Harry Potter and the Hall of Justice

Chapter 35 The Romanian Threat


One of Lord Dracul’s most wicked and ferocious allies, a wizard known only as Sarpe, the snake, delivered Dracul a stern warning. Sarpe had had a premonition of danger - - - an ominous vision of impending doom. He beseeched Dracul to halt his quest until the danger had passed. Sarpe spoke of many unseen, secretive and powerful wizards striking out with incomprehensible, almost limitless power. The vision had unnerved the man, pervading his psyche with unspeakable foreboding.

Dracul laughed out hysterically at the distressed man. No power on earth equaled the formidable force he possessed. Voldemort had been the only man he had ever feared. But he was no longer of this world. Dracul reasoned, as he had been Voldemort’s second, that he was now the most powerful living lord. The only thing separating him from the great influence Voldemort had wielded was the vast fortune to which he would soon lay claim.

The evil lord was totally dominated by his own arrogance and narcissism. His twisted mind constantly fantasized he would one day walk into the Ministry of Magic and see witches and wizards fall to their knees in worship. Women raised in the western culture would beg him to come to their beds. Those that didn’t, of course, would taste his whip. He smiled sadistically at the thought, much preferring the later to the former.

Sarpe’s premonition aside, they would have their meeting. It was of pressing importance to formulate and firm up their final plans for the great battle against the Chief Justice’s inferior force - - - plans of destruction and death.

An old uncle of Dracul gave him another warning to consider. Albus Dumbledore was ancient but a very gifted and powerful wizard. If he were present, he would cause them much grief, the old man warned. Dracul discounted the caution. He reasoned one old headmaster was incapable of standing up to the powerful force he would soon unleash.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


At Falcon’s Lair, Sirius went about drawing a sketch of the large cavern. After the on-site inspection they had made, it was determined there was only one way in and one way out. What inside the cavern might be a portkey, none of them knew or were able to ascertain. Most perplexing in their planning, though, was that none of the men knew exactly what Dracul looked like. Headmaster Tuca said it was common knowledge the man always carried a crop used to lash out at any who displeased him.

Sirius gathered all the Athena and Coeus members together within the huge dining hall to give them their initial briefing. Obviously, all would be required to wear their invisibility garments. Shotguns would be essential for their task, and they went on to carefully consider other options that might be necessary to employ.

Sirius was unable to openly say why, but he had to give special consideration to some of the Athena members and all of the Coeus members, including the Brasov Headmaster, Snape and the three newest Romanian members, as they did not have amulets. Of course, neither did they know of the amulets’ existence or their ability to protect the wearers from harm. Therefore, when he and Remus made the initial assignments within the cavern, they put the members who had the amulets in the locations of the greatest danger of crossfire.

Snape did not understand why the members were assigned and stationed as they were. It was obvious to him there were many of their number being put in harms way. Professor Dumbledore walked up to the dark wizard when he began challenging the plan and lightly took hold of Snape’s forearm. The man looked around at the old professor. Dumbledore shook his head, which gave the potions master pause. He did not understand what the old professor entirely meant, but he did sense Dumbledore wanted him to shut up.

“Clearly, Severus, the young wizards stationed in the middle will be at greater risk, but we have followed this same plan on three separate occasions without incident. I completely trust Sirius and Remus to take great care in the positioning of our teams,” the old professor said, turning to look the dark wizard right in the eye.

The plan was one of overwhelming force and surprise. It called for the full complement of Athena and Coeus to be used. Sirius, Remus, Harry, Ron, Fred, George, Oliver, Lee, Seamus and Dean would take up positions right down the middle of the large cavern and in between the large tables running parallel, almost the entire length of it. Professor Dumbledore would again position himself far forward so he could identify and deal with Dracul. Grime and Calderon would again be responsible for the only known entrance.

The rest of the members were then shown the exact location within the cave they were to position themselves. The best firing positions and areas of coverage were considered. And as they had done in the past, all would carry shotguns, which upon being emptied would be dropped. The handguns would follow and complete the mission requirement, which was the death of all inside the cavern.

