Chapter Thirty Nine - Ready, Aim... Splat!

Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe belongs to the proverbial Duchess of Magic, JK Rowling, Scholastic, Bloomsbury, Warner Bros and some other high falutin' companies. No matter how much I whine about not owning anything related to the HP universe, other than a few fanfic plots, I do not profess to own - and would never dream of making any money off - JKR's wonderful world... Damn it!

A/N: Because I've been slack again and forgotten to post in a couple of weeks, here's the second of TWO chapters for tonight. :)

Chapter Thirty Nine - Ready, Aim... Splat!

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

With Dumbledore's passing, things quickly settled down for Hogwarts and it's denizens. Harry continued for a few weeks to show those who wanted to know how to cast a messenger patronus - of which those from about fourth year up could do and helped those in lower years better understand the charm, and aid them in at least conjuring a mist shield.

Of course, now in their OWL year, assignments were measured in feet rather than inches. So, time was short for individual pursuits. Thankfully, the three already knew what was required for each of their assignments and were able to keep well ahead of the due dates, plus provide that little extra information to ensure their grades remained in the Outstanding range.

That gave them time to meet regularly with Professor Flitwick for duelling lessons.

"I understand why you refused Professor Snape's offer of assistance, Harry," said the diminutive Professor during one of their breaks to regain their breath. "However, the man can help with his wealth of knowledge of Death Eater tactics and styles of fighting."

With a sigh, Harry finally capitulated. "Fine," he said. "However, I insist on your attendance, as well. I still don't trust him. And, I doubt I ever will."

With only a nod to acknowledge Harry's words, Flitwick said, "I'll set things up with him starting from next week."

After the three left for the afternoon to head for an early dinner, Flitwick sat in the old classroom to think things through. A few minutes later he'd reached a workable plan and left, to head for his own evening meal.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

Flitwick and Snape arrived in the Great Hall at near enough the same time for the Dueling Master to approach the sallow Potions Master.

"Severus, I'd like a moment to chat with you after the meal, if that's alright?" he asked.

Snape looked back for a long moment before he gave a curt nod in return. "I have potions I need to attend. My laboratory?"

"Excellent," agreed Flitwick. "I'll join you there." And headed for his own seat to enjoy his evening meal.

About five minutes after Snape left, cloak billowing out behind him, Flitwick finished his own meal and made his way out of the Great Hall and down to the dungeons.

When Flitwick reached the door to the Potion Master's private laboratory, he was about to knock when Snape called, "Come in, Filius."

Knowing it was a simple alert ward the Potions Master had used, Flitwick wasn't the least surprised. He simply opened the door and walked in.

"Thank you for seeing me, Severus," said Flitwick.

"What is this about?" asked Snape, barely looking up from his work.

Knowing his colleague hated to 'beat about the bush', as he put it, Flitwick said, "I've finally managed to get Mister Potter to agree to your offer of assistance to help train him."

Snape grunted once in acknowledgement as he worked on one of his potions. After a few moments he said, "He is right, you know."

"In what way?" asked Flitwick.

"That I have not made it possible for him to trust me; and that I'll struggle to maintain my own temper and not think of him as... James Potter's spawn."

"He is as much Lily's as James's," Flitwick gently rebuked his colleague.

"I'm aware of that," scowled Snape, his eyes fixed on his task of dicing potions ingredients on the cutting board before him.

"Are you going to be able to control yourself?" asked Flitwick. Even if he had convinced Harry Snape's assistance could be beneficial, he would not allow his colleague to assist if the man harboured any lingering resentment towards the young man.

After he'd thought it over for a few moments, Snape replied, "I believe so. However it would, perhaps, be... wise for you to remain for at least the first few lessons."

"I intend to," replied Flitwick. "Mister Potter has also asked me to remain for the lessons, as well."

The Head of Ravenclaw House was quite happy with his accomplishments of the day when he made his way back to his own office and the stack of assignments awaiting grading he had yet to do.

As he walked back to his office he stopped where he saw a couple of seventh year witches of his own house working up high on opposite walls of the corner of a corridor.

'Carving runes, ladies?" he asked.

"Yes, Professor," one replied. "These are the ones Lovegood and the Potters designed."

"Who would have thought little Lovegood was such a genius?" asked the other.

"The Sorting Hat, Miss Thompson," the Professor replied, a little curtly. "She was sorted into Ravenclaw for a reason. And it wasn't just because she has Ravenclaw's Gift."

"But, for a third year in her first year of Ancient Runes to come up with something so advanced..." the girl tried.

"Miss Lovegood's mother was a renowned Arithmantist and Runes Master, Miss Thompson," said the Professor. "As neither requires the use of wands in introductory teaching, I suspect her mother taught her quite a bit before her passing."

The Professor was just about to move on when a thought occurred to him. "Who is in charge of where the wards are created?" he asked.

"Miss Lovegood, Professor," replied the other. "She's got the whole castle mapped out and just where each ward scheme is to be created, so fields aren't overlapping too much; and in what order."

With a nod, the Professor said, "Thank you," And moved on.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

That evening, the three were working on their assignments when Hermione softly nodded her head in the direction of the Map, where it was spread over the coffee table, and said, "There he goes again."

The other two looked at the map and watched as Nott walked back and forth in the corridor on the seventh floor before the tapestry of Barnabus the Barmy, before he walked at the wall opposite and disappeared through the wall.

"How's his repairs of the vanishing cabinet coming along?" asked Daphne.

