened to his family over the past year, as though he was the only one that knew full well what to expect. br
Harry cleared his throat and the silence was instantaneous. He proceeded to describe what he had done, at least partially, for knowledge of the Horcruxes was too important to share with too many, even at so late a stage of the game, no matter how trusted they might be. He also shared his opinions of what was to come, to the rapt attention of his peers. By the end, Luna was comforting a teary Cho, Neville was gazing at Ron and Hermione as though they were otherworldly heroes, instead of his close friends, and everyone else had retreated to a dull whisper. br
Seamus stepped up "So he's coming here? You're going to lure him here and you need the DA's help?" he asked frightened. br
"Well, I do need all of the help I can get. However, the Order is asking to evacuate wizard towns and I won't ask any of you to stay. Just remember, this will come to your doorstep if we don't mend this now," Harry answered. br
Dean stood up next to Seamus and took his hand. There were a few gasps and some awkward glances at the tender way their hands clasped. "We're in!" Dean said looking resolutely as Seamus. Slowly, everyone else in the room stood up and pledged a silent loyalty to their reluctant leader. br
Harry cleared his throat, overwhelmed at the show of support. "Be ready tomorrow at eight a.m. don't tell anyone, we need the element of surprise." The room began to empty with a common knowledge that tomorrow would be a day that shaped their lives. br
Dean and Seamus exited first after shaking Harry's hand, and then continued the fierce firm grip they had on each other. br
A dreamy voice echoed from behind the trio and Ginny "I need to leave for a few hours. I shall be back shortly," Luna said and turned to leave. br
"Luna no! It's not a good idea now. Your father will be fine," Ginny said, putting an arm around her. br
Luna's vacant expression shifted to desperation, "It's not my father. I must go now. I will return," She cried, and rapidly exited the room. br
"I hope she's ok," Hermione said looking worried and very worn. br
After Luna left, they noticed everyone else was gone. The room was vacant but for Cho and Neville, who were nestled in opposite corners of the room, staring at their hands. "I'm sorry, I never meant to call you dull. You aren't dull at all." Harry looked up to see whom she was talking to; he didn't remember anyone ever calling him dull. She had a steady stream of tears falling off of her tiny nose, as she turned her head to gaze helplessly at Neville. Everyone's expression turned to surprise, but this evening was full of romantic and unexpected moments. They were on the brink of war, after all. br
Cho was sobbing into her hands now, "I can't lose you, Nev, not now." Neville had rushed to her side moments ago and lifted her face in front of his. br
"I'm sorry I called you self-absorbed. I can't be without you either. This week has been awful; I've just been worried about you and wondering what you've been doing. Imagine if we were to…d…d…" Neville said to her like she was the only one in the room. They cried for a little longer at that new and overwhelming thought. Neville took his handkerchief out and in his slow and clumsy fashion; he wiped away the tears from Cho's delicate features. "I love you," he whispered. She kissed him and they rushed out of the room immediately. br
"Bloody hell!" Ron said upon their exit. br
SMACK
"Ronald!" Hermione yelled, trying to admonish him for swearing as she fought her own tears. br
" 'Mione," Ron said as he stood to comfort her with an arm at her shoulders. Their faces grew close, too close. When they realized what was happening, they quickly moved away. br
"Right then, I've drawn up a bit of a strategy for us," Ron said shakily, as he removed a large roll of parchment from his knapsack. br
"Wow Ron! This is amazing. When did you find the time to do this?" Hermione asked as she again, almost unconsciously sat impossibly close to him. He blushed and beamed. br
The friends sat in awe at Ron's explanation, and at the end, were stunned into silence by the magnitude of what they were facing. Ginny, placed her hand on the parchment, "You're right in the front," she said as she looked at Harry. He had been looking at the floor, but his hands were shaking. Again, Ginny took his hand to steady him. Harry let out a sigh and looked at her with brimming eyes. br
"I'm going for a walk," she said. And she left the room. br
Harry looked around the room, "I'm going to go up to the Common Room and take inventory," he said as he sauntered out glumly in the opposite direction from Ginny. Ron and Hermione were now finally alone in the ever-dimming light of a room lined with pillows. br