“As we have done before,” the old professor began, “we will strike hard and fast. No one is to escape the cavern. The Chief Justice has commanded we execute the mandate of the first decree and consider all within the cavern to be subject to it. There can be no hesitation. We will attack with such ferocity there will be no time for the evil wizards to draw their wands, to use a portkey or to Disapparte. Are we all clear on these points?”

Around the large room the young wizards and witches nodded their heads in affirmation. Dumbledore stepped to the side and Sirius then took charge of the meeting. He told them where they were to gather right before entering the cavern. It was decided that Professor Dumbledore would be the only one to approach the cavern initially. He would return when the time was right for them to begin entering and positioning themselves.

Minister Grime and Graciela were to be the last to leave the assembly area. They would be responsible for sending off the team members at delayed intervals. They were then told what to do with their broomsticks before entering the cavern and how to best advance under their invisibility cloaks to keep from running into one another and tripping. The secret was to walk slowly with one arm extended and keep as much distance between themselves and the evil associates as possible.

Contingency plans were discussed in the event something happened before they had all entered and before they could take up their assigned positions.

Oliver Wood, Lee Jordan, Harry, Ron, Professor Dumbledore and Headmaster Tuca would conduct the advance-scouting mission. Sirius, Remus, Snape and the three Romanian Coeus members would join them later.

Professor Dumbledore made it clear he wanted to enter the large cavern before midday to search for charms and to scrutinize the walls and floors of the cavern for other unseen exits or caches.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Early in the evening, Professor Dumbledore, Severus Snape and Headmaster Tuca arrived at the Hall of Justice to have a final conference with Chief Justice Webster. Captain Stran and Hermione also attended the meeting.

Webster agreed to the initial plan and reaffirmed his command to execute the first decree with his full authority. Dumbledore also asked for and received permission to again have Hermione, Captain Stran and the three other security officers join them.

Before Dumbledore returned to Falcon’s Lair, he returned to Hogwarts to advise Professor McGonagall of the mission and what he needed her to do, in case things did not go as planned.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


The day of their meeting, Lord Dracul invited a number of his most powerful and closest allies to take breakfast with him at his large Romanian villa, which was along the Mures River. The spring weather was refreshing and invigorating to the evil men, as they gathered themselves at tables on the large rock patio overlooking the river.

The evil man kept a large staff of females to supplement the work his house-elves did and to tend to his masochistic craving. None of them looked to be over thirty years of age, as few ever lived that long. His closest associates all knew the man had a weakness for young flesh, and, as the women served the men their morning meal, he took great pleasure in groping and humiliating them. Several times, he lifted skirts to show his guests what beautiful flesh lay hidden underneath. His guests, too, took liberties with the young girls, running their hands up under skirts to fondle the girls’ nakedness or roughly pushing pudgy digits into an orifice of their choosing.

After the morning meal, Dracul stood and surveyed his guests, smiling with an evil leer. He reached down to lift his crop from the table and began slowly walking amongst them, slapping the whip against his leg.

He told them of his grand plans, of his desire to take over the Ministry of Magic, of the need to eliminate the muggle justice and the office he held. He spoke of a world where the men sitting before him would share in the great plunder that awaited them. Around him, the evil men sneered and laughed out in lustful contemplation.

“What are you to tell us tonight, Dracul?” one of the wicked men asked.

“I will lay out our plan but only with the barest of details. Our underlings only need to know what they are to do. They are never to know what our ultimate objective is to be. They are cannon fodder, nothing more. We will use them to destroy the army the muggle has put together, and afterwards, we will then begin killing all wizards and witches who raise voices of condemnation. That is all they will be able to do against our awesome power. Soon, they will realize it is futile and relent to our desires.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Late into the night, Professor Dumbledore sat before his fire. He had much to consider and review. His mind slowly and carefully stepped through the attack plan for the next evening. He contemplated what actions he would take if something went wrong at different levels of the plan. He was ultimately responsible for the result. If he lost any members of his young force, he would rightfully bear full responsibility.