"Dobby says he's stuck," replied Hermione. "He's still not found the split in the wood we put through one of the rune strings under the cabinet."

"He'll find it eventually," said Harry. "How's the anti-magic fields in the corridors coming along?"

Hermione pulled out a small sheaf of parchment and replied, "Every corridor on the seventh and sixth floors are done. As is the entire grand staircase."

"No damage to the moving stairs?" asked Harry.

"None," she replied. "They're just as big a pain in the bum as ever."

"What about hidden passages?" asked Daphne.

"I think we're going to have to do those," sighed Harry.

"I've been trying to work out the path LeStrange and her party of Death Eaters took the last time," muttered Hermione. "Between us, Luna and I think we have it figured out. She's managed to get most of those corridors and hidden passages warded first down to the fourth floor."

Sitting back and pondering things, Harry said, "I think we need to talk to Tracey, Blaise, Draco and Horace to see if they know if Nott is aware of the warding yet. It's really not something we can hide."

"Already done," said Daphne. "They've been subtly telling everyone it's an alert based ward for casting magic in the corridors against school rules. However, it won't be too long before someone tries to curse someone else in a warded area and fails. The truth will soon be out, then."

"Maybe," mused Harry. "Whichever idiot casts in such a warded corridor may first think they just got the incantation or wand movement wrong. Just how secret is the list of which corridors have been done, which are being worked on, and which are still to be done?"

"Only those taking Ancient Runes, and can therefore carve, know," said Hermione. "Unless, of course, they decide to wander the corridors and check for the runes. They're small but you can see them if you're looking for them."

"Mmm," said Harry. "Frankly, I don't think Nott's smart enough to do any of that. Does he take Ancient Runes?"

"No," replied Daphne. "Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies."

"Ah!" said Hermione. "He's looking for a career in the Ministry, then. And, hopefully, he won't recognise the purpose of the runes, anyway. Is there anyone in Slytherin likely to tell him?"

"Some," replied Daphne after a few moments. "Mainly sixth and seventh years who're studying runes. However, I do not think they'll tell him directly. I suspect it'll be more along the lines of mentioning it between themselves and he overhearing them."

"And listening in on the conversations of others in a public place is not eavesdropping," smirked Harry. "It's intelligence gathering for a Slytherin."

With a grin of her own, Daphne replied, "Exactly. It's good to know you understand that subtle difference."

"I think it's time we invited our friends up for a Friday night gossip session," said Hermione.

"It's not a 'gossip' session, love," Daphne mock scolded her bond mate. "It's an 'intelligence exchange' session."

Hermione grinned back and said, "Tom-ah-to, tom-aye-to."

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

After a full day of classes, afternoon work on assignments, and an early dinner, the three ensured their Slytherin friends received their invitations. This was only their second such session since the new year had begun, so they weren't surprised when all of them accepted.

As none of them needed directions the three headed directly to their apartment to set everything up, only to find that Dobby had already anticipated their needs and had it all done.

Taking a look around their common room, Harry turned to his wives and said, "Well, in that case, I'm going to go change into something more comfortable." And headed for their room. Both wives were seconds behind him and decided they'd, too, change into casual wear.

By the time their first guest arrived, the three had already changed and were sitting on one of the couches waiting for them. Surprisingly, Draco and Horace arrived together and only a couple of minutes ahead of Blaise and Tracey. Then Neville arrived with Luna on his arm.

"Neville?" asked Hermione. "I thought you and Hannah..."

"We still are," replied the other boy. "However, I met up with Luna and escorted her here. Hannah's on Prefect rounds and will join us later. I hope you don't mind but she'll be bringing Sue with her."

"Not at all," said Daphne.

"I meant to ask," said Hermione. "How's life in the Gryffindor tower, of late? Is little 'Ronnikins' still jacking up?"

Neville grinned back as he sat down. "He's given up on trying to move his bed into the fifth year boy's dorm. He managed to do that for the first week; now, I think Professor McGonagall put a spell up that stops him able to do that. He even tried to carry just his bedding up and sleep on the floor, but Dean called in Professor McGonagall and she forced him back to the fourth year dorm. Now there's a charm up that blocks him even being able to enter the room."

"Oh, yes," said Hermione. "Thomas is the fifth year Prefect, isn't he."

With a nod and a smile, he replied, "That he is."

"It must feel almost like living in a palace with only three beds in there now," said Harry.

"It's great," said the other boy. "With both you and Ron gone, we've been allowed to put desks in there. It makes for a better place to do homework when we want peace and quiet."

"I'm glad I was able to help," grinned Harry.

"The odours in the room must be much improved, too," said Draco, a little quietly. "I've heard he's quite the... trumpet master... in the morning."

The fact Draco made quite a crass joke took a moment to percolate through their minds before everyone burst out laughing. That it was true was even better.

"You know, Potter," the blonde boy considered. "Since you've divested yourself of the Red Weasel you've become someone much more interesting to be around."

Smirking, Harry mimicked doffing his hat to his ex-nemesis.

"When are you going to ask us?" Horace suddenly asked.

"Ask?" asked Daphne.

"About Nott," replied Horace with a smug little smile.

Harry gave a snort. "Never play your cards close to your chest with a Slytherin as he, or she, will already know what's in your hand. No; instead, lay them out in the open as it'll completely befuddle them trying to figure out what you're hiding."

Horace and Draco burst into laughter before Blaise said, "You know, that's actually quite clever."

Nodding Draco said, "It is. Any Slytherin worth their salt will then try to figure out what it is you're not telling them. That there's nothing to figure out will have them off kilter."

