Life Begins Anew

Chapt 77 Prelude to Battle

The Headmistress came to and found herself looking into the worried eyes of Hermione Granger. It must be a dream. She felt a hand squeeze hers and looked into the green eyes of Harry Potter. “Professor, it’s good to see you again.”

She stood up and looked at the bedraggled students. The older wizards were spouting light beards and everyone had twigs in their hair and their clothing was torn.

“Professor Snape found us Professor and brought us here, saying it was safe to return.” Seventh Year Ravenclaw Kevin Erstwhile told her.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked to one another. Sara had oblivated everything about Sanctuary, explaining that it would not hurt their skill and it protected Arthur Weasley from being revealed.

“Wait here.” Minerva left the Great hall to wake up her professors, warding the hall as she exited.

“Dobby.” Harry called out.

Dobby appeared and looked at Harry with disbelief as he shouted out with joy “Harry Potter! You’se lives!”

“Dobby, do you think that you could get some food for us?”

“Yes Harry Potter a feast for all of you.” Dobby danced for a moment before he disappeared.

Platters of food suddenly appeared at a single table as the students rushed to sit down and eat.

Hermione looked to Harry. “So what do we tell Professor McGonagall?”

“Everything that Sara has told us to tell her. And then play it by ear.” Harry replied as he ate a bit of chicken.

The staff entrance door opened and the professors entered and found that every student had drawn their wands and pointed in reaction to the door banging open. The Headmistress had warned them that they may be a bit twitchy considering what the students had gone through and decided it would be best to mix amongst them to show that they could be trusted.

Minerva stood back and watched the students interact with her staff as they excitedly talked about life on the run. She noticed the Golden Trio talking quietly amongst them as she mentally took a count and added the dead students from Diagon Alley and realized two were missing.

“Mr. Potter, there are two not accounted for. First years Katie Stevens and John Donaldson.”

“John died from exposure and is buried in the forest. He stood by us until the end.” Harry sadly replied. Someday the story of John Donaldson would get out, but it would not be tonight.

“I transfigured Katie’s body to look like my own to mislead He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named into thinking that Harry was weak without me.” Hermione told the Transfiguration professor in a quiet voice.

Minerva listened as the castle informed her that Rita Skeeter was at the gates with her photographer. How in Merlin had she heard about the arrival of the missing students? Sara must have sent her. Minerva’s feeling of irritation changed to one of understanding as she understood the reasoning behind it.

“Forgive me Mr. Potter, but the press somehow has found out about your arrival. It will benefit us if your story is spread. You give hope to so many, but I will turn her away if you do not want it.”

“Have her come in. We need it to bolster support when we stand at the end.” Harry told her.

Minerva looked to the young wizard. He had certainly grown into a man. She opened the door to the Great Hall to allow the reporter and photographer in.

Rita looked to her for a moment. “I will spin this the right way Headmistress. I never want see what I saw that night again.”

Minerva merely nodded to her in understanding as Rita rushed to the table and stated with feeling. “The Wizarding world wants to know your story.”

The students surrounded her as they began to speak.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Sara, Bootstray, Slightly, and Draco sat in chairs around Severus’ bed. This would probably be their last meeting together before the Final Battle.

“The Nation is at Hogwarts now and I tipped Rita Skeeter. Voldemort will attack the school once he learns of their return. I give it three weeks tops as he had not planned on addressing the school until end of term.”

She turned to Bootstray. “Congratulations Defense Professor Bootstray. You will be returning to Hogwarts and keep me informed.”

Bootstray glared at her in anger but said nothing. He was still coming to terms of her marriage and fighting the revulsion of being so close to her.

“Slightly, you will stay here and catch up on those parchments.”

Slightly nodded to Sara as he looked to his friend in worry.

“And now it is time to address the battle.” They listened to her intently as she laid out her plans.