Early the next morning, all participants were called to an early breakfast. Professor Dumbledore arrived for a review of the final plan. The only changes made were the shifting of some of the positions within the cavern.

Professor Dumbledore added Hermione and Captain Stran to the plan. They were to guard the entrance with Grime and Calderon, but their main responsibility was to guard their backs. The fact both of the young women were pregnant did not change their duties. The three security officers were assigned to guard the portkeys. One would remain at Falcon’s Lair, another at Brasov and the final at the remote portkey, which had been moved to a much better and closer location to the cavern.

After considering the two-hour difference in time zones, Professor Dumbledore and his advance party left Falcon’s Lair at nine o’clock in the morning. They all knew it was going to be a very long day.

Within thirty minutes, the advance team was standing on a ridgeline overlooking the sheer rock wall that hid Dracul’s cavern. Professor Dumbledore flew on to the cavern alone. The old man took considerable time inside. He first satisfied himself there were no charms or hidden devices about to cause them harm. The dimension of the large cave was exactly as it had been drawn. The tables had not been moved again. He noticed their positioning was much like they had encountered at the Cetus estate - - - two long tables in parallel with a larger one at the head. A great amount of space was left between them. The old wizard counted thirteen chairs at the head table, with one big, ornately carved chair in the very middle. He nodded to himself, knowing Dracul would be the one to take that seat. Before he left, he noticed a large globe sitting on another small table in the rear of the cavern. Plainly, considering the way it was situated by itself, away from the wall, he knew it was a portkey. After being satisfied with what he saw, he returned to his advance troop.

Dumbledore then related what he had discovered. He told Harry he wanted him to be the first inside the cavern with him. Harry would guard the portkey and make sure none made it to the device, as well as instantly killing all who might appear. Other than that, he believed their initial plan was sound.

Shortly, a number of wizards were seen arriving on brooms. They quickly disappeared within the cave.

A couple hours later, the Athena and Coeus members began arriving on the ridgeline. The only thing visible to the task force members, other than to Dumbledore and Harry, were the small streamers outside the flap of the broom handles. As the evening wore on, the full complement arrived.

As the sun was setting in the western sky, Professor Dumbledore once again flew down to the cavern. The old wizard entered and counted nearly fifty wizards. If Dracul was present, he did not know which he was. He positioned himself against a far wall where he waited and watched the assemblage. Even though he did not speak Romanian, it was plain the men were joking and telling each other stories. Many of their number had large hoods covering their faces and made constant movements to keep the hoods in place.

At the rear of the cavern, the portkey flashed and over a dozen evil looking men appeared. One particularly malevolent looking man had a crop in one hand, popping it into an open palm as he walked to the table. The wizards at the tables hushed and watched the group approach the large table setting perpendicular to theirs.

All took their seats, except the wizard Dumbledore was sure to be Dracul. He remained standing and began shouting out loudly. A number of times the wizards exploded in applause or raucous laughter. As much as the old professor wanted to stay and watch their meeting, he knew they must begin executing their plan. He slowly moved to the exit and again took flight.

Arriving at the ridgeline, he quickly told everyone what he had seen. He wanted them to immediately begin putting their plan in action but warned them again to move slowly and quietly. “Wait near the cavern entrance until they begin making noise. Then advance to your positions, as you are able. Remember - - - do not taken any action until you see the flash from my wand. Let’s begin. Harry, come with me,” the old wizard directed. The two immediately took to the air.

Dumbledore and Harry laid their brooms down at the predetermined spot before entering the cavern. A meal had been served and there was much talking, laughter and other such noise rising from the tables.

As Harry and Dumbledore reached their positions at the rear of the cavern, they could see a large number of their troop already taking up their assigned positions.

The wizard Dumbledore was sure to be Dracul was sitting in his chair at the head table enjoying his meal. To each side, other wicked lords were laughing at whatever stories were being told.