"Nott," said Daphne, bringing things back on track. "We know he's up to something. And that something will clearly have something to do with Riddle. What we'd like to know is; does he have any idea what the rune carvings in the corridors are for?"

"He doesn't," replied Blaise. "He even came to me asking what they were a couple days ago."

"And, pray tell, what did you tell him?" asked Daphne.

"I told him the lie that everyone believes is the truth," shrugged Blaise. "That it's part of a scheme that'll inform the staff if someone casts magic in the corridors against school rules."

"No one in the Snake Pit has tested that theory, yet?" asked Hermione.

"No," the boy shook his head. "With McGonagall now Headmistress, they all think she's waiting to catch them out so she can expel them."

With the relief that Nott was very likely still unaware of the true purpose of the runes along the corridors the night drew to an early close. Most said they still had assignments they wanted to get out of the way. The only exception was Luna.

As soon as Susan, Hannah and Neville left together, with Neville escorting the two young witches back to the Badger Burrow, Luna pulled out the sheaf of parchment with the floor plans of the castle's corridors on them.

Spreading them out she indicated how well they were doing getting the anti-magic fields in place.

"Seventh, sixth and most of the fifth floor are now done. The areas on the fifth floor not yet done are mostly in the corridors in parts of the castle left unused," she explained.

"I've also got the main routes from both the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw common rooms already done, and have some folks working on the main routes from both the Hufflepuff and Slytherin common rooms. However, most of that is also done."

"What about the hidden passages, the Entrance Hall and the Great Hall?" asked Hermione.

"All done, except for the hidden passages that are not commonly known." said Luna.

"So, we're basically ready," sighed Hermione. "What about our chosen 'waiting' room?"

"Done," Luna promptly replied. "I had a couple of fourth years carve that one. I told them it was a test for them to ensure their carving ability is suitable. I only had to fix a couple of the runes to have it working properly. And the control panel rune set is hidden behind a painting of a landscape left hanging in the room.

"After the corridors, we'll begin working on the unused classrooms along the oft used corridors," she continued.

"However," said Harry. "We're still waiting for Sirius and or Remus to get us those paintball guns. And then we have to get the potion off the twins and switch out the dye for the potion."

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

A few days later another attack on Diagon Alley by Death Eaters was reported. This time the report included how the shopkeepers had banded together and driven them off.

"Well, finally!" exclaimed Harry, from where he was reading the Daily Prophet at the Ravenclaw table.

Daphne smirked back as Harry looked like he wanted to get up and dance in glee. "It looks like your tongue-lashing of the store keepers has paid dividends," she said.

"I know!" he said, a little quieter this time.

"One died," said Hermione a little sadly from where she was reading the article. "However, they managed to take them all down. Apparently there were six, this time. It doesn't look like there were any from the inner circle, though."

"Aside from someone being killed," said Harry. "They're now showing backbone. If they keep this up they'll soon leave the sheep mentality behind and continue defending themselves."

"The article states they're feeling quite pleased with themselves," muttered Hermione, from where she was still reading. "And, they credit you for showing them the error of their ways for their victory."

"Let's just hope Riddle doesn't see that as a direct challenge and go after them in force," said Daphne. "If he uses the same tactics as in the previous war, those shop keepers just became high priority targets."

"We'll write a letter to Madam Bones pointing that out," Harry firmly stated.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

That evening the student body noticed a new face sitting at the head table. The wizard, for that was what he clearly was, seemed about the same age as Sirius and Snape, or possibly a little older.

They found out who he was when Headmistress McGonagall stood to address the Hall.

"If I may have your attention, please, students," she called, before waiting for the Hall to quieten down again. "I have news for you. First, I have been informed by the School Board my temporary position as Headmistress has been made permanent."

That lead to all four houses applauding in congratulations, though the Slytherins appeared to do so only out of politeness.

"Professor Flitwick's temporary position as Deputy Headmaster has also been made permanent," she continued, once the noise had calmed down again.

And, again, a similar level of support shown through applause was shown the diminutive professor, who smiled back with a nod of his head to each of the four tables.

"Next, as I'll be taking the position of Headmistress, fulltime... and as promised... I have secured the services of a new Professor of Transfigurations, Transfiguration Master Belvedere Bartwinkle..." She gestured with her hand towards him, and the man rose in his seat before nodding once to the student body.

"Professor Bartwinkle will be resuming all Transfiguration classes as of tomorrow morning, and I'll be also handing over the fifth and seventh year classes to him," she explained. "Professor Bartwinkle holds Masteries in both Transfiguration and Care of Magical Creatures. His specialisation is inanimate to animate transfigurations. His classroom and office will be my old ones in the Transfiguration corridor. That is all."

When she returned to her seat, the noise in the Hall rose again, as students discussed this new turn of events.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

It was while Harry and his wives were training with both Flitwick and Snape late the next evening that Harry's mental alert regarding the shields on Potter Retreat went off. Someone had used one of the emergency portkeys to portkey straight into the Potter Retreat welcoming room.

The slight mental nudge was enough to cause Harry to have to dive out of the way of a low level curse from Flitwick and cry, "Halt!"

Immediately, all casting stopped.

A moment later, as every eye turned to him in shock, Harry said, "Someone's just used an emergency portkey to the safehouse. I've got to go."

"We're coming," said his wives, both clearly worried for their extended family.

"Use the floo in my office," said Professor Flitwick. "It's the closest."

Together, the four, minus Professor Snape, hurried to the Professor's office. As they hurried, Harry said to the Professor, "The wards on the property will bounce you out if you try to follow. Only us three can floo direct."