Severus observed his sister as she continued to brief them. Her voice was calm, harsh, and cold with no emotion. He noticed the ever so slight shake of her hands. He realized that she was fighting herself.

She stood up and looked to Bootstray for a moment, her black obsidian eyes reflecting remorse for a moment before turning away from him. “Does everyone understand what we must do?”

The wizards voiced their acknowledgement and watched as she left the room, quietly shutting the door behind her.

Draco looked to his godfather. “And what are we going to do?”

“We are going back to my home tomorrow Draco. We will be making healing potions for Madame Pomefrey. I do not need to be here any longer as I can apply the salves myself. Now if you do not mind I need to rest now.”

The wizards took the hint and left him to his own thoughts.

Slightly looked at Bootstray as walked to their chambers. “Are you well my friend?”

Bootstray looked to his Mate appreciating his concern. “Aye Mate I think I am.” He did not miss the look in Sara’s eyes and that gave him hope.

Sara entered her library and warded it securely and waved her hand to extinguish the candles and sat down in the chair next to the fire. “Sassy, a bottle of Firewhiskey and a glass please.”

Sassy appeared and delivered her Mistress request and looked to her in worry for a moment before she disappeared.

Hades flew down from his perch into her lap and rubbed his beak against her face.

“Dear One, I need you more than ever and I have a request of you. You know me so well. Can you kill me if the darkness takes me over?”

“I can and I will Little One. Unfortunately it will be brutal as I cannot wield magic.” Hades sadly replied as he looked to her.

“Then stay with me and watch me.” Sara stated as she sipped on her drink as she played with his feathers and looked into the crackling fire.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Minerva approached the podium at breakfast in the Great Hall, listening to the hall quiet. “Students, it pleases me to announce the return of a few students back to Hogwarts. Please help them catch up on things.”

The doors to the Great Hall opened as the 43 missing students entered wearing new uniforms and began to take their place at their House tables.

Neville jumped up and began to clap wildly. “I knew it! I knew Harry Potter was not dead!”

The hall erupted in a loud cheer as the Slytherin table remained silent.

She held up her hand to silence the Hall. “And also welcome back Professor Bootstray to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.”

The entire hall clapped in applause. Any professor was better than the Carrows.

&&&&&&&&&

Voldemort cursed as he read the article about the return of the muggle-born students. It was time to kill The-Boy-Who-Lived. He pressed his Mark to call Lucius and Bella.

&&&&&&&&&&&

Hermione looked to herself in the mirror noticing the dark rings around her eyes. By day she took her classes, and by night she was meeting with different portions of the Order of the Raven. That was what they were calling themselves as they were the dregs of Wizarding society and the symbiology of it was unrest and death.

Felicia had briefed her that something was building up with the DeathEaters as she told Hermione about some of the conversations her girls had with their clients. All the comments were about the school being punished for rejecting the Dark Lord’s leadership through Snape.

“Any comments from those of the Inner Circle Felicia?” Hermione asked with interest.

“They know better than to talk. And it’s interesting that you mention it as I have not seen the ones that frequent my establishment in over a week so they must be planning something big.”

“And will your group stand and fight if needed? She asked

Felicia chuckled. “Yes Hermione we will fight. After all my girls are highly skilled in defense and attack based on what I offer my clientele. But come with me Hermione, I have something to show you.” Grabbing her hand and leading her into another room. “What do you think?”

Hermione looked and smiled. “It’s perfect.”

&&&&&&&&&&&

Severus and Draco kept up their brewing relentlessly filling up phials of healing potions of all ranges for Madame Pomphrey. Lucius still put Galleons in Draco’s Gringotts account despite the fact that he had not talked to his son at all after their departure from the castle, enabling them to purchase the required ingrediants from one that would not talk.

Draco looked at his Godfather as he tried another paste that he had created to heal the thick red scars of his torture. It was another failure as he watched him hurl the jar against the wall, watching it shatter.