Dumbledore slowly walked the width of the cavern to see if all were where they were supposed to be. As he was returning to stand behind Dracul, a wizard sitting on the far end of the table jumped up from his chair and looked around.

Sarpe had a terrible feeling suddenly come over him. Earlier, he felt they were being watched, but now he had the feeling of a powerful, deadly presence. A presence he could not see but knew was present.

“Sarpe! What are you doing?” Dracul screamed out. “Take your seat and finish your meal!”

“My Lord, I feel a presence! A powerful presence!” he exclaimed, turning to face his evil master.

From the look on the evil lord’s face, Dumbledore knew it was time to act. He had no idea what was being said, but it obviously wasn’t good. His wand came out and the back of the cavern exploded in blinding light. Dracul was thrown mercilessly into the table and fell to the floor, his chair shattering beneath him.

All around the tables, shotguns began blasting huge volleys of lead balls into human flesh. Several wizards at the head table made a wild dash towards the portkey but Harry cut them down. As Harry expended rounds from his shotgun, he continually reached under his invisibility garment, pulling out more rounds to keep the large bore gun fully loaded.

Graciela Calderon and Bartholomew Grime at the cavern’s entrance blasted away at a number of wizards who ran wildly toward the opening. In the middle of the cavern, however, the wizards who were not instantly killed had no chance of escape. Several tried to reach for their wands but huge hunks of flesh were torn from their bodies before they were able to complete the movements.

Coeus members Cynthia Pierce and Sandy O’Leary fell to the floor, having each been hit by errant shotgun balls. As trained, they reached up and pulled their hoods off to draw attention to themselves. Marti Mathis and Beatrice Maxwell saw them and ran to their aid. Tearing away their invisibility garments, the girls were quickly tended to. Cynthia had been hit once in her upper left arm and in her side by two thirty-two-caliber balls. Sandy caught three in her left leg and hip.

Around the tables, automatic weapons had been drawn and the fallen were quickly dispatched. Blood and gore covered the cavern’s floors. The smell of spent gunpowder lay heavy in the air.

Professor Dumbledore and Sirius reached down and lifted the unconscious Dracul to a chair. The old wizard quickly bound the man in place and revived him. The two men then immediately went to check on the two injured witches. Both were doing fine, considering the trauma, as neither injury appeared to be life threatening.

The dazed wizard began shouting out in Romanian. Headmaster Tuca was called over and removed his hood, after seeing Dumbledore and Black had removed theirs. The evil wizard tried bucking against his restraints, his eyes flashing, his mouth sneering.

“What is he yelling about, Stefan?” Dumbledore asked.

“He was calling out for his men to help him. I believe, however, he has just realized assistance will not be coming,” Tuca smiled, looking up into Dumbledore’s face. Dracul’s expression turned to one of horror. He scanned the room in front of him and saw young wizards and witches going about firing handguns into the heads of his fallen henchmen. Everywhere the man looked, all he saw was a bloody mess about the cavern floor.

The man began screaming something again. Tuca laughed.

“He wants to know who you are,” Tuca translated, pointing to Dumbledore.

“Tell him I am his worst nightmare. Tell him I am the man who was sent to kill him. Tell him I am Albus Dumbledore,” the old headmaster said flatly, looking into the evil man’s eyes.

Tuca’s translation shook the man, but he bared his teeth at Dumbledore and then spit at him.

“Ask him if he has the keys to his villa with him. We wish to take up residence there starting this evening,” Dumbledore said with a sneer of his own. “Tell him all he owns is now the property of the Hall of Justice, the proceeds of which will be used to destroy others like him. Tell him he is about to die.”

Tuca’s translation sent the man into a rage of hissing and spitting. Dumbledore flicked his wand and ended the man’s evil life.

The Athena members had already begun turning the gore within the cave to dust and blowing it out of the large cavern. Harry blasted the portkey.

“What count did you get, Bartholomew?” Dumbledore asked, after having seen the large man walking through the cavern counting the bodies, as soon as the action was over.

