Birthday Celebrations

The two sets of Duumviri had managed to enjoyably distract themselves from their worries that night, and also to have had a reasonable amount of rest. It was just the Six who ate in the retiring room that morning.

Rufus had his meeting with the Aurors as planned; they then went to bubble patrol the identified places along the line.

The Headmistress had a working breakfast with her staff, after which they did a thorough inspection of the school and its grounds.

The Lictors had their meals with their families before carrying out a quick morning patrol, then returning home and thence via the links to Kings Cross. There were reports of Death Eater patrol sightings as they reported in, but no incidents had happened.

The Twins, Percy and a recovering Ollivander closed their shops for the day and came to Kings Cross with the detection apparatus. The Six came with them and carried out a detailed inspection of the train, casting revealers along its whole length. They found some dormant Incendio devices which they replaced by smoke-making charms, attaching the triggers from the original hexes. Betty and Connie were given railway workers’ orange vests, so that they could maintain a watch on the train after the inspection had taken place. The Six then acted as stewards, ensuring that all the arriving students and guardians went through the screening process which the shopkeepers were operating.

Most of the items found were jokes and sweets from the twins’ shop which, after inspection, were allowed to go through. Uppity adults were cajoled to set an example to their offspring. One or two suspected black families arrived, watched the screening process and then departed, towing their offspring behind them. The other Slytherin families who came were the ones who most praised the precautions being taken.

“We have been pressing the authorities to do more to protect our sons and daughters; at last they appear to be doing something about it.” Or remarks in a similar vein came from the purebloods.

It was they who silenced some of the more rebellious parents who were demanding that they should be trusted and not treated to a demeaning check. One or two Gryffindor families tried to circumvent the visible barriers, only to find that there were magical ones in position also. Eight really indigo objects were found. When challenged the students either looked befuddled or claimed they were carrying the object for a friend. The cogent ones referred to known black sympathiser students and the hazy ones were found to have had a mild forgetfulness hex put on them. Needless to say the parents concerned were very cross with their offspring. In one case Harry and Draco had to step in to stop the child being publicly beaten.

By ten-to eleven most of the pupils were boarded and just over seven hundred tickets checked at the barrier. The four rearmost compartments were reserved for the Lictors, Officers and Junior Staff. With thirty-one of them it was a little crowded until Neville, Adrian, Colin and Dennis bubbled off to go and start preparing their illusions. During the first hour or so the remaining twenty-seven went to each compartment and explained about some of the new arrangements at school. Then they met back in their area, making plans for the forthcoming evacuation.

“It’s interesting,” Alan remarked, looking up from his laptop. “That none of the known Death Eater families have sent their children although they are booked in to take courses. I think it confirms that the Dark Ones are planning a major assault on the train.”

Narcissa had been given a footplate pass. Dressed in overalls and an orange vest she kept out of the way of the inspector, driver and fireman. The Creevey’s had given her some insights into the workings of a steam engine, so she could ask intelligent questions, during the less hectic times of work. She impressed the driver so much, that on certain unobstructed stretches she was allowed to handle the regulator for some of the journey. The other reason she was there was to hex the steam feed pipes from the dome so that they became temporarily restricted just before the Creevey’s station. When this happened the two regular staff members realised that there was a fault and drew in to the disused platform, allowing the inspector to go forward to the signal post telephone and inform the controlling signal box.

Whilst he was away, and the two enginemen inspecting their steed for faults, a quiet and efficient evacuation was performed. The various pieces of luggage had been already reduced and Narcissa made a blanket spell where the tender joined the rest of the train so that the three Muggle train crew would not be aware of what was happening. On receiving the ‘all-students-clear-and-Order-boarded’ via her daffodil from Alan, Narcissa removed the hex and the blanket charm, allowing the steam pressure to build up to normal, she excused herself saying she needed to talk to some people in the train.