“Godfather, how are we going to get these to the castle? We are running out of room here.”

“Draco, call me Severus. I think you’ve earned that right considering that we are embarking on our death.”

***Hermione I need you to meet me to pick up the potions that I have created. Can you get away from the school? ***

***I’m leaving Felicia’s. Meet me at the Hog’s Head. I am wearing a black cloak with a clasp of a snake. ***

Severus looked to Draco. “Gather them all up Draco. We are going out.” Walking up and pulling out two phials of Polyjuice potion and handing one to him as he looked at the jars of hair that he stored with the pictures of witches and wizards on them. He decided to use the one from Felicia’s adding the hair to the potion and drinking it down.

Draco selected a plain wizard with chestnut brown hair and did the same, growling out in pain as he changed.

Severus held his arm out to Draco and Apparated away.

They arrived at the Hog’s Head and ordered a drink at the bar as Severus recognized his witch sitting at a booth at the back of the bar. He motioned Draco to follow him as they took their drink and sat down at a table across from her.

“Fancy meeting you here witch and not at Felicia’s. I wonder if you can handle the two of us. We would pay well for your services.” He said loud enough for the entire pub to hear.

Hermione noticed the patrons were discretely observing her table.

“That would depend wizard. Is your friend as well endowed as you? The Galleons you gave me last time barely covered my cost of pain and healing potions. I made no profit from it.”

Draco slid a money bag full of Galleons to her. “I assure you we would be well worth your time.”

Hermione stood up as she placed the bag into her pocket, noticing that the interest in her table died down as she was obviously a prostitute looking for action. “Come with me gentlemen and we shall see.” Raising up from the table and exiting the pub with the two wizards following behind her.

They distanced themselves from the pub and Severus grabbed Draco’s and Hermione’s hand and apparated them to the gates the castle.

“You are a minx wife.”

“Well, it drew attention away from us.” She lightly replied as she tucked the potions into her transfigured school robes as she changed back to her normal self. She watched as the wizards morphed back to their true form.

“It is good to see you again Draco. I have missed you.” Hermione told the young Lord. She looked to her husband.

“You know plan 1A? I have them all together but you never bothered to tell me how to use them.”

“You will know Hermione. Just watch the Headmistress.” Severus replied. He held her hand and looked into her eyes for a moment, their Bond surging through their touch of one another. “Be careful Hermione.” He turned and walked away as he motioned Draco to follow him.

“Tell Pansy I am well.” Draco whispered to her as he turned to follow his Godfather.

She was about to enter the gates when she heard the plop of apparition as she instinctively placed a shield charm upon her as she whirled around pointing a wand at the sound.

“Sara!” She exclaimed and then her eyes narrowed. “What was the spell you used to melt the desk in Defense?”

Sara looked to her for a moment. “Clever Hermione Snape. Never trust those that approach you. Fundo Corrumpo was the spell I used.”

Hermione lowered her wand taking a moment to observe her ex-professor as she walked up to her. Merlin! She felt like she wanted to run, the fight or flight instinct kicking in.

“You feel the Dark presence of me Hermione. Your husband explained it?”

“Yes Sara, but I have never felt the need to run away from you before and that is what I am feeling now.”

“Being with my brother has attuned you to the Darkness. You instinctively sense what is unacceptable to you. But do not worry, for I am in control. How goes plan 1A?”

“They have all agreed to follow me and they even formed a group. We are the Order of the Raven.”

“Well done Hermione. I am surprised you bound them close together in such a short time, for your group is naturally suspicious and always looking to what the benefit to themselves from their actions. Perhaps it is that you are innocent to their way of life and they are drawn to it for one moment in time to shout out to the proper society that they can make a difference when it counts. You give them a chance of proving themselves to the Wizarding world.”

Hermione said nothing as Sara continued. “I have a mission for you and it does not involve the Raven.”