“There were seventy-three, Albus. Sixty at the tables and thirteen at the head table, including Dracul,” Grime announced.

“Very well. Sirius, let’s begin our next task,” Dumbledore ordered.

Sirius had everyone return to Brasov, except for himself, Snape, Dumbledore, Harry, Remus, Oliver, Headmaster Tuca and the three Romanian team members. From there, they were to immediately return to Falcon’s Lair. He asked Hermione and Captain Stran to get the two wounded girls to Hogwarts immediately for medical treatment.

After insuring the safe departure of the teams, Sirius removed the GPS device and took a reading. They quickly flew to the area where they were to begin their next search. A full moon was high in the sky when they departed. Using the night-vision goggles, they were able to see everything below them about as well as they could have on a cloudy day. Within thirty minutes, they found themselves high above a large villa Sorin had pinpointed on their map.

The wizards descended to the ground and landed on a large patio overlooking the river below. Sirius nodded his head.

“This must be it, Professor. It is exactly as Sorin described,” Sirius related.

The men, again fully attired in their invisibility garments, approached the large sprawling residence and gained entry through a back door. They made their way to a large dining room and found three young witches sitting at a table.

Dumbledore reached up and removed his hood. The other men did likewise. The three girls screamed at the top of their lungs when the saw the heads floating about them. Others in the house came running.

Headmaster Tuca shouted out for them to be calm and that everything was going to be okay. The girls bunched themselves in the corner of the room, a number were crying hysterically.

“Are any of you related to Dracul?” Tuca asked.

An older girl looked up and shook her head.

“Are there any wizards about?”

Again, she shook her head.

The old headmaster commanded them to stand and return to the table. Nine girls of various ages followed his order and took seats at the table.

“Are there any other girls on the property?” Tuca asked.

The older girl hesitantly spoke up, telling the man there were none.

“Professor Dumbledore? Is there anything you wish me to tell them?”

“No. I leave it to Severus. He will be the one in charge here. Please, Severus, explain the situation to them,” Dumbledore said, taking a seat at the table.

Severus Snape stepped forward and sat down at the head of the table in a large chair the girls knew was only to be used by Dracul. It unsettled the girls to think the darkish man would risk his life in such a way.

“Dracul is dead. I am now the master of this house by authority of Chief Justice Daniel Webster of the Hall of Justice,” he said flatly, looking into the faces of the girls sitting at the table.

The young witches shook their heads, unable to comprehend or accept what the wizard had just told them.

“Dracul is dead? How do you know this?” the older girl asked.

“Because we killed him tonight with seventy-two other evil wizards,” Snape replied.

The girls jumped in their seats, looking around at the men who encircled them. It just occurred to them that they, too, were going to be killed.

“You are in no danger!” Snape exclaimed loudly. “Dracul was removed because he was an evil, murderous man. He has forfeited all he owned, including his life.”

“What are we to do?” the girl asked out.

“You may return to your homes or continue to work here for me and my staff. I leave that up to you to decide. You are free to go if you wish. However, you,” Snape said, pointing at the older girl, “I want you to remain.”

The other eight girls slowly left the table, looking back over their shoulders to see if they were being followed. They quickly disappeared from sight.

Snape ordered the three young Romanian wizards to search the large residence while he continued his talk with the girl.

“What is your name?” Snape asked.

“Stephanie.”

“How long have you been here?”

“Since I was sixteen - - - six years ago. I am now twenty-two,” she replied.

“Does Dracul have a secret place or vault within the house?”

“Yes,” she said. “In the library. There is a hidden room.”

“Show us!” Snape ordered.

The girl stood up and directed them to the library. She walked to a bookcase and pushed a hidden button behind a shelf. The large bookcase swung away from the wall. Behind it was a vault much like the one at the Cetus estate.

Professor Dumbledore stepped forward and knew it did not have a charm protecting it, but it was of goblin manufacture - - - a tough safe to crack. The old wizard withdrew his wand, began murmuring incantations and moving his wand around. After several minutes, they heard the vault’s multiple hidden locks and bars begin moving. The old wizard reached out and pulled the large door to him.