"Understandable, Mister Potter," said Flitwick.

As they hurried into the Charms Master's office, the three cast repair spells on their combat robes to ready them for battle, while the diminutive Professor readied the fireplace for floo travel.

"Ready, Mister Potter," said Flitwick moving away, again. "Floo call me when you're ready to return."

"Will do, Professor," replied Harry. "Thank you."

Grabbing a large pinch of floo powder, Harry tossed it into the flames and called, "Potter Retreat! Home Sweet Home!" He was whisked away.

While both wives heard what Harry called, Professor Flitwick heard nothing. Or, if he did, he could not remember what was called. Both wives followed Harry through a few moments later.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

Harry already had his 'secret' wand out when he arrived in the welcoming hall at Potter Retreat and immediately erected a shield before he was even more than one foot out of the flames. He was greeted by Madam Bones, who was using a large slab of what appeared to be marble as a shield while she peeked around it.

"Madam Bones," he said, stepping further into the room, making sure he stood between the witch and the fireplace. "I swear on my life and my magic that I am the real Harry James Potter."

After the flash of magic being accepted, the older witch stood and held her wand in the oath position. "Mister Potter, I swear on my magic and my life that I am the real Amelia Susan Bones."

With her own flash, Harry allowed his shield to drop as she banished the block of marble.

"What happened?" he asked.

Before she could explain both wives came out in quick succession from the floo, also with their own 'secret' wands casting shields.

"Riddle happened," she scowled, as both witches took a quick look around before allowing their shields to drop and banishing the soot from their bodies and clothes. "He's found himself a ward or curse breaker who's apparently quite good. They took down the wards on Bones Manor and were coming in through the main door as I managed to get out through the tunnel."

"Where were your guards?" he asked.

"There was an attack on Azkaban earlier tonight," she replied. "I sent both to boost the forces defending the prison."

"Damn it!" he half swore. "I didn't expect that to happen for a while yet. He must be getting desperate for lackeys."

"Those are my thoughts, too," she said.

A moment later, he said, "If there was an attack on the prison, Riddle would have led that one. Feel like going to an area a little apart from Bones Manor to attack the Death Eaters who were attacking you? We might get lucky and stop them from burning your manor down, or even capture a few of them."

Madam Bones developed a gleam in her eye and a smirk. "That sounds like a wonderful idea," she said.

With a nod he said, "Make the portkey and I'll add the charm that allows it outbound through my wards."

Picking up the quoit she'd used to get to Potter Retreat, Madam Bones created the portkey and Harry added the necessary charm.

"Come, ladies," he said, beckoning to his wives. "Let us go kick some Death Eater arse."

With wands ready, the four all hooked a finger of their off hand on the ring. A muttered activation from the older witch and they were away.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

After the hooked feeling of a portkey, the four of them arrived about one hundred yards out from where the wards should have stood for Bones Manor. It was quite clear those wards were now down.

Also apparent was that the manor was not yet on fire, and that the attacking group of Death Eaters were still searching. Clearly, they thought she was still there.

"Daphne, you're the shield for Madam Bones. Hermione, you're the shield for me. Let's go," he quietly but firmly directed.

As they moved forward carefully scanning the area ahead of them, Madam Bones quietly said, "You know, Mister Potter; it should be me giving the directions."

"Nominally, yes," he softly muttered in reply. "However, I've been training with both these ladies and know them and their capabilities better than you do."

"Point," she muttered back, acceding the point.

They came across only one robed Death Eater who was holding right back out the front. He was hidden from the house but not from the four carefully approaching from his rear. The man wasn't even bothering to check his surroundngs.

Madam Bones hit him with a stunner in the back, causing him to soundlessly drop to the ground. The single spellfire didn't draw attention their way.

Pausing in their progress, Madam Bones affixed 'cuffs to the man and stripped him of his single portkey and wand. With a muttered "Activate" the Death Eater was portkeyed away.

"Look at this," Hermione softly called, kneeling down to look at a large stone that sat on the ground a few feet in front of where the Death Eater had stood.

"A ward breaker," muttered Bones. "That explains how they got through the wards so fast. Plus, it'll come in handy for my aurors." She bent down and used a sticking charm to affix another stone to the middle of the ward breaker; and portkeyed the stone away.

"It'll be on my desk when I get into the office," she said, by way of explanation.

With a nod, Harry then turned to look around the grounds.

"Ladies, please go with Madam Bones," he said. Before they could object, he explained, "I'm going to do a sweep under my cloak around the perimeter and round up those who're acting as lookouts."

"Be safe, Harry," said Daphne, thereby stopping Hermione from objecting.

With a huff, Hermione joined Daphne in acting as shield maidens for Madam Bones, while Harry quickly pulled out his cloak and donned it. A quick silencing charm on his feet and he took off to his left, intending to round the manor in a clockwise direction.

He found one very quickly and barely slowed down as he came up behind the thug, stunned him, stripped him of portkeys and wand, bound him and moved on.

He then found two behind the manor but closer in. Both were spending their time talking to one another, and both were taken down almost as quickly. Two quick stunners close enough that the flash of red light didn't alert anyone else, the same search and binding, and he was off again.

As expected he found the fifth simply standing and watching the manor. As with the others, he wasn't even looking anywhere else or expecting trouble. He got the same treatment.

Rounding back around to the front doors, sure he'd picked off all the 'guards', he entered the manor.