Hermione listened to the dark witch as she explained what was required of her.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Severus sat in a worn chair at his house on Spinner’s end. It had been two weeks since his torture and he had not been called to the Dark Lord’s presence at all. He studiously worked on trying to cure himself of the scars of the Dark Lord’s torture and had been unsuccessful. During the torture the Dark Lord had taken his manhood. It was well that he was going to die, for what man could live after that?

She had promised to live and to tell their daughter of him. The thought comforted him as he thought of his daughter. What would their little witch look like when she was grown? He hoped that she would not have his hooked nose. He smiled slightly as he pictured his daughter, black brushy hair with her mother’s warm brown eyes. Yes, and she would be as tall as him he was sure. And Luna Lovegood’s words that she would be a witch in her own right. He hoped that the legacy of her father’s past would not hold her back. He never thought that he would ever have anything to pass on. It pleased him that his wife and daughter would survive, as he believed Luna’s words.

The sharp burning of his Mark brought him out of his thoughts as he immediately rose and dressed himself into the robes of the Inner Circle and placed his mask upon him. He quickly prepared himself as he pressed his wand to the Mark and apparated away.

Severus immediately bowed in the presence of the Dark Lord.

&&&&&&&

Hermione was eating her dinner in the Great Hall when she noticed that Kingsley and Lupin joined the Headmistress at the head table.

****Remus and Lupin are here at the castle. **** She sent along the Bond to her husband.

Severus looked up from his brewing at Spinner’s End. ***I was called to the Dark Lord. He will attack in two weeks but I do not have details. ***

Hermione continued to eat, thinking about the appearance of the aurour and the werewolf as a school owl landed in front of Neville with an envelope held in his beak. Neville took the letter and handed the bird a bit of meat from his plate and watched the bird fly away.

Neville opened the envelope and quickly read it and stuffed it in his pocket. He leaned over to Harry, Ron, and Hermione and whispered to him. “The Headmistress is holding a meeting tonight at 10 pm to discuss Dumbledore’s Army. I wonder what she wants.”

“I think I need a walk. I need to get some fresh air before curfew.” Her friends took the hint and followed her out of the hall and into the courtyard. She sat in the grass and pulled out a book and opened it randomly.

“Neville, did you notice Auror Shacklebot and Professor Lupin with the Headmistress? They are members of the Order of the Phoenix. I think that you are called forth to discuss plans. You need to take Harry with you. After all he was the original leader.”

“The Phoenix is no more. I saw the story in the Prophet.”

“And yet Phoenix’s are known to regenerate.” Hermione lightly told him.

“Hermione, I will take Harry with me.” Neville stood up and left his friends.

“Are you ready Harry? Nagini is the last Horcrux. In that meeting you must remind them of that, as we will be unsuccessful if that snake is not killed.”

“I will Hermione.” Harry watched as she put her book away and stood up. He grabbed her hand as they walked up to Gryffindor tower.

She looked to Harry. “I have patrol tonight as the Head Girl. Let me know what goes on in the meeting.”

Harry nodded to her as he left her to her duty.

Hermione made her rounds and caught Pansy Parkinson out of her House. “Miss Parkinson ten points from Slytherin for being up after curfew.”

Hermione quickly glanced around them as she whispered. “Draco is well and he told me to tell you that.”

“Not back in the school two days and the Mudblood are already harassing me.” Pansy snarled out for the benefit of any watching.

Pansy looked to her and whispered. “Thank you for the message.”

She watched as the angry witch stormed away.

Hermione made her way back to her room and paused as she saw Sara Snape standing next to her bed.

“Leader of the Order of the Raven, it is time to make your appearance.”

Hermione nodded as she changed her robes into jet black and placed a black raven shaped mask upon her.

“Very fitting.” Sara drily remarked as she wrapped her arms around the Head Girl and Apparated into the Headmistress office.

There was a plop heard and the room noticed that Sara had arrived with a masked stranger.