Inside, Dracul had secreted away a large cache of money, jewels and bearer bonds. Headmaster Tuca removed a number of ledgers and began reading through them at the desk, as Dumbledore and Snape went about accessing the valuable contents of the vault. Tuca informed Professor Dumbledore they contained the names of his evil associates and extended family members.

“How many visitors does Dracul have here at the villa?” Snape asked the girl.

“Only on rare occasions is anyone allowed to visit him here. He maintains an office in Bucharest,” she stated.

“Where in Bucharest? How does he travel there?” Snape asked.

“By the portkey, there,” she said, pointing to a small wooden box sitting at the top corner of his desk.

The three Romanian wizards came into the library and informed Snape no other persons were found within the large residence. And they were unable to account for any house-elves, as none would come to their call. The young girls all remained within the house and were in an upstairs bedroom.

Dumbledore asked Snape to follow him out to the patio.

“I will ready a portkey, Severus, linking you directly to Falcon’s Lair. Will you remain here tonight to secure the property?” Dumbledore asked.

“Yes, of course. I’ll have the three young Romanian lads stay here and guard the premises, too. How do you wish me to proceed?” Snape wondered.

“Considering the size of the villa, Severus, I don’t believe you will need the huge cavern except for possibly training exercises. I recommend you cordon off your living quarters with a powerful charm. I will ask Tuca to recommend a number of other young wizards to help you establish a Coeus team. From that point on we will take it one day at a time. If you wish, you may bring your young assistants to Falcon’s Lair for training and outfitting,” Dumbledore said.

“Yes. That would be best. And the contents of the vault, Professor? What should be done with it? No doubt, there will be some who will want to get their hands on it,” Severus rightly warned.

“It will be transferred first thing in the morning. We will leave the Romanian muggle money here with you to use as you see fit,” Dumbledore said.

The two men went back inside the residence where Tuca turned the ledgers over to Snape. He told Dumbledore they contained a great deal of interesting information.

Dumbledore, Sirius, Remus, Harry and Tuca made their way back to the portkey near the large cavern and, from there, returned to the Brasov School of Wizardry. The old professor asked Tuca if he would establish a portkey link directly to the seized villa. Tuca heartily agreed, as he wanted to do all he could to ensure the new team’s success.

Sirius and Dumbledore thanked the old headmaster for his help and for his offer to provide counsel to Snape. He would need all of the help he could get over the next months in establishing an effective Coeus unit.

The two wizards then returned to Falcon’s Lair. Chief Justice Webster was waiting upon their return.

Webster nodded his head, as he approached the old wizard. “Yes, yes, I saw it all, Albus. Our teams made a quick job of it.”

“It all went as planned, except for Cynthia and Sandy’s injuries. How are they doing?”

“Hermione is with them at Hogwarts. Their injuries are thought to be minor, thankfully,” Webster informed the old wizard.

“From what Stefan Tuca told me, Dan, it looks like we narrowly escaped a serious attack on Falcon’s Lair. There were seventy-three of them in all. They might have really razed a ruckus around here, if we hadn’t caught them in time. I dare say, we might have suffered substantial losses,” Dumbledore said, shaking his old head.

“He was a very evil man, Albus. There are others like him?”

“Yes, too many, I’m afraid to say. However, I should hope not as well organized as Dracul. The Eastern European wizards have always been willing to cooperate with one another more freely than most. His greatest strength was in their number - - - seventy-three, after all.”

“And Severus?”

“He has remained at the villa with the three young Romanian wizards. We have another trove to transfer first thing in the morning. I’m going to establish a portkey to link Falcon’s Lair to the villa. With your permission, the only thing I’ll be leaving him for operating funds will be a substantial quantity of Romanian money. That should help him with his day-to-day expenses,” Dumbledore stated.

“Yes, of course. Will it be hard to find him more help?”