Seeing spell fire but not hearing any fighting coming from within and to his right, Harry hurried down the hallway, making sure his silencing charm on his feet was still in place, and his cloak had him completely masked.

He saw his wives and Madam Bones hunkered down behind a wall either side of a wide open set of double doors. They were exchanging spell fire with someone, or someones, within.

Bending down behind Hermione, who was the only one on his side of the doorway, he muttered, "It's me."

Once Hermione got over her initial gasp of shock, he said, "In... twenty seconds, take out the window. I'll get them from out there."

Once he saw her give a firm nod and check her watch, he stood back up and hurried back out of the manor, practically running to get into place in time. Thankfully, the windows were on the front of the manor, and he was there in plenty of time. He used the remaining time to peer in the window and see if he could see the bad guys. There were two and both were clearly visible to him. Both were behind sofas.

He stepped away from the window and waited only a few moments more before one of the windows blew outwards. Another few moments wait for the Death Eaters to stop looking at the window and he stepped forward.

Two quick stunners and they were down. "They're down!" he called through the window.

He watched as Madam Bones quickly moved forward to check on both DEs before he called, "Coming in!" He then climbed in through the shattered window with his cloak off.

"Any more?" he asked.

"We need to continue the sweep," she said.

With a nod, he replied, "You lead and I'll tag along under the cloak."

A quick search through the manor found two more upstairs searching through cupboards and walk-in robes. It was obvious they didn't hear the fighting from downstairs as neither was looking behind them. They were quickly dispatched with another two stunners.

As with the two downstairs, these two were quickly portkeyed away. They were making their way back down the stairs when, with a cry of "Aurors!", three aurors came in through the front doors with wands ready to cast.

"Stand down!" barked Madam Bones. "We're friendlies."

All three aurors relaxed with the one in the lead, who Harry recognised as the one who tried to arrest him not long ago in Diagon, stepping forward. "Ma'am," he said with a nod. "I take it they all got away?"

"Hell no!" she snapped back. "With the help of these three they were all captured."

When all three aurors gaped back in shock, Madam Bones firmly ordered them, "You two. Go down and search the basement. Treat it as a hostile environment." Looking to the remaining auror she said, "Sweep the grounds. Mister Potter here took out three..."

"Four," he quickly interrupted.

"... Four Death Eaters on watch outside," she continued. "They've been stunned and bound. Cuff them and portkey them to holding cells."

Quickly pointing in the relevant directions before the auror could hurry out again, he said, "You'll find one each out each end, and two to the rear next to each other."

The auror gave a curt nod in response and hurried out.

Once the aurors were hustled off, she said, "Come. We'll head for the kitchen."

"Don't you think you should get your wards back up first?" asked Harry.

"I... don't have the power," she grudgingly admitted.

"Can we add ours to yours to get them up?" he asked.

With a frown, she said, "We can try, I guess."

She then led them down to the basement, meeting the aurors on their way back up. "It's clear, Ma'am," reported Auror Kennedy, giving the three the evil eye as he did.

"What of Azkaban?" she asked.

With a poorly disguised surreptitious glance at the three bond-mates it was clear Kennedy didn't want to report in front of the three teens.

"Out with it, man!" barked Amelia.

With a sigh and wince, Kennedy said, "They were in and out fast, Ma'am. They appeared on the beach next to the dock and... well... it was clearly rehearsed..."

With a sigh of her own, she asked, "How many?"

"I'm..." he tried before giving his head a little shake. "Sorry. How many what?"

Harry just snorted in amusement and shook his head. Kennedy scowled back but didn't verbally reply.

"How many, Kennedy," scowled Bones after rolling her eyes. "How many escaped? How many of my aurors were killed?" How many?"

"Oh," said Kennedy, finally understanding. "We lost five aurors. Nine inner circle escaped; and, about a dozen more. There was also... I think... nine other prisoners killed."

With a firm nod, she said, "Thank you. Now, head back to the DMLE and process the prisoners. I expect to interview all of them tomorrow morning. None are to be released until I've done so; clear?"

"Yes, Ma'am," reported the auror before he headed off with his partner.

Dropping down into the basement, Madam Bones led them to a blank section of wall directly under the stairs. She carefully used her wand to cut her palm and smeared the blood that had welled up onto a section of stone. It glowed brightly for a moment before the stone shimmered and disappeared.

With the stone wall now out of the way, she said, "I trust you three to keep the location of the keystone a secret."

"I'll go you one better, Ma'am," said Harry. As he was still holding his wand in his hand, he raised it to give oath. "I, Harry James Potter, Head of the Ancient House of Potter, swear on the honour of my House to keep the location of the keystone of Bones Manor a secret to all, unless instructed otherwise by the Regent or Head of the House of Bones. So I say, so I swear."

The flash of light encompassed Harry and his wives.

Staring back in shock at Harry, Madam Bones said, "Well... as I would never have asked it of you, that was completely unnecessary. But... thank you." Giving herself a bit of a shake, she turned back to the keystone.

Indicating where the three were to pump their magic in, she said, "Place the tips of your wands there and be ready to pump your magic into the stone."

As the three stood together and did as instructed, Madam Bones raised her cut hand and smeared blood onto one of the runes. She then raised her own wand and placed it into the middle of the same rune. "Push now," she said.

All four then pushed hard with their magic and felt it flow into the stone. After about thirty seconds the runes on the stone began to glow.

"That will do," Madam Bones quietly said.

The three Potters then relaxed their magic and stepped back, feeling quite drained.

A few moments later, Madam Bones did the same with a sigh.