§§§§§§

Once Neville’s team had bubbled off the back of the train, allowing ten minutes between the two pairs, they went to the Grimmauld bubble-port. Their first stop was to set up the subway illusion from the Creevey station to a Hogwarts common room, for which there was plenty of time. Lucius and Severus had set a pair of portal cabinets up, giving access from that common room to the Room of Requirement, so the illusion team continued their subway through that and on to an imaginary station platform. Colin held the station end of the passageway and Dennis the other one. Only when the first people left the train did Neville create his train illusion whilst Adrian made the station; it resembled a mirror image of the Creevey station.

First off the train were Susan and Tony. They then stood at the subway entrance and exit officially counting everyone by touching them. The next two, Daphne and Martin, stood on the other side of the archways doing the same thing, which meant that pairs of students could pass through. In fact they were creating the temporary recognisors to pass the young people through the links system. Ginny’s team made the supposed steam from Neville’s pretend engine, into an all enveloping mist that blotted out any scenery that should have been there. As it was, the students were far too interested in telling each other of their holiday adventures to really notice much of their surroundings. There were one or two squabbles as one compartment’s inhabitants mistakenly claimed another set had taken their places, but the prefects soon settled any further arguments.

It was all right making an illusion for a dozen or so people, but over seven-hundred was an entirely different matter. Dennis went to assist Neville once the pseudo train was underway. After Adrian had slowly rolled up his illusion, making it look like they were pulling out of the station, he and Colin were to take a half hour break. From then on each pair held the train illusion in half hour periods, resting between times and drinking a fortifying potion which Severus had cooked up. There was slightly less of a strain on the mist makers and image movers; however they followed the same regime. Once the make-believe train was on its way, Severus and Lucius transported the portal cabinet from the common room to the arched entrance of Hogsmeade station; so that the arriving students would think they had just left its precincts; then Hagrid would take over in his own inimitable way. The key to the timing was when the real train actually arrived.

Only the non-Lictor prefects stayed with the pretend-train, charged with ensuring that the more observant students were sufficiently distracted from sussing the ruse. The house elves used the links to take the student’s luggage via the common room, making sure it was placed correctly in the various dormitories.

§§§§§§

As the pupils left the train at the Creevey station, so the Order members and Aurors boarded it. Narcissa came to report in, and the train resumed its journey. The bemused train crew having not found the temporary fault which had delayed them by ten minutes. As luck would have it the local train behind them was four minutes late, so they were still in their allotted train path. Having a lighter load now, there was the possibility of making up time, by York they had gained two minutes and by Newcastle were only two minutes down. The Order members spent time closing some blinds, and creating illusory dummies of teenagers.

Tonks had a noise making charm which seemed to fill the train with happy chatter, so, at a brief passing glance, nothing seemed different. In York they trundled by on the centre through lines, missing any platforms. Darlington had bypass through lines and at Newcastle they took the ‘Down Keb’ line avoiding the station altogether. The Order’s earlier patrol had identified a build up of Dark activity not too far from the old Penmaenshiel tunnel, of tragic fame. Here the train would have to slow down as some new lines had recently been put in. Time was needed for the ballast to settle, so a twenty mile an hour speed restriction was in place.

§§§§§§

Leaving the eight Lictors on maintaining the pretend-train illusion, the remaining ones went to the cottage where an extra portal cabinet had been set up; its partner was now resting inside some prehistoric earthworks near the blocked up tunnel. The ancient mounds gave absolute privacy to the assembling army of light. In case any broom patrols were out from their opponents, an inverted masking had been made to stop detection from the air; this would have to be removed before the army of light went on the offensive.

Betty and Connie were feeling miffed, because chess-trained Major General Ron had insisted they would be inside the command bubble to enable proper communications. The two girls had hoped to be battle witches as before. A Duumvir-charged Mahmoud was to join them, so he took over Ron’s Garden, giving Ron the direction of the overall battle without having to worry about the mechanics of communication. They knew they would have about five minutes warning as the daffodils on the train would come into range first, before it appeared or could be heard. This would be more notice than the Death Eaters would be given. In that small amount of time it was possible to allow for a broomstick deployment behind the enemy and an amount of surprise.