“Tuca will begin recommending suitable candidates. He says he has a large pool to choose from. Severus, of course, must be allowed to choose his own witches and wizards, don’t you agree?”

“He should,” Webster replied.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Early the next morning, Professor Dumbledore established a portkey link between Falcon’s Lair and the villa. Soon, Coeus members were transferring the contents of the large vault to the dungeon at Hogwarts.

The portkey to the dungeon had been changed and only a select few had access to the large and ever-growing treasure within. Dumbledore rightly reasoned the fewer who had that information the less trouble they might have later. Access was limited to himself, McGonagall, Harry, Hermione and Graciela Calderon. Graciela was selected as the treasurer over the vast fortune and was charged with its inventory. She would later ask permission to have Grace White assist her with the ever-increasing burden.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Over the next several months, Severus Snape added nine more members to his team. All spoke English fluently. He had them train several days each week with the Athena and Coeus teams at Falcon’s Lair. Dumbledore suggested they refer to the villa as Eagle’s Nest. Henceforth, it was so called.

Harry was finally able to return to the Hall of Justice. After being away for some months, his sexual lusting had returned to a normal level. Ginny, on the other hand, had turned into a nymphomaniac. She wantonly craved her nightlong adventures with Webster and continued her daily escapades with the other girls. She avoided Harry, however, and it pained him greatly. He didn’t understand it but decided to let her have whatever time she needed.

On the 14th day of August, Hermione gave birth to a screaming baby boy. She named him David - - - the Beloved. Harry suggested Albus as the middle name. Hermione asked Harry if he would give the baby his family name. Harry had never considered it and was sort of shocked at Hermione’s request. To him, anyway, it went without saying: Any child he fathered would bear his family name. David Albus Potter was a most handsome baby boy who had two very proud and happy parents.

On the 24th day of September, Deborah Stran delivered a healthy baby girl. After talking with Harry, she suggested they name the girl after their mothers. The little baby witch was named Lilly Louise Potter.

Ginny went home for an extended stay at the Burrow in late September. As happy as she was for Hermione and Deborah, she was very resentful the girls had taken her Harry from her. She became very despondent. Nothing Molly or Arthur could do was able to bring her out of her unhappy and hopeless state. Ginny removed the ring Harry had given her and put it out of her sight.

Athena and Coeus continued working information as it came into the Ministry or from their own intelligence gathering missions.

Falcon’s Lair added more expensive muggle-made sensor equipment, which extended the range of detection to the far boundaries of the large estate. They also had a backup generator system installed along with laser-illuminated, high-definition cameras mounted at the corners of the castle’s roof. It was now possible to see on the darkest of nights, as if in total daylight. Minister Grime was also looking into a special radar system of great sensitivity. It would be absolutely necessary, he reasoned, to prevent an aerial assault of their compound.

During that time, the Chief Justice commissioned the start of a massive resort on the estate in the North West Highlands of Scotland. He also purchased four other large adjoining properties, which tripled the size of the estate.

Snape’s twelve-man team went to work cleaning out dens of evil throughout Eastern Europe. Between Eagle’s Nest and Falcon’s Lair, however, were countless thousands of square miles of Central Europe. It was there the old professor next turned his attention.

Chief Justice Webster and Professor Dumbledore continued their frequent meetings. Harry and Hermione were asked to sit in on all of them. The old wizard still had unspoken plans for Harry’s future. He thought it best to keep them to himself. The old headmaster knew, however, his young protégé’s next mission might be the most important of his life and would seal whatever bargain he had made to protect the good witches and wizards of the world.

The old professor would one day write in his memoirs of the close of another chapter in the war against evil, another ending and a new beginning.

Wizards and witches of some note had, for many years, presumed good and evil would one day do battle upon a huge battlefield - - - one great, all encompassing war. Albus Dumbledore, however, had perceived the great cost of such a battle to the good wizards and witches of their world. He had rightly used his powers and abilities to break that one great battle up into many smaller ones - - - small confrontations of his choosing - - - small, quick and bloody campaigns where the advantage was always theirs.