She then indicated back out beyond the 'door' of the missing stone wall and the four stepped out. They watched as the wall shimmered back into existence. All sign of what they'd done was gone. Even the original smear of blood was no longer there.

Turning to the three Potters the older witch quietly said, "Thank you."

"You're most welcome," said Harry. "However, I wonder if we might be able to trouble you for a round of pepper up potions? That took a lot out of us."

"Of course," said Madam Bones. "We shall head for the informal dining room. I'll have Ticker make us some tea to go with it."

Wearily, the four then climbed back up the stairs and made their way to the dining room that formed part of the kitchen.

A round of pepper-up potions later, all four were sitting quietly sipping their tea.

"Once again," sighed Madam Bones, "Thank you."

"Think nothing of it," said Harry, giving a little wave-off gesture. "It's what allied Houses are supposed to do for one another; yes?"

Madam Bones could only nod back in acknowledgement. She said, "I'll allow you to let yourselves out when you're ready. I need to head back to the Ministry to find out what happened at Azkaban. I fear I will not get much sleep, tonight, if any." And, with that, she quickly made her way back to the fireplace and floo'ed away.

"I think there's no point remaining here," said Daphne. "I dare say Professors Snape and Flitwick will be worrying about us, a little."

With a nod, he said, "Agreed." Turning to both wives he asked, "Me first?"

"As always," smiled Hermione.

In the same order they arrived, the three floo'ed out of Bones Manor and returned to the school by way of Professor Flitwick's floo.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

As they each exited the fireplace in Flitwick's office, each again had their shields immediately erected. Harry, of course, was out first.

Knowing he was likely to slip over, as with Potter Retreat he used the momentum to drop to his knees and skid across the floor while casting a shield with one wand and preparing to cast offensively with the other. A quick check of the environment and he dropped the shield and began to rise as Daphne, who was next, popped out with a shield immediately erected and a curse on the tip of her tongue for the other wand. And, finally, Hermione, with the same actions.

Professor Flitwick, who was sitting alone at his desk at the time, watched each with amusement.

Once Hermione relaxed and released her shield, the grinning diminutive professor asked, "Have you three been receiving training from Alastor Moody behind my back?"

Both Harry and Hermione looked a little abashed but firmly met his eyes with some measure of defiance. It was Daphne who replied, "No, Sir. With the current state of affairs, unless we have recent advanced notice of the conditions of the other end of the connection, we treat every arrival as... as Hermione would put it... arriving in a 'hot zone'."

"That means we expect to arrive in the middle of a major battle..." began Hermione before the Professor held up his hand to stop her.

"I'm aware of the term, Missus Granger-Potter," the Professor gently reproached her. "However, why not make a floo-call first?"

"Two reasons," she replied. "First, the scene at the other end might be a 'set' scene with the bad guys out of view. And, second, floo-calling first would alert the bad guys that we were coming; which would lose us the element of surprise."

"So, you intend to enter every area that way?" asked the Professor, genuinely curious.

"Yes," she immediately replied back. "Plus, if there's someone there we know, we ask them challenge questions, or give a quick oath that we are who we appear to be and only relax when they do the same."

"Ingenious," he smiled. "I'll pass that along to the staff to do, as well. Nevertheless..." The professor snapped his wand out and had it pointed at Harry in almost a blur.

As Harry looked back a little surprised, the Professor asked, "Mister Potter; the first time I called your name out for the roll, what did I do?"

With a grin, he replied, "Toppled off your stack of books, sir."

With a matching grin of his own, the Professor said, "Indeed." And the wand immediately disappeared again.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

Two days later two things occurred that Harry had been awaiting with high anticipation. The first was the twins' development of a potion similar to the Draught of the Living Death that would work on contact with the skin; and the second was the purchase and delivery of the paintball guns.

The twins had come up to their apartment one evening and brought two potions with them.

"We know you only wanted a potion that would knock out the target, Harry," said one twin.

"However, we also had to develop a counter-agent for it," said the other.

"It was the only way it would work," both said.

"Can I see your notes?" asked Daphne with a frown, holding out her hand.

As one twin reached into his robes, drew out a small sheaf of notes and handed them to Daphne, Hermione asked the other, "Why the need for a counter-agent? Wouldn't an ordinary poison antidote work?"

"Nope!" replied the second twin, beaming. "That's what makes this idea better."

The first twin said, "Just as we were able to, you'd be able to develop a counter-agent if given enough time. "

"However," said the first, "The potion..."

"What we call..." said the second, interrupting.

"Sleepy-byes!" said both.

"... is completely absorbed into the skin," continued the second.

"And will take a great deal of time and effort to effectively counter without the potion in liquid form," said the first.

"Reaction times?" asked Daphne, going over the notes in her lap.

"For Sleepy-byes, direct skin contact takes about three seconds," replied the first.

"Depending on the amount of layers of clothing over covered areas, it will take longer," said the second.

"But, through a Hogwarts robe, jumper and shirt, for example..." said the first.

"Expect it to be about five seconds," continued the second.

"And for the counter-agent?" she asked.

"It takes about fifteen seconds if given through the tongue," replied the second.

"Sorry, but it must be given orally liike Veritaserum," explained the first.

"We can't get it to work through the skin, as with Sleepy-byes," said the second

"Actually, that's perfect," said Daphne, looking up from the notes and smiling back.

"It is," grinned Hermione. "It's even better than we hoped."

That had both twins beaming back at the praise.

While they'd been talking, Harry had been thinking.