“Sara, we cannot afford to have a stranger here. I hate having Harry here as it is.” Minerva said as she glared at Neville, who just shrugged his shoulders.

“It would have been foolish to exclude him anyway Minerva, considering what he has to do. And I assure you this one is needed as well.” Sara replied back as she nodded to the masked stranger.

Aurour Shacklebot looked to the stranger and asked in a deep voice. “Who are you stranger?”

Hermione silently applied a charm that would disguise her voice. “I am the leader of the Order of the Raven and I am Plan 1A. We need to plan as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named attacks the school in two weeks time.”

“Is that true Sara?” Minerva asked.

“It is but I do not have the details of the battle plan as of yet. The Dark Lord knows of the castle’s affinity to me. I told him that I could not bring large groups into the castle, but that I could break the wards surrounding the school grounds. So we need to plan that most of the battle will take place on the grounds of the school.”

“What do you bring to the table Raven?” Lupin asked the masked stranger.

“I’m glad you asked. I have two hundred followers, but they will follow no one but me.” The masked figure replied. “But I have 70 more that are pledged to no one, though some were previously of the Phoenix. Based on my membership I think it would be best to place them under Aurour Shacklebot.” Handing a parchment listing the names to Minerva.

Minerva looked at the list, not recognizing any on the parchment. Albus always strived to keep all of the groups within the Phoenix ignorant of other members for safety. Minerva handed Kingsley the list and waited for a response.

Kingsley looked at the list and exclaimed. “These are the seventy Aurours that reseigned during the attack on Diagon alley. Yaxley has been having us look for these witches and wizards as he states that according to law, their resignations are not legal as they resigned during a time of crisis.”

Raven looked to him. “Now they are found. I have a port key with me Aurour Shacklebot. You are the best one to lead this group.”

He nodded to her as he accepted the wrapped port key.

The group gathered together as they began to plan, arguing on different points.

Harry looked to the stranger as they finished up their planning and realized who the stranger was. He knew Hermione’s mannerisms well and the stranger fit her to a T.

Sara grabbed Raven’s hand. “Time to take you back to your nest.”

The gathered witch and wizards watched as Sara Aparrated away with the stranger.

Kingsley looked to Minerva. “What do you think?”

“Sara pointed me to aid when I took over the school. If she trusts the stranger then I do as well.” Minerva replied.

“Minerva, I go to gather my lost Aurors. What will you do?”

“I will gather the ashes of the Phoenix and we will rise again now that we are not bound.” Minerva primly replied as she watched Remus and Lupin leave her office.

Minerva looked to Neville. “Brief your army Mr. Longbottom. The final conflict looms upon us and you must make sure that they understand the cost.”

“I will Headmistress.” Neville replied back with feeling. “We are with you.”

Minerva watched as the young man left her office. She looked over to the empty portrait hanging above her desk.

“Oh Albus, where are you when I need you the most?” She lamented.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Severus called to her along their Bond. ***Hermione..***

***My love, are you well? *** Hermione sent back

Hermione was disillusioned along with four hundred witches and wizards waiting for the attack. The under age students were placed in the Room of Requirement to protect them. She felt her fear come forth into her mind.

***I am scared Severus.***

***Lioness, Sara told me that Bootstray and Slightly are in the Astronomy Tower. I will meet you there with Draco. ***

Voldemort looked to Sara and commanded. “Bring down the wards.”

“Your Will My Lord!” Sara reverently stated as she touched her hand to the gate expressing her desire as the gates opened up to allow Voldemort’s army to enter.

The army of the Dark Lord entered, not expecting any attack as they had been briefed there would be no resistance on the ground.

The defender’s waited as the entire army of the Dark Lord passed through the gates.

As soon as they were through Sara commanded that the outer wards be brought up, effectively trapping the Dark Lords army.

Minerva yelled out “Attack!” as her fellow soldiers revealed themselves and the battle began in earnest.