§§§§§§

A bubble patrol was out watching as the Dark platoons put themselves into position.

‘They appear to be going to ride into battle, as there seems to be no protection for them unless they use the forest of trees. It’s very dense so they will have to expose themselves to the train in order to attack,’ was the latest report.

Narcissa signing in was the alert for general readiness, the bubble patrol returned and the command bubble took off. Ron apprised Narcissa of the likelihood of airborne attack and the nature of the terrain. She in turn told the rest of the passengers. Meanwhile the inverted screen was removed and the defenders flew out to their positions. To tell friend from foe, red and green crossed sashes had been distributed, so hopefully no one would hex their own side.

The train hove into view.

Narcissa cast a protective blanket spell over the engine and its crew.

Ron’s team alerted the troops.

The Death Eaters took to the air, screaming down towards the carriages.

Behind them the forces of light rose from concealment.

“Now!” yelled Ron, immediately repeated by his team.

INCENDIO rang out from the train’s windows.

INCENDIO rang out from the just ones on the outside edges.

Curses from both sides rained down on the surprised Death Eaters.

Screams and smoke rose from the Death Eaters caught in the crossfire.

“One behind you Susan!”

“To your left Terry!”

“Go to the other side Golds, there’s a Death Eater trying to board the train.”

“Re-group, six are trying to bombard the engine.”

“Diggle, there’s one sneaking up towards your carriage.”

“Great you got him.”

“Mad-Eye put your head in, there’s one just seen you; …”

“She missed.”

“Silvers make a pincer movement there’s one sitting on the roof in front of you.”

“Seamus, Terry’s down on the floor twenty yards behind you.”

“Justin, duck!”

“Hermione, dive!”

“Tonks, go back three carriages, Lupin’s been hit.”

Ron was able to see the battle ground and help all his mates avoid the worst hexes.

Some of the enemy managed to get out of the inferno and one or two dog fights broke out; resulting in a few more casualties. Ducking and diving, the four surviving Death Eaters limped away with their brooms on fire. The victors circled round, allowing the unharmed train to continue on its way. The few casualties were transported back to the command post where Seamus, Luna and Cho were busy.

The next priority was to Aquamenti the forest fire which was starting to blaze, ten minutes and some fortuitous drizzle helped to put it out. Next was the grisly work of checking dead Death Eaters. Bar one, none were alive and, in best Uncle fashion, the less squeamish made sure of the fiery disposal of the remains. That one Death Eater was rescued and taken into Poppy’s care.

In her infirmary; Poppy Pomfrey had six patients in bed and another ten with minor burns. The worst hit were Terry and Lupin. Seamus, Luna and Cho had, between them, applied field healing spells to every injured person; thus saving the pair from certain death. The trio stayed with Poppy helping with the nursing, and honing their skills, which had been revealed during the commissioning ceremony. Lupin had had to be bubbled off the train by Tonks and she hovered near his bed until Luna gave her a sedative and put the worried lady to sleep in an adjoining bed.

The whole company smelled of smoke and took to the school bathrooms whooping in exaltation, still high from the battle adrenaline. They had calmed down sufficiently by the time they were eating their belated sandwich lunch, and, after another incident, were calm enough to take their places in the illusory train just before it arrived at Adrian’s depiction of Hogsmeade Station.

§§§§§§

About half an hour before the expected arrival of the train, a reasonably sized group of unreasonable people Disapparated before the gates of Hogwarts. Mr Filtch was summoned to the gates to open them.

“I must check with the Headmistress.” He said by way of stalling the applicants.

“You had best be quick about it, my man; or you are unlikely to have a job,” snarled Ms Mulciber.

Despite his surly behaviour Filtch was on the side of light, just. So he took his time.

Ten minutes later a properly robed Minerva McGonagall came to the gates to confront the angry mob.