"Boys," he said, with an evil little smirk at the twins. "Get this properly written up. I think we... that is, you... can get this taken to Madam Bones of the DMLE for use of her aurors and hit wizards. I'm sure she'd be most interested in this very effective way of putting bad guys down and making sure they cannot be revived by a simple anti-poison antidote or Renervate."

Realising where Harry was going with it, Daphne grinned and said, "He's right. You can also make the recipe for both confidential and demand non-disclosure agreements if the DMLE push it."

Both boys high-fived each other and grinned.

The three were explaining to the twins about the 'delivery method' for getting the Sleepy-bye potion onto their targets when there was another knock on the door.

When Hermione answered it, she squealed in glee before practically pulling Sirius and Remus through the door. And both almost fell over from stumbling due to the surprise.

"Hi guys!" said Harry, rising and going to both to hug them. When he backed off he asked, "What brings you to our humble abode?"

After a quick nod towards the twins, Remus said, "Certain packages have arrived."

Realising his godfather and honourary uncle didn't know how much the twins knew of their plans for the paintball guns, Harry said, "If it's the paintball guns, it's okay. The twins have been developing the knock-out potion for the paintball loads."

As Padfoot gave a slight shrug and nod, and as Remus gave his own nod, both men then pulled shrunken loads out of the pockets of their robes, reaching down and placing them on the floor about a foot apart.

Once their pockets were empty of the boxes, Remus then cast the Finite charm to allow them to reassume their original sizes.

"Voila!" declared Sirius to the teens with a grand sweeping gesture to the boxes. Remus gave a quiet snort and rolled his eyes at his best friend's antics.

Grinning his head off, Harry quickly moved to the stack of boxes and, checking their labels, quickly opened a box containing paintball rounds as he said to Remus, "You bought more than the half-dozen guns requested."

He pulled out a small handful of rounds and brought them back to the coffee table, as Remus stepped to the boxes and opened one containing guns.

As Remus hefted the gun out, he replied, "I thought it prudent. Six might have been your minimum, but it made sense to have far more than that for what you wanted to use them for."

Harry held out his hand and offered each of the teens one of the rounds. "These are the paintball rounds," he explained. "They have a flimsy 'plasticky' shell and are filled with a liquid that is called paint, but isn't.

"Instead, they're filled with a tinted vegetable oil often used in deep fryers and the like. It makes it easier to wash out, that way; once you're done playing for the day."

"We get it," said Remus. "You intend to replace the oil with the potion."

"Yep," grinned Harry.

While Harry had been explaining the rounds, Remus got one of the guns ready and brought it over. Showing it to the group, he explained, "And, these are the paintball... or, should I say, potionball... guns that shoot them."

While each held one of the paintballs in a hand, twirling them about, one twin asked, "So, how do these gun-things work, exactly?"

Grinning, Harry said to Remus, "How about getting a half-dozen of these guns ready, and we take them to the Room of Requirements for a demonstration?"

Grinning himself, Remus quickly began to assemble a half-box worth of guns. Each box held a dozen such.

While Remus was busy, with Sirius watching on with curiosity and confusion, Harry held up one of the balls and said to the twins, "Now what we need to work out is how to replace the oil within these little beauties with your potion."

As they were trying to figure it out, Hermione began by offering suggestions, "A switching spell, perhaps? Or, maybe we can get the syringes I asked Sirius to also organise? One to draw out the oil and another to pump in the potion."

Frowning while thinking hard, Daphne offered, "A very specific vanishing spell to remove the oil, and another to put the potion in?"

"That might be risky," said one twin. "How... fragile... are these shells?"

"I think we can demonstrate how fragile they are once we get to the Room of Requirements," said Harry.

As the teens tried to figure out a solution, Remus got the last of the guns ready. "All done," he said, bringing the six guns over.

"Alright," said Harry. "If you wouldn't mind shrinking those and a box of the rounds... in case we pass others in the hallway... I'll lead us to the Room of Requirements."

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

Harry then led their small group across the castle to the corridor with the tapestry of the dancing trolls. After explaining what he was about to do, he then went and did it, walking back and forth along the corridor a short distance thinking hard about what sort of room he wanted.

On the third pass, the door appeared. And, before Harry could turn around, Hermione walked right up to it and opened it, gesturing for everyone to enter.

Harry was just thankful it wasn't one of the evenings Nott was going to be there. He didn't want to have to explain to any 'outsiders'... the twins... on why they couldn't get in.

Inside was a reasonably large room with one side set up with a wide duelling area. This was very similar to a spell casting duelling area, but the mannequins were not of the animated variety.

Gesturing to the area, Harry turned to Remus and said, "I take it the salesperson for the guns showed you how to operate them?"

With a wide smile, Remus softly said, "That he did."

After unshrinking the guns and box of paintballs, Remus stepped the group through how the guns worked, how to replace the little gas cannisters if they ever needed to, how to load the paintball 'hopper' with rounds, and where the safety was found. For the magically raised he then demonstrated how to grip the gun with both hands and how it could be held to the shoulder with the short 'shoulder stock'.

After the demonstration he walked up onto the duelling area at the other end from the mannequins and fired off a dozen rounds at the dummies as everyone watched.

Listening to the 'phut' sound of the gun firing, and the meaty 'twack' of the rounds striking the dummies, Daphne said, "That would have to hurt!"

"Oh, it does!" grinned Remus back. "It also can leave a very nasty bruise depending on how far away you are from the person firing at you, and how many layers of clothes you're wearing at the point of impact."

All six then walked up to the dummies to have a look at the impacts. And Sirius reached out and wiped a bit of the 'paint' off one with his finger, before rubbing it between his finger and the ball of his thumb. He then raised it to his nose and gave it a sniff.

"Yeah, it is cooking oil," he said, a little surprised.

"Don't eat it, though," frowned Remus. "Whatever they add to it for the colour is... as the saleman said to me... not fit for human consumption."

Giving a nod, Sirius wiped his finger and thumb off on the dummy.

Meanwhile, one of the twins had picked up what remained of one of the shells on the ground and both were peering at it closely. They were passing it back and forth and softly talking about it. Then they seemed to come to a decision.

Harry was watching them and asked, "You've figured something out, right?"

"Yes," both replied.

One then continued. "Vanishing the contents and them replacing it with the potion might not be the safest idea."

"The shell is both too weak and too flimsy to cope," continued the second.

"Plus, we need to know if the contents affects the Sleepy-bye potion in some way," said the first.

"So, we think we need to test some of the existing contents..."

"... With the potion first, before we go any further."

"Makes sense," said Daphne giving a firm nod to them.

"Take as many as you need," said Remus, indicating the large box filled with paintball rounds.

Now checking out one of the burst shells herself, Hermione said, "I think we need to develop a switching spell uniquely designed to switch out the contents with the potion. Something that can be done at the same time, which will then stop the shell from collapsing."

"Alright," said Harry. "The twins will experiment to see how and if the current contents affects the potion, and the girls will try to figure out a quick and easy purpose-designed switching spell to switch the contents."

"Excellent," said Remus, once he realised decisions had been reached and agreed upon. "Now; who wants to try shooting target dummies?"

The other five immediately grinned back.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

Once they got the hang of it, the twins and Daphne turned out to be quite good shots, as was Hermione. However, Sirius only hit as often as the twins simply by way of firing off far more shots. Hermione castigated him over how it was his continued laughing as he yanked on the trigger that caused most of his shots to completely miss.

Once she got the hang of it, Daphne proved to be almost a machine in the focus of firing paintballs with an almost pure rhythm of about one every one and a half seconds.

"This is annoying," she muttered with a frown on her face, as she fired.

"What is annoying, dearheart?" asked Harry.

"The... paintballs... They seem to want to curve off at different angles," she replied, lowering the gun to turn to him.

Having overheard her response, Remus said, "The man in the shop said it had to do with the seam where the two halves of the paintballs are fused. It creates a little drag and causes the ball to spin. When it spins one way or another it causes the ball to... swerve... in that direction. Or, something like that."

"Oh!" said Hermione, understanding. "It puts 'english' on the ball. That is, it causes the ball to spin in the air. This causes a drop in air pressure on one side; which then drags the ball in flight in that direction. It's similar to how an aircraft wing works."

The only one who even had a hope of understanding that was Harry. The others all looked back at Hermione in confusion.

Noticing it, Hermione was about to clarify when Harry interrupted.

"You're just confusing them even more, Hermione-love," he soothingly said with a wide grin. "All they need to know is that the balls won't fly completely straight because of the little seam. And that they just need to be aware of it."

Turning back to everyone else, he said, "You just need to be aware of it so that you know that the randomness of the flight of the ball after a short distance means that you need to be close enough to shoot. You also need to know that the little ball will not break apart... and coat the target in the potion... if you're too far away before you shoot. The paintball loses it's speed."

"Then, how close do we need to be?" asked Daphne.

"No further than about fifty feet is what the salesman told me," replied Remus. "Any further than that and the curve of the paintball could have it turn too far away from the target to hit, and means it loses too much speed to break open on impact.

As for shooting, while Hermione was at first quite tentative; she too, however, quickly picked up on the rhythm Daphne seemed to almost instinctively find and maintain.

Surprisingly, Harry would've been the worst shot if not for Sirius. His ability to cast accurately with a wand did not transfer to marksmanship with a paintball gun.

"This is fun!" Sirius barked out in laughter.

However, after half an hour of shooting the paintball guns, Remus called a halt. "The idea, here, is not to blow through all the paintball rounds having fun firing them off. These are for a very important role in the defence of the castle. Let's keep that in mind, shall we?"

With a sigh, Harry flicked the safety slide on to safe the gun before lowering it.

"Safeties engaged, please," called Remus.

With a few grumbles of 'spoilsport', especially from Sirius, the group 'safed' their guns and lowered them.

Once he saw everyone had stopped shooting and had safed their guns, Remus said, "I think we should all empty the paintball hoppers back into the box and head back to the Potter apartment. We've got work to do."

Harry checked to see how much 'damage' with paintball guts they'd painted the dummies and the walls with and used his wand to charm the walls and dummies clean again. He then followed the others back to the apartment.

Once back, Remus took the guns back - with a bit of a whine and pout from Sirius, who was reluctant to hand 'his' gun back - and packed them back away.

"So," said Harry. "Was Hermione right? Is using paintballs filled with Sleepy-bye and fired through paintball guns a good defence idea in magically inert areas throughout the castle?"

"It's brilliant!" exclaimed the twins together.

"I must say, Harry," said a much calmer Remus, "I did not think it would work. However, that demonstration in the Room of Requirement shows the idea... has merit. It should work... so long as the potion works."

"It does," grinned one of the twins.

"So long as that vegetable oil is inert in the potion it will still work," said the other.

"We'll test for that using a couple of these ball things," said the other.

"Paintball rounds," said Harry, almost distractedly.

"Paintball rounds," nodded the twin.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