“Tell me. Why did your children not take the train, as all the other well-meaning pupils have?” she asked.

“I’m not about to mince words with you, you ineffectual hag of a Headmistress.”

Minerva looked daggers at Ms Mulciber, who continued; “We have come to take over Hogwarts and make it into a select academy for those whose ancestry befits entry. I expect we shall have a new head teacher within two or three days, so you had better start packing your bags.”

Minerva was wearing a special daffodil, and Ron was broadcasting the conversation to the gathered compatriots whilst they munched their sandwiches.

Those at the gate heard nearly thirty bangs, and, still with food in one hand, and their wands at the ready in another, Minerva’s backup squad appeared.

“Perhaps you would like to modify your demands, somewhat?” Minerva asked, with a grim smile. “I may condescend to admit your offspring, but I have absolutely no intention of letting their guardians through this gate.”

“Why you impudent witch; how is it that your fragile little army of munching seventh years can hold off the might of the Dark Lord’s Army, which is about to surround and overcome your weak defences?”

Minerva looked round carefully at her squad, “Mr Potter and Mr Malfoy, perhaps you would like to bring Mr McNair here. Please?”

“YES HEADMISTRESS, IMMEDIATELY.”

Two bangs, followed by another three returning, had a blackened and barely awake McNair placed just inside the gates, lying propped by pillows on his recuperative bed.

“Give it up Daisy,” he quavered. “They defeated us soundly, four others got away; the rest are dead and subject to Incendio.” Then he collapsed into a coma.

“Is this true, Headmistress?”

“Perfectly! Now do you wish your unhealthy sons and daughters to continue with their healthy schooling, or would you prefer them to be struck off our lists and reported to the Ministry as being unsuitable to wield a wand?”

“You wouldn’t dare report them.’”

Bang, Bang.

“She has no need to. Please take a note of their names, Mr Weasley.”

“Yes Minister, of course,” his newly appointed agent replied, grinning.

Mr Filtch caused the lowest wicket gate to open; even the smallest intending student had to duck slightly in order to enter, the oldest ones had to almost crawl. As they entered Percy recorded their names.

“You may leave their luggage there,” indicated the Headmistress. “We will minutely inspect its contents before it is allowed inside our premises. I suggest you put some weather screens over it, as it is likely to get quite damp before we are able to bring the screening equipment here to Scotland, by train from London.”

The cowed but still defiant parents started making the screens, shook their fists at the gates and then Apparated away grumbling.

McGonagall turned round, smiled at her army, gave a thumbs up salute and a quick jig of victory.

Twenty minutes later the first carriages started to arrive, and the lights on first years’ boats could be seen crossing the lake.

§§§§§§

Before the sorting feast, Minerva’s protectors sat in the crowded junior common room.

“We still have some things to find and destroy.”

“All those new talents we spotted as they came through the subway. We’ll have to ask the Headmistress how she wants them nurtured.”

“I think I had better record them,” said Alan with a sigh, producing his laptop. Mahmoud had come through the links after work, and joined him with his new one.

“The communications network has to be set up.”

“Let’s leave it all for later. Old whatsit isn’t likely to do anything for some time now. His minions are well and truly singed.”

“McGonagall says she will set up a special tutoring unit for our three new older students. Molly and Cissy will be in charge. Luke has set aside a special suite at the Manor for it.”

“I reckon lessons will be a respite from all this danger and excitement.”

Most of the members of Dumbledore’s Company agreed with those sentiments and, but for the ones still in Poppy’s care, moved into the great hall, to sit and watch the sorting hat make its decisions about the full quota of new intake first years.

§§§§§§

The following day some of the Muggle press carried a small report headed.

‘Steam train causes forest fire, extinguished by freak rain-storm’.

The magical press was, curiously, silent about that incident. The front page had a picture of lighted boats making their way from Hogsmeade Station. And a long list of the results of the Sorting Hat’s choices for the first years. There were quite a few ‘In Memoriam’ notices on one of the centre places.

